Thanks to the Nickelodeon East Coast and West Coast team for collaborating on this successful event! A great group of people to work with.

Check out the event photos below:

Kids Day

Creators Day

Night By The Ocean (NBTO)

Life Rolls On just completed the 3rd Annual Dinner Gala, Silent and Live Auction at the world-famous Crystal Ballroom of The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Hosted by Sal Masekela and Morgan Spurlock, with live performances by Timmy Curran and Jason Mraz!
Special thanks to Francesco Digrado at ACME Special Events for designing a fantastic stage and for producing an amazing event.

Jesse keep rolling brudda!

Checl out the site and give with your heart!

http://www.liferollson.org/site/pp.asp?c=egLLKTNJE&b=83333

The San Francisco Chronicle article:

I was at the Art Institute party, an on-campus gala involving gowns and awards in the service of art, the creative spirit and, as the architectural students might say, a sense of place that grabs you the minute you step into the courtyard. Experienced galagoers marveled at the multilevel decor by Francesco Digrado of Acme Events in L.A. and music by Tony Okungbowa, whom organizers proudly identified as the DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.'’ The clear tent in the main quad allowed the bay and Telegraph Hill view to be seen as through a scrim. Evening set in, the moon rose and the sky darkened, and as we picked up our dinner forks, the KaBoom show started around the bend in the waterfront. The explosive rumble of fireworks could be heard in the distance, and it was like a PBS series, formally dressed lords and ladies of London dining without even a nod’s notice to the blitz booming around them.

editorial by
Leah Garchik

Thank you Leah.

A special thanks to -

Kathie Lowry -
Director of Special Events - SFAI

Thank you for believing in me and ACME to fulfill the quest of such an exclusive gala. Celebrating 135 years of history would be quite the challenge for any designer. SFAI is a magical forum with magical people. What a remarkable experience this was for me, as a designer, to be a part of this institute’s history and the art community of San Francisco.

You were an absolute pleasure to work with and I am honored to have had the opportunity.

Readers:
I have a new found love for SFAI and would urge everyone to visit the institute. I would advise for people to take a moment to listen, and you will hear all of its past that is etched in the mortar that holds the walls together, we should stop to observe our future in the making as you walk on history. The institute is open 24/7.

Thank you again.

Francesco DiGrado
designer

Check out the photos of the event here.

Last minute success! A Short Story.

ACME received the call, they accepted the challenge! they were off designing the space(s).

One week and three days from concept to show. Acme had no time for concept meetings or pre approvals. It was all based on the facts.

The setup starts.

Scenics were loading into place as the circular floor was being layed down. The lighting was loading in as the stage was being painted. All the graphics were coming off the press and placed while the ink was still drying. The crew finished in time and actually managed to squeeze in a lunch.

It was a short day for a long week.

Everyone at ACME would like to thank MTV Networks, Nickelodeon and The Promotional Edge for providing us with all of their support and direction to make this a joint team effort and a great success.

- ACME Press -

Check out the gallery here!
:)

Check out the gallery Uploaded by Kvisionphoto.com

Click here to view Photo Gallery of Atmosphere and Set Design

Courtesy of Acme Design Group Inc.

Thanks

Acme Management

FFXI 2006 Festival!!!

Check out your fan shots here!

photos by kVisionphoto.com

Courtesy of Acme Design Group Inc.

Please pass this site along to your fellow members in the FFXl fanclub!

We would love to hear your comments on your experience at
FFXl 2006.

Thanks

Acme Management

Stars shine as Ebony honors four at pre-Oscar fete

March 5, 2006

BY BILL ZWECKER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

HOLLYWOOD — Linda Johnson Rice, CEO of Johnson Publications and publisher of Ebony, was clearly excited Thursday night as she welcomed 650 guests to the star-studded gala “Ebony Presents Hollywood in Harlem.” The magazine’s second annual pre-Oscar fete honored the accomplishments of African Americans in the filmmaking and media communities. The 2006 salute singled out screen legend Cicely Tyson, actress Kimberly Elise, director John Singleton and entertainment manager Dolores Robinson as the evening’s special honorees — the focus of what was called “A Radiant Renaissance.” The evening also honored the South African film, “Tsotsi,” considered by many as a front-runner for the best foreign film Oscar on Sunday.

“This is especially important as we mark the 60th anniversary of Ebony this year — carrying on my father’s commitment to spotlight the positive achievements of African Americans and focus on the many positive stories that exist in our community — in the areas of business, civil rights, the arts and yes, Hollywood . . . a world we have covered and covered well for many, many decades,” said Johnson Rice — looking out over the crowd filling the Charlie Chaplin Stage at the Jim Henson Studios, located in the heart of Hollywood, only blocks from the Kodak Theatre, site of Sunday’s 78th Academy Awards.

Johnson Rice’s father and company founder John H. Johnson, who died last year, was clearly foremost in her thoughts as she expressed pride in his accomplishments Thursday, noting his groundbreaking contributions to the world of communications, “changing forever the way Americans, both black and white, view African Americans in all aspects of our society.”

Along with the honorees, the gala attracted some of the biggest names from the world of entertainment including Quincy Jones, Ludacris, music producing mogul Jimmy Jam, Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, LaTanya Richardson, Magic Johnson’s wife, Cookie, TV star CCH Pounder, Holly Robinson Peete, “The Young & the Restless” star Victoria Rowell, Debbie Morgan, Jasmine Guy and former NBA star-turned L.A. radio talk show host John Salley.

Honoree Tyson looked every bit the elegant diva, strolling into the party wearing a close-fitting black turban and swathed in chinchilla stoles. But the legendary actress seemed more excited about meeting 101-year-old Emma Jackson of Los Angeles. Tyson got very emotional as she told the crowd about a friend of Jackson’s phoning Tyson’s assistant a few days ago to say “the only thing she would like to do before she leaves this Earthly place was to meet me,” said Tyson, literally choking up as she recounted the story.

As for Ebony, Tyson spoke fondly of the late John H. Johnson — “a man who was the first to notice me, write about me . . . pay me major attention. . . . If it wasn’t for Ebony, I might not be here tonight — nor would a lot of other people walking up and down this red carpet,” Tyson said. The award-winning actress also told how Johnson gave her the opportunity not only to appear as the subject of Ebony stories, but also to write about entertainment phenomena in the black community — including an early piece on the film “Cry, Freedom.”

During the evening — from the red carpet arrivals to the scene inside the Charlie Chaplin Stage (re-created to look like a palm-tree lined version of the old Copacabana nightclub) — the Sun-Times caught up with a number of the stars present:

*Not surprisingly, Ludacris was “really keeping all my fingers — and my toes — crossed,” hoping “Crash,” in which he co-stars, takes home the best picture Oscar on Sunday night. “This film is so important to me . . . so important to everyone . . . one of the best things I’ve ever done. . . . I am so proud of that work and am so proud of everyone connected to it.”

*Kimberly Elise pointed to one of the many giant Ebony covers decorating the walls of the party, saying, “I have that cover of Miss Tyson framed in my house. . . . She always has been an inspiration for me and for all actresses of color for the groundbreaking work she did and continues to do.”

*Samuel L. Jackson, dressed in white from his ever-present Kangol beret down to his shoes, said “I can’t wait to come to Chicago!” He’s planning a June trip to catch his wife, LaTanya Richardson, starring in “The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove” at the Goodman Theatre. “God willing, I’ll be there opening night!”

“You better be!” quipped Richardson with a wink.

*Freda Payne laughed when asked if people still request “Band of Gold” — her signature hit. “Can you believe it? That came out in 1970 . . . and even though I do so much else . . . I do a whole Ella Fitzgerald show . . . no matter what, no matter where, people always insist that I close my shows with ‘Band of Gold.’”

Did she know it was going to be a hit right off the bat? “Honey, like so many songs, you’re often surprised by the ones which become hits. . . . But I never argue with the public!” As for the site of the party, Payne joked that everyone “is talking about this first being Charlie Chaplin’s studio . . . then Jim Henson’s . . . I remember when Herb Alpert recorded here back in the ’60s.”

*Honoree Singleton, the director and Chicago native, remembers growing up with Ebony and reading its former youth-oriented publication, Ebony Jr. “This is a wonderful night . . . I love parties, and I love the Oscars, but this is so special for our community. Singleton exhorted the crowd — “especially those in positions of power to use it well — not to use it to distort history. That would be unfair to the following generations. It is so important that we recount our history — all history — honestly.”

Acme Designs a superhero set for a superhero corporate company.

One of the largest land developers in the country had contacted Acme looking for a theme set for a very unusual Corporate Award Show. Francesco Digrado the founder and Design Director of the Burbank based design group welcomed the unusual themed presentation with open arms.

Kudos! to the special event planning committee who managed to get the concept approved along with all of the executive participation. Just imagine your boss in a tight spandex suit, claiming he can save the world!

What’s so unusual about that?

The real award goes to Traci C. for inspiring everyone for such a creative production.

Enjoy the photos.

ACME PRESS.

SET DESIGN

ACME DESIGN TEAM has teamed up with Square Enix to design & develop one of the most amazing video game fan fare festivals for The FINAL FANTASY XI Event of the Year!
Fan Festival marks our largest most exciting live event for Vana’diel adventurers in 2006!

With the most attendees and greatest events and announcements combined into one amazing weekend, how could it be anything less? This is a perfect opportunity for players who’ve long partied together to meet up in person. Or maybe you’re a new adventurer looking to make some lasting friendships.

This event has something for everyone from skilled veterans to aspiring heroes. We’re inviting everyone from across Vana’diel to join us at beautiful Santa Monica Pier.
Attendees will be doing everything from participating in Live Quests to cheering their fellow fans in the Ballista Royale Championships!
That’s right, the Ballista Royale Championships are taking place right here on Santa Monica Pier live and in person with the two reigning champion teams of the Ballista Royale Finals! The match will be taking place on the big screen with the players in fierce competition live on stage. But they won’t be the only ones competing at the Festival…we’ll also have exclusive competitions open to all players!

Our live quest recreates the world of Vana’diel right on the Santa Monica Pier. We’ll be questing for the answers to a shocking mystery as well as prizes and fun opportunities.

We’re planning for the largest turnout ever and we’re doing that with exclusive opportunities to…
…participate in the FINAL FANTASY XI Movie Contest!

Submissions from around the world will be premiered here for an audience vote in several categories! The creative talents of our players are second-to-none and we’re very excited to show off those abilities at our event for all to enjoy. Festival Attendees are also invited to join in on our Costume Contest!

We’re always impressed by the great lengths that people go to recreate lifelike costumes of our characters, and we love to reward those efforts. Our costume contest is a great opportunity for you to win great prizes and show off your designing skills! These opportunities are exclusively available to attendees of our Fan Festival 2006!

Click to this link for more info: www.ffxifestival.com

Acme Special Events Inc./ Acme Design Group Inc. is a nationwide design and production firm that is currently seeking qualified individuals who have an executive level of experience in sales and have managed a minimum of 40 events per year. Project sales managers need to have a minimum of 5 years experience in either Live Events, Exhibit or Tradeshow industries. Qualified individuals need to be extremely organized, detail oriented and have excellent communicaton skills. We are looking for individuals who are self motivators and team players.
ACME - DESIGNS - BUILDS - RENTS!

Compensation is based on experience.
References are to be furnished upon request.

Please respond to this post with email address and attach a resume to info@acme-events.com

Thank you,

ACME DESIGN TEAM