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More Thanksgiving/Twilight

3 Dec

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Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I fully intended NOT to watch the wunderkind that is the Twilight series, holding on to some principle that getting on the bandwagon is usually not a good idea and can result in a myriad of regrets. I don’t think I have to really elaborate here (like how I watched the movie everyday since Black Friday, then watched the commentary, bought the books, googled everyone, read their interviews, and listened to the soundtrack), you know where I’m going. I got on the wagon and I’m driving at full-speed. Though I cannot tolerate the knowledge that somehow Bella turns into a whining, stupid, naïve girl in book three, I am compelled to go there because I need to know what happens. I need details, and I need them now. I feel like I’m watching Romeo & Juliet for the first time – Will they? Won’t they? PLEASE LET IT ALL WORK OUT. TOGETHER4EVER.

Then last night I met some people, we had something to drink and I asked about Twilight: “Oh I hate Kristen Stewart as Bella, I have a friend who was up for that part, it was between Kristen and her, and she at least was relatable.” Agh. Whatever.

The discussion weaned away from Twilight and the multifarious possible actor/film/director choices to talk about making a living, and more about actors (because almost everyone there was, had been, or wanted to be at one time). In fact, several actors there had auditioned in front of the casting director that I was now talking to: “When you tell someone what you do, people in L.A. never actually believe you. In New York, if you say you’re an actor, there’s some credibility to that.”

And finally we discussed the holidays. A friend mused humorously about his Thanksgiving dinner with friends and acquaintances, during which he was told by a fellow dinner guest in an excited and possibly concerned manner, “OH MY GOD, you are so skinny!” while ironically holding only a salad.

My head might hurt this morning because either:

a) I’m too punch-drunk on twilight and its brood and I’ve overindulged

b) The particular vernacular of L.A. always sets in a certain depression(we’re all TRYING TO MAKE IT)

c) Obviously, I had WAY too much to drink last night. i.e. I might still be drunk (I stumbled and fell over when I got out of bed this morning).

Lights, Camera…You!

24 Jun

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Rene Ashton is a beautiful woman. One could speculate that all her time spent behind a camera is due to her profound beauty – a perfect smile, tan skin and tiny physique – but then we’d be missing something, her know-how. No one knows the arduous life of an actor like an actor, and as one who knows, Rene is finally sharing her successful experience with the release of her book titled “Lights, Camera…You!”. The woman is so energetic that most of her friends didn’t know she was writing a book. She didn’t stay holed up in her apartment, instead, she’s just finished filming a commercial. So on Monday night, I went to Lola’s to celebrate the release of her new book. Drinks were $5 (cheap in L.A.!), cake was served and a gift bag was handed to me as I left.

Please make note, the gift bag contained Joico hair products – a shampoo and conditioner that smelled so divine, I felt like I went to the salon (complete with glowing locks afterward).

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Driving Home.

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Father’s Day

23 Jun

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This weekend was devoted to the Dad, and as such, I was unable to find Banksy. Although I know he will be waiting when I’m on the street again. Sunday was about a SpongeBob card, old photos, coffee, cigars and a movie at CityWalk. I bought some comics, ate a cinnabon (which makes me sound both nerdy and possibly overweight, neither of which I am (ok, maybe nerdy)) and enjoyed the Pixar film ‘Up’ in a movie theatre so cold it made a kid cry.

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13 Beauties

22 Jun

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Lights3smallI’m about to watch a movie. Not just any movie, it’s a collection of Andy Warhol’s screen tests. Thirteen of which have been chosen to create tonight’s ‘performance’; a projection onto a large screen with a live soundtrack provided by Dean & Britta. I’m at the Ford Amphitheatre, at an event produced by the L.A. Film Festival titled ’13 Most Beautiful’.    Paul America, Susan Bottomly, Ann Buchanan, Freddy Herko, Jane Holzer, Dennis Hopper, Billy Name, Nico, Richard Rheem, Lou Reed, Ingrid Superstar, Edie Sedgwick and Mary Woronov are tonights featured artists.  Mary is actually at the theatre, and before the show starts she is up on stage telling us stories about The Factory and Andy’s famous residents and friends.   Dean Wareham of Dean & Britta provides grovelly voiced commentary throughout the night, spilling anecdotes about each person as they arrive on screen. Music is played to match the length of the each piece. With songs by Bob Dillon and Lou Reed, nostalgia easily sets in.

 Chief among them:

Richard Rheem: Andy’s boyfriend for a time.

Paul America:  Andy encouraged his actors to take different names, and for Paul, the name he took was America.  Later on, he regretted this name change because he didn’t like what America represented and he said,  it was difficult to check into hotels.

Susan Bottomly: 17 years of age, who cried during the screen test.

Nico: Whose real name was Christa Pakin and inspired a song written by Bob Dillon, who took a painting of Elvis Presley and later traded it for a used couch.

Freddy Harlo: He was a dancer and wore a black cape around town.  While taking a bath in Andy’s apartment, someone put Mozart on and Freddy jumped out of the bath, danced around the room and then jumped out the window of the four story building.   We are told that he was fond of taking speed.

Ingrid Von Schhelfflen (Ingrid Superstar): In 1986 she was living with her Mother.  One day, she left her false teeth in a chair, walked out the front door and never came back.   Throughout her test, she constantly hides her teeth and nose behind two delicate fingers.  I can almost see the old woman she will become.   With her wide chin and small lips, she reminds me of Drew Barrymore. 

Lou Reed: Drinking a bottle of Coke.  With graceful swigs from the bottle, he keeps his glasses on and (I assume) stares back at the camera.   His fingers are long, with nails filed to a soft point.

Billy Name: Was lit on most of his films and in 1963 lived off East 7th Street in New York.  Also a fan of speed, he decided to paint his apartment silver, which prompted Andy to ask him to do the same to his apartment.  He lived with Andy for four years afterward. 

Baby Jane Holzer:  1964 girl of the year who’s staring at the camera while brushing her teeth.  It’s very sensual.

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 A picnic before, available at any open table you can find.

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Mary Woronov

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Susan Bottomly

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Edie Sedgwick

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Mary Woronov

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Nico

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The crowd.  Feeling nostalgic?

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Baby Jane: Jane Holzer

Another look at the show:
Trailer Plot: 13 Most Beautiful

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Filming

17 Jun

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Last Friday I was invited to a gig in the Hollywood Hills. My Dad is an actor, so I’m privy to some fun stuff if I can get some time off my amazingly boring job. Since I never get sick, and barely take vacation, I’ve racked up quite a few hours of PTO; so here I was Friday afternoon, with nothing but some spare time and an invitation to Molly Sims house. Photobucket
Model/Actress Molly Sims. Noted for her Sports Illustrated appearances and star of ‘Las Vegas’ as Delinda Deline.

I can tell you only that what was being filmed was a short, meant to make fun of its actors, and while the actors proceeded to do their bit, I watched behind the scenes.   I played with Sims dogs, Chloe and Bubette, watched the action from just behind the director, stood in for Molly, chatted with the crew, and generally admired her beautiful home.   Molly seems to be both well-read and an avid art collector.   She certainly had fun playing up her part while filming.   She is as stunning as you can imagine in person.  All tan and blond and 5′ 9″.

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Four hours later (which is remarkable for one scene) – start, stop, start, stop, this angle, that angle – all the actors were done with their scene and we said our goodbyes.  The day was in the throes of California’s June Gloom, and with the cool weather, it was perfect for a beer on a patio.    So it was.

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Daily Photo: Saturday Premiere

31 May

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Daily Photo: Million Dollar Hotel

29 May

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The scene of the depressing and sickly haunting story of L.A. transients and junkies living in the dilapidated building known as The Million Dollar Hotel.  Milla Jovovich is beautiful, Mel Gibson is unconvincing. The plot is thin, the dialogue worse.   

Million Dollar Hotel: Movie

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Roll Credits

1 Apr

A unique L.A. phenomenon: Unlike the rest of the country, much of L.A.’s movie audiences sit through the closing credits; I’m not in the biz, so this stand-still simply gives me time to get out of the parking lot before the masses head out and create a painful parking lot traffic jam.

An LA Observer shows us what’s up: “In L.A., a movie isn’t over at the fadeout; we want to see who was the best boy, who stood in for Julia Roberts and who got the catering gig. For Angelenos, the movie isn’t over until the Dolby Sound System logo has appeared, and the house lights have come on.

I used to believe L.A. movie crowds watch the credits with as much interest as the story action because they want to see how many people they know making below-the-line appearances. To recognize names, to claim relationships, is a gauge of professional status in an industry town; it’s a competition as much as a curiosity satisfier.”

It machine never stops.

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