Wicked Contest: Share Celestial Event With 'Countdown' Stars

LOS ANGELES—As if 2012's Mayan calendar crisis weren't enough, the mainstream press has been populated with other apocalytic tidbits: unprecedented solar winds a few days ago, and a 12-mile tall dust devil on Mars this weekend. It's all an appropriate backdrop for the release of Countdown, Brad Armstrong's upcoming end-of-the-world blockbuster for Wicked Pictures. Armstrong's hardcore drama asks the hard question: What would happen if Armageddon were to arrive? And more importantly, what would you do if you found out you only had mere days to live? Now, thanks to a new promotional contest, a short answer to those questions will give one lucky fan a chance to experience a celestial event firsthand with members of the Countdown cast in person on May 20, when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun to create a partial eclipse. Armstrong's movie follows several couples as they learn that an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth and may well end all life on the planet. With this concept in mind, fans are asked to write a 100-word treatment or outline for a potential Countdown sequel. Does humanity perish or survive? What of those who make it to underground bunkers in time? Fans are invited to let their imaginations run wild and then submit their outlines to countdown@wickedpictures.com. The contest's winner will be announced in early May. In addition to having their treatment considered for possible future production by Wicked, the winner will be flown to Los Angeles the weekend of May 20 to enjoy an afternoon at Griffith Observatory with director Armstrong and Wicked Girl jessica drake. A meal at Wolfgang Puck’s Café at the End of the Universe will be followed by a live viewing of the eclipse in real time via the observatory's formidable array of coelostat and solar telescopes. In addition to being one of the premier public observatories in the world, Griffith Observatory is also a popular filming location. From Star Trek: Voyager and The Rocketeer to such modern hits as Transformers and Terminator: Salvation, the iconic facility has served as a hub of sci-fi activity for over half a century. The Countdown contest is now open; fans may submit entries (one per person) until midnight on April 28. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. All entrants must be 18 or older to qualify. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Offer only valid in the continental United States. To learn more, visit Wicked.com and Wickedb2b.com. The safe-for-work trailer for Countdown can be viewed here.