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About
the Cast
 JULIANNE
MOORE (Cathy Whitaker), an actress of exceptional range,
has delivered outstanding work in both major studio hits and acclaimed
independent features. For her performance in Todd Haynes’ SAFE,
she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress.
Soon
to be seen starring in Stephen Daldry’s THE HOURS, Moore’s
other notable films include Neil Jordan’s THE END OF THE AFFAIR
and Paul Thomas Anderson’s BOOGIE NIGHTS. Her performances
in the latter movies earned her Academy Award, Golden Globe Award,
and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for each film. She also
received a BAFTA Award nomination for THE END OF THE AFFAIR; an
additional Golden Globe Award nomination for her work in Oliver
Parker’s AN IDEAL HUSBAND; and awards for BOOGIE NIGHTS from
the National Society of Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics Association,
and Florida Film Critics Circle as Best Supporting Actress.
Moore
received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Robert Altman’s
SHORT CUTS, and later reunited with the director for COOKIE’S
FORTUNE (for which she was honored by the Dallas-Fort Worth Film
Critics Association as Best Supporting Actress). She has also starred
in such blockbusters as Ridley Scott’s HANNIBAL and Steven
Spielberg’s THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK; in the independent
films THE MYTH OF FINGERPRINTS and WORLD TRAVELER, both of which
were written and directed by her companion, Bart Freundlich; and,
again for Paul Thomas Anderson, in MAGNOLIA (for which she was nominated
for a Screen Actors Guild Award).
Her
four screen performances from 1999 (in COOKIE’S FORTUNE, AN
IDEAL HUSBAND, MAGNOLIA, and Scott Elliott’s A MAP OF THE WORLD)
brought her the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting
Actress that year.
Moore’s
many other screen credits include Lasse Hallstrom’s THE SHIPPING
NEWS; Joel and Ethan Coen’s THE BIG LEBOWSKI; Merchant Ivory’s
SURVIVING PICASSO; Chris Columbus’ NINE MONTHS; Louis Malle’s
VANYA
ON 42nd STREET (for which she earned the Boston Society of Film
Critics Award for Best Actress); Jeremiah Chechik’s BENNY &
JOON; and Curtis Hanson’s THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.
She
will soon begin work on RAVELING, which Bart Freundlich will direct
and co-adapt with her brother Peter Moore Smith, from the latter’s
novel. She will star in as well as executive-produce the feature.
After
earning her B.F.A. from Boston University for the Performing Arts,
Moore starred in a number of off-Broadway productions, including
Caryl Churchill’s "Serious Money" and "Ice Cream/Hot
Fudge" at the Public Theater. In Minneapolis, she appeared
in the Guthrie Theater’s "Hamlet"; and participated
in workshop productions of Strindberg’s "The Father"
(with Al Pacino) and Wendy Wasserstein’s "An American
Daughter" (with Meryl Streep).
Moore
was recently honored with the Independent Feature Project (IFP)
Gotham Awards’ annual Actor Award, which recognizes a New York-based
actor who has made significant artistic contributions to the city’s
film community.
 DENNIS
QUAID (Frank Whitaker) is one of America’s most
charismatic actors. This past spring, he earned both critical acclaim
and boxoffice success in the title role of THE ROOKIE. Directed
by John Lee Hancock, the film was based on the true story of pitcher
Jim Morris, who went from being a high school baseball coach to
a major-league ballplayer.
He
is beginning work on two new movies: Mike Figgis’ COLD CREEK
MANOR and Roland Emmerich’s THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
Quaid’s
recent films include Norman Jewison’s HBO feature DINNER WITH
FRIENDS, based on Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning
play; and Far from Heaven executive producer Steven Soderbergh’s
multi-Academy Award-winning blockbuster TRAFFIC.
The
actor made his directorial debut for TNT in 1998 with the poignant
drama EVERYTHING THAT RISES, in which he also starred.
His
impressive list of film credits also includes Gregory Hoblit’s
FREQUENCY; Oliver Stone’s ANY GIVEN SUNDAY; Willard Carroll’s
PLAYING BY HEART; Peter Antonijevic’s SAVIOR; Nancy Meyers’
THE PARENT TRAP (1998); Jeb Stuart’s SWITCHBACK; Jim Kouf’s
GANG RELATED; Rob Cohen’s DRAGONHEART; Lasse Hallstrom’s
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT; Lawrence Kasdan’s WYATT EARP; Steve
Kloves’ FLESH AND BONE; Alan Parker’s COME SEE THE PARADISE;
Jim McBride’s GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! and THE BIG EASY; Taylor
Hackford’s EVERYBODY’S ALL-AMERICAN; Rocky Morton and
Annabel Jankel’s D.O.A. (1988); Peter Yates’ SUSPECT and
BREAKING AWAY; Joe Dante’s INNERSPACE; Wolfgang Petersen’s
ENEMY MINE; Joseph Ruben’s DREAMSCAPE and OUR WINNING SEASON;
Philip Kaufman’s THE RIGHT STUFF; Richard Fleischer’s
TOUGH ENOUGH; Ronald F. Maxwell’s THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT
OUT IN GEORGIA; Jean-Claude Tramont’s ALL NIGHT LONG; Walter
Hill’s THE LONG RIDERS (with his brother Randy); James Bridges’
"9/30/55"; Anthony Page’s I NEVER PROMISED YOU A
ROSE GARDEN; and Jonathan Demme’s CRAZY MAMA (his film debut).
Quaid
starred with Mickey Rooney for director Anthony Page in both the
Emmy Award-winning telefilm BILL and its sequel, BILL: ON HIS OWN.
In
1984, he starred opposite his brother Randy in the off-Broadway
production of Sam Shepard’s "True West," followed
by a subsequent staging of the production in Los Angeles.
DENNIS
HAYSBERT (Raymond Deagan) has lately captured the attention
of critics and audiences alike with his portrayal of Presidential
nominee David Palmer on the award-winning television series "24."
He continues as the character in the show’s second season,
which begins airing in the fall of 2002.
On
the film front, Haysbert is best known for his starring role opposite
Michelle Pfeiffer in Jonathan Kaplan’s LOVE FIELD; and for
playing Pedro Cerrano in the popular MAJOR LEAGUE movies (directed
by David S. Ward, twice, and John Warren).
His
other films include Gurinder Chadha’s WHAT’S COOKING?
and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s LOVE AND BASKETBALL (starring opposite
Alfre Woodard in both features); Sydney Pollack’s RANDOM HEARTS;
Josef Rusnak’s THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR; Clint Eastwood’s
ABSOLUTE
POWER;
Michael Mann’s HEAT; Forest Whitaker’s WAITING TO EXHALE;
David Siegel and Scott McGehee’s SUTURE (like Far from Heaven,
executive-produced by Steven Soderbergh); and Lewis Teague’s
NAVY SEALS.
The
California native studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic
Arts. Upon graduation, he won his first television role on an Emmy
Award-winning episode of LOU GRANT that co-starred The Reverend
Jesse Jackson.
Haysbert
is very active in the fight against AIDS. In 2000, he was the spokesperson
for the Harlem Health Expo entitled "Break the Silence."
PATRICIA
CLARKSON (Eleanor Fine) will shortly be seen starring
in David Gordon Green’s ALL THE REAL GIRLS; Anthony and Joe
Russo’s WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD (also for Section Eight); Rose
Troche’s THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS (also for Killer Films); and
Lars von Trier’s DOGVILLE.
For
her performance as Greta, opposite Ally Sheedy, in Lisa Cholodenko’s
HIGH ART, Clarkson was nominated for an IFP Independent Spirit Award.
Her many film credits also include Larry Fessenden’s WENDIGO;
Sean Penn’s THE PLEDGE; Stanley Tucci’s JOE GOULD’S
SECRET; Frank Darabont’s THE GREEN MILE; Willard Carroll’s
PLAYING BY HEART and Taylor Hackford’s EVERYBODY’S ALL-AMERICAN
(both with Far from Heaven star Dennis Quaid); Joe Johnston’s
JUMANJI; Jon Amiel’s TUNE IN TOMORROW…; Buddy Van Horn’s
THE DEAD POOL; Daniel Petrie’s ROCKET GIBRALTAR; and Brian
De Palma’s THE UNTOUCHABLES (her film debut).
She
recently did multi-episode stints on the hit television series SIX
FEET UNDER and FRASIER. Her television work has also included a
regular role on MURDER ONE. She just completed a starring role in
the telefilm remake of CARRIE.
Born
and raised in New Orleans, Clarkson was acting in school plays by
her early teens. After studying speech at Louisiana State University
for two years, she transferred to Fordham University in New York,
where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in theatre arts.
She earned her M.F.A. at the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where
she appeared in "Electra," "Pacific Overtures,"
"Pericles," "La Ronde," "The Lower Depths,"
and "The Misanthrope" at the Yale Theatre.
She
made her professional acting debut on the New York stage. There,
she has appeared in "Eastern Standard" (both on and off-Broadway);
Nicky Silver’s acclaimed plays "Maidens Prayer" (for
which she received Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations)
and "Raised in Captivity"; "Oliver Oliver";
Jerry Zaks’ Lincoln Center staging of John Guare’s "The
House of Blue Leaves"; and several of Richard Greenberg’s
plays, including "Three Days of Rain." Her regional credits
include performing with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the South
Coast Repertory, and Yale Repertory.
VIOLA
DAVIS (Sybil) received the 2001 Antoinette Perry (Tony)
Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as
Tonya in August Wilson’s "King Hedley II." The performance
also garnered her Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. She
had previously been nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for
her performance as Vera in August Wilson’s "Seven Guitars,"
which brought her an Outer Critics Circle Award as well as a Theatre
World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut.
Her
stage credits also include the title role in "Everybody’s
Ruby" (at New York’s Public Theatre, for which she received
an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination); New York Shakespeare
Festival productions of "Pericles," and "As You Like
It"; "God’s Heart" (at New York’s Lincoln
Center); and August Wilson’s "Joe Turner’s Come and
Gone."
Davis
has performed with, among other theater companies: American Conservatory
Theatre, Sundance Theatre Institute, and Trinity Repertory Company.
She has performed around the country at, among other theaters: The
Goodman, The Guthrie, and The Huntington.
Her
screen credits include three films directed by Far from Heaven executive
producer Steven Soderbergh: the Academy Award-winning TRAFFIC, OUT
OF SIGHT, and the upcoming SOLARIS; James Mangold’s KATE &
LEOPOLD; Richard Benjamin’s THE SHRINK IS IN; Daniel Sullivan’s
THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE; and the soon-to-be-released ANTWONE FISHER,
directed by Denzel Washington.
Davis’
television work includes a regular role on the Steven Bochco-produced
series CITY OF ANGELS; the "Oprah Winfrey Presents" telefilm
AMY & ISABELLE (directed by Lloyd Kramer); the "Hallmark
Hall of Fame" telefilm GRACE AND GLORIE (directed by Arthur
Allan Seidelman); Richard
Benjamin’s
telefilm THE PENTAGON WARS; and guest appearances on THE GUARDIAN,
JUDGING AMY, THIRD WATCH, PROVIDENCE, NYPD BLUE, and LAW AND ORDER:
CRIMINAL INTENT.
She
is a graduate of The Juilliard School and recently received an Honorary
Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island
College.
About
the Filmmakers
TODD
HAYNES (Writer/Director) founded Apparatus Productions
in 1985 with Barry Ellsworth and Christine Vachon. Apparatus is
a non-profit grant-giving organization providing funding, production
and distribution support to emerging filmmakers. Todd is also one
of the founding members of Gran Fury, a collective of artists in
the AIDS activist community.
His
short film SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY has become an underground
cult classic. Written and directed by Haynes, the film traced Karen
Carpenter’s demise from anorexia nervosa. Using Barbie dolls
as actors, a soundtrack of heartrending Carpenters songs, and a
’70s wardrobe that any doll would be proud to own, this seminal
film demonstrated Haynes’ intense empathy and theatrical bravado.
The film was awarded the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco
Film Festival; and the Best Experimental Film Award at the USA [later
Sundance] Film Festival.
POISON,
Haynes’ first feature film as writer/director, interwove three
separate tales of transgression inspired by the writings of Jean
Genet. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1991, where
it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film. It subsequently
played in over 20 film festivals, earning a Teddy Award at the Berlin
International Film Festival and the Critics’ Prize at the Locarno
International Film Festival, prior to its theatrical release.
The
30-minute short, DOTTIE GETS SPANKED, followed. Set in suburban
New York in 1966, the film explored juvenile sexuality through a
little boy’s obsession with a television comedienne.
Haynes’
second feature film, SAFE, looked at the life of a California housewife
(played by Julianne Moore) who finds that she is becoming allergic
to the 20th century. SAFE premiered at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival;
screened in the Directors Fortnight section of the 1995 Cannes International
Film Festival; and was released theatrically in the summer of 1995.
In the Village Voice Critics’ Poll of 2000, 65 film critics
voted SAFE the best film of the ’90s.
VELVET
GOLDMINE, his third feature as writer/director, premiered as an
Official Selection at the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival
and earned Haynes a Special Jury Prize for Artistic Contribution.
A multi-layered glam-rock epic tracing the rise and fall of a mythical
rock star, the film starred Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers,
Toni Collette, Christian Bale, and Eddie Izzard. Released theatrically
in the fall of 1998, VELVET GOLDMINE won an Independent Spirit Award
for Best Cinematography (by Maryse Alberti) and earned a BAFTA Award
and an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design (by Sandy
Powell).
CHRISTINE
VACHON (Producer) is partnered with Pamela Koffler and
Katie Roumel in Killer Films, which Vachon and Koffler founded in
1996.
Her
early films as producer included Todd Haynes’ controversial
first feature, POISON, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at
the 1991 Sundance Film Festival; and video artist Tom Kalin’s
first feature, SWOON, which was based on the infamous Leopold/Loeb
murder case, and which received the coveted Caligari Award at the
1992 Berlin International Film Festival.
Her
partnership with Pamela Koffler grew out of a collaboration that
began in 1993 with Tom Kalin’s documentary GEOFFREY BEENE 30,
the first of several Vachon projects on which Koffler was line producer.
Vachon’s
subsequent credits as producer included Todd Haynes’ second
feature, SAFE; and Steve McLean’s POSTCARDS FROM AMERICA, which
premiered at the 1994 New York Film Festival. She also executive-produced
Rose Troche’s GO FISH and co-produced Larry Clark’s KIDS.
She
next produced Nigel Finch’s STONEWALL, which premiered at the
prestigious Venice International Film Festival; and Mary Harron’s
I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, for which star Lili Taylor won a special acting
prize at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival.
Killer
Films’ first production was Cindy Sherman’s OFFICE KILLER,
starring Carol Kane. With Redeemable Features, Killer then produced
Tony Vitale’s KISS ME, GUIDO, which was shown as part of The
American Spectrum program at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.
Todd
Haynes’ VELVET GOLDMINE followed, world-premiering in competition
at the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival, where Todd Haynes
received a Special Jury Prize for Artistic Contribution for the
film.
Also
that year at Cannes, Killer’s production of Todd Solondz’
HAPPINESS had its world premiere in the Directors Fortnight section
and was awarded the prestigious Fipresci Critics’ Prize.
Vachon
and Koffler next produced I’M LOSING YOU, Bruce Wagner’s
adaptation of his best-selling novel, which premiered at the 1998
Toronto International Film Festival.
The
next feature Vachon produced, Kimberly Peirce’s BOYS DON’T
CRY, based on the true story of Brandon Teena, was featured in the
1999 Venice, Toronto, and New York Film Festivals and released that
fall. The film went on to receive a number of honors. For her performance
in the lead role, Hilary Swank earned an Academy Award as well as
a Golden Globe Award. In addition, Chloë Sevigny’s performance
brought her Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations.
Killer’s
CRIME + PUNISHMENT IN SUBURBIA, directed by Rob Schmidt, screened
in competition at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. SERIES 7, writer/director
Daniel Minahan’s feature directing debut, world-premiered at
the 2001 Sundance Film Festival.
In
May 2001, Katie Roumel was named partner in Killer Films, joining
Vachon and Koffler. Roumel had met the latter duo while working
on KIDS as a casting assistant. She went on to be the assistant
coordinator on STONEWALL and I SHOT ANDY WARHOL; line producer on
KISS ME, GUIDO; and producer of SERIES 7 and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY
INCH (directed by and starring John Cameron Mitchell).
Killer’s
production of the latter film, based on the Off-Broadway rock musical,
premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, where Mitchell won
the
Audience
Award and Director Award. He also later earned a Golden Globe Award
nomination for his performance.
Recent
Killer projects include Todd Solondz’ STORYTELLING, which world-premiered
at the 2001 Cannes International Film Festival, and went on to screen
at the New York and Sundance Film Festivals; Mark Romanek’s
ONE HOUR PHOTO, starring Robin Williams, which world-premiered at
the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; Tim Blake Nelson’s THE GREY
ZONE, starring Harvey Keitel and Mira Sorvino, which premiered at
the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released
in the fall of 2002; and Rose Troche’s THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS,
starring Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, and Patricia Clarkson, which
premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival and will
open this winter.
Killer’s
current slate of projects encompasses a diverse group of filmmakers:
Robert Altman is directing THE COMPANY, written by Barbara Turner
and starring Neve Campbell; THE PASSION, based on the book by Jeanette
Winterson, has Kasi Lemmons attached to direct; THE EXTRA MAN, based
on Jonathan Ames’ book, will mark Isaac Mizrahi’s directorial
debut; COCK AND BULL, based on Will Self’s book, will be directed
by Jason Farrand; Tom Kalin will direct SAVAGE GRACE; Douglas McGrath
is writing and directing CAPOTE; A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD
will be directed by Michael Mayer from the Michael Cunningham novel
of the same name; and production has been completed on PARTY MONSTER,
written and directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, and starring
Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, and Chloë Sevigny.
In
2000, Killer Films joined with John Wells in an innovative co-production
pact that has yielded such films as THE GREY ZONE, ONE HOUR PHOTO,
and Far from Heaven. Killer also has a 2-year development deal with
Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions, which has already led to
such successful collaborations as Far from Heaven and THE SAFETY
OF OBJECTS.
In
1994, Christine Vachon was awarded the Frameline Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Lesbian and Gay Media. In 1996, she was honored with
the prestigious Muse Award for Outstanding Vision and Achievement
by New York Women in Film and Television. More recently, she received
the Independent Feature Project’s 1999 Gotham Award for her
work as producer.
She
is currently serving on the Producers Council board of governors
for the Producers Guild of America.
Her
book, Shooting to Kill: How an Independent Producer Blasts Through
the Barriers to Make Movies that Matter, was published in the fall
of 1998 by Avon and was a Los Angeles Times bestseller.
JODY
PATTON (Producer) is president of Vulcan Productions,
an independent film production company founded by Paul G. Allen
to originate, develop and finance creatively driven and inventive
motion picture and documentary projects. The company aspires to
the highest level of compelling storytelling in its filmmaking,
and is dedicated to creating films characterized by significant
artistic merit as well as long-term commercial success.
Feature
films produced by Vulcan Productions (formerly known as Clear Blue
Sky Productions) include Victor Nunez’ COASTLINES (which world-premiered
at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival), starring Josh Brolin, Sarah
Wynter, and Timothy Olyphant; Rose Troche’s THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS
(which world-premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival),
starring Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, and Patricia Clarkson; Marleen
Gorris’ THE LUZHIN DEFENCE, starring John Turturro and Emily
Watson; Julie Taymor’s TITUS, starring Anthony Hopkins and
Jessica Lange (which received an Academy Award nomination for Best
Costume Design [by Milena Canonero]; and John Sayles’ MEN WITH
GUNS.
Vulcan’s
documentary productions, all for PBS, include the series EVOLUTION,
the special CRACKING THE CODE OF LIFE, and the upcoming series THE
BLUES. The latter series will have seven feature film directors
helming individual episodes; among the directors are Martin Scorsese,
Wim Wenders, Mike Figgis, and Clint Eastwood.
Since
helping launch Paul G. Allen’s management company with Allen
and William Savoy in 1986, Patton has developed and led a wide variety
of Allen’s business, charitable, and entertainment endeavors.
In addition to serving as a senior advisor to Allen and directing
the ongoing strategic and corporate development of the organization
and its broad portfolio of projects and investments, her responsibilities
include serving as president of Vulcan Productions (the independent
film production company), vice chair of First & Goal Inc. (the
developer and manager of the Washington State Football &
Soccer
Stadium), and executive director of Experience Music Project (Seattle’s
uniquely interactive music museum).
Patton
also serves as executive director of the six Paul G. Allen Foundations,
which support nonprofit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest
in the areas of health and human services, the arts, medical research,
and forest protection. She previously served in various capacities
in the business and nonprofit worlds, including development work
for the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
An
active member of the arts and education communities, Patton serves
on the board of directors of the University of Washington Foundation,
the International Glass Museum, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival,
and the Theatre Communications Group; as well as on the advisory
boards of Meany Hall and the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival.
STEVEN
SODERBERGH (Executive Producer) not only works behind
the camera as a director but behind the scenes as a producer for
a variety of projects.
In
2000, Soderbergh and George Clooney formed Section Eight, a film
production company based at Warner Bros. Their ensemble comedy WELCOME
TO COLLINWOOD, written and directed by brothers Anthony and Joe
Russo, was selected to close the 2002 Cannes International Film
Festival’s Directors Fortnight. They also executive-produced
Christopher Nolan’s INSOMNIA, starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams,
and Hilary Swank; and are in post-production on an untitled film
written and directed by Lodge Kerrigan.
They
are currently in post-production on Charlie Kaufman’s adaptation
of Chuck Barris’ book CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, directed
by and starring George Clooney with a cast that includes Sam Rockwell,
Drew Barrymore, and Julia Roberts. The film will be released in
December.
Soderbergh’s
other credits as producer include THE DAYTRIPPERS and PLEASANTVILLE;
and, as executive producer, SUTURE and Godfrey Reggio’s upcoming
NAQOYQATSI, the final installment of the non-narrative films that
make up the Qatsi Trilogy, beginning with KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI.
Soderbergh
is the only director to have two films nominated for Best Picture
and Best Director in the same year. His Academy Award for Best Director
of TRAFFIC marks the first time since the 1928/29 Awards that a
director has successfully competed against himself (Frank Lloyd
for THE DIVINE LADY; Michael Curtiz, a double nominee for Best Director
in 1938 for ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES and FOUR DAUGHTERS, lost to
Frank Capra for YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU).
TRAFFIC
also received Oscars for Editing (Stephen Mirrione), Supporting
Actor (Benicio Del Toro), and Adapted Screenplay (Stephen Gaghan).
The film’s fifth nomination was for Best Picture (Laura Bickford,
Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick).
In
addition to Soderbergh’s Best Director nomination for ERIN
BROCKOVICH, Julia Roberts received the Best Actress Academy Award.
The film’s other nominations were for Best Supporting Actor
(Albert Finney), Best Original Screenplay (Susannah Grant), and
Best Picture (Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher).
Last
year, Soderbergh directed the hugely successful ensemble caper OCEAN’S
ELEVEN. His additional directing credits include THE LIMEY, OUT
OF SIGHT, GRAY’S ANATOMY, SCHIZOPOLIS, THE UNDERNEATH, KING
OF THE HILL, and KAFKA.
In
August, his contemporary comedy FULL FRONTAL, shot during eighteen
days using a combination of digital video tape and film, will be
released.
Currently,
Soderbergh is directing the science-fiction thriller SOLARIS, starring
George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Davies, Viola Davis, and
Ulrich Tukur.
GEORGE
CLOONEY (Executive Producer) is an award-winning actor
and producer who has recently turned director: he is currently in
post-production on his feature directorial debut, CONFESSIONS OF
A DANGEROUS MIND. The film is based on the "unauthorized autobiography"
of Chuck Barris, who is played by Sam Rockwell. Clooney also stars
in the film with Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts.
As
actor, Clooney next stars in the science-fiction thriller SOLARIS
for Steven Soderbergh; and Joel and Ethan Coen’s INTOLERABLE
CRUELTY, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones.
He
is partnered with Steven Soderbergh in the film production company
Section Eight. The company’s first project, Anthony and Joe
Russo’s WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD, has Clooney not only as producer
but also in a cameo role. The film world-premiered as the Closing
Night film of the Directors Fortnight section at the 2002 Cannes
International Film Festival. Clooney also executive-produced Christopher
Nolan’s INSOMNIA.
He
recently starred for Steven Soderbergh in the boxoffice smash OCEAN’S
ELEVEN; and in Joel and Ethan Coen’s popular O BROTHER, WHERE
ART THOU?, for which he won the Golden Globe Award as Best Actor
in Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).
His
previous screen credits include starring roles in Wolfgang Petersen’s
blockbuster THE PERFECT STORM; David O. Russell’s THREE KINGS;
Steven Soderbergh’s award-winning OUT OF SIGHT; Mimi Leder’s
THE PEACEMAKER; Joel Schumacher’s BATMAN & ROBIN; Michael
Hoffman’s ONE FINE DAY; and Robert Rodriguez’ FROM DUSK
TILL DAWN.
Clooney
has starred in several television series, and is best known to TV
audiences for his five years on the top-rated drama series ER. His
portrayal of Dr. Douglas Ross earned him Golden Globe, Screen Actors
Guild, People’s Choice, and Emmy Award nominations.
He
also develops television projects through his Maysville Pictures.
He executive-produced and co-starred in a live television broadcast
of FAIL-SAFE, which won two Emmy Awards and was nominated for a
Golden Globe Award as Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made For
Television. The telecast, which aired under the direction of Stephen
Frears in April 2000, was based on Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler’s
novel of the same name, published some 40 years earlier.
JOHN
WELLS (Executive Producer) is a prolific producer, director,
and writer for the stage, television, and film.
He
currently oversees four notable hourlong television series: ER,
THIRD WATCH (which earned an Emmy Award, a Prism Award, and a Peabody
Award in its first three years on the air), THE WEST WING (which
won 17 Emmy Awards in its first two years on the air), and the new
PRESIDIO MED. ER, in its first eight years on the air, earned Wells
and his team 19 Emmy Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 8 People’s Choice
Awards, 2 Producers Guild of America Awards, and a Humanitas Prize.
His
feature projects as producer, aside from Far from Heaven, include
the soon-to-be-released WHITE OLEANDER, directed by Peter Kosminsky
and adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from Janet Fitch’s best-selling
novel. The film’s cast includes Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer,
Robin Wright Penn, and Renée Zellweger. Wells also produced
Neil Jordan’s THE GOOD THIEF, starring Nick Nolte, slated for
a 2003 release.
His
prior film credits include, through his innovative co-production
pact with Killer Films, Tim Blake Nelson’s THE GREY ZONE and
Mark Romanek’s ONE HOUR PHOTO (starring Robin Williams); and,
as co-executive-producer, Mimi Leder’s THE PEACEMAKER, starring
George Clooney and Nicole Kidman.
Before
beginning work on ER, Wells was a writer and producer on the acclaimed
series CHINA BEACH. The show was honored with a Peabody Award, a
Humanitas Prize, and Writers Guild of America and Emmy Award nominations.
The
Alexandria, Virginia native is the immediate past president of the
Writers Guild of America. His award-winning stage work includes
productions of "Judgment," "Balm in Gilead,"
"Battery," and "She Also Dances."
ERIC
ROBISON (Executive Producer) is a business advisor who
has worked for over two decades with entertainment, media, and technology
companies.
Since
the mid-1990s, he has worked in producing capacities with independent
filmmakers on a variety of acclaimed projects: he associate-produced
John Sayles’ Spanish-language feature MEN WITH GUNS and Michael
Apted’s documentary
about the creative process entitled INSPIRATIONS; co-produced Marleen
Gorris’ THE LUZHIN DEFENCE, starring Emily Watson and John
Turturro; co-produced Rose Troche’s THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS,
starring Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, and Patricia Clarkson; and
executive-produced Victor Nunez’ COASTLINES (which world-premiered
at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival), starring Josh Brolin, Sarah
Wynter, and Timothy Olyphant.
Robison
works with Vulcan Productions and Vulcan Inc. (the company that
manages all business interests for investor Paul G. Allen) as a
consultant. He previously worked at Vulcan Productions as general
manager/vice president; and at Vulcan Inc. as vice president of
business development and project development.
Based
in Montecito, CA, he also currently serves on the boards of directors
of CNET Networks, the leading provider of information about technology;
and Cumulus Media, which operates 245 radio stations in 53 markets.
JOHN
SLOSS (Executive Producer) has executive-produced over
two dozen independent feature films. These include Rebecca Miller’s
PERSONAL VELOCITY; Kimberly Peirce’s Academy Award-winning
BOYS DON’T CRY; Richard Linklater’s BEFORE SUNRISE, subUrbia,
THE NEWTON BOYS, and WAKING LIFE; John Sayles’ CITY OF HOPE,
PASSION FISH, THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH, LONE STAR, and MEN WITH
GUNS; Michael Almereyda’s HAMLET (2000); Brad Anderson’s
HAPPY ACCIDENTS and SESSION 9; Edward Burns’ SHE’S THE
ONE; Michael Corrente’s AMERICAN BUFFALO; Maggie Greenwald’s
THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO; Ethan Hawke’s CHELSEA WALLS; Errol
Morris’ MR. DEATH: THE RISE AND FALL OF FRED A. LEUCHTER, JR.;
Victor Nunez’ ULEE’S GOLD and COASTLINES; Whit Stillman’s
THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO; and Gary Winick’s TADPOLE.
In
March 2001, the Detroit native founded Cinetic Media, a consulting
firm specializing in producer representation (securing distribution
for independent features and other content), providing consulting
services to end users and/or media financiers worldwide, and securing
financing for motion picture projects. He lectures extensively on
the subject of global entertainment finance. His other Cinetic activities
include consulting for several high-profile film financiers and
producers, as well as a partnership in Independent Digital
Entertainment
(InDigEnt), a series of digital features made in collaboration with
established filmmakers and actors, which is quickly becoming the
gold standard in digital filmmaking.
As
an attorney, he represents (through Sloss Law Office, which he formed
in March 1993), clients in all aspects of motion picture financing,
production, and distribution. He is a graduate of both the University
of Michigan and the University of Michigan School of Law.
BRADFORD
SIMPSON (Co-Producer) is a producer at Killer Films.
The Brown University graduate joined Killer in 1996, and was head
of development from 1999-2002.
He
was the Killer executive in charge of production on Todd Haynes’
VELVET GOLDMINE, which was awarded a Special Jury Prize for Artistic
Contribution at the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival. He
then associate-produced Kimberly Peirce’s BOYS DON’T CRY,
which earned Hilary Swank the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Simpson
is currently producing PARTY MONSTER, which Fenton Bailey and Randy
Barbato are writing and directing, and which stars Macaulay Culkin,
Seth Green, and Chloë Sevigny.
He
is also developing, with director Douglas McGrath, a screenplay
based on the writing of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood; with
Isaac Mizrahi directing, the film version of Jonathan Ames’
The Extra Man; with Jason Farrand helming, an adaptation of Will
Self’s Cock and Bull; and the film version of Randall Sullivan’s
Labyrinth: The Murder of Biggie Smalls, with Henry Bean writing.
DECLAN
BALDWIN (Co-Producer) most recently produced Moisés
Kaufman’s THE LARAMIE PROJECT, the HBO Films feature which
had its world premiere at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; and line-produced
Todd Solondz’ STORYTELLING (also for Killer Films).
The
native New Yorker began his career as a production assistant on
area films, and soon was working as a unit manager on such features
as Arthur Penn’s PENN & TELLER GET KILLED. He later worked
as location manager on Barbra Streisand’s THE MIRROR HAS TWO
FACES, Ang Lee’s THE ICE
STORM,
James L. Brooks’ AS GOOD AS IT GETS, and Tim Burton’s
SLEEPY HOLLOW, among other major films.
Baldwin
segued into producing movies by way of two back-to-back features
with George A. Romero: line-producing the 1990 remake of NIGHT OF
THE LIVING DEAD (directed by Tom Savini) and then producing Romero’s
THE DARK HALF (which was based on Stephen King’s best-selling
novel). He subsequently co-produced Clare Peploe’s ROUGH MAGIC,
which starred Russell Crowe, Bridget Fonda, and Jim Broadbent.
He
was the creative and marketing consultant for the newly formed Hudson
River Stages production facility in Yonkers, NY.
EDWARD
LACHMAN, A.S.C. (Director of Photography) is one of the
most respected cinematographers of his time, one who has worked
on big-budget, independent, and foreign-language films.
Lachman’s
feature film credits as cinematographer include Terry Zwigoff’s
forthcoming BAD SANTA; Andrew Niccol’s SIMONE; Pat O’Connor’s
SWEET NOVEMBER; Far from Heaven executive producer Steven Soderbergh’s
ERIN BROCKOVICH and THE LIMEY; Sofia Coppola’s THE VIRGIN SUICIDES;
Gregory Nava’s SELENA and MI FAMILIA; Paul Schrader’s
TOUCH and LIGHT SLEEPER (for which he received an Independent Spirit
Award nomination); Stacy Cochran’s MY NEW GUN; Hanif Kureishi’s
LONDON KILLS ME; Mira Nair’s MISSISSIPPI MASALA; Susan Seidelman’s
MAKING MR. RIGHT and DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN; David Byrne’s
TRUE STORIES (for which he received an Independent Spirit Award
nomination); Nicholas Ray and Wim Wenders’ LIGHTNING OVER WATER;
Mark Reichert’s UNION CITY; and Werner Herzog’s LA SOUFRIÈRE
and STROSZEK.
MARK
FRIEDBERG (Production Designer) has been the production
designer on a variety of both major studio and independent films.
These include Ed Harris’ POLLOCK; Garry Marshall’s RUNAWAY
BRIDE; Ang Lee’s RIDE WITH THE DEVIL and THE ICE STORM; Mira
Nair’s KAMA SUTRA: A TALE OF LOVE and THE PEREZ FAMILY; Bob
Rafelson’s HBO feature POODLE SPRINGS; Herb Gardner’s
I’M NOT RAPPAPORT; Maggie Greenwald’s THE BALLAD OF LITTLE
JO; and Alexandre Rockwell’s IN THE SOUP.
For
television, his notable work includes designing the telefilm THE
VERNON JOHNS STORY, which starred James Earl Jones as the late civil
rights leader and was directed by Ken Fink.
JAMES
LYONS (Editor) is a longtime collaborator of Todd Haynes’,
having previously edited the features VELVET GOLDMINE, SAFE, and
POISON, as well as the short DOTTIE GETS SPANKED. He also co-created
(with Haynes) the story for VELVET GOLDMINE.
Lyons’
other credits as film editor include Erik Skjoldbjaerg’s soon-to-be-released
PROZAC NATION; Jesse Peretz’ THE CHATEAU and FIRST LOVE, LAST
RITES; Tom Gilroy’s SPRING FORWARD; Sofia Coppola’s THE
VIRGIN SUICIDES; Ronnie Larsen’s nonfiction feature SHOOTING
PORN; John Johnson’s RATCHET; Peter Freidman and Tom Joslin’s
award-winning nonfiction feature SILVERLAKE LIFE: THE VIEW FROM
HERE; and the short films LATE FALL (directed by Jason Kliot) and
THE DEBT (directed by Bruno de Almeida). He also works as a screenwriter
and actor.
SANDY
POWELL (Costume Designer)
earned the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work on
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, directed by John Madden. That same year, she
was also nominated in the same category for her work on Todd Haynes’
VELVET GOLDMINE (for which she won a BAFTA Award). She was earlier
Oscar-nominated for Iain Softley’s THE WINGS OF THE DOVE and
Sally Potter’s ORLANDO.
Powell
has also designed the costumes for such noteworthy films as Martin
Scorsese’s upcoming GANGS OF NEW YORK; Atom Egoyan’s FELICIA’S
JOURNEY; Mike Figgis’ MISS JULIE and STORMY MONDAY; Anand Tucker’s
HILARY AND JACKIE; Michael Caton-Jones’ ROB ROY; and Bill Forsyth’s
BEING HUMAN.
Two
directors with whom she has collaborated extensively are Neil Jordan
(on THE END OF THE AFFAIR, THE BUTCHER BOY, MICHAEL COLLINS, INTERVIEW
WITH THE VAMPIRE, THE CRYING GAME, and THE MIRACLE) and the late
Derek Jarman (on WITTGENSTEIN, THE LAST OF ENGLAND, the "Depuis
le jour" segment of ARIA, and CARAVAGGIO).
Powell
is a four-time winner of the (London) Evening Standard Award; and,
in addition to her BAFTA Award win for VELVET GOLDMINE, has received
four additional BAFTA Award nominations.
ELMER
BERNSTEIN (Music) is the only active composer with a
body of feature film work spanning a half-century: the year 2001
marked his 50th anniversary as a working movie composer. Far from
Heaven is his most recent project of the over 150 feature films
that he has scored.
Bernstein
has received 13 Academy Award nominations, winning the Oscar for
his score of George Roy Hill’s THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (1967).
His other Oscar nominations were for scoring Martin Scorsese’s
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (which also earned him a Grammy Award nomination),
John Landis’ TRADING PLACES, Henry Hathaway’s TRUE GRIT,
George Roy Hill’s HAWAII (for which he won a Golden Globe Award),
Burt Kennedy’s THE RETURN OF THE SEVEN, Robert Mulligan’s
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (for which he won a Golden Globe Award), Peter
Glenville’s SUMMER AND SMOKE, John Sturges’ THE MAGNIFICENT
SEVEN, and Otto Preminger’s THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM; and,
in the Best Song category, for "Walk on the Wild Side"
(from Edward Dmytryk’s movie of the same name), "My Wishing
Doll" (from George Roy Hill’s HAWAII), and "Wherever
Love Takes Me" (from Peter Hunt’s GOLD).
He
won an Emmy Award for scoring the television program THE MAKING
OF THE PRESIDENT (1960), directed by Mel Stuart; and was nominated
again for the epic miniseries CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS, directed by
Douglas Heyes and Allen Reisner. He has also been nominated for
four additional Grammy Awards, and twice for a Tony Award.
Bernstein’s
career honors include Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Los Angeles
Film Critics Association; the American Society of Composers, Authors,
and Publishers (ASCAP); the Society for the Preservation of Film
Music; the Foundation for a Creative America; and, most recently,
the Flanders International Film Festival. In 1996, he was honored
with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.
In 1999, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Five Towns
College in New York State; and was honored by the American Film
Institute in Los Angeles and the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
His
many scores also include Martin Scorsese’s soon-to-be-released
GANGS OF NEW YORK, BRINGING OUT THE DEAD, and CAPE FEAR (1991; for
which Bernstein adapted Bernard Herrmann’s original score from
the 1962 version of the film); Martha Coolidge’s award-winning
INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE (for HBO), LOST IN YONKERS, and RAMBLING
ROSE; Stephen Frears’ THE GRIFTERS; Jim Sheridan’s THE
FIELD and Academy Award-winning MY LEFT FOOT; George Roy Hill’s
FUNNY FARM, SLAP SHOT, and THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT; Ivan Reitman’s
GHOSTBUSTERS and STRIPES; John Landis’ "Thriller"
music video, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, and NATIONAL LAMPOON’S
ANIMAL HOUSE; Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker’s
AIRPLANE!; Don Siegel’s THE SHOOTIST; Robert Mulligan’s
BABY THE RAIN MUST FALL, LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER, and FEAR
STRIKES OUT; Martin Ritt’s HUD; John Sturges’ THE GREAT
ESCAPE; John Frankenheimer’s THE GYPSY MOTHS and BIRDMAN OF
ALCATRAZ; Vincente Minnelli’s SOME CAME RUNNING; Alexander
Mackendrick’s SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS; Cecil B. DeMille’s
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956); Fred Zinnemann’s OKLAHOMA! (for
which Bernstein scored the ballet music); and David Miller’s
SUDDEN FEAR.
The
New York City native discovered his love of music growing up in
a family interested in the arts, and was encouraged by them in his
various creative pursuits. He was mentored by the renowned composer
Aaron Copland, taught by Henriette Michelson and Israel Citkowitz,
and subsequently studied with Roger Sessions and Stefan Wolpe. He
began as a concert pianist and, during World War II, arranged American
folk music and wrote dramatic scores for the Army Air Corps Radio
Shows. Two shows that he did for United Nations Radio brought him
to the attention of Columbia Pictures vice president Sidney Buchman,
and Bernstein was given the opportunity to write his first film
scores.
He
is a founding life member of the National Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences. He has also been a vice president of the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; and president of the Composers
and Lyricists Guild of America. He is currently president of the
Film Music Museum, established for the preservation of, and home
for, film music; and continues as Professor at the University of
Southern California’s Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles,
where he teaches the course "Scoring for Motion Pictures and
Television."
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