Posts made in May 2020

First New Film Release During COVID-19

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AMERICA’S MOVIE THEATERS HAVE THEIR FIRST NEW FILM, UNHINGED

OPENING JULY 1ST

Thriller starring Russell Crowe to open safely in accordance with state public health department safety guidelines

America’s movie theaters will show their first new film on July 1st, Unhinged, a thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe.

Watch the Trailer HERE

The move comes in response to a new poll that shows more than 80% of Americans want to go out to the movies in July. The U.S. release of “Unhinged” will follow or coincide with theater openings in nations around the globe, including Australia, China, The Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan—with a number of additional countries likely to announce openings in late June or July.

Theater plans to open safely across the United States will comply with all state public health department guidelines and are expected to include such measures as socially distant seating (capacities of 25-50%), staggered showtimes to reduce crowding, and more time between each show to allow for increased cleaning. “We made this decision after extensive consultation with the National Association of Theater Owners and leading theater chains,” said Mark Gill, President and CEO of Solstice Studios, which produced and will release the film in the U.S. “Those conversations have convinced us there is a way to meet pent up demand for the theatrical experience safely.”

Unhinged is a psychological thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe from Carl Ellsworth, the writer of Red Eye and Disturbia and Lisa Ellzey, the producer of Warrior and Kingdom of Heaven. It takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy. “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows. The film is directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer) and also stars Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson and Austin P. McKenzie.

About Solstice Studios

Solstice Studios is an independent movie company founded in October 2018 in partnership with Ingenious Media. The studio develops, fully finances, produces, sells internationally and distributes feature films in the U.S. on a wide-release basis —generally in the $20-80M budget range.

Solstice is led by President & CEO Mark Gill (former president of Warner Independent Pictures, Miramax Films and Millennium Films who has worked on such films as the Hitman’s Bodyguard and the Olympus Has Fallen series, March of the Penguins, Frida, Pulp Fiction and three Academy Award best picture winners, Shakespeare in Love, Chicago and The English Patient.

The company’s senior team includes Production Head Lisa Ellzey (formerly at Fox, Lionsgate and Scott Free); Co-Head of Production Guy Botham (of Vitality VFX whose recent credits include San Andreas); Marketing/Strategy Head Vincent Bruzzese (formerly at STX, OTX and Marketcast, whose recent credits include Bad Moms and Halloween); Acquisitions & International Head Crystal Bourbeau (formerly of Lionsgate, who sold La La Land and the Hunger Games, Saw, Now You See Me and John Wick series); Physical Production Head Dana Belcastro (formerly of Fox, Alcon and New Line); Business & Legal Affairs Head Karen Barna (formerly of Summit Entertainment and Bold Films); Chief Financial Officer Shaun Williams (formerly of Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Studio 8 and GK Films/FilmDistrict) and Head of US Distribution Shari Hardison (formerly of STX and Overture Films).

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G-SHOCK – Full Metal Timepiece

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G-SHOCK UNVEILS FULL METAL GMWB5000 WITH PREMIUM LASER-CUT GRID DESIGN

Latest Model Boasts a Futuristic and Innovative “Grid Tunnel” Pattern on All-Black Stainless-Steel Case

Casio G-SHOCK announces a new limited-edition timepiece to its Full Metal Series, the GMWB5000CS-1. The new timepiece is constructed with a stainless-steel case and band that features a brand-new, laser-carved grid design.

While inheriting the shape of the first G-SHOCK, the new timepiece boasts an evolved exterior with full metal construction and a Grid Tunnel pattern that connects the past with the future. After a black IP finish is applied to the metal, a grid pattern is engraved by laser, adding a modern touch to the classic design. The new GMWB5000CS-1 features a diamond-like carbon (DLC) finishing process and laser etching on the screw-lock back case and upholds its metal, shock-resistant exterior with a fine resin cushioning material that is inserted between the stainless-steel case and bezel, and then enclosed in a protective shell. The band connection sections also employ a three-pronged structure to distribute the impact from shocks, further enhancing the model’s state-of-the-art strength and design.

The new timepiece comes equipped with several of G-SHOCK’s most premium technical features, including Bluetooth Connectivity via the G-SHOCK Connected app, Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping for self-adjusting and accurate hour/date display virtually anywhere on the globe, and a specially developed button structure that guards the button shafts from the inside against lateral shocks. It also features Tough Solar Technology, rendering it capable of self-charging even with low sun exposure.

As part of the release, G-SHOCK has unveiled an exclusive landing page taking consumers through the features, which can be viewed HERE.

About G-SHOCK

CASIO’s shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe’s dream of ‘creating a watch that never breaks’. Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as ‘the toughest watch of all time’. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low-temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance, and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. Since its launch, G-SHOCK has continued to evolve, continuing to support on Mr. Ibe’s mantra “never, never give up.”

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers, and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com.

Tony Fitzpatrick – Inaugural Exhibition for CCMA

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TONY FITZPATRICK ANNOUNCED AS INAUGURAL EXHIBITION FOR OFFICIAL OPENING OF CLEVE CARNEY MUSEUM OF ART

Jesus of Western Avenue, A Solo Show by Chicago Artist Tony Fitzpatrick to Open October 3 in Newly Expanded and Renovated Space

The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center (MAC), located at 425 Fawell Blvd. on the College of DuPage campus, today announced that the museum’s inaugural exhibition, Jesus of Western Avenue, will feature more than 30 recent works by world-renowned multimedia artist and celebrated Chicago resident Tony Fitzpatrick. With work in the permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami, Fitzpatrick has also created album art for music icons including Lou Reed, Steve Earle, and The Neville Brothers. Fitzpatrick is best known for his multimedia collages, printmaking, paintings, and drawings. The exhibition will run from Saturday, Oct. 3 to Sunday, Dec. 6 and will be free and open to the public.

Coinciding with the release of Fitzpatrick’s book, Jesus of Western Avenue, the exhibition will feature prints, drawings, and collages. These graphically rich and inventive works deliver messages and stories that reflect on the artist’s connection to Chicago, his social and political concerns and our shared changing reality. “While Tony’s artwork is deeply influenced by the Chicagoland area it is recognized around the world,” said Cleve Carney Museum of Art Curator Justin Witte. “Tony is one of the most well-known artists working in Chicago today and we are thrilled to be able to open our new space with an exhibition of his work.”

“We couldn’t think of a better artist than Tony to celebrate the opening of the new museum in an arts center,” said McAninch Arts Center Director Diana Martinez. “He is an actor, a writer, an alum of the College of DuPage, a world-renowned artist and was a close friend of the late Cleve Carney who is CCMA’s namesake, there is no one more fitting. We are honored to welcome him home for our inaugural exhibition.”

“It’s fitting that I have my final museum exhibition not far from where my work started. It’s fitting that it happens in a museum named for my dear friend and supporter Cleve Carney; he was a grand guy; whom I met while caddying for his father Marv Carney,” said artist Tony Fitzpatrick. “I chose to make art, not for a living, but for a life. Cleve chose to create opportunity and possibility for artists – myself being one of them. So much of my creative life began at the College of DuPage. I did my first acting here. I started to seriously write poetry here. I made artmaking my life here. This place has grown amazingly since I left. Mostly because of the great Hal MacAninch, another grand presence who led by example, and with great integrity. My fondest hope for my final museum show is that it honors these men. My city. And all who have passed through these doors.”

CCMA and MAC plan to implement timed entry and design social distancing measures into the layout of the museum in accordance with CDC regulations. Visitors will also be required to reserve tickets online in advance, in order for them to view the exhibition in the safest way possible.

About the Cleve Carney Museum of Art

The late Cleve Carney provided a significant legacy gift to establish the Cleve Carney Art Gallery at the College of DuPage. The gallery opened in February 2014 with its inaugural exhibition Selections from Cleve Carney’s Art Collection. The gallery will be expanding to a 2,500 square-foot museum, the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, scheduled to open this fall. The museum will maintain the standards set by the American Alliance of Museums. More information can be found at TheCCMA.org or by calling 630.942.3206.

About the MAC

The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (the 780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; the 236-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and the versatile black box Studio Theatre), the outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, plus the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance, and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.

About Tony Fitzpatrick

Tony Fitzpatrick is a Chicago-based artist best known for his multimedia collages, printmaking, paintings, and drawings. Fitzpatrick’s work are inspired by Chicago street culture, cities he has traveled to, children’s books, tattoo designs, and folk art. Fitzpatrick has authored or illustrated eight books of art and poetry, and, for the last two years has written a column for the Newcity. Fitzpatrick’s art appears in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and the National Museum of American Art in Washington, DC. The Neville Brothers’ album Yellow Moon and the Steve Earle albums El Corazon and The Revolution Starts Now also feature Fitzpatrick’s art. In 2015, Fitzpatrick opened The Dime, an exhibition space in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Before making a living as an artist, Fitzpatrick worked as a radio host, bartender, boxer, construction worker, and film and stage actor.

Featured Image: Tony Fitzpatrick, Jerusalem, 2002, color etching, COD permanent art collection, Gift of Cleve Carney

John Legend – BIGGER LOVE

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EGOT winner John Legend has announced his new album BIGGER LOVE will release June 19 via Columbia Records. The highly-anticipated album is available for pre-order now HERE.

Today, Legend has also unveiled the official video for the album’s uplifting and upbeat pop-soul title track “Bigger Love,” which premiered on The Voice last night. Watch the Mishka Kornai-directed music video HERE.

“This video was made to celebrate our shared love, hope and resilience,” says Legend. “We’re all using technology to stay in touch and finding creative ways to cope and we wanted the video to be a big musical hug for people around the world who are finding ways to stay connected to family, help their neighbors, and make time for a needed dance break despite the crazy circumstances we find ourselves in.”

ELLE Canada × Sandra Oh

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KO Média is proud to announce that the June issue of ELLE Canada stars brilliant Canadian actor Sandra Oh.

This outspoken and driven creator opens up to ELLE Canada Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Craft about her goals and what’s in store for the much-anticipated third season of her critically-acclaimed series Killing Eve. “I’m in a place in my career now where I am specifically interested in roles that explore a character’s race,” she explains during an intimate breakfast before the cover shoot, which was photographed by famed artist Greg Swales on location in Santa Monica, CA, before COVID-19 restrictions were imposed. “Sandra is an uplifting voice that it feels good to hear from right now: she’s honest, brave, hilarious, creative and dedicated to pushing conversations about race forward,” says Craft.
As powerful executive producer Shonda Rhimes says in this exclusive feature: “You cannot have a superficial conversation with Sandra.”

The timely issue is packed with relevant features for these unprecedented times, as ELLE Canada editors consider what to wear in order to bring joy to your life, round up the best loungewear, spotlight Canadian brands that are pitching in to help the fight against COVID-19, break down how to care for your hair at home, and score tips from the renowned professional home organizers of The Home Edit.

The June 2020 issue also highlights the Indigenous artists who are creating boundary-pushing pieces that are inspiring strength and healing in women, takes a deeper look at the three hero skincare ingredients you need to be using, and offers a frank look at the first stages of an open relationship.

The June issue of ELLE Canada will hit stands on Monday, May 18^th.

LA LOCKDOWN EXTENDED

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Home to the largest university system in the USA (with over 500,000), California has decided to extend their lockdown until July (or in some areas maybe August). Thus, major universities are beginning to cancel their Fall sessions.

According to Reuters, Barbara Ferrer, LA County Health Director, explicitly stated that many of the area’s shelter in place rules will apply for much of the summer.

Nicholas Johnson × Princeton

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After 274 years, Princeton names Nicholas Johnson as their first Black Valedictorian. Before the Canadian heads off to MIT for grad school, both Michelle Obama and Oprah congratulate him via social media for his recent accomplishments.

(Photo by Lisa Festa)

JAPAN HOUSE – Virtual Programming

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JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles Launches Virtual Programming Featuring Their Most Popular Series on Manga Art, Food, Film & Flower Arranging

Immersive Japanese Cultural Workshops Allow Fans to Experience Japan From the Comforts of Home

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, the premier Japanese cultural destination in the heart of Hollywood is launching a virtual program featuring their most popular education and entertainment workshops, including expanded content, to enjoy at home during its temporary closure.

All events and content can be found on the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles’ events or articles pages.

“JAPAN HOUSE aims to elevate awareness and appreciation for Japan through imaginative programming. As we look forward to welcoming visitors back to JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in the future, we are excited to showcase the breadth of these cultural experiences online for fans to experience at home,” said Yuko Kaifu, President, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.

Current and upcoming content details follow. Watch for updates on the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles social feeds, including new cultural stories and mindfulness-themed articles, to help people stay entertained and their minds energized during these unsettling times.

Manga & Anime-Inspired Character Drawing Workshops (May – June) Artist MinoMiyabi teaches students to explore the joy of drawing through simple techniques. While a pencil and paper may seem like rudimentary materials, in the hands of an illustrator or animator they can create magic. In countless art forms, including manga and anime, a simple line can become an entire world. JAPAN HOUSE previously hosted MinoMiyabi’s drawing workshops, especially popular with families and kids of all ages, during their landmark Naoki Urasawa exhibition in 2019.

The four-part series releases bi-weekly and teaches basic drawing skills, in addition to ways to practice on your own. The just-released Episode 1 entitled, “Emotions with a Simple Smiley Face!,” guides students on drawing basic emotions. Future episodes – “Build Your Own Characters,” “Animals 101,” and “Drawing Characters in Perspective,” will be released between May – June.

Japanese Food Lab | Home Cooking Series (May)

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles’ beloved Japanese Food Lab goes online with its Home Cooking Series curated by Japanese food ambassador, Tomoko Imade Dyen. Available online starting this month, the first of the virtual cooking series features a recipe for Sakura Carrot Spring Rice (Takikomi Gohan), teaching a technique to make beautiful sakura-shaped (cherry blossom flower) carrots to garnish spring rice. Future episodes will feature a variety of themes and ingredients including one decided via an ingredient poll taken on JAPAN HOUSE’s social feeds.

Movie & Bites | Tampopo (May)

JAPAN HOUSE’s popular Movie & Bites series pairs dishes with acclaimed Japanese film and television shows. This first installment features foodie fan-favorite, “Tampopo,” a 1985 Japanese comedy film written and directed by Juzo Itami, and starring Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Kōji Yakusho and Ken Watanabe. Centering on a truck driver who stops at a small family-run noodle shop and decides to help its fledgling business, the movie is intertwined with various vignettes about the relationship of love and food.

JAPAN HOUSE will offer tips on making ramen, content introducing a variety of regional ramen and tips on how to enhance and best enjoy your at-home (instant) ramen experience.

Flower Arrangement (May)

The deep history of flower arranging in Japanese culture and the influence of Japanese perspectives in Western flower design will be explored through two tutorials with detailed written instructions and images utilizing easy-to-find items.

Flower Arrangement with Mitsuko Osuga: Mitsuko Osuga, acclaimed floral designer and owner of Mitsuko Floral, will highlight spring arrangements, drawing inspiration from vibrant color in combination with the idea of achieving “balance.” For people sheltering at home, participants can utilize common flowers and simple greens easily obtained from the supermarket or personal gardens, and everyday cellophane tape, to transform common bowls found at home (e.g., ramen or cereal bowls) into unique vessels for formal flower arrangements.

Flower Arrangement with Takeshi Nakamura: Takeshi Nakamura, lauded floral designer and owner of the popular Angeluck Custom Design Florist, will draw upon the Japanese connection to nature and the reverence for the healing power found within the appreciation of even the simplest of nature’s plants and forms. Common greens from house plants, flowers, and stones easily obtained from personal gardens and neighborhoods, combine with vessels found within the home, to present a template for distinctive creations.

ABOUT JAPAN HOUSE

JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs, London, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, conceived by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles occupies two floors at Hollywood & Highland. The 2nd floor features a gallery space and the 5th floor hosts a Japanese restaurant, relaxing library, and event venue, along with spectacular views of Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a place of new discovery that transcends the physical and conceptual boundaries creating experiences that reflect the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs.

ROLLS-ROYCE EXPLORES A VERY UNIQUE MUSE: A ROLLS-ROYCE ROSE

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This year more than ever, as we have been confined to our homes while the natural world flourishes around us, we are reminded of the wonders of nature. Spring is a time of hope and optimism, when bird song crescendos and flowers greet us with heady scent and vibrant colour. As we approach the first ever online RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Rolls-Royce looks a little closer to home and reflects on a Bespoke and storied rose, preparing for an abundant bloom.

In the courtyard of the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, a rare flower — the Phantom Rose — is cultivated. Bred solely for the marque as a source of inspiration, Rolls-Royce’s Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence is the only place in the world where this rose can be found.

British Rose breeder Philip Harkness, of the award winning Harkness Roses, bred the Phantom Rose especially for the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective. His family has been breeding roses since 1879, establishing a tradition of beautiful blooms associated with the Harkness name. Today, plants and flowers bred by Harkness Roses remain a constant favourite on the international horticultural scene, winning gold at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show more than 25 times in the last 50 years.

On commissioning the rose, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer Sina-Maria Eggl, commented, “The rose had to embody Rolls-Royce’s poise, elegance and allure. The result was a very pure, delicate but voluminous white flower: sensual, but strong in presence, with an alluring aroma and extra winter durability.”

The Phantom Rose grows in a specially designed bed, fringed with lavender, running alongside the reflection ponds adjacent to the marque’s award winning Sir Nicholas Grimshaw plant. Indeed, it is no coincidence that both Rolls-Royce associates and the marque’s Bespoke Designers can view the rose bed through the plant’s floor-to-ceiling glass as they work.

The Phantom Rose is a blousy, creamy-white flower, offering a full bloom of 50 petals and a rich perfume. Harkness describes it as a quintessentially English rose, which took eight years to develop. It was, he says, a labour of love. “A rose has the ability to captivate you on many levels. It is a thing of beauty, it can stimulate the senses with wonderful perfume, the soft touch of the petals or the rasping pain from a thorn. It touches our emotions, signifies love and appears in some of our finest poetry. How can a simple flower live up to this expectation? The rose that Rolls-Royce has commissioned makes easy work of the task. Observe the glory of the bloom. There can be few more enjoyable experiences, thanks to the unending generosity and diversity of nature captured in one single rose.”

In 2017, an iteration of the rose debuted in a one-off design for Phantom’s Gallery. The Gallery is protected by an uninterrupted piece of glass that spans the width of the marque’s flagship, behind which a recess presents an up-lit stage, becoming an area for patrons to embrace the unique storytelling characteristic of the marque.

Stems of the rose were flown to awaiting master artisans from world-renowned porcelain manufacturer Nymphenburg, Bavaria, Southern Germany. Here, the rose was examined in its varying stages, from bud to full bloom, before being crafted by hand for the Gallery in the finest black and white porcelain ever created by the company. The development process alone lasted three months in order to achieve the same level of delicacy as the Phantom Rose itself.

More recently, the Phantom Rose acted as a primary point of inspiration for Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer Ieuan Hatherall. It was here that an extraordinary Bespoke commission began, consisting of over one million stitches, for a Swedish entrepreneur with a passion for flowers. The Phantom Rose is illustrated in varying stages of maturity in the finest embroidery throughout the interior of a highly unique, one-of-a-kind Phantom.

Ieuan Hatherall commented, “There is a transcendent beauty when a rose garden is in full bloom. The commissioning patron wanted to create that same feeling of awe; an abundance of flowers to lift the spirit and celebrate nature’s decadent beauty.”

Ahead of the first ever online RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 18-23 May, Rolls-Royce releases an extended interview with the commissioning patron of The Rolls-Royce Rose Phantom. Click here to view the extended film.

Rolls Royce, Muse, Rose, Vaughn Lowery, 360 Magazine,

MGM Resorts International – Reopening Plans

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MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL RELEASES HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN FOR RE-OPENING UNITED STATES PROPERTIES

Expert input, digital innovation and operational enhancements are at the forefront of MGM Resorts’ “Seven-Point Safety Plan

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today released a report outlining the comprehensive health and safety protocols the company is implementing prior to re-opening its domestic properties and resorts which were temporarily closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report details MGM Resorts’ “Seven-Point Safety Plan” – a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed in conjunction with medical and scientific experts to deter the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees and rapidly respond to potential new cases. The full report can be found HERE.

“Preparing for the moment we can re-open our doors, MGM Resorts focused on developing a plan that puts health and safety at the center of everything we do. Our ‘Seven-Point Safety Plan’ is the result of months of consultations with public health experts and outlines our comprehensive approach to welcoming guests back safely,” said MGM Resorts Acting CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle. “Our properties will not look the way they used to for a while, and that’s not only okay, it’s critically important. We will continue providing the hospitality experiences we are known for, but we must do so safely. We will continue working with experts and following guidance from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and government officials and regulators as we evolve these protocols based on the latest information.”

EXPERT GUIDANCE

MGM Resorts Lead Health and Safety Advisor: Dr. Shannon Magari, Vice President of Health Sciences for Colden Corporation

MGM Resorts is working with Dr. Shannon Magari, ScD, MPH, MS as its lead health and safety advisor for this process. Dr. Magari is the Vice President of Health Sciences for Colden Corporation, an occupational health, safety and environmental firm. Dr. Magari obtained her Master of Science from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College and received her doctoral training and served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health – specializing in Occupational Epidemiology.

OVERVIEW: MGM RESORTS’ SEVEN-POINT SAFETY PLAN

The full report, including detailed protocols, procedures and operational enhancements can be found HERE.

These protocols and procedures focus on balancing the customer service guests have come to expect from MGM Resorts with the urgent need to apply knowledge about COVID-19 and adapt environments accordingly. This plan is being implemented at MGM Resorts’ properties throughout the United States, with additions and changes being made based on local jurisdictions.

MGM Resorts’ Seven-Point Safety Plan is as follows:

1. Screening, Temperature Checks and Employee Training: MGM Resorts has implemented employee-screening measures to assess signs and symptoms of infection and whether the employee resides or cares for someone who has recently been diagnosed with the virus. Employees are currently and will continue to go through temperature checks before entering properties.Guests will be asked to abide by a similar self-screening protocol prior to arriving and during their stay. Guests who have reason to believe they may have been exposed to the virus are strongly urged to follow CDC guidelines for self-quarantine and not travel. We will look forward to welcoming those guests once the self-quarantine period is complete.

1. Mandatory Masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): All MGM Resorts employees will be provided and required to wear an approved mask when on our properties. We will also strongly encourage guests to wear masks in public areas and offer masks to any guests who need one, free of charge. Gloves will continue to be worn by employees who require them to do their jobs, such as food handlers and employees who clean public areas. Additional categories of employees required to wear PPE will be identified by medical experts.
  - Drink service: We will ask guests to minimize the amount of time masks are removed when drinking on the casino floor.
  - Eating: We will ask guests to refrain from eating on the casino floor to minimize the amount of time masks are removed.

1. Physical Distancing: Six-foot physical distancing policy will be in place, wherever feasible, with floor guides serving as reminders throughout MGM Resorts properties. From time-to-time, six-foot distancing will be challenging – and in those cases, reasonable mitigating protocols will be implemented, such as plexiglass barriers or eye protection for employees. Plexiglass barriers will be installed in areas throughout casinos and lobbies, where appropriate, for the safety of guests and employees. Signage will be installed throughout properties to guide employees and guests on how to safely practice physical distancing.

1. Handwashing and Enhanced Sanitization: Prior to property closures in March, MGM Resorts implemented increased and enhanced routine cleaning, based on CDC guidelines, with a focus on high-touch surfaces in common areas. We will continue using proven cleaning products in accordance with EPA guidelines for coronaviruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens. Electrostatic sprayers will be used in many large areas to allow us to apply disinfectant more efficiently.In addition, custom-built handwashing stations with soap and water, along with hand-sanitizing stations, will be readily available in high-traffic areas and with a visible presence. Signage will be installed to guide and remind employees and guests of the importance of proper handwashing protocols.

1. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Controls and Air Quality: MGM Resorts has always placed a high priority on air quality for our guests and has reviewed the operation of HVAC systems to identify additional opportunities to enhance their effectiveness. Rigorous measures in accordance with established guidelines to help mitigate the risk of virus transmission have been taken throughout our properties.As scientific information becomes available about the virus, and as additional guidance from state and local authorities and our medical experts evolve, we will continue to review and adjust the operation of our HVAC systems, fully recognizing the important role they have in keeping employees and guests healthy and safe.

1. Incident Response Protocols: MGM Resorts has protocols in place aimed at reducing the chance infection will spread. In the unfortunate event a guest or employee tests positive for the virus, we will activate incident response protocols to ensure the infected individual has access to medical treatment, exposed areas are thoroughly sanitized and, when possible, notify those who may have come in close, prolonged contact with the infected individual. MGM Resorts has medical and security personnel on staff to respond quickly in the event of an incident.

1. Digital Innovations: MGM Resorts is reimagining several aspects of the guest experience through technology to transition current processes into contactless options for guests that eliminates or reduces the need for waiting in line.
  - Contactless Check-In: Guests will have the ability to complete the check-in process entirely themselves through the MGM Resorts mobile app. This includes the ability to process payment, verify identification and obtain a digital room key, all through a mobile device. If preferred, physical keys will be available through self-serve key encoders. Employees will be available for guests who prefer check-in without using their mobile device, while still maintaining a line-reduced environment.
  - Food & Beverage: Digital menus will be available to view on personal mobile devices via QR code. Virtual queues will be in place for guests when immediate seating is unavailable. Guests will receive a text message notification when their table is ready.

ABOUT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 29 unique hotel and destination gaming offerings in the United States and Macau, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry such as Bellagio, MGM Grand, ARIA and Park MGM. The Company’s 50/50 venture, ROAR Digital LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” initiative, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.