Latest news with #JourneytotheCenteroftheEarth
France 24
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Jules Verne: The 'Extraordinary Voyages' of a visionary French writer
France 12:14 Issued on: From the show This week we delve into the life of Jules Verne, one of the world's most widely translated writers. The French author's "Extraordinary Voyages" include "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", "Around the World in Eighty Days" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth". They continue to inspire fans of adventure stories, 120 years after his death in 1905. Many consider Verne to be one of the founding fathers of science fiction, while others see him as a visionary. Those familiar with the man himself speak of a tireless worker, with an unparalleled gift for making his ideas accessible to all and, with the help of his publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel, a creator of imaginary worlds that are still part of the cultural landscape today. We discuss Verne's life and legacy with Jean Verne, his great-grandson; Céline Giton, author of "Jules Verne: an Extraordinary Animal Anthology"; Agnès Marcetteau-Paul, author of "The very curious Jules Verne"; and Pierre Stépanoff, director of the Maison Jules Verne in Amiens.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chengdu: Empower Dreams with the Wings of Sci-Fi
CHENGDU, China, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Once upon a time, sci-fi was synonymous with classic works from Europe and America such as Star Wars, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. However, Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin made history when the first installment of his trilogy The Three-Body Problem won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel at the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention, becoming the first Asian to receive this honor. The achievement marked the first time the world truly began to pay attention to Chinese sci-fi. Furthermore, Chengdu hosted the 81st World Science Fiction Convention in 2023, the first time the event was held in China and second time in Asia. Today, The Three-Body Problem has been translated into over 30 languages and has captivated global audiences through its novels and screen adaptations. Yet few know that the first book of the trilogy was originally serialized in Chengdu's sci-fi magazine Science Fiction World. To further promote Chengdu's sci-fi industry and strengthen international collaboration in the field, the Chengdu International Sci-Fi Industry Salon, organized by National Business Daily and hosted by NBD Think Tank, was held in Chengdu on May 28, 2025. The event brought together leading global sci-fi companies and experts to discuss the future of the industry. Attendees included representatives from France's Hachette Publishing Group (the world's second-largest publishing group), Japan's D'Art Shtajio Animation Studio (the first major anime studio led by African American creators). During the presentation, Hachette and D'Art Shtajio shared insights on sci-fi IP development, copyright management, and animation production, while delivering speeches on topics such as "ideal environments for sci-fi innovation" and "enhancing cross-border industry collaboration." The event also featured prominent international experts, including Brigitte Leblanc, Editor-in-Chief of Le Rayon imaginaire, Hachette Heroes, Hachette Livre (responsible for publishing the French edition of The Three-Body Problem comic), American animation director Dalton Grant (known for Cars and Shrek), etc. During roundtable discussions, Grant emphasized sci-fi's role in sparking unexpected creativity and overcoming perceived limits, while Leblanc cited The Three-Body Problem's global success as a model for international IP cooperation. The organizers stated that such platforms aim to drive Chengdu's sci-fi industry toward greater diversity, depth, and global integration, while amplifying the reach of Chinese sci-fi works abroad and fostering cultural exchange between China and the world. SOURCE National Business Daily Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Los Angeles Times
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Vanguard students present campy multimedia twist on Jules Verne's classic ‘Journey'
Famed 19th-century author Jules Verne — who penned futuristic tales about science-minded explorers navigating the furthest reaches of the planet, beyond the limits of human understanding — might well have been proud of a theatrical effort being undertaken at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater. That's where students of the Costa Mesa campus' Theatre Arts program on Thursday debuted in a preview an original adaptation of 'Journey to the Center of the Earth,' a French science fiction novel by Verne published 1864 that has been translated numerous times and retold for both stage and screen. Running through April 13, the multimedia production takes viewers on a subterranean quest through worlds populated by mythical beasts, reminiscent of early Hollywood movie creatures like King Kong. The production employs layered projections with live action video sequences, miniature models and actors set against a green screen to create an over-the-top 1930s movie vibe, says Sue Berkompas, head of the university's theater department and artistic producing director for the campus productions. ''Journey' is so different from anything we've ever done, because of all the cool technical elements we're implementing,' Berkompas said in an interview Tuesday. 'All of those things are melded into one fun, adventurous, campy show, and we're really leaning into the campiness.' Since last summer, Berkompas has been collaborating with Vanguard junior (and assistant director) Amanda Fagan to create an original script from the Verne classic, and the pair have been making additions and edits all the way into rehearsals week. The show follows German scientist Professor Hardwigg and his nephew, Harry, as they follow a trail of clues left by a 16th century alchemist whom they believe traveled to the Earth's core through a series of volcanic tunnels. They are joined by Harry's fiancée Gretchen, who stows herself away for the voyage, unaware of the perils and amazements that await. 'They go on this dangerous, lost world adventure to the center of the Earth and encounter all these anomalies,' Berkompas said, describing an active volcano, giant snakes and sea monsters battling in an underground grotto. 'Some of the effects are really amazing and cool, and some of them are uber cheesy — that's the way I envisioned it, with the two always working together.' While students comprise the eight-member cast and roughly 20-member crew, additional expertise was brought in to pull off some of the more technical elements, including the use of gigantic onstage puppets. All of those elements working together presented a unique challenge for Alyssa Kammerer, a 2023 graduate of the Theatre Arts program who now serves as an adjunct professor pulling double duty as the production and stage manager for 'Journey.' 'We're trying to mesh live theater and film into the same thing. Figuring out the timing and how everything works together is quite difficult,' Kammerer said Wednesday. 'I've used projections before, but when you're integrating a projection with a live video feed it's a whole different beast.' The end result, however, is an intriguing and impressive spectacle that is not to be missed, she added. Berkompas said if all goes well, she'd like to take the adaptation to the American Coast Theater Company, a professional theater group that stages shows at the Lyceum when not in use by the university, and where she also acts and directs. 'This is the most ambitious technical show I've ever done in my entire life,' she said. 'It's just really fun stuff. You're not going to get Tennessee Williams with this, but you're going to have a lot of fun — I guarantee it.' Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater presents 'Journey to the Center of the Earth,' with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday this week and next, along with additional 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $17, or $15 for seniors 60+, children under 12, college students and groups and can be purchased at or by calling the box office at (714) 668-6145.
