March 7, 2008
News for Anime Expo 2008:
New hosts join AX Idol at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Main Event Audience Member to Win Trip to JapanAnaheim, California (March 7, 2008) -- Think you got what it takes to be the next AX Idol? Thousands will audition for the most coveted singing and voice acting contest at the nation's largest Anime/Manga convention and win amazing prizes! Anime Expo® 2008 will be held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
Anime Expo® 2008 attendees will experience something exciting and new when attending AX Idol at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles. NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE is the preferred indoor venue for performers and fans alike, the 7,100-seat venue offers guests mid-sized intimacy, with no seat further from the stage than 220 feet, exceptional comfort and amenities never before offered to guests at similar theatres.
Winner of the AX Idol Singing Contest will win:
- A Tour of Bang Zoom! Studios in Burbank, including: Studio Tour, Sitting in on Anime Recording session, a private Audition with Casting Director, and a Walla Recording Session in a real anime or game.
- Recording of a demo song in the studio, produced by a professional engineer.
Winner of the AX Idol Voice Acting Contest will win:
- A Tour of Bang Zoom! Studios in Burbank, including: Studio Tour, Sitting in on Anime Recording session, a private Audition with Casting Director, and a Walla Recording Session in a real anime or game.
- Package tour to Japan courtesy of Destination-Japan.com
Also, attendees can get involved with the excitement of AX Idol with a chance of winning a trip to Japan by attending AX Idol 2008 and holding onto their ticket stub. A random ticket stub number will be announced on stage during the show and one lucky attendee will win a complete tour package including round-trip ticket from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Narita (NRT), Tokyo and hotel accommodations. Restrictions apply.
"AX Idol 2008 will give attendees a special opportunity to showcase their singing and voice acting talents in front of industry professionals for the chance to audition for Bang Zoom! Entertainment. It is my honor to be apart of such a great event that give our attendees the dream to become apart of the anime industry", states Erick Doan AX Idol and Game Show Manager.
Interested contestants must be registered Anime Expo® 2008 attendees and can register online at www.anime-expo.org.
This season's AX Idol will be hosted by voice legend Vic Mignogna and AnimeTVTM's very own Jonathan Meza. Mr. Mignogna is a professional music composer/producer and veteran actor most well known as the voice of Edward Elric in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST. Currently he is playing roles that include Fai in TSUBASA CHRONICLE, Ikkaku in BLEACH, Yukito in AIR and Takanaga in THE WALLFLOWER. Mr. Mignogna is also known for such roles as Dark in DN ANGEL, Kurz in FULL METAL PANIC, Broly in DRAGONBALL Z, Kougaijji in SAIYUKI, Tatsu in PEACEMAKER, Virgil Walsh in TRINITY BLOOD and many others. Mr. Mignogna has voiced characters in more than 100 shows and many video games. Mr. Meza is best known as one of the hosts of AnimeTVTM is a free fifteen (15) minute online video podcast program produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. More information can be found on the show's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.goanimetv.com.
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2008 will be held July 3 - July 6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).
About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property - Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org).
About Bang Zoom! Entertainment
Headquartered in Burbank, California, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. is a leading full-service audio post production studio for feature films, television, interactive gaming, anime and direct to home entertainment content. Founded in 1993, the company offers a range of specialized services including a critically acclaimed staff of recognized voice talent, ADR,/Foley recording, sound design, and 2.0, 5.1 and 7.1 Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II mixing and encoding. Bang Zoom! Entertainment is also committed to developing a range of independent projects that contribute to the promotion of innovative cultural awareness internationally. For more information, visit www.bangzoomentertainment.com.
About NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE
NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, is a world-class 7,100-seat venue for live performances located in downtown Los Angeles has already become the preferred indoor venue for performers and fans alike. The venue offers guests mid-sized intimacy, with no seat further from the stage than 210 feet, exceptional comfort and amenities never before included in similar theatres. There are four levels of concessions, as well as numerous spaces for meet and greets, pre and post party events for performers, bands, clients and VIPS throughout the venue.
NOKIA Theatre L. A. LIVE hosts over 120 music, family, dance and comedy acts, award shows, televised productions, conventions and product launches annually.
In the first four months since opening its' doors, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE has hosted six nights of the Eagles and Dixie Chicks, Sugarland, Queens of the Stone Age, Neil Young, Anita Baker, the American Music Awards, Mary J. Blige, So You Think You Can Dance Tour, John Mayer, Bjork, John Fogerty, Tori Amos, and George Lopez.
In the center of the entertainment capital of the world, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will be the heart and soul of the 4 million square foot L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district. Across the street from STAPLES Center, the world's busiest arena, and adjacent to the Los Angeles Convention Center L.A. LIVE will ultimately become the primary the "content campus" and event center for southern California where people seeking entertainment offerings intersect with the sports and entertainment industries at work in an energetic, unique, urban environment covering more than 6 city blocks.
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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