Elegy to a drama teacher

NEWS RELEASE

STUDIO-ON-HUDSON

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'Teacher to the Stars' Jay W. Jensen dies at 75

Mr. Jensen really was a Class Act

Miami, FL - "Teacher to the Stars" Jay W. Jensen died late Saturday night at 75 after a courageous bout with cancer.

Jensen, a philanthropist and drama teacher, stars in the documentary Class Act which has been screening across America the past year.

The film, to be released commercially and on DVD later this year, weaves teacher extraordinaire Jensen's personal story with the fate of arts education in America today.

"My heart is aching," said Class Act producer and former Miami Beach High School student Heather Winters (Super Size Me).

Winters' company Studio-On-Hudson produced the film, and Sara Sackner (Concrete!), Miami Beach High alum, directed the film.

"Jay had such an impact on so many students' lives," said Winters. "Class Act is a tribute to him and I can only hope that our film inspires people the way Jay inspired and changed so many lives during his lifetime. He was an advocate for arts education and knew the importance and eternal value a good teacher can have on a student's life."

"Jay was more than just my drama teacher," said Winters. "He was instrumental in helping me to become the successful person I am."

"Our Mr. Jensen, our Jay, lived life to the fullest, every moment," said Sackner. "That may sound like a cliché, but with Jay, it's truth. I honor him by sharing an enthusiasm for the arts, education, and human relationships, the heart of his classroom and theater productions. Jay dusted each day with humor and a dash of irony. I miss him terribly."

Many who appear in the documentary share Winters' and Sackner's view of Jensen.

The film features a virtual who's who of Hollywood from Jensen's Miami Beach alumni, including actor Andy Garcia, film director Brett Ratner, songwriter Desmond Child, music executive José Behar, Broadway producer Adam Epstein, casting director Debra Zane and sportscaster Roy Firestone.

About Studio-On-Hudson and Class Act

Studio-On-Hudson (Studio-on-Hudson.com) is an independent film production company that specializes in the production and financing of independent feature films and documentaries.

Studio-On-Hudson also develops narrative feature and television projects.

Founded in 2000 by producer/writer Heather Winters and producing partner Joseph Morley, Studio-On-Hudson executive produced Morgan Spurlock's Academy Award® nominated documentary Super Size Me.

Class Act (ClassActTheMovie.com) is the second feature-length documentary that re-teams Winters, Morley and Spurlock.

Class Act won First Place, Best Documentary, 2006 Rhode Island International Film Festival and Artivist Film Festival's "Spirit" Award for Best Feature film.

The film is set to be released commercially later this year and by Hart Sharp Video Fall, 2007 on DVD as part of the new Morgan Spurlock Presents line of social issues documentaries.

Class Act photo courtesy of Winters/Sackner Films, Inc., © 2007. All rights reserved.

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