Well, now Disney has announced Lee’s replacement, Michael Riley, formerly of Radio Disney. Disney describes him as a “Respected television and radio executive” but I really don’t know if he’s up to the task of running the continually under-preforming and under-promoted ABC Family channel.
But only time will tell. Disney’s official press release follows:
MICHAEL RILEY NAMED PRESIDENT, ABC FAMILY
Burbank, California, Monday, August 30, 2010 . . . Respected television and radio executive Michael Riley has been named president, ABC Family, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks & president, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report.
In this new position, Riley will have oversight of ABC Familys original programming and acquisitions, franchise management, marketing, sales and operations, and be responsible for the overall strategic and creative direction for the channel.
In making the announcement, Sweeney stated, "Michaels talent and drive are eclipsed only by the enthusiasm and passion he brings to every opportunity. Im confident his unique set of skills and experience will help us further ABC Familys amazing momentum."
Riley added, "I am extremely proud to have been part of a great team at Radio Disney and very much look forward to joining the incredibly passionate and inventive team at ABC Family. Their success over the past few years has been exceptional, driven by innovative storytelling, unique characters and iconic branding, and Im honored to be given the opportunity to help build this amazing Millennial brand."
Coming off its most watched year ever in 2009 and pacing at record levels in 2010, over the past seven years ABC Family has grown its Prime audience by impressive margins, increasing by 76% in Total Viewers (1.4 million vs. 797,000), by 70% in A18-49 (627,000 vs. 368,000) and by 78% in W18-49 (409,000 vs. 230,000). Among the nets core younger demo sets, the nets Prime delivery has more than doubled over the past seven years: +115% in A18-34 (348,000 vs. 162,000), +122% in W18-34 (238,000 vs. 107,000), +115% in V12-34 (584,000 vs. 271,000) and +124% in F12-34 (413,000 vs. 184,000).
Prior to this announcement, Riley served as senior vice president and general manager, Radio Disney, where he oversaw the strategic management of the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of 36 owned radio stations, leading them to record ratings through original multi-platform content achievements. He joined The Walt Disney Company in April 2008. An announcement regarding a new general manager for Radio Disney will be made in the near future.
Previously Riley was senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System, Europe, Middle East and Africa. In this post he was responsible for developing the CNN commercial strategy and the overall brand strategy for the entertainment channels Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM, TNT and Adult Swim in Germany, Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Other key responsibilities included the management of advertising sales, marketing and interactive commerce functions, as well as supporting the company’s programming development and acquisition strategy.
From 2004-06 he was vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System France, with responsibility for all Turner channels in that market. From 2000-03, he was vice president, Turner Classic Movies, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and from 1997-2000 he was vice president, Business Development, Television and Interactive Media, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.
My goodness, like she needs a reminder of what she’s done in her life. Or what her face looks like. LOL
But I like how Selena had a low key celebration with her family and friends.
And the band too, it looks like.
Speaking of Selena and the Scene, the new music video for “A Year Without Rain” premieres on Friday after Camp Rock 2 and the Fish Hooks preview.
The official Disney press release follows:
DISNEY CHANNEL TO PRESENT WORLD PREMIERE OF
SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENES MUSIC VIDEO,
“A YEAR WITHOUT RAIN,” FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
– “A Year Without Rain” Planet Premieres on Radio Disney the Same Day –
Disney Channel will present the world premiere of Selena Gomez & The Scene’s music video, “A Year Without Rain,” from their upcoming album of the same title, on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 (10:15 p.m., ET/PT), following the premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” and a preview of the new animated comedy series “Fish Hooks.” The single will also debut on Radio Disney and will be available as a digital single and digital video that same day.
The song was written by Toby Gad (“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”) and Linda Robbins, and the music video was directed by Chris Dooley, who directed Gomez’s other music videos “Falling Down” and “Naturally,” as well as videos for Scissor Sisters, Mari Digby and David Bowie.
The music video was shot on location in Lucerne Valley, California.
“A Year Without Rain” releases worldwide Tuesday, September 21 on Hollywood Records. The song “Round & Round” from the album is the No. 1 song on Radio Disney. Gomez’s first album, “Kiss & Tell,” debuted in the Billboard Top 10 and is now Gold certified. Its big hit, “Naturally,” is Platinum certified.
Of course, we’ve known about this for a while, but it’s still an amazing event. It’s only the second new Sonny of the month, the highly anticipated episode "Thats So Sonny," and it airs this Sunday at 8. We also hava a huge spoiler thread for “That’s so Sonny” on the SWAC Forum thanks to Moderator Kaliet who obtained that episodes script!
RAVEN-SYMONE GUEST STARS AS CHADS FAN CLUB PRESIDENT
IN A NEW EPISODE OF "SONNY WITH A CHANCE,"
SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 ON DISNEY CHANNEL
"Thats So Sonny" - As Chads fan club approaches the one million member mark, the numbers mysteriously start to dwindle, so he enlists his fan club president, Amber (played by Raven-Symone), to get to the bottom of it. Amber investigates Chads decline in popularity, concluding that Sonny is to blame, in a new episode of "Sonny With A Chance," SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.
It’s official! Disney’s newest animated series it set to premiere on Disney Channel (US) on Friday September 24th.
Disney has been airing the 30 second trailer quite a bit, but if you’ve missed it or wanna see it again, here it is.
The official disney press release and release schedule is as follows:
IT’S TIME TO GET HOOKED!
INVENTIVE, EYE-CATCHING ANIMATED COMEDY SERIES “FISH HOOKS”
TO PREMIERE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 ON DISNEY CHANNEL
– Kyle Massey, Chelsea Staub and Justin Roiland Star; Rachel Dratch, Richard Simmons, Jerry Stiller, Atticus Shaffer and Edie McClurg Recur –
– Preview Follows Kid and Tween Event of the Summer — the Premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” on Friday, September 3–
“Fish Hooks,” an imaginative, eye-catching and funny animated series revolving around three tweens, Milo, Bea and Oscar (who happen to be fish), as they navigate the choppy waters of high school, will premiere FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. An 11-minute preview of the series will get the coveted timeslot following “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” on Friday, September 3.
Created by children’s book illustrator and author Noah Z. Jones (“Not Norman,” “The Monster in the Backpack”), the series is produced using an innovative mixture of digital animation and photo collage. It stars Kyle Massey (“Cory in the House”) as Milo, Chelsea Staub (“JONAS L.A.”) as Bea and Justin Roiland (“The Sarah Silverman Program”) as Oscar. Recurring guest stars include comedian Rachel Dratch (“Saturday Night Live”), exercise guru Richard Simmons, comedic legend Jerry Stiller (“The King of Queens”), ABC TV star Atticus Shaffer (“The Middle”) and Edie McClurg (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”), among others.
Maxwell Atoms (“The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy”) is the executive producer and Noah Z. Jones is the co-executive producer. Carl Greenblatt (“Chowder”) and Bill Reiss (“Chowder”) direct the episodes.
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, September 3
" A preview of “Fish Hooks” (10:00 p.m., ET/PT) follows the premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” on Disney Channel.
" Viewers can enter the world of “Fish Hooks” online at DisneyChannel.com/FishHooks to meet the characters, Milo, Bea and Oscar, in the “Interactive Fish Tank” and to play “Fish Hooks” themed games.
Saturday, September 4
" Preview of “Fish Hooks” available on mobile VOD.
Friday, September 10
" Preview of “Fish Hooks” available on iTunes.
Friday, September 17
" A full episode preview of “Fish Hooks” available on Disney Channel SVOD.
Friday, September 24
" “Fish Hooks” series premiere on Disney Channel (9:00 p.m., ET/PT) with simulcasts on Sprint TV, MobiTV and Flo TV.
“Fish Hooks,” from Disney Television Animation, follows Milo, Bea and Oscar, three best friends who live in a giant fish tank trying to navigate their way through the choppy waters of high school. Together they experience the typical life challenges and triumphs, including friendship, dating and sports, along with more atypical situations such as giant lobster attacks and, with the use of special land suits, school field trips to the hamster cages.
WORLD PREMIERE OF DISNEY’S “CAMP ROCK 2: THE FINAL JAM”
ROCKS NEW YORK CITY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18
– Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and the Movie’s Stars Celebrate with Fans –
With millions of kids and tweens around the world ready for the upcoming premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie, “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” the world premiere screening was hosted at New York’s Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, tonight (Wednesday, August 18). Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and the stars of the contemporary rock ‘n roll musical, the sequel to the #1 cable movie of 2008, joined in the Midtown New York celebration with over one thousand guests, 100 media from around the world and thousands of fans lining the red carpet.
Sponsored by Verizon, the world premiere event included an appearance by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and a performance by Jonas Brothers (Kevin, Joe and Nick), Demi Lovato, Alyson Stoner, Matthew “Mdot” Finley, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Jordan Francis. Other guests of honor included cast members Meaghan Martin, Chloe Bridges, Jasmine Richards, Maria Canals-Barrera (of Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place”), Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan (of Disney Channel’s upcoming buddy comedy “Shake it Up”), Daniel Kash and Frankie Jonas, plus screenwriter Dan Berendsen, director Paul Hoen and executive producer Alan Sacks.
The premiere of Disney’s exhilarating rock ‘n roll musical, “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” will be presented across Labor Day weekend with four event telecasts -- each celebrating music and dance with a storyline that suggests life is about the way you play. The fun for kids, tweens and families begins FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 and goes through MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT, each night) on Disney Channel. An extended edition of the movie, featuring two exclusive new music numbers, will be available on the Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on Tuesday, September 7.
During breaks in some of the premiere weekend telecasts, sponsorship messages will be presented by Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread, Best Western International, the all-new Honda Odyssey and Verizon.
The sequel follows Mitchie and her friends as they return to Camp Rock for another great summer of music and fun. But when big-money, state-of-the-art Camp Star opens across the lake, it lures away many instructors and campers — putting the future of Camp Rock in jeopardy. Mitchie emerges as a leader determined to save the camp and challenges the egocentric Luke Williams and his fellow Camp Star campers to a Final Jam — an end-of-summer performance duel, may the best camp win.
The rollout is:
Wednesday, September 1
“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” available on Disney Channel on Demand for Verizon FiOS subscribers (also available via select affiliates).
Radio Disney presents part one of “On the Set,” a special telecast from the set of “Camp Rock: 2 The Final Jam” (6:00-8:00 p.m., ET/3:00-5:00 p.m., PT). It will also be available at RadioDisney.com.
Friday, September 3
Radio Disney presents part two of “On the Set” (6:00-8:00 p.m., ET/3:00-5:00 p.m., PT) and a pre-show hosted by Ernie D (6:00-8:00 p.m., ET/3:00-5:00 p.m., PT) that leads to the TV telecast.
The cast hosts the world premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” on Disney Channel U.S. (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) with an audio simulcast on Radio Disney.
Mobile video simulcast of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” available for Flo TV, MobiTV and Sprint TV
Fans are invited to customize a page for the official “Camp Rock 2 Year Book,” collect mementos, access exclusive content and more on DisneyChannel.com.
Saturday, September 4
The Rock Along edition of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” invites viewers to sing along to the songs. Lyrics will be visible on screen and at DisneyChannel.com.
Sunday, September 5
Disney Channel presents the Sunday Dance Jam edition of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). Hosted by Demi Lovato and Jonas Brothers, it gives viewers a look at the making of the spectacular dance scenes.
Monday, September 6
Disney Channel presents an encore of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (8:00 p.m., ET/PT).
Tuesday, September 7
“Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition,” featuring two exclusive new music numbers — “Walking in My Shoes” and “Different Summers” — will be in stores on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital combo-pack, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.
I like how they’re brought Jesse back after discarding Jake last episode. At least they had a plan.
Here’s a sneak peak if you missed the premiere of official music video for Hannah’s new song “I’m Still Good last Sunday.
And what follows is the official Disney press release:
DISNEY CHANNEL’S “HANNAH MONTANA” HONORS MILITARY FAMILIES
WITH NEW EPISODE AND PROGRAMMING EVENT, SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” honors military families with a touching episode that includes cameo appearances by real families of the armed services and two new Hannah Montana songs, the heartfelt ballad “Been Here All Along” and the upbeat “I’m Still Good,” a performance interspersed with greetings from military families to their deployed loved ones. The “Hannah Montana Forever Family Salute” premieres SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET/PT). Forty special messages from military families will air throughout the evening (8:00-9:30 p.m., ET/PT) and will be available with the episode at DisneyChannel.com/Salute.
The USO consulted on the storyline for the episode, “Been Here All Along,” in which Miley cancels a special father/daughter afternoon so she can go on a first date with Jesse instead. While out with Miley, Jesse takes a phone call from his deployed father and their heartfelt conversation leads Miley to realize just how fortunate she is to have her dad close to home whenever she needs him. So she sets out to make amends with Robby Ray, and to do something special for military families.
Starring are Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, Emily Osment as Lilly Truscott, Jason Earles as Jackson Stewart, Billy Ray Cyrus as Robby Stewart and Moises Arias as Rico.
The series was created by Michael Poryes and Rich Correll & Barry O’Brien. The executive producers are Steven Peterman and Michael Poryes. “Hannah Montana” is a production of It’s a Laugh Productions, Inc.
Good news for all of you eagerly awaiting the premiere of Camp Rock 2.
The Camp Rock 2 Soundtrack is now available…
… and it’s more than 50% Demi, and like 25% Meaghan.
Disney has also released the Premiere Schedule for the film, bonus music videos, and of course the DVD.
The full Disney Press Release Follows:
DISNEY’S “CAMP ROCK 2: THE FINAL JAM” IS SET TO ROCK
ACROSS LABOR DAY WEEKEND WITH EXHILARATING MUSIC,
ROUSING DANCE AND SUMMER FUN
– Tour de Force Performance by Demi Lovato –
– Jonas Brothers Deliver the Charm and Rock the House –
– Soundtrack Debuts Tuesday, August 10 –
– DVD Combo Pack with Additional Musical Scenes Available September 7 –
The premiere of Disney’s exhilarating rock ‘n roll musical “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” starring Demi Lovato and Jonas Brothers, will be presented across Labor Day weekend with four event telecasts -- each celebrating music and dance with a storyline that suggests life is about the way you play. The fun for kids, tweens and families begins FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 and goes through MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT, each night) on Disney Channel. An extended edition of the movie, featuring two exclusive new music numbers, will be available on Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on Tuesday, September 7.
During breaks in some of the premiere weekend telecasts, sponsorship messages that extend the movie’s underlying theme will be presented by Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread, Best Western International, the all-new Honda Odyssey and Verizon.
The soundtrack, featuring 15 songs spanning hip-hip, rock and pop/rock performed by the cast, releases on iTunes and in stores nationwide, Tuesday, August 10.
The 2008 premiere of “Camp Rock” was cable TV’s #1 entertainment telecast of the year in Total Viewers (10.1 million) and TV’s #1 entertainment telecast in Tweens 9-14. Among TV’s live action movies, it was #1 among Kids 6-11 for the year.
The sequel, choreographed by Rosero McCoy, is a tour de force for actress and recording artist Demi Lovato. It showcases both the music and charm of Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, and includes their younger brother Frankie Jonas in his TV movie debut. The highly anticipated sequel also brings back fan favorites from “Camp Rock,” 2008′s #1 cable TV movie. They are: Maria Canals-Barrera (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Meaghan Martin (“10 Things I Hate About You”), Alyson Stoner (“Phineas and Ferb,” Step Up 3D”), Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (“Fame”), Jasmine Richards, Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan (Disney Channel’s upcoming “Shake it Up”) and Jordan “J” Francis. “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” introduces two exciting new performers, Matthew Mdot Finley and Chloe Bridges. Daniel Kash also stars.
The sequel follows Mitchie and her friends as they return to Camp Rock for another great summer of music and fun. But when big-money, state-of-the-art Camp Star opens across the lake, it lures away many instructors and campers — putting the future of Camp Rock in jeopardy. Mitchie emerges as a leader determined to save the camp and challenges the egocentric Luke Williams and his fellow Camp Star campers to a Final Jam — an end-of-summer performance duel, may the best camp win.
Music from “Camp Rock 2″ is part of a spectacular live concert show headlined by Jonas Brothers, special guest Demi Lovato and “Camp Rock” stars Alyson Stoner, Matthew Mdot Finley, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Jordan Francis. Information on the concert, produced by Live Nation, is available at www.jonasbrothers.com.
The schedule for the world premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” is:
Wednesday, September 1
“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” available on Disney Channel on Demand for Verizon FiOS subscribers (also available via select affiliates).
Radio Disney presents part one of “On the Set,” a special telecast from the set of “Camp Rock: 2 The Final Jam” (6:00-8:00 p.m., ET/3:00-5:00 p.m., PT). It will also be available at RadioDisney.com.
Friday, September 3
Radio Disney presents part two of “On the Set” (6:00-8:00 p.m., ET/3:00-5:00 p.m., PT) and a pre-show hosted by Ernie D (6:00-8:00 p.m., ET/3:00-5:00 p.m., PT) that leads to the TV telecast.
The cast hosts the world premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” on Disney Channel U.S. (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) with an audio simulcast on Radio Disney.
Mobile video simulcast of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” available for Flo TV, MobiTV and Sprint TV
Fans are invited to customize a page for the official “Camp Rock 2 Year Book,” collect mementos, access exclusive content and more on DisneyChannel.com.
Saturday, September 4
The Rock Along edition of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” invites viewers to sing along to the songs. Lyrics will be visible on screen and at DisneyChannel.com.
Sunday, September 5
Disney Channel presents the Sunday Dance Jam edition of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). Hosted by Demi Lovato and Jonas Brothers, it gives viewers a look at the making of the spectacular dance scenes.
Monday, September 6
Disney Channel presents an encore of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (8:00 p.m., ET/PT).
Tuesday, September 7
“Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition” featuring two exclusive new music numbers — “Walking in My Shoes” and “Different Summers” — will be available in stores on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital combo-pack, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
The movie was written by Dan Berendsen (Disney’s “Hannah Montana The Movie” and “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie”) and the team of Karin Gist and Regina Hicks. It is based on characters created by Karin Gist, Regina Hicks, Julie Brown and Paul Brown. The director and co-producer is DGA Award winner Paul Hoen (Disney Channel’s “The Cheetah Girls One World” and “Jump In”). The producer is Kevin Lafferty and the executive producer is Alan Sacks. “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” is a production of Coin Flip Productions, Ltd. and Alan Sacks Productions in association with Disney Channel.
Today I attended a special advance screening of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam The Walt Disney Studios’ Studio Theatre in Burbank, California.
Now, D23′s resident “Disney Geek” and host of today’s festivities specifically asked us not to give away any plot point – particularly the ending. But he did say it was okay to discuss our general feelings on the movie, the songs, and the Q&A session after the film with director Paul Hoen, writer Dan Berendsen, Michael Healy, senior vice president, Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney Channel, and Steven Vincent, vice president, Music and Soundtracks, Disney Channel.
Now that I’ve got that disclaimer out of the way, let me say that Camp Rock 2 was awesome – a huge improvement from the first film. If you read my thoughts about the original Camp Rock, you’ll see that my biggest complaint about the original was the atrocious writing. It was almost as if they wrote the music scenes first and then threw together a few plot points to connect them. That was not the case with camp Rock 2.
As Steven Vincent said about the music, “It was driven by the story .. [we] don’t stop for a song” instead the music moves the story along. In a lot of ways, this film was more musical than the original. It was a full on musical, with a touch of the “Musical about a musical” feel of HSM. Michael Healy said that was a conscious decision to “turn it into a full blown musical” and alluded to a decision as one that made the film less realistic. I can’t really speak to the realism element (I mean, no one ever actually breaks out into song) but I think it was a very good move. The film didn’t have that awkward in between feel of CR1.
As for the overall plot, it’s a very different story than the original. Dan Berendsen explained that “This story is timeless … it’s fighting for something you believe in.” Mitchie is a very different character; she was the outsider before but now she’s a definite leader. If you’ve looked at the soundtrack, you’ll know that Demi has a lot of songs on the soundtrack, and that corresponds to a lot of screen time. Of course, she is the star! Mitchie essentially takes command of Camp Rock following the exodus of most of their staff to Camp Star. The always self-centered Tess Tyler (Meaghan Martin) seemed to learn her lesson from the first movie, but still quickly defected to the other camp thus allowing her to be an antagonist once more. Caitlyn Geller (Alyson Stoner) seemed to have a lot more screen time, although she still didn’t sing much. Joe was actually… dare I say it, kinda good as Shane Gray. The Nate (Nick Jonas) and Dana (Chloe Bridges) subplot was okay; nothing special. Jason (Kevin Jonas) was, as usual, just kinda there. Although there was one good line during the tour bus scene. Maria Canals-Barrera also reprized her role as Mitchie’s mom, but she was hardly even in the film.
Again, I don’t wanna give too much away, but this really is a solid film. Demi gives a very solid performance and the whole team really pulls it together. I give it a 4.5/5, which is among the highest rating I have ever given a DCOM. And what of Camp Rock 3? I think Michael Healy said it best, “Never say never [but] it would be hard to round everybody up.”
But just for fun, I want to share one more though from Senior VP Michael Healy when asked about Disney’s developing talent, he quickly responded “Selena is a fantastic star” then he paused for a moment before continuing, “um, well, Bridgit.” and finally concluding with one final thought, “I wish we had Raven back though.”
Well, we did know that Bridgit Mendler could sing, but it looks like disney is really gonna start pushing her out there as a singer and not just an actress. I’m glad that Bridgit’s already filming a DCOM (and the GLC movie will make two) and that it does well.
The official press release follows…
PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN ON “LEMONADE MOUTH,”
A DISNEY CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE
Starring Bridgit Mendler, Adam Hicks, Hayley Kiyoko, Blake Michael,
Naomi Scott, Tisha Campbell-Martin and Christopher McDonald
Production has begun in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the music-driven “Lemonade Mouth,” a Disney Channel Original Movie that tells kids and tweens that building your confidence rocks and finding your destiny rules. The story follows five disparate high school students who meet in detention, realize they are destined to rock, and ultimately form a band that becomes a champion for students sidelined by the high school elite. The blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise has produced basic cable’s #1 movie with Kids 6-11 and/or Tweens from 2002-09.
The movie was written by April Blair based on the book Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes, and is directed by award-winning Patricia Riggen (“La Misma Luna” aka “Under the Same Moon”) and executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase (“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” Disney Channel’s “The Cheetah Girls” movies) and choreographed by Chris Scott. It is scheduled to premiere in 2011 on Disney Channel.
Starring are: Bridgit Mendler (Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie”) as lead vocalist Olivia White, Adam Hicks (Disney XD’s “Zeke and Luther”) as keyboardist Wen Giford, Hayley Kiyoko (Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place”) as electric guitarist Stella Yamada, Naomi Scott (Disney Channel UK’s “Life Bites”) as bass guitarist Mohini, Blake Michael (who was discovered during an open casting call conducted by Disney Channels Worldwide) as percussionist Charlie Delgado, Nick Roux as Scott Pickett, Chris Brochu as Ray Beach from rival band Mudslide Crush, Tisha Campbell-Martin (“My Wife and Kids”) as music teacher Miss Reznick and Christopher McDonald (“Family Law”) as Principal Brenigan.
The “Lemonade Mouth” pop music soundtrack will include nine original songs by songwriters Aris Archontis, Felicia Barton, Maria Christensen, Ali Dee, Andy Dodd, Tom Leonard, Jeannie Lurie, Niclas Molinder, Chen Neeman, Joacim Persson, Lindy Robbins, Shridhar Solanki, Matthew Tishler, Bryan Todd, Reed Vertelney and Adam Watts. “Lemonade Mouth” is a production of GWAVE Productions, LLC.
