Suraj Pillai Is Bringing Television Shows to New Foreign Audiences

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Suraj Pillai is bringing the magic of "Star Trek" to a new audience. The well-respected sound engineer is helping bring three series from the Star Trek franchise to foreign countries thanks to a new initiative to dub native languages to the soundtrack of each show.

“I am very pleased to be a part of this effort to bring these ‘Star Trek’ series to many audiences around the world,” Pillai said. “As a fan of ‘Star Trek’ growing up, it’s truly a labor of love to help add foreign-language dialogue to these amazing shows!”

As sound editor, Pillai is bringing “Enterprise,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” to audiences in Russian, Turkish and many other languages for the first time. All three shows will be premiering sometime in the next year. 

“Making sure the dialogue is in sync and that it matches the lip movement is a major task that takes a lot of attention to detail and a good ear to hear the different sounds,” he said. “It has to be seamless and in line with the rest of the dialogue and the other sounds on the set.”

Known for his technical expertise, Pillai has worked on a number of projects since arriving from India two years ago, including most recently the films “Attraction,” “Flawed,” and the documentary “Captain Virat”. 

In each film or TV project, Pillai brings his creativity and expertise in developing a virtual palette of sound that will enhance or create a mood that adds to the emotional tone of the scene.

“For one film, it was a person walking at night, but it wasn’t just that. You had to add the sounds of City, sounds of footsteps, the leaves rustling, the crickets chirping and the wind howling to create the mood of loneliness thereby enhancing the emotional feel of the scene,” he said. “As a sound engineer or editor, you have to have a lot of sounds available to you to create these unique moments and moods, so I’m always collecting interesting sounds that will enhance a scene.”

His dedication to sound and sound effects goes back to his youth in India when he took up the keyboard and violin and becoming a sought after live performer. His efforts to record his music and improve upon it, led him to a fascination for recording technology.

After graduating with Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Engineering an MBA in Marketing from Cochin University in India, he turned his attention to performing and recording his own original music while also working with other artists. But as he developed his own sound, he felt the pull of Hollywood and decided to move there to nurture his talents.

Upon arriving, he enrolled at the Musician’s Institute where he excelled in motion picture scoring and sound mixing.  By the time he graduated, thanks to recommendations from his professors, Pillai found himself in demand for his work.

Clint Eastwood's 'The 15:17 to Paris' Begins Production

LOS ANGELES  – Production is underway this week on Clint Eastwood’s “The 15:17 to Paris.” The film tells the real-life story of three men whose brave act turned them into heroes during a highspeed railway ride.

In the early evening of August 21, 2015, the world watched in stunned silence as the media reported a thwarted terrorist attack on Thalys train #9364 bound for Paris—an attempt prevented by three courageous young Americans traveling through Europe. “The 15:17 to Paris” follows the course of the friends’ lives, from the struggles of childhood through finding their footing in life, to the series of unlikely events leading up to the attack.

Throughout the harrowing ordeal, their friendship never wavers, making it their greatest weapon and allowing them to save the lives of the more than 500 passengers on board. The heroic trio is comprised of Anthony Sadler, Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos, and U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, who play themselves in the film.

Starring alongside them are Jenna Fischer (“Hall Pass,” TV’s “The Office”); Judy Greer (“War for the Planet of the Apes”); and Ray Corasani (TV’s upcoming “The Long Road Home”). Paul-Mikél Williams plays the younger Anthony; Max Ivutin and Bryce Gheisar each play younger versions of Alek; and Cole Eichenberger and William Jennings take on the role of the younger Spencer‬. Eastwood (“Sully,” “American Sniper”) directs from a screenplay by Dorothy Blyskal, based on the book “The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes” by Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Jeffrey E. Stern.

Eastwood also produces the film, along with Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera and Jessica Meier. The film’s executive producer is Bruce Berman. Behind the scenes, the creative team includes frequent collaborators Tom Stern, who served as cinematographer on 13 of Eastwood’s previous films; Deborah Hopper, who has served as Eastwood’s costume designer on 17 prior films; and Blu Murray, who most recently cut “Sully.” Veteran art director Kevin Ishioka, whose work can be seen in “Sully” and in this month’s “Dunkirk,” serves as production designer. The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

Linkin Park's Chester Bennington Dead at 41

LOS ANGELES - Chester Bennington, the acclaimed lead singer for the platinum-selling rock band Linkin Park, was found dead by hanging at his home near Los Angeles Thursday. He was 41.

Brian Elias, the chief of operations for the Los Angeles County coroner, confirmed the death, in Palos Verdes Estates, adding that the death was being investigated as a possible suicide after police officers responded to a call just after 9 a.m. Bennington, who was known for his piercing singing style, fronted the band on its seven albums.

The group’s newest, “One More Light,” was released in May and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. The band was set to begin a tour with a concert on July 27 in Mansfield, Mass.

Bennington first gained the attention of fans as a vocalist following the release of Linkin Park's debut album, “Hybrid Theory,” in 2000, which became a commercial success. The album was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2005, making it the best-selling debut album of the decade, as well as one of the few albums to ever hit that many sales. The band’s next studio albums, from Meteora (2003) to “One More Light” continued the band's success.

SyFy Picks up George RR Martin Pilot for 'NightFlyers'

George RR Martin (Publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES - SyFy has picked up the pilot for NIGHTFLYERS based on author George R.R. Martin’s (“Game of Thrones”) novella and the 1987 film of the same name. Jeff Buhler (“Jacob’s Ladder”) wrote the adaptation for television. In NIGHTFLYERS, in the hope of making contact with alien life, eight maverick scientists and a powerful telepath embark on an expedition to the edge of our solar system aboard The Nightflyer - a ship with a small tightknit crew and a reclusive captain. But when terrifying and violent events begin to take place they start to question each other -- and surviving the journey proves harder than anyone thought.

“We are looking forward to diving deeper into George R.R. Martin’s chilling world of NIGHTFLYERS,” said Bill McGoldrick, Executive Vice President Scripted Development for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, “The script that Jeff delivered encapsulates this classic sci-fi horror story and adapts it to a platform where we can truly explore the depths of madness.”

From Universal Cable Productions, NIGHTFLYERS will be executive produced by Gene Klein (SUITS), David Bartis (SUITS) and Doug Liman (“Live. Die. Repeat”) of Hypnotic; Buhler; Alison Rosenzweig (“Jacob’s Ladder,” “Windtalkers”) and Michael Gaeta (“Jacob’s Ladder”) of Gaeta Rosenzweig Films; and Lloyd Ivan Miller and Alice P. Neuhauser of Lloyd Ivan Miller Productions. Robert Jaffe (“Nightflyers,” - 1987) will produce.

NIGHTFLYERS was announced in development as part of SyFy's reboot, which includes previously announced series pick-ups for the highly-anticipated Superman prequel KRYPTON and graphic novel adaptation HAPPY!, starring Christopher Meloni.

SYFY today announced a pilot pick up for NIGHTFLYERS based on author George R.R. Martin’s (“Game of Thrones”) novella and the 1987 film of the same name. Jeff Buhler (“Jacob’s Ladder”) wrote the adaptation for television. In NIGHTFLYERS, in the hope of making contact with alien life, eight maverick scientists and a powerful telepath embark on an expedition to the edge of our solar system aboard The Nightflyer - a ship with a small tightknit crew and a reclusive captain. But when terrifying and violent events begin to take place they start to question each other -- and surviving the journey proves harder than anyone thought.

“We are looking forward to diving deeper into George R.R. Martin’s chilling world of NIGHTFLYERS,” said Bill McGoldrick, Executive Vice President Scripted Development for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, “The script that Jeff delivered encapsulates this classic sci-fi horror story and adapts it to a platform where we can truly explore the depths of madness.”

From Universal Cable Productions, NIGHTFLYERS will be executive produced by Gene Klein (SUITS), David Bartis (SUITS) and Doug Liman (“Live. Die. Repeat”) of Hypnotic; Buhler; Alison Rosenzweig (“Jacob’s Ladder,” “Windtalkers”) and Michael Gaeta (“Jacob’s Ladder”) of Gaeta Rosenzweig Films; and Lloyd Ivan Miller and Alice P. Neuhauser of Lloyd Ivan Miller Productions. Robert Jaffe (“Nightflyers,” - 1987) will produce.

NIGHTFLYERS was announced in development as part of SYFY’s reboot, which includes previously announced series pick-ups for the highly-anticipated Superman prequel KRYPTON and graphic novel adaptation HAPPY!, starring Christopher Meloni.

SYFY today announced a pilot pick up for NIGHTFLYERS based on author George R.R. Martin’s (“Game of Thrones”) novella and the 1987 film of the same name. Jeff Buhler (“Jacob’s Ladder”) wrote the adaptation for television. In NIGHTFLYERS, in the hope of making contact with alien life, eight maverick scientists and a powerful telepath embark on an expedition to the edge of our solar system aboard The Nightflyer - a ship with a small tightknit crew and a reclusive captain. But when terrifying and violent events begin to take place they start to question each other -- and surviving the journey proves harder than anyone thought.

“We are looking forward to diving deeper into George R.R. Martin’s chilling world of NIGHTFLYERS,” said Bill McGoldrick, Executive Vice President Scripted Development for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, “The script that Jeff delivered encapsulates this classic sci-fi horror story and adapts it to a platform where we can truly explore the depths of madness.”

From Universal Cable Productions, NIGHTFLYERS will be executive produced by Gene Klein (SUITS), David Bartis (SUITS) and Doug Liman (“Live. Die. Repeat”) of Hypnotic; Buhler; Alison Rosenzweig (“Jacob’s Ladder,” “Windtalkers”) and Michael Gaeta (“Jacob’s Ladder”) of Gaeta Rosenzweig Films; and Lloyd Ivan Miller and Alice P. Neuhauser of Lloyd Ivan Miller Productions. Robert Jaffe (“Nightflyers,” - 1987) will produce.

NIGHTFLYERS was announced in development as part of SYFY’s reboot, which includes previously announced series pick-ups for the highly-anticipated Superman prequel KRYPTON and graphic novel adaptation HAPPY!, starring Christopher Meloni.

Guitarist Rob Reischak Joins Vaud and the Villains

Brazilian guitarist Rob Reischak joins Vaud and the Villains (publcity photo).

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Acclaimed Brazilian guitarist Rob Reischak is joining noted jazz band Vaud and the Villains for its current summer tour.

“I am thrilled to join the band and be a part of its ongoing legacy,” Reischak said. “Vaud and the Villains have been one of the more influential jazz bands today, bringing a dynamic and melodic sound to today’s music scene.”

Reischak comes to the band after working on his solo tour which included a performance last month at the iconic Whisky a Go Go with actress/singer Glennellen Anderson who is known for her recurring role in the Netflix horror drama “Stranger Things.”

Vaud and the Villains is known for its eclectic performances that feature traditional jazz along with a full-blown cabaret show that features costumes, live singing and dancing that echo a bygone era.

The talented guitarist has been the focus of much attention in recent years, thanks to his unique melodic stylings that blend, pop, rock, jazz and rhythm and blues which have earned him legions of new fans along with accolades and acclaim.

Born in Porto Alegre, in Brazil’s Southern region, Rob took up the guitar at age 14 after he saw his friends take guitar lessons. But as he entered college to study a mechanical engineering while continuing to play local clubs, he realized his future in music lay in America and not in his native land. So he saved his money from performing and from his full time job and was soon off to Los Angeles where he enrolled in Hollywood’s acclaimed Musicians Institute.

“Since I started playing the guitar I had this dream of studying music in the US. The music and musicians that I used to listen to and to study from were all from here. I wanted to go to the place where that music was happening,” he said.

After graduating with honors from the Musicians Institute, Reischak found himself performing on other bands’ records and live shows, gaining a reputation for creative riffs and solos and solid musicianship as well as the ability to go from one genre to another with ease. His talents soon took him to Vaud and the Villains where he has flourished and helped give the jazz band a more modern sound.

Among the musicians he’s recorded with in the studio and performed with are the singer/songwriter Alexandria Corn, the keyboardist Henry Soleh Brewer (Earth, Wind & Fire), and the producer Albert Lim, to name a few. He’s also set to record the next Vaud and the Villains’ album this year. 

For more, visit www.RobReischak.com.

Megyn Kelly's Interview of Conspiracy Theorist Alex Jones Sinks in Ratings

Megyn Kelly's interview of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones gained meager ratings for NBC on Sunday (NBC photo).

LOS ANGELES – After much ballyhoo and controversy, the interview of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones by Megyn Kelly ended up dead last in the Sunday’s ratings among the major networks. Even a rerun of a game show beat out the interview of the crackpot right winger.

Just 3.5 million viewers watched this week’s airing of “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly” which came in dead last among the four major networks during the 7 p.m. time slot, Nielsen Media Research reported.

The show was not only lost out to a rerun of ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” which garnered 3.7 million viewers, but also by a rerun of “60 Minutes” on CBS which was seen by 5.3 million viewers, and by the U.S. Golf Open Championship coverage on Fox which was watched by 6.1 million viewers.

The interview with Jones was widely assailed by a variety of organizations and the media who feared Jones’ extremist views would get wide exposure to the public at large.

Jones, who leads the conspiracy website Infowars, has been disseminating outrageous, false stories such as those claiming the U.S. government was responsible for the  9/11 attacks as well as claiming that the parents of the 20 students gunned down at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 had faked the massacre. Among his followers is President Donald Trump, who during the presidential campaign last year appeared on Jones’ radio show.

The controversy over the Jones interview cost Kelly a gig hosting a fundraising event by an anti-gun-violence organization founded by parents of children killed at Sandy Hook.