Wayne Newton Collaborates with DSC for Life Documentary, Feature Film of DOCUTAH

ST. GEORGE  – Wayne Newton, “Mr. Las Vegas” himself, selected Dixie State College Center for Media Innovation to collaborate with him and professionals in the production of a documentary film on his life, “Wayne Newton: A Native American Legend.”

The world premier showing of the film will be shown at the Tuacahn Amphitheater in Ivins, on Sept. 8, for the opening gala of Utah’s premier documentary film festival, DOCUTAH. Newton and his Las Vegas show orchestra will perform in concert forllowing the screening. Tickets may be purchased through the Tuacahn Box Office.

DOCUTAH will run Sept. 8-16, in this, it’s second annual season, with films showing at various venues throughout both Kane and Washington counties in Southern Utah. There are currently scheduled 130 films from 42 countries, including 30 student films, making this year’s event the largest documentary film festival in the world.

Prior to the festival, Newton will visit St. George for a press conference on Aug. 23, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on the Main Statge of the DSC Eccles Fine Arts Center. Clips from the film will be unveiled, with Newton’s address to DSC and  the community, followed by a question and answer forum.

At the close of the Press Conference, Newton will give a live performance with a campus band and will assist in judging final contestants of the student-performance competition, “Mr. Las Vegas Idol,” a competition designed by DSC students, patterened after the renown American Idol.

Students and faculty of DSC’s CMI were selected by Newton to produce the film, which will become a feature at his tourist property in Las Vegas, which he plans to open to the public later this year.

DOCUTAH Director Phil Tuckett works as an associate professor of communications at DSC and also managed the 18-month production of the film, serving as producer and director.

Highlighting his life and career, Newton selected DSC for the opportunity to combine professionals and college students in collaboration on the project.

“To Wayne Newton’s credit, he was very eager to give college students the opportunity to work on production of his film,” said Tuckett. “And we are thrilled for the experience and opportunity this project has given to our students. It is undoubtedly the biggest project of its kind to come out of our college campus.”

“We are honored and thrilled to have Wayne Newton visit our campus,” said DSC President Stephen Nadauld. “He is an accomplished entertainer and we appreciate his willingness to share his talent with our college family and the local community. For giving our faculty and students the opportunity to produce the very film that will represent him to his fans and the tourist community, we are very grateful.”

For more information about DOCUTAH or the Wayne Newton press conference, contact Melynda Burt, DOCUTAH media coordinator, at (435) 773-0781.


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