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Entries tagged with 'Hollywood'
Posted May. 28, 2008,
R.I.P. Sydney Pollack
By Ann Magnuson
Most folks know by now that the wonderful film director (and equally wonderful actor) Sydney Pollack passed away on Monday. The Academy Award winning director of A-list fare like Tootsie, Out of Africa and The Way We Were, Pollack also directed one of my favorite movies They Shoot Horses, Don't They? They sure don't make movies like that anymore! They don't even make trailers like that anymore!
Posted Oct. 12, 2007,
The Life and Times of Fabian Basabe: "You Are a Brand!"
By Fabian Basabe
Rule #2: YOU ARE A BRAND!
Hello my dear readers. What follows is an interview with Paul Anderson, a mega-agent who managed to launch and bring success to many TV and radio personalities -- we are talking about godly skills here. Unfortunately for me, I was way beyond salvation even for him, but at least -- probably out of pity -- he granted me this interview, which I share with you.
Paul’s job is mainly focused on helping the talents he is working with to focus on their own skills and build what is called in the business, a “personality brand.”
See, apparently, each one of us has certain characteristics and traits that define us and make us more appealing to a certain audience than to another. Once you understand who your audience is, and you are able to win it, you establish followers. Your stakes go from commodity to brand, you stop being a disposable face that can be replaced by the next hot thing, and basically win the hearts of Americans and are in the business to stay, baby!
OK, the interview is not at all extravagant, but I am completely intimidated by him and could not bring myself to ask him any of the hundreds of silly questions that so easily pop in my mind daily. By the short and focused responses you might get what I mean… he is business and he is not afraid to show it.
On my part, I am going to go back to plotting my next blog.
Posted Oct. 8, 2007,
The Life and Times of Fabian Basabe: "Be on Time and Stay Away From the Bullshit."
By Fabian Basabe
Rule #1: Be original -- don't be a whore! Sleep with people because you like them... not because you think it will help you. You will just get passed around.
We are all familiar with stories of shady agents who want you to meet them at their homes at night in order to make a move, or tell you, “that is how the industry is...” NO! This is a terrible misrepresentation and a sad story unfortunately told over and over again. This is business! You are talent and they are agents. The agent makes money when you make money. If you are talented you will work, period! If you are young and inexperienced and a bit naïve, you will most likely become a pet to an agent that finds you hot... but pay attention, this is a very expensive city and every day will cost you. Do not be intimidated, just be aware... you are after a profession and you should be professional. There are hundreds like you and you are not the first to use sex as an "in.”
The industry gets a bad rap as it is... be original, actually keep your clothes on, strengthen your skills by taking classes and getting real work experience, be on time, and stay away from the bullshit.
Posted Sep. 28, 2007,
The Life and Times of Fabian Basabe: "WOW! I Do Some Really Stupid Shit!"
By Fabian Basabe
Fashion Week is long gone, and while I was initially approached to guest blog for the week, the fine PAPER people have asked me to continue blogging... so here goes!
I'll start with a little about me and what I am up to this fall...
So I recently signed with a talent agency in New York, Don Buchwald and Associates. I had to put together a reel and a press book, and while I’ve had people to organize me in the past, at the end of the day if you want to get something done you must ultimately do it yourself. So I began... I went online and skimmed through articles and press mentions about me.... WOW! I do some really stupid shit! And I thought no one was looking -- ha!
You learn a lot about yourself when you actually pay attention! Well, it is not all bad... there are some nice features from very respectable (and fair) writers, front-page stories, magazine covers and, well, a whole lot of fan messages. But then there is the stuff that stays.
Posted Jun. 27, 2007,
Amy Winehouse: "Tears Dry on Their Own" Video
By Shanon Kelley
Here it is, the one everyone's been talking about. Amy Winehouse's newest video for her single, "Tears Dry On Their Own," directed by well-known photographer/director David La Chapelle, and filmed on the infamous Hollywood Boulevard.
Posted Jun. 20, 2007,
Angelyne Latest Victim of Hollywood Gentrification
By Ann Magnuson
You know the end is nigh when they kick Angelyne out of Hollywood! This story in the L.A. Times chronicles the fight between the iconic (and somewhat fossilized, just how old IS she now?) buxom blonde and city redevelopment leaders and developers of a planned $500-million luxury project near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. From the Times:
Posted May. 25, 2007,
Eleven-Year-Old Poised to Take Over Hollywood
By Ann Magnuson
I loved this story when it first broke. Precocious 11-year-old filmmaker Dominic Scott Kay sued the producer of his directorial debut, Saving Angelo -- who happens to be a mother of a kid he played soccer with. Best known as the voice of Wilbur the Pig in the movie Charlotte's Web, Kay recently won the suit and, as a result, now has full ownership and control of his similarly animal-themed flick. There can be little doubt that this kid is currently being woed by every major player in town. But time is of the essence!