"SNEAKERS" ________ Production Notes "There's a war out there, old friend, a World War. And it's not about who's got the most bullets, it's about who controls the information! What we see and hear, how we work, what we think...it's all about the information." COSMO As college students in the 1960s, Martin Bishop and his friend Cosmo stood on the edge of the electronic frontier...computer pranksters who wired donations from the Republican Party to the Black Panthers. Twenty-five years later, Bishop (Robert Redford) has found his niche in the information age. He heads a team of high-tech experts (aka "Sneakers") who are hired to penetrate systems and test their security. They'll read your mail, bug your office, listen to your phone calls, access the contents of your computer, videotape your meetings or break into your bank. In other words, there are no more secrets. Although Bishop and his colleagues may have questionable pasts, their complementary skills have made them a formidable team. Meet Crease (Sidney Poitier), a 22-year veteran of the "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 2 ___________________________ CIA. He was terminated in 1987 for an apparent "personality conflict." Carl, age 19 (River Phoenix). He once broke into his school's computer to change his grades...and gave himself a scholarship. Mother (Dan Aykroyd) has done 18 months at Dannemora Pen for breaking and entering. There isn't a gadget in the world that he doesn't own or operate. Whistler (David Strathairn) is an audio wizard whose blindness has blessed him with a genius for sound. And last but not least, Martin Bishop...the boss. Although his college high jinks were computer crimes that should have put him in jail, Bishop has managed to evade the authorities. His friend Cosmo (Ben Kingsley) was not as lucky. When two government agents (Timothy Busfield, Eddie Jones) threaten to expose Bishop and his colleagues unless they participate in a covert operation, the "Sneakers" enter a high-stakes world where technology has become a brilliant but dangerous tool. "Sneakers" also stars Mary McDonnell as Liz, formerly Bishop's girlfriend and now his reluctant accomplice. Phil Alden Robinson directs the caper film from a screenplay he wrote with Lawrence Lasker and Walter F. Parkes, who also serve as the film's producers. The talented team behind the camera includes cinematographer John Lindley, production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein, "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 3 ___________________________ costume designer Bernie Pollack and editor Tom Rolf. James Horner composed the original score, which also features renowned musician Branford Marsalis on soprano sax. While doing research for their Academy-Award nominated screenplay "WarGames," writers Parkes and Lasker developed a fascination with computers and information technology. They first heard the term "Sneakers" at a computer convention in 1981 as a nickname for IBM's "kid programmers" (as opposed to "brown shoes"). Months later, they met the editor of a small computer magazine for whom the word had an entirely different meaning. He explained that "Sneakers," also known as "black hatters" and "tiger teams," are individuals who are hired to secretly break into places in order to test the security of the installations. "In the 1960s, no one could have anticipated what a powerful tool the computer would be, or how dependent the world would become on it for storage and manipulation of information," says writer-producer Parkes. "For as much good as it would contribute, the computer would also present us with a tremendous potential for crime. Suddenly, no information is really secure and we are all faced with a threat to our privacy." "'Sneakers' has to do with a new age...the information age," says Robert Redford. "It's quite possible that a war in the future will be a war of information. Whoever has it, wins." Director Phil Alden Robinson adds, "The issue within "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 4 ___________________________ the information age is: Can you trust the information you receive since it is now transmitted by such vulnerable means?" ABOUT THE PRODUCTION ____________________ The title page of the "Sneakers" screenplay reads, "Based on 27-man-years of drafts by Phil Alden Robinson, Walter F. Parkes and Lawrence Lasker." It's an amusing reminder that numerous film projects begin their uphill climb into production many years before the cameras actually roll. "In 1981, we had just the kernel of an idea--a high- tech team of disparate characters, with extraordinary skills and handicaps," says Parkes. "It stuck with us for years." Teaming up with screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson, the trio wrote the outline of a story. "The original idea was a high-tech 'Dirty Dozen,'" recalls Robinson. "It didn't occur to us that it was taking a long time until we were about six years into the project," he laughs. In fact, the story's premise and plotline changed frequently through the years, often dependent on the world's political climate. "We all loved caper films, and we never got bored with the characters," Robinson adds, "but our storylines ranged from 'Three Days of the Hacker' to 'Raiders of the Lost Computer.'" "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 5 ___________________________ As the years passed, the research continued to expand. What had begun as basic fact-finding about computer outlaws soon evolved into clandestine meetings with underground hackers, FBI men, cryptologists, wiretappers, professional penetrators, and an endless stream of cyberpunks who were the pioneers of system break-ins. Among the colorful characters consulted were the notorious "Captain Crunch" and "The Cheshire Catalyst," both of whom provided some inspiration for Ben Kingsley's character of Cosmo. Crunch (John Draper) was an illustrious hacker from the 1970s who gained his celebrity status when he discovered that the toy whistle in a Cap'n Crunch cereal box could make a pay phone work without a dime. The Captain gained his "phone phreak" infamy when he created the "blue box," a device which allowed its user to gain access to nearly all the phone company's transmission equipment. The Cheshire Catalyst was an active member of TAP, the Technology Assistance Program. Founded in 1971 by yippie Abbie Hoffman, TAP distributed a newsletter for phone phreaks and hackers that was as significant to them as The Wall Street Journal is to stockbrokers. The four-page issues included dozens of how-to stories on accessing computer systems, logging onto computer networks and making international calls for free. "Most of the people we met who had been sneakers had a kind of brashness about them...almost cocky," says Robinson. "I remember phrases like 'I eat systems like yours for "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 6 ___________________________ breakfast' and 'It's not a question of IF I can break in, but how long it will take.' We also met hackers who came out of the '60s with a tremendous amount of political paranoia, which comes through in Mother's character." The "Sneakers" research eventually led to renowned mathematician Len Adelman, called the father of public-key encryption. When governments, corporations or private users want to ensure the security of information in their computers, they turn to high-priced data scrambling or encryption devices. Data that is protected by encryption techniques is guarded by complex mathematical puzzles--the numerical equivalent of a combination lock. Using computer encryption as a plot device, the screenwriters were able to concoct an intricate "what if" story which explored the possibility of a "black box" that could potentially decode any computer data in the world. A dangerous tool in the hands of any individual or organization. Producer Larry Lasker said, "It has been rumored for several years that there is a trapdoor, a short cut hidden in the data encryption system provided by the National Security Agency (also known as No Such Agency). We just carried that notion a step further in our movie script." Drawing from additional research materials, the script also reflects such real life inventions as a voice stress analyzer, a Braille computer keyboard and an access control system called The Man Trap. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 7 ___________________________ Finally after 10 years of preparation, the timing was right for all three filmmakers who had been actively involved in such Oscar-nominated projects as "Field of Dreams" and "Awakenings." Thoughts turned to casting. There was a handful of actors discussed for the pivotal role of Martin Bishop, and when preliminary interest was expressed by Robert Redford, Robinson sat down and re-read the script picturing Redford in every scene. "It was the best version of the movie I'd ever imagined," recalls Robinson. "In my lifetime of movie- going, Redford is the best at playing the cool, smart, American hero who gets in over his head. Nobody does that combination better than he does. And that's Martin Bishop in 'Sneakers.'" "I was intrigued by the topics in 'Sneakers' but part of what interested me about the project was the cast that was shaping up," said Redford. "It was sort of counter- casting and that was fun and exciting." The character of by-the-book CIA agent Donald Crease was soon offered to Sidney Poitier. "Sidney's an American icon--to get him in an ensemble film was incredible," says Robinson. River Phoenix was a unanimous first choice for a young hacker named Carl. Robinson recalls, "He was in the scenes on the first day we shot, and I thought it was OK, but once I saw him on film in the dailies, he was wonderful. He "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 8 ___________________________ makes very quirky choices that really come alive on film." The "Sneaker" team soon expanded with the casting of real-life techie Dan Aykroyd, whose favorite store is an electronic surveillance shop called CCS in New York and several other key cities. Among the items Aykroyd has purchased there are a set of Israeli army goggles, miniature cameras, a shotgun microphone, black max spotlights and an infrared set-up for night surveillance on his property in Canada. "Like any North American red-blooded boy, I like toys," says Aykroyd. "And this movie is full of toys." During the research phase of "Sneakers," the writers met a blind security expert who had perfect pitch and he inspired the character of Whistler (David Strathairn). "As a musician at a very tough jazz club in Detroit, he would hear a fight break out, and flip a switch to throw the room into blackness," recalls Robinson. "That way he could be on equal footing with everybody else in the brawl. That kind of ingenuity is what enthralls the sneakers." Robinson took a very different direction in casting Cosmo. "I wanted a villain who was scary because he was so smart," he says. "Not because he was physically threatening, but because he was diabolical. Ben Kingsley has a very powerful effect. In truth, he's quite brilliant, and that's what he projects." While casting Liz, a former girlfriend of Bishop's who gets caught up in his scheme, Robinson said, "I looked for a "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 9 ___________________________ smart, attractive actress who makes you look more carefully into her character." Academy Award nominee Mary McDonnell earned the role. "We're living in a time where computer technology is becoming another character in our lives," cautions McDonnell. "We're beginning to trust these machines and close off to human beings." An informal survey of cast and crew assembled for "Sneakers" boasts of eight Oscars from a total of 38 Academy Award nominations, which range from Ben Kingsley's Oscar- winning performance in "Gandhi," to sound mixer Willie Burton's Oscar awarded for "Bird," along with his nominations for "The Buddy Holly Story," "WarGames" and "Altered States." Other winners include Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein, editor Tom Rolf, re-recording mixer Donald O. Mitchell and computer effects supervisor Steve Grumette. Principal photography on "Sneakers" began October 28, 1991, in Oakland, California, just a week after the city's devastating fire. The company's first days of filming took place on the site of the historic Oakland Theatre, a colorful 1920s Art Deco palace that once hosted both films and live entertainment. The brief week of filming in San Francisco included exteriors in the financial district, as well as several sites near the waterfront. When Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier were seen filming in the courtyard of a glass-walled "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 10 ___________________________ office building, desks were soon abandoned by a legion of female fans who lined up elbow to elbow, with noses pressed to windows to watch the actors below. Upon returning to Los Angeles, filming continued on local sites as well as on several stages at Universal Studios. Perhaps the most interesting movie set constructed on the lot for "Sneakers" was "The Lair," a huge 16,000 square foot space on Stage 29 (which still houses some historic sets from the original "Phantom of the Opera"). Within "The Lair," production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein and set decorator Samara Schaffer organized the Sneakers' five offices, workspaces, living areas, conference room and a small apartment occupied by Martin Bishop. In January, the company moved to the outlying Simi Valley to begin both interior and exterior scenes for Playtronics, a high-tech toy company which is actually a clever cover for organized crime. The nighttime filming continued for two weeks amidst powerful winds and near- freezing temperatures that raised the difficulty of already challenging camera moves. Ironically, the real-life setting for Playtronics was the corporate headquarters for a failed savings and loan (Gibraltar Savings), where vast stockpiles of computers and office equipment had once recorded and compiled data on thousands of customers. In the parking lot outside Playtronics, Robinson staged the Sneakers' daring escape in their customized van, a high- tech headquarters for any on-site surveillance. Propmaker "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 11 ___________________________ Don Miloyevich worked with computer effects supervisor Steve Grumette to outfit the van with such state of the art equipment as video monitors, portable surveillance cameras, military binoculars, an oscilloscope, tape and video players, welding set-ups, a logic analyzer, telephone service equipment, even maps and phone books. Occidental College served as the site for the fictional Leland University, where Dr. Janek delivers his lecture, a bank in Westwood was dressed as the Coolidge Institute, and Dan Aykroyd hung from the scaffolding on a hi-rise office building in West Los Angeles. Pasadena's historic Green Hotel was dressed as the Russian consulate, where Bishop interrupts the concert attended by a Russian diplomat (George Hearn). Back at Universal Studios, the town square made famous as Hill Valley in "Back to the Future" and its sequels doubled for an East Coast college campus where the young Martin Bishop (Gary Hershberger) and Cosmo (Jojo Marr) first met. What made the scene particularly significant was the colossal snowstorm staged by a tireless special effects team. Four kinds of snow including several hundred tons of shaved ice as well as truckloads of paper and plastic pellets were whipped up by fans and wind to create an impressive stormfront. By 3:00 a.m., the effects crew had used every last manufactured flake of snow in the county, and had even raided the supply house on the Warner Bros. lot. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 12 ___________________________ Later, the snowy scene would be re-staged for close-ups on an interior sound stage which housed young Bishop and his Volkswagen van. The crew, well insulated in down parkas, wool hats and gloves, braved the subzero temperatures inside a refrigerated shell, but were thrilled when they could step outside and return to the California sunshine. ABOUT THE CAST ______________ "Your communications lines are vulnerable, your fire exits ought to be monitored, and your rent-a-cops are just a tad under-trained. You'll be getting our full analysis and recommendations in just a few days, but first, who's got my check?" BISHOP As Martin Bishop, ROBERT REDFORD has the opportunity to blend the wry humor of "The Sting" with the intricate plot of "Three Days of the Condor." In "Sneakers," the talented actor-director-producer portrays a fugitive from the '60s whose past will be exposed unless he cooperates with the super-secret National Security Agency. Nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor in the 1973 film "The Sting," Redford took home an Oscar as Best Director in 1980 when his directorial debut, "Ordinary People," claimed four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Redford's versatile career spans more than 30 motion pictures, many of which are now considered classics. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 13 ___________________________ He began on Broadway in 1959 with a small role in "Tall Story," but his career blossomed two years later when he earned the starring role in Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" (directed by Mike Nichols). Redford made his movie debut in "War Hunt" (co-starring Sydney Pollack, who would subsequently direct him in a total of seven films). Redford was soon cast in two films opposite Natalie Wood, "Inside Daisy Clover" and "This Property Is Condemned." He co-starred with Marlon Brando in "The Chase" and reprised his stage role in Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park," with co-star Jane Fonda. But his career took a major leap when he starred opposite Paul Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." In the 1970s, Redford starred in a succession of films which led him to become one of the country's most popular box office stars, including "Downhill Racer," "The Candidate," "Jeremiah Johnson," "The Sting," "The Way We Were," "The Great Gatsby" and "Three Days of the Condor." The 1976 production of "All The President's Men" served as a landmark film for Redford. He not only bought Woodward and Bernstein's book, but developed and produced the project and played the role of journalist Bob Woodward. In 1981, after winning the Academy Award for direction of "Ordinary People," Redford founded the non-profit Sundance Institute near Park City, Utah, which through its various workshops and the popular Sundance Film Festival, has "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 14 ___________________________ provided much-needed support for independent film production. Most recently he has directed "The Milagro Beanfield War" (1988) and the upcoming "A River Runs Through It." Other acting roles include "The Electric Horseman," "Brubaker," "The Natural," "Legal Eagles," "Out of Africa" and "Havana." Redford's work on behalf of the environment is well known. He has been significantly involved with considerable legislation including the Clean Air Act (1974-75), the Energy Conversion and Production Act (1974-76) and several strip mining bills (1977-78). In 1983, he created the Institute for Research Management (IRM) which sponsors conferences on a wide variety of environmental issues. He is a longstanding board member of the Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Born in Santa Monica, California, Redford attended the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship, before leaving school in 1957 to study art in Europe. He entered the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn to study stage design, but was committed to acting after he took a class at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 15 ___________________________ "Uh, Bish, can we go back to the 'They might kill us part?'" MOTHER DAN AYKROYD portrays "Mother," a high-strung gadget master who believes that there is a conspiracy behind almost everything. Academy-Award nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Driving Miss Daisy," Aykroyd is well acquainted with the notion of ensemble acting. As an original cast member and writer of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in 1975, Aykroyd helped to forever change the face of television. During his five years on the show, he wrote and starred in many of SNL's best political satires, and portrayed an eccentric range of characters from Richard Nixon to Beldar Conehead. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Aykroyd attended Carleton University in Ottawa. In 1972, he produced, co-wrote and acted in a series of 15-minute comedy shows titled "Change for a Quarter" for a private cable company. That same year, he joined the famed Second City Comedy troupe in Toronto and Chicago, performing with them until 1974. Aykroyd made his motion picture debut in the hit comedy feature "The Blues Brothers," co-starring fellow SNL star John Belushi. The film was supported by a live 10-city tour and a Made in America live album. The duo also appeared together in Steven Spielberg's "1941" and "Neighbors." "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 16 ___________________________ His subsequent acting career has included starring roles in such films as "Trading Places," opposite Eddie Murphy, "Ghostbusters" and "Ghostbusters II" (both of which he originated and co-wrote), "Dragnet," "Spies Like Us," "My Stepmother is an Alien," "Doctor Detroit," "The Couch Trip," "My Girl," and Nora Ephron's "This Is My Life." Two years ago, Aykroyd made his directing debut on the zany comedy, "Nothing But Trouble." "We were going to change the world, Marty, remember? Did you ever get around to actually doing it? No? Well, I think I can." COSMO BEN KINGSLEY, as a computer genius named Cosmo, enters Martin Bishop's life after a long absence. Kingsley is perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning performance in the title role of "Gandhi," which also earned him a Golden Globe and a New York Film Critics award. Kingsley rose to prominence in England as a member of the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company. He continued to perform in various theatrical productions before originating his portrayal of Squeers in the historic eight-hour production of "Nicholas Nickleby." Born and raised in Manchester, England, as Krishna Bhanji, Kingsley changed his name when he became an actor at the age of 20. His father was a prosperous spice trader whose family traced its roots back to Gujarat, the Indian "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 17 ___________________________ state in which Gandhi was born, and his mother was an English fashion model and actress. He received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor this past year for his performance as gangster Meyer Lansky in the film "Bugsy." Kingsley has starred in two motion pictures scripted by playwright Harold Pinter: "Betrayal," co-starring Jeremy Irons and "Turtle Diary," which co-starred Glenda Jackson. He has also co-starred in "Without a Clue," "Harem," "Camille," "Maurice" and "Testimony." His television credits range from "Silas Marnar" for the BBC to "Murderers Among Us," an HBO drama in which he played famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. "I will not be dragged back into your world...I have a new group of gifted children now, and I like the fact that they're under 30." LIZ MARY MCDONNELL portrays Liz, a teacher of gifted children who was once in love with Martin Bishop but insists, "We're not getting back together." An alleged overnight sensation who has actually been an accomplished actress for the last 12 years, McDonnell received rave reviews and an Oscar nomination for her role as Stands With A Fist in the acclaimed 1990 feature "Dances With Wolves." She made her New York stage debut in Sam Shepard's "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 18 ___________________________ Pulitzer Prize winning "Buried Child," and has worked steadily since, playing the classic heroines of Ibsen, Shakespeare and Chekov, as well as contemporary characters for John Patrick Shanley, Emily Mann and the late Dennis McIntyre. In 1991, she won an Obie for her role in "Still Life." Her most recent stage performances include the lead in "O' Pioneers" which was filmed for American Playhouse, and the title role in Wendy Wasserstein's Pulitzer Prize winning play on Broadway, "The Heidi Chronicles." Last year, McDonnell starred in the dramatic film "Grand Canyon," directed by Lawrence Kasdan. She has had leading roles in "Tiger Warsaw," as well as in John Sayles's "Matewan." She is starring in the upcoming Sayles film tentatively titled "The Louisiana Project," with Alfre Woodard and David Strathairn. "You know what I can't believe? We just pulled off the greatest sneak in history...and we can't tell anyone." CARL As a former high school hacker named Carl Arbogast, RIVER PHOENIX is the youngest sneaker on the team and perhaps its most adventurous. Phoenix was named Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his starring role as a narcoleptic street hustler in "My Own Private Idaho." In 1988, at age 17, "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 19 ___________________________ Phoenix received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Running on Empty." The eldest of five children, Phoenix was born in the small town of Madras, Oregon, and traveled extensively with his family as a young child. In the late 1970s, his family settled in Florida and then in California. At the age of 10, River and his sister Rain did audience warm-up for the television show "Real Kids." Roles in commercials gradually led to TV movies and a recurring role in the television series, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Joe Dante's "Explorers" in 1985 marked Phoenix's feature film debut, followed by Rob Reiner's "Stand By Me." He co-starred with Harrison Ford in "The Mosquito Coast," and portrayed Indy (also Harrison Ford) as a young boy in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Additional credits include "I Love You to Death" and "Dogfight." An accomplished guitarist, Phoenix plays in a band called Aleka's Attic. They are featured on the compilation album "Tame Yourself" along with such musicians as The B- 52s, Indigo Girls and k.d. lang. Immediately following the wrap of "Sneakers," Phoenix travelled to New Mexico for a role in "Silent Tongue" for director Sam Shepard. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 20 ___________________________ "There isn't a government on this planet that wouldn't kill us for that thing." CREASE SIDNEY POITIER is the level-headed Donald Crease, a 22- year veteran of the CIA. Poitier, whose multi-faceted career as actor, director and producer has spanned four decades, received the American Film Institute's 1992 Lifetime Achievement Award. It was a fitting tribute to the Academy-Award winning performer who has made a total of 43 films. Although he made his motion picture debut in the 1950 movie "No Way Out," Poitier emerged as a star with his performance in Richard Brooks' "Blackboard Jungle." In 1958, he earned his first Oscar nomination for Stanley Kramer's "The Defiant Ones," and five years later won an Academy Award as Best Actor in "Lilies of the Field." Born in Miami, Florida, and raised on Cat Island in the Bahamas, Poitier attended high school in Nassau but dropped out of school at the age of 13 and returned to the U.S. Poitier served in the U.S. Army as a physiotherapist from 1941-1945 and, following his discharge, returned to New York to pursue acting as a student at the American Negro Theatre. He made his Broadway debut as understudy of all the male roles in ANT's production of "Lysistrata," and continued to do stage work for many years. In 1959, Poitier initiated the role of Walter Lee Younger in the Broadway play "A Raisin in the Sun," and later reprised the role on screen. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 21 ___________________________ Dignified, handsome and intelligent, Poitier's popularity grew throughout the '60s as a result of such memorable film roles as "A Patch of Blue," "To Sir With Love," "In the Heat of the Night" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" In 1968, Poitier was the top money-making star according to the Quigley poll of exhibitors. In 1969, he formed First Artists production company with Paul Newman and Barbra Streisand. He began a second career in the '70s as a director, at first starring in the films he directed including "Buck and The Preacher" with Harry Belafonte. Poitier's other directing credits include "A Warm December," "Uptown Saturday Night," "Stir Crazy," "Hanky Panky," "Fast Forward" and "Ghost Dad." After a 10 year absence, Poitier returned to the screen in 1988 with starring roles in "Shoot to Kill" and "Little Nikita" (which co-starred River Phoenix). "Don't look...listen." WHISTLER DAVID STRATHAIRN as Whistler shows his fellow Sneakers that a blind man perceives the world in very different ways than his sighted colleagues. Strathairn made his motion picture debut in John Sayles's "Return of the Secaucus Seven," and has gone on to "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 22 ___________________________ become a member of Sayles's unofficial repertory company of actors. He has co-starred in a total of five of Sayles's films including "Matewan" (the heroic sheriff of a mining town), "Eight Men Out" (weak-willed pitcher Eddie Cicotte), "Brother From Another Planet" (the man in black), and "City of Hope" (a homeless man babbling advertising slogans). A native Californian, Strathairn attended two colleges: Williams College in Massachusetts and Ringling Brothers Clown College. He began acting while in school and moved to New York where he earned roles in such off-Broadway productions as Sam Shepard's "A Lie of the Mind" and Harold Pinter's "The Birthday Party." In addition to his TV role as repressed bookstore owner Moss Goodman in "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd," he starred as J. Robert Oppenheimer in the TV movie "Day One," and portrayed a brain surgeon in the cable movie "The James Brady Story." He co-stars in Sayles' upcoming film "The Louisiana Project" with "Sneakers" co-star Mary McDonnell. His additional film credits include "Stepkids," "Memphis Belle," "Silkwood," "At Close Range," "Dominick and Eugene" and this Summer's hit comedy, "A League Of Their Own." "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 23 ___________________________ "We're the good guys, Marty." GORDON TIMOTHY BUSFIELD makes his second appearance in a Phil Robinson film, having co-starred in "Field of Dreams" as Kevin Costner's impatient brother-in-law. In "Sneakers," he has become involved in a dangerous computer crime. Best known for his co-starring role as Elliot in the popular TV series "thirtysomething," Busfield also directed numerous episodes of the show. Away from the cameras, he is actively involved with a children's theater company that is based in Sacramento, but tours extensively throughout California. Born and raised in East Lansing, Michigan, Busfield had planned to pursue the career of a high school gym teacher, but when he separated his shoulder at East Tennessee State, his thoughts turned to drama. In 1979, Busfield left school to act full time, spending summers at a children's theater in Vermont. By 1983, he was working in New York City but moved to Los Angeles where he landed some TV work and played a preppie in "Revenge of the Nerds." He was soon a regular on "Trapper John, M.D." as Pernell Robert's son. In 1990, Busfield earned rave reviews when he replaced Tom Hulce in the Broadway play "A Few Good Men," written by Aaron Sorkin. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 24 ___________________________ "Last few years have been very confusing for people in my line of work." GREG GEORGE HEARN, as a Russian diplomat in San Francisco, attempts to provide valuable information to Martin Bishop. Best known as the star of popular Broadway musical comedies, Hearn won the coveted Tony Award in 1985 as Best Actor in a Musical for his memorable role as Zaza in "La Cage Aux Folles." He also starred on Broadway in the title role of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sweeney Todd" opposite Angela Lansbury. When the play was taped and broadcast for network television, Hearn earned an Emmy Award for Best Individual Performance in a Variety or Musical Program. In 1986, he performed in the Sondheim review "Follies In Concert," which was aired on PBS. The following year, Hearn starred in the musical adaptation of "The Chosen." In 1989, he performed in both "Meet Me In St. Louis" on Broadway and in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" in California. His work in television movies includes "A Piano for Mrs. Cimino," "Sanctuary of Fear," and "The Adams Chronicles." "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 25 ___________________________ "My voice is my passport--verify me." WERNER STEVEN TOBOLOWSKY as Werner Brandes becomes suspicious of Doris, his computer date. A veteran character actor who is active in film, television and theatrical productions, Tobolowsky has also directed for the stage. His most recent motion picture credits include "Memoirs of an Invisible Man," "Thelma and Louise," "The Grifters," "Bird on a Wire," "Great Balls of Fire" and "Mississippi Burning." Among his television movie projects are "The Marla Hansen Story," "Deadlock," "Last Flight Out," "To the Moon, Alice," and "Roe vs. Wade," among others. Tobolowsky's theatrical projects are numerous. In 1987, he directed the Beth Henley play "The Lucky Spot" and "Two Idiots in Hollywood" in 1988. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the film "True Stories" with playwright Beth Henley. "Trust me." (Young) BISHOP GARY HERSHBERGER is the young Martin Bishop, one of the first computer hackers in the '60s. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Hershberger attended UCLA, but won his first film role at the age of 19 as the "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 26 ___________________________ lead in "Paradise Motel." He soon did a television pilot for CBS called "Summer," which led to a long list of episodic appearances on such shows as "China Beach," "Coach," "21 Jump Street" and "Columbo." Hershberger also had a recurring role in the popular TV show "Twin Peaks," as the best friend of Bobby. His motion picture credits include the upcoming film "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me," a prequel to David Lynch's imaginative series, and "Burglar" starring Whoopi Goldberg. Among his TV credits are HBO's "Enter the Homeland," ABC's "Heroes of the Storm," "To Heal A Nation," "The Love She Sought" and "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill." "Power to the people, Marty." (Young) Cosmo JOJO MARR is the young Cosmo, a naive college hacker who later has diabolical plans for the information age. Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Marr performed in numerous local plays as he grew up. Following graduation from high school, he performed on drums and back-up vocals for the band "Zodiak" for several years. In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles and took a job as a bartender at the Comedy Store, experimenting as a stand-up comic along the way. He met actor Jason Hervey at an acting class, and was soon signed to his mother's talent agency. "Sneakers" marks his motion picture debut. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 27 ___________________________ ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS ____________________ "Action." Phil Robinson 1990 was an important year for director/co-writer PHIL ALDEN ROBINSON whose screenplay for "Field of Dreams," an adaptation of the book Shoeless Joe, earned him both Oscar ____________ and Writers Guild nominations for Best Screenplay and a DGA nomination for Best Director. The film itself received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Born in Long Beach, New York, Robinson attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he majored in political science and worked in local radio and television news. Following his graduation, Robinson wrote and directed training films for the U.S. Air Force. He went on to direct more than 100 industrial, corporate and educational films, before earning his first commercial assignment in Los Angeles--two episodes for the CBS series "Trapper John, M.D." His screenplay for the romantic comedy "All of Me," starring Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin, brought Robinson both audience and critical acclaim. Later, at the suggestion of Steve Martin, Robinson was hired to direct two "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 28 ___________________________ episodes of the CBS series "The George Burns Comedy Week." Following a screenplay assignment from Lorimar about Sonny Wisecarver, aka "The Woo Woo Kid," Robinson's two directing jobs gave the studio enough confidence to sign him as the director of the film as well. The film became "In The Mood" starring Patrick Dempsey. In 1982, Robinson read the book Shoeless Joe by W.P. ____________ Kinsella and began a six year effort to adapt it to film. Not only was "Field of Dreams" a great box office success, but the ballfield that was built in Dyersville, Iowa, for the film has become a popular tourist attraction for all those who heeded the words, "If you build it, they will come." "How much is it going to cost us?" Walter F. Parkes and Lawrence Lasker Producers/Co-writers WALTER F. PARKES and LAWRENCE LASKER were once roommates at Yale, but it was their partnership as screenwriters that resulted in the highly successful "WarGames," a box office hit that was the first film to foretell the age of the computer hacker. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1984. Although Lasker and Parkes have continued to write, they have made a successful transition to producing. To date, their credits include "Project X," which starred "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 29 ___________________________ Matthew Broderick, "True Believer," co-starring James Woods and Robert Downey Jr., and the three-time Oscar nominee "Awakenings," based on Dr. Oliver Sacks' true story. WALTER F. PARKES majored in social anthropology at Yale, but took up film seriously as a graduate student at Stanford University in 1974. His first film project, "California Reich," was a documentary about a neo-Nazi group in Northern California produced in collaboration with fellow student Keith Critchlow. The film not only received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary, but "California Reich" is still seen in classrooms and educational institutions today. Born in Bakersfield, California, and raised in Beverly Hills, Parkes worked briefly as a producer and writer for Bud Yorkin Productions. Following the success of "WarGames," he co-produced the Tom Hanks comedy "Volunteers" and then re-teamed with Lasker on "Project X," "True Believer" and "Awakenings." Born and raised in Los Angeles, the son of actress Jane Greer and producer Edward Lasker, LARRY LASKER's first writing experience was earned on the high school newspaper at Exeter, then on Yale's prestigious magazine, the New Journal. It was followed by several assignments at Esquire magazine. After graduating from Yale, Lasker returned to Los "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 30 ___________________________ Angeles to become involved with the American Film Institute. He subsequently worked on independent films as a cameraman and art director. Following a stint as a story analyst at United Artists and Orion, he teamed up with Parkes and they began to research computer technology for "WarGames." Among the projects he is developing is the life story of blues legend Muddy Waters. "We can do it, but it will mean a whole new lighting set-up..." John Lindley Cinematographer JOHN LINDLEY has previously worked with writer-director Phil Alden Robinson on both "Field of Dreams" and "In the Mood." His earlier association with producers Parkes and Lasker was on "True Believer." Lindley's most recent credits include "Father of the Bride," starring Steve Martin, and "Sleeping with the Enemy," as well as the films "Immediate Family," "The Serpent and the Rainbow," "The Stepfather," "Killer Party," "Lili In Love," "The Goodbye People" and "Shakedown." Lindley's television credits include "Poor Little Rich Girl," "A Stranger Waits" and "LBJ." "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 31 ___________________________ "You want it when...?" Bernie Pollack Costume designer BERNIE POLLACK first met Robert Redford in 1965 as an apprentice costumer on a small film called "This Property Is Condemned," co-starring Natalie Wood. It was an auspicious beginning for a relationship that has continued for more than two decades. Since then, Pollack has designed or selected the wardrobe for more than a dozen of Redford's motion pictures. Pollack, whose older brother is director Sydney Pollack, earned his first costume designer credit in 1979 on "The Electric Horseman," after working on such Redford films as "The Sting," "The Great Gatsby," "All the President's Men" and "The Way We Were." He has since served as costume designer on "Brubaker" and "The Natural," which starred Redford, and "Ordinary People," which Redford directed. Pollack has also had a rewarding working relationship with Dustin Hoffman, having costumed him in such films as "Tootsie," "Marathon Man," "Straight Time," and most recently "Rain Man," which featured Hoffman and Tom Cruise in matching suits, buttoned white collars and no ties. Pollack designed a new look for Sylvester Stallone in "Tango and Cash," which Stallone has repeated in subsequent films. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 32 ___________________________ "You want it where...?" Patrizia von Brandenstein Production Designer PATRIZIA VON BRANDENSTEIN uses the complex world of high-tech surveillance as a visual backdrop for "Sneakers." An Academy Award winner in 1984 for her elaborate and beautiful designs in "Amadeus," she was also nominated for the turn-of-the-century environment she created in "Ragtime." Born in Arizona, but educated abroad when her family moved to Europe, von Brandenstein worked as an apprentice for the Comedie Francaise. Although she began her career in New York theater as a costume designer, Patrizia didn't walk onto a film set until 1972, when she quickly made up for lost time. She designed costumes for "Saturday Night Fever," (Travolta's famous white disco suit) and was named a production designer on "Breaking Away." Her additional credits include "A Chorus Line," "The Untouchables," "Silkwood" and "Working Girl." Editor TOM ROLF is a talented veteran whose vast list of credits includes "The Right Stuff," "WarGames," "Taxi Driver," "Stakeout," "Outrageous Fortune," "New York, New York," "Lucky Lady" and "French Connection II." Born in Stockholm, Sweden, he emigrated to the U.S. with his parents, who eventually settled in Los Angeles. "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 33 ___________________________ His stepfather, director Jack Donohue, and his mother, a well-known Swedish actress, encouraged his entry into the entertainment industry. Working in television for several years, which included his editorial supervision of "The Big Valley" television series, he earned his first feature film credit with "The Glory Guys," which was soon followed by the Elvis Presley film "Clambake." Composer JAMES HORNER reteams with Phil Robinson following their collaboration on "Field of Dreams." A Grammy Award winner in 1990 for Best Instrumental written for a Motion Picture on the feature film "Glory," Horner also won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Song for a Motion Picture in 1987 for "Somewhere Out There," the theme from "An American Tail." His film compositions for "Field of Dreams" and "Aliens" both received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score. Among his more than 50 film credits are "Patriot Games," "Unlawful Entry," "Cocoon," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," "Willow," "Dad," "The Name of the Rose," "Thunderheart," "The Rocketeer," "Once Around" and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock." Talented musician BRANFORD MARSALIS provides the lyrical tones of the soprano saxophone on the "Sneakers" "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 34 ___________________________ musical score. As the new musical director for "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, Marsalis was able to perform on "Sneakers" by juggling a challenging schedule that included early morning recording sessions with an 88-piece orchestra and afternoons at NBC performing on the show. Born in New Orleans, Branford was one of six sons in a musically gifted family. His brothers Wynton, on trumpet, and Delfeayo, on trombone, have also earned international reputations as jazz musicians. Following a four year stint as the key figure in Sting's world-class touring and recording band, Marsalis has also appeared in three movies, "Bring On the Night," "Throw Momma From the Train," and "School Daze." Marsalis has also appeared as a featured soloist on the original soundtrack for "Do the Right Thing," followed by "Mo' Better Blues," both directed by Spike Lee. Universal Pictures Presents a Lasker/Parkes Production. A Phil Alden Robinson Film. Robert Redford. Dan Aykroyd. Ben Kingsley. Mary McDonnell. River Phoenix. Sidney Poitier. David Strathairn. "Sneakers." Music by James Horner. Featuring Branford Marsalis. Costumes Designed by Bernie Pollack. Executive Producer, Lindsley Parsons, Jr. Film Edited by Tom Rolf. Production Designer, Patrizia von Brandenstein. Director of Photography, John Lindley. Written by Phil Alden Robinson and Lawrence Lasker & Walter "SNEAKERS" Production Notes Page 35 ___________________________ F. Parkes. Produced by Walter F. Parkes and Lawrence Lasker. Directed by Phil Alden Robinson. A Universal Picture. * * *