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Welcome to The Genre Traveler! Please sign up using the form to the right so that you'll get all the latest updates to the site. You also might want to sign up for the RSS feed, which you can do via email or your favorite RSS Reader. An alliance of Hollywood notables working with Shanghai Film Group Corporation (SFG) are planning to develop a major Movie Theme Park "incorporating 4D technologies for what will be the first "East meets West" state-of-the-art theme park development in Asia," according to a press release from Nations Trust Ltd. The park is part of a three phase project that also includes

• redevelopment of SFG's studio back lot "Old Nanjing Road" Movie Set (circa 1949), transforming it into "Shanghai Nights" enchanting "city walk" entertainment complex (Phase I); and
• "the construction of the film and television shooting base, the construction of the film post-production base, theatre complexes, film and TV co-productions, CG animations, international distribution of films and TV series, entertainment and leisure projects" (Phase II)

The theme park is Phase III. Nations Trust Ltd. has worked seven years to develop the "Hollywood China Studio" and Movie Theme Park concept. Over five years, the project is estimated to require $1.5 billion. SFG, who presently owns the Crown Plaza Hotel in Shanghai, anticipates Nations Trust Ltd. raising additional funds to build a world class "Hotel and Galleria" within the "Shanghai Nights" complex.

August 2007

Aug. 1-15
Artifacts of a Nether World
Art & Objects by Dan Chessher
Hyaena Gallery
Burbank, Calif.
www.hyaenagallery.com

Aug. 10-12
Horrorfind Weekend
Marriott Hunt Valley Inn
Hunt Valley, Md.
www.horrorfindweekend.com/state/maryland/august/

Aug. 11, 2007
LA Myth: A group art show
Meltdown Comics
Los Angeles, Calif.
meltcomics.com or myspace.com/lamyth

Aug. 24, 2007
23rd Annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards
The Caltech Athenaeum
Pasadena, Calif.
RSVP for reservations:
(323) 466-3310 or (800) 624-6504 in California
Outside California (800) 624-7907

September 2007

Sept. 7-9, 2007
Baltimore Comic Con
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Md.
www.comicon.com/baltimore/

October 2007

Oct. 5-7, 2007
Chiller Theatre
Hilton Parsippany
Parsippany, N.J.
www.chillertheatre.com
Note: Deadline to order advanced tickets is Sept. 22

Oct. 19-21, 2007
Screamfest
Wyndham Orlando Resort
Orlando, Fla.
Special Guest: Robert Englund
www.spookyempire.com

Oct. 12-21, 2007
Screamfest Horror Film Festival & Screenplay Competition
Grauman's Mann Chinese 6
Hollywood, Calif.
www.screamfestla.com

Harry Potter Wiki recently launched and already has more than 1,000 articles on almost everything imaginable from the Harry Potter books.

Created by Wikia, Inc., the leading provider of community resources for building and organizing free content on every topic, Harry Potter Wiki is a fully editable website created and run by fans of the popular series. Whether you're a wizard, witch or muggle, you are invited to visit, read and contribute to the wiki.

In addition to information about the books and character, the provides little-known details about the places, magical creatures and wizardly objects featured in the books, current Harry Potter news and details about the associated films and video games.

As I reported in the July issue of The Genre Traveler, the "Back to the Future - The Ride" at Universal Studios Hollywood is going to be transformed into a Simpsons thrill ride due to open in Spring 2008. Therefore, this ride will be closing soon.

Yesterday, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that "Back to the Future - The Ride" will close when the park closes on Labor Day, Sept. 3, 2007.

Not to say anything bad about the Simpsons -- I guffaw each night to the shows re-runs -- but I'm really going to miss the Back to the Future ride. I've ridden many times, both sober and intoxicated. It is a hoot and a half regardless of your state of inebriation. In fact, this ride was often the reason I would go to the L.A. Dance-a-thon when I lived in the area eight years ago.

"Back to the Future - The Ride" was introduced in 1993 as a continuation of the Oscar-winning blockbuster Back to the Future film trilogy directed by Robert Zemeckis and executive produced by Steven Spielberg for Universal Pictures. Since that time, more than 61 million visitors have experienced this time-travel adventure ride.

To give the ride a proper send off (and, I'm sure, as a ploy to increase summer visitorship), Universal Studios Hollywood is giving people the opportunity to win a 1981 DeLorean. To learn more about winning the DeLorean, visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com or the theme park to register at specially-created Back to the Future kiosks.

Dario Argento, Italian film director, producer and screenwriter best known for his work in the horror film genre, will be the guest of honor at this year's Rue Morgue Festival of Fear in Toronto, Canada.

Held Aug. 24-26, this horror expo will also feature a suite of other special guests, including George Romero, Adrienne Barbeau and Malclm McDowell.

Special events during the event include:

• A special 20th anniversary screening of a 35mm print of Lamberto Bava's Demons 2


• A part and costume contest hosted by Oderus Urungus of GWAR and featuring live music from CRUD


• A special evening of film clips and interviews with George Romero

And more.

For more information, visit www.rue-morgue.com/festival.php.