BRAMA, Dec. 10, 1999, 8:00am EST

SPECIAL
Hollywood Ukes Form Media Group
by Lewko Kaspersky

Hollywood Ukrainians in the entertainment media gathered at the founding meeting of the Hollywood Trident Group on December 7, 1999. From left, sitting, Wally Keske, Luba Keske, Jack Palance, Evgenia Dallas, Paul Wolansky. From left, standing, Lewko Kaspersky, Nestor Balaban, Andriy Semotiuk, Roman Mykytyn, Peter Borisow, John Palance, Tom Daniels.

HOLLYWOOD, USA - "It was a great night. I enjoyed being with people who love and feel as I do about things that are Ukrainian," is the way Hollywood actor Jack Palance described Tuesday’s meeting of Hollywood Ukrainians to discuss the formation of a group to promote Ukrainian interests in films, television and related media. Sparked by longtime film industry leaders Luba Keske, Senior Vice President of MGM - United Artists Studios and Peter Borisow, President of Entertainment Finance Management, attendees included Jack Palance and his brother, producer John Palance, University of Southern California cinema professor Paul Wolansky, Warner Brothers Studios executive Nestor Balaban, film maker Roman Mykytyn, author Eugenia Dallas, producer Tom Daniels, banking executive Lewko Kaspersky, attorney Andriy Semotiuk, union leader Wally Keske, as well as other people involved in film production, financing and promotion.

Jack Palance has everyone smiling as he recites stories about growing up Ukrainian in a tough neighborhood.

In view of the show business nature of the meeting, it should come as no surprise that it was held around a conference table on the 45th floor of a downtown skyscraper in front of a salt water fish tank filled with sharks. Speaking round-robin style, all present voiced their views on a Ukrainian media organization. Prime issues that concerned many included frustration about the low profile of Ukraine in the media and the 1933 Holodomor genocidal famine. A consensus emerged that a media organization with a social setting could be an effective instrument for promoting Ukrainian issues and projects

The operational agenda of the group is fourfold. First, to gather together in one association members interested in promoting Ukrainian values and interests in Hollywood. Second, to help create and promote more films, television programs and music which contain Ukrainian content, or are written, produced, directed or acted in by people interested in Ukrainian affairs, particularly association members. Third, to support each other in the pursuit of career objectives in Hollywood. Fourth, to help the entertainment industry in Ukraine.

The group, tentatively called the Hollywood Trident Group, will meet again on February 2nd, 2000. In the meantime they will continue to get to know each other better, form some working arrangements, and get more people involved.

People interested in getting involved should contact Andriy Semotiuk, c/o Law Firm of Manning, Marder & Wolfe, 707 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017, email to ajs@mmw.com, telephone 213-624-6900, or fax at 213-624-6999. The Hollywood Trident Group's email address is HTG@usa.com.

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