This month marks the fourth annual stateside Fireflies cycling ride, benefiting City of Hope hospital’s leukemia and lymphoma treatment and research for a cure. Over the past several years, the advertising professionals-led cycling enthusiasts have raised over $200,000 for charity. On Friday, Sept. 23, Fireflies commence their six-day, 550-mile ride from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners’ San Francisco office travelling down the California coast to The Mill’s Los Angeles office.
The Association of Independent Commercial Producers will mark the event at the AICP Show & Next Awards in San Francisco on Sept. 20 at The Autodesk Gallery. Riders will be on hand to provide information, answer any questions about Fireflies and to accept donations on behalf of City of Hope. Additionally, the evening will feature a signature Fireflies cocktail from Double Cross Vodka.
“The Fireflies Ride is emblematic of the great good so many in our industry dedicate themselves to,” said Matt Miller, president/CEO of AICP. “It’s really gratifying to see so many riders from different sectors of the advertising community come together for such an amazing cause, and to see so many of our member companies supporting their efforts. We’re thrilled that the AICP Show & Next Awards can provide a platform for awareness of the ride and the City of Hope.”
The Fireflies Friday morning send-off from Goodby Silverstein & Partners will include loyal supporters from the San Francisco advertising community. “Breakfast in our parking lot was never as fun as last year’s Fireflies send-off, and we are delighted to provide the launch pad (and bagels) again this year,” said Rich Silverstein, Goodby Silverstein co-founder and avid cyclist. “The Fireflies are an inspiring mix of ad industry competitors who ride together for a wonderful cause, and we are honored to do our part.”
“I am blown away by the support the advertising and production community has shown towards the ride,” added Bryan Farhy, executive producer, Believe Media. “All those who have supported us should be very very proud. If you know of someone who has had, or is battling leukemia or lymphoma, you know what this all means.”
In addition to the aforementioned (Goodby, The Mill, AICP, Believe Media), Fireflies has a long list of generous supporters including 180, Alive & Well, Deutsch L.A., Prettybird, RSA Films, Union and Zoic Studios, as well as cycling gear and accessories company Rapha.
The Fireflies stateside ride is a companion event to the original Fireflies ride of Europe. It began in 2001 with a ride from Geneva to Cannes over the French Alps. Generously supported by RSA Films and VFX company The Mill, the Fireflies Europe ride has raised nearly $2 million to benefit the Leuka Charity which raises funds for Hammersmith Hospital.
To donate, please visit: www.fireflieswest.com
Netflix Series “The Leopard” Spots Classic Italian Novel, Remakes It As A Sumptuous Period Drama
"The Leopard," a new Netflix series, takes the classic Italian novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and transforms it into a sumptuous period piece showing the struggles of the aristocracy in 19th-century Sicily, during tumultuous social upheavals as their way of life is crumbling around them.
Tom Shankland, who directs four of the eight episodes, had the courage to attempt his own version of what is one of the most popular films in Italian history. The 1963 movie "The Leopard," directed by Luchino Visconti, starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale, won the Palme d'Or in Cannes.
One Italian critic said that it would be the equivalent of a director in the United States taking "Gone with the Wind" and turning it into a series, but Shankland wasn't the least bit intimidated.
He said that he didn't think of anything other than his own passion for the project, which grew out of his love of the book. His father was a university professor of Italian literature in England, and as a child, he loved the book and traveling to Sicily with his family.
The book tells the story of Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, a tall, handsome, wealthy aristocrat who owns palaces and land across Sicily.
His comfortable world is shaken with the invasion of Sicily in 1860 by Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was to overthrow the Bourbon king in Naples and bring about the Unification of Italy.
The prince's family leads an opulent life in their magnificent palaces with servants and peasants kowtowing to their every need. They spend their time at opulent banquets and lavish balls with their fellow aristocrats.
Shankland has made the series into a visual feast with tables heaped with food, elaborate gardens and sensuous costumes.... Read More