Little Bear To Make Cinematic Debut In FIRST DOG, Screens 10/22

Little Bear, the Queensland Healer Dog of Former First Lady Nancy Reagan and the late President Ronald Reagan will make his cinematic debut in the role of "Teddy the First Dog" in producer, writer and director, Bryan Michael Stoller's film, "First Dog," starring Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Eric Roberts, with original songs written and performed by Grammy Award and People's Choice Award winning, and Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award nominated composer, Dolly Parton. The film will be presented as one of the Opening Night features at the 14th Annual Hollywood Film Festival on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. in Theatre 8 at the ArcLight Hollywood (at the Cinerama Dome); 6360 West Sunset Boulevard (between Vine Street and Ivar Street, with Delongpre Avenue to the south); Los Angeles, CA 90028-7323. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's director and cast and crew members. For further information on the film, please visit, www.firstdogus.com and www.hollywoodawards.com.

Bryan Michael Stoller ("Film Fun," "Filmmaking For Dummies") said: "Art really does imitate life in my film. Little Bear, the dog who plays 'Teddy the First Dog' in my movie had troubled beginnings in his real life. Little Bear's fortune changed when Former First Lady Nancy Reagan found and fostered him. Little Bear's real life was the inspiration for my movie. In my film, 'Teddy the First Dog,' is found by a young foster boy named Danny Milbright, who is hopeful that his lot in life will change. And, as fate would have it, it does."

Presented by First American Cinema, LLC in association with Sobrato Conservatory of the Arts, the cast of "First Dog" includes: Eric Roberts as The President of the United States (Academy Award and Golden Globe Award Nominee, "Runaway Train," "Heroes," "Batman: The Dark Knight"); Priscilla Barnes as June Angell ("Three's Company," "License To Kill"); Paula DeVicq as Vicki-Ann (Golden Globe winner, "Party of Five"); Tommy "Tiny" Lister as Big Mike ("Batman: The Dark Knight," "The Fifth Element," "Austin Power's Goldmember"); Bernie Kopell as the Psychologist ("The Love Boat," "Get Smart"); Paula Nelson as Paula Nelson (Rock and Country Singer); Tim Peyton as Henderson ("King of California," "Superguy: Behind The Cape"); Linda Bella as Sally ("Tropic Thunder"); Eliza Roberts as The First Lady of the United States (National Lampoon's "Animal House"); Joe Estevez as The Prime Minister of Canada ("Soultaker," "Beach Babes From Beyond"); and Dick Van Patten in a cameo appearance as The Pet Food Driver ("Eight is Enough"). The film introduces John-Paul Howard as Danny Milbright (Film Debut) and Little Bear as "Teddy the First Dog" (Film Debut). The film features original songs written and performed by Dolly Parton (Grammy Award winning, People's Choice Award winning, and Academy Award, Golden Globe Award and Tony Award nominated composer); original music by Harry Hansen ("I Ran Against Us") and a musical duet performed by Paula Nelson and her father, Willie Nelson (Academy Award and Grammy Award nominated composer).

The film revolves around a dog named, "Teddy the First Dog" (Little Bear) who is accidentally left behind at a Presidential dedication ceremony. "Teddy the First Dog" is found by a young foster boy named Danny Milbright (John-Paul Howard) who discovers that the canine belongs to the President of the United States (Eric Roberts), but no one believes he is telling the truth. And so begins an exciting adventure across America to return the First Dog to the White House!

Bruce Alan Greene serves as Director of Photography of the 95-minute dramatic film, which was edited by Bryan Michael Stoller. Executive Producers include Bryan Michael Stoller, Gary Harmon, Holly Martin and Gary Bosloy. Co-Producers include Bruce Alan Greene and Michelle Alexandra. The film is produced by Bryan Michael Stoller and Alexander Yurchikov, and is written and directed by Bryan Michael Stoller.

Tickets for the sreening are $16 for Adults and Infants to 2-years-old; $14.50 for Seniors and $11.50 for Children from ages 3 - 12 years of age. Tickets for ArcLight Hollywood members are $15 for Adults and Infants to 2-years-old; $13.50 for Seniors and $10.50 for Children from ages 3 12 years of age. Tickets may be purchased online at www.arclightcinemas.com, under the Special Programming heading for the Hollywood Film Festival, or in person at the Box Office at the Guest Services Desk between 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. seven days a week. For questions, please call the Guest Services Desk between 11:30 a.m. - 9:00p.m., seven days a week, at 323-464-1478, then press "6." Early purchases are highly recommended.

Parking for the ArcLight Hollywood is directly adjacent to the complex in a seven-level parking garage. Self-park entrances are located off Ivar Street to the west, DeLongpre Avenue to the south and off Sunset, just east of the Cinerama Dome. The ArcLight Hollywood offers validation with the purchase of a movie ticket. Your first four hours are $2 with the purchase of a regular cinema ticket. There is a maximum of four hours total validation. Regular Posted Rates apply after validation. Early Bird Rates are available Monday - Friday for $5 (must enter between the hours of 5:00 a.m. - 9 a.m. and must exit between 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.). Regular Posted Rates apply thereafter. Please note that during periods of peak demand the parking lot adjacent to the ArcLight Hollywood may reach capacity. Alternative non-validated parking is available across the street at the Sunset & Vine development and at metered and non-metered spaces on surrounding streets.

Bryan Michael Stoller is an international award-winning filmmaker who has produced, written and directed over 80 productions that include, short comedy films, half hour television, music videos, commercials and feature films. Stoller's films have been featured on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and in many newspapers and periodicals including The Los Angeles Times, Premiere Magazine and People Magazine.

Stoller's film career began at the early age of 11 when he hosted the network series "Film Fun" with his little sister Nancy, on The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He was born in the provincial town of Peterborough, Ontario Canada. In 1981, he was accepted to The American Film Institute in Los Angeles as a Director Fellow.

The filmmaker's comedy shorts entitled, "Undershorts" have appeared on ABC's "Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders" hosted by Don Rickles and Steve Lawrence, and on NBC's "TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes" with Dick Clark and Ed McMahon. Stoller's parody, "The Linda Blair Witch Project," starring Linda Blair possessed by famous comedians, streamed on Steven Spielberg's CountingDown.com website.

His work has appeared on the major U.S. networks including: NBC, ABC, HBO and DirecTV. His top rated episode of George Romero's "Tales from the Darkside" continues to run as a late night favorite in syndication. Blockbuster Video currently carries his award-winning film, "Undercover Angel," which stars Yasmine Bleeth ("Baywatch," "Nash Bridges"), Dean Winters (HBO's "OZ"), James Earl Jones, Casey Kasem, and Emily Mae Young (Welch's juice commercials). The film also aired on UPN, Lifetime, Showtime and PAX TV.

Stoller wrote the screenplay for the big screen adaptation of Jennings Michael Burch's book, "They Cage the Animals at Night." Stoller formed a partnership with his friend of 20 years, Michael Jackson, and the two were scheduled to produce and direct the film together before the pop star's untimely death.

"Miss Castaway," Stoller's sixth feature film is in the style of "Airplane" and "Scary Movie" and stars Academy AwardÒ nominee Eric Roberts. Michael Jackson appears in a cameo spoofing "Men In Black" where he plays "Agent M.J." The DVD contains 20 minutes of bonus material shot at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara, CA.

Jerry Lewis wrote the Foreword for Stoller's book, "Filmmaking For Dummies," published by Wiley Publishing. Dan Aykroyd provides the cover endorsement on the book. For addition information about Bryan Michael Stoller, please visit the website www.bryanmichaelstoller.com <http://www.bryanmichaelstoller.com> .

 

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