UNIVERSAL PICTURES SEEKS NEW TALENT FOR ITS OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO COVERING "STARSHIPS" FOR THE UPCOMING FILM PITCH PERFECT

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures announced today that it has begun the search for new talent to appear in "Starships," the official music video for Pitch Perfect, the studio's upcoming musical comedy that hits theaters on October 5.  With the chance to join the film's cast and Internet music sensation Mike Tompkins in the video, amateur musicians and dancers are encouraged to submit their best vocals; signature moves; beatbox; and/or guitar, bass, synth and back-up sounds to accompany this cover of Nicki Minaj's worldwide smash.

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With multiple options for participation, fans may submit their entries at www.pitchperfectmovie.com/musicvideo.  Those selected for the project will have their video showcased on both the Blu-ray DVD of Pitch Perfect and Tomkins' YouTube channel, which currently has more than 550,000 subscribers.

"Pitch Perfect celebrates everyone out there who is following his or her true passion," said the film's director, Jason Moore.  "Mike Tompkins embodies passion for music, and we're thrilled to be able to partner with him on this project.  I can't wait to watch the undiscovered talent that I know we'll find."

"When Universal approached me with the idea to make a video for Pitch Perfect, I knew it would be a fun partnership," noted Tompkins.  "Making music has driven me since I was a kid, and I know there are many others out there who love it as much as I do.  I'm looking forward to seeing what we are able to create together."

This is the first time Tompkins has collaborated with filmmakers, talent and a studio on the official music video for a movie.  Tompkins, represented by Maker Studios—a next-generation talent-first music company—is best known for creating his own unique twist on music covers using only his voice and mouth.  As his popularity rose, he was noticed by some of the biggest names in entertainment and has since collaborated as a producer and writer with Timbaland and been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, NBC's TODAY show and PerezHilton.com, among others.  Tompkins and Alana Da Fonseca arranged this new a cappella version of "Starships," which was written by Nicki Minaj, RedOne, Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub and Wayne Hector.

All submissions must be received by August 22, 2012.  Please visit www.pitchperfectmovie.com/musicvideo for entry details and terms and conditions.

About Pitch Perfect

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who'd rather listen to what's coming out of her headphones than what's coming out of you.  Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect.

When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cutthroat world of college music competitions.  This could wind up either the coolest thing they'll ever do or the most insane, and it will probably be a little of both.

Loaded with new takes on old favorites to hits of right now that are seamlessly mixed together, mashed-up and arranged like you've never heard before, Pitch Perfect is directed by Jason Moore, who opened our eyes to the very misbehaved life of puppets in the surprise Broadway sensation Avenue Q.  www.pitchperfectmovie.com

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).  Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks.  Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

SOURCE Universal Pictures