Thanksgiving 2012 at Ecclesia Hollywood

Ecclesia did its yearly pre-Thanksgivings participation in the CCCO's Shoes That Fit Day which provides shoes to children who live along Skid Row. Ecclesians donated supplies and "must haves" food (fruits, veggies, chips, cookies and juice boxes) for the one meal that's served to each needy family and they volunteered their time for the event. I had just had my second nerve block so I couldn't be there physically but I donated money/food and prayed for all involved especially Dion Ramos, who coordinates both our participation in CCCO and PATH.

The Keeping Church Weird sermon series wrapped up the Sunday after Thanksgiving after 8 weeks. Pastor Joseph included scriptual basis for the "weird" things we do like (1) why Christians Baptize (2) why we preach (3) why we take Communion (4) why we do charitable givings, tithes and offerings (5) why we sing praises to God and (6) why we pray, which involved a church-wide hand holding prayer session along with prayer from the prayer team along the sides of the church.  They also showed several personal video testimonies from Ecclesians about the power of prayer in our lives and the availability of the church's prayer team.

Also, Ecclesia's amazing and very Brittish Praise and Worship leader, Greg Jong and his band, Grand Vanity (including wife, Danielle) made a tremendous milestone! Pastor Joseph was very proud to announce that Grand Vanity's Praise album has finally became available for download under Enter Praise Band at bandcamp.com. I'd been praying for this album to be released as the songs are so impactful and a "must listen" for Christians everywhere but especially us in Hollywood. There have been many days that these praise songs were what got me out of bed on a real bad day so I'm very thankful that they're available.

My favs are "Christ Victorious" (joyous, triumphant!) and there's "Abide" (like an old English church hymn with a rock guitar edge) and "Faithfulness in Defeat" (sad yet hopeful song based on Psalms 88 & 89) and "Holy Spirit In Me" ( country gospel/stomp and praise style y'all) and "Make My Soul Aware"(my morning wake up praise song)and "Confession Song" (touchingly honest) and --- well the entire album really is a fav! Find it here  http://grandvanity.bandcamp.com/album/ep-b-enter-praise-band

Greg gave his personal testimony during the "Why We Sing" sermon and then we viewed the music video of two songs .

Faithfulness in Defeat    http://vimeo.com/56081419  

Make My Soul Aware   http://vimeo.com/53557814  

These videos are extremely well done, too and made me think that the amazing, Mike Cioni, was somewhere in the mix of the making of them. Mike also plays violin with Ecclesia's Praise and Worship team and he's an all around prodfessional and nice guy. Speaking of Mike, check out some of his post-production work in the movie, Hitchcock, starring Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren.

Also, check out Mike doing his CEO duties as he hosts HPA/Light Iron's Q&A and screening of Side By Side (my favorite doc of 2012) on 11/19 at the Arclight on Sunset.

Here's a pic of Mike with SBS's own Chris Kenneally, Keanu Reeves.

Update: The live performance video of Grand Vanity's "Faithfulness in Defeat" was actually filmed and edited by the equally amazing, musician and photographer, Daley Hake.

I see Hake at church every Sunday doing the sound checks for the Praise band and production work etc. and he seems to be a pretty "down to earth" guy. See more of Hake's work at www.daleyhake.com .
Art Exhibit:
Ecclesia started another art exhibit this Advent season with the same theme of the Anticipation sermon series and it's called Still We Wait. I submitted a a dark yet colorful piece of of art in a technique I learned in high school called scratch art. I did it by covering the entire paper in random oil pastels and crayola wax crayons colors then covering that work over with black pastel/crayon and then by scraping off or etching out the design resulting in a picture of a woman with a wistful, hopeful look on her face and a head of very unruly curly hair. As if from her hopeful thoughts, I depicted a cross and rays coming from her head like the sun breaking through the clouds of fear and doubt for the dawn of a beautiful new day. 

I called it "Hope on a Bad Hair Day" and I'm very pleased with it.  "Bad Hair Day" was not selected but it is my first foray into doing colorful, whimsical pieces so I'm stoked. I scanned and modified it with the computer to enhance different colors and hues then I played each new image as a slide show movie with Matt Yoeman and Dennis Davidson's  devotional piece playing/spoken in the background. I plan to video it all and use it as an interactive art submission in the future so look for a post of it soon.

The Wrap Up:
What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving?
I'm very thankful for Ecclesia church and the wonderful and creative people who attend!

AFM and AFI Fest 2012

AFI NEWS: Nov 1st 2012

AFI Fest 2012 opens with a "bang!" or should I say a "knife slash!" with the Gala Opening Premiere of Hitchcock, the biopic of Alfred Hitchcock's life as he was making the movie Psycho in the 1960's. Hitchcock stars Oscar winner, Anthony Hopkins well disguised as Hitchcock and Oscar-winner, Helen Mirren as his long-suffering wife, Alma. The film is directed by writer-turned-director, Sacha Gervasi in his first feature directing role. Gervasi broke out in a big way as the writer of The Terminal which starred Tom Hanks and he also wrote Henry's Crime which starred Keanu Reeves then he went on to direct Anvil: The Story of Anvil. Gervasi seems to have a nice, quirky take on things plus I've loved Alfred Hitchcock since childhood so I was eager to see this movie.

I went to the AFI box office at Hollywood and Highland at 10 in the morning and snagged tickets to see Hitchcock. I was late arriving but I got to see some of the red carpet arrivals. Then I handed my tickets to the event staff and I was told the tickets were only vouchers which lead me to a long serpentine ticket line. Thankfully, I was blessed that the line was a fast-moving line so I sat and chatted for 30 minutes then we got tickets and were allowed inside.

We were seated in the over-flow theater Chinese 6 not the main viewing theater which was Graumann's Chinese Theater, where the director and the movie's stars usually do a brief intro with thank yous etc. Unfortunately, both Hopkins and Mirren were not able to attend because they're filming the movie, Red 2, together in England. However, they taped a brief video which was played for us prior to the start of the movie. Hopkins and Mirren apologized for their absences and then they talked about their support of the film, the film studio and of their fondness for director, Gervasi.

IMHO Review:
I'm on the fence about Hitchcock actually. It wasn't the acting that didn't work for me because Hopkins did his best to inhabit Hitchcock by mimicking his slow speech, his mannerisms etc. and Mirren is always solid though I might have casted someone a bit softer in style to be Alma. Scarlet Johansen was so-so for me but she didn't detract from the film. Jessica Biel was good and the guy who played Anthony Perkins looked eerily like him.

The real problem with the film for me was with the source material from the book and resulting script which made me leave the film feeling that Hitchcock was a pervert and mentally unwell instead of the amazingly creative, quirky humorous person that he was. The pacing was a bit off, too and some of the dream sequences didn't gel. I also didn't feel the love between Alma and Hitch at all either and I can't imagine which woman would consider this film a love story as advertised.

In fact, here were so many depictions of Hitchcock being down-right hateful and abusive to women that I was secretly hoping that one of the women would grab the "shower scene knife" and let him have it. It seems that other women in the theater felt that way as many women left the theater looking puzzled yet all the men left happy and smiling. So if you're a guy you'll probably love Hitchcock but, girls, I'd say miss it.

Sunday Nov 4th 2012
Rise of the Guardians (3D):

I was blessed to get a gala ticket to Rise of the Guardians, a new animation from Disney studios. There was a brief wait then they we were ushered past the red carpet and seated in the Graumann's Chinese Theater. Jeffrey Katzenberg was asked to stand and be acknowledge for his hard work at Disney and everyone applauded for him loudly. Then there were brief comments by the film's director, Peter Ramsey and Alec Baldwin, who plays a broad-shouldered sword carrying Russian Santa Claus along with Hugh Jackman who voices a muscled Ausssie Easter Bunny in the film.

Star Sightings:
Alec Baldwin exited down the center aisle then walked right behind me. He stood there for a bit then they ushered him to an exit to my right.

IMHO Review:
After getting over my 3D glasses headache, I sat back in my seat to enjoy this film. Unfortunately, the film did not hold my interest at all. The problem again was with the source material and the script. The Jack Frost storyline was boring and I wanted to know more about the back story of the other Guardians like Santa or the bunny instead. I loved the elves and the abominable snowmen though and again I wished the movie featured them more. The literal "nightmares" were also a nice CGI effect and Sandman was way cool, too. So "see it" if you want to see what's up in CGI effects but don't expect a story. Consider a "miss it" if you're taking young kids because at times the movie's themes were too dark.


AFM 2012 : Nov 6th 2012 Election Day
I finally dropped by the American Film Market (AFM) at the Loew's Santa Monica Hotel at 1700 Ocean Avenue and AFM seems the same as the past few years. The Asian contigent (especially the Chinese) seemed smaller this year but that may just be my biased assessment as I hung out with some Chinese filmmakers at AFM in 2010. I didn't schedule any conferences or pitches this year so I just grabbed some trade mags and strolled about the beautiful hotel. It was turning dusk so everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves in the lobby as filmmakers and buyers from all over the world networked as they drank cocktails.

AFM Update: Twilight's Breakin Dawn and the Virgin Islands Film Office:

 Twilight: Breaking Dawn 2 cast shoot scenes in St. Thomas


 

I got to hang out with someone working with the Virgin Islands Film Office. It appears that a critical part of Breaking Dawn Part 2 including all the scenes on the fictitious Isla Esme were filmed in St. Thomas and that footage is now being used to promote the U.S. Virgin Islands as a film location for future films. Read what Twilight actors, Robert Patterson and Kristen Stewart said about filming in St. Thomas here  
http://collider.com/robert-pattinson-twilight-breaking-dawn-2-interview/208112/    

Interested in shooting in the Virgin Islands? Go to http://www.filmusvi.com/

Best Documentaries of 2012

IMHO Movie Reviews:

Side by Side

I saw the documentary, Side by Side at the NoHo Laemmle Theaters in August and I can't stop raving about it!

Side by Side is all about digital v.s. film or how more and more movies are being made digitally as the celluloid filmmaking process (cameras included) fades away. This film is directed by Chris Kenneally who I think did a marvelous job with the subject matter. Also, well done was the way actor, Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, Speed, The Gift, Thumbsucker) did double-duty as the on-screen interviewer and narrator for the film. Reeves also co-produced the film through his production company with fellow producer, Justin Szlasa. 

Watching Side by Side was very educational for me. In fact, it almost felt like Film School 101 because I got such amazing insights from the greats of filmmaking such as Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, David Lynch, Chris Nolan etc. on where they stood on digital versus celluloid filmmaking. A film like this could have become too technical and unengaging in the wrong hands but the subject was so well presented that nothing went over my head.

Side by Side is full of fun and humor, too as are the film's director and producers, which I found out at the Q&A following the screening. Kenneally and Reeves recounted how Reeves came up with the idea for the documentary and then they jokingly shared amusing anecdotes on how they got all the cinematic legends in the doc to agree to the interviews. Kenneally and Reeves even called upon the film's cinematographer, Chris Cassidy to answer a few questions about cinematography for the film.

IMHO: Side by Side is a  "must see" if you love movies and the film industry so don't miss it! It's both fun and informative and it'll kept you interested the entire time.

**Kudos to Tribeca Films for getting the distribution rights for SBS in the U.S. SBS is currently available on VOD but I hope it is released more widely in theaters in the US and abroad because I think they may have a chance of an Oscar nomination with this doc- it's that good!.

(see more of my comments as blessedinLA   www.DeadlineHollywood.com )

                               The Side by Side team  (Cassidy, Szlasa, Kenneally, Revees)
Update: 10/1/12
I've suggested Side by Side for the "must see" list for the film discussion group at my church so we'll see  : )  

Update:  10-20-12
Side by Side was screened for the Academy of Arts and Sciences on Oct 7th 2012. Could an Oscar nomination be in the works? I hope so!

UPDATE: 10-24-12

Live in or around NYC? Side by Side screens for FREE at Tribeca Cinema for the Future of Film
Symposium with a post-film discussion panel planned - don't miss it! Best doc of the year for me and
a "must see" if you're a film buff!  http://futureoffilmoctober2012.eventbrite.com/#

See the full list of Side by Side's upcoming screenings in the U.S. and internationally
HERE   http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/sidebysidethemovie?fref=ts

You can also watch Side by Side on Video On Demand (VOD) $5.99 for a 3-day rental
HERE      http://www.amazon.com/Side-by/dp/B0090EJZA8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351233469&sr=8-1&keywords=side+by+side+movie

I still hope Company Films & Tribeca bring Side by Side back to L.A. theaters soon so more industry folk can see it on a large screen here as SBS has finished it's run in the L.A. area.

Update: 11/8/12   Side by Side is coming back to LA!
The Hollywood Post Alliance hosts a screening of Side By Side followed by a Q&A with the director and producers at Arclight Theater on 11/19. A small reception will follow. Get tickets at
http://www.hpaonline.com/side-by-side-screening

More IMHO Reviews to come:
I hope to see a few other documentaries this year especially Searching for Sugar Man which I've heard the most about. I'll also post more of my IMHO reviews starting with the new Indie film, Sironia which was directed by Brandon Dickerson, the former lead Pastor of Ecclesia Church.

Bill And Ted Q&A With Alex Winter

I had a blast at the Bill and Ted Double Feature at the New Beverly Cinema on Sunday August 26. They showed both Bill And Ted Excellent Adventure and Bill And Ted Bogus Journey starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Winter himself was there and he introduced and discussed the two films at a Q&A during each intermission. The theater was packed and I was lucky to get a seat when I did. The crowd ranged from a few kids with their parents, young adults and hippies in their 50's. Winter said that Reeves was filming on the east coast so couldn't attend to the disappointment of the crowd. Winter talked about the fun they all had making the films (seems they had some “help” having fun) and he tried to discount rumors of a Bill & Ted 3. The audience were clamouring for another sequel so I don't think many believed him.

I got to meet Winter after the first film and shared with him my fantasy pick for casting for Bill & Ted 3 (if they ever really do it). Funny but he actually agreed with my choices so I guess he's heard it all before. I also asked for news on the Ben 10 live action feature which Winter said is a go for 2011.

I did attempt to video tape the Q&A but my audio was out and all my pics of Winter are too dark (I so need a flash). Don't fear though as there's still a chance to hear Winters for yourself. Both Winter and the film's writer will be at a second showing and Q & A tomorrow night. Go to www.BrownPaperTickets.com to get tickets. Also follow Alex Winter on Twitter or at www.trouperproductions.com

Update: 9/20/10
Check out this video of Reeves addressing a possible Bill & Ted sequel at the Toronto Film Festival last week
www.deadline.com/tag/mtv-news-keanu-reeves/

This Is Jeopardy!

I finally got to a taping of Jeopardy at Sony Studios after watching the show on TV for 26 years! Sony Studios is on the former MGM(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)lot(you know, the studio with the roaring lion) where The Wizard of Oz, one of my favorite movies from childhood, was filmed. The Jeopardy show guide walked us over what used to be the "yellow brick road to Emerald City" on our way to the Jeopardy's show studio and I sang songs from the movie the entire way.

The studio audience was made up of all races and ages from 10 to 70 plus and we were all stoked. It was actually 3 shows that they taped with us over 4 hours and I loved every minute of it. I had the best seat in the house; high enough to get an over view of everything and in the center aisle in clear sight of Alex's podium, the categories board and the judges table. The set was beautiful with sliding plexi-glass entry doors for the host and large hi-def TVs. We were all pumped by the staff to applause during the show but no hyping was needed when Mr. Trebek strolled unto the set. Mr. Trebek looked and sounded great and even did a little soft shoe to show that he was light on his feet. Many of the older women were crushing on him and he was very sweet and polite to them.

I had a sudden thrill when the category board lit up with all the answers and a similar wave of excitement rolled over the audience and contestants also. I enjoyed each category posted but tanked in the sports category. I had to hold my lips so that I wouldn't blurt out the answers when they did a Bible category called "Ecclesiastes". Studying God's word really pays off, guys! A few years ago, the Bible questions on Jeopardy! were the hardest for me to answer but now they are among the easiest.

The questions got increasingly harder throughout "double jeopardy" but I found that the "final jeopardy" questions were easy. It could have been my lucky day because all the questions seem related to something I either knew or had experienced personally. The current champ was on a winning streak and I was rooting him on but I was giving big love to all the challengers also. The champ looked confident as did some of the contestants but some of the others looked a bit scared. Alex and the staff did their best to keep everyone at their best. They talked frequently to the guesses, patting them gently to reassure them.

Mr. Trebek joked and talked with us throughout the taping breaks and he has a beautiful sense of humor. He mentioned his native Canada quiet a bit but in joking and self-ribbing tones and he answered any questions that we had for him. He also joked about Will Ferrell's impersonation of him and the spoofs of the show done on Saturday Night Live(SNL).

I asked him about the "how to"s of becoming a writer on the show but he pretty much dashed my hopes as they are up to their staff max of 8 writers right now and no one plans on leaving. He did mention that researcher slots were available as they usually fill the empty writers positions from the researcher ranks. He also made a quip that I might end up taking over his job as host before running back to tape the closing segment.

He teased an older lady from Puerto Rico about her "Charro-like" accent after she told him how handsome he was. He flirted back and rolled his "r"s as he spoke with a Spanish accent for a bit. We also talked lot about cars, traffic tickets and bad drivers including Alex's pet peeve, those who text as they drive. I didn't get to ask Mr. Trebek if he liked his turn as a race car driver at Toyota's Pro/Celeb Grand Prix in Long Beach this past April. The race was won, aptly enough, by Speed star, Keanu Reeves and all winnings went to the various stars' favorite charities. Instead, Alex talked about the tragic vehicular deaths and the Toyota car mat recalls that had just made headline news this week.

Johnny Gilbert, the show's announcer, gave us the "behind the scenes" scoop on how the show is run and the writers and judges chimed in often with jokes or commentary. They also raffled off free Jeopardy and ESPN sports trivia games but I didn't win any myself. I did get to talk to some of the contestants and I saw the various aspects of being on the show. Having your make-up applied, doing promo spots, the thrill of competition, the triumph of victory and thousand of dollars in cash winnings or the agony of defeat from a slow buzzer finger or slow neuro-synapses. I can't give you anymore clues than that but the shows will be airing 11/16-11/18/09.

The only downside was the long maze-like trek to the studio and bathrooms, as well as the narrow stairs to get to the studio seats. A studio guide gave me a ride back to the studio on one of their transport golf carts after I had managed to get lost on the lot during a bathroom breaks. As a result, I was the last person back in my seat before taping began and I found out that they had placed a studio APB out on me(lol). Many of the audience had limited mobility and the older audience members were also getting directions confused so I didn't feel too bad. However, I do feel that more could have been done to make the studios more safe and accessible to audiences including clearer signs for bathroom and rest areas on the lot.

Still, it was a landmark day for me to have accomplished something I've wanted to since I was a teen. Now if I can only get up the courage to take the Jeopardy contestant test...


Links:
Behind the scenes at Jeopardy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XBr_Onmwl4

SNL parody of Jeopardy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNMSYoM5RNE

Alex Trebek at Toyota's Pro/Celeb Grand Prix 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dCVDp7CcNs