NEW YORK, July 20, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Film Technologies, Inc. (AFTC,OTC:BB and www.aftmedia.com), has announced that renowned designer, Michael Southard, will join the Company as Senior Vice President and Creative Director.
In announcing the appointment, Fred Rudy, AFT's President & CEO said, "The ability to bring Michael back into the fold as head of our creative team is a real coup for AFT and benchmarks the quality of talent we are attracting to the Company. Michael has had a significant technical and creative influence within the colorization and special effects industry since first joining AFT in 1987, culminating in the production of Pleasantville for Newline Cinema, a movie lauded for its stunning visual effects. It is this extraordinary level of quality and attention to detail that AFT expects to apply to its future projects as it builds its own library of classic entertainment content."
Commenting on his new position, Southard stated, "After heading up creative teams within several of the leading colorization/restoration companies over the past 12 years, I am convinced that AFT's superior technology and production systems will create a wealth of new opportunities for the Company, including high resolution colorization, restoration and special effects for high definition television and cinematic exhibition as
well as high quality film and TV commercials. With the demand for quality family entertainment at an all time high throughout the world, I am confident that AFT will be re-established as the leader of modernized content as the Company builds strategic content and distribution alliances."
Michael Southard was most recently Director of Production for Arete Entertainment. From 1992 to 1998, he was V.P. Creative Director for CST Entertainment and Senior Designer for American Film Technologies, Inc. from 1987 to 1992. In the six years Michael was with AFT, he was instrumental in the development of the Company's pre-production and design systems. Michael 's innovative color effects helped bring "Pleasantville" to life for Newline Cinema. Michael has unparalleled experience with computer-generated color, working on cutting-edge commercials, music videos and feature films. He has worked on such features as "Bullets Over Broadway" and Disney's re-release of "Fantasia." His award-winning commercial work includes such popular and groundbreaking spots as "Twister" for Volvo, Nina Ricci's "L'Air Du Temp," "Canals of Manhattan" for BMW, and France's "Eurostar" train. Music video clients include Janet Jackson, Nirvana and Green Day, as well as countless other national and international projects.
About American Film Technologies, Inc.
Historically, AFTC's principal business has been the production of color versions of motion pictures and television programs originally produced in black and white. Today, the company intends to utilize its patented technology to restore, modernize and preserve classic films and TV shows while building and distributing its own irreplaceable library of proven content. This new content will provide a platform for AFTC to generate licensing fees, advertising and e-commerce revenue from a variety of sources, including broadcast, cable, DVD, VHS, and all emerging digital and broadband distribution channels.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this Press Release (as well as information in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by American Film Technologies, Inc.) contain statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the future anticipated direction of the company, plans for future expansion, various business development activities, planned capital expenditures, future funding sources, anticipated sales growth, and potential contracts and joint ventures. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties, see the SEC filings of American Film Technologies, Inc.
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