Five Things You Need to Know About Steven Seagal's Sex Scandal

Here's one dispute that won't be solved by a swift blow to the solar plexus.

Steven Seagal is being sued by 23-year-old Kayden Nguyen, an ex-employee/wannabe model who alleges she was hired to be an assistant to the action star but later told she would be expected to be on call for sex. Seagal's lawyer has rejected these claims.

You can read all our stories about the case right here, but what else is out there about Seagal and Nguyen? From Lawman to Tyra, here's what you need to know...

• More surprising than the fact that the show called Steven Seagal: Lawman has been shut down? The fact that the series is real and does gangbuster ratings.


• Though an ass-kicker on film, Seagal is a Buddhist who has supported a variety of charitable causes, including Save a Million Lives to provide AIDS relief in Africa.

• Besides being an action star, musician and martial arts expert, Seagal created an energy drink called Lightning Bolt, which comes in flavors Cherry Charge and Asian Experience. Seagal even appeared in an advertisement with two bikini-clad young women who appear to be his employees and who share hugs and kisses with the star. (Also found on Seagal's website: Some allege that the drink will turn you into a stone-cold killer.)


• Accuser Nguyen appeared on a 2009 episode of Tyra Banks' show, as a self-described "lipstick lesbian" who can "use my sex appeal to get any girl that I want and trick any guy to getting what I want." She also says, "Guys will hit on me." She's also chosen "Queen" in a roundtable vote, but we're pretty sure it's not legally binding. (And yes, some of her nude modeling pics are in the wild.)


• Like Seagal's film characters, both legal teams know how to talk tough. Seagal's lawyer, Martin Singer, has called Nguyen's allegations "nothing more than a preemptive strike by a disgruntled ex-employee," claiming the case should be settled through arbitration because Nguyen signed a contract. But her attorney retorts, "Please tell Steven Seagal two things. First, the cheap-shot threats that might have intimidated other victims and their lawyers don't phase me. Save your ink. Second, Nguyen's claims are not going away. Five other victims called me yesterday."

Something tells us that this dispute will be hard to kill. (What, too much?)

Panasonic Joins 3D Project at the Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

LAS VEGAS, Apr 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Entertainment Technology Center @ USC, (ETC@USC) (www.etcenter.org), a non-profit consortium that brings together top entertainment and consumer electronics companies to listen to and evaluate consumer mindshare towards future technologies, is pleased to announce that Panasonic has joined the ETC@USC as a 3D Project sponsor. ETC's ongoing 3D Project is looking at all things related to 3D, including the challenges faced when selling 3D products, guidelines for producing and displaying comfortable stereoscopic imagery, opportunities for marketing and advertising in 3D, education and demonstrations for the creative, equipment and retail industries, and more.

"It goes without saying that 3D is here to stay, in the theater, in the home, and in special venues everywhere. Through its many 3D-related projects and initiatives, the ETC@USC has played a key role in fostering an on-going dialogue about the best approach to furthering the success of 3D across many platforms," said Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, chief technology officer for Panasonic Corporation of North America. "For this and numerous other reasons, we are pleased to join the ETC@USC's efforts to further the success of 3D."

Panasonic's sponsorship will contribute significantly to the Center's 3D initiatives, including its Consumer 3D Experience Lab and a number of research and industry education efforts. Among these, Panasonic's participation will help ETC undertake research studies that further explore human factors issues related to viewing 3DTV and the impact of stereoscopic technologies as they relate to the human visual system. The results of this work will be shared with the content creation community to provide insights and guidelines as it continues to produce immersive and visually comfortable 3D content.

In addition, Panasonic will participate in ETC@USC's other initiatives, including acquiring consumer feedback on 3D products in ETC's 3D Lab and research on consumer 3D product and service adoption.

"We welcome Panasonic to the ETC@USC as a 3D Project sponsor. As the consumer demand for 3D content becomes greater, content producers and CE manufacturers are going to be faced with many difficult questions about the future of this burgeoning industry. With the help of active participation from sponsors like Panasonic, the ETC@USC will continue to help address the questions facing this industry," said David Wertheimer, CEO and executive director of the Entertainment Technology Center @ USC.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (PC 15.22, +0.05, +0.31%) , and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About the Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

The Entertainment Technology Center @ USC, founded in 1993 with the help of George Lucas, is a non-profit organization within USC's School of Cinematic Arts. The ETC brings together the top entertainment, technology and consumer electronic companies to evaluate what consumers really want, which is then translated to the companies that make technology products. The ETC strives to show how technology impacts the next generation consumer, which will improve the consumer experience and will uncover new revenue streams for entertainment-related products. Along with USC's School of Cinematic Arts, current ETC sponsors include: The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, Inc., DTS, Lucasfilm Ltd, TATA Consultancy Services, and Technicolor, also LG Electronics, Dolby, Master Image, RealD, and Singapore IDA. www.etcenter.org

SOURCE: Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

City in Motion delivers solid entertainment

Kansas City’s oldest community-based modern dance company received a standing ovation for its 25th anniversary show on Saturday at the Gem Theater.

The City in Motion performance showcased an eclectic mix of compositions for an interesting, if sometimes uneven, program that ranged from playful to sensuous to dark and foreboding.

Andrea Skowronek’s playful “Having a Ball” created visual humor by encorporating large blue exercise balls as props, with dancers colliding and careening off of each other as if in a pinball game.

“Rush,” choreographed by Dale Fellin, was a high-energy, percussive piece with high-flying leaps that no doubt tested the endurance of the dancers. Fellin’s exotic duet with Joanna Des Marteau, “The End Where We Begin,” portrayed the intimate caresses of a couple in sensuous, physical dialogue.

Donna Frogge’s “Babel,” loosely based on the story from the Bible, presented an ensemble work in long, flowing white culottes that began with geometric movements but shifted dramatically into chaos after divine intervention (symbolized by a strobe light).

Kat Kimmitz (“Black Tables/Vonlenska”), Andrea Skowronek (“What Will Be...”) and Stephanie Whittler all stood out in their own performances, in both ensemble and solo work, with smooth transitions, clean movements and confident presence.

“Growing Young,” choreographed by Tracie Davis, featured 12 singers from the talented Heartland Men’s Chorus. A favorite with the audience for its bouncy Americana nostalgia, this number would have made an excellent finale.

The show closed with Penelope Hearne’s “Longing, Fleeting, the End,” which ended with stunning imagery (a black shroud stretched across the stage against the backdrop of a projected moon), but it depended more on effect than choreography for its visual impact, giving it an unfinished, anti-climactic feel despite its promising potential.

Hearne is definitely on to something creatively, and it will be interesting to see where she goes from here.

Live Entertainment in the South Puget Sound

Anyone interested in going out for an evening of live music in Western Washington usually thinks of going to Seattle, but there are plenty of places in the South Sound Region that you can find good food and live entertainment. I want to inform you of some really nice choices available to you. This list varies in the type of music you can hear and I think you will find that Everyone's taste in music can be satisfied.

Tacoma's 6th Ave. District is the first to come to mind. Everybody's taste can be satisfied in and 8 block stretch on 6th Ave. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Mexican, Indian and Steakhouse cuisine can be found. The music here is just as varied. The first four listed here are on 6thAvenue so you can easily choose the style of music you want. The rest of the establishments listed can be found in different places all over the South Sound area.

JazzBones

JazzBones is the first place that comes to mind for live music. The cost at the door varies and check the website to see what is coming up and the ticket price. Check out Daily Happy Hour and call for dinner reservations. The cuisine here is an Asian Fusion blend, check the website to see the menu. The music is varied and you will find, rock, metal, alternative, blues, folk/acoustic, jazz, and funk. Tuesday offers comedy and Karaoke. If you are a local talent JazzBones is always looking to book new acts.

Chopstix

There's no better description for Chopstix other than to say it is like dueling pianos. This is a live duet piano rock show that encourages sing-alongs. If you have a special guest who is having a birthday or any other important occasion, you can leave their name with the pianist and they will treat this person "special". The results are hilarious and can be seen on the website. The charge at the door varies so call or check online to see what is on their event calendar.

Hell's Kitchen

Now Hell's Kitchen falls under that category of "something for everyone". Here they play Metal, Alternative, Punk and Ska. While there isn't a mosh pit, there might as well be. The cover charge varies but is usually very reasonable. Depending on the group playing the prices vary from 3$ to 10$.

The Future of Home Entertainment Revealed

Did you get to watch "Avatar," 2009's cinematic blockbuster? If you have, then you are probably among those people who were awed by the marvelous technology that James Cameron used in making this film. But beyond its awesomeness, what makes this movie so remarkable is that it has made 3D television once again a buzzword in the home entertainment industry.

Does this mean that 3D TV has become the future of home entertainment and that a vision of this future is now upon us? The reply to this question is a definite "Yes." With more and more television and electronic manufacturers unveiling their first-generation 3D TV offerings since the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, we can really now say that the future of home entertainment is making a good headway.

Not A New Concept
It is not like the idea of 3D TV is a new concept, anyhow. Any member of the engineering and design team or ETD of any television manufacturer can tell you that the idea for 3D TV has been around since the 1950s. It just did not catch on as quickly with the public as stereo and surround sound did.

But thanks to "Avatar" and similar 3D movies released in recent years, the concept is swiftly catching on. Many consumers all over the world are becoming interested in duplicating the 3D movie theater experience right in their own living rooms and home theaters. Television manufacturers are busy fueling that interest by offering their current versions of the 3D television system.

That is not to say that the 3D television concept does not have its share of naysayers. Just as watching television on 3D is slowly gaining a dedicated fan base worldwide, so are those that think that this trend is nothing more than just a profit-making fad started by television manufacturers. Still, 3D TV is part of the future of home entertainment and no one can deny that the future is happening now.

Jobs in the entertainment industry

The entertainment industry is filled with myriad range of careers and those careers will just increase in the next century. If you are planning a career in the entertainment industry, or if you feel you can be a interesting entertainer, then there are many opportunities in store for you.

There are several diverse job opportunities you can sift through to make the right decision. But you should remember that to attract a crowd of viewers, you should have the skill, training and talent. Generally, entertainers like David Copperfield, the magician have had the inherent talent and beckoning to join the entertainment industry right from childhood. But if you do not have the talent to be an entertainer, there are several other niches you can fill. But irrespective of the job in the entertainment industry, one thing is definite; you will require a strong determination a lot of hard work to reach to the top.

Popular reality shows like American Idol, Ballroom Boot Camp and Dancing with the Stars are all aired on television to entertain the general public. For the people who watch these shows and partake in them, they can be a great platform to try out the limelight for a few days. There are various other opportunities like documentaries, serials, music, films, and advertisements etc. which are also worth considering. Career choices like news, background scores, camera work, editing, music, animation, dubbing, and screenplay writing are also good opportunities for those who have the talent for it.

Entertainment now embraces a wide horizon of career choices. If motion pictures and TV jobs don't interest you any more and you think that they are already filled with entertainers; you can try a career in the cruise lines. This is a new career choice that has opened up recently. People who are on cruise ships for a vacation love to be entertained by the latest dance troupes, magic and live shows. It is definitely a new and happening arena in the entertainment industry. Dance, music and all areas of entertainment and performing artistes are guaranteed rapid growth in the cruise industry

Existing cruise companies are doubling their fleets and signing up more deluxe entertainments for their luxury cruise vacations. This boom will open multiple jobs for performers who can give high-class performances at a deluxe- price. A secure and steady income will be guaranteed and the best part is that you will be doing what you enjoy most. Expenses like food, accommodation, medical care and travel will be looked after by the cruise company and you can save a good deal of money. Cruise line have a specialty entertainment department which hires performers for various positions like Guest Entertainer, Lounge Performers, female as well as male singers and dancers, Disc Jockey, Production Manager, Band Musician and background technicians etc. Employers prefer experienced artistes, and trained technical staff that have the practical knowledge, talent and technical exposure to work and perform on ships.

If you opt for cruise entertainment careers then you can enjoy various recreational facilities like traveling in luxury at a discount rates for yourself and your family members while working as an entertainment act for the cruise line. Aspiring entertainers during online job search can visit websites featuring good entertainment industry jobs, articles and guidelines which describe the job duties as well as job prospects.