Empire Steak House NY Hosts Celebration of FIRST BLOOD Director Ted Kotcheff Tonight

Tonight, September 20, 2014 filmmaker and energy/green activist, Antonio Saillant, will be hosting a private evening of fine food and drinks amidst Hollywood Glam in the Empire Steakhouse private dining room in the heart of New York City. {surprise special appearances.}

Saillant sets directing debut about mentor's life in 'The Apprenticeship of Ted Kotcheff.'

Angel Light Pictures in association with Dream Destinations presents, 'The Apprenticeship of Ted Kotcheff' Film-Fundraiser Event, September 20, 2014 (7-11PM): featuring a special appearance from director Ted Kotcheff, known for popular films ranging from his early film, THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ, starring Richard Dreyfuss, to his Australian film, WAKE IN FRIGHT, now both a Cannes classic, Kotcheff's works are both highly entertaining and critically acclaimed. His picture UNCOMMON VALOR, with Gene Hackman, was ranked among the finest film statements on the Vietnam War. Kotcheff's comedies span from FUN WITH DICK AND JANE, starring Jane Fonda and George Segal, to WHO'S KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE, with Jacqueline Bisset and George Segal, and finally to the incredibly popular WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S. One of his most successful endeavors, FIRST BLOOD, initiated and defined the RAMBO series. NORTH DALLAS FORTY, which Kotcheff both wrote and directed, is considered to be one of the great sports films of all time. As Ted's success expanded into television he executive produced 284 episodes of one of the most successful drama franchises in TV history: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss tapped to narrate riveting new documentary.

This feature documentary based on Ted Kotcheff's life, The Apprenticeship of Ted Kotcheff, will be an intimate portrait of one of the most influential filmmakers of our time as he follows his dreams from Canada to London to the USA and back. This personal and professional biography features clips of Kotcheff's path-breaking movies. His colleagues will also share their experiences and memories of Kotcheff through candid interviews.

Over the years, Saillant worked on other high level filmmaker's projects, learning the nuts and bolts of production, and worked as a producer. He spent several years shadowing his mentor, Ted Kotcheff and learning from him, not to mention, learning in a highly popular television drama series, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Saillant gained knowledge and education into how the industry really works at the studio level, from the inside out.

Director and Producer Antonio Saillant has said, 'The Apprenticeship of Ted Kotcheff': "This is not just about making a film about a person, it's about painting a portrait of a true artist who defines the meaning of the Art of Cinema...I am making this film to learn how [Kotcheff] thinks."

This project has been a labor of love: the challenge, finding a crew who were talented, and genuine, and who knew and loved Kotcheff's work as much as producer/director Saillant does.

Antonio Saillant (Angel Light Pictures CEO and Producer/Director of Ted's documentary) will host the event which will have surprise special appearances. "The Apprenticeship of Ted Kotcheff" welcomes Tony Timpone as Producer, Canadian Writer Gerald Wexler, Film composers William Goldstein and Thomas Kotcheff (Ted Kotcheff's son) and Emmy Award-Winning Composer Michael Rafter. currently the Musical Director of the new Broadway production of Violet, which has been nominated for best musical revival. All proceeds from the event will support the documentary.

Empire Steak House NY, located on W. 54th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway ( http://www.empiresteakhousenyc.com/ ). Tickets are $200/plate. RSVP (no later than Aug 23) by going to the official movie website at www.TedtheFilm.com and by clicking the Buy Now PayPal link within the site. We have limited seating, so please reserve early before space runs out.

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