Tuesday, February 25, 2014

RIP Sarah Jones, Your Beauty Lives On

 On Facebook last night I saw a post by someone named Zach  Goldberg, a young filmmaker, writing something totally new, who had to express his grief, disappointment and sadness about the lose of a young woman who worked as crew in film and TV here in the South. Her name was Sarah Jones and when working for a biopic Midnight Rider, about the musician Gregg Allman,  shooting in Georgia she lost her life.  They are calling it a tragedy and it certainly is for her family.  What a shock it would be for her parents to hear that their daughter, in the line of duty, was hit by a train.  She was not dodging bullets in Afghanistan or driving a car on an icy road during rush hour.  She was making a movie.  And she wasn't even a stunt person.  She was 2nd AC(assistant camera) operator.   This blog Zach wrote moved me so much that I had to respond.  I would suggest you go to this sight  http://wehaveembarked.com/were-just-making-movies/  and read what he had to say.  It is heartfelt, smart and will resonate with many film people.  I am one of them.  I love making films in front and behind the camera.  That is my reason to moving back to Los Angeles.  I find it remarkable that Zach wrote with such insight and empathy.  But that's what the film community is filled with.  Very sensitive and caring individuals. 


After you read his blog you can read my response below because I also felt something deeply about this girl, so fresh-faced, young and beautiful.  But as I told Zach, she is like a pebble thrown in a pond and the ripples reach far and wide.  There is even a special movement and page on FB to make sure her name is included in the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars on Sunday. You can go and like the FB page, type in  Slates for Sarah Jones.  I hope you join this sincere cause to make sure everyone is made aware of her unnecessary demise.   It was her job, making a film along with the coterie of film crew members she worked with on the set, but it cost her her life.  This can't happen again.  She was not a stunt person where something like "could" happen.   She was a crew member and from what I hear, others were injured at the same time.  Please folks, no camera shot is worth someones life.  Here is my response to Zach.  Join me in saying a prayer for her.

Wonderful blog/story about losing someone on a set where you are "just making movies."  It's so sad to lose someone you work with and at such a young age.  I hope you know, she is in a much better place. I know those words may not sooth the hurt you are feeling but we will all be joining her eventually, one by one.  Granted, it was something that may have been avoided but do take heart, we are all learning serious and important lessons from her untimely death.  Sometimes people come into the world for a short time only to give us all a gift.   I work in film too, among other things.  My blog is http://pilarsings.blogspot.com/ and it's very eclectic.  If you scroll down, you will read a plethora of varied topics.  I'm heading back to LA from Wilmywood  (Wilmington)NC soon and will be once again navigating the waters of movie stars, fame and the heady world of filmmaking.  Thank you for putting it all in perspective for me.  You expressed the reality of our work in a way that will hopefully mean a change in attitude about what we do.  The 'shot' is important but people are precious, we must handle each other with care.  I lost someone to suicide, he was only 26, and I realized how unique we all are.  There will never be another you or me in the history of mankind.  I make an effort to look at each person I encounter with reverence.  I hope you all say some prayers for Sarah and her journey,  It will help her. Her spirit is forever.  God bless you young man on your journey and thank you once again for your expressing your heartfelt and sincere feelings.  You revered Sarah for her presence and that's all we can do. 

I have a son her age and I sometimes think about what I'd do if I lost him now.  God forbid.  There is an old Chinese blessing and it goes like this,  "grandmother dies, mother dies, child dies." ... You may ask what kind of blessing is that?  Well, it honors the natural course of events of family lose needing to take place for the least amount of grief for everyone.  Sarah died too young but as I mentioned in my response, she is a catalyst for us learning a great lesson and bringing us together.  Thank you Sarah.  God bless and guide you to a new place in Heaven.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Pins of Bling

 I wish these pins sparkled on the page like they do in the light.  For some reason
 the photos don't do them justice but I wanted to tell you the story of why I make them, and how they have brought something which is extra cool  into my life .  A very special way for me to create and express my artistic side where it's just me, the ever so elegant Swarovski crystal beads, wooden shapes, soothing music and a glue gun.  But I can't tell you about the pins until I tell you my story discovering the glue gun and it's remarkable capabilities.  No, folks, I haven't lost it, I just have to share this story, be it silly and pedestrian.

I knew glue guns existed (the only non-violent gun I know of)and was faintly aware of it's magic that creates and doesn't destroy.  I had no idea what I personally could accomplish with one but after watching Project Runway, I was impressed with one of the designers saving the day with her 'glue gun'. They aren't expensive, I think I paid less than six dollars for mine, along with a package of glue sticks. 

My first project began after receiving a T-shirt from the LEAP program at St. Mary's College when we visited the Moraga campus near Oakland.  I don't particularly like T-shirts.  The are usually too masculine looking, the necks are too high so I always cut them down and sew it into a boat neck design.  Then I fold the sleeves up a bit.  So I bought these Swarovski crystal beads and glued them to the shirt where the dancer was doing a jete (leap).  Wow, what an improvement!  I brought a little bling enhancement to an otherwise drab piece of clothing.  I next took this little wooden camel pin I never used, painted it with red nail polish and then with my mighty glue gun added some multi-colored beads all over the body making sure the eye of the camel was a special shade of blue.                                                                              

                                                                                     I was getting compliments from bank tellers
and super market cashiers when I wore the pin.  I thought, maybe I have something here. Let's see what else I can do.  In the past, my creativity was relegated to dancing, singing, acting, working as a make-up artist and even sewing clothing for a few lady friends.  Now, I can make clothing even more attractive with the glue gun and beads.  I also found a very simple pair of black sandals at the thrift store and adorned them with the shiny, crystal beads and voila, I have something quite lovely and unique.
I was thinking then, let's see what I can create that might even make me a few bucks.  As I recently set up household in the South, I purchased the orbs and crosses and went to work.  Being house bound, not having wheels, I may have become craft obsessed and using the glue gun may have become my new narcotic.  I love pulling the trigger and watching the clear liquid adhesive pour out onto something just screaming for a bead to adhere and enhance my project.  I wonder, is there a 12 step program for this kind of addiction. Maybe it's just plain art happening.  I hunkered down and made dozens of pins.

Who knows if I'll continue to make them when I get back to Los Angeles.  Hopefully, I'll be able to find a greater variety of shapes.  Or I may just enjoy wearing the ones I have now in my wardrobe to auditions and SAG/AFTRA functions.  I still do love my favorite toy, the glue gun, and have repaired many a shoe, purse, mug handle, etc with it's great adhesive value.  But in the meantime, it's fun to say, "yes, I made this".. but you can do it too.  Just get yourself one of those little glue guns.  It will change your life, or at least your wardrobe.  And you don't even need any kind of license.




Tuesday, February 11, 2014

IS THIS HELL FREEZING OVER?

I remember hearing that phrase a lot growing up... you can just wait "until hell freezes over"... meaning it ain't gonna happen.  Well, here we all are, well maybe not all, experiencing the polar vortex in varying degrees.  Hell is freezing over, it's happening.  Here in Wilmington, NC we have freezing rain today.  Brrrr, I can tell you right now, I'm writing up my sign, California or Bust,  to post on the side of my mini-van, the one I don't have yet but hope to have soon.  I don't like being cold, it's not fun, it's uncomfortable & geesh, how much paraphernalia does one need just to keep warm?  Hats, gloves, scarves, layers of clothes, including t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, long underwear, at times 2 pairs of socks, special shoes, (Uggs the most popular) warm pants of course....am I forgetting anything?

I'm well aware this 32 degrees here is balmy compared to the more Northern states/cities. So many of my friends are dealing with snow and what is affectionately called, a wintry mix. Temperatures in the negative, which I can't even fathom. This is not normal.  Dare I mention global warming?  But to hear that this is unusual for North Carolina, than it must truly be "hell freezing over" for all the folks who have maybe a usual snow storm or two every winter.  For them these are pretty radical weather variations and I don't know how they fair in such stifling cold.   My friend in Seattle is calling it Snowmeggedon.  My other friend in New Jersey endearingly calls it Snowcapolypse.    And I'm feeling ya'll.  I've had my share of living in colder climes.  NYC in two separate years, both times with one storm that shuts down this bustling metropolis for a day or two.  I even lived up in Washington Hts. when Hurricane Sandy(a whole different ballgame) burst it's way into the city and destroyed so many homes and businesses.  I felt the blustery, stronger-than-anything wind as I walked up Broadway, wasn't inconvenienced much and was privileged to take the subway for free when they opened up again, but wasn't even close to any damaged areas.  I guess I can honestly say, I've not been faced with too-extreme disasters yet.  God-willing I won't ever but I just want to say, for all of those who are house-bound during this winter, it sure makes for a creative time.  At least for me. (Always making lemonade. this perpetual optimist here.)

I do believe this will be the last time I live on the East Coast, with my intention of going back to Cali soon, I will not miss this kind of weather.  Having grown up in Los Angeles, and then moving to Hawaii for 11 years.  I know what it's like to live in a tank top and shorts a lot of the time, or a t-shirt and jeans. Long skirts and maybe a shawl when it gets chilly.  I do know many people love this cold, the change of the seasons, the invigorating chill in the air which today reminded me of Big Bear Lake or Mt. Baldy.  It's not for me. And speaking of Mt. Baldy, those lovely winter days in LA, (I hear you laughing), when the sun is so bright and it's about 70 degrees and you see this absolutely majestic mountain in the distance covered in the whitest of snow.  I can live with that.  I do miss that kind of scenery and the fact I don't live in the snow.  So to end my diatribe about the cold, I'll will just say, it was nice knowing you NYC and NC but I'm outta here! (As I leave, walking away with glee, peeling away all my jackets, sweaters, scarves, gloves, etc.) It's been a slice(of ice)!!