Rim Semiconductor Company (fka RSMI)

[427Cobra]

Step Into Liquid Deal

http://www.artisanent.com/Company/PressReleases/pre_index.html


THRILLING SURFING FEATURE FILM STEP INTO LIQUID


New Movie Directed By Dana Brown and Co-Executive Produced By The Director of Classic Surfing Film
The Endless Summer To Hit Theaters This August
Los Angeles, May 20, 2003 – Continuing to capitalize on the rapidly growing popularity of action sports and action sports films, Artisan Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to the electrifying surfing-themed feature Step Into Liquid from Top Secret Productions, LLC, a subsidiary of New Visual Corporation (OTCBB: NVEI). Step Into Liquid, which generated high acclaim at the recent Tribeca Film Festival, is an authentic, high-performance, yet emotionally moving non-fiction film that covers the broad spectrum of surfing’s cultural wavelength. Told through the voices of legends, pros and everyday surfers alike, it is not just a film for surfers but for anyone with an appreciation for sport. Artisan is planning an August 2003 theatrical release. The announcement was made today by Steve Beeks, President, Artisan Home Entertainment and Steve Rothenberg, President, Domestic Theatrical Distribution, Artisan Entertainment.

Step Into Liquid represents the directorial and feature film screenwriting debut of Dana Brown (Endless Summer II), whose father, Bruce Brown, directed the 1966 classic surfing documentary The Endless Summer and serves as a co-executive producer on this project. John-Paul Beeghly served as producer and director of photography. Additionally, the film was co-produced by Scott Waugh, and co-executive produced by Bruce Brown and Ray Willenberg, Jr. C. Rich Wilson served as associate producer and managing partner for Top Secret Productions, LLC.

Commented Artisan’s Beeks, “Step Into Liquid is an outstanding film that really captures the essence of surfing from both a sporting and cultural perspective. Given the immense popularity of action sports around the world, we believe that audiences will embrace the high adrenaline action that drives the film from beginning to end.”

By using up-to-the-minute technology, sharp editing and awards-caliber cinematography to present extraordinary subjects in mind-boggling locations, Step Into Liquid embraces and celebrates the global surfing culture while managing to also deliver moments of real intimacy. The film takes viewers from the truly terrifying monstrous waves of Oahu’s North Shore to the Texas waters of the Gulf of Mexico (where waves are created by massive oil supertankers) to the shores of Ireland and Rapa Nui. Along the way, viewers discover unforgettable human stories, from a man who’s surfed every single day for the last 27 years to a young, inspirational surfer just getting back in the water in spite of a surfing accident that’s left him paralyzed from the neck down. A true audience-pleaser, Step Into Liquid is at once profoundly moving and profoundly entertaining.

The film boasts interviews and visually breathtaking performances from world-renowned professional surfers including Laird Hamilton, Kelly Slater, Robert and Sam August, Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, Layne Beachly, Keala Kennely, Rochelle Ballard, Dan Malloy, Chris Malloy, Keith Malloy, Rob Machado, Brad Gerlach, Mike Parsons, Peter Mel, Ken “Skindog” Collins, Taj Burrow, as well as notorious lifelong amateurs Jesse Billauer, Dale Webster and Jim and Alex Knost.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Artisan team to make sure a film that we are so passionate about reaches audiences throughout the US and Canada. The recent non-fiction successes Buena Vista Social Club and Standing in The Shadows of Motown in both theatrical and home video releases, combined with their past fiction runaways, like The Blair Witch Project, made Artisan a compelling home for Step Into Liquid,” stated Rich Wilson, New Visual’s Vice President and the film’s associate producer.

Step Into Liquid marks the latest in a series of action sports-related acquisitions by Artisan. Earlier this year, the company obtained the home entertainment rights to Tamra Davis’ high-octane Keep Your Eyes Open, which combines the top action sports athletes on their quest for the ultimate adrenaline rush with the hottest, cutting edge alternative music. The title is set to debut on VHS and DVD in September. Additionally, the studio is currently finalizing a deal for another action sports related project.

Artisan acquisitions executive Paul Gardner brought in the project to the Company. Steve Beeks negotiated the Step Into Liquid deal on behalf of Artisan. The filmmakers were represented by Greg Johnson and Peter Newman of Gotham Sales.

NV Entertainment, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Visual Corporation. It was originally formed in 1993 with a vision for high-quality, cost-effective film production and exhibition for the special venue marketplace. Over the course of its ten year history, the Company has produced multiple film and video titles and launched production, distribution and exhibition ventures with entertainment alliances such as Fox Sports, MCI, Knott's Berry Farm, Cinema Systems, Hawaiian Tropic, JT USA’s Game On, Bruce and Dana Brown, and MTV. NV Entertainment is a fifty-percent owner of Top Secret Productions, LLC, maker of Step Into Liquid.

Based in San Diego, New Visual Corporation is a late-development-stage fabless communications semiconductor company. It is developing an advanced technology that allows data to be transmitted at greater speed and across extended distances over existing copper wire. For more information, visit www.newvisual.com.

Artisan Entertainment Inc. is the leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical, television and home entertainment product. The Company coordinates its business activities through two wholly owned operating divisions, Artisan Pictures and Artisan Home Entertainment.

The Artisan Pictures division is responsible for the development, production, marketing and distribution of the Company’s annual slate of theatrical films. The Artisan Home Entertainment division has an extensive library of over 7,000 titles which includes its own properties, as well as a wide spectrum of films from Academy Award® winning classics to blockbusters and cult favorites.