The following Medit Kit was issued on Monday, April 7th 2003. Please feel free to use this information, or contact Muscle Zone Productions for further information at:
For Media and General Enquiries, send email to:
...with subject "Media"
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert
Web Site: www.musclezoneproductions.com
LAUNCH OF ASIAN MUSCLE VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
Hong Kong, Monday April 7th 2003
Background: Professional Asia Bodybuilders
When it comes to professional bodybuilding, the main titles and competitions have long been focused primarily on competitors from the United States and Europe. However, a new breed of bodybuilder continues to emerge – the Asian bodybuilder. Leaner, harder and more streamlined, the accomplishments of Asian bodybuilders are at last being recognised.
While Asian bodybuilders continue to compete, they no longer appear only on the winner’s podiums of contests in Asia, as there is an increasing number of wins taking place on other circuits. Athletes such as Malaysia’s Wong Ngai Hong and Lebanese-born Joseph Antouri have been leading the way with international wins. Wong has been a winner of the Mr. New York competition while Antouri is the current Mr. USA. Asian competitors are becoming increasingly visible in bodybuilding around the globe. And with the inclusion of bodybuilding as a medal sport at the Asian Games and the Olympics, the world is set to see more and more of these outstanding Asian athletes.
General Overview: Muscle Zone Productions
The world of bodybuilding has long existed only in the sphere of competitions and magazines. Showcase videos do exist of many of the major stars of the sport, but never before has a video been released that tastefully displays the talents of Asia’s finest bodybuilders.
Having recognised a gap in the market, Muscle Zone Productions’ Producer/Director Robert established the company as part of his mission to bring the outstanding physiques of Asia’s finest to a broader audience. “The idea behind the company was to raise the awareness of Asian bodybuilders and introduce them to audiences overseas,” he explains. “I wanted to create a permanent record of the outstanding achievements of these athletes that would appeal to bodybuilding fans and provide another avenue for appreciation of the sport: a new art form if you will.”
In order to achieve this it was decided to produce a series of intimate and inspiring video portraits each featuring one of Asia’s top bodybuilders. Filmed either in a studio or a variety of other venues by an award-winning team of independent filmmakers, each production examines every aspect of the physique and personality of the featured athletes.
Muscle Zone Productions does not intend these videos to be anything other than high quality visual presentations. “The intent is not to produce a training video,” says Robert. “I wanted to produce something that exists purely on a visual basis that demonstrates what these athletes have accomplished and shares these accomplishments with their admirers and fans. The films focus entirely on the athlete with no other distractions.”
In addition to promoting the sport and the reputation of these great Asian bodybuilders around the world, Muscle Zone Productions recognises the need to give back something to the community. A key focus of this business will be to donate between 5-10 percent of sales profits to worthwhile charities such as the World Food Program and AIDS Concern.
Current: Products currently on offer
Muscle Zone Productions creates films that allow Asian bodybuilders to showcase their award-winning physiques in a professional and relaxed environment. The first feature focuses on the amazing physique of Sami Al-Haddad, also known as the Lion of Bahrain.
This 60-minute presentation features a series of eight different settings and moods against which Al-Haddad presents his outstanding physique. Highlighted only by background music, there are no instructional elements to the video and no spoken parts aside from Sami’s own personal introduction.
Filmed just four weeks after he won the silver medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, Korea, and only three days after winning the overall title at the Qatar Open Competition, Sami was a ripped 195 lbs with 19" arms, 27" thighs, and a 48" chest during the filming of the video.
This is Sami’s first professional video and he is very proud of the result. He explains, “I wanted to do something to record my accomplishments and Muscle Zone Productions have created a stylish and quality film that does just that. This is something I am proud of and can keep as permanent evidence of my achievements long after I leave the circuit.”
As part of the celebration of Muscle Zone Production’s inaugural video, four free 8.5" x 5.5" high-quality glossy photos of Sami, taken by a professional photographer during the filming, will be sent with each order.
Future: Products in Development
The next project to be completed by Muscle Zone Productions will focus on the talents of another top Asian bodybuilder named Jerome. Jerome has a very symmetrical, well-defined physique, attractive appearance, and a sensual yet natural posing style. He has been competing on both the Asian and International circuit for many years, and has won several titles along with posing prizes.
Jerome’s video is scheduled to be filmed in April 2003 and should be available for sale the following month.
Future videos are also being planned and will feature bodybuilders from around the region. Discussions are in progress with top bodybuilders from Japan, Thailand, China, Nepal and other Asian countries.
Muscle Zone Productions is open to enquiries from bodybuilders who are interested in creating a permanent and intimate record of their own physique achievements. Prospective models should have an attractive overall appearance and be in peak physical condition at the time of filming. They should also have a relaxed, natural posing style and be at ease following directions. Filming takes place over a period of a few days, working with a small, professional crew. Prospective models should contact Muscle Zone Productions at model@musclezoneproductions.com, providing details of their physique and accomplishments as well as a recent photograph if possible.
Company Personnel: Robert’s Bio
Robert is a seasoned professional with nearly 30 years experience in the corporate environment, over 12 of which has been spent in Asia. Having worked for several major companies, Robert decided to leave the corporate world to pursue a more creative career. Having developed an interest in bodybuilding during his travels and observations throughout the region, Robert was very impressed with some of the amazing physiques in Asia and has been searching for creative ways to present them to interested customers. He came up with the idea of creating this new concept to highlight the achievements of Asian bodybuilders four years ago and has been working towards this goal ever since. The result is Muscle Zone Productions, which is his first independent company.
Model Personnel: Sami’s Bio
Sami Al-Haddad and was born on 24 June 1973 in Muharraq, Bahrain. He first demonstrated an interest in bodybuilding at the age of 18 and was soon competing in the junior competitions around the region. A formidable presence on the Asian/Arabian scene since the early 1990’s, his awe-inspiring symmetry and muscle mass are further complemented by his disarming smile and personality.
Sami says, “I started competing in the early 1990s because I admired the athletes I saw on the circuit and it provided me with a goal. I wanted to prove to myself that the sport would reward me if I trained hard enough. My father said to me ‘If they can do it, you can do it,’ and he was right.”
Sami’s list of achievements covers a wide range of high ranking Asian bodybuilding competitions. His credentials are listed below.
Top competition placings:
Mr. Bahrain 1992-99
Mr. U.A.E. 1996
Mr. Kuwait 1997-98
Mr. Asia 1993-94 (junior) (best poser)
Mr. Asia 1998
Mr. Qatar and Arab Gulf (Overall) 2002
Silver Medal at the Asian Games in Busan, Korea 2002
Other competition placings include:
Mr. Arab 98 (2nd place)
Mr. Middle East 98 (2nd place)
Mr. Asia 1998 (2nd place, 85 kg class)
Production Personnel: Film Crew
Robert intended that all video products would be of high professional quality, and contracted several crew members from the non-profit organization Ying e Chi for the first production.
Ying e Chi was formed by a group of independent filmmakers in 1997 who wanted promote and distribute Hong Kong independent films both locally and internationally. Their work is distributed through theatrical and non-theatrical exhibitions, film festival screenings, television and the Internet. Since its inception, Ying E Chi has held hundreds of screenings at various venues in Hong Kong including art house cinemas, art centres, colleges and universities. The Hong Kong Arts Development Council also provides financial assistance to the organization.
Muscle Zone Productions will continue to produce only the highest quality films using various independent film crews from around the region.
Production Information: How to buy the video
Bodybuilder video products by Muscle Zone Productions are available by logging on to the company website at www.musclezoneproductions.com. The cost for each video is US$39 with an additional US$6 for shipping anywhere in the world. All video products will be available in DVD, NTSC video tape and PAL video tape formats.
Internet orders can be placed directly using a credit card or an order form can be printed and sent with a bank draft or money order. Cash payments are also accepted and should be sent by registered post. The mailing address is:
Muscle Zone Productions
Post Office Box 4522
General Post Office
Central, Hong Kong
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