George Clooney Hollywood Star To Speak In Sydney Australia Next Week, by Eva Rinaldi
He's one of the hottest actors in the world, right up there with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Tom Cruise, Samuel L. Jackson and Australia's own Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. Some will argue he is the hottest.
Whatever the case and how you rank Mr Clooney, he is very successful and we've also learned he's quite the humanitarian and astute businessman.
For his outstanding work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award. Clooney is also noted for his social activism and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace since January 31, 2008.
Clooney, adding to his ultra impressive accolades, is tipped to win the Best Actor Oscar for his latest film, The Descendants.
The majority of media think 2001 was a stand out year for Clooney, at least for commercial success in film. His fame skyrocked that year with the release of his biggest commercial success, Ocean's Eleven, the first of a profitable film trilogy, a remake of the movie from 1960 with the members of The Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean. Stealing from a casino is pretty cool, and Clooney pulls it off beautifully.
Down under (and most of the world) just loves George, so its little wonder there's a considerable ticket price attached to enjoying his 'An Exclusive Audience with George Clooney'. Some tickets are apparently selling for up to $1100 AUD (no misprint).
So, just how much moolah for tickets for the man who needs no introduction? That depends upon who you speak to - think $1000, at least at this stage of the game.
We've obtained some media blurb from International Events - a speakers event arm of Max Markson's Markson Sparks!, and it reads like this:
An Exclusive Audience with George Clooney
George Clooney is a two time Golden Globe Award and Academy Award winning actor, presenter, director, producer and screenwriter who‘s made over forty films. In 2007, George cofounded the Darfus aid organisation Not On Our Watch and began serving as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, receiving a UN Summit Peace Award with fellow actor Don Cheadle.
For the last five years, George Clooney has been focused on leveraging his celebrity to get people to care for something mor important that celebrity - in particular the issues of Southern Sudan. His last project is the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) which provides and early warning system to deter mass atrocities by focusing world attention and generation rapid responses on human rights and human security concerns.
In a rare public appearance, George will discuss how collaboration, negotiation and compromise have been critical to his success in business and his humanitarian work. Clooney will discuss how we all use our circle of influence and personal power to make a difference to the issues that matter in our professional and personal lives. This is not to be missed - a true bucket list opportunity!
The lunch time event will be held on December 12th 2011 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.12 noon lunch will be followed by a photograph with Mr. Clooney and the event will culminate with a talk from 1.30pm - 2.30pm ‘The Power of Collaboration‘, including a question and answer session moderated by Ellen Fanning.
Ticket Information:
Tickets are priced at $1100 in GST or $11,000 for a table of ten, including a two course lunch a photo with George Clooney.
Only 100 guests on 10 tables of 10 will be able to attend so book now to guarantee your seat!
Dates and Times:
December 12th, 2011
Location: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
The Late News...
We understand that at this stage no media is invited to the event. Will Mr Markson and the powers that be change their mind in the coming days, should they see enough benefit in working with and / or collaborating with a range of Australian media companies (to raise awareness and to help sell more tickets?) Or, will Max and friends go it alone, believing that they will get the numbers they require make money on Clooney's exclusive speaking engagement in 'Sin City' Sydney? Time will no doubt tell. Yes, we're interested to attend of course, and talk about a positive news story.
Mr Clooney kindly shared some of his thoughts with news media recently regarding the working lives of his fellow actors, and this is gold...
"I cut tobacco for a living in Kentucky. That was hard work. I sold insurance door-to-door. That's hard work. Acting is not hard work.
"I've known a tremendous number of talented actors who didn't get opportunities. It's long hours, but nobody wants to hear you complain."
"I remember I was selling women's shoes at a department store, which is a lousy job."
In the interview with Hollywood Reporter magazine, he added: "I don't find (acting) difficult. I find it challenging, and sometimes I'm very bad at it, but I don't find it hard."
Will George's Main Squeeze Come Down Under Too?
That's the million dollar question. If you didn't already know, George has been hanging out with former WWE Diva Superstar Stacy Keibler (once known by such colourful names as "Miss Hancock" and "The Legs of the WWE" (because of her extremely long legs). Keibler was the only WWE Diva who ranked many times in the listed of Maxim's Hot 100. Either way, Ms Keibler nor Mr Clooney need not play second fiddle to anyone, so if they come to Australia together, it will of course be a huge bonus to media and fans.
Thanks to our friends at E! we learned the following. Ms K opened right up to the celebrity media heavyweight: "We're going to be having a lot of friends and family going together this year, so it will be fun" speaking about a Yuletide vacation with her parents—which, for the first time, will be feauturing a very special guest appearance by her Oscar-winning boyfriend. It's top secret if any of the family clan will be visiting Australia.
No word yet if Clooney will be making any public appearances, but you can bet he will be welcomed with open arms if he does.
George, thank you for visiting Sydney, Australia, and we hope to cross paths with you soon one way or another, and with the AussieWood - Hollywood connection, we think we've got a pretty good chance. You have to back yourself in life and business, and that's exactly what we're doing.
Quotes by George Clooney...
After doing One Fine Day and playing a pediatrician on ER, I'll never have kids. I'm going to have a vasectomy.
America can't beat anyone anymore.
As you get older and ease your way into being a character actor you have to be comfortable with where you are in life and career, and I'm very comfortable with what I'm doing - working on projects I'm proud of.
But I'm kind of comfortable with getting older because it's better than the other option, which is being dead. So I'll take getting older.
I bought a piano once because I had the dream of playing As Time Goes By as some girl's leaning on it drinking a martini. Great image. But none of it worked out. I can't even play Chopsticks. But I've got a nice piano at my house!
I don't believe in happy endings, but I do believe in happy travels, because ultimately, you die at a very young age, or you live long enough to watch your friends die. It's a mean thing, life.
Websites
Markson Sparks!
International Events
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Descendants official website
Not On Our Watch
Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Media Man News
Music News Australia