SCIFI ALTERS REALITY WITH SLATE OF NEW PROJECTS

April 02, 2003 Press Release: 

SCI FI Channel puts its twisted take on reality shows with a brand-new slate of "alternative reality" programs. From psychic investigation to science-fact documentaries to a candid look at life on Mars, SCI FI leaves no stone unturned in its search for the truth - or the truly bizarre.

Highlights of series and specials currently in development include:

Mad Mad House "Can't we all just get along?"  Between a vampire, a witch, a voodoo priest, a yoga master, and a psychic, life at Alt Manor is liable to get pretty strange.  When the roost is ruled by those with alternative lifestyles, you can witness the mayhem, humor and sheer fun unfold as our "Joe Normal" contestants compete in a series of increasingly bizarre challenges in order to claim the grand prize.  Produced by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed from A. Smith & Company, the series will be distributed by USA Cable Entertainment. Life on Mars Trying to survive on a deserted island is for weaklings!  In this weekly one-hour reality drama, two colonies of people (12 total) take on the struggle for survival off-planet, as they attempt to live in a realistic Mars base. The two teams will contend with physical hazards and psychological obstacles in an ultra-convincing simulation of what life on the fourth planet might be like.  This high-octane, low-oxygen series will be distributed by USA Cable Entertainment and produced by Wall To Wall.

Lab Rats SCI FI takes consumer reporting to the max in this new weekly reality series.  In Lab Rats, outrageous claims and miracle promises get put to the test in the real world.  We've got our own set of "lab rats" ready to put futuristic products to the test personally ... can you really sleep fat away? Re-grow hair?  Make someone fall in love with you?  Find out as the super- sleuths at SCI FI separate the scams from the secrets.  Produced by Hallock & Healey Entertainment, Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey (Spy TV, Scare Tactics) serve as executive producers.

SCI FI Declassified specials SCI FI Declassified is a new series of original two-hour documentary specials, in the spirit of the highly successful The Roswell Crash: Startling New Evidence (SCI FI's highest rated original special).  This franchise will launch with four groundbreaking investigations that uncover new and explosive evidence using the forensic tools of modern science -- exploring the often blurry line between science fiction and science fact.

Psychic Investigators A body is found.  Another crime unsolved.  For a detective without any leads, there is only one option left:  a psychic.  From the producers of The FBI Files and The New Detectives comes an exciting new investigative series, Psychic Investigators.  Follow real life criminal investigations in which a skilled psychic conducts surveillance on a suspect or provides the key to solving a crime.  Produced by New Dominion Pictures.

The Illusionist Special Just in time for Halloween, this mind-blowing show, featuring a master illusionist, is a provocative exploration of the unbelievable that will leave viewers doubting their senses.  Taped in Universal's Orlando theme park.

SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming.  Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award- winning Web site, at http://www.scifi.com.  SCI FI Channel is a program service of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (http://www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

SCI FI CHANNEL UPS ITS ENERGY LEVEL WITH A NEW DOSE OF ORIGINAL ACTION MOVIES

April 02, 2003 Press Release: 

SCI FI Channel extends its commitment to action-oriented original movies with a new slate of high-octane films that are set to premiere in 2003-2004. A blend of special effects, energetic fight scenes and out-of-this-world creatures have combined to make these actioners a ratings success story for SCI FI. Since introducing Saturday Action movies in 2002, The Channel has averaged a HH rating of 1.4 for the original films. SCI FI is currently slated to air 22 originals in 2003 and will premiere approximately two per month.These films will join previously announced projects including Man with the Screaming Brain and Earwigs (both starring Bruce Campbell), Epoch II, Graveland and Puppetmaster vs. Demonic Toys; all make their Saturday night premieres in 2003-2004.SCI FI's upcoming lineup of action-packed, Saturday night originals include:

DRAGON STORM - Stars Maxwell Caulfield, John Rhys-Davies and Angel Borris, and recently completed production in Sofia, Bulgaria with UFO Films. Alien dragons are transported to Earth inside a meteor crash, forcing two enemy kingdoms to join forces and fight off the alien dragon threat before they scorch the countryside bare.

IDAHO CREATURE INCIDENT - Stars John Savage and Michelle Goh, and recently completed production in Sofia, Bulgaria with Nu Image. The government experiments with using an alien creature as a weapon. When the trial fails, the creature is locked inside a government facility and must be destroyed before it can escape.

GHOST MONKEY - A freelance photographer and an American investigator join forces to stop a monkey-like creature that goes on a killing spree. This simian mutant prefers human hearts to bananas - and he leads them on a wild chase throughout the streets of India. Filming begins in Spring 2003 with Promark Entertainment.

SNAKEHEAD TERROR - In a small town in Maryland, a school of freakishly- large Snakehead fish overrun a lake and take to the land. The scaly mutants can survive out of water, and their idea of fish-food has a decidedly human flavor. It's up to the local sheriff to reel in the creatures before they can go on a massive feeding frenzy. Filming begins in Vancouver in Spring 2003 with Cinetel.

PHANTOM FORCE - A spin-off from the Interceptor Force movies, Phantom Force follows another section of elite government soldiers. Instead of aliens, this special military division has to protect the human race from the supernatural. Filming begins in Bulgaria in May, 2003 with UFO Films.

INTERCEPTOR FORCE III - In the not too distant future, a team of specially trained government soldiers called Interceptors protect Earth from hostile alien encounters. With a new threat to mankind looming, the Interceptors face their greatest challenge yet. Produced by UFO Films.

GARGOYLE - Calabos is an evil wizard who wants to take over the world with an army of vicious, living gargoyles. Only Marcus, a magician who possesses an enchanted ring, can stop Calabos and his stone minions before they capture everyone in their paths. Produced by Chesler Perlmutter.