Science Channel announced today that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg will join forces with the network, DreamWorks Television and KPI Productions to create the definitive documentary series about the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site in New York City. Under the agreement, Spielberg will serve as executive producer and creative advisor on REBUILDING GROUND ZERO (wt), a six-part television event set to premiere on Science Channel in 2011.
The brainchild of professional architect Danny Forster (host and producer of Science Channel’s BUILD IT BIGGER) and Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Hock, REBUILDING GROUND ZERO (wt) will chronicle the uplifting, innovative reengineering of the World Trade Center site through the eyes of the people – architects, engineers, construction workers and city planners – charged with making One World Trade Center and its surrounding area a reality. Their amazing story is one of inventive architectural design and brand new science powered by an emotional determination to help heal their wounds, their city and their country.
REBUILDING GROUND ZERO (wt) unites the finest creative, editorial and engineering expertise of Spielberg, DreamWorks Television, Forster, Hock, KPI Productions and the Science Channel. Together the team will utilize the latest in cutting-edge technology and filmmaking techniques – including 3D, high-definition, time-lapse cameras and fourth dimensional computer modeling techniques – to bring this astonishing story of ingenuity and the human spirit to television. Science Channel cameras have been granted extraordinary access from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC) to capture the scientifically unprecedented feats of engineering, and incredibly daunting emotions of those working on the site.
“As we developed this project we realized no one could tell the story of the amazing engineering feats and the intimate portraits of the heroes involved better than Spielberg and DreamWorks Television,” said Debbie Myers, Science Channel general manager. “Ground Zero is an icon of America’s strength, courage and dreams of the future. Through REBUILDING GROUND ZERO (wt) viewers will travel through the fascinating engineering mastery and emotional journeys of those involved in rebuilding the area.”
New York State Governor David A. Paterson said, “We are not only rebuilding the World Trade Center, we are transforming a symbol of great tragedy into one of hope. This documentary series will share the story of the men and women who work to revitalize downtown New York, while also honoring the memories of those who lost their lives. I applaud the Science Channel, Steven Spielberg and all the partners for producing the documentary series and look forward to viewing the series once completed.”
“The rebuilding effort at Ground Zero is a compelling story of remembrance and renewal,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “The fact that Steven Spielberg – one of the great filmmakers of our time – will produce a documentary on it ensures that the story will be brought to life for people around the world, for generations to come.”
Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, “The rebuilding of the World Trade Center site is a story that resonates around the world. The Science Channel and Steven Spielberg will help ensure that the challenges we encounter and the triumphs we achieve in the rebuilding effort are captured for generations to come.”
Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward said, “Given the significance of this project, the emotion that is tied to the site and the impact that the massive redevelopment will have on the City for years to come, the public needs to understand all that is going on behind the fence. This Science Channel project will add to that understanding.”
“The 9/11 Memorial represents the very heart of rebuilding the World Trade Center site,” National September 11 Memorial & Museum President Joe Daniels said. “We look forward to supporting the documentation of the complex and emotional construction of the Memorial which is expected to open on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. The Memorial and Museum will preserve the memory of 9/11 for future generations, and this documentary will showcase what the efforts of thousands of supporters from all over the world have gone towards.”
“The World Trade Center Site, including the Memorial, are at the center of this epic redevelopment program,” said Robert Harvey, PE (Professional Engineer) and Executive Director of the LMCCC, which coordinates all of the public and private construction in Lower Manhattan including buildings, roadways and infrastructure. “We are thrilled that Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television and Science Channel are committed to tell the story of those in the downtown residential and business communities, and those of us working to help rebuild and develop downtown as a vital 24/7 community for people to work and live.”
Each episode of REBUILDING GROUND ZERO (wt) will chronicle one aspect of the entire World Trade Center site rebuilding project from constructing the 1,776-foot tower at One World Trade Center to the astonishing memorials, park, underground museum and state-of-the-art transportation hub being erected at the site.
REBUILDING GROUND ZERO (wt) will be produced by DreamWorks Television (Steven Spielberg executive producer) and Science Channel (Debbie Myers and Christo Doyle executive producers) in association with KPI (Danny Forster executive producer). Jonathan Hock is director.
About Science Channel
Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) (NASDAQ:DISCK) , is broadcast 24 hours a day and seven days a week to more than 65 million U.S. homes and simulcast on Science Channel HD. We immerse viewers in the incredible possibilities of science, from string theory and futuristic cities to accidental discoveries and outrageous inventions. We take things apart, peer inside and put things together in new and unexpected ways. We celebrate the trials, errors and brinking moments that change our lives forever. To find out more go to sciencechannel.com.
(Source: Science Channel)
