Friday, September 30, 2011

HAPPY WEEKEND

Photo: Gescheidt’s World, by Alfred Gescheidt, from Oui, February 1974. via: HC

"Sometimes you just have to jump out the window and grow wings on the way down"
-Ray Bradbury

When you wake up exhausted after 8 hours of sleep, you know you're either depressed or working too hard. In my case, it is undoubtedly the latter (although the absence of someone special has, without question, cast a shadow on my mood). Even without rehearsals, the week has been insane. Auditions are piling up, and I'm trying to find time to implement Tim Phillips side-reading technique. I booked a trip to New Orleans for Halloween with my three best friends from college (no sob story there...I couldn't be more excited). I am booking a trip to New York as soon as the play closes to shoot with an incredible photographer who, amazingly, has agreed to shoot me (it's all about referrals)! I'm working overtime to assure that, when my current job ends, I'll have another one in the books. The constant threat of unemployment as an actor hovers over my head and, although I am lucky enough to have the security of a good day-job, the goal is to stay working in the field that, hopefully soon, will be a primary source of income. This weekend I only have three performances. My understudy is going on for the Sunday matinee so I can retrieve a friend from the airport and spend a little time with her. I have a slew of people coming to the Sunday night performance, which means the pressure's on. I've got a few auditions to go to and a shoot to prep for, but I will try to actively make time for rest and for my friend who I am beyond excited to see! Happy weekend!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND

 Audrey and her fawn, Pippin.

 Marilyn and chiuaua
 Unknown with black cat.

Ava with leopard.

 Unknown with elephants.

 Unknown with baby sheep.

 Betty with kitten.

 Audrey and Pippin.

Katherine and baby giraffe.


Photos via: HC, vodkaandvogue, oldhollywoodwholooklikeanimals

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

BOYS WITH THEIR TOYS

 Kelly with Skates

Bogie with gun.

 Ferrari with Ferrari

 Cash with guitar.

 Altman with camera.

 Ali with punching bag.

 Adams with camera.

 Duchamp with pipe.

 Peck with harmonica.

Basquiat with ring.

photos via: HC & theimpossiblecool

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

THANK YOU FOR 25,000 VIEWS!

We are fast approaching 25,000 views and I thank you for stopping by! It would be AWESOME to know/meet you SO, I encourage you to send me some love by "following" the blog. Thanks again!



My fabulous and talented friend/collaborator Scarlet Moreno and I are prepping for a new shoot next week with Nikko La Mere (above is a photo from our past shoot) that should be a little different than what we've done before. I'm sure there will be more to share!

GET PERSONAL: AUDREY HEPBURN


Audrey Hepburn is the undisputed icon known for her waif-like beauty, innocent demeanor, and general good-naturedness. Arguably the most famous film actress of all-time, the force of her impact came in a small, delicate, but fiercely beautiful package. She was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston in Brussels, Belgium to Baroness Ella Van Heemstra, a Dutch aristocrat, and Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, an Irish/English banker.


Audrey spent her early childhood in Britain, where her father worked, but at the outset of WWII, Ruston (a Nazi sympathizer) abandoned his Jewish wife and child, leaving them to fend for themselves. Van Heemstra moved Audrey and her two older brothers to the Netherlands, where she hoped Germany would not gain foothold. She assigned each family member a pseudonym. While in the Netherlands, Hepburn began to secretly study ballet. She passed the time in ballet classes, often dancing to distract herself from any present hardship. Food and money were scarce, so she maintained optimism through her art. In an effort to support income, Hepburn gave secret performances to members of the Dutch resistance. One of Hepburn's two brothers was interned, for a time, at a German concentration camp. He escaped with his life, but was hugely malnourished and emotionally scarred. These and other events influenced Hepburn's involvement with humanitarian groups such as UNICEF later in life.


After the war, Hepburn moved to Amsterdam to further pursue a career in ballet. She supported herself by acting as a freelance photographers model. Her ballet teacher, Marie Rambert, suggested that, despite her talent, she would have a difficult career in dance due to her height (she was considered tall at 5'7'') and her malnutrition during the war. Rambert then advised Hepburn to consider studying acting instead.


Hepburn moved to London to pursue her theater studies. Working on the West End, she was spotted by a Paramount scout who helped her gain employment in various British films such as One Wild Oat, Laughter in Paradise, Young Wine's Tale, and The Lavendar Hill Mob. In addition to these films, Hepburn starred in the stage production of Gigi.


Hepburn did not get her first starring role until 1953, when she won the role of Princess Ann in Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck. The film, about a sheltered European princess who is discovered by and falls in love with a struggling undercover journalist, was an instant classic, garnering Hepburn an instantaneous celebrity that continued to gain momentum. It was for Roman Holiday that she earned her first Academy Award nomination. Following the success of her first major film, Hepburn was offered a Paramount contract with freedoms to perform in stage plays. She continued to produce wildly successful, eventually iconic films such as, but not limited to: Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Funny Face, War and Peace, Love in the Afternoon, My Fair Lady, and Green Mansions. She stole the hearts of all her audience members and co-stars, often developing life-long friendships with co-workers such as Gregory Peck and Givenchy. She was as well-liked as she was talented and beautiful - a rare combination in Hollywood (then and now).




After 15 incredibly successful years in film, Hepburn decided to bow-out gracefully and dedicate herself to her family and philanthropic work. Although her father had abandoned her and was a Nazi-sympathizer, she supported him financially and kept in contact with him until his death.


Hepburn was engaged once in her youth, but decided against the idea after prioritizing her career. At a cocktail party hosted by Gregory Peck, Hepburn was introduced to actor Mel Ferrer, with whom she became enamored. The two were married and, after two miscarriages, celebrated the birth of their first child, Sean Hepburn Ferrer. After 14 years of marriage, the couple separated and divorced. Hepburn always hoped for more children and, after her divorce, met and fell in love with Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti. The two were married and had their first child, Luca Dotti. After Luca's birth, Hepburn suffered one additional miscarriage and decided to stop having children. She was a devoted mother to both sons and divorced Dotti only after her sons were fully grown. Hepburn was also mother to one fawn and a yorkshire terrier.




After her retirement from film, Hepburn made valiant efforts with UNICEF, using her celebrity platform to raise awareness in addition to first-hand fieldwork. Her devotion to human rights was as important a career as her time in film.


Audrey Hepburn died January 20, 1993 of appendiceal cancer at her home in Vaul, Switzerland. She died in her sleep surrounded by family. Her legacy is one that has made impact on every succeeding generation and will continue to do so for as long as movies are made.


Monday, September 26, 2011

WELCOME TO THE WORKING WEEK









Not much to report except that the weekend, as anticipated, was full of hard work. The weather is making significant turns to fall, which I am not unhappy about. There's something so exciting and romantic about the change of seasons - especially when the leaves turn and fireplaces begin to get some use.  With only two weeks left of the show, I'm beginning to think about next steps. With a few auditions coming up, brand new headshots, and a short-film in the works - the stepping stones seem to be placing themselves, but not without effort; once the ball is rolling, you have to keep it rolling and sometimes that requires a push. This week I'll finally have some nights off. It will be the first chunk of free time since August. At night I'll keep company with my lovely man in Argentina - gotta love Skype. Lately I've been dreaming of his homecoming, but patience is a virtue. Things I've also been dreaming of: quitting my day job, a best friend moving to LA, halloween, HBO, and eliminating my two hour commute from Santa Monica to the theater in Hollywood. Welcome to the working week!

Friday, September 23, 2011

HAPPY WEEKEND

Greta Garbo & Lion via HC

"It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis"
-Margaret Bonna


Last night I was interviewed by the lovely people at Channel 34 for a news segment on Dreams Factory/Fabrica de SueƱos. Although the event caught me off guard (I was still in my workout clothes) and my conversational Spanish was a little rusty, it was a terrific opportunity to further spread the word about our production. They also filmed a few scenes, which aired on last night's 11:00pm news.

Tonight the show opens with its new cast. Julio Villegas has pushed forward with valiant effort, but there's no denying we miss the original actor. Although the news from Argentina is not all bad, we are concerned for him and his family. On a personal level, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him home, but I know he's in exactly the right place. For him, and for me, and for the rest of the cast, life has thrown another curve ball. Experience has taught me to expect nothing less.

Experience has also taught me that the best and most effective remedy for grief is keeping busy. I plan on doing exactly that. I have some photo-shoots to finalize, friends to see, a director to meet, four performances to kill, and a short film to finish writing (I'm very excited about this new short film, I hope to start production this fall, so I'll keep you posted). Enjoy the sun!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST

Francis Bacon by John Deakin, 1952

Tennessee Williams by Rolof Beny, 1958

Marianne Faithfull by David Bailey, 1965

Vivien Leigh by John Rawlings, 1937.


Lee Miller by David Scherman, 1945.

Dolores Del Rio by Edward Steichen, 1929.
Renee Jeanmaire & Roland Petit performing “Carmen”, 1949. Photo by Gordon Parks. 
Frida Kahlo by Nicholas Murray, 1930. 
photos via: Sudden Fabulosity