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Leprechaun Press Kit |
Other stuff: Email - Guestbook |
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The Leprechaun theatrical release press kit came with 22 pages of information including production notes, cast and crew biographies, and credits. The press kit also contained six black and white photos printed on four 8x10" sheets. I don't have the original folder for the press kit, so I can't be sure what it looked like. However, I've been told that the front cover has the poster art picture of the Leprechaun, inside has a picture of the Leprechaun counting his gold at the beginning of the movie, and the back has information on the other cast members. There was also a version that included seven color slides in addition to the other material.
The video release press kit came in the folder shown above and included press photos #1-3 printed on two 8x10" sheets. It also contained a one-page "Film Facts at a Glance" sheet on Vidmark letterhead, plus a 5-page press release with new production notes.
Much of this material is reproduced below.
It appears that another press kit called the Power Package 2 was issued for the movie. All I know about this press kit is that it contained at least 3 black and white 8x10" photos and one color slide.
From the theatrical release press kit:
LEPRECHAUN
Irish fables tell of the wee people, their mischievous pranks and their fabulous treasures of gold. For the first time, LEPRECHAUN from Trimark Pictures reveals the malicious humor and the retribution of those daring to cross these mythical creatures.
Dan O'Grady has just returned from a visit to Ireland, his ancestral homeland, where, to his astonishment he had captured the fabled LEPRECHAUN. Dan, knowing the legends of LEPRECHAUN, demands a pot of gold as his price for setting him free.
Now he has returned home with his treasure to begin a new life, a life of luxury and riches.
But LEPRECHAUN, known for his sometimes malicious humor, has other plans, following Dan back home to retrieve his fortune. He mischievously begins to torment Dan and his wife Leah into returning his gold, driving Leah to fall down a flight of stairs to her death. Overcome with grief, Dan shoots LEPRECHAUN, dumping his body into a downstairs crate and sealing it with the one object that holds power over LEPRECHAUN, a four leaf clover. His wife's death and the battle with LEPRECHAUN induces a stroke and Dan O'Grady is removed to a rest home....while LEPRECHAUN remains trapped, but not dead, in the downstairs crate.
Ten long years later, J.D. Reding and his beautiful daughter Tory move from Beverly Hills into the O'Grady home, unaware of the LEPRECHAUN's presence. A handsome young painter, Nathan, and his partners, eleven year old Alex and his friend Ozzie, a gentle but mentally handicapped young man, are hired to help renovate the dilapidated O'Grady home.
To their astonishment, Ozzie and Alex find a bagful of gold hidden in an old truck while exploring the farm. Fearful that the adults will take away their newfound treasure, they hide the gold and solemnly promise to tell no one of their good luck.
But LEPRECHAUN, utilizing what little power he has left from his years in the crate, lures Ozzie down to the basement. Exploring the junk-filled room, Ozzie knocks away the four leaf clover and LEPRECHAUN springs free!
Astonishment is quickly overtaken by sheer terror as the mythical LEPRECHAUN unleashes his pent-up anger and his lust for his stolen gold.
With an unmatched flurry of humor and horror, LEPRECHAUN utilizes all the mythical powers at his command to find his gold, bringing down mayhem and destruction on the disbelievers.
From Trimark Pictures, LEPRECHAUN will carry you from the height of hilarity to the depths of terror as Warwick Davis ("Willow", "Return of the Jedi") brings a lifeforce into LEPRECHAUN only a true believer can destroy.
This LEPRECHAUN is no lucky charm!
PRODUCTION NOTES
"Try as they will, try as they might,
Who steals my gold will not live through the night."
Trimark Pictures' LEPRECHAUN, written and directed by Mark Jones, is a horror thriller about an evil Irish Leprechaun who terrorizes the inhabitants of a small North Dakota town in an attempt to retrieve his precious gold which had been stolen by a local inhabitant.
Few films have focused on the legend of the leprechaun. Most often, leprechauns have been depicted as enchanting Irish creatures, convivial elves who sing and dance Irish jigs. Mark Jones' very original concept expands the legend beyond the confines of perceiving these fabled creatures as merely merry pranksters. With bold strokes, Jones has created a unique horror figure, an authentic leprechaun true to traditional Irish lore yet endowed with a potential for malevolence never before explored.
English actor Warwick Davis, best known for his title role in Ron Howard's WILLOW, was cast as the venomous, greedy leprechaun. As producer Jeffrey Mallian comments, "Warwick was simply our first and only choice for the role. At such a young age he has achieved a level of talent and professionalism that is quite rare."
Warwick Davis was very excited about the prospect of playing the evil leprechaun. "So many actors have said it, but it remains true that it is always more challenging, and often more fun as well, to play the bad guy. I love being able to redefine the character of a leprechaun, to incorporate the traditional humor and mischief into a much more dangerous and terrifying creature."
For his role as the menacing creature intent on retrieving his lost gold, LEPRECHAUN star Warwick Davis had to undergo twenty-eight days of special effects make-up. Each day, Davis endured nearly 3 1/2 hours of application of special prosthetics and make-up in order to transform the English actor into the threatening leprechaun.
Gabe Bartalos, in charge of special effects make-up for LEPRECHAUN, began by molding and sculpting a cast of Warwick Davis' face and hands. The cast pieces were then injection molded, baked and painted. The process was complicated by the fact that each day of filming required a fresh set of molded pieces. "The special prosthetics were exciting and occasionally exacting - they were even fitted in over my lip and into my mouth," comments Davis. In addition, three stages of make-up were developed to correspond with the progressively more sinister demeanor exhibited by the leprechaun.
Trimark Pictures presents a Mark Jones film, LEPRECHAUN, starring Warwick Davis, with Jennifer Aniston, Ken Olandt, Mark Holton and Robert Gorman. Written and directed by Mark Jones, the film is produced by Jeffrey Mallian and co-produced by David Price, Michael Prescott and William Sachs. The executive producer is Mark Amin.
ABOUT THE CAST
Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis stars as the Leprechaun, the menacing creature who terrorizes the
inhabitants of a small North Dakota town in an attempt to regain his stolen gold.
Twenty-one year old English actor Warwick Davis, best known for his title role as an apprentice sorcerer in Ron Howard's WILLOW, has been acting since he was seven. At the age of eleven, Davis was cast in George Lucas' RETURN OF THE JEDI. Two years later, he was signed for another George Lucas film, EWOKS: THE BATTLE FOR ENDOR.
In addition to acting, Davis also produces and directs industrial films and music videos through his own production company in England, Inch High Productions.
Warwick Davis and his wife Samantha live in England.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston portrays Tory Reding, the beautiful but spoiled young daughter of
J.D. Reding,
Los Angeles-born actress Jennifer Aniston trained with Anthony Abeson at Theatre Works and the High School of Performing Arts in New York City. Following work with the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of "For Dear Life" and Second Story Theatre's "Dancing on Checkers Grave," nineteen year old Ms. Aniston returned to Los Angeles to accept a role on the Twentieth Century Fox television series "Molloy." Ms. Aniston's other television series credits include regular roles on "Ferris Bueller" and "Sunday Funnies," both for NBC. Additional credit include the NBC television movie "Camp Cucamonga."
LEPRECHAUN is Jennifer Aniston's feature film debut.
Ken Olandt
Ken Olandt portrays Nathan Murphy, the handsome young handyman hired to renovate the
O'Grady house.
Born in Richmond, California and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ken Olandt received his degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Following graduation, he worked as an advertising executive before turning to acting.
Ken Olandt has appeared in a number of episodic television series including "Murder She Wriote," "21 Jump Street" and "Simon and Simon" and was a regular cast member on "Super Force," "Riptide" and "Supercarrier."
His feature film credits include SUMMER SCHOOL, with Mark Harmon and Kirstie Alley, APRIL FOOL'S DAY and THE IMPOSTOR.
Mark Holton
Mark Holton portrays Ozzie, Nathan's mentally handicapped partner.
Best known for his performances in such feature films as PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE, THE NAKED GUN and TEEN WOLF, Mark Holton received his theatrical training at Northeastern Oklahoma State, Wayne Dvorak's Actors Workshop and the Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop.
With a solid background in stage performance, Holton has also appeared in a number of television series including "McGyver," "General Hospital," "Superboy" and "Once a Hero."
Holton's additional feature film credits include the upcoming A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, BACK TO SCHOOL, MODERN GIRLS and STOOGEMANIA.
Robert Gorman
Robert Gorman portrays Alex, Ozzie's precocious eleven year old sidekick.
At the young age of eleven years old, Robert Gorman has already amassed an impressive list of feature film credits including DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD, THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, and FUNNY ABOUT LOVE, directed by Leonard Nimoy.
Additionally, he has starred in the television films "Deception," "Sometimes They Come Back" and "Where Pigeons Go To Die" and has guest-starred on a number of major episodic television shows including "Designing Women," "Quantum Leap," "Empty Nest," "Sons and Daughters" and "Houston Knights."
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
Mark Jones (Director/Writer)
First-time director Mark Jones has an extensive background as a writer and producer
of animated and live action television series, working on projects for Universal Studios,
Paramount, TriStar, Twentieth Century Fox and other major studios. A Los Angeles native,
Jones has written a number of screenplays including the upcoming SUPERMAN V for
producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind.
Mark Amin (Executive Producer)
Executive Producer Mark Amin is a founder of Vidmark, Inc. and has served as its
chairman since 1988. In addition, he is the chairman of the board of Trimark Pictures,
a position he has held since the company's inception in 1990.
Mr. Amin graduated from the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles with an MBA in Marketing in 1975 and previously earned a B.A. in Economics at the University of Kansas.
Jeffrey B. Mallian (Producer)
Producer Jeffrey Mallian was born in Chicago, Illinois and attended Southwest Missouri
University. A former Olympic-level women's gymnastics coach, Mallian has produced nine
features and has firmly established himself with a strong record of action/adventure
and horror films.
Mallian's career in the entertainment industry began when he worked as a liaison U.S. producer/executive production manager for a London production, "The Defectors," hosted by Charlton Heston.
Mallian's association with Trimark Pictures commenced when he served as line producer for the film MOB BOSS. Subsequently, he has served as a consulting producer on a number of Trimark Pictures/Vidmark Entertainment productions. LEPRECHAUN represents the first film of a package production deal with Trimark.
Mallian's feature film credits include ANGEL EYES (A.I.P./S.C.), LITTLE DEVILS (A.N.A./American Independent), INNER SANCTUM (A.N.A./Vision Production), OCTOBER 32ND (Shining Armour Production), EVIL TOONS (A.I.P/Paramax Production), SPIRITS (Cinema Group Production), MOB BOSS (Vidmark Entertainment/American Independent Production), HAUNTING FEAR (American Independent Production) and ALIENATOR (Majestic International Pictures).
Michael R. Prescott (Co-Producer)
Co-Producer Michael Prescott's relationship with LEPRECHAUN writer/director Mark Jones
began when the two met and became writing partners in 1975 while working at Filmation
Studios. After leaving Filmation Studios, Prescott turned to a career in law, heading
up his own firm, Martin & Prescott.
Michael Prescott, former Director of Legal Affairs and Distribution for Gibraltar Entertainment, and Mark Jones have re-united on LEPRECHAUN, fulfilling a goal to work together on a feature film.
David Price (Co-Producer)
David Price, son of film and television producer Frank Price, began his career in the
entertainment industry as an actor in such films as NINE TO FIVE, MOMMIE DEAREST and
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH.
Price moved behind the camera, serving as an assistant to producer Ray Stark during the production of ANNIE, BLUE THUNDER and THE TOY. Price then acted as director Richard Donner's assistant on the film LADYHAWKE.
Price made his directorial debut with the film SON OF DARKNESS: TO DIE FOR II, followed by directing duties on Stephen King's CHILDREN OF THE CORN.
David Price will next be directing OBJECT OF DESIRE, a thriller set in San Francisco, for Smart Egg Productions and Luigi Cingolani.
William Sachs (Co-Producer)
Award-winning writer/director/producer William Sachs was born in Brooklyn, New York and
studied at the University of Maryland where he majored in Film and Sociology. Sachs also
attended the London International Film School and has studied acting in New York, London
and at the Charles Conrad Studio in Los Angeles.
Sachs has written a number of feature films including the cult classic THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN, EXTERMINATOR II and the action adventure THE LAST HOUR. Additionally, Sachs has written and directed JUDGMENT, starring Elliott Gould and Karen Black, GALAXINA and VAN NUYS BOULEVARD.
In addition to LEPRECHAUN, Sachs has co-produced SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT for Vidmark Entertainment/Trimark Pictures.
Gabe Z. Bartalos (Special Effects Make-Up)
Twenty-six year old Gabe Bartalos began his career eight years ago in New York, doing
special effects make-up for feature films such as KILLER DEAD and SPOOKIES. Today he
and his company, Atlantic West Effects, have been responsible for the design and
application of character and monster make-up for a number of feature films including
BASKET CASE II, BASKET CASE III, SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK and DEAD SPACE.
ABOUT TRIMARK PICTURES
Trimark Pictures was formed in September 1990 as the domestic and international theatrical releasing arm of Vidmark, Inc., an international distributor of feature films for the home video market. Under the leadership of chairman Mark Amin, the company's mandate was to distribute films of high quality and commercial appeal.
Trimark Pictures' first theatrical release was WARLOCK starring Julian Sands, followed by the martial arts hit KICKBOXER II, starring Sasha Mitchell, Ken Russell's WHORE, starring Theresa Russell, the family film AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR PARENTS WERE WEIRD, the action adventure INTO THE SUN, starring Anthony Michael Hall and Michael Pare, the historical epic THE SILK ROAD and the offbeat romantic comedy THE FAVOR, THE WATCH AND THE VERY BIG FISH, starring Bob Hoskins, Jeff Goldblum and Natasha Richardson.
From the video release press kit:
FILM FACTS AT A GLANCE
LEPRECHAUN
Credits: Director Mark Jones; screenwriter Mark Jones; executive producer Mark Amin; produced by Jeffrey B. Mallian; co-produced by Michael Prescott, David Price and William Sachs; director of photography Levie Isaaks; music composed and conducted by Kevin Kiner.
Starring: Warwick Davis (WILLOW, RETURN OF THE JEDI), Jennifer Aniston (CAMP CUCAMONGA), Ken Olandt (SUMMER SCHOOL), Mark Holton (A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, THE NAKED GUN), Robert Gorman (DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD)
Synopsis: Dan O'Grady has just returned from a trip to Ireland where he has captured a tried and true Leprechaun (Davis). Knowing the legends of the Leprechaun well, he demands a pot of gold as the price for setting his little friend free. He returns home with his treasure, ready to live a charmed life. But one tale that no one ever told Dan is that some Leprechauns want their gold back! And will do anything to get it! The Leprechaun follows Dan home and torments him and his wife unmercifully, causing Dan's wife to fall down a flight of stairs to her death. Overcome with grief, he shoots the Leprechaun and seals him in a crate. Ten years later, J.D. Reding and his beautiful daughter Tory (Aniston) move into the O'Grady farm, not knowing that they have an uninvited house guest in their basement. They hire a handsome painter (Olandt) and his two partners, eleven year old Alex (Gorman) and the gentle mentally handicapped Ozzie (Holton). While exploring, Alex and Ozzie find O'Grady's bag of gold. Swearing to tell no one of their good fortune, they hide the gold. But the Leprechaun tricks Ozzie into releasing him and soon everyone on the O'Grady farm realizes that this Leprechaun is no lucky charm.
| Release Date: April 7 | Format: VHS |
| Order Date: March 23 | Catalog Number: VM5503 |
| Running Time: Color/Approx. 91 minutes | |
| Suggested Retail: $94.95 | Genre: Horror |
| Rated: R | Audio: Ultra Stereo |
| A 1992 Production. |
From the video release press kit:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 10, 1993 -- State of the art special effects make LEPRECHAUN one of the decade's most exciting horror thrillers. Opening as 1993's first movie, LEPRECHAUN had per screen averages that rivaled last year's horror smash, CANDYMAN. The film follows the story of a LEPRECHAUN (Warwick Davis, WILLOW, RETURN OF THE JEDI) who has lost his gold fair and square, but doesn't care -- he'll do whatever it takes to get his gold back, including following a traveler from Ireland all the way back to the United States. After the Leprechaun has wreaked havoc on the life of the farmer who has his gold, the farmer fights back, shooting the unlucky creature and sealing him in a crate. Years later when a new family moves in, they hire a painter (Ken Olandt, SUMMER SCHOOL) and his two partners, a young boy named Alex (Robert Gorman, DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD) almost as mischievous as the Leprechaun himself and a gentle mentally slow young man named Ozzie (Mark Holton, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, THE NAKED GUN). When Alex and Ozzie explore the farm, they find a bag of gold. The two young men decide that the adults will never let them keep their new found treasure and they hide it, vowing to tell no one where the gold is. Although the Leprechaun has been sealed up for ten years, he still has some tricks up his sleeve. He gets Ozzie to accidentally release him. Soon everyone's astonishment over this amazing magical man turns into sheer terror as the Leprechaun uses his awesome mythical powers to find his gold and stop anyone who gets in his way. LEPRECHAUN will be available on home video from Vidmark Entertainment April 7, at a suggested retail price of $94.95. Order date is March 23. Running time: Approximately 91 min. Rated: R.
THE STORY
Ten years ago, a farmer thought he had the luck of the Irish when he found a Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) and made off with a bag of gold. It turned out to be the unluckiest day of his life. When farmer Dan O'Grady went on a trip to Ireland, he was astonished to find a true living-and-breathing Leprechaun. Knowing the Irish fables well, he captured the Leprechaun and demanded a bag of gold as the price for setting the mythical man free. He returned to North Dakota, ready to lavish his wife and himself with a life of luxury and riches. But the Leprechaun had a different idea. He was going to follow Dan and get his gold back -- no matter what the cost!
Soon, O'Grady and his wife were being tormented by the mischievous Leprechaun. But the Leprechaun went too far, causing O'Grady's wife to fall down a flight of stairs to her death. Overcome with sorrow and anger, the farmer shoots the Leprechaun and puts him in a crate. He seals it with the one object that holds the only power over Leprechauns, a four leaf clover. His victory is short and sweet, though; O'Grady suffers a stroke and is taken away to a rest home. No one knows about the hidden gold. And no one knows about the angry Leprechaun!
Ten years later, J.D. Reding and his beautiful daughter Tory (Jennifer Aniston) move from their Beverly Hills home to the O'Grady farm, now in great need of renovation. They hire a handsome painter (Ken Olandt) and his two young partners, a smart young boy (Robert Gorman) and his slow young friend Ozzie (Mark Holton). Soon, the two boys are out exploring the farm and are delighted when they discover a bag of gold. Fearful that adults will take their treasure away, they hide the gold away, promising not to tell a soul. The Leprechaun sees a window of opportunity with Ozzie around and uses his last remaining power to lure Ozzie into the basement of the O'Grady house. Ozzie bumbles around the junk filled room and knocks the four leaf clover off the crate holding the Leprechaun. Finally free, the Leprechaun's magical powers are fully restored. With a mix of humor and deadly horror, the Leprechaun sets out to find his gold. Woe to any unlucky soul who tries to stop him!
LEPRECHAUN is a horror thriller written and directed by up and coming writer/director Mark Jones, who penned the script for the upcoming mega-movie SUPERMAN V from producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind. The film also features special effects magic of another rising star, Gabe Bartalos, who has done the special effects make up for SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK and BASKET CASE III. LEPRECHAUN stars Warwick Davis, Jennifer Aniston, Ken Olandt, Mark Holton and Robert Gorman.
THE PRODUCTION
Director and writer Mark Jones had a very original concept for a film. Few films had ever focused on the legend of the Leprechaun and none had depicted him as an authentic horror figure. Finding an actor who could portray the Leprechaun with the appropriate wry humor, mischievousness and venom wasn't hard for the production team, since they knew who they wanted right from the beginning. They wanted 21 year old English actor Warwick Davis, who had already received numerous accolades for his performances in WILLOW and RETURN OF THE JEDI. Davis, who has his own music video production company in England, was eager to join the team, relishing the opportunity to finally play the bad guy in a film. Becoming the Leprechaun required more than great acting, though. Davis had to undergo 28 days of special effects make-up applications. Each day, Davis had to patiently sit for 3½ hours as special prosthetics and make-up was applied, transforming him into the sometimes menacing, sometimes hilarious Leprechaun. With the extraordinary talents of special effects wizard Gabe Bartalos, Davis was given a great deal of maneuverability as the Leprechaun, even with all the special effects gear, giving him tremendous freedom to develop the character.
Bartalos achieved this by molding and sculpting a cast of Davis' face and hands. These pieces were injection molded, baked and painted. Unbelievably, each day required an all new set of molded pieces! Some of the special effects props were fitted in over Davis' lips and even went into his mouth. Three stages of the Leprechaun were designed, giving him a progressively more sinister demeanor.
Davis enjoyed certain parts of the film so much, he insisted on doing his own stunts in some scenes. He did one scene where the Leprechaun gets to drive a miniature Jeep and another where the Leprechaun uses a pogo stick as a murder weapon.
"A camera was rigged on a dolly and it pogo-ed up and down with me as I gleefully smashed down upon my poor victim," quipped Davis. "It was so much fun playing such an evil character who has such a well developed and macabre sense of humor."
PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Vidmark will support the home video release of LEPRECHAUN with a four-color theatrical poster, shelf talker, sell-off labels and four page brochure. A 900 consumer sweepstakes will boost awareness with post-street spot TV advertising.
LEPRECHAUN will be available in four and eight packs. More than 337 million consumer impressions have already been created from the film's nationwide theatrical advertising campaign on print media, radio and TV.
CREDITS
Credits: Director Mark Jones; screenwriter Mark Jones; executive producer Mark Amin; produced by Jeffrey B. Mallian; co-produced by Michael Prescott, David Price and William Sachs; director of photography Levie Isaaks; music composed and conducted by Kevin Kiner.
Vidmark Entertainment is the video label and Trimark Pictures is the domestic and international motion picture distribution entity of Trimark Holdings, Inc.
