Want to be in Halo 3?
Hollywood Arts, a non-profit organization located in Southern California (thus, “Hollywood”) focused on helping teens who are down on their luck by getting them involved with the arts: Music, Art, Hair & Makeup, Video Game Programming, etc. Well, they are holding a charity event in Los Angeles on February 14th to honor Tommy Tallarico (seen left, peering into your soul) with being Hollywood Arts first recipient of it’s “Dreams Award.”
It’s no secret that before Tommy Tallarico amassed more money than you can possibly imagine, he lived on the beaches of Los Angeles in his car.
The Charity Event will also be holding an auction over eBay starting at 10pm EST (7pm PST) on the 14th, which will run through the 21st. Included in this auction will be the opporitunity to have an audio cameo in Halo 3, a big ass Master Chief statue, a tour of Valhalla (Bungie Studios) and many other items of video game paraphernalia. All Proceeds of the auction will go towards completion of the Hollywood Arts arts and media center in Los Angeles.
Read the full press release after the break:
Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Arts, which provides arts and educational services for homeless and at-risk youth age 15 to 24, is honoring video game pioneer Tommy Tallarico, in their first annual Dream Awards benefit February 17, 2007. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Hollywood Arts to complete the renovation of a full service art center located in Hollywood, California.
“It was important for us to build relationships with the video gaming community,” said Dylan Kendall, Executive Director of Hollywood Arts. “Our students gravitate to games. For us, as a learning activity, video games are able to promote emotional health and be an important incentive to teach our students critical life and job-skills.”
Hollywood Arts approached Tommy Tallarico after learning that he had a personal experience that gave him insight regarding the challenges their young students face.
“Tommy brings so much to Hollywood Arts. His own story was one of determination and conquering challenges. Few understand as well as Tommy that creativity and passion can really change lives,” says Kendall.
“I am honored to have been chosen by Hollywood Arts. I understand how important their work is,” said Tommy Tallarico. “Also I see this as a great opportunity for the video gaming community to give back as well as showcase the creativity of and value found in video gaming.”
Tallarico introduced Hollywood Arts to other leaders in the video gaming industry who are helping to change the converstation around the role of video games both intellectually and emotionally in the lives of young people.
As Tommy’s partner, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this event,” says Jack Wall, music producer and game composer. “I am excited to see video games recognized as a legitimate art form and I’m even more excited to be a part of a community dedicated to giving something back.”
The First Annual Dream Awards is slated to be held at Raleigh Studios on February 17, 2007. Attendees will include entertainment executives, celebrities and political leaders. There will be a VIP reception, followed by an interactive performance of top video game musical scores and clips of famous scenes from video games, the Hollywood Arts Dream awards and an introduction to a Hollywood Arts young client.
About Tommy Talarico
Tommy Tallarico is a video game industry icon. One of the most successful video game composers in history, he has helped revolutionize the gaming world, creating unique audio landscapes that enhance the video gaming experience. Tallarico is also the host and producer of a popular network show on video games, co-creator and Executive Producer of Video Games Live and the Founder and President of the Game Audio Network Guild.
About Hollywood Arts
Hollywood Arts was founded to provide a range of arts classes, creative activities and job training for at-risk, runaway and homeless teenagers and young adults in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Founded by Dylan Kendall, the organization is slated to move into classroom and office space for its programs at 1671 N. Western Ave., next to the famed Louis B. Mayer Building at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue. The center’s website is www.hollywood-arts.org
Microsoft, Xbox 360, Halo 3, Hollywood Arts, Voice Over, Tommy Tallarico, eBay, Auction, cameo, Bungie
February 7th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
[...] Hollywood Arts, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged yutes (you’ve seen My Cousin Vinny haven’t you?) get involved in the Arts, is going to be holding a charity event on Valentine’s Day, that’s February 14th for those of you who have forced yourselves to forget that date, in honor of the talented Tommy Tallarico. For the event, they’re going to be auctioning off a number of items and goodies, including a chance to get a small (very small if you’re you, potentially big if you’re me) audio cameo in Halo 3. That alone is enough to bring in some massive attention but Hollywood Arts is going to be kicking it up to 11 by also offering a huge (”huge” as in I don’t know the exact measurements) Master Chief statue and even a tour of Bungie Studios. I’m assuming you’ll have to bring your own black bag, spy camera and ninja mask because they don’t mention it and you know you can’t visit Bungie without the means of sneaking out the goods! Source: [Xbox360Rally] Feel free to spread the love…These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]