Rock & Roll's Greatest Performers To Appear Eight Stories High On Giant IMAXÆ Screens In All Access Concert Film

Ideal Entertainment, Imax Corporation and the Warner-Lambert Company today announced the start of production of All Access, a large-format rock concert film set to premiere in February 2001, coincidental with the GrammyÆ Awards. All Access will transport audiences into the heart of rock & roll, capturing these dynamic acts for IMAXÆ theatres' eight-story high screens and unsurpassed sound systems, using some of rock & roll's greatest legends and best known contemporary artists. All Access, which will be presented by CERTS, features live performances by rock superstars such as mega Grammy-winner Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20, George Clinton, Mary J. Blige, B.B. King, Trey Anastasio from Phish, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Moby, Kid Rock and Macy Gray. The artists were filmed for presentation on the world's largest screen in the days surrounding last week's Grammy Awards ceremonies. Cumulatively the acts already signed for the film garnered 13 Grammy Awards this year, including the record-tying eight wins by Carlos Santana highlighted by awards for Best Record Album, Rock Album and Song of the Year. Additional Grammy Awards went to Sting (Best Pop Album and Male Popular Vocal Performance), Sheryl Crow (Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), B.B. King (Best Traditional Blues Album) and Roots (Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group). ""In addition to a front row seat and spectacular larger-than-life performances, the film will provide exactly what its title suggests - a rare All Access pass to the rehearsals, sound checks, casual conversations, backstage madness and musical collaborations that lie behind the scenes of every great concert, but that the average person never gets to see,"" said Producers Jon and Peter Shapiro. ""By interspersing these impromptu events in brief, carefully chosen segues between performances, All Access will reveal an insider's view of rock & roll as well as pay homage to the music's incredible power and spirit in IMAX theatres, eight stories high and with one of the world's best sound systems."" Initial sequences for the film were shot at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, California February 22, 23, 24, and 25, 2000 before a live audience. Additional sequences will be filmed with other live performances in the coming months. ""The IMAX Experience is the only medium that can take you from the top of the highest mountain to the bottom of the ocean and back to the land of the dinosaurs,"" said Imax Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. ""We're the only entertainment experience that can make you really feel like you're a part of an event, and that's what we're going to do with this film - take you inside a concert and put you literally on stage. All Access will build on the success of The Walt Disney Company's ëFantasia/2000: The IMAX Experienceí, by continuing to bring new audiences to IMAX theatres."" The Adam's division of Warner-Lambert has teamed up with Imax and Ideal Entertainment to bring All Access to the giant-screen. ""Our association with All Access allows the CERTS Brand to leverage off of the music and The IMAX Experience and to emotionally connect with our target consumers and contemporize the CERTS equity,"" said Joanna Ross, Associate Product Manager of Warner-Lambert Company. ""As the presenting sponsor of All Access, CERTS will create a thoroughly integrated program inclusive of national and regional advertising, in-store displays and promotional overlays surrounding and supporting the film's theatrical release,"" said Maria Ciranni, Assistant Promotions Manager of Warner-Lambert Company. Presented by CERTS, directed by Martyn Atkins and produced by Jon and Peter Shapiro for Ideal Entertainment, All Access will be distributed by Imax Ltd. The CERTS deal was brokered by Diane Salerno, President of Salerno and Associates, Inc. for Imax Ltd. and Ideal Entertainment and Alyse Kobin, President of Kobin Enterprises Ltd., for Warner-Lambert. About Ideal EntertainmentIdeal Entertainment produces mainstream entertainment for motion pictures, TV, music, merchandising and the Internet. Principal Jon Shapiro executive produced the $200 million grossing film, ""Richie Rich,"" starring Macaulay Culkin, for Warner Bros., and is Producer of Universal Pictures' forthcoming ""Curious George,"" a live-action feature based on the classic children's books. Partner Peter Shapiro is Owner of the world-renowned live music venue, Wetlands, in New York City, and Co-founder of KIND.COM, a new online venture for socially-conscience lifestyles. About AdamsAdams is the confectionery division of Warner-Lambert Company. Warner-Lambert is a global company devoted to discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing quality pharmaceutical, consumer health care and confectionery products. It employs more than 43,000 people worldwide and is located in Morris Plains, New Jersey. About ImaxFounded in 1967, Imax (NASDAQ: IMAX) (TSE: IMX) has consistently delivered the world's premiere cinematic experiences. There were more than 200 IMAX theatres in 25 countries as of December 31, 1999. More than 500 million people have seen an IMAX presentation since the medium premiered in 1970. In 1999, more than 70 million people worldwide visited an IMAX theatre. Imax has forged strategic alliances and relationships with some of the most prominent corporations in the world including The Walt Disney Company, Famous Players Inc. (a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.), America Online and Loews Cineplex Corp. In 1997, Imax was awarded an OscarÆ for Scientific and Technical Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Source: IMAX Corporation