Skyport-Heathrow.co.uk – 16th September, 2011

By Jonathan Schofield

British Airways has announced the winners of its Great Britons competition, which is backed by celebrity mentors Heston Blumenthal, Tracey Emin and Richard E Grant.

The campaign was launched in May inviting British talent to submit their Olympic Games inspired entries to create a bold British menu, artwork for aircraft and a short-film, all of which will be unveiled from February 2012.

Chef Simon Hulstone from Devon, artist and designer Pascal Anson from Brighton, and scriptwriter Prasanna Puwanarajah from London have been announced as the winners of the three categories.

In the Food category, Simon, 36, who has already been awarded a Michelin star and is Head Chef at The Elephant restaurant in Torquay, will develop his menu with Heston Blumenthal to serve to customers on board BA flights, as well as creating a menu for a high profile pre-London 2012 ball.
Heston said: “Simon really impressed us. He proved to have the most technical ability, as well as a thoughtful and well-balanced menu that ties into the Olympic Games and its spirit. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next year.”

In the Art category, lecturer and designer Pascal, 38, will receive mentoring from Turner Prize nominated artist Tracey Emin to develop his design, which will be painted onto the livery of 12 BA aircraft.

The senior lecturer at Kingston University has already designed and developed a number of products, with his work featured in exhibitions by the Design Museum and British Council.

In the Film category, celebrated scriptwriter and actor Prasanna, 30, will be mentored by actor, scriptwriter and director Richard E Grant. His script will be developed into a short film by award winning producer Barnaby Spurrier, broadcast to millions on board BA flights, as well as the pre-show to the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

To have a look at Richard in the advertisement, click here.

ScreenDaily.com – 10th September, 2011

CMG, Triggerfish lure Samuel Jackson, Jeff Goldblum to Zambezia
By Jeremy Kay

Samuel L Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Abigail Breslin and Leonard Nimoy have joined the voice cast of Triggerfish Animation Studios and Cinema Management Group’s (CMG) 3D film Zambezia.

Richard E Grant, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Lewis and Jeremy Suarez are also on board the project, billed as South Africa’s first 3D animated feature and currently in production in Cape Town.

The story follows an ambitious young falcon who must rally to defend his sanctuary community on the edge of the Zambezi waterfalls in Africa.

Wayne Thornley is directing from a screenplay by Andrew Cook, Anthony Silverston and Raffaella Delle Donne. Greg Becker and Claire Becker of Wonderful Works serve as executive producers with Mace Neufeld and CMG head Edward Noeltner.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have these amazingly talented actors give life to our colorfully animated bird characters in Zambezia,” said Edward Noeltner, whose CMG is handling international sales. “They certainly add a vibrant emotional richness to the film as well as many laugh out loud moments.”

CMG has sold the film in more than 25 territories and licensed rights in Cannes to Bloomage in South Korea, Praessens in Switzerland, Film House in Israel, Blancica in Venezuela and Pictureworks in India.

Noeltner is also handling sales on Triggerfish Animation Studios’ 3D animated feature Khumba, currently in production in Cape Town.

On the edge of an enormous waterfall, in the heart of Africa, lies the bird city of Zambezia. Famous for its impregnable defenses against egg predators, it has become the breeding sanctuary for birds from throughout the river valley. With half of its massive Baobab shell gone, Zambezia City is the ultimate tree house, humming with birds on every level, from its roots at the base, to the platforms high in the leafy tops. Aero, a young Taita Falcon from a remote outpost, is the protagonist of the story. He dreams of flying on the prestigious River Watch. When Aero’s father is captured by the treacherous Marabous, he is forced to abandon his outpost and flee to Zambezia. However, Aero soon finds himself at the centre of a deadly plot concocted by the Marabous – who have joined forces with giant, egg-eating lizards – to overthrow Zambezia and return things back to “every bird for himself”. If Aero is to save Zambezia, he will have to learn that not all battles are won with fast and fancy flying. Set in the spectacular Zambezi River Valley, the film draws on this unique natural environment as its inspiration – an inspiration which can be seen in the beautiful, quintessentially African elements of the film.

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A “proxy sighting”, this one. In the latest “Doctor Who Confidential”, which for those who are unaware of the world of Doctor Who is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of each week’s episode, there were some nice REG references made by both Matt Smith (The Doctor) and Karen Gillan (Amy Pond).

On the set of “The Girl Who Waited” Matt shows off his new duster jacket that first premiered in the “Let’s Kill Hitler” episode. Matt states “I love the tweed. The tweed will always be king”, referring of course to his old jacket. The overall reaction to the new coat, however, is quite positive amongst the cast and crew. That is until Karen describes Smith as a “Poor man’s Richard E. Grant”!

Matt makes another reference when he informs all that Michael Pickwoad, the production designer for Doctor Who, also did “Withnail And I”, to which Karen shouts “GET IN THE BACK OF THE VAN!”

Doctor Who Confidential then finishes off with the two actors talking about Twitter and social media.

NOTE: It has been pointed out to me that Matt Smith in his new coat looks reminiscent of an animated REG in his role as The Doctor in “Scream Of The Shalka”. I never noticed it at first but the similarities are there. Just shows that everything old is new again!

Screendaily.com – 6th September, 2011

By Peter Stuart

Former medicine graduate and now playwright to be mentored by Richard E Grant

Prasanna Puwanarajah, a writer, actor and director from West London has won the chance to produce a short film with an Olympics theme as part of the British Airways Great Briton competition.

Prasanna submitted his Olympics film script in competition with hundreds of amateur and professional scriptwriters. He was chosen by a panel of judges including Richard E Grant, who will be his mentor through the production of his film.

Other judges included producer Barnaby Spurrier and Film London’s David Parfitt.

Prasanna’s winning film is set to be shown on BA flights and in the pre-show to the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

Prasanna has already enjoyed critical recognition with his debut play, Nightwatchman, currently playing at the National Theatre in London.

The BA Great Britons Programme was launched in May to find the best in British talent to collaborate with the airline on a project in the run up to the London 2012 Games.

ABOVE: Richard E. Grant with winner Prasanna Puwanarajah at the British Airways PR Shoot – The Savoy Strand, City of London.

To listen to Richard reading the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, click the player below.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff, read by Richard E. Grant