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"The Legend of Johnny Lingo" (2003)
Articles and Reviews
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12-page Morinda, Inc. pamphlet about "The Legend of Johnny Lingo

Date: January 2003?
URLs:
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TAHITIAN NONI ® JUICE GOES HOLLYWOOD!
Major Motion Picture Will Introduce Millions to Noni

Hollywood Ca. -- Capitalizing on the tremendous success of recent independent motion pictures, Morinda, Inc., the exclusive source of TAHITIAN NONI Juice and TAHITIAN NONI products, has announced their intention to team up with movie producers Gerald Molen, John Garbett, and Brad Pelo. Together, this team will produce a movie based on the classic story The Legend of Johnny Lingo.

The Legend of Johnny Lingo was shot on location in sites throughout the South Pacific using an entirely Polynesian cast. Academy Award winner Jerry Molen expressed his thoughts about the painstaking effort that was put into this film:

"I am very excited about the overall quality of the film. Visually and emotionally, this film takes viewers on a stunning, exciting journey into another time; with characters they will fall in love with and a story that will capture their hearts. Everything about this film says 'major motion picture.'"

Executive producer Brad Pelo is confident in Morinda's involvement in the movie. "My family has used TAHITIAN NONI Juice for years. Making this film with Morinda is a wonderful opportunity to work with a company that is making a difference in the lives of people around the world. A revolutionary company, working with a world-class production team--I'd say it's a winner already."

Over 70% of Americans rent or go to movies regularly.

Morinda, Inc. began business in 1996 in Lindon, Utah, as the world's first true source of noni. Morinda pioneered the technology to harvest, process, and package the noni fruit and has become one of the fastest-growing private companies in recent history. Sales in 2002 are expected to be over USD $450,000,000. Today, distributors sell TAHITIAN NONI Juice and TAHITIAN NONI products throughout the world. Morinda's primary marketing strategy is to build the strength of its brand name and brand presence. The Johnny Lingo partnership was the perfect fit for Morinda's strategy, becaus the noni fruit is an important part of the movie's story.

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"Morinda has always been about building vision," affirmed Morinda president Kerry Asay. "We plan to use every means conceivable to tell our story. The fact that we are making this movie as part of our buisness strategy should tell everyone how serious we are about being the industry leader."

The Legend of Johnny Lingo is scheduld to play in 2003 in Salt Lake City. In this setting, Morinda's top company representatives from all over the world will assemble to see the movie for the first time.

U.S. gross box office reached an all-time high of $8.4 billion, a 9.8% increase over last year.

[Line graph showing rising U.S. Theatrical Box Office from 1991 to 2001.]

[Pages 4-5]

Veteran Moviemakers Join Forces to Create Johnny Lingo Legend

[These 2 pages include photographs of the individuals who are profiled.]

Producer: Gerald R. Molen
At the helm of this production is veteran moviemaker Gerald R. Molen. Molen has an impressive resume, including an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1993 for Schindler's List. He has produced impressive blockbusters such as The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park, Hook, and most recently Minority Report. As an executive producer for Amblin Entertainment, he was involved with such hits as Twister, Casper, Little Rascals, and The Flintstones. Molen also served as production manager on The Color Purple, A Soldier's Story, Tootsie, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Days of Thunder. The Legend of Johnny Lingo could not be in more experienced hands.

Producer: John Garbet
As a production executive at Walt Disney, John Garbett oversaw Three Men and a Little Lady, Father of the Bride, Alive and other Touchstone projects. He has since acted as a development producer and production consultant for Amblin Entertainment, Warner Bros., Universal Studios, and several independent production companies that produced major hits such as The Matrix, Shrek, Pet People, and The Frighteners He has worked for Fox and ABC television, and has also completed an 18-month post-graduate internship at the White House. Garbett has overseen every detail of The Legend of Johnny Ligo to make sure that it is a profitable and first-rate movie.

Executive Producer: Brad Pelo
Brad Pelo has made a career out of envisioning and then launching successful ideas. While still a teenager, Pelo launched his first successful business and was labeled a "teen tycoon" in stories appearing in many national publications, including The New York Times, Success, and McCalls. He founded and led both Folio Corporation and NextPage, Inc. and has headed a multimedia publishing company. In 1994, Pelo received a Telly Award for writing and producing Information Democracy, a short film featuring the award-winning actor James Earl Jones. Two production companies call Brad founder, and in recent years he has teamed up with leading filmmakers to bring audiences both educational and entertainment productions.

Director: Steven Ramirez
Talented Steven Ramirez has worked as a film editor on such pictures as Driving Mis Daisy, Being There, Cocoon--The Return, Big Trouble in Little China, Dolores Claiborne, Pacific Heights, and The Devil's Advocate. He makes his directorial debut with The Legend of Johnny Lingo, and cast and crew are agreed that his artistic talents, craftsmanship, and storytelling skills will make The Legend of Johnny Lingo a movie to remember.

[Sidebar listing some of the movies that the "Johnny Lingo" producers and directors have worked on.]

MOVIES

Schindler's List
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park
Hook
Minority Report
Twister
Casper
Little Rascals
The Flintstones
The Color Purple
A Soldier's Story
Tootsie
Days of Thunder
Three Men and a Little Lady
Father of the Bride
Alive
The Matrix
Shrek
Pet People
The Frighteners
Information Democracy
Driving Miss Daisy
Being There
Cocoon--The Return
Big Trouble in Little China
Dolores Claiborne
Pacific Heights
The Devil's Advocate

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Where a Legend Can Take You

Filming of The Legend of Johnny Lingo began on July 8 in Auckland, New Zealand, and the world might never be the same. Cast and crew set up on several locations around Auckland for spectacular shots of fearsome cliffs, powerful waves, and majestic horizons. Muriwai and Piha beaches offered the perfect locales for several emotional scenes, complete with great lighting and the perfect ambiance.

But unknown to many movie audiences, filming goes on whether rain or shine. Many days were spent hauling equipment aroun in the mud--after all, it is winter in New Zealand. Kayte Ferguson (Mahana) even had to sit under a waterfall with water temperatures reaching down around six degrees Celsius. The crew had to pull in a hot tub for her to sit in between takes, and luckily she only had to brave the icy water three times. of course, she will look glamorous on film, but it takes a lot of hard work to pull of those perfect shots.

[Photo of an exterior New Zealand location, with the caption, "Filmed on location in New Zealand."]

After shooting in Auckland was complete, cast and crew packed up and flew to the Cook Islands. An inner-island plane transferred everyone to a tiny atoll named Aitutaki, where the remainder of the filming was to take place. Although Aitutaki is perfect for a couple wanting to experience an untouched paradise, arranging supplies, accomodations, food, and transportation for an entire movie set is a challenge. Imagine coordinating several big movements with lots of people in a place where the airplane runway is a dirt road. Forget trucks to haul around your supplies; the crew soon learned to tie equipment on to their scooters. Four-wheeling through the jungle, doding mosquitoes, goats, pigs, and more . . . this is a filmmaker's dream, or should we say a production office's nightmare.

As you watch The Legend of Johnny Lingo, remember that the landscapes you see are not computer generated, but they truly exist in some far corner of the world. You might even take a minute to appreciate the efforts that wnt into making such a creation. After all, the cast and crew's hard work is helping bring TAHITIAN NONI Juice to everyone, everywhere.

[Photo of a young Polynesian woman's face.]

[Pages 8-9]

When a fierce storm strikes Malio Island, the islanders ask their gods for a miracle. What they receive is an ornate canoe complete with a little baby boy. All that accompanies the child is a beautifully carved hair comb and a woven armband. The Malio chief decides that the baby boy is a gift from the gods and declares that the baby will be raised as his son. He names the boy Tama and pronounces him future chief of Malio Island. The chief's wife is extremely jealous of the new boy, who has taken the place of her son, Pua, and she begins to spread her jealous poison. As she weaves and talks with other women, the chief's wife claims that the child came from the god of mischief and blames Tama for all the misfortunes that fall on the island. Soon the village follows her lead and the boy is blamed for illnesses, failed crops, and no fish. The chief denounces the boy and Tama is passed from family to family, finally ending up at the poorest house on the island. It is here that Ta! ma comes to know Mahana and her father.

Mahana is despised by her father and the village--they all see her as troublesome and undesirable. Tama, however, finds that she is a true gem and the two outcsts form a strong bond. When Tama finally has the means to escape the island, he begs Mahana to come with him. Mahana is torn, and finally decides to stay on the island because she feels it her duty to take care of her father. Tama leaves with a promise to one day return for Mahana.

Eight years later Tama returns to Malio Island as Johnny Lingo, the richest trader in the islands. He has learned a lot about life and is determined to win Mahana's heart. He also devises a plan that enables him to make a long-overdue point with those who treated both him and Mahana with sch Malice. Johnny's point? That real beauty comes from within.

[Sidebar:]

How Does TAHITIAN NONI Juice Fit into the Legend?

This movie takes place at the turn of the nineteenth century on islands that are mostly untouched by western society. After Tama leaves Malio Island, he finds himself in a civilization that uses noni juice for many purposes, specificaly to revive a person's energy. As Tama serves under a great trader, he learns how to harvset, make and preserve the precious noni juice. The noni fruit is a prized commodity at every location that Tama encounters.

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The Legend of Johnny Lingo Is Proud to Present . . .

Selected Cast
George Henare Johnny Lingo
Joe Folau Tama
Alvin Fitisemanu Chief Steward
Kayte Ferguson Mahana
Tausani Simei-Barton young Tama
Fokikovi Soakimi young Mahana

Select Crew
Producer Gerald R. Molen
Producer John Garbett
Executive Producer Brad Pelo
Executive Producer Tim Coddington
Director Steven Ramirez
Production Manager Susan Parker
Production Coordinator Felicity Letcher
Assistant Production Coordinator Andrew Cochrane
Production Designer Rob Gillies
Art Director Roger Guise
Director of Photography Allen Guilford
Camera Operator Paul Samuels
Casting Director Christina Asher
Acting Coach Stephanie Wilkin
Construction Manager Fraser Harvey
Carpenter Andrew Lloyd
Script Supervisor Britta Johnstone
Costume Designer Judith Crozier
Weaving Supervisor Alice Baker
Printer / Dyer Supervisor Paula Collier
Make-up Supervisor Debra East
Hair Stylist / Makeup Claire Rutledge
Assembly Editor Margot Francis
Props Buyer Grant Vesey
Sound Operator Hammond Peak
Boom Swinger Corrin Ellingford
Stunt Supervisor Peter Bell
Safety Officer Damien Molloy

And Much, Much More!




[Page 11]

The filming of this movie (not counting pre- and postproduction) combined the efforts of 117 crew, 38 cast, and almost 100 extras. Times these numbers by 12 hours a day for 30 days -- that is almost 91,800 hours!

Attend an Exclusive Showing of
The Legend of Johnny Lingo
at
International Leadership Conference
January 23-26
Salt Lake City

Witness
The Legend of Johnny Lingo
and
TAHITIAN NONI Juice
Come Alive!


Additional Notes about "Legend of Johnny Lingo Cast and Crew"

By: LDSFilm.com
Date: 29 January 2003

The cast and crew is largely made up of New Zealanders.

George Henare, who stars in the title role as "Johnny Lingo," is a native of New Zealand and has appeared in numerous New Zealand films and TV series.

Although the actor credited with the role of "Tama" is listed in the original document as "Joe Folaun," this is actually Joe Folau, the actor who played John Groberg's Tongan companion Feki in "The Other Side of Heaven."

Alvin Fitisemanu, who plays the Chief Steward in "Johnny Lingo," also had a major supporting role, as "Tomasi," in "The Other Side of Heaven."

New Zealand actors featured in "Johnny Lingo" but not listed above include Rawiri Paratene, Peter Sa'ena-Brown and Sela Apera.

Gerald R. Molen (Jerry Molen) and John Garbett are the producers of both "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" and "The Other Side of Heaven."

Steven Ramirez, the director of "Johnny Lingo," was the film editor for "The Other Side of Heaven."

Tim Coddington, executive producer of "Johnny Lingo," was the co-producer and unit production manager for "The Other Side of Heaven."

Christina Asher is the casting director for both "Johnny Lingo" and "The Other Side of Heaven."

"Johnny Lingo" Director of Photography Allen Guilford has worked previously as the second unit director of photography for Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001), a movie Jackson said was inspired by his viewing of Latter-day Saint screenwriter Chris Conkling's animated version. Guilford was also an additional cinematographer for Jackson's first hit movie, "Heavenly Creatures" (1994), which chronicles the childhood misadventures of Juliet Hulme before she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brad Pelo, executive producer is presumably an investor in the film. In addition, although he is not listed in IMDb.com, he has apparently had some involvement in film development, so he is probably a "hands-on" executive producer. He is the founder and CEO of NextPage, a company based in Lehi, Utah with 160 employees that develops software for peer-to-peer networking of file servers. Pelo was previously the CEO of Bookcraft, a major book publisher in the Latter-day Saint market. Pelo left Bookcraft when the company was purchased by its competitor Desert Book a few years ago. Pelo was also one of the founders of Provo-based Folio Corp., makers of electronic publishing tools.

As far as we know, none of the people in the cast and crew listed above are Latter-day Saints except for the director, Steven Ramirez, and producers Molen, Garbett and Pelo.



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