San Francicso...film shoots dazzle tourists & locals! Glam & tinsel descends on Baghdad by the sea...

Palace of Fine Arts "Trauma" film set!

OMG!

Did I sleepwalk back home and wake up dazed and confused?

No, by golly, there's the Golden Gate bridge stretching majestically across the bay.

And, I can hear the distinctive clang of the cable cars (which always conjures up images of tasty Rice-A-Roni).

Then, what's with all the lights! cameras! and action! on the exquisite lush grounds at the Palace of Fine Arts?

And, yesterday, didn't I spy a film crew down at City Hall, when I attempted to rustle up some scandalous poop on Mayor Gavin Newsom?

No, it wasn't TMZ, dudes!

In both instances, Hollywood power-players chose to set up shop, away from the daily grind of ego-driven LA LA LAND (often referred to as America's "Dream Factory").

A pilot for a new TV Show - titled "Facing Kate" - was lensing some celluloid amidst the architectural-beauty of the sprawling  downtown Civic Center.

My inside sources have informed me that the USA (TV cable) drama focuses on a female lawyer who becomes a mediator by the end of the show.

Audiences will have to tune in the following week to episode #2 to determine how the legal eagle fairs in the challenging career move, I expect.

But, not so fast.

A pilot is just a "teaser" for a  projected idea for a weekly drama or comedy series.

If the "promo" is well-crafted (and the reaction of a test audience is keen) it may get the "green light".

Years ago, I was hired to play a bit part on a comedy pilot for Disney, with the curious title of "Home Improvement".

Although the project was an unknown equation when the first show was filmed, I instictively fathomed right off-the-bat - by the witty dialogue and likeable characters - that it was going to be a hit show.

Ah, history bears me out!

Undoubtedly, San Francisco's talent pool is pulling for "Facing Kate", and the flow of bucks it's sure to generate in the production phase if a few episodes are ordered up.

Meanwhile, across town, "Trauma" was shooting intense action-scenes for an exciting upcoming episode about a sniper who stalks uniformed authorities.

An  old expression springs to mind:

"There's something about a man in a uniform."

I surmise the plot is a twist on that theme, eh?

If you're an entertainment buff, and are gung-ho about hanging around film sets, here's a schedule of their upcoming shoot dates and info on the whereabouts of their location sets:

Friday January 8th
Production crew sets up shop @ Steiner & Grove (Alama Square)
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday & Tuesday January 11th & 12th
Production crew set up shop @ U.N. Plaza
6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Who knows, maybe you'll get discovered!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Pamela Anderson...reporter at Review-Journal takes unwarranted swipe at VIP star!

On Saturday, Pamela Anderson delighted fans when she turned up at Planet Hollywood for a much-publicized celebrity auction.

To rev up a bit of excitement in the crowd, the former VIP star tossed off her top, then sidled up to the auctioneer to participate in the proceeding with a lot of sensual vim and vigor!

By the time the hammer smacked down and the auctioneer barked out sold, Ms. Anderson helped raise $65,000.00 for her favorite charity, PETA.

Instead of applauding the sexy siren for her compassionate act, a reporter at the Review-Journal (who was penning a blase piece on celluloid artists at the CineVegas Film Festival) chose to take a swipe at the pop icon instead.

Mr. Elfman (who looks like an elf, by the way) used the occasion to help build a foundation for some piffle he was penning for the daily.

On the premise that her "excited flutter of a pep talk" and willingness to "roll around on the car" to pump up sales (her 2000 Viper was being offered at auction) lacked class, he proceeded to compare her to the filmmakers who attended the CineVegas Film Festival this year.

In sum, he quipped that the art house film fest enriched by virtue of the alleged intellectual tastes of the fimmmakers who - "unlike certain people named Pamela Anderson" - were actually talented.



What a load of hogwash!

For starters, Ms. Anderson was not part of a CineVegas event.


Notwithstanding, the boisterous antics she engaged in were all part of her "act".

I worked with Ms. Anderson several years ago on the first season of the popular TV Sitcom "Home Improvement". During the kick off episodes, I had a bit part as a producer in the show within-a-show ("Tool Time") and Pamela played the bodacious "Tool Time" girl.

In private, Pamela is actually quite shy, intelligent, and every bit a class act.

Not unlike Marilyn Monroe (or Mae West before her) the persona one encounters in the public eye is one she cleverly crafted. Over the past couple of decades, the Pamela Anderson "brand" has not only withstood the fickle finger of fate in Tinsel town, but turned the voluptuous actress into a bona fide "star".

Contrary to Elf's empty opinion, Pamela is a smart cookie, too!

In fact, Elfman went way out on a limb with his pap, because - in essence - he was trying to compare oranges with apples. No can do!

The low-brow writer was under the mistaken impression that he was writing an in-depth insightful essay of importance. What the feature amounted to was a lot of misguided tabloid fodder.

Surely, the Review-Journal is not so strapped when it comes to worthwhile news, that they're forced to print Elfman's crap?

In another section of the article, the columnist matter-of-fact states that artist Takashi Murakami (who appeared at CineVegas Festivities at an elitist affair last week which caused quite a scandal in some quarters) is an important twentieth century figure in art circles.

Why, pray tell?

According to Elf, Murakami is being compared to Andy Warhol for "having fused fine art with pop art."

What nonsense!

I was an Art Major and I began my career as an abstract-expressionist painter.

For starters, Mr. Murakami's out-of-whack smiley faces amount to nothing more than silly doodles, worthless "junk".

Whenever his name pops up in a serious art discussion at a gallery opening, qualified experts roll their eyes. Then, an old expression flashes to mind.

"I don't know much about art, but I know what I like."

People who "like" Murakami have taste up the wazoo.

I didn't conjure up the nick-name - "tacky" - for no good reason. In fact, I wouldn't even line the kitty litter box with one of his prints. After all, I wouldn't want to insult my cat.

In conclusion, the whole article on CineVegas reeked of behind-the-scenes maneuvering to me.

The way Elf gushed about this 'n that, for example, inferred to me - at least - that he's either on someone's payroll over there at CineVegas or too fond of the free passes (and perks that go with 'em) to dare cross the powers-that-be.

I prefer to read articles that are written by ethical journalists who endeavour to log in a balanced account of the events.

At a small-town newspaper like the Review-Journal, I guess management can't take the risk of offending potential advertisers with clout, by reporting the truth.

Until they do, their credibility is a big fat zero.


Review-Journal is the best? By whose standard?