Award-Winning Independent Director Craig Ross Jr. to be the First to Release a Film on MySpace.com

Award-Winning Independent Director Craig Ross Jr. to be the First to Release a Film on MySpace.com

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Director Craig Ross Jr. plans to create history by making his thought-provoking "The Mannsfield 12," the first movie to be released on MySpace.com.

Set to turn the technological ties on independent movie distribution forever on September 29, 2008 -- "The Mannsfield 12," which claimed Best Director and Best Screenplay at the 2007 American Black Film Festival -- will be released worldwide. The gripping drama details how 12 elite criminals, housed in the high-risk East Wing of a state penitentiary, are faced with crucial choices that test and show who they really are.

According to Ross, a new avenue for releasing movies is long overdue.

"Independent films that don't have theatrical releases need a new business model. The old business model doesn't benefit the filmmaker at all. It benefits the distributor," Ross said.

Aaron D. Spears, both a star of the movie and a producer appreciates Ross' vision to get the work out to the masses in a groundbreaking way.

"The whole internet aspect of generating revenue has been a huge selling point for me. Now we go beyond regional distribution and open ourselves up to the world," Spears said.

This is the 7th film for Ross, also a prolific director of TV shows such as "Bones," "Cold Case," "House M.D.," Numbers," "Prison Break" and "Strong Medicine."

Many of Ross' fans became entranced with his work through the cult favorite "Blue Hill Ave," a contemporary gangster movie about the introduction of "crack" into the African-American section of Boston. The film stars Allen Payne, Clarence Williams III, William Forsythe and William Johnson. It was released theatrically by Artisan Entertainment in 2003.

"The Mannsfield 12," was produced through Ross' own Asiatic Inc. and Aaron D. Spears' Henna, LLC. In addition to Spears, the movie also stars Tony Todd, Joe Torry, William Johnson and Thom Barry.

"'The Mannsfield 12' is special because it shows the human spirit. A lot of times we forget the power that each of us has to create what we want. I think this movie is a reminder that no matter how bad our situation is we can create something different simply by changing our minds," Ross said.

For interviews, appearances and press information please contact Jocelyn R. Coleman, Favor PR, 323-330-0502 or jcoleman@favorpr.com.

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Source: Asiatic Inc.

CONTACT: Jocelyn R. Coleman of Favor PR, +1-323-330-0502,
jcoleman@favorpr.com, for Asiatic Inc.

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Profile: International Entertainment