PAUL ON THE RUN

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Nickelodeon Begins Production on Beatles-Inspired BIG TIME MOVIE
Thursday, November 3, 2011; Posted: 04:11 PM - by BWW News Desk 

Stars of the Nickelodeon hit series and international recording artists Big Time Rush will headline the network's brand-new original TV movie, Big Time Movie which will feature covers of the beloved Beatles classics, Help!, A Hard Day's Night, We Can Work It Out and Revolution, as well as music from Big Time Rush's soon-to-be released sophomore album, Elevate. In Big Time Movie, currently in production in Vancouver, Kendall (Kendall Schmidt), James (James Maslow), Carlos (Carlos Pena Jr.) and Logan (Logan Henderson) head to London for their first big world tour but instead get mixed up in a mission to save the world. With their bags switched at the airport, they inadvertently gain possession of a fearsome device that, in the wrong hands, could destroy the world. Set to premiere in 2012, Big Time Movie is executive produced by show creator Scott Fellows.

"The cool gadgets, outdoor locations and big stunts give this film a truly cinematic feel and transport Big Time Rush into a larger than life environment," said Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon. "It's a Nickelodeon take on James Bond meets Austin Powers, featuring covers of classic Beatles songs that both kids and their parents can enjoy."

In Big Time Movie, the guys must tap their inner spy as their adventure finds them driving exotic cars and jumping out of helicopters, while trying to make it to their first world tour concert on time. Hot on their trail are evil henchmen named Maxwell, British secret agents and Swedish spies as well as billionaire businessman, Sir Atticus Moon who wants back his precious device code named: "The Beetle," an anti-gravitational device with enormous power. Once they learn they're carrying this precious cargo, the guys get pulled into a madcap mission throughout London, which threatens the onset of their world tour. With the help of teen spy Penny Lane, the guys set out to save Penny's father M16 Agent Simon Lane and stop Sir Atticus Moon's plot to use "The Beetle" to gain world domination.

Elevate, Big Time Rush's second album to be released by Columbia Records/Nickelodeon on Nov. 21, is the highly anticipated follow-up to the group's blockbuster debut, 2010's gold-certified BTR, which has scanned over 700,000 albums. To date, Big Time Rush has sold over 2.7 million combined digital tracks. The album takes the group's distinctive sound to new heights. The songs on the album were produced by top music hit makers including Ryan Tedder, Tricky & The Dream, JR Rotem, and Toby Gad, among others. Elevate features tracks including "Music Sounds Better With U (featuring Mann)," "Show Me," and "All Over Again," plus brand-new music that will debut on upcoming episodes of Big Time Rush.

Now in its second season, Big Time Rush - which follows four best friends from Minnesota who trade in their hockey sticks for music superstardom in Los Angeles -- averages 4.1 million total viewers (+9%, over season one). The launch of the hit series on Nickelodeon drew 6.8 million viewers, making it the most watched live-action series premiere in the network's history.

An international hit, Big Time Rush ranks within the top 5 shows on Nickelodeon among key demos in key markets, including Germany, Korea, Argentina, Australia, the U.K., Canada, Mexico and Holland. Recently, Big Time Rush embarked on a cross-country 30-city summer tour, selling out venues across the U.S. and opened up for Justin Bieber in Mexico for two sold-out stadium shows.

Big Time Rush was created and is executive produced by Scott Fellows. The creative mind behind Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified Survival Guide, Fellows also executive produced the hit live-action series. A prolific writer, producer and creator, Fellows has written for and produced live-action and animated series including Nickelodeon's The Fairly OddParents, Doug, 101 Dalmatians and Kablam. He served as show runner for Nickelodeon's live-action comedy series 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd and has written many of Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards as well as the Teen Choice Awards, the Billboard Awards and the Country Music Awards. In addition, he is the creator and executive producer for Cartoon Network's animated sci-fi comedy Johnny Test.

Big Time Movie is executive produced and written by Scott Fellows (Big Time Rush) and executive produced by Lauren Levine (Bridge to Terabithia, Best Player). Directed by Savage Steve Holland (Better Off Dead), Scott McAboy's Pacific Bay Entertainment is producing.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years.Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)