Thurman will take on the lead role in three short films written and directed by up-and-coming filmmakers in 2014
Jameson Irish Whiskey today announced that Academy Award nominee Uma Thurman will star in three short films produced for the Jameson First Shot competition in 2014.
Jameson First Shot is an international short film competition, which offers three aspiring filmmakers an incredible ‘first shot’ in the film industry by having their short film produced by the Academy Award winning Trigger Street Productions and giving them the chance to direct Uma Thurman in the lead role. Academy Award Winner Kevin Spacey will serve once again as Creative Director and Dana Brunetti, Academy Award nominated producer and President of Trigger Street Productions, will return with his production team to produce the three films.
The 2014 competition aims to discover another three exceptional writer/directors from the same three countries: South Africa, Russia and the USA. This year, thanks to changes in state legislation, residents of California can now enter.
Uma Thurman will bring an exciting new quality to the competition, both as a skilled actor and as the first female to take on the lead role. Having played characters as diverse as Irene Cassini in Gattaca, Cécile de Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons, The Bride in the Kill Bill franchise and most famously, Mia Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Thurman’s versatility and acting style are a natural fit for Jameson First Shot. Her commitment to supporting talented filmmakers of the future will make her an invaluable part of the 2014 competition.
“What excites me about being involved with Jameson First Shot is that I love the idea of finding and discovering young talent – it’s what makes the film business alive,” Thurman commented. “I’m honored to be a part of this extraordinary project and I can’t wait to read the screenplays that are entered, and ultimately be the vehicle to help three talented filmmakers tell their stories to the world.”
Kevin Spacey added, “She’s remarkable and I’m thrilled Uma has said yes. Her work has always been unafraid and brave, so it doesn’t surprise me that she’s jumped with such commitment and enthusiasm into our short film project. I think it gives our filmmakers a very exciting opportunity to write for an actress of such range and skill.
Once all scripts have been submitted, finalists will be chosen and they will be required to submit a director’s treatment of their script and footage based on a scene provided by Trigger Street Productions. All work will be judged by an expert team including Kevin Spacey, Uma Thurman and Dana Brunetti.
After the three winners are selected, they will head to Hollywood to work directly with Trigger Street Productions on everything from casting to approving wardrobe and locations during pre-production. Moving into principle photography, each winner will be on set to direct Uma Thurman in the lead role in their film, before ending their experience by working with a composer on the score and signing off on the final edit, ensuring their film is ready to be showcased to a global audience of millions.
“We’re so pleased with the success of Jameson First Shot and that we have the opportunity to continue to support the local up and coming film community,” said Paul DeVito, vice president of marketing for Irish and North American Whiskey at Pernod Ricard. “Jameson has been a strong supporter of film for well over a decade and it’s exciting to witness and assist the future of such talented people.”
Talented filmmakers who think they have what it takes to win need to submit a script of no more than seven pages via www.jamesonfirstshot.com by January 2, 2014.
For video content of Uma Thurman talking about the third year of Jameson First Shot, please go to Jameson’s YouTube Channel here.
To enter the 2014 competition visit: www.jamesonfirstshot.com.
Jameson Irish Whiskey The success of Jameson Irish Whiskey comes down to its great quality and smooth taste, coupled with a fantastic heritage, established in 1780 by the legendary John Jameson. Having played a part in film since 1998, today Jameson is involved with film festivals globally and events that celebrate the passion and craft of filmmaking including Jameson Cult Film Club, Done in 60 Seconds, the Jameson Empire Awards and Independent Spirit Awards, to name but a few. Jameson First Shot supports aspiring filmmakers and gives them their ‘first shot’ in the film industry by giving them the chance to direct an A-list star in their short film. Jameson First Shot is all about giving something back to a community of film craftsmen, encouraging and supporting up-and-coming film talent.
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).
The company’s leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avión); such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country.
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: http://www.acceptresponsibility.org.
KEVIN SPACEY
Most recently award-winning producer and actor Kevin Spacey serves as executive producer and stars as Francis Underwood, the beguiling, charismatic and ruthless House Majority Whip, in the Netflix original series “House of Cards.” Co-produced by Trigger Street Productions, the Netflix series broke through to become the first digitally distributed series to earn major nominations for the 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. House of Cards won one Emmy, and was nominated for an incredible eight more. Kevin Spacey has won Academy Awards for his performances in “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty,” which also garnered him a BAFTA Award. Additionally, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in “Casino Jack.” Spacey’s film credits include “Swimming with Sharks,” “Se7en,” “LA Confidential,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “The Negotiator,” “K-Pax,” “The Shipping News,” “Superman Returns,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Shrink,” “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” “Horrible Bosses,” and “Margin Call.” His production company Trigger Street Productions has produced multiple award-winning movies for film and television. The feature films include “The Social Network,” which won a Golden Globe for Best Picture and received multiple Academy Award nominations, as well as “21,” “The United States of Leland,” “The Big Kahuna,” and “Fanboys.” For television, Trigger Street produced the films “Recount” and “Bernard & Doris,” both of which garnered double-digit Emmy Award nominations including best picture of the year for recount. This year will see the release of “Captain Phillips” starring Tom Hanks directed by Paul Greengrass. For the past decade, he has been the Artistic Director of The Old Vic Theatre in London. He has appeared in productions at the Old Vic, including “National Anthems,” “The Philadelphia Story,” “Richard II,” “A Moon for the Misbegotten,” which subsequently transferred to Broadway, “Speed-the-Plow,” and “Inherit The Wind.” In 2010 he was honored with a CBE from Her Majesty the Queen for services to the theatre. Additionally, he won the Evening Standard and Olivier Awards for Best Actor for his role in “The Iceman Cometh,” as well as a Tony Award® for Best Supporting Actor in “Lost in Yonkers.” Spacey has also starred in the Broadway and West End productions of “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” as well as Sam Mendes production of “Richard III,” which toured to 12 cities around the world.
UMA THURMAN
Uma Thurman has proven herself to be one of the most versatile young actresses by playing a variety of compelling characters. Thurman was born in Boston and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts. At age fifteen she was discovered by two New York agents and at sixteen she transferred to the Professional Children’s School in New York City in order to pursue an acting career. Thurman’s entrance into mainstream film really began after her role as the goddess Venus in Terry Gilliam’s fantasy THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN which brought her international attention. This striking and versatile actress went on to receive critical acclaim for her portrayal of a virginal 18th century convent girl, Cecile de Volanges, seduced by John Malkovich in Stephen Frears’ DANGEROUS LIASONS. The following year she starred opposite Fred Ward and Maria de Medeiros in Philip Kaufman’s HENRY & JUNE playing the neurotic and exotic bisexual spouse of Henry Miller. She then played Daphne McBain; one of a trio of Dabney Coleman’s spoiled children in the comedy WHERE THE HEART IS, directed by John Boorman. In 1991, Thurman starred opposite Richard Gere and Kim Basinger as Diana, a conniving therapy patient in Phil Joanou’s thriller FINAL ANALYSIS. She then reunited with Malkovich in the thriller JENNIFER 8, playing Andy Garcia’s blind girlfriend, Helena. In MAD DOG AND GLORY, she played a barmaid who becomes an indentured servant to Robert De Niro for saving Bill Murray’s life. Her most eccentric movie to date is Gus Van Sant’s film, EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES, in which she played Sissy Hankshaw, a big-thumbed, bisexual hippie hitchhiker. In 1996, Thurman received an Academy Award nomination for Quentin Tarantino’s critically lauded PULP FICTION, in which she played Mia Wallace, a sexy and comedic mobster’s wife. Later that year, she was seen in the period romance A MONTH BY THE LAKE, with Vanessa Redgrave and the contemporary romance BEAUTIFUL GIRLS directed by Ted Demme. Thurman next appeared in THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS, BATMAN & ROBIN, GATTACA, opposite Ethan Hawke, LES MISERABLES with Liam Neeson and THE AVENGERS. Uma’s other works include Woody Allen’s SWEET AND LOWDOWN, opposite Sean Penn and Samantha Morton; VATEL, opposite Gerard Depardieu and Tim Roth; the Merchant/Ivory film THE GOLDEN BOWL, with Nick Nolte, Angelica Huston and Jeremy Northam; John Woo’s thriller PAYCHECK; and TAPE with Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard, for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award as Best Supporting Actress. Uma also starred and produced, the HBO film, HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS, and won 2003 Golden Globe for Best Actress for her portrayal of Debby Miller. Quentin Tarantino’s installments KILL BILL: VOLUME 1 and KILL BILL: VOLUME 2, both of which she was nominated for a Golden Globe; MGM’s BE COOL opposite John Travolta, a sequel to the hit GET SHORTY; PRIME opposite Meryl Streep, THE PRODUCERS with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick; MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND, opposite Luke Wilson; MOTHERHOOD opposite Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver; MY ZINC BED, an HBO film based on the play by David Hare; THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES opposite Evan Rachel Wood; Chris Columbus’ PERCY JACKSON & THE LIGHTNING THIEF in which she takes on the role of the mythical character “Medusa;” Lee Pace’s CEREMONY playing “Zoe” a woman in the middle of a love triangle, and Declan Donnellan’s BEL AMI playing opposite Robert Pattinson. Most recently, Thurman earned her first Emmy Nomination in the category of “Outstanding Guest Actress in a Dramatic Series” for her arc in NBC’s SMASH. Due out later this year Thurman will be seen in Lars von Trier’s NYMPHOMANIAC.
DANA BRUNETTI
Feature film and TV producer, Dana Brunetti is Kevin Spacey’s long-time business partner and President of Trigger Street Productions. His film credits include 21, Fanboys, Bernard and Doris, Casino Jack and The Social Network, which received numerous awards including eight Academy Award nominations. Recently Dana produced the much acclaimed House Of Cards. Dana was nominated twice and won a Golden Globe for The Social Network, as well as many others including the National Board of Review and The Critics Choice Award. Dana also produced the multi-Emmy nominated film Bernard and Doris. Architect of several ground-breaking deals, Dana set up the eight year Anheuser Busch sponsorship of TriggerStreet.com, AB’s longest sponsor outside of sports. Recently, Dana helped secure a mega-deal with Netflix as part of their new slate of original programming for TV political thriller House of Cards, which continues the collaboration of Kevin Spacey and Social Network director, David Fincher. Dana’s current projects include new Tom Hanks movie, Captain Philips which chronicles the life of Captain Richard Phillips and his crew’s encounter with Somali pirates. Dana is also currently in production on the much-hyped 50 Shades of Grey.
TRIGGER STREET PRODUCTIONS
Trigger Street Productions is an entertainment production company formed by Kevin Spacey and his producing partner Dana Brunetti in 1997. Trigger Street’s credits include Golden-Globe winning and Oscar nominated The Social Network, and the Emmy-nominated Bernard and Doris, as well as numerous other film productions including 21, Shrink, Fanboys and The Big Kahuna. TriggerStreet.com was launched in 2002 as an online community for unrepresented filmmakers, writers, readers, and film aficionados, which provides a platform for undiscovered talent to showcase their work and gain valuable exposure. Current projects include House of Cards for Netflix’s burgeoning slate of original programming.
