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Bethesda, Md., November 10, 2015 – Tomorrow, November 11, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International’s Content Studio will begin production on Two Bellmen Two in partnership with Substance Over Hype, the second comedic, action-packed film following the success of the original Two Bellmen.
Slated for a multiplatform premiere in January 2016, the studio’s fourth original short film will be shot on location at the tallest hotel in the world – JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. The story returns to follow bellmen Gage and Christian, played by Hollywood actors and stuntmen William Spencer (Spider-Man; Spider-Man 2) and Caine Sinclaire (NBC’s Grimm; How I Met Your Mother) respectively, as they race through the streets of Dubai to rescue a confidential presentation for the beautiful businesswoman Sandra, played by award-winning actress Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire, Planet of the Apes, Trishna).
Other cast members include popular Dubai comedian Ali Al Sayed and actor Darin Toonder (June, Adrift; Flashback; Missed Connection). The movie also features a cameo from JW Marriott’s celebrity brand partner and event planner Colin Cowie, whose notorious attention to detail and high quality standards seen within the film reflect JW Marriott’s approach to service and design. The film will showcase Dubai’s vibrant culture as a character in it’s own right, from glittering cityscapes to pristine beaches and more.
Two Bellmen was conceived as a global franchise property and is just one way we are using storytelling to connect with next generation travelers, and it’s working," said David Beebe, Vice President, Global Creative + Content Marketing for Marriott International. “Our short films are creating raving brand fans and driving commerce for our hotels, and I’m excited to expand the franchise even further, particularly in a world filled with so many screens and marketing messages. By becoming producers of content, our brands are on a mission to stop interrupting consumers, and instead use storytelling to reach them where they are already.”
Two Bellmen Two will have a global multiplatform premiere in early 2016 through a limited theatrical release, YouTube, Marriott.com and additional digital-platform rollouts, as well as via in-room and partner channels. Plans to produce Two Bellmen Three are also in the works, to be shot on location at one of JW Marriott’s stunning properties in the Asia-Pacific region.
, the debut film released by Marriott’s Content Studio in March 2015, has received over 5.1 million views to date. Since its premiere, the studio has also unveiled French Kiss, which has been viewed more than 6.1 million times, and is currently in production on its third film in partnership with Renaissance Hotels, entitled Business Unusual.
“With its breathtaking design and constant influx of global travelers, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is an inspired setting for creative content,” says Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President, Luxury Brand Management & Guest Experience at Marriott International. “Two Bellmen Two brings to life the JW Marriott luxury guest experience for viewers, and provides a fun and engaging way for the brand to connect with consumers on an emotional level.”
Two Bellmen Two begins with Sandra, a top executive traveling to JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai to give an important presentation at the Luxury Symposium hosted at the hotel. Upon arrival, Sandra gives her young assistant, Reed, the USB drive featuring her presentation, only for him to lose it moments later. Bellmen Gage and Christian notice that something is wrong and quickly pursue the limo where Reed absentmindedly left the USB behind. Comedically maneuvering through the city of Dubai via horse, ATV, jetski, airboard, skateboard and more, they must escape the clutches of the “Bio Bots,” robots representing the dehumanization of personalized service, in order to return Sandra’s presentation before time runs out.
The “Bio Bots,” played by the world's top dancers and parkour athletes from Substance Over Hype who recently performed on NBC’s Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris, wear futuristic suites designed in collaboration with James Springham of Legacy Studios, whose recent film work includes designs for The Avengers, Jurassic World, and Disney’s upcoming Jungle Book movie, with additional styling and vision added by stylist Candice Brittain. The film is accompanied by a custom soundtrack, featuring music from Fingazz, Malakai, AMP Live and more.
“Two Bellman Two is a fantastic platform, not only to showcase JW Marriott Marquis Dubai ‘s elegant design and world-class service, but also the dynamic and diverse city in which it is located,” said Sandra Schulze, Senior Director, Brand Marketing & eCommerce for Marriott International, Middle East & Africa. “Thanks to our Content Studio and local talent like Ali Al Sayed, we are able to showcase one of the world’s most vibrant destinations through innovative content that will be well received both at home and abroad.”
The film was written by Daniel Malakai Cabrera and overseen by executive producers David Beebe and Sandra Schulze. To watch the original Two Bellmen and for more information, visit www.twobellmen.com or follow the franchise on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 76 JW Marriott hotels in 27 countries; by 2019 the portfolio is expected to encompass more than 100 properties in over 30 countries. Visit us online, on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
About Marriott International’s Content Studio
Launched in September 2014, Marriott’s Content Studio is dedicated to publishing, distributing and sharing digital content across multiple platforms and on all screens. To further the company’s focus on next-generation travelers and to drive new business, the studio aims to own original content marketing and to produce engaging content that builds worldwide communities of people passionate about travel that will drive commerce to the company’s hotels.
About Marriott International Luxury + Lifestyle Brands
Marriott International’s luxury and lifestyle brand portfolio includes The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, EDITION Hotels, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, AC Hotels and Moxy Hotels – totaling 550 properties worldwide. By the end of 2016, we expect that the portfolio will grow to 650 hotels with new locations in Geneva, Switzerland; Paris, France; Los Cabos, Mexico; and Sanya, China. Marriott’s Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio also accounts for approximately 25 percent of Marriott’s system-wide development pipeline, representing over $15 billion of investment by the company’s owners and franchisees. Future plans call for more than 250 additional luxury and lifestyle hotel projects over the next several years.
Note on forward looking statements: The anticipated growth of Marriott International’s luxury and lifestyle brand portfolio and the expected future hotel locations are “forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, not historical facts, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth; and other risk factors identified in Marriott International, Inc.'s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause the actual numbers or locations of new hotels to be different. These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise them or any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Media Contacts:
Jessica Berkin
JW Marriott Global Brand Public Relations
jessica.berkin@marriott.com
Emmie Kunhardt
Baltz & Company
212-982-8300