Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Kim Serafin (212) 788-2958
The Crystal Apple is a gift from the Mayor of the City of New York awarded annually to industry leaders in film and television who have made outstanding progress in their respective fields.
“Nothing symbolizes New York City’s resilience and creative energy like the tremendous boom we’re seeing in our film and television industries. Last year major motion picture production in New York City soared to a record high of 175 films. Over the last two years New York City’s television industry posted a 51% increase in production shooting days,” said Mayor Giuliani.
“New York City has a long and proud tradition of movie making and for more than a century, New York has been the hometown of the best directors, actors, producers, writers, cinematographers, editors and composers in the business. I am proud to honor those people who have strengthened and enhanced the City’s reputation as a world-class international production center,” he concluded.
“New York’s unique partnership of government, the production industry and the City’s neighborhoods is working together at an exceptionally high level,” said Commissioner Scott. “As the Mayor’s Office of Film Theatre and Broadcasting celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, the huge amount of production is proof that New York City is truly the nation’s first film capital."
The honorees this year have all made extensive contributions to the New York City film and television industry and have very distinguished backgrounds.
With an extraordinary track record in television at HBO and Lifetime Television, Patrician Fili-Krushel now serves as President of ABC Daytime and oversees all aspects of daytime programming at the ABC Television Network Group. In addition to the current lineup of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” Ms. Fili-Krushel transformed the daytime drama “Loving” into “The City,” starring Morgan Fairchild. This program has added distinctive location shooting on the streets of New York to its script.
Born in Brooklyn, Harvey Keitel has built a formidable list of film credits. Starting with his debut in “Who’s That Knocking at My Door?” Mr. Keitel has given many memorable performances in film including “Mean Streets,” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Taxi Driver,” Buffalo Bill,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Bugsy,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “The Piano,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Smoke,” “Clockers,” “Blue in the Face,” “Ulysses’ Gaze” and “From Dusk Till Dawn.” He appears in the soon to be released “Head Above Water,” and is starring in John Irvin’s current project, “City of Industry.”
Critically acclaimed actress, producer and director Penny Marshall was born and raised in the Bronx. She starred on television in “Laverne & Shirley,” “The Odd Couple,” “Paul Sand’s Friends and Lovers,” “Mork & Mindy,” “Taxi,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Ms. Marshall has produced and directed a remarkable group of films beginning with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Other films include “Big” and “Awakenings,” which were shot on location in New York City. She directed and executive produced “A League of Their Own” and has just completed principal photography on “The Preacher’s Wife,” starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, also shot in New York City.
John McGuire is the Associate National Executive Director of the Screen Actors Guild, and serves as President of the New York City Council of Motion Picture and Television Unions. Mr. McGuire is also Vice President and Founding Trustee of the American Museum of the Moving Image and serves as a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Council to the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting.
Award-winning screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi is the author of “Blye,” “Private Eye,” “Wiseguy,” and “Casino.” He was nominated for an Academy Awards for the screenplay “Goodfellas,” which won the British Academy of Film and Television Award. He also co-wrote “City Hall” and produced the film “Fatherhood.” Mr. Pileggi is a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Council to the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting.
A decorated veteran of the United States Navy, Montel Williams hosts the extremely popular New York-based show, “The Montel Williams Show,” a daily one-hour talk show which debuted in 1991 and just won an Emmy on May 23.
Mr. Williams also starred in a one-hour dramatic television series titled “The Education of Matt Waters,” which was produced in New York for CBS.
The Crystal Apple Awards Celebration was sponsored by the Chase Manhattan Corporation, America Online Inc., Archive Films/ Archive Photos, Act II Microwave Popcorn, Benvenuti Public Relations, Chock full o’Nuts, Gotham Comedy Club, Healthy Bodyworks, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Inc., New York Sports Clubs, San Pellegrino Sparkling Water, Anheuser-Bush, Lavazza, Manhattan Beer Distributors, Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd., Carnegie Hill Brewing Company and SKYY VODKA.
Gourmet food was provided by many of the City’s finest restaurants and catering establishments including: Agata & Valentina, Antonucci Catering, Aria, Balducci’s, Cafe Luxembourg, China Fun, Classic Fare Catering, Director’s Catering, Eclair Bakery Cafe, Fashion Cafe, French Roast, Le Bar Bat, Lucky Cheng’s, Mad Fish, Planet Hollywood, Savann, Something’s Cooking, Water’s Edge, 13 Barrow St. and Yorkville Brewery.
Other important contributions were made by the Hollywood Reporter, Backstage Newspaper, phoof Furniture Rehabilitation and Cool Stuff for Your House, The Charles Koo Family and LG Group for the video wall and Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Special thanks to Time Out Magazine for their time and contributions. Entertainment during the evening was provided by the steel band “Moods Pan Groove.”