California Dreaming - Update

The rest of 2019 FLEW by like birds flying south for the winter! (If you live in a warm climate, you won't get that). SO MUCH HAPPENED. Here's an update.

---

​Calling all movie lovers! I was hanging out at the bar from 'A Star is Born' with my friend who was visiting from NYC doing my best Jackson Maine impression (but only because I'm from Maine). Have you been in the The Virgil yet? Lady Gaga wasn't there to sing La Vie en Rose but it looks just like the film

​I finished my TV Pilot for Jynx Productions. It's called "S.P.I.C.E." and if you want to know what that stands for, you'll have to read it. But what I WILL tell you is the logline: In search of a new leader, a secret female spy group in the swingin’ 1960s enlists a reluctant housewife to help them stop an evil takeover.

 I had a live reading through the weekly writing workshop I joined this past year - Deadline Junkies. A live reading is always both terrifying and exciting. You may recognize Erika Wilson from my films Arabel and The Poet. Erika was visiting in LA and did an amazing job stepping up and singing three different songs with a hilarious German accent. And it was a Quarterfinalist at Final Draft Big Break Contest! Top 3%!

Of Mine - Trailer from SENSORIUMPictures on Vimeo.

"Of Mine" a short film I was Set Decorator on, premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater as part of the Dances with Films Festival.

We went from sweating in the desert, hand-building a garden, set dressing a trailer from scratch and working in a cave all day with headlamps to then watching it on the big screen. Director Cate Carson has made a beautiful film from a harrowing true story.

I worked at HBO in the production department and happened to be there during Pride and there was a Pride Party every day! We had photo shoots, a preview screening of the new show Euphoria with creator Sam Levinson and informational luncheons with activists and a board member from the Pulse nightclub memorial organization. There was also a 'Bagel Friday' Pride edition with visiting LGBTQ organizations, music and acai bowls!

Then I moved to the development department of HBO Max, a new streaming service launching in May of 2020. A few pics: The marquee at Warner Brothers during Investor Day when we had presentations; a garden party for all the women of HBO Max (and TNT, TBS) at Sandra Dewey's house (I'm in the leopard print, of course); a flower display in the lobby and conference room for the new show Full Bloom; and the awesome non-fiction team that I adore and feel so lucky to have landed with - Brett, Rebecca and Lizzie! (And Jen O'Connell and Nikki Reed).

I got to attend the Emmy Nominated Set Decorator's Party with Jessica Quattrini at Universal Studios. The theme was "French Riviera" and everyone wore white on the Europe Street back lot. 

Once again, I volunteered with PEN America and got to attend their Lit Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Ava Duvernay, my Film Director QUEEN, was honored and I was honored just to be in her presence. I also wore a "goth" Dolly Parton outfit, so there's that.

What else? I did so much hiking and camping (my favorite things!), completed a 6 month career strategy class and got to go home to Maine for Thanksgiving for the first time in 3 years.

The Oscars are this Sunday - are you watching? The movie that gave me the most JOY AND LIFE was Rocketman and I wish Taron Egerton had been nominated! I even got to see him and Elton John perform at the Greek Theater for a live performance of the film.

Can Leonardo DiCaprio do this? (I mean, yeah, probably, but come on - this is fantastic!)

​I think Uncut Gems should win Best Picture and Best Screenplay but it wasn't even nominated! 

Anyway, 2020 has already begun and things are moving - can't wait for the next update!