Hollywood Trident Network discusses new endeavors (09/03/00)

Hollywood Trident Network discusses new endeavors

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - At a recent meeting of the Hollywood Trident Network held on Tuesday, June 27, members resolved to help film students in Ukraine get video copies of film classics which, according to Disney Executive Iya Labunka, are badly needed in Ukraine. They agreed to look into what videos are most needed and to follow up by sending videos to Ukraine once the most needed types are identified. A possible public appeal to send certain videotapes to a Ukrainian film school could be forthcoming.

Apart from touching on this need in Ukraine, Ms. Labunka also described her life as a film studio executive working in production at Disney. She indicated there were about 25 executives doing work such as hers at the studios and described how she had worked her way up the production ladder from scratch.

The June 27 meeting also discussed two other matters: some ideas regarding the formation of a Ukrainian Film Institute and the upcoming weeklong Jack Palance Film Festival in Edmonton.

With respect to a possible film institute, numerous ideas were put forward. For example, creating such a film institute could be undertaken with USC or UCLA, or both; and it could be something that could evolve into a "Harvard West" with a focus on the performing and visual arts.

Such an institute could have goals such as: film student exchanges with Ukraine; exchanges involving film professors; a website involving a library of Ukrainian film classics such as "Zemlia," "Tini Zabutykh Predkiv," etc.; a center that collects film footage and pictures relating to the Famine-Genocide of 1933; a webpage that outlines the Ukrainian contribution to Hollywood (for example, Jack Palance, Natalie Wood, Mike Mazurki, John Hodiak, Edward Dmytryk, Alex Trebek, John Spencer, Mila Jovovich, Mila Kunis, Erica Eleniak, Michael Bolton, etc.); and a center that organizes a collection of videotapes from which Ukrainian film students could learn about film classics of the West.

Meeting participants agreed that more refining of the idea needs to be undertaken and that a conference on this theme, or related ones, could be organized. Comments on this theme are welcome and should be directed by email to pwolansky@aol.com, marked Re: "Film Institute for Paul Wolansky."

The meeting concluded with an outline of the upcoming Jack Palance Film Festival to be held in Edmonton beginning Monday, October 9. It was reported that film festival organizers had met with Mr. Palance recently to detail the coming event, which is gathering interest on a broad scale. The selection of movies to be shown and some of the extracurricular activities have been determined. Mr. Palance will display a few of his paintings and participate in a reading of some of his poetry as part of the festival presentations.

The actor will have the opportunity to meet many in Edmonton's Ukrainian Canadian community. A gala banquet will bring much of Edmonton's whole community together to celebrate Mr. Palance's visit and his lifetime of accomplishments.

Two other matters have arisen since the meeting. First, there is an opportunity for The Hollywood Trident Network to initiate a public community television program in Los Angeles. This program, which would be volunteer-based and conducted in the English language, could address issues of importance to the group. The target audience could be people interested in Ukrainian affairs. More discussion on the definition of the audience and the character of the program is needed.

Another important matter is the "Scythian Gold" exhibit currently showing at the Los Angeles County Museum through September 24. The Hollywood Trident Network is considering holding its next meeting in conjunction with this event somewhere at or near the museum, possibly on the evening of September 23.

The operational agenda of the new Hollywood Trident Network is to facilitate contact among members interested in the entertainment industry. Membership in the Hollywood Trident Network is $20. Interested persons can apply by sending a request for a membership application form to the following: Andriy Semotiuk, c/o Law Firm of Manning & Marder, 45th Floor, 707 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017; e-mail, ajs@mmw.com; telephone, (213) 624-6900; or fax, (213) 624-6999. The Hollywood Trident Network's e-mail address is HTG@usa.com.

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