I rode the Red Line up to Universal today with my bike. It was great to see the sidewalk so full with people at all the Universal Gates that one could hardly walk.It was great to see the solidarity between WGA, SAG, AFTRA and other union Members! I rode my bike up and down the street, blowing my whistle and firing up cars and busses to honk their horns in support of the Strike and firing up the Strikers to keep up their spirits.
I bumped into a few friends I haven’t seen in at least 4 years. That was awesome! I saw a lot of celebrities and a bunch of camera wo/men taking photos of them and interviewing them.
To be honest, I think those photographers are stupid. They only take pictures of the celebrities. How about taking pictures and making news about those who are not in the Union but who still came out to support the WGA. How about people in wheelchairs, mothers, old people, and yes, also cyclists.
I know what the celebrities look like, I don’t need to see a photo of them. Some of them didn’t even have a sign. They just came out for the photo op and borrowed signs from other people.
Don’t take me wrong, I support this strike 100% but I really hate the “celebrity hunt” that is going on.
This strike is not about the famous. This is about supporting the future generation of Union Members. This Strike is affecting the majority of those who don’t earn a big living. They are out of work now. And everyone in the industry is out of work now.
Those people who are not working right now, are the heroes. Those people who will be laid off or who lose their jobs because of this strike are the real heroes. Those people who stand up for fair union wages and who stand in the sun all day are the real heroes.
And those are the people who should be photographed and interviewed! Those are the people who should be heard and seen all across America! They are my heroes!
Uncategorized | 13.11.2007 16:20 | No Comments
Photography by Jean-Philippe DeFaut for The New York Times
Last Thursday I went to the screening of “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” This screening was at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre. Ronald Harwood adapted the book and since I’m in one of his plays (TAKING SIDES) I had to meet him and invite him to the play.
I almost didn’t see the invitation in my inbox but thanks to James Sharpe, the lead in the play, he sent out an email to ask us cast and crew to go. So I jumped on the opportunity and I rsvp’d and went to the screening.
I thought that there would be a q&a after the screening and I’ll get to see what he looks like and then approach him on stage. But there was no q&a and I had no idea how to find him.
After the screening there was mingling and desert in the lobby and the patio. There were so many people, how could I find him? Well, I walked up to a photographer and hoped that he would know. And indeed he was very helpful and he showed me Ronald Harwood’s photo on his camera screen. Then he introduced me to someone who showed me where Ronald was.
And so I met Mr. Harwood, shook his hand. I told him how great the play was coming along and how honored we would be if he could come out and watch it. Unfortunately he said he was busy but he would have loved to come, would we have invited him earlier. Bummer.
I still handed him the envelop I brought along with the invite in it and with my headshot and contact info. And the next morning he called me. That was a huge surprise! He called me twice. He didn’t want to leave a message, so he called me until he could get a hold of me.
When I picked up the phone, he thanked me for getting him the invitation, for coming out to the screening to meet him. Again, he said he’ll be flying to NY and he wont be able to come but he wishes our cast all the Best and much success for the rest of the run.
What a great man! And what a great experience. I am grateful for the man who writes things that matter and I was honored to have met him.
Goals, Performances, Taking Sides | 12.11.2007 16:22 | No Comments