Weekend DVD Review

THE BLINDSIDE

Wow... now I know why all the fuss over Sandra Bullock's performance in, "The Blindside" was all about. What a powerful, yet touching, story that is even more compelling because it is based on a true story.

I am not much of a football fan, but when it is explained to me in such a way that I can make sense of it, of course, the sport becomes more interesting. What I thought was going to be a film about football turned out to be a film about sacrifice, love and putting someone else before yourself. Making a difference in someone's life that will last that person a lifetime. Hollywood has made dozens of films like this, rarely do we hear about someone actually doing something kind and generous, to this degree, for someone else – total stranger – and it turns out to be true.

And, no wonder Ms. Bullock received the Academy Award for Best Actress, I get it now. She is so believable as the mother that I was wishing she was my mother! (It's okay. My mother doesn't have a computer, much less know how to operate one.) I could understand what would make an actor want to get up everyday to tell a story like this and how positively this story would affect them, each day. I can also better understand how devastating it was to have her husband cheat on her after such a positive, engaging, sincere effect from having done the film and been rewarded with love and accolades from her peers and the public, alike.

A strong, positive effect on a person is life lasting and helps that person to better see a potential negative effect in the future. But it sucks when the lesson comes as such a high price. I guess it's true what they say about appreciating something more that you worked harder to get. If something is too easy to attain, everyone will have it and it won't be special anymore.

The real star of this film, of course, is the family that inspired the movie, The Tuohy Family. For anyone to make any type of sacrifice to help someone in this world, at this day and age, tells me that there is still a lot of good in people and that people really want to do the right thing. Maybe, if more people who are willing and capable extended some kindness to someone they know who really needs it, we can start to make this world a better place. One inspiring story at a time.

I highly recommend this film to everyone because it will remind you that we are all human and on the same team – planet earth.

Restaurant Review: ELECTRIC LOTUS

If you live or work near the Los Feliz area, you probably have already heard of Electric Lotus – an authentic Indian food restaurant on Vermont. Or, if you are like me, you waited this long to go and try it. I finally did go, partly because I remember my friend Dan Cady use to LOVE it (shout out to you, Dan!), and I can honestly say that the food was delicious! There was lots of it and for a great price (lunch specials daily). The fountain drinks were refilled for free – some restaurants in L.A. do not offer free refills – and the service was excellent.

I was there having lunch with next month's featured artist, Jennifer Ogren Nguyen – a teacher at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and a graphic and accessories designer – and we had a lovely lunch catching up with one another, finding out what the other has been doing (Jennifer and I first met when we worked at Lionsgate Entertainment).

For lunch, I had the Curry Chicken lunch special that came with tons of chicken, pilao rice, a small but delicious green salad (the dressing was 'da-bomb'), and side of garbanzo beans – under $7. Jennifer had the Vegetarian lunch special and she ate all of hers – also under $7.

The place has been there for a long time and it has doubled in size. I guess that goes to show you how much people like it. Jennifer said that they have a DJ on weekend nights and that it can get pretty busy. It was a nice, big, open space during the day, but I can see how it could be a crowded spot at night.

Overall, I had a great lunch with a great service at a great price. What more could you ask for at lunch? If you haven't tried Electric Lotus, I recommend it. If you have and haven't been in a while, maybe it is time to go back?

Please be sure to check out Jennifer's feature coming in June. You will learn more about what she teaches at FIDM and you will get a chance to see her FABULOUS accessories line.

For more on Electric Lotus or to see their menu, I suggest you visit www.zagat.com. Electric Lotus is located at 4656 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, California  90027 – (323) 953-0040.

Photo: egrrl on pbase

Hello? It's My Turn To Go

TRAFFIC IN HOLLYWOOD

I recently started to write for the Examiner.com – a network of local experts who are passionate about their topics and are prolific in sharing information about it – and I published my first story titled, "Hollywood Is Back." I wrote about how great Hollywood is again and how the growing pains have all been worth it –and I mean it. But, there is still lots more to do starting with more turn arrows at busy intersections.  I have lived in Hollywood now for more than ten years and I have yet to see anyone do anything about some of the busiest street corners in the Hollywood area and the problem with pedestrian traffic.

It literally takes several lights to make a right turn at some of these busy intersections because of all of the pedestrian traffic. I notice that the city is (slowly but surely) installing left turn arrows at some of these intersections, but only in certain directions and only at certain intersections. The flow of traffic is already too great to waste anymore time trying to decide which intersections deserve turn arrows. Let me make it simple for you:  they all do. And, not only left turn arrows, right turn arrows, too. They keep the pedestrian traffic off of the street and out of the way for drivers to make a safe right turn. The only way to make a safe right turn at an intersection like Sunset and Vine, for example, is to wait for all the foot traffic to cross. The problem is there is too much foot traffic at most of these intersections to allow for traffic to flow at a reasonable pace. If only one car can make a right turn because of all of the foot traffic, something is wrong.

Right turn arrows, along with more left turn arrows, would allow for traffic to make turns before the intersections become congested with pedestrians, thus making it safer for pedestrians to cross.

Other ideas are pedestrian bridges, overpasses from one building to another, or underpasses, at these busy intersections to keep pedestrians safe and traffic flowing. Along with Hollywood's recent growth spurt of hotels, condos and new businesses, should be the voice of the person in charge of keeping the traffic moving.

Right now, I do all that I can to avoid driving through busy Hollywood intersections, unless I absolutely have to. Sometimes, I'll take the Dash. But, just think – the new W Hotel is not filled to capacity, yet, and neither is that new condo building on the corner of Sunset and Vine. Just how bad do you think traffic will be then?

To read what I wrote on Examiner.com or to follow me, please go to Hollywood Faces & Places Examiner at www.examiner.com/x-50728-Hollywood-Places--Faces-Examiner

Photo: Marcy Reiford

The Southern California Underground: BAND SLAM 2010

AUDITIONS:  June 12, 13, 19 & 20, 2010
EVENT DATE:  August 19, 2010

One of the many exciting things going on in Los Angeles this summer is the Southern California Underground's Band Slam 2010 at The Music Box Theatre (a.k.a., Henry Fonda Theatre) this August, 2010!

The Southern California Underground (SCU) is a dynamic business providing opportunity for up-and-coming bands to get noticed in the music industry and the community at large.

The SCU Band Slam 2010 is a "battle-of-the-bands" event like no other for many reasons. For starters, unlike other band competitions, SCU's Band Slam 2010 does NOT ask bands to pre-sell tickets. Period. Apparently, that is a big deal when it comes to these competitions.

Next, SCU does all of the leg work for you, contacting industry professionals to help the bands get noticed, faster. With industry consultants like MLC PR – a top-tier public relations firm that specializes in music publicity services – Daren Cornell Photography, AMP Rehearsal, Sonic Bids, the creative web-design firm 2 Chopstix and A Bulldog, SCU brings a trusted group of proven professionals in the industry, up-close and personal, for bands to meet and make connections.

For more information on Southern California Underground, please visit their site at www.southerncaliforniaunderground.com.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screenings: SEASON 10

THE EXPERIENCE

Well, I have to admit that I have only been to this once and it was a while ago, so I don't remember a whole lot about it, except that it was fun! A little weird at first, because you are on top of the gravestones, but it's fun. Bring your own LOW beach chairs or bring lots of blankets and pillows, or both. Don't be a DIVA and bring a tall, regular chair like it's your throne. Be respectful.

The reason why I'm blogging about it is because an old friend from high school just posted his visit to the Wizard of Oz on Facebook and his night out inspired my post. When I went to the website, I noticed the organization that coordinates and is responsible for the viewings, Cinespia, is in its 10th Season! It is something in my local neighborhood that I think you should support and it's a great thing to do with friends and family. And, of course... there's the movies.

THE MOVIES

One of the many things the Hollywood Cemetery Screenings is best known for are the movies. From legends like last week's Wizard of Oz to this week's cult favorite, The Thing, the week after North By Northwest and finally for May, Purple Rain.

There are DJ''s spinning before and after the event, so if you take a date or go with friends, you can make a night of it.

10$ DONATION

For more information about the CINESPIA and The Hollywood Cemetery screenings, please go to CINESPIA.org.

Restaurant Review: BIRD'S CAFE

DINNER FOR TWO, NO DRINKS: $20
CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
LOCATION: FRANKLIN VILLAGE
FOOD: TO DIE FOR

One of the few staples left from the old days in our lovely neighborhood is, "Bird's Cafe" on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Village. And, for good reason: great food, a great location, a full-bar and bar area, indoor and outdoor dining, AMAZING onion rings (OMG...they are delicious and crispy with dipping sauces!). Not forgetting to mention the FABULOUS owner, Miss Mary – Quite Contrary. Mary is "da bomb" and she runs a "tight ship."

Okay, so Bird's has lots of yummy things on their menu. Where do I start? I know, how about their Slow-Roasted Rotisserie Chicken, for starters. Mmmm.... way better than Koo Koo Roo. And, with FABULOUS dipping sauces, too – Artichoke Garlic, Chipotle Mayo, Malasian Sweet & Hot, Zesty BBQ, Homemade Buttermilk Ranch and Buffalo Wing sauce! They are ALL amazing!! With their famous Beer Battered Onion Rings...my mouth is watering as I am typing this. Top it off with an ice-cold beer and you are all set.

Bird's has many other items on their menu, too. From their mouth-watering, bone-sucking BBQ Pork Ribs  (available after 8pm) to their Burgers and Wraps and a long-list of various salads, Bird's has something for everyone. Including, an Italian Vegetarian Wrap with roasted eggplant & red bell pepper, feta cheese (Mmmm), vine & sundried tomatoes and lettuce in a vinaigrette dressing.

They have tons of appetizers, piping hot delicious soups, a thick-and-tasty chicken chili, with chedder cheese and onions, if you want, corn bread (you can butter it!), a kid's plate and a variety of side dishes. Their sides include Homemade Coleslaw (the best), Ceasar Salad, BBQ Baked Beans, Mac and Cheese, Roasted Red Potatoes, Black Beans, Brown Rice, Steamed Mixed Veggies and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (available after 5pm).

Well, we're going to order Bird's for dinner and delivery tonight and I can hardly wait!!

For the record, this is a personal review and experience, as are all of the restaurant reviews on L.A. Link.

For more on Bird's or to see their complete menu, please go to www.birdshollywood.com.

Beware Of Bad Clients: Red Flags II

I have written about this topic before on Project Design L.A. called, "Red Flags: Listen To Your Gut." But this time, I am going to call it what it is, "Beware Of Bad Clients."

During this time of budget cuts and everyone trying to make a buck, lies a dirty little secret that no one will talk about – dead beat clients. There are people out there who will take advantage of you because you might need the money. Some even believe you should be grateful for what you do get and they will try and give you less. Rest assured: those are bad clients.

When a client promises you a deposit check before you start a project, but then suddenly, the check isn't available or there is a problem with getting it by a certain date – that is a red flag. If a client tells you they don't want to be charged for each round of edits – that's a red flag. When you ask a client what happened to their old graphic designer and they say that they suddenly stopped returning their calls – that's a red flag. There are no promises that you will always be able to tell a good client from a bad client, but there are definite warning signs and signals that you can catch if you are paying attention.

The Hustler
"The hustler" is the worst kind of client. He or she will "hustle" you into situations or agreements you know you don't want to get into, but they insist they are your friends and that they have your back.  They are always trying to "cut a deal" with you and the money they owe you. Especially, if they think you need it.

The Excuse Maker
This one is a little harder to figure out because, sometimes, shit happens. You want to give people the benefit of the doubt, but "the excuse maker" will always have an excuse or a reason for everything. Why your agreement isn't signed, why your check is late, why they shouldn't have to pay for a redesign – trust me, they will have excuses that will make you laugh, sometimes.

The Grand Diva
This is the client that thinks of you strictly as a vendor and not a partner. This client always knows best and does not want to be bothered with too many questions or concerns. They are very busy people. Too busy, in fact, to be dealing with the likes of you – even if you are there to make them look good. The "grand diva" thinks you can read their minds and expects you to do so. Not too many questions. Not too many answers. Just do it.

Mirror/Self

For each of those descriptions up there, I can think of a few designers I have worked with in the past that fit each one of them, perfectly (none of my friends, of course), so don't ever let yourself fall into one of those categories. Don't let a bad client bring you down to their level. Sometimes, it is better to cut your losses than to let yourself be put into a situation you knew from the beginning would end up a disaster. Stay professional. Go the extra mile. But, if even that doesn't satisfy your client, maybe that is a client not worth having. Not all relationships are meant to work out. 

There are, however, great clients. Luckily for me, all of my clients are great clients. They are the ones who sign and send back your agreement, understanding that business is business and, as creatives, we need to make a profit, too. They understand why you charge for each round of edits and that good creative doesn't come cheap. They get you a deposit check right away and they always pay on time. I know it sounds crazy, but there are mostly good clients out there. Just be prepared. A good strategy for doing business as an artist is to have a plan that you use for every new client to "test" reactions (e.g., a professional agreement, a deposit, etc.). Always be professional, do what you say you are going to do and do it well, and you can expect the same in return. It doesn't mean you will get it, but it will help you to better know when someone else is not professional. After all, if you have more to lose than to gain from working on any project, why do it? Hello?

To read what I found on the web worthy of sharing, please follow these links:

Red Flags: Listen To Your Gut – ProjectDesignLA

How Do You Know You're Working With A Bad Client? – FreelanceSwitch.com


Can You Tell The Difference Between A Bad Client And A Good One? – HappyClientNewsletter.com


Companies Beware: Unhappy Customers Are Turning To Social Media – The MatriXFiles

Weekend DVD Review

As a creative professional, I like movies that can take me away and make me forget all that I know about movie magic. This mini-series and epic-style film do both. Perhaps it is the fact that they are both based on history, or the fact that they are both well-acted, beautifully directed and photographed films, in either scenario they are worth the time to watch. 

HBO MINISERIES: THE PACIFIC

If you have HBO, then you have access to one of this year's most memorable mini-series, "The Pacific," a beautifully directed, yet brutally honest, portrayal of America's war with the Japanese – more specifically, the U.S. Marine's strategy for taking over the Japanese islands in the pacific ocean.

This mini-series is not for the faint of heart. The director places the viewer in the trenches and on the battlefield, with the sound of bullets zipping by and explosives going off, with lots of gruesome dead bodies and body parts lying around. You can only imagine being there was probably a thousand times worse than what the director chooses to show us. Some of the scenes are so real, you would swear you can smell the stench of the bodies lying all around. After all, it is war.

The cinematography is gruesomely beautiful in it's own way and the acting pushes your emotions over the edge. You'll be surprised to see the young star of Jurassic Park, Joe Mazello, playing the part of a young marine who eagerly enlists for war, along with his relatives, only to be faced with the horrific truths of his endeavor. His character is honest and charming, but everntually, the war takes his soul. Other great performances by Robert Leckie, Rami Malek, Jon Seda, William Sadler and the Sean Young look-a-like, Mae Riggi.

This Sunday is the final episode of the history anthology but you can watch episodes for free on HBO OnDemand. Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, Executive Producers. Not to be missed.

For more about "The Pacific," please visit HBO.com/The-Pacific.

THE YOUNG VICTORIA

If you saw Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen with Cate Blanchett, then you have seen the best of the best play Queen like no other (except for maybe Helen Mirren or Dame Judi Dench). That being said, Emily Blunt holds her own in Jean-Marc Vallée's, The Young Victoria. A far cry from "The Pacific," but just as powerful.

Ms. Blunt's portrayel of the Queen is likable and you get the sense that she is vulnerable and only human. Rupert Friend plays Prince Albert and he gives a gentle but believable performance as the Prince who will prove to be, not only loyal to his Queen, but good for the monarchy, in all.

Other great performances by the great Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson and Mark Strong.

Is Apple's iPad The Next Wave Of Portfolios?

I have to give credit where credit is due. My good friend Joe gave me this idea to blog about and after having done some research it would seem that the world is ready to adopt the iPad as a new way of showing a portfolio, but it seems we are waiting for someone to design and develop the perfect portfolio app.

While I have read about the iPad being used as a portfolio for photographers, I did not have much luck finding anything said about the iPad as a portfolio for graphic designers. But, think about it. With the perfect portfolio application, you could easily click your way through an automated portfolio, complete with video and animation capabilities. Clients could get details they could never get with a printed book by simply dragging their fingers across the screen. Could this be the next wave of portfolios for graphic designers?

Currently, I work on an iMac and, of course, I have an iPhone 3GS that I can easily surf to my website and show someone on my screen, but wouldn't it be great to have a large screen to showcase your work and to impress clients? You could have a download as a leave-behind that will automatically ask for an email address after you play your presentation so that the app can send you a PDF or whatever type of file you create as your leave behind.

I'm sure someone is already trying to work out the kinks on a new iPad portfolio application. And, if they're not, someone should get moving. I would pay $1.99 for an awesome portfolio app in a heart beat! But, it might help for me to purchase an iPad first. It true, I did not "bite-the-bullet" and run out and buy the first ever iPad. I would like to wait until it has a video camera on the front for conferencing and/or cell phone capabilities.

In doing my research for this post, I went to Apple.com to re-familiarize myself with iPad capabilities, and to my surprise, they have a feature story about Flash, the newer HTML5 and how the system works better for Apple's touch screen technology. Basically, it says that Flash is 100% proprietary, meaning they are only available from Adobe. The new standard for animation adopted by Google and Apple for the iPhone, iPad and iTouch called HTML5, a rendering engine, is an open web technology and programs like it are 100% open and adoptable for touch screen devices. Flash is not. I thought this post was very interesting, considering it answers all the questions about Flash and animation for the iPad and iTouch products.

The main reasons the post gives for not adopting Flash for their touch screen technology are as follows:

-- "Open" technology
-- Full-web capacity with newer H.264 decoder
-- Reliability, security and performance
-- Battery life
-- Touch screen technology
-- Independence from third-party apps

For more on Apple's reasons not to adopt Flash for their touch screen technology, or to find out what other people are saying about the iPad as a portfolio, please follow the links below.

Hot News On Flash – Apple.com

Jeff Singer Considers the iPad As A Portfolio – Advertising Photographers of America/San Francisco

www.ipod.planet5d.com

Featured Artist: JOSEPH REY

This month's featured artist is myself, Joseph Rey. I wasn't going to do a feature on myself, but it's my blog, so what the heck?

I was born and raised in Southern California and I knew I wanted to be an artist since I was a little kid. I could always draw and my family was a huge supporter of the arts. I was always encouraged to draw, even go to art school. Unfortunately, even with my family's encouragement, I was a kid with hurdles to climb, first. I was raised by a single mother who worked a low-income, full-time job and she was always trying to make ends meet. If it wasn't for the private schools my grandparents sent me to in my early years, who knows where I might have ended up. Luckily for me, I was always determined and self-motivated to make a career from my artwork and I knew that I had the talent to do so. In high school, I freelanced as an illustrator for some national magazines drawing editorial illustrations and by the end of my twenties, I was drafting and developing a full-service, in-house art department for a worldwide public relations firm here in their Los Angeles offices.

It was at Hill & Knowlton, Inc. that I was first exposed to the world of big client projects and campaigns. As the design director for the Los Angeles office, it was my responsibility to make sure that the creative services division provided full-service design support for teams in Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento and Detroit for clients like Mitsubishi, Motorola, Foothill Transit and The Mayor's Office. I remember sitting in our beautiful conference room that was on Wilshire boulevard at that time, going through a new business pitch on camera so that we could actually play it back to see and hear where we could make our pitch better. It was serious business. But I learned a lot about meeting with clients and giving pitches during my time at Hill & Knowlton. Not to mention, I made a lot of good friends that I still have from there.

I left Hill & Knowlton in 1997 and I was doing well on my own as a freelance art director for corporate communications, then came 9/11. And, everyone got hurt. The stock market plummeted; businesses had ties to other businesses with offices in one of the towers that fell; lives were lost. Advertising budgets were cut, if not entirely wiped out, and I remember scrambling, looking for work from anyone who needed design services. It was a tough time for our country. I knew that I had to make a change if I was going to survive the sudden drop off of new business. So, with a lot of nerve and a little help from my friend and colleague Steve Reaves – the director of the graphics program at F.I.D.M. – I learned how to create "key art" and I was building a new portfolio.

My first job as an entertainment "key artist" was for the low-budget film company, Image Entertainment in Chatsworth. It was a perfect place to start with a variety of titles to work on including horror, hip hop, live entertainment, avant garde films and film noir. It wasn't long after I joined Image that I was offered an amazing job as an art director at Lionsgate Home Entertainment – and I took it.

It was my year-and-a-half with Lionsgate that helped polish my skills as an entertainment art director. With several projects to manage each month, each including key art, package design, advertising and promotion, I learned a lot about the entertainment marketing process.

But, it wasn't until I had the pleasure of working at NBCUniversal that I realized I had finally arrived. Not only did I have the opportunity to conceptualize and create key art from sketches to final artwork for such shows as "Lipstick Jungle" and the "2008 Beijing Summer Olympics," but I worked on the lot everyday and had an inside peak into the world of movie making. It was awesome!

Last year, I was asked to work on projects at Warner Bros. and to create key art for shows like "Eastwick" and "Human Target" and two projects featuring my artwork each won a Silver Promax/BDA Award – one for "Lipstick Jungle" and the other for the Warner Bros. Theatrical Slate.

Who knows what the future has in store for me, but I hope it includes a job at places like BLT Associates or Paramount Pictures. I would love to expand my theatrical key art portfolio and career, and I would be a loyal slave to the company that gave me that opportunity. Until then, I will continue to do my best work with the projects I am fortunate to receive.

To view my online portfolio, please go to www.joseph-rey.com.

A Light At The End Of The Job Market Tunnel

Now that tax day has come and gone, I seem to be getting more job leads than I did last year. From an array of possible new clients to a possible full-time job, things are starting to look up. I think I am finally starting to see a light at the end of the dark job market tunnel.

One of the things I have noticed, especially this year, is that clients are finding me on and through the web. That's a good thing and I am really happy about it. Having a strong web presence means that people don't have to look hard to find me or my services. With an appealing website and an easy-to-read blog that pretty much outlines my creative vision, new clients don't have to guess at how I think or wait until they work with me to know that the outcome of their project would be amazing if I created it. On the other hand, people who don't find my style appealing can make that assessment quickly and move on without wasting too much time. I've said it before and I will say it again, as an artist, it is vital to communicate your message and make your mark on the internet. It's not hard to do. There are tons of free portfolio sites for artists that you should take the time to join and create a portfolio. The more links there are to your name, or your brand, the better.

Because of all the latest interest in my work, I've learned how to create a comprehensive budget estimate that I can email the client and not waste too much time creating. Once the client sees the budget, they can decide whether or not to continue with the project or approach me with a counter-offer. I never give away concepts before a monetary agreement is signed or approved by the client, but I do like to give the client an idea of how organized I am by outlining the process of the job, in phases, so that the client knows what to expect for their money and that I understand the process well enough to outline it in writing. Normally, this type of "rough estimate" is something I can accomplish in about an hour. This way, I don't waste too much of my time putting together a proposal that could end up being rejected by the client. By coming up with a number that I can give to the client in an email estimate, the client can quickly decide if you are on the same page.

I don't know if the sudden surge of interest for my work is a fluke or if my presence on the web should be credited, but what I do know is that people are finding me on the internet and that is a first step to finding more work. I am grateful to the clients who have given me work or have asked me for an estimate and I promise to keep you updated on my progress.

If you think you have a seen or sensed a positive shift in the job market lately, please let me know. I would love to hear from you and to find out what you think about the current job market.