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Cystic Fibrosis

EXCLUSIVE MOTION PICTURE EVENT BRINGS HOLLYWOOD TO PHOENIX TO BENEFIT CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Who:
Husband and Wife Filmmakers – Writer, Director Frank Michels and Producer Nansi Michels

What:
Lead a fight against Cystic Fibrosis.  An exclusive preview of the independently produced motion picture, “The Controller” to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  “Bringing our community together for the exclusive social event of the summer,  while giving back to make a lasting difference in others lives.” – Producer of “The Controller”

Where:
Tempe, Arizona ~ GameWorks and Harkins Theatre

When:
August 23, 2007

Why:
Special Invited and Celebrity Guests will preview an independent motion picture written, directed and produced in Arizona, while benefiting those suffering with Cystic Fibrosis.  Cystic Fibrosis is a hereditary disease which can cause serious respiratory illness and  affects the entire body causing progressive disability and early death.  It is one of the most commonly fatal inherited diseases, and so far, there is no cure. 

Director and Producer Frank and Nansi Michels, watched helplessly as a dear young friend with the disease struggled to live. The Michels decided to help him fight for his life, by fighting the disease head on.  In their own special way to honor him, they are combining the opportunity for a select private audience to preview the original, stylized movie with a Fundraiser.  The money raised will help fund research in hopes of finding a cure.

“It’s a win-win”, says producer Nansi Michels. She adds, “because we’ve received such large support to make this movie, especially  from our local community, we wanted to give back in two ways:  special invited guests will be watching an adventure/comedy—all produced here in Arizona, while fighting against this deadly disease”.

The movie, “The Controller” combines videogame heroes with everyday protagonists.  Those familiar with the videogame world of XBOX, Wii, and the like, will relish this story.  Those who don’t know the electronic gaming world will enjoy a first rate introduction.

“The Controller” is a family adventure movie with high packed energy and a feel good story. Combining Live-Action and Videogame Imagery, it was produced and shot on location in various parts of Metropolitan Phoenix.  The film caught the eye of several national endorsements such as XBOX, Mountain Dew and Frito Lay. 

The creation of the movie found it’s inspiration in a dream writer-director Michels had one night.  “I was playing a lot of video games at the time, and this original style of story for the movie just popped in to my head”, says Michels. When he shared his dream with his wife, she knew it had all the makings of a riveting action/adventure.  With the backing and respect of several key investors, the couple set out to produce the film.  The film stars Bob Rue, along with Tank Jones, Lolita Sahwany, John Dobradenka, Jeff Niemoeller and Vince Reign, with appearances by Laura Durant, Byron Browne and Cathy Rankin.

The story is about a billionaire whose wife is abducted. He is forced to play a videogame his company created to get his wife back.  He’s never played it before, so with the help of law enforcement, they enlist experts who regularly play the game.  They are known as: Armchair Combat Professionals.
                           
“The Controller” is a lighthearted glimpse into the world of online
console gaming, a world where an average person can be a hero and a billionaire can be an average man.

To schedule an interview and to find out more information, call Nansi Michels at 480.206.5464.
 
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation : www.cff.org
Harkins Theatres : www.harkinstheatre.com
GameWorks:  www.gameworks.com