Star Wars//Rian Johnson

I'm gonna write my blog post on what everyone's writing their blogposts on...the recent announcement that Rian Johnson will be the writer and director for Star Wars: VIII and IX.

I, for one, am extremely excited! He wrote/directed films like Brick, The Brothers Bloom, and Looper.  Even though I liked all, the one exception being Looper, each film lacked nothing in the narrative department and all were superbly filmed.

In the article it says,"He knows his way around sci-fi, but more key, he brings fresh ideas to tired conventions, and the thought of him being able to work in the universe of "Star Wars" for two big sequels is pretty terrific. We're sure he's pumped, too."

Although he was more interested in developing new original ideas for films rather than taking on pre-existing projects I think that is the very reason why his two installments will be great! I'm confident that he's sure to create a much more original fantasy sci-fi than your typical adaptations or continuations.

And now as I hear all the new casting choices with people like Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline Christie, and Adam Driver I'm getting extremely stoked. I feel like all of the choices for this film, though uncharacteristic, are extremely interesting and different. These films have such potential.

In the end with Abrams directing VII, I think this next trilogy installment is going to be insane!


Source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/hell-yes-rian-johnson-lines-up-star-wars-episode-8-and-star-wars-episode-9-20140620

Stars Hollow//Hipster Churches

I've successfully completed week 2 of my internship, which is slightly insane for me to wrap my head around. Time is flying by but I'm enjoying every minute of my LA adventures! Since my last post we got to go to a a little intimate sit-down chat with  Max Borenstein (screenwriter, Godzilla) in the back of a comic book shop which was pretty cool, went to see 22 Jump Street with some Grady kids, and on Sunday we got to tour Warner Brothers studios!

The sit-down chat at Nerd Melt was cool. It made me think of films and writing in a different way. While I didn't like Godzilla (shhh don't tell), I loved Max Borenstein. He posed a good point of how lots of screenwriters don't even like the films made from their screenplays. Sometimes we have a very small view of film and think that it's the writer's fault if a film is bad but it's so much more than that. The writer isn't entirely responsible for visual story but rather the narrative.

22 Jump Street was fantastic! The best way for me to describe it is...it's the film industry! From its self-aware dialogue constantly poking fun at the structure of sequels and budget of the film to my personal favorite the credits that completely exploited our film industry's blue prints for films/marketing nowadays. It was perfect!

Our tour of Warner Brothers Studios was amazing. As we drove down all the streets I was in complete awe of how many sets are re-used in both film/television! I feel like I've been watching the same film my entire life! However, the worst and best part for me was the chance to see Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls because it has now been taken over by Pretty Little Liars! Luke's Diner is now some hip coffee shop, the gazebo no longer stands in the town's square and Stars Hollow High is now the home of Rosewood High School. Don't get my wrong it was still fun and I did get the chance to see the church, Ms. Patty's Dance Studio, and Lorelai's house!

Stars Hollow church.

Ms. Patty's Dance Studio.

Lorelai's shed.

Lorelai's house from Gilmore Girls.

And we got to check out the set of Friends...

Me and my roomies at F.R.I.E.N.D.S set.

My internship at A. Smith is going well. Right now I'm still working on researching a show and looking up videos for a sizzle reel for a new show. It's funny because most would assume looking for videos on youtube shouldn't be too hard right? I assure you, it's not a simple task by any means. It's not until you're searching for ONE SPECIFIC THING that you realize just how much junk Youtube's accumulated. Oy vey. And I assure you nothing in life as a post-grad will be funnier until you get into the real world and are actually told to use Wikipedia as a source for research, life is a funny thing.

Also, my life is most definitely a weird string of happenstances that I will never understand. The other day I was at my internship and my co-worker approached me about something I tweeted on twitter. There's a comical video on youtube in which a comedian is on a search for not just any tea but specifically Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer Tea. Well whilst I was doing my Friday night grocery shopping I found the tea and thought it'd be fun to take pic and post it...well it just so happens that I actually work with their manager! He actually handles the social media and favorites BUT the comedian actually replied! I don't know, it's just insane to me that in this HUGE world/industry it's still a pretty small place.

Last but not least, if you are wondering what the "Hipster Churches" in my title is referring to I'll tell you. On Sunday evening my friend Eric, my roommate Ali, and I visited a SUPER hip church called MOSAIC here in the heart of Hollywood. This church was pretty cool...and insanely hip which is no exaggeration. There were swings in front of the church, mason jars hang from the trees for light outside, balloons were bounced around during worship, and the bathrooms made me feel like I walked into Anthropologie (ladies...the tampons were kept in vintage suitcases on the counter). However, let's put that aside. The lesson definitely fed my soul. We delved into Luke 5:27-30 and 14:7-23 talking about how we, as Christians, never need to hide behind the safe, conservative confines of our church and how we're here to serve others! And we're called to die to ourselves in the name of bringing others to the Lord!

And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” - Luke 5:30

- He's not looking for someone who's perfect. He's looking for someone who knows he's not!

- When you meet someone who changes your life you want to invite them to all of your life!

- God's standards are so low that he invited me into his tribe because that's how much he loves us!

- Being holy doesn't mean being isolated from the world.

- Don't come to take the place of honor instead come to serve.

- Not inviting the people who I need to know BUT the ones who need to know the One that I know!


Welp, no more ramblings from this chick. I leave you until next week...

LAFF 2014//Actors Talk

While perusing The Hollywood Reporter I found a good 'ole article on the coffee talk that we went to but a few days ago. So why not write on that, shall I?

First of all, I have to say that aside from Alfred Molina I wasn't really familiar with the panel of actors I went to hear speak on Sunday. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the wisdom they all had to share. Sometimes I tend to get a little high and mighty when it comes to what parts of the industry that I want to be a part of, but in the talk/article Olivia Munn made an extremely good point saying, "...work as hard as you can, keep your head down, say thank you as much as possible. Nothing is ever too small … just be part of something great."

This industry is tough and sometimes that means working on projects I might not be passionate about. However, who knows what doors those opportunities may open OR what lessons I may learn from those experiences. For me, hearing these little bits of wisdom from talented people who've made it in this industry just furthered my zeal/passion for my future career. They taught me to never look down on any opportunity that comes my way. I'd hate to overlook an opportunity that I deem too small that could be my doorway into my future...

And just like Alfred Molina said, "The moment that you hear action, it doesn't matter if there is $200 million behind the camera or $250,000 or whatever … the moment is the same."


Also, is it weird that when I read  a sentence that referenced how the actors..."all regaled the audience with stories about their acting experiences." I was like, "That was me! I was 'the audience'!" Is it weird? Because I still think it's really cool!


Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/laff-2014-olivia-munn-demian-712013

Here for a second//Gone in a flash

I am here. I'm in LA! Never thought I'd be saying that. However, now that I'm here I'm so incredibly glad that this is the path I've chosen. I opted to take the road less traveled(aka the long route) to California. We left June 2nd from Georgia and arrived in Los Angeles, CA on June 7th.

One of my millions of pictures of the road...

Oh the things we saw...Of course, I packed a million things to do on the long road there. When one thinks of a three or four day journey one would assume boredom would rear it's ugly head. However, as the trip progressed I found myself just staring out the window and just taking in all the broadly diverse landscapes as we crossed each state line. I gotta say me and my roadie made some good time. The 1st day we made it to Texas, 2nd day we made it all the way through Texas to Tucson, Arizona and chilled there for a bit, hit up the Grand Canyon on Day 4, and Day 5 we were in California!

View from our digs in Tucson, Arizona.

The Grandest of Canyons

I started my internship at A. Smith & Co. June 8th, and after a little elevator drama I found my way. The company I'm working for does unscripted show production. The most notable things they've been responsible for are Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, America Ninja Warrior and also my guilty pleasures from back in the day The Swan and The World According to Paris (don't judge). I really dig the work environment and getting the chance to meet new people. I've done some odd jobs here and there including: research for a potential new show, watched sizzle reels and took notes, and organized spreadsheets.

While I've been in LA I've gotten a chance to experience some pretty cool things. We spent an afternoon in Beverly Hills and walked down Rodeo Drive, went to The Laugh Factory, spent Saturday in Venice for some beach time, and last but not least we went to some pretty awesome film chats at the LA Film Festival on Sunday.

I took notes on my phone like a nerd....here are some quotes that inspired me from each of the chats!

Whatever happens, love this job and eventually it'll love you back.

The thing you least expect might lead you to somewhere else...

Write great stuff whether you're inspired or not.

When you finish a script it's kind of like when you have a new baby. You think it's perfect and there's nothing wrong with it. You need to keep the people with you that'll be truthful and tell you it's ugly and still love you.

The moment you realize you're not done, yes you can enjoy the oxytocin in the end, but then you can enjoy the process.

Cleverness is the enemy of truth.

Actors panel at LA Film Fest 2014.

Now starting today, I got a chance to brave the busy, traffic laden streets of Los Angeles where turn signals are merely warnings to fellow drivers. And honestly, if you don't almost get into an accident at least 5 times in one day you're doing pretty well my friend. Better than me, that's for sure...so for now my friends I'm just here for this incredible two month ride and can't wait to see where I end up!