So, it’s been a few days, and i’ve had some time to recover from the trip to LA – the premiere of PRAXIS at the Brilliant Light Film Festival, staying with my good friend Bob in Silver Lake, and even taking Tom Macy out to a beach in malibu for the ‘total LA experience.’ usually when i take a trip like this, it takes some time for me to recover and re-think about everything that is going on with my life and the life of the film, and the friends and people that i care about. i think it’s always important to surround yourself with the right kind of people, the true friends that you can depend on, and the ones that will truly support you whatever the situation, and not the ones that are just blowing smoke up your ass, or are only using you to get some thing. granted it’s always hard to judge the character of people, but i think if you’re upfront and honest and direct, and if you expect the same from others, then like minded people will seek you out. as simple as this seems, it’s something that i’ve learned over the years, and it’s definitely worked both in working relations and also when it comes to friendships.
so, where to start? i flew into LA on a thursday, and my friend Bob was able to take some time out and take me to the Griffith Observatory near his house in Silver Lake. the sun was out and we got some incredible views of the entire LA skyline. I’m sure there have been lots of people who’ve looked upon the LA cityscape and thought about all the ‘possibilities’ that the city has to offer. It was very cool, and to think that in a couple of days, PRAXIS was going to have it’s LA premiere – i had to laugh to myself. that yes, even in Hollywood, a ‘gay-art-film’ can even screen here, despite the millions of dollars being poured into schlock everyday. of course, this is something that you envision for – that the film will have a certain amount of festival recognition and success. but since this is something that you can’t control, only hope for, to have it actually happen, it’s incredibly validating. anyhoo, later that evening, Bob took me to his favorite Vietnamese ‘Pho’ place, and it was totally awesome- definitely on the of the best that i’ve had around. Bob explained to me the whole East LA vs West LA idea – West Hollywood and ‘Boy Town’ is where all the rich people and the justin timberlake wannabees hang out to be ‘discovered,’ while all the ‘real’ people hang out in Silver Lake. i totally got that vibe, and if i had to live in LA, i’d live in Silver Lake. i’m totally understanding why Bob lives there, even though, it was hard to picture at first.
Friday was spent running around getting ready for the fest, and Tom Macy was coming into town that evening. He had never been to LA before, but i think for his acting career to take off, he totally needs to be in LA. fortunately, for directors, i don’t think it’s as essential, but for serious actors, i do think that you need to live in LA. Because the fest went so well, i think Tom will eventually move out to the west coast. He’s incredibly talented, he’s young and upwardly mobile, and i think if he’s serious about acting, he’ll do well in LA. The hardest part of being in LA is that everyone is in the business in some way or form, but most people that i’ve met are pretty cynical and apathetic. so if you can remain positive about your work, and truly believe in it, you’ll do well regardless of location. as simple as an idea this is, i think it’s very difficult to maintain this positive outlook because LA is so full of naysayers and wannabes. the most talented people that i’ve met in the business have always been honest, down to earth people who never talk about their job – they just do it. that’s it. and these are the people that you want to develop working relationships with. not all the douche bags that LA seems to be overrun with. at least on the east coast, there’s always people working on somthing all the time, and i get a sense that they’re more direct. LA seems so ‘lackadaysical’, nobody can give you a straight answer, and nobody is in a rush to do anything. but i think for anyone to do well in the creative field, they have to not only have to have great creative talent, but also a certain sense of business savvy to put your work out there. without the business end of things, it’s hard for people to see your work. if you can maintain both ends, the creative and business ends, you’ll do well.
anyhoo, on saturday, me and tom drove out to a beach in Malibu, one that was a little further up the coast and a little bit more out of the way. needless to say, it was incredible, and it looked like some place that they would’ve shot the ending scene to PLANET OF THE APES. it was so cool to see Tom out of his normal ‘New York’ surroundings, and what was funny, was that it really didn’t take that long to go out there. either way, it was way cool, and something totally worth doing. come to find out, there are lots of people in LA who don’t go to the beach, even though it’s incredibly nearby and easy to get to. i think most people get caught up in their own little neighborhood and their own everyday, that they forget how important it is to stop and take in all the beauty that this world has to offer. even a few minutes of staring out at the sea, listening to the waves, can have a profound effect on your life and your perspective. it’s something totally worth it, and i think people should do it more often.
so, how to describe the film fest? well, the fest was really small, but it was on a cool ‘lot’ and i got a chance to wander around all the different sound stages and the little two-story writer ‘cabanas’ spread out around the studios. the festival director and people organizing the fest were very cool, and they loved the film. Tom ended up bringing his ‘entourage’ of fellow actress friends that he went to school with who now live in LA. I’m sure they not only were excited to see tom in a movie, but also got a kick out of seeing him making out on screen with andrew. fun stuff…either way, the screening was way cool, and i got kind of caught up in taking in everything, so i didn’t take any pics or video or such. so it goes…
So, the trip to LA was such a really good time – i’m glad that i was able to catch up with Bob, and that we’re talking about future projects, and maybe even putting together a PRAXIS soundtrack cd. but for now, i can’t rest too much on my laurels – in about a month, PRAXIS is having it’s New York premiere at New Filmmakers, which will be a lot of fun. regardless, i’m taking things one step at a time, and enjoying all the work that i’m doing – staying focused and positive, which i think is ultimately the most important thing to keep in mind.
i’ll miss my friend bob. but i’m sure that we’ll see each other real soon – whether he’ll be back here in DC, or me back there sometime. either way, it was a really great trip all around, one that i’ll enjoy looking back on whenever i’m a little down.
xoxo,
a
