LONDON, March 24, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tyrone Murphy, founder of Classic Media Entertainment and a prominent documentary and filmmaker in the UK, focuses on Emmy-nominated Jerry Skeels and Randy McLaughlin of Jeran Design, and their 24 year-long philanthropic project -- The Hollywood Graffiti Gown, for his new documentary film. The documentary denotes Jerry and Randy's inspiration for conceiving and creating The Gown and their philanthropic efforts contributing toward the fight against AIDS. Through the camera, Tyrone Murphy projects to convey the importance of knowledge, education, and prevention of the devastating AIDS virus.
To date, a plethora of over 340 of the Worlds most influential and glamorous Women have donated their signatures, to be hand-beaded in platinum onto a striking black velvet floor length couture gown. The sparkling signatures are exclusive to honourable women, such as Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Streisand, Sharon Stone, Bette Davis, Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, Sophia Loren and Mother Teresa. The Gown was premiered last week at The Television Academy's TV cares 2004 Annual Ribbon of Hope Awards, hosted by Angela Lansbury.
The widely celebrated global launch of The Hollywood Graffiti Gown inspired Tyrone Murphy to document the human struggle and courage of the battle against AIDS, and focus on Jerry Skeels and Randy McLaughlin, the creators and visionaries of The Gown project. Murphy shares the same mission as Jeran Design and the Gown project -- to raise awareness, education, and prevention of AIDS around the world.
Mr. Murphy who shared his inspiration and motivation for this documentary said, "This documentary will not only recognize the dedicated people who have been so generous in contributing to this effort and AIDS awareness but also alert the world that AIDS is a local and global issue that we cannot ignore. Any effort toward its prevention can save lives which I believe, is also the statement of The Gown.
There are now plans for the Gown to tour the globe and will eventually go to auction and it is expected to raise $5 million for AIDS awareness. Although the documentary gives an insight into the incredible amount of work that went into the making of the Gown, people will not fully be able to appreciate it until it is unveiled during the tour.
The Classic Media Entertainment documentary was directed by Annelie Wilder and T Silano whose combined credits include, Apollo 13, Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, Home Alone 2 and IceMaker, which will be released in July of 2004.
Classic Media Entertainment, LTD is a visionary documentary film production company based in the UK. The company is headed by Tyrone Murphy, who is currently producing the documentary of The Hollywood Graffiti Gown project. Other recent film projects by Classic Media Entertainment, LTD. are, the Countries of Ireland and "Eddie Kidd" his life story.