L.A. Festival of Books

Laura and I went to the L.A. Festival of Books today at UCLA...which, I must admit, was strikingly beautiful today. It may have space and hills and tree lined sidewalks and statuesque architecture and cleanliness and happy families with their golden retrievers...but does it double as Yale on the venerable Gilmore Girls? That it does not.

We went to two panels, both were great. The first was titled "Page & Screen" or something like that and featured these writers: Marisa Silver, Glasgow Phillips, Tara Ison and Elinor Lipman and was moderated by John Sacret Young. I have read Marisa Silver and some of Glasgow Phillips in McSweeneys and a recent L.A. Times calendar article on Phillips' recent novel The Royal Nonesuch, but hadn't heard of Ison or Lipman. They all had some interesting things to say.

Some of the writers had directed (Silver and Phillips), some had written screenplays, and some had their novels optioned by film studios. They talked about the craft of writing prose/fiction, screenplays and directing films, and how one can inform the other. They also talked about the interiority of writing prose and the structure-based writing of screenplays and of the importance of finding a secret inner space in your mind and the importance of separating your everyday life and activities from the time in which you need to be quiet and creative. It was interesting to hear from people who are doing the things I want to be doing: writing (short stories, novels and screenplays), directing, and even teaching.



The second panel was titled "Nonfiction: Humor and Attitude" whatever that means. The writers/talented people on this panel were (from left to right in the photo) moderator Meghan Daum, Samantha Dunn, Larry Miller, Neal Pollack and Jill Soloway. I've read stuff by Neal Pollack and Meghan Daum (who writes a column for the L.A. Times in the Op/Ed section, and who moved to Nebraska for a few years) and was a fan of Jill Soloway through her work as a Writer and Co-Executive Producer on Six Feet Under. Luckily, the panel lived up to the title and was quite often funny. Soloway, in particular, was really funny...or perhaps I just related to her the most. She was the only panelist to mention both Courtney Cox's asshole and feminist revolution. We both bought her book and got them signed afterwards. In case you can't read it, her inscription reads, "Dear Lindsay, From the voice of 'Claire.'" From what I've read of it so far, which is minimal, it is really funny.





I love books and book lovers. Here, for example (in the background of this photo) is a father and his son, packing up the many books they bought in a roller suitcase.



This was not the only example of a rolling luggage/portable device used to cart around their many wares and purchases. All for the love of the word.

Stephanie Daley

This will be short and simple. I saw the movie Stephanie Daley, directed by Hilary Brougher, and featuring Tilda Swinton, Amber Tamblyn, and Timothy Hutton. I really really liked it. Great performances, deliberate and effective pacing, and well written. I haven't seen much publicity for the film, so I thought I would try to promote it here. I would recommend seeing it if you get the chance.

Another Omaha plug

You better get used to them.

Go here to listen to NPR's Kurt Andersen's audio tour of his hometown Omaha for Studio 360. Here is a short description:

"Kurt heads back to his hometown. No longer just beef and Warren Buffett, Kurt finds a vibrant indie rock, film, and visual arts scene there. Artists, politicians and philanthropists – including filmmaker Alexander Payne and Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst – tell us what makes Omaha so nice to come home to. And we hear from other musicians on Omaha’s hot Saddle Creek label, including the tap-dancing percussionists of Tilly and the Wall. Produced by Derek John and Pejk Malinovski."

Or if interactive maps are more your fancy, you can peruse the Interactive Omaha Arts Map on this same site, with markers for the cultural stops noted in the audio tour.

Compliment from a stranger

I got out of the Gossip show in New York, elated and exhausted. I boarded the subway at Canal and sat down in the mostly empty car, choosing at random from the many open seats. Having a headache and wanting to immediately go to sleep, I put my head down into my hands, thus directing my eyes at the dirty subway floor and my worn out shoes. At that moment, I noticed a surprising little note that brought a smile to my face.

Thank you, Harry in New York, for noticing!

NYC Photos

Serious filmmakers.





Really serious filmmakers.

NYC Part 1

I'm in New York right now. To be more specific, Brooklyn. It's raining. To be more specific, pouring. I have a lot I could write about, but am not feeling up to the task. As a general note, it has been a very busy, fun and productive trip thus far. We've gotten some great stuff filming, and it has been a pretty eye opening experience as well. And my muscles ache from filming, which I'll take as a good sign. And I had Dunkin' Donuts. How good is Dunkin' Donuts. In case you thought that was a question, I will tell you: very good. Chocolate frosted, cinnamon donut hole, chocolate glazed donut hole and iced coffee. That was my delicious breakfast yesterday. And a banana, for good measure.

I saw The Gossip last night at the Knitting Factory. Can't get enough of them. Once again they were awesome, and I had a renewed love for my somewhat-recently-lost love, punk rock. We had been slightly estranged as of lately, but no longer. Got to hear Aaliyah's masterpiece (props to Timbaland) again. And guess who stood right next to me during the show? Debbie Harry. Very exciting, to the point where I was distracted at times. And I got into the sold out show for free. Thank you to the Knitting Factory employee who snuck me in. I'm sure he'll be reading this.

More NYC entries to come, with photo accompaniment.

To do:

1) Pack
2) Watch Gilmore
3) Fall asleep
4) Go to New York
5) Get life together

The Gossip

Went to The Gossip at the Troubadour on Saturday night with Laura. Really great show. Beth Ditto really knows how to a) entertain b) sing c) dance. She moved around so much that it was hard to get a shot that wasn't blurry. I really wish I could post video, but I can't. In addition to a varied, energizing set, they played three amazing covers: Dolly Parton's "9 to 5", Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" (those two only in teaser portions) and the highlight, in its entirety, "Tell Me are You That Somebody" by Aaliyah (RIP). That last song can be downloaded from the Gossip remix album and I highly recommend it.

One question: when did they get so popular/hip? I saw Kate Moss, Courtney Love (!), Linda Perry, Rick Rubin and designer Jeremy Scott at the show, and there were quite a few more people rocking out on the VIP balcony that could be famous that I didn't know. I mean they deserve the attention, but I was just surprised. I was shocked just to find out that the show was sold out.

Below is a photo of Kate Moss and friends. She was rocking out in the balcony like 2 people away from us. She was in VIP, we were not. It's not a great photo because a) it was dark b) it was an awkward angle and c) it was awkward period. I didn't want to be one of those people taking photos of celebrities and posting them on my blog. Now I have become that annoying person. I'm thinking of not posting it, but who's really going to read this anyway?

She's the one with the hair, next to the guy with the hat. I've always found her interesting, and pretty much the only model that I can say that about (except former model Alexis Bledel). On a purely superficial level, she's friends with photographer Corinne Day (a mutually beneficial relationship in terms of art and career), has stayed with Marianne Faithfull (or the other way around), is also friends with Anita Pallenberg and Sadie Frost, pole danced in a White Stripes video directed by Sofia Coppola, dated Johnny Depp for awhile, has the same birthday as me, and seems to have somewhat interesting taste in people, music, clothes/designers, etc. But that her dancing/jumping/hair thrashing to The Gossip has confirmed it. I like Kate Moss. And I will stand by that statement.

Miranda July's book

Check out this site for her new book of short stories entitled No one belongs here more than you., coming out May 15th, the same day she will be appearing at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. She is also appearing in a few other select cities named on the website.

Fourscore and seven years ago...

I have re-memorized the Gettysburg Address. I memorized it in third grade (the only one in William Ford Elementary to do so, to my knowledge) and performed it in front of a sixth grade class, for which I received a chess and checkers set.

So, if you see me, you may request a repeat performance.

"The world will little note nor long remember what we say here..."
Abe, you are too modest.

The Good Life

There's an interesting NY Times article here on Omaha and its cultural renaissance of sorts. You should check it out. This is the website for Film Streams, the film theater/center development in Omaha that is mentioned in the article. Really cool. Alexander Payne is choosing his favorite 10 films to show in July-August.