The “We Are The World 25 For Haiti” music video that premiered during the Winter Olympics in February will be presented for the first time in 3D and on theatrical screens during halftime of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Final Four semifinal games on Saturday and the championship game on Monday.
The announcement was made Thursday Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp., which is distributing the three basketball games live in 3D to more than 50 theaters nationwide in partnership with CBS Sports, the NCAA and LG Electronics USA. Three theaters were added to the line-up today: MJR Brighton Town Square 20 in Brighton, Mi., Marquee Cinemas Orchard Cinema 10 in Toms River, NJ, and the Marquee Orchard 14 in New Hartford, NY.
This special 3D broadcast of “We Are The World 25 For Haiti,” produced in part by Action 3D, will be shown only at Cinedigm Certified Digital Cinemas nationwide broadcasting the Live 3D NCAA Men’s Final Four semifinal and national championship games April 3-5, after which 3D-enabled theatres around the country will be including this unique charitable music video in front of 3D screenings of films from now through the end of this year.
In an effort to raise additional funds for humanitarian efforts in Haiti as a result of the January 12 earthquake, viewers will be encouraged to purchase the song, with all proceeds directed to the We Are The World Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones.
“We are thrilled to support Haiti by bringing this once-in-a-lifetime performance to theatres in 3D during the NCAA Final Four 3D broadcasts,” said Bud Mayo, CEO, Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. “Raising funds for Haiti through the ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ video in 3D is a great example of utilizing digital cinema to expand how theatres are used.”
“We Are The World 25 For Haiti” is a remake of the classic 1985 “We Are The World” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, with performances including Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Nettles, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Joe Jonas, Jamie Foxx, Wyclef Jean, Usher, Celine Dion, Fergie, Nick Jonas, and Carlos Santana, among others. Using the lyrical footage from the original ‘We Are the World’ recording, the late Michael Jackson and his sister Janet sing a duet.
Recorded on February 1, 2010, the “We Are The World 25 For Haiti” was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin; and project producers John Rubey and Adam Fell. Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis filmed the private recording session and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici.
— by Scott Hettrick