WilliamShatner.com :: HONORING A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENTS

HONORING A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Posted by: LeopardHead on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 08:05 PM

	The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival presented William Shatner with a Lifetime Achievement Award during a beautiful black tie gala last Saturday evening. Bill's wife Elizabeth, and daughters Leslie and Lisabeth and their families were all present for the ceremony.
<p align="right"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">September 27, 2002</font> <p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival presented William Shatner with a Lifetime Achievement Award during a beautiful black tie gala last Saturday evening. Bill's wife Elizabeth, and daughters Leslie and Lisabeth and their families were all present for the ceremony. </font> <p align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">. </font> <p align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFcc33">Above, Elizabeth and Bill at the awards gala.</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The event took place at Vail Lake Resort outside the lovely city of Temecula, California, well known for hot air ballooning, award-winning wineries, and of course this annual festival which celebrates independent filmmaking and music. </font> <p align="center"> <p align="center"> <font color="ffcc33" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The stage was bracketed by two giant oak trees. The event was held outside on a warm, moonlit night.</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Throughout the evening, a number of talented performers were honored, and local entertainers were showcased. Awards were presented to: </font> <div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">William Shatner: Lifetime Achievement Award, Actor</font></div> <div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Patty Duke: Lifetime Achievement Award, Actress</font></div> <div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Sam Grogg: Career Achievement Award, Educator & Filmmaker</font></div> <div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Julie Corman: Career Achievement Award, Producer</font></div> <div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Billy Preston: Lifetime Achievement Award, Music</font></div> <div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Monty Seward: Award for Excellence, Film and Music</font></div> <p align="center"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFcc33">Honorees Sam Grogg, Julie Corman, William Shatner, Billy Preston, Sean Astin (accepting for his mother Patty Duke) and Monty Seward.</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In unique fashion, honorees were introduced by family members or close friends rather than the hosts. This gave the presentations a warmth and intimacy which is generally lacking in these type of events. Unfortunately, Patty Duke was unable to attend as she was hospitalized with a recent injury, but doing well, according to her son Sean Astin who accepted the award on her behalf and shared several stories about his mom. Everyone especially enjoyed his rendition of the theme from The Patty Duke Show. He is a born entertainer!</font> <p align="left"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">When it came time to honor Bill and his accomplishments, hosts Dan and Beverly Stevenson borrowed a theme from Bill's recent film, Miss Congeniality. One by one, beautiful young ladies dressed as pageant contestants were called onstage to represent a portion of Bill's distinguished career. They included Miss Star Trek, Miss T.J. Hooker, Miss Rescue 911, Miss TekWar, Miss Priceline.com...well, you get the idea. </font> <p align="left"><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">That segued to a 5-10 minute video biography covering Bill's life narrated by Peter Graves. It was interesting how they referred to him as "Billy" until he graduated from high school, then it changed to "Bill" or "William."</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Next, Bill's daughter Lisabeth came on stage to say a few words about her father. Near the end, she said that throughout her life she's been asked what it's like to be William Shatner's daughter, and she's always said, "He is just like any other dad." Then she added, "but as I have gotten older, I realize just how special he really is."</font> <p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Lisabeth introduced Bill's wife Elizabeth who mentioned that she wasn't comfortable speaking in front of a large group of people, but she was doing it...for Bill. She echoed Lisabeth's sentiment about Bill having the energy of four people by outlining their activities over the previous five days. They flew to New York on Tuesday for a whirlwind public relations tour for Bill's new book, I'm Working On That and his many other projects. Over the next two and a half days, Bill interviewed with numerous TV, radio and print journalists, had business meetings, and drove to Connecticut for a "Meet and Greet" with Priceline.com. And if that weren't enough, he and Elizabeth managed to get in two Broadway plays! On Friday morning, after an early-morning interview at Fox, they flew back to Los Angeles in time to buy a formal shirt, get a carryout lunch, visit with their dogs, repack and drive 100 miles south to Temecula. They arrived late, but still caught a movie! Saturday had them up at 5am to go hot air ballooning, have breakfast with their family, and visit a spa before they came to the awards dinner.</font> <p align="center"> <p align="center"><font color="#FFcc33" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Bill accepting his award, while Elizabeth and Lisabeth look on.</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Elizabeth went on to talk about Bill's charity work and how important family is to him. She said, "He is an inspiration to those who know him, a caring friend, father and husband who has steadfastly encourged those he loves to meet their full potential and work past their fears. He meets each day with boyish awe and wonderment. He is empathetic, courageous and has the ability to listen and understand people. And most of all, [he] has undying love and commitment to his family. The latter qualities are the reason I fell in love with my husband."</font> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#FFFFFF"> When it was Bill's turn to take the spotlight, he joined Elizabeth and Lisabeth on stage and graciously thanked everyone for the award. While he was visibly appreciative, he also seemed somewhat embarrassed by all of the attention when he said, "</font><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I accept this Lifetime Achievement Award if you allow me to continue the second half of my life (applause)...and come back and get another Lifetime Achievement Award on the second half." </font> <p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Bill went on to describe the challenges inherent in making a film and editing it. "...slowly this piece of marble that needed chipping away begins to...the face begins to emerge. Then you have your film, different from what you started with, but a film nonetheless. And then you go through the agony of selling it and finding distribution. And then one day you are sitting in the theatre and the light from the screen is reflected on the people's faces, and you can see the people looking up at the screen in awe and wonder in what you've done. And all the pain becomes worthwhile. That's the joy of independent filmmaking...and it's something that I'm interested in." </font><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#FFFFFF">His parting thoughts were directed toward independent filmmakers as he said, "I heartily commend independent filmmakers to continue your work, continue your expertise, continue learning, continue striving and continue your joy."</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It was a memorable evening and a fitting tribute to Bill and his many accomplishments. We all share in congratulating him on this prestigious award and look forward to "the second half." </font> <p align="left">  <p align="right"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">Contributed by Jane Singer and Sandy Moruzzi</font> <p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">P.S. I</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#FFFFFF">f you missed one of our past web columns, you can view them in the SFI Archive. Our next column will appear on October 15, 2002. </font> <hr /> <p align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="" size="2"><font color="#FFFFFF">Shatner & Friends International is William Shatner's official fan club. We are a community of friends drawn together by an appreciation of William Shatner, the actor and the man. </font></font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">O</font><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">ur first newsletter, The Best of Times, is posted online. Each issue features the latest news about Bill and his activities, exclusive interviews, articles, lots of candid photos, charity updates and much more. The next one will be published in late September.</font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> We will post time sensitive information concerning Bill's appearance schedule within Bill's online calendar. It's updated regularly, so keep checking back. </font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><font size="-1">If you're interested in joining the Club, annual membership includes a beautiful autographed 8x10 photograph of William Shatner as Captain Kirk, a copy of Bill's credits, a short biography, a subscription to The Best of Times and the opportunity to participate in our annual Shatner Weekend. Membership also grants access to the Captain's Club, an exclusive members-only part of WilliamShatner.com which includes a bulletin board and Club merchandise. Click here to join.</font></font> <p align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We are excited to be part of WilliamShatner.com and we will be making regular updates to the website. </font>