News
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May 31, 2009
Interview with Soaps.com
Soaps.com recently caught up with busy The Young and the Restless actress, Emily O'Brien (Jana Fisher), to check in about her reaction to her Daytime Emmy nomination, and to ask about Jana's storyline on the show. Here's what Emily had to say:
Soaps.com: What was your reaction to your Daytime Emmy nomination? How did you when you found out?
Emily: At first, I hadn't heard anything and had only heard that Jeanne (Cooper, Katherine) and Christian (LeBlanc, Michael) had been nominated so I didn't need to worry about being nervous or anxious and continued with my day. I was at work when an hour later I got the call in my dressing room that I had made the nomination so it was a nice surprise to find out after thinking I hadn't!Source: Soaps.com
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May 13, 2009
2009 Daytime Emmy Award Nominations
The 2009 Daytime Emmy nominations were announced on May 14th on The Today Show. Emily O'Brien was nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress.
The show will be held live on August 30th, on the CW network.
For a complete list of nominees, visit emmyonline.org.Source: emmyonline.org
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April 15, 2009
Emily O'Brien to Attend Pet Rocks Scavenger Hunt in Beverly Hills Saturday April 18th
On Saturday, April 18th at noon, I-Star Entertainment will stage a Pet Rocks Scavenger Hunt in Roxbury Park, Beverly Hills. Youngsters age eight and over and their parents are encouraged to register for the hunt shortly after 11:30 am. A number of celebrities will be in attendance, including Emily O'Brien, Heather Tom (co-star of "Ugly Betty"), Oscar winner Shirley Jones and comedian Marty Ingels, Kristy Flores, co-star of the upcoming "Fame" movie, and Chelsea Gilligan, Miss California Teen USA.
Source: PR Newswire
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March 29, 2009
Emily O'Brien Appeared in Jim Inman's new play, "Appearances to the Contrary"
When egos, ambition, and sexuality collide...how will the evening end?
Emily O'Brien, Judith Champan, Christian Le Blanc, and David Lago gave two benefit performances of Jim Inman's new play, "Appearances to the Contrary," on March 21st and 22nd at the Rogue Machine Theatre in Los Angeles. The performances benefitted Rogue Machine Theatre, what Vogue calls "...one of the most ambitious and accomplished new theatre companies in LA."
Click here for more details.
Source: JudithChapman.com
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January 27, 2009
Image Metrics Wows with "Real-Time Emily" Demo
Image Metrics recently unveiled a hyper-realistic demonstration of facial animation rendered in real time at the 2009 Computer Electronics Show in Las Vegas."Real-Time Emily," featuring actress Emily O'Brien, is the next step in showing that photo-realistic details can be achieved when animation is rendered in real time.
Emily O'Brien was brought into Image Metrics' studio for a session where she was filmed with one camera and no special markers or make-up. Then the video was analyzed using Image Metrics' proprietary software, and the resulting data was applied to the facial model of Emily.
This new demonstration shows that Image Metrics has come very close to creating a real-time Emily that rivals her film counterpart.
Click here to read the full article and see the taped presentation.
Posted January 27, 2009
Source: Image Metrics/ CES
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December 18, 2008
Image Metrics Secures More Funding for Emily Project
Image Metrics, the animation company Emily teamed up with to create the Emily Project, has secured an additional $6.5 million in funding, which brings the grand total of funding to about 10.7 million. The extra money will be used to advance research and development on the company’s jaw-dropping facial animation solutions, which are sure to play an important role in the film and gaming industries.
Image Metrics is currently working on re-creating Emily digitally by converting the measurements of her face into animation, something that has never been done before.
The company provides its technology for companies like Digital Domain, Sony Computer Entertainment, and Rockstar Games, which partnered with Image Metrics to make Grand Theft Auto IV look more realistic than previous versions.
Posted December 18, 2008
Source: TechCrunch
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September 19, 2008
34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
"The Young and the Restless" tied with "Guiding Light" for Outstanding Drama series, Christian LeBlanc won for Outstanding Lead Actor, and Bryton McClure won for Outstanding Young Actor. The Awards were held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.
Source: Wire Image - Emily O'Brien
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September 19, 2008
"Never Back Down" Los Angeles Premiere
The martial-arts movie starring Sean Faris and Djimon Hounsou, premiered at the Cineramadome in Hollywood.
Source: Wire Image - Emily O'Brien
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September 19, 2008
SOAPnet's "Night Before Party" for 2007 Daytime Emmy Award Nominees
SoapNet's eco-themed "Night Before Party" for the 2007 Daytime Emmy Awards was held at Boulevard3 in Los Angeles. The invitations were on recycled paper with non toxic ink, and gift bags contained earth-friendly items such as hemp tote gift bags, SoyJoy Bars, and eco-conscious Hempz hair and beauty products.
Source: Wire Image - Emily O'Brien
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September 19, 2008
Official DVD release party for the movie "Loaded"
Emily poses with "Young and the Restless" pal Christel Khalil (Lily) at the Stone Rose in Los Angeles. The film stars Jesse Metcalfe ("Desperate Housewives") and Chace Crawford ("Gossip Girl").
Source: Wire Image - Emily O'Brien
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September 19, 2008
Anything Goes in Soap Land!
In an interview with Soaps.com, Emily talked about her role as Jana Hawkes on the popular CBS daytime show “The Young and the Restless.” The good girl turned bad was involved in one of the “biggest jaw dropping” events Genoa City has ever seen. From staging her own murder to framing Kevin (the love of her life) for murder, Jana is definitely one of soap’s most intriguing characters, and that is why Emily loves playing the role.
Emily then took the time to answer questions sent in by fans to Soaps.com. One of the fans asked about Jana’s fate on Y &R—would she actually come back? At this time, no one knew what was going to happen to her character, but Emily said, “in soap land almost anybody can be brought back somehow, but for now I think things are just as they should be for Jana.” As it turns out, Jana did come back! Y & R fans know that Jana and Kevin are together again—at least for now.
Another fan asked Emily about her start in acting. Born in England, Emily always had a creative side. “I was writing plays, writing music, always eager to perform... my teachers quickly noticed this, and as time went by I noticed that I was always being cast as the leads in the school plays…I was fortunate to have teachers who believed in me. It grew from there...,” Emily said. Her creative side has blossomed in the way she’s been able to seamlessly transition Jana’s different characteristics.
Emily admitted that daytime television wasn’t always part of her plan, but she fondly states, “I came to love the show and the cast and crew. I am actually working towards film and prime time, but will jump back into theater occasionally.” Soap fans, enjoy watching Jana on Y & R… there just might be another jaw dropper waiting to happen!Source: Soaps.com
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September 19, 2008
2007 "Evening with the Stars" benefit
All proceeds from this Hollywood themed fundraiser went to the Cure Autism Now Foundation and the Autism Speaks organization. With the glamorous backdrop of the 79th Annual Academy Awards broadcast, this event was the place to be on Oscar night in Chicago.
Source: Evening with the Stars
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September 19, 2008
Emily's Daytime Emmy Nomination Makes International National News
The International Iran Times profiled Emily and her nomination for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series on "The Young and the Restless." The Iran Times is a non-religious, non-political newspaper with over 100,000 subscribers internationally.
Emily's mother is Iranian, and her father is British. She was born in Bedfordshire, England but moved to Carlsbad, California when she was nine. She acted in plays at Carlsbad High School, where she completed a theater major. She speaks fluent Farsi as well as English, French and Spanish, and although she worked hard to get rid of her British accent, it helped her land her Emmy nominated role as Jana Hawkes.Source: Iran Times
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September 19, 2008
Emily talks to Buddy TV about her Daytime Emmy Nomination
"The Young and the Restless" topped the nominations for Daytime Emmys, including one for Emily O'Brien as Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series. In this interview with BuddyTV.com, Emily describes how it feels to be nominated.
“It's still sinking in a little bit,” said Emily. “This is the first time for me that something like this has happened, so I feel honored and it's great to be a part of such a great cast and know that so many of us have been nominated. It's just feels great. It's amazing. I feel euphoric today.”
Emily submitted two scenes for Emmy consideration. The first was her “grand exit scene,” in which she threatened Colleen (Tammin Sursok) and Kevin (Greg Rikaart) with a taser, and the second was a hospital scene that showed a more vulnerable side.
"The Young and the Restless" earned 17 total nominations, including one for Outstanding Drama Series.Source: Buddy TV
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September 19, 2008
Emily's Daytime Emmy Nomination
Emily talks to Soaps.com about her nomination for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series, and her favorite storyline as Jana Hawkes on "The Young and the Restless."
Emily was asleep when the Daytime Emmy Award nominations were announced on "The View," but when the ringing phone woke her up at 8:25am, she knew she’d been nominated. She called her mother, and spent the rest of the day trying not to feel overwhelmed. She’s in good company, since co-star Greg Rikaart (Kevin) also received a nomination, and Vail Bloom (Heather) and Tammin Sursok (Colleen) were nominated in the same category as Emily, making "Y&R" a “triple threat” in the Outstanding Younger Actress category.
In addition to the acting nominations, "The Young and the Restless" was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. “It is such an honor to be a part of this cast and to be on such a well constructed show,” Emily says, adding that she feels the “Out of the Ashes” scenes were particularly Emmy-worthy.
A lot has happened to her character, but Emily enjoyed the challenge of her brain tumor storyline the most. “I did a lot of research so that my performance would be as genuine as possible,“ she says. “I learned so much from watching videos and speaking to nurses and reading numerous articles on tumors…I had to choose what type of tumor Jana had and what kind of performance I would deliver. That was a great experience for me as an actress.”
The 35th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards will air on Friday, June 20th on ABC.Source: Soaps.com
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September 19, 2008
Jana Hawkes is the Perfect Girl
Soaps.com loves the character of Jana Hawkes on "The Young and the Restless," and Emily is only too happy to talk about portraying the edgy and adventurous bad girl.
Emily didn’t know that her character was a killer until shortly before Jana revealed it to Kevin and Colleen (Greg Rikaart and Tammin Sursok) on the show. But she was happy for Jana to finally break out of her façade and show everybody who she really is. "Playing the villain is always fun, but this was particularly different because she had to show her genuine love for Kevin through it all."
It’s this dichotomy that makes the character so interesting. Emily relishes playing "bad," since that's the opposite of who she really is, and because it provides such meaty material. "I view [her] as the perfect girl," she says. "She could sweep you off your feet with her charm, [or] teach you to climb a water tower, and yet she is capable of bringing forth a sweet smile or a devilish laugh. You never know with her!"
With the purple streaks in her hair and skull and cross bone accessories, Jana isn’t a "typical soap star beauty," and Emily likes it that way. "I can see how her fun and edgy personality can capture the hearts of the audience."
And "The Young and the Restless" cast and crew has captured hers. She loves her time on set because "everybody is like family and so supportive of each other, which makes the experience so much better." Her future plans include more television and film work, plus a small role in "Coma," a podcast starring Michael Madsen. Sounds edgy and adventurous.Source: Soaps.com
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September 19, 2008
MiraCosta College Honors Distinguished Alumni
MiraCosta College recently unveiled its new Theatre Hall of Fame, and Emily is one of the four inductees. She attended the campus ceremony and spoke about her experience at MiraCosta. She advised students to play to their strengths, and described how useful she found "script-scoring," a skill she acquired in theater professor Eric Bishop's acting class.
The Hall of Fame's other inductees are Wendell Wright (class of 1969), Kathi Nishimoto (Class of 1976), and Joshua Everett Johnson (Class of 2003).
Framed photos of distinguished alumni of MiraCosta's theater department have been hung in the hallway of the MiraCosta College Theatre to serve as inspiration for current students.Source: North County Times
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September 19, 2008
Joyce Becker's Soap Opera Festival
Emily participated in Joyce Becker’s Soap Opera Festival at King’s Island in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 28. She was in good company with fellow “Young and the Restless” stars Christian LeBlanc, Greg Rikaart, and Daniel Goddard.They spent time answering questions and signing autographs for fans.
Source: VisitKingsIsland.com
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September 19, 2008
Academy Of TV Arts & Sciences - Daytime Emmy Nominee Reception
Emily enjoys herself at the Daytime Emmy Nominee Reception at Savannah in Burbank. View the gallery for pictures of Emily with fellow nominees Rachel Melvin, Christian LeBlanc, Bryan Dattilo, Darin Brooks, Judi Evans and Thaao Penghlis, as well as “Young and the Restless” co-stars Tracey Bregman, Raya Meddine and friend Dan Tino.
Source: Wire Image - Emily O'Brien
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September 19, 2008
2008 Daytime Emmy Awards
Emily arrives at Hollywood’s Kodak Theater wearing a mint green Roberto Cavalli gown, with diamond and pearl necklace from 1700 Ocean Jewelers. She was nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series.
Source: Wire Image - Emily O'Brien
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September 19, 2008
10th Annual Afternoon Tea
Emily joined Y& R’s Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Michael Graziadei (Daniel), and Chris Engen (Victor Newman Jr.) at the “Young and the Restless 10th Annual Afternoon Tea” in Vancouver on July 12. Kate Linder (Esther) hosted the event, which benefits the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. High Tea was followed by a question and answer session, raffle, live auction, exclusive “Young and the Restless” merchandise, and an autograph session.
See pictures of Emily with her sister in Vancouver.
Source: Vancouver Sun
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September 19, 2008
Image Metrics unveils “Emily” at Siggraph Trade Show
The Wall Street Journal's "Market Watch" reports that Image Metrics, the leading provider of facial animation solutions to the entertainment industry, will debut their Computer Generated "Emily" model at the Siggraph 2008 trade show in Los Angeles. Image Metrics partnered with Paul Debevec of the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies to create a completely photo-realistic computer-generated (CG) animated face.
Source: Market Watch / Image-Metrics
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September 19, 2008
Image Metrics’ "Emily" Ushers in a New Era for Animation
Image Metrics' "Emily" will set a new precedent for photo-realistic characters in video games and films. The company is hoping their approach will finally allow animations to look more like humans and less like "corpses."
A long standing barrier known as "uncanny valley" refers to the perception that animation looks less realistic as it approaches human likeness. Image Metrics' new modeling technology hopes to change that, by enabling minute details of a facial expression to be captured and created.
Source: Times Online / Technology
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September 19, 2008
Image Metrics' "Project Emily" debuts at SIGGRAPH 2008
Emily loved attending the SIGGRAPH 2008 international conference to promote Image Metrics' "Project Emily." Click here to find out more about Emily's participation as the new face of animation.
Source: Project Emily
