Boxoffice Pro - October 2019

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
VARIETY HONORS JACK
KLINE OF CHRISTIE
>> Variety – the Children’s Charity of
Northern California has honored digital
cinema pioneer Jack Kline—former
chairman, president, and CEO (and
currently executive adviser to the CEO)
at Christie—for his community outreach
and charitable activities. With a history
of involvement with numerous charities,
Kline was celebrated at the Variety Gold
Heart Classic golf tournament on September
20, 2019, in San Rafael,
California.
Ayesha Williamson,
executive director at Variety
Northern California, commented,
“Alongside his many
business achievements, Jack has
always managed to volunteer a
generous amount of his time to
charity for many organizations, including
Variety. Our patrons are extremely grateful
for his dedication.”
PHOTO: CHRISTIE
Kazuhisa Kamiyama,
chairman and CEO at Christie,
added, “Jack’s exceptional
qualities as a leader have set
a performance standard at all
levels of our company. The positive
example he set in business
extends to his endeavors outside
of work, including his involvement
with a wide variety of charities. This
public acknowledgment of his public
service effort is richly deserved.”
STUDIO MOVIE GRILL FURTHER
EXPANDS ITS MOVIES + MEALS
PROGRAM WITH SCREENINGS OF
ABOMINABLE
>> In keeping with its mission to open hearts and minds one story
at a time, SMG launched SMG Access nationwide last summer, the
only movie theater loyalty program focused on helping underserved
children and community members. Through their purchases, SMG
guests are able to assist SMG outreach in offering movies and meals
to local nonprofits and underserved community members. Since
the program’s inception, multiple studios have joined the movement,
offering screenings and giving SMG the opportunity to give
back more than 14,000 Movies + Meals in the program’s first year.
“SMG is thrilled and enormously grateful to announce that
Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Pearl Studio
have joined us in offering special screenings of Abominable in
support of our Movies + Meals program. The film has a wonderful
message about helping others and the importance of family. We
are so thrilled to be able to bring the film to underserved children
in our local communities,” said Lynne McQuaker, SMG’s senior
SMG Access helps underserved children with its Movies + Meals program, featuring
special screenings of Universal’s Abominable.
director of P.R. and outreach.
Said Jim Orr, Universal’s president of domestic theatrical distribution:
“We are delighted to support SMG’s efforts by offering
screenings of Abominable to local nonprofits providing services
to underserved children in their communities and to join SMG
guests in supporting purposeful outreach and a loyalty program
designed to give back to local community members through Movies
+ Meals. Abominable celebrates friendships and the importance
of family, and we can’t think of a better partner to help spread that
message of kindness and empowerment than SMG.”
UNIVERSAL EXECUTIVE
JOHN C. HALL HONORED
BY STEP FOR HIS
CHARITABLE WORK
>> John C. Hall, executive vice president,
distribution and marketing, at Universal
Pictures, was recognized by STEP
(Success through Education Program)
during their 20th-anniversary An Affair
to Remember gala.
Hall’s unwavering support of organizations
like STEP made him the perfect
candidate for this award. Rocky Peter,
a former “American Idol” contestant,
serenaded the crowd before the evening
culminated in a major donation
from Variety of Southern California.
STEP has raised over
$1 million to provide inner city
students the opportunity to
receive a quality education.
Hall started in the business
over 20 years ago and has made
philanthropy a central part of
his life’s work. His tenure has seen him
working on the marketing and distribution
campaigns for over 350 theatrical
releases, including major franchise titles,
Oscar winners, and dozens of blockbusters.
His altruistic side motivates him
to serve on multiple charity
boards and as a jury member at
many renowned international
film festivals.
This spirit of altruism is
also what drove Hall to both
write the book Your Hollywood
Pro: How To Make It in the
Movie Business without Selling
Out and co-found the nonprofit organization
yourhollywoodpro.com, a unique
mentorship portal that brings aspiring
filmmakers together with seasoned entertainment
industry veterans for one-onone
advice.
26 OCTOBER 2019