Donna in Hollywoodland

A Day in Hollywood

Today was somewhat the kind of day I wish I always had. Hanging out in Hollywood, enjoying the atmosphere. It started out with a free seminar that LA Casting organized. It was right on the corner of Las Palmas and Franklin. So I parked in the lot near the Egyptian Theatre and walked up. The seminar was with Casting Director, Patrick Baca . I always enjoy listening to an entertainment professional talk. I have a tendency to be a sponge, and just listen and absorb what I am hearing. I also sat next to a nice guy and there was a nice lady across the aisle - and we got a chance to chat before the seminar started.

During the seminar, I took lots of notes, and wrote down lots of the things that were discussed. I kind of felt that what was discussed is so farther advanced than where I am right now. But it is good to know for the future. They talked alot about going to The Producers for a TV Show. And I learned alot about how people are cast in major movies and TV shows. So many times the person making the final decision about an actor is the actual President of the Movie Studio or Television Network.
Wow, can you imagine ... Auditioning in front of the President of a Network and wondering if he will select you to star in the TV show ?
Wow again.
(Note to Self : Start researching the Presidents of the Movie Studios or TV Networks. Look up their pictures on-line so I know what they look like. I mean who knows, I could be sitting right next to one at Coffee Bean and never even know it.)

I ended up walking down Las Palmas, back to the car with another seminar student. Gee, everyone who attended this event was really friendly. We talked about how neither one of us really chatted with the Casting Director because he was surrounded by others who wanted to talk to him. And we both thought it would be nicer to just send a note in the mail in a few days.

Back at my car, I grabbed the book I am reading, "Parasites Like Us" by Adam Johnson and walked down Hollywood Blvd to the Hollywood and Highland Complex. Mainly just to use the ATM and get some cash. Guess what ??? There is a Virgin Megastore
going in right on the corner. No kidding. They have decided to add a store that the citizens of Hollywood can actually shop at.
Alittle funny, considering that there is already a Virgin Megastore at Sunset and La Cienega. You could shop at one, then put on your sneakers and hike on over to the other. Its not that far.

I then walked passed the
Star Wars Fans who are waiting in line in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre for the opening of Star Wars. Funny thing is, the movie is premiering over at Arclight Cinemas on Sunset.
They decided to wait at the Chinese Theatre since that has always been their tradition for every other Star Wars movie. Even tho its the wrong theatre. And yes it does sound alittle silly, but people are donating money to charity for the amount of time the Star Wars Fans wait in line - so thats a good thing. Details are on the website at LiningUp.net .

I had a nice quiet lunch at Hamburger Hamlet surrounded by the tourists.
I read my book, and had a Marilyn Monroe Burger.
I felt very much "At One" with Hollywood, and enjoyed the surroundings and ambiance of being right at the center of Hollywood.

Then I headed back down Hollywood Blvd to The Egyptian Theatre to volunteer for the evening. I basically had to sell Memberships and help with the Mailing list. The movie showing was "The Blues Brothers." Believe it or not, this was my first time ever seeing this movie. I don't think I even saw it when it first came out. I especially loved Dan Aykroyd's authentic Chicagoan accent. He sounded perfect.

I was shocked and floored when in one of the first lines of the movie Dan Aykroyd
says to John Belushi something about buying the car he is driving in Mount Prospect .
Well, guess who grew up in Mount Prospect ? Me, thats right.
Lived there from 3rd Grade until I was a Junior in High School.
Another actor from Mount Prospect is Bruce Boxleitner . He graduated from my high school the year before I started as a freshman.

So the movie had special meaning to me, since they mentioned my hometown. And once again, I found myself looking at the background and the area they were shooting - and trying to see what I recognized. Except this time it was for a completely different reason.