| ShoWest/NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners) Awards Ceremony Banquet Sponsored by: The Coca-Cola Company Moderated by Bob Jeswald (Las Vegas News 13) Good Morning Las Vegas Meteorologist |
| ShoWest and NATO Medal of Honor to Jack Valenti Special Centennial Achievement Award to Loews Cineplex Entertainment The 2004 "Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker's Award" Went to Brett Levner and Steve Sole Halle Berry - “Female Star of the Year” Jack Black - “Comedy Star of the Year” John Davis - “Producer of the Year” Jennifer Garner - “Female Star of Tomorrow” Lawrence Gordon - “Lifetime Achievement Award” Ryan Gosling - “Male Star of Tomorrow” Djimon Hounsou - “Supporting Actor of the Year” Jude Law - “Male Star of the Year” Nancy Meyers - “Director of the Year” Gywneth Paltrow - "Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film” Andrew Stanton - “Animation Director of the Year” |
This awards ceremony is for celebrities and filmmakers who have contributed record grosses at the box-office as well as
having achieved artistic brilliance with their films.
Press Conference before the banquet:
Other celebrities that attended were the presenters for the awards night, Fred Willard (Emcee for the awards
presentation banquet), Keanu Reeves, Marc Forster, Richie Fay, Forest Whitaker, Tom Sherak, and Mike White.
Fred Willard said they expected around 4,000 attendees for the awards presentation banquet. That is probably twice as
much as there were last year.
Keanu Reeves was asked what he was doing. He was asked if he was working on anything right now. Reeves said he
was taking it easy and jokily said he was not shaving (he had a beard).
Lawrence Gordon said he started out in showbiz as a “gopher” for Aaron Spelling and earned $50 a week. He has come
along way from a gopher to such an impressive list of films (such as, "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: the Cradle of Life"
“Field of Dreams,” "Die Hard") that he has produced over his 40-year career.
Ryan Gosling started out as an extra in “Remember the Titans.” Now he is working, it seems, non-stop on upcoming
films. When asked if there was pressure being named future star of Tomorrow, Gosling said, “Yes, and I don’t need
the pressure now!” He was very nervous about receiving this award.
Andrew Stanton who brought a copy of “Finding Nemo“ to ShoWest last year. He is releasing “Incredibles” in 2004 and
a future project is “Cars” which is fashioned after “Toy Story.” Stanton also said the computer is a big pencil and you
can do anything with it. I look forward to this talented animation director to bring more innovative animated films to
the public for many years to come.
Jennifer Garner more famous for the television show “Alias” than films is now on her way up with a new film “13
Going On 30.” This film is getting good buzz and looks funny. When asked if she thought there would be a big screen
version of “Alias” she said it was a possibility. I asked Garner what was it like being asked by the CIA to do a
recruitment film. She said, “You don’t say no to the CIA!”
John Davis has two new films coming up the sci-fi thriller, "I Robot," starring Will Smith, and "Garfield: The Movie,"
starring Jennifer Love Hewitt both for Twentieth Century Fox. These two films look to be big money makers again
for Davis. So someone asked Davis how he feels about his success. He said, "When I get a movie made I feel it is a
minor miracle, due to the costs of films today." He also said, "I make movies I want to see." Maybe that is the secret
to his success in producing films.
Djimon Hounsou was best known for Steven Spielberg's 1997 movie "Amistad," before he made "In America." For
"In America" he was nominated for an "Oscar" for "Best Supporting Actor " and now an award at ShoWest. Hounsou
was asked what he thought about all these awards, "I have not digested all the awards, it has been a blessing," he said.
He also said, "He enjoyed working with the young girls in the film."
Several award winners did not come to this press conference due to time, they had to be on stage and do interviews with
television shows. Also, as always time to chat with each award winner and his or her presenter is limited.
having achieved artistic brilliance with their films.
Press Conference before the banquet:
Other celebrities that attended were the presenters for the awards night, Fred Willard (Emcee for the awards
presentation banquet), Keanu Reeves, Marc Forster, Richie Fay, Forest Whitaker, Tom Sherak, and Mike White.
Fred Willard said they expected around 4,000 attendees for the awards presentation banquet. That is probably twice as
much as there were last year.
Keanu Reeves was asked what he was doing. He was asked if he was working on anything right now. Reeves said he
was taking it easy and jokily said he was not shaving (he had a beard).
Lawrence Gordon said he started out in showbiz as a “gopher” for Aaron Spelling and earned $50 a week. He has come
along way from a gopher to such an impressive list of films (such as, "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: the Cradle of Life"
“Field of Dreams,” "Die Hard") that he has produced over his 40-year career.
Ryan Gosling started out as an extra in “Remember the Titans.” Now he is working, it seems, non-stop on upcoming
films. When asked if there was pressure being named future star of Tomorrow, Gosling said, “Yes, and I don’t need
the pressure now!” He was very nervous about receiving this award.
Andrew Stanton who brought a copy of “Finding Nemo“ to ShoWest last year. He is releasing “Incredibles” in 2004 and
a future project is “Cars” which is fashioned after “Toy Story.” Stanton also said the computer is a big pencil and you
can do anything with it. I look forward to this talented animation director to bring more innovative animated films to
the public for many years to come.
Jennifer Garner more famous for the television show “Alias” than films is now on her way up with a new film “13
Going On 30.” This film is getting good buzz and looks funny. When asked if she thought there would be a big screen
version of “Alias” she said it was a possibility. I asked Garner what was it like being asked by the CIA to do a
recruitment film. She said, “You don’t say no to the CIA!”
John Davis has two new films coming up the sci-fi thriller, "I Robot," starring Will Smith, and "Garfield: The Movie,"
starring Jennifer Love Hewitt both for Twentieth Century Fox. These two films look to be big money makers again
for Davis. So someone asked Davis how he feels about his success. He said, "When I get a movie made I feel it is a
minor miracle, due to the costs of films today." He also said, "I make movies I want to see." Maybe that is the secret
to his success in producing films.
Djimon Hounsou was best known for Steven Spielberg's 1997 movie "Amistad," before he made "In America." For
"In America" he was nominated for an "Oscar" for "Best Supporting Actor " and now an award at ShoWest. Hounsou
was asked what he thought about all these awards, "I have not digested all the awards, it has been a blessing," he said.
He also said, "He enjoyed working with the young girls in the film."
Several award winners did not come to this press conference due to time, they had to be on stage and do interviews with
television shows. Also, as always time to chat with each award winner and his or her presenter is limited.
Vegas' Arts & Entertainment Corner
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