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2008 Candlelight Forum Honors Tim Conway
April 2, 2008
Tim Conway and Carol Burnett
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For most of us, hearing the legendary Carol Burnett belt out her famous Tarzan yell brings on a singular kind of joyous laughter. Guffaws, even. Gigantic ones. But if you were the legendary comic actor Tim Conway, sitting on the front row of the packed 600-seat theatre in the Directors Guild of America building on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard, it brought tears to your eyes.
You thought you were there about to receive "The David" honor for your lifetime achievement in a career spanning four decades — a career full of unforgettable performances that have left countless millions laughing to the point that tears streamed down their cheeks.
At that very moment, you probably thought master impressionist Louise DuArt was doing a spot-on impression of Burnett's Tarzan yell. And you were right, but this was a Regent University School of Communication & the Arts event. This was the 2008 Candlelight Forum and for Michael Patrick, dean of the Comm School, even the best impression could be bumped up a notch.
And so it was that on the evening of April 1, just a few seconds into DuArt's Tarzan yell, another one could be heard coming from stage left. It sounded...well, perfect. And loud! Could it possibly be? This wasn't on the program. This hadn't been announced. Was that in fact the great Carol Burnett herself walking on stage? Ohmygosh, yes, it was, and as shocked as everyone in the audience was as they jumped to their feet applauding wildly, it was Tim Conway who was the most shocked...and moved.
Burnett first gave kudos to DuArt for her rendition of the Tarzan yell. She then turned her attention to her friend Conway, perhaps best known for his role on The Carol Burnett Show, for which he earned five Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and millions of fans around the world. Her words were sincere and heartfelt and there was no doubt that her respect and love for Conway is beyond measure. Elegantly dressed in a simple black suit, she began sharing some behind-the-scenes memories of their times together and again had the audience in stitches doing her own impression of a slow-motion fall down a flight of stairs Conway had done during a particular episode. Of course, what made the story even funnier was that she told the audience she and Harvey Korman, also in the scene, had no idea that Conway would play it this way.
When Conway came to the stage to accept "The David" honor, in what only he could pull off, he held it in his hand, looked at it thoughtfully, and said..."It's...so...small!" Again, the laughter nearly took off the roof. But as he made a few more serious remarks, he was obviously still overwhelmed by it all and moved that Regent had honored him in such a way.
These unforgettable moments wrapped up an evening that celebrated film and television writers, directors and producers of quality and life-affirming entertainment projects that encompass a broad-based audience and leave a lasting and positive impact on our world.
Hosted by singer/actress and newest addition to The Today Show, Kathie Lee Gifford and author/TV executive SQuire Rushnell, this year's Candlelight Forum also paid its Candlelight Honors tribute — which recognizes a film or entertainment industry leader whose projects and personal contributions exemplify the finest in positive value and redemptive entertainment and whose work and example encourage others — to the independent film Bella; its producer and star Eduardo Verastegui; producers Sean Wolfington, Leo Severino, Alejandro Monteverde, Eustance Wolfington, Stephen McEveety, Marcie Wolfington, Ana Wolfington and Denise Pinckley; actors Tammy Blanchard, Manny Perez and Ali Landry; and the movie's production company, Metanoia Films, which describes its mission as creating timeless films that make a positive difference in the world by promoting stories and characters that inspire and change people's lives. Bella was the winner of The People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and was an Official Selection at film festivals around the country. Comm School graduate Tony Hale (best known for his role as Buster in Arrested Development) received the Alumnus of the Year honor.
Sean Wolfington, the executive producer of Bella, said the event was "an inspiring and informative experience." For SQuire Rushnell and his wife Louise DuArt, it was all about the students. "Every aspect [of the event] was first rate," Rushnell said. "Mostly, we are proud of Dean Michael Patrick and his exemplary teammates who pulled off what, at times, was the impossible. Louise and I continuously marvel that Dean Patrick always places the focus of any conversation or event upon one thing: his students. Seeing the joy on his face as dozens of Regent students were afforded the opportunity to mingle with Hollywood filmmakers and television executives...all potential employers in their future...was the priceless outcome of the entire evening. Thanks for letting us participate."
The program and reception was hosted by Regent's School of Communication & the Arts, which has several alumni working in Hollywood in the entertainment industry. The Candlelight Forum provided an occasion for networking among those who share a common purpose and hope of sparking new ideas, new projects and greater funding opportunities. It is a critical component of a year-round dialogue that draws industry leaders as well as students, alumni and friends from throughout the entertainment industry to the yearly gathering.
"The Candlelight Forum's mandate is to acknowledge and highlight current and future entertainment projects that choose to illuminate the human condition, rather than exploit it," says Dean Patrick. "Our overall goal is to foster an ongoing conversation and encourage the efforts of those whose work exemplifies 'Lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness.' Our goal for the evening is to gather like-minded people who are striving to use their talents and craft to make a difference in the lives of others through film, television and other forms of entertainment."
For more than 30 years, Rick Eldridge has been involved in every facet of the entertainment business. Currently the CEO of the Film Foundry and the Independent Producers Alliance, he called The Candlelight forum a great event. "I was honored to be part of it," he said. "Congratulations!"
Chip Flaherty, Jr., executive vice president and general counsel of Walden Media (that produced The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Charlotte's Web; Bridge to Terabithia and the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), had this to say: "I was honored to be part of such a special evening to commemorate the role Regent University is playing in educating a new generation of storytellers so that they may weave tales of wonder, hope and redemption."
The Candlelight Forum is sponsored by Regent University's School of Communication & the Arts; Christian Broadcasting Network; InterMission, Hollywood; Plymouth Rock Studios; David and Darrellyn Melilli; and Daniel and Cynthia Burleson.
PR/NEWS CONTACT: Judy Baker
Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4307 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: judibak@regent.edu
