Roland Emmerich

Infobox Actor
name = Roland Emmerich
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caption = Roland Emmerich in Berlin (2007)
birthdate = birth date and age|mf=yes|1955|11|10
location = Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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othername = Das Spielbergle aus Sindelfingen
(South German dialect for "Little Spielberg from Sindelfingen")
occupation = film director, producer and writer
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Roland Emmerich (born November 10, 1955) is a German film director, screenwriter, and producer.

Early life and career

Emmerich was born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He attended the University of Television and Film Munich from 1977 to 1981 and his student film, "The Noah's Ark Principle", went on to open the 1984 Berlin Film Festival. In 1985, he founded Centropolis Film Productions (now Centropolis Entertainment) in partnership with his sister, producer Ute Emmerich.

Hoping to tap into the American market, Emmerich began directing English-language supernatural fantasy features in his native Germany. Eventually, his science-fiction film "Moon 44", went straight to video in the United States and featured Dean Devlin. Having caught the attention of producer Mario Kassar, Emmerich was invited to America. Devlin would subsequently become Emmerich's writing and producing partner once Emmerich settled in Hollywood.

Hollywood director

Emmerich was hired to replace director Andrew Davis for the action movie "Universal Soldier". The film was followed by two made-for-television movies and a theatrical sequel. Emmerich next helmed the science-fiction film "Stargate", an unexpected success that spawned a highly popular media franchise.

Emmerich then directed "Independence Day", an alien invasion feature that became the first film to gross $100 million in less than a weekcite news | author = A.J. Jacobs | title = The Day After | publisher = Entertainment Weekly | date = 1996-07-19 | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,293427,00.html | accessdate = 2008-07-08] [http://www.filmsite.org/90sintro3.html Film History of the 1990s] "filmsite.org". Retrieved on July 8, 2008.] and went on to become one of the most successful films of all time. [ [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=independenceday.htm "Independence Day."] "Box Office Mojo". Retrieved on July 8, 2008.] His next film, the much-hyped "Godzilla", did not meet its anticipated box office success [cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeguru.com/052598.htm|title=Weekend Box Office (May 22 - 25, 1998) |date=May 25, 1998 |publisher=boxofficeguru.com |accessdate=2007-11-29] and was a critical failure. [cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla/ |title=Godzilla (1998) |date=June 24, 2006 |publisher=rottentomatoes.com |accessdate=2007-03-28]

After a change of pace directing the American Revolutionary War film "The Patriot", Emmerich returned once again to directing a visual effects-laden adventure with 2004's "The Day After Tomorrow". Soon afterwards, he founded Reelmachine, another film production company based in Germany.

Emmerich's most recent effort is "10,000 BC", a film about the journeys of a prehistoric tribe. He was slated to direct a remake of the 1966 science-fiction film "Fantastic Voyage", [cite web | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117970307.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=fantastic+voyage| title=Emmerich to captain 'Voyage' | date=August 15, 2007 | publisher= variety.com | accessdate=2007-08-15] but the project slipped back into development hell. He is currently directing "2012" [cite web | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981245.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562| title=Sony buys Emmerich's '2012'| date=February 21, 2008 | publisher= variety.com | accessdate=2008-02-21] , an apocalyptic film inspired by the theory that the Mayans prophesied the world's ending in 2012.

Advocacy

For several years, Emmerich has been in favor of the campaign for stunt performers to receive recognition at the Academy Awards, and has worked to raise awareness over the issue of global warming. [cite web |url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20040528/features/rolandemmerich.shtml |title= An interview with Roland Emmerich |date=May 1, 2004 |publisher=blackfilm.com |accessdate=2008-02-21]

A chain-smoker who has been known to smoke as many as four packs of cigarettes a day,cite news | author = Rebecca Ascher-Walsh | title = SPACE UNDER FIRE | publisher = Entertainment Weekly | date = 1996-07-12 | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,293332,00.html | accessdate = 2008-07-08] Emmerich has often included in his films characters who are trying to quit smoking, and/or warn against the dangers of tobacco use.

Emmerich, along with several other celebrities, is a producer of "The 1 Second Film", a non-profit project intended to raise money for women's rights in the developing world. [cite web |url=http://the1secondfilm.com/producer/562 |title= Roland Emmerich|publisher=the1secondfilm.com |accessdate=2008-02-21]

In 2006, he pledged $150,000 to the Legacy Project, a campaign dedicated to gay and lesbian film preservation. Emmerich, who is openly gay, made the donation on behalf of Outfest, making it the largest gift in the festival's history. [cite web |url=http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid24780.asp |title= Hollywood director helps save gay and lesbian films |date=January 25, 2006 |publisher=advocate.com |accessdate=2007-03-28] In 2007, on behalf of the LGBT community, he held a fundraiser at his Los Angeles home for Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. [cite web |url=http://www.4seasons-photography.com/Event_Hillary_Clinton.html |title= LGBT hold fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at Roland Emmerich's Hollywood Home|date=July 22, 2007 |publisher=www.4seasons-photography.com |accessdate=2008-02-21]

Filmography

References

External links

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* [http://the1secondfilm.com/producer/562 Roland Emmerich Producer Profile for The 1 Second Film]
* [http://www.centropolis.com Centropolis Entertainment]