Stargazing

You know that you are living in the land of celebrities when the local Whole Foods has a sign that says that you are not allowed to photograph people in the store. I’ve tried to train myself to notice the stars, but I only seem to notice them when someone is beside me and says, “hey, isn’t that so-and-so from such-and-such?” I also notice them on the set, if I happen to be working on their show or movie. Sometimes… I have been mistaken for a celebrity on a few occasions and it has really piqued my curiosity. I’d like to know who people think I am so that I know how to sign the napkin and ask for my “famous person” discount. Regardless, it is kind of fun to play with it. One year at the Cannes film festival, I put on my celebrity disguise (black t-shirt and jeans with a black baseball cap and sunglasses… not that this departs greatly from my usual attire) and had my friend take pictures of me as I was walking down the street, acting indignant. That turned a few heads.

Still, even as a non-celebrity, it’s a bit strange to think that there are actually people watching you as you go about your business. Just to say they saw you, say, at the local Pinkberry after their yoga class… Ohai, Fran Kranz. You were awesome in Dollhouse, luvyakbai! It does make life in LA-LA land kind of fun, though. I hope I don't tarnish the reputations of Jennifer Connelly, Jenna Fischer, Michelle Williams, Christina Ricci and other random celebrities whom I have been told (and don't believe) I resemble by walking down Rodeo Drive with my fizzy hair while eating copious amounts of chocolate and enjoying the company of a guy none of those women is reportedly dating (I'm talking to you, shirt-wearing Matthew McConaughey lookalike).

And yes, I can confirm that so-and-so is hot, that such-and-such is probably going to be canceled and that celebrity-couple-portmanteau will probably be breaking into their own pronouns soon, especially with the arrival/adoption of the baby. No one really thought it would last, anyway.

An Open Love Letter

Dear Los Angeles, Hi.  Remember me?  Um... Gosh.  Where to begin?  I'm not good at this, so I'll just cut to the chase:  I know I've been flirting with you a lot over the past few years.  You probably think I'm just a tease, but I've been thinking a lot about you lately.

I've tried to make things work with other cities, denying that I secretly long for the embrace of your sandy shores, the comfort of your warm sunlight and the stimulation of your huge... film industry.  I crave your music, art, film and media scenes.  I even think I could put up with your fickle geologic temperament and abusive traffic jams, if it meant that I could walk along your beaches and watch a classic film on one of your many movie screens.

I know a lot of people don't like you.  They say your traffic jams and colorful inhabitants make you a hard city in which to live.  I say, let the naysayers keep their New York City with its turtlenecks and dress suits!  I'll take your baseball caps and bikinis any day of the year (and I almost could in your gentle clime).

L.A., I just can't help thinking, well... maybe I should move in?  Is that too direct?  I know you've had some rough times lately, but we all have our ups and downs.  I know we could find a way to make it work.  I think it's time for us to consider a long-term relationship.  Just think about it.

Well, those are my thoughts.  I'm here if you need me (really, I'm here if you need me: a job would be a nice engagement gift, ahem...)

Love, Courtney

P.S.  It bein' International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I just have to add a gratuitous "arrr!"

Why Haven't You Blogged?

I'm asked. It's not that I don't want to. It's not that I don't care. I do. I think about blogging. I've just been working day and night on a new video project. More details later. While I enjoy working on my films and videos, you know you have a problem when the last time you remember bathing, it was for a shot you needed:

Good thing blogs are scentless (though I did have the good scents (sic) to bathe recently).

And now, a series of behind-the-scenes candids shot by my talented neighbor, Geneva (who is working on a story with NPR about a time capsule car that she helped bury in 1957- it will be unearthed on the 15th of June):

Setting up the blue screen. My partner, Carl Fuermann graciously filming me instead of working on his own video. Thanks, Twigs!

Everybody was Kung-Fu fighting! Okay, only me.

Then everybody was Kung-Fu stepping-on-a-rock-and-injuring-their-foot (soon to be a popular song)

So everybody was Kung-Fu dancing (because that doesn't involve pointy objects)!

I'm clearly Kung-Fu worried about something here, but I have no clue what that could be. Oh yeah:

"I shall fight this Pteradactyl flying down at me!" (or, "crap, the cat is in the tree again!")

Gratuitous action shot. Please note that none of this has anything to do with "real" Kung-Fu, which would be an embarrassment to the entire art form! I was just looking for "shapes" in front of the blue screen.

I do apologize that all of this came up in the middle of an epic tale- there are more hot springs antics to share...

In the meantime, here is a great blog to read:

The Heliocentric Pantheon: An Interview with Walter Murch

(Many thanks to Sam for sending this link to me.)