AMICA INSURANCE SIGNS ON AS EXCLUSIVE CORPORATE SPONSOR FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S NEXT BRANDED LARGE-FORMAT FILM, "FORCES OF NATURE"

Corporate funding combines with National Science Foundation grant to ensure production for 2004 release

WASHINGTON (March 17, 2003)--National Geographic and Amica Mutual Insurance Company announced an exclusive corporate sponsorship for a new large-format film, “Forces of Nature.”  The film is being produced by Graphic Films and is co-produced by National Geographic and will focus on the earth’s most inspiring and terrifying natural events. Additional funding comes from the National Science Foundation.  

With National Geographic’s trademark combination of scientific excellence, storytelling skill and human emotion, “Forces of Nature” will showcase the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes, and severe storms by following scientists on their groundbreaking quests to understand how natural disasters are triggered.  Audiences will learn what is being done to predict and prepare for these events, and how their deadly effects can be minimized, as they come face-to-face on the giant screen with earth’s most destructive forces.

"These are events that shape our world.  When seen on the giant screen, this film will offer an unprecedented opportunity for audiences to both experience and learn about the frightening power of a tornado, the violence of an earthquake and the explosive might of a volcanic eruption,” said Lisa Truitt, head of the National Geographic Television and Film Large Format Film unit and executive producer of "Forces of Nature." "We’re deeply grateful to Amica, as well as to the National Science Foundation, for making sure this important film is made."

George Casey, co-producer and director of the film, said “It’s taken us ten years to capture the large-format images that will allow us to present the story on the world’s largest screens in the only medium we feel could truly do justice to the subject matter. ’Forces of Nature’ will permit audiences to experience these extraordinary, powerful forces while accompanying dedicated scientists who risk ‘ground zero’ to unlock their secrets.”  

“As an insurance company, we are acutely aware of how devastating a natural disaster can be to a person’s life,” said Thomas A. Tyler, President and CEO of Amica Insurance.  “The scientists whose work is being featured in ‘Forces of Nature” are working to make early prediction of impending natural disaster possible.  This in turn will save both lives and property, which is one of the reasons Amica is sponsoring this important film.

Amica Mutual Insurance Company is the exclusive national corporate sponsor of “Forces of Nature.”  The film will carry the Amica brand in all distribution.  In addition to all marketing and promotion materials, the Amica brand will be included in the extensive teacher, classroom, and family educational materials, which are being created by the National Geographic Education Foundation outreach division.

Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907.  The company, with corporate headquarters in Lincoln, RI, is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine and personal excess liability insurance.  Life coverage is available through Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary.  Amica employs more than 3,500 people in 42 offices across the country.

“Forces of Nature” will also be the subject of a new website devoted to increasing the knowledge needed for early prediction of tornadoes, earthquakes  and volcanic eruptions. Nationalgeographic.com will focus interactive attention on these and other natural events when the film launches in early 2004.

National Geographic is co-producing “Forces of Nature” with Graphic Films Corporation, producers of award-winning large format films for more than 20 years.  Graphic Films has been honored with more than 100 national and international awards, including 5 Academy Award nominations.

National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Geographic Ventures, which also manages National Geographic’s businesses in interactive, online, merchandising, travel expeditions, and related businesses. National Geographic’s first large-format film, “Mysteries of Egypt,” has grossed nearly $80 million since its initial release in 1998, and is still in distribution.  Currently in release is “Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West,” which is now showing in 40 theaters in the U.S. and growing.

Building on its global reputation for remarkable visuals and compelling stories, NGT&F augments its award-winning documentary productions (119 Emmy Awards and more than 800 other industry awards) with feature films, large-format films, and long-form television drama programming. Worldwide, National Geographic’s television programming can be seen on the National Geographic Channel, MSNBC, and PBS, home video and DVD, and through international broadcast syndication. The National Geographic Channel is received by more than 149 million households in 23 languages in 142 countries, including the United States. For more information about National Geographic Television & Film, log on to nationalgeographic.com.

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Contacts:
Ellen Stanley
(202) 775-6755
estanley@ngs.org

or

Margaret Munroe
1 (800) 992-6422 ext. 4563
mmunroe@amica.com