Donna in Hollywoodland

Another Saturday in Hollywood

It was another Saturday spent in Hollywood, California. A nice warm sunny day, though somewhat windy.

I started out at another seminar hosted by LA Casting. This seminar was with Talent Agent Steve Stevens. And even though I am not looking for another agent - I figured I could learn something from hearing what he had to say.

My one big lesson that I learned ? Lately, I have been thinking of putting a Reel together of all the little indie flicks I have done. But one Big thing that was mentioned : Only put the reel on a DVD or VHS tape. Do not put it on a CD to be played on your computer. Because Casting Directors and Agents will not take a CD from someone they do not know, who sent it in the mail - and put it in their computer. There are way to many computer viruses out there. So if you want an Agent or a Casting Director to look at the Reel that you send to them, put it on VHS or DVD - to be played on a television, not a computer.
That piece of advice really was an eye-opener to me.

During the seminar, I realized a student from the Wednesday night Commercial acting class was sitting across the room. I went up to her after the class, and we chatted for a while.

The one strange thing about this seminar - most of the actors there seemed to be over 30. That is highly unusual. I wasn't the oldest in the room as I usually am.

After the seminar, I walked over to Mel's Diner . I had about an hour before my volunteer shift at The Egyptian Theatre . I ordered a chicken salad sandwich, with potato salad and an ice tea. It wasn't until I got the food, that I realized ... there was way to much mayonnaise on my plate. Too late. I guess I ordered that because I didn't feel like anything cooked. It was still pretty warm out. Our first really warm weekend in a while.

I sat there having lunch, and reading "How They Cast It".
This is a really great book that explains about how actors were cast in some of todays tv shows and movies. For instance, Lisa Kudrow from Friends, was originally going to have the role of Roz in Frazier. There are alot of interesting stories like that, and its very fun to read what the actors go through as they make their way to stardom.

I felt a tap on my shoulder, and it was someone I know from volunteering. Only I haven't seen him in ages. Turns out he was out of town for a while. We chatted for a few minutes until he went back over to his friends.

The films at the Egyptian tonight were Jack Benny's "Buck Benny Rides Again", where Jack Benny goes out west and be a rancher to impress a woman.
and W.C.Fields "Man on The Flying Trapeze", where Fields plays a henpecked husband.
Its been a long time since I have seen really old classic movies. I enjoyed watching these so much.
Looking at these films, and seeing all the great clothes the ladies wore, and the great furniture and style they had back then - it made wish I had lived in the 1930s or 1940s. Those were such classy times.

My favorite line from Jack Benny in the movie. He walks in the apartment, totally soaked through from standing out in the rain.
Rochester says "Boss, you're all wet - Is it raining outside?"
Jack Benny says "No, I was eating a grapefruit - and it got out of control."

Oh, those were fun times.

A few pictures from my day in Hollywood:

The Egyptian from across the street. As I walk from the seminar to Mels Diner

Another pic from across the street

Hollywood and Highland intersection, as I walk left

A pic of the name on top of the building "Graumans Egyptian". The same man who created the famous "Graumans Chinese" theatre

A pic of the courtyard as I head to my volunteer gig