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Sparrows Point & Bethlehem Steel: Baltimore's Contribution to the Golden Gate Bridge — Celebrating this Weekend

Steel was first made at outside of Baltimore at Sparrows Point in 1889, by the Pennsylvania Steel Company. By the mid-20th century, Sparrows Point was the world's largest steel mill, stretching four miles from end-to-end. The mill employed tens of thousands of workers. It used the traditional open-hearth steelmaking method to produce ingots, a labor—and energy—intensive process.

Postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge

Purchased by Bethlehem Steel in 1916, the mill's steel ended up as girders in the Golden Gate Bridge and in cables for the George Washington Bridge, and was a vital part of war production during World War I and World War II. The mill was serviced by Four railroads: the Western Maryland, Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio and yard work was done by the Patapsco & Back River RR.

Some of our Betlehem steel is celebrating an anniversary this weekend.

CNN's Sari Zeidler reports:

Beacon in the bay: Golden Gate turns 75

It is the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, and to honor the iconic structure, project Solar Beacon was unleashed. Solar Beacon is an art installation that sits atop the bridge's towers and shines two lights "that are bright as the sun, but much smaller in size," across the Bay Area. People can log onto the Solar Beacon website and schedule their own personal show by designating where they would like the lights to shine.

"During the 75th Anniversary celebrations and the months that follow, the solar beam will directly link the line of sight between the public and the bridge they love," the project's website reads.

LIFE: 75 years of the Golden Gate

Solar Beacon is a feat of art and science, similar to the "International Orange" suspension bridge itself. Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge took four years and claimed the lives of 11 men. It nearly took the lives of 19 more whose fates were changed by a safety net installed under the bridge for workers. These 19 came to be known as the "Half-way-to-Hell Club."

 

Despite it's gruesome underpinnings, the bridge was heralded for its aesthetics upon its opening to the public in 1937 - prompting the San Francisco Chronicle to call it a "Thirty-five million dollar steel harp!"

The Golden Gate bridge has become a meaningful destination for Bay Area residents—many of whom will celebrate the anniversary at a festival today.

And, from Baltimore, we remeber—and honor—our contribution and we wish all Golden-Gaters well.

Weekend: We're Thinking We Need to Have a Jessica Tandy Movie Marathon

And, what does a Jessica Tandy movie fest require? That's right, these little puppies to elevate the fest to a feast.

Soon-to-be-fried green tomatoes from Charles Street's Fresh and Green

To get our effort started Jacob headed down to Fresh and Green Market and to our favorite produce lady, Heather Hudgins, for plump green tomatoes—to be fried. Heather is a grocery store gem. She can find the freshest watercress on a moments notice and if the mint (at Mint Julep time) looks a little tired and worn, Heather will go backstage and return with a bundle that looks dewy and smells freshly picked.

Miss Tandy finally wins an Oscar

With green tomatoes in hand, it's time to cut down our film list. Where to start? Think:

• The Story Lady (1994)
• Nobody s Fool (1994)
• Camilla (1994)
• To Dance With the White Dog (1993)
• Used People (1992)
• Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
• Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
• Cocoon: the Return (1988)
• The House on Carroll Street (1988)
• Batteries Not Included (1987)
• The Thrill of Genius (1985)
• Cocoon (1985)
• The Gin Game (1984)
• The Bostonians (1984)
• The World According to Garp (1982)
• Best Friends (1982)
• Still of the Night (1982)
• Honky Tonk Freeway (1981)
• Butley (1974)
• The Birds (1963)
• Adventures of a Young Man (1962)
• The Light in the Forest (1958)
• The Desert Fox (1951)
• September Affair (1950)
• Forever Amber (1947)

   

The Birds, Fried Green Tomatoes, Driving Miss Daisy, and Batteries Not Included are on our list. While Jacob and I debate the fifth film or television episode to add to the list, I'll take a moment to share this:

Fried Green Tomatoes, the way we make them:

Ingredients
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 medium-size green tomatoes, cut into 1/3-inch slices
• Vegetable oil
• Salt and Old Bay to taste

Preparation
Combine egg and buttermilk; set aside.
Combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl or pan.
Dredge tomato slices in remaining 1/4 cup flour; dip in egg mixture, and dredge in cornmeal mixture.
Pour oil to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch in a large cast-iron skillet; heat to 375°.
Drop tomatoes, in batches, into hot oil, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden.
Drain on paper towels or a rack.
Sprinkle hot tomatoes with salt and additional Old Bay.

Optional
Top with Crab Imperial or a simple poached egg.

Not optional
Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Remember those who fight for our freedom and remember those brave men and women that we have lost.

See It in Baltimore - Beautiful Women Dancing with Giant Bananas, and More

You see a lot of wonderful things on Charles Street. But, this is going to be really special. (Read on, you'll thank me, later.)

The Gang's All Here, 1943

This 20th Century-Fox, Technicolor extravaganza features Carmen Miranda, Alice Faye, and James Ellison in a story about a singer and a soldier. The Gang's All Here is a film that one reviewer noted was, "like a male hairdresser's acid trip."

I've seen this Busby Berkeley choreographed movie twice and it's actually a fun, tuneful, and totally garish trip. You'll enjoy it—if not love it—and, you'll never forget it. Did I mention that Benny Goodman and his Orchestra are on stage to provide some extraordinary big band scenes and serious music? 

The Gang's All Here, 1943

Details? I know you want details. Here you go:

BUSBY BERKELEY’S

THE GANG’S ALL HERE

FEATURING CARMEN MIRANDA in a RESTORED 35MM PRINT

Berkeley’s own special brand of kaleidoscopic fantasy, turned into psychedelic surrealism by the electric red and greens of 20th Century-Fox’s color processing. Those who consider Berkeley a master consider this his masterpiece. It is his maddest film: chorus girls dissolve into artichokes; there’s a banana xylophone; and Carmen Miranda appears in platform wedgies on an avenue of giant strawberries.
    -Pauline Kael

SHOW TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 26 11:30 AM
MONDAY, MAY 28 7 PM
THURSDAY, MAY 31 9 PM.

1943 Dir. Busby Berkeley. Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, Edward Everett Horton, Phil Baker, Benny Goodman. Technicolor. Newly restored print! 103 min.

INFINITELY DELIGHTFUL, EFFORTLESSLY INVENTIVE! IT IS SOMETHING TO BEHOLD!
    – Dave Kehr, The New York Times

UTTERLY DERANGED!
A kaleidoscope of garish costumes, eye-popping color, psychedelic musical numbers, and some I-can't-believe-the-censors-let-them-get-away-with-that choreography.
    – New York magazine

Time and again, you can’t believe what you’re witnessing: Berkeley’s camera swoops and soars at seemingly impossible trajectories through crowds of extras; Miranda models an expansive fruit headdress... But nothing can prepare you for the literally kaleidoscopic finale, which includes a gaggle of synchronized showgirls and contains eye-searing imagery that anticipates everything from The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T to Tron.
    – Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York

TICKETS
MATINEES $7.50
EVENINGS $9.50
SR. CIT. $8.50

The Gang's All Here, 1943

Here's my personal suggestion: Before you see this brilliant piece of joyous cinematography, have a cocktail or two. Leave all of your preconceived notions of major studio motion pictures at home and have a great time. Revel in the color, the movement, the music, the rhythm, and a little love story. Enjoy.

[A final piece of film trivia. This movie could not be shown in Carmen Miranda's home country of Portugal because of the suggestive nature of the banana dance, Alice Faye was pregnant during much of the filming and the U.S. censors mandated that the dancers must hold the end of the bananas at waist-level, not hip level.]

Check The Charles Theatre's venue for tickets.

Chaplin's 'A Woman of Paris' at the Charles

CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S
A WOMAN OF PARIS
REVIVAL SERIES

Directed by Charlie Chaplin, A Woman of Paris contains no slapstick comedy and Chaplin appears only briefly in a cameo. Noteworthy for the sophistication of its narrative, it was enthusiastically received by critics upon its release. Edna Purviance stars as a village girl who becomes the mistress of a rich and philandering Adolphe Menjou in a provocative precursor to Lubitsch.

SHOW TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 12 11:30 AM;
MONDAY, MAY 14 7 PM;
THURSDAY, MAY 17 9 PM.

(1923 Charlie Chaplin) 35mm. 82 min. bw.

“The first elegantly stylish comedy of manners in the American cinema, reflecting Jazz Age interest in the rich and decadent...became a powerful influence on Ernst Lubitsch.”
—John Wakeman

”I was absolutely knocked by it....Suddenly, here was a grown-up film, with people behaving as they do in life, and scenes treated with an enormous sophistication.”
—Michael Powell

“A landmark in sophisticated sexual screen drama.”
—Elliot Stein

CHARLES THEATRE
1711 N. CHARLES STREET
BALTIMORE 20101

A New Baltimore Casting Notice. It's Union, SAG-AFTRA. (I won't use visuals.)

Calling men for a TV commercial. Men with hairy backs. Also, men with chiseled chests. Men willing to show off the goods.

Here are the details from my friends at Taylor-Royall Casting in Baltimore:

We're submitting talent to audition for a SAG-AFTRA commercial requiring some specific body types. Please see the descriptions below and follow the submission instructions if you qualify for either role. 

- Caucasian men, age 20s to 40s, must have hairy backs & be willing to be shirtless for a beach/pool scene.

- Caucasian men, age 20s/30s, good looking, sculpted chest, must be willing to be shirtless for a bedroom scene. Should be able to have a vain "I'm the man" look and also act sheepish/embarrassed.

To be considered, please email agents@taylorroyall.com. Include your name, phone number, headshot/photo, resume, union or non-union, and please note which role you are submitting for.  

That's it, guys, go forth with gusto! If you've got it, give it up for the glory. (And a nice pay-day, also.)

[To my fellow SAG-AFTRA members, remember Rule One.]

75 Years Ago Today, Baltimore's News-Post Reported: 'Hindenburg Explodes'

On many fronts, 1937 wasn't altogether a great year. The United States was still attempting to recover from the Great Depression, Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared after taking off from New Guinea, Japan occupied Beijing, the Great Hong Kong Typhoon killed 11,000 people, Italy withdrew from the League of Nations. John D Rockefeller, George Gershwin, and Jean Harlow died. In April of 1937 German warplanes from the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion destroyed the Basque town of Guernica during what was reported as the first air bombardment of an undefended town in history; more than 1,600 civilians were killed.

And, the Baltimore News-Post ran this this headline in May:

 

 

 

 

 

 

1937, Baltimore News-Post Reported: Hindenburg Explodes

Earlier that year WLS, Chicago's powerhouse of a radio station, dispatched announcer Herb Morrison and his engineer, Charlie Nelhsen, to cover the Hindenburg landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Morrison's report was to be recorded on a large acetate disk for later broadcast. Recording news and actualities was, in 1937, against all the rules of network radio broadcasting. Morrison's recorded report lead to a change of those rules, which at the time only allowed recordings to be used for sound effects in radio dramas. Morrison's report was so human and so compelling that NBC played the recording on it's network and it became the prototype for news actualities in the post war years.

Morrison was a slender, diminutive man with dark hair, dimples, and a strong chin. On the air, he sounded older than his years. He was dapper, and by all accounts he was exceedingly handsome. Prior to his dispatch to Lakehurst, the majority of his radio work had been as an announcer for live musical programming. For the Hindenburg report from Lakehurst he wore a blue serge suit and a tailored top coat.

Announcer, Herb Morrison

Today most people see, or remember, a newsreel of the Hindenburg disaster with Morrison's account as the voice-over. However, that's a later construction of how the actual reports were filed, seen, and heard.

Even in 1937 newsreels were a low-budget affair. Black and white cameras with no ability to record sound were used. And Morrison and his one-man crew were recording a transcription to a disk with no ability to add visuals. Think of what you remember seeing as one of the earliest audio-visual mashups.

Here is an actual (and yes, silent) newsreel from the time with post production, editing, and a certain amount of 'film touch-up' as performed by the releasing studio.

 

And this, from the Smithsonian, is Herb Morrison's radio report added to actual newsreel film, without any film reconstruction. The difference in film quality is all-telling.

  

According to WLS radio: Listeners in Chicago and across the country didn't hear Morrison's coverage of the disaster until the next day because his report wasn't broadcast live from Lakehurst. He and engineer Charley Nehlsen had been experimenting with field recordings on huge acetate discs. They realized the gravity of their recordings as they found themselves being followed by German SS Officers! After hiding out for a few hours, the two managed to make a clean getaway and get back across the country to WLS. The chilling account aired the next day on the station and was the first recorded radio news report to be broadcast nationally by NBC.

I've been fascinated by lighter-than-air craft, zeppelins, and blimps for as long as I can remember. In Baltimore we all see quite a few small blimps soaring over the city—Dish Network, MetLife, and yes, the Conan craft. I wondered what a zeppelin the size of the Hindenburg would have looked like flying over Baltimore. I wondered if it might have looked this:

Hindenburg Over Baltimore, MD

The Hindenburg explosion killed 35 of the 97 people on board and one person on the ground. A cause of the disaster has been widely speculated about and has created more conspiracy theories than the Kennedy assination, yet the true cause of the Hindenburg's demise has never been discovered.

When TV Listings Go Wrong. Way Wrong.

I was looking around at the Comcast cable line-up this afternoon — I'm in a moody kind of mood and looking for something film noir-ish to watch — and I found the most perfectly mismatched graphic and description I've ever seen.

You will have to click the image below to see it and read it, but you should check it out!

                       Comcast Cable Line-up, April 29th 2012

The Night of the Hunter is, as Comcast says, "A terrifying tale of a psychotic preacher (Robert Mitchum) plotting to kill a widow and her children (Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce) for money. Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Peter Graves. Davis Grubb's novel, superbly adapted by James Agee. Charles Laughton directed."

                          Billy Chapin in Night of the Hunter

Oddly the graphic, the avatar, for the movie is from the Food Network. And, it works — in a strange, cannibalistic sort of way.

How to Boil Water is the avatar title. The subtitle is Life Beyond Takeout.

I'm watching the movie right now and if see Billy Chapin in a really, really hot bathtub I'll let you know.

Baltimore SAG-AFTRA Members: Must Read

Remember, fellow members, we now have the power to speak with a unified voice.

On May 19-20, the SAG-AFTRA National Board will consider a unanimous recommendation by the Executive Committee to implement a Do Not Work notice against music video productions.

Once implemented, SAG-AFTRA members may not accept employment as performers in any music video not produced under a SAG-AFTRA contract. A Do Not Work order for music videos is a result of the major record labels refusing to agree to a contract that meets the critical needs of music video performers.

This action will affect any SAG-AFTRA member hired to sing, dance, act or otherwise perform as talent on any music video that is not covered by the appropriate SAG-AFTRA contract, except for a royalty artist who is already contractually obligated to deliver certain services under an existing royalty agreement with a record label.  Specifically included are SAG-AFTRA members working as dancers, singers, choreographers, cameo performers, models, actors, and most other talent. SAG-AFTRA members who violate a Do Not Work order can be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion from membership.

This action follows performers’ efforts to secure an industry-wide contract for music video work, which most recently involved several rounds of contract discussions with the major record labels throughout 2011. SAG-AFTRA is continuing its efforts to reach agreement with the labels however this action is necessary because the labels have failed to agree to some of the most basic contract terms. Some of the outstanding issues involve guaranteed access to water and toilet facilities, proper safety protections for hard surface dancing, overtime provisions, health and retirement contributions and standardized rates of pay.

Please stand together with your fellow SAG-AFTRA members and fellow performers for safety and dignity on the job.  Together we can ensure a safe and fair future for all of us.

If you have questions or wish to volunteer to support your fellow SAG-AFTRA members who are working to ensure basic union standards on music videos, you can help by contacting:

Randall Himes
Assistant National Executive Director, Sound Recordings at randall.himes@sagaftra.org

Stefanie Taub
National Manager of Sound Recordings, West Coast at stefanie.taub@sagaftra.org

Steve Sidawi
National Organizer/Representative at steve.sidawi@sagaftra.org

Casting Notice 4-9-12: MGH Advertising is Searching for the Voice of Baltimore

At first glance, I thought, "Hey, that's me!" Then, reading closer, I discovered that I'd qualify on only one count. According to my buddy, Ryan Goff at MGH, "The ideal candidate will be over 40—the older the better." (I was pinning my hopes on the 'older-the-better' line.)

                 Graphic courtesy MGH Advertising, Owings Mills

To me, this looks like the fun-gig of a lifetime. And, working with MGH could never be anything but a great time. Here are the details directly from the horse's Ryan's mouth:

BECOME THE VOICE OF BALTIMORE!
You could be featured in a future MGH ad campaign.

Audition Today

Now through April 30, we're auditioning residents of Charm City and the surrounding area in an effort to discover someone we're calling the "Voice of Baltimore." This is a man or woman who eats, sleeps and breathes Baltimore – and has a genuine "Bawlmerese" accent to match. If we find this person, he or she may be hired as the voice of a future MGH ad campaign.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• You must have a genuine Baltimore accent – not a silly one you do at parties, but the real thing.
• The ideal candidate will be over 40 – the older the better – although anyone 18 or older will be considered.
• You should be passionate for Baltimore and have lived in the city or surrounding area your whole life.
• You should be outgoing with a great sense of humor.
• Don’t try to be funny. Just be genuine.

Here's the script for you to read and record:

I’ve lived in Baltimore all my life. I grew up on Bel Air Road and used to root for the Colts with my dad, who worked at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point. We’d also watch the Orioles at Memorial Stadium. After high school, I drove an ambulance, and I made a lot of friends on the police force. Sometimes after a shift I’d say, “Did you eat yet? Let’s go down to Little Italy.” I don’t leave town much. Had to go to Washington a few times. Didn’t care for it. Wow, reading this made me thirsty. You got a glass of water?

All of the details are here. Check them out. Read through the script a couple of times. Record it, and submit your best effort. Again, check the official MGH rules and regulations.

Good luck to everyone and to my SAG-AFTRA union friends, remember Rule One!

I've Said it Before—Time and Time Again—Baltimore's Entertaining!

Alternate title for this blog post:
A Boy and His Photog.

Looking out of our windows, we see ever-changing theatre. We see sky shows with helicopters, bi-planes, and blimps soaring around—sometimes at eye-level. We see, and listen to, concerts courtesy of the Downtown Partnership and the myriad of vocal and instrumental artists who arrive ready to entertain for just our smiles and applause. We have Street Fairs, Farmer's Markets, and Art Shows.

And day and night, we see hundreds of different people doing hundreds of different things in hundreds of different windows.

Now and then we are treated to a special, more intimate show.

A Boy and His Photog 1 - Sheraton, Baltimore

A Boy and His Photog 2 - Sheraton, Baltimore

A Boy and His Photog 3 - Sheraton, Baltimore

Nude photo shoots in hotels seem to be very innocent—often comically-funny-from-a-distance—events to catch a glimpse of. It can take a longtime for the photographer to get all of the "living props" where they should be. Photographing nude models makes photographing fresh cut flowers, raw seafood and meat, and ready-to-serve food seem like child's play.

By the way, if this post seems off topic, I assure you that some of the poses that these models construct truly qualify them to be designated: Performing Artist. Hey, their poses almost qualify them to be in Cirque Du Soleil.

Ok then, that's all on this topic. Well, until the Fireman's Convention arrives in Baltimore, later this year.

Meat Loaf: Listen to Him or Take a Bite?

Oh, KSWB TV, you never fail to entertain me.

 

Once again KSWB, the FOX television affiliate in San Diego, treats a gaffe with good humor. And regarding Meat Loaf and meatloaf—just for the record—I actually enjoy a piece of each.

The singer, though, not so much with gravy.

Baltimore Casting Notice - March 16 Musical Children Needed, Act Fast

Just in, be aware of the dates for auditions and for the shoot.

Project: Non-union Capital One commercial

Roles needed: Boys & girls age 9-12, any ethnicity, who can play violin, cello, or trumpet
Audition Date: Saturday 3/17
Audition Location: Baltimore, MD
Shoot Date: Saturday 3/31 OR Sunday 4/1 (must be available both dates) 
Rate: $520 flat

If you know a child who would be interested in auditioning, please email betsy@betsycasting.com with the name & age of the child, the instrument they play, how long they've been playing, and attach a recent photograph.

Good luck and to my fellow union members, remember Rule 1.

Shot in Baltimore, 'Game Change' Scores

Jay Roach film Game Change Gets HBO’s largest original movie ratings in eight years.

Via Deadline, written by Nellie Andreeva:

After a massive promotional campaign and a dash of controversy, HBO’s Game Change premiered with an average of 2.1 million viewers at 9 PM on Saturday to become the network’s most watched original film in almost 8 years, since the 2004 Something The Lord Made (2.6 million).

                      HBO - Game Change, production still

The movie about John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and the meteoric rise of Sarah Palin from a little known Alaska Governor to super-star Republican running mate, doubled the premiere audience of the previous HBO movie from the same writer (Danny Strong) and director (Jay Roach), Recount, which chronicled events surrounding the 2000 presidential elections.

It also outperformed the opening nights of recent HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce (1.3 million), Generation Kill (1 million) and John Adams (1.8 million). For the weekend, Game Change averaged 3.6 million viewers over multiple plays. The movie has been met with criticism by Palin and aids for the McCain-Palin ticket, with the former Alaska governor calling it “Hollywood lies".

It's a Big Package, an Important Package! I Voted YES. Join Me.

             Stephen Brockelman, proud SAG member since 1971

An urgent note to all of my fellow SAG and AFTRA members in Baltimore and Washington, DC:

By now you should have received a hefty, Tiffany blue envelope. If you haven't received it, please call your union local at (301) 657-2560 or (800) 724-0767.

                                SAG - AFTRA Merger Package

The package contains:

• an introductory letter, 10 pages
• a FAQ and Contact document, 8 pages
• a P&H, H&R, Feasibility Report, 32 pages
• the SAG-AFTRA Constitution, Dues Structure, Merger Agreement document, 86 pages
• the Ballot
• the Secret Ballot envelope (with QR codes)
• the return mail envelope (with bar code and QR codes)

                            SAG - AFTRA merger package

It's a formidable package. And, as a SAG or AFTRA member, it is the most important group of documents that you've ever received from your union. The ballot enclosed in your package is—without a doubt—the most important ballot you'll ever receive from your union. After you review the material, I urge you to vote YES for MERGER.

And, when you vote YES, you'll be in good company.

The Amercian Federation of Musicians supports the merger. The entertainment trade magazine, Variety, reports:

The American Federation of Musicians has endorsed the proposed merger between the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, joining Actors' Equity in blessing the union.The exec board of the AFM said it is in "full support" of the merger pact. "When ratified by the group's memberships, the uniting of the two groups will result in a more powerful and united face to represent workers in both film and broadcasting," the AFM said.

Ballots went out this week to 120,000 SAG members and 70,000 AFTRA members, who include actors, broadcasters, DJs, singers and dancers, with a tabulation date of March 30. To be approved, the merger must receive at least 60% of the votes from each union.

"The proposed merger is a historic step and is a symbol of unity for the entertainment sector and for the entire labor movement," said AFM president Ray Hair. "For decades, AFTRA and SAG have stood prominently and proudly for dignity and justice in the entertainment industry workplace. The joining of these two great unions will focus union power toward a better future for the media business, not only here in the United States but throughout the world."

And our brothers and sisters who work on the Great White Way support the SAG-AFTRA merger. The Hollywood Reporter's Jonathan Handel wrote:

The national Council of Actors Equity voted unanimously Tuesday night to endorse the planned merger of SAG and AFTRA. The vote by the nearly century-old union, which represents performers in live stage productions, adds fuel to the movement toward a combined SAG-AFTRA.

The Equity motion was a single sentence: “AEA strongly supports SAG and AFTRA in their proposal to merge their Unions.”

In response, SAG president Ken Howard thanked Equity president Nick Wyman and the Council, and said, “We're honored by their action today and by the support of  Equity members, who are very often members of SAG and AFTRA as well.”

He added, “There¹s a real spirit of unity in our ranks, and it can only serve to make us all stronger.”

Before you vote YES, please read this document so that you may vote YES with confidence:

MYTHS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF the SAG - AFTRA MERGER

MYTH #1:
Merger will jeopardize my pension.
MERGER FACT:  Your accrued pension benefits are protected by federal law. Benefits can only be reduced under certain conditions relating to plans in financial distress. Neither the AFTRA Plan nor the SAG plan is in that situation – both plans are in the “green zone.” As explained in the Feasibility Report, a merger of the plans would make it less likely that that your pension plan reaches the level of financial distress that places your accrued benefits in jeopardy: Multi-employer plan mergers do not pose any increase in the risk of loss of benefits to plan participants according to the government agency in charge of mergers. Indeed, the law requires that if pension plans are merged, the plans’ trustees have a legal obligation to ensure that no participant’s accrued benefits will be less after the merger than it was before.

Click: Here's your direct link to the other 39 Merger Myths .

Vote YES.

And finally, my personal thanks to SAG, AFTRA, the labor attorneys, and the AFL-CIO consultants for creating one of the finest collective bargaining agreements ever written. 

When Actors Win an Oscar They Head Here

You've seen the photos and videos of Academy Award winners in the Press Room for the Oscars.

                                      Photo courtesy AMPAS

Have you ever seen the press room itself?

                  Press Room for the 2012 Academy Awards

And here is a link to the room in all of its 360-degree glory. 

84th Academy Awards - Printable Ballot

                                      Courtesy Oscars.Org

On ABC TV, it's Oscar Sunday. Here's the drill from the Academy:

PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS FOR ABC’S OSCAR SUNDAY (in order of airtime):

“GOOD MORNING AMERICA” kicks off Oscar Sunday with live reports from ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly on the red carpet outside the Hollywood & Highland Center®.  *Check local listings. 

“ON THE RED CARPET,” hosted by Rachel Smith and Chris Balish, takes you behind-the-scenes of the biggest night in Hollywood, and features a special report from KABC Entertainment reporter George Pennacchio from Chicago, where the Oscar statuettes are created.  *Syndicated in select markets. Check local listings. 

“ON THE RED CARPET AT THE OSCARS” features Rachel Smith and George Pennacchio LIVE on the red carpet welcoming this year’s Academy Award nominees to the Hollywood & Highland Center®.  Cameron Mathison asks the stars your Facebook and Twitter questions and reporters Tina Malave and Lawrence Zarian use the power of Trendrr to track what is red hot, right now.  Fashion expert Roshumba Williams joins Michelle Tuzee on the fashion skyway above the red carpet to critique the red carpet couture.  *Syndicated in select markets. 1:30 p.m., PT /4:30 p.m., ET

”OSCARS RED CARPET LIVE” Hosts Robin Roberts, Tim Gunn, Louise Roe, Jess Cagle and Nina Garcia will give viewers unparalleled coverage of Hollywood's most glamorous and prestigious red carpet and unrivaled backstage access on “Oscar's Red Carpet Live,” presented at the Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live by ABC. 4:00 p.m., PT/7:00 p.m., ET 

“THE 84th ACADEMY AWARDS®” – Billy Crystal returns for his ninth time as host of “The 84th Academy Awards,” celebrating the outstanding film achievements of 2011 televised live by the ABC Television Network and in more than 225 countries worldwide. Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Emma Stone and the cast of “Bridesmaids” are among the presenters. The 84th Academy Awards telecast producers are Brian Grazer and Don Mischer. 5:30 p.m., PT/ 8:30 p.m., ET.

After all the awards are handed out,  “ON THE RED CARPET AT THE OSCARS” returns with the “On The Red Carpet” Party Patrol featuring coverage from all the night’s hottest events, including the Governor’s Ball.  Fashion Expert Roshumba Williams is joined by “Project Runway” all-star Mondo Guerra to pick the biggest red carpet hits and misses. *Syndicated in select markets. 8:30 p.m. PT/11:30 p.m., ET.

“JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: AFTER THE ACADEMY AWARDS” For the seventh consecutive year, ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards”® will be televised LIVE from the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on ABC immediately following “The 84th annual Academy Awards” hosted by Billy Crystal and the late local news. Oscar night has proven to be Kimmel’s destination for debuting the show’s signature comedy pieces such as “I’m F**king Ben Affleck,” “Handsome Men’s Club,” “Hottie Body Hump Club” and Tom Hanks’ “Toddlers and Tiaras.” This year Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Martin Scorsese, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Don Cheadle, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Samuel L. Jackson, Cameron Diaz, Taylor Lautner, Nolan Gould, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, Edward Norton, Tyler Perry, Colin Ferrell, John Goodman, Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Alba, J.J. Abrams, Jason Bateman, Christoph Waltz, Jessica Biel, Gabourey Sidibe, Josh Brolin, Kevin James, Oprah Winfrey, and many more will participate in Kimmel’s next installment.  

Eight-time Academy Awards host Billy Crystal will join Kimmel to kick off his post-Oscar show, and Grammy®-winning Coldplay will end the night with a Hollywood block party performance on “JKL’s” outdoor stage before thousands who will be in attendance to honor movies’ biggest night. In years past, Kimmel has hosted such esteemed guests as Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck and Robert Downey Jr., as well as previous Academy Awards hosts Jon Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres.

GO BACKSTAGE AND PLAY ALONG WITH OSCAR.COM AND THE OSCARS APP: On Oscar Sunday, the Emmy award-winning Oscar Digital Experience kicks into full gear with an unmatched level of interactivity at Oscar.com,  http://oscar.go.com/, and on the Oscars App (available for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone).  With more than 20 live cameras strategically placed everywhere from the red carpet to backstage and to the Governors Ball, the Oscar Digital Experience provides unique access before, during and after the show.  For those who want to test their Oscar predication skills, Oscar.com’s “My Picks,” is an interactive ballot allowing fans to track their choices and compete with their friends on Facebook

The celebration continues the following morning with “Good Morning America” live from the El Capitan Theatre and “LIVE! with Kelly’s After Oscar Show” broadcasting live from the home of the Academy Awards, the Hollywood & Highland Center®. Oscar.com introduces "Celebrate the Journey" on Monday. These videos highlight the paths of ten nominees from nominations to the Governor's Ball.

                            Your ballot for the 2012 Oscars

The Oscars air in Baltimore on

WMAR TV - ABC, Comcast 210 HD
Red Carpet Live, 7 PM
84th Oscar Telecast, 8 PM 

UPDATE - Here's how I voted:'

Live Like Holly Golightly - Iconic "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Townhouse For Sale

                                169 E 71st Street, NYC

According to The New York Times, "As [Breakfast at Tiffany's] celebrates its 50th anniversary, the familiar town house at 169 East 71st Street where Holly Golightly lived and hosted her wild cocktail parties has gone on the market for $5.85 million.

"The four-story house, which is in a landmark district, figured prominently in the 1961 film. It was here that Holly Golightly, as played by Audrey Hepburn, lived alongside Paul Varjak, the aspiring writer played by George Peppard."

Yearly taxes are $29,845 on the 3,200 sq ft property which is on the small side for New York townhouses. The building on 72st Street, off Lexington, is currently configured as two duplex apartments and will be delivered vacant to the new owner.

If you have another million or two for renovations and reconfiguration, it would make an outstanding single family residence with ground space to create a wonderful garden.

                       Paul Varjak, "I never could do that."

Robert Browne at Corcoran has the listing. By the way, did you know that the kitty that played Cat in the movie was an actor kitty that, in real life, was named Putney?

Coming to Baltimore's Charles Theatre. Ceausescu.

  THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUȘESCU

BALTIMORE PREMIERE
REVIVAL SERIES

“Who knew that three hours of coarsely edited Romanian state propaganda culled from the ruinous Ceaucescu era between 1965 and 1989 could be so transfixing, illuminating and haunting? Andrei Ujicâ’s extraordinary film eschews context and narration in a wry attempt to fashion a historical chronicle in the same dubiously subjective spirit that the footage was initially conceived.” — Time Out London (5 Stars out of 5)

SHOWTIMES:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 10:30 AM;
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 7 PM;
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 9 PM.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUSESCU (2010 Andrei Ujica) 1.85:1, Color and bw. 180m.

“Autobiography defies categorization and functions closest to a Vertovian “film-object” wherein fragments of reality are edited together from an inventory of images in order to illustrate a higher truth. But what constitutes reality when its images have been stage-managed into baroque pageantry or quasi-Hollywood musicals by a delusional dictator?

"Four years in the making and culled from one thousand hours of archival footage—both state sanctioned and private—this spellbinding adventure unfolds as if from the nostalgic, solipsistic memory of Ceausescu himself.”  — Andréa Picard, Toronto International Film Festival

The Charles Theater
410-727-FILM
1711 N Charles St
Baltimore`, MD 21201

Balki. 'Perfect Strangers'. The Dance of Joy! Bronson Pinchot's on TV Tonight.

           Perfect Strangers: Bronson Phichot and Mark Linn-Baker

Tonight, at 10:30pm, on the DIY Network (Comcast 121-Baltimore City), Broson Pinchot appears in a much different role than that of Balki Bartokomous (Perfect Strangers), Serge (Beverly Hills Cop), or Alfred Schultz (The Flamingo Kid).

Tonight, February 11th, is the premiere of The Bronson Pinchot Project. On this new show, Pinchot is doing what he does best (in Pennsylvania) — and he's sharing it with us. My first thought after reading about the series was, Well, of course not, don't be ridiculous!

 

Go figure. Pinchot as a historian and restorationist? Sounds odd at first blush, but I've set my DVR to record every episode. I have a feeling this series is going to be great fun.

Here are a few facts about Bronson Pinchot that I'll bet you don't know. Pinchot:

• son of a typist and a bookbinder, was born in New York City
• was raised in southern California
• attended South Pasadena High School where he was number one in his class and valedictorian
• attended Yale University on a full scholarship
• graduated from Yale's Morse College magna cum laude
• became a Freemason in 2002*
• appeared in six episodes of the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless
• is intensely interested in ancient Greek sculputre
• is an excellent singer, appeared in Sondheim reviews with Carol Burnett.

 

Visit Bronson Pinchot's website to learn more and then watch the show tonight. I can't promise that you'll see the Dance of Joy, but I can promise that you'll be entertained and learn a thing or two along the way.

Break a leg, Bro. Bronson!

*By virtue of a dispensation granted by the R.W. Grand Master, the three degrees were conferred on actor Bronson Pinchot in Harford Lodge No. 445, Hop Bottom, in December. Bro. Pinchot has been in films since he appeared as the comical gallery
assistant in "Beverly Hills Cop" in 1984. Through the years, he has appeared in feature film roles, generally amusing, except not funny as the villain of the 1995 Stephen King TV miniseries, "The Langoliers." Pictured are (l-r): Front -- Bro. Pinchot; Robert H. Benson, P.M., Treas. of Freedom Lodge No. 328, Thompson, who conferred the Fellow Craft Degree; and Martin W. Migliori, D.D.G.M., 15th Masonic District. Rear ­ Johnnie A. Florance, P.M., then-W.M. of Bluestone Lodge No. 338, Great Bend, who conferred the Master Mason's Degree; Eugene R. Graves, P.M., Sec., Canawacta Lodge No. 360, who conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree; Ralph Jenkins, W.M., Harford Lodge; and Dieter G. Dauber, P.D.D.G.M.

News from Baltimore's Theatre Project

 

Visual theatre returns to Theatre Project for two weeks in March with dynamic performances by Baltimore based Nana Projects and Miwa Matreyek, a multi-media artist from L.A.

In conjunction with QuestFest 2012, Quest Visual Theatre's biennial premier international visual theatre festival, Theatre Project will present Nana Project's Alonzo's Lullaby March 9 - 11, and Miwa Matreyek's Myth and Infrastructure and Dreaming of lucid Living March 16 - 18. Talk-backs with the artists will be held following each performance. 

In Alonzo's Lullaby, gorgeous hand manipulated cut outs tell a tale of madness, passion and intrigue. Inspired by the Hagenback-Wallace Circus train wreck of 1918, this work is performed by three puppeteers (aka lanterneers) who project 2-dimensional images made of plastic and acrylic gels onto a screen with three overhead projectors. Relying on inventive tricks including scrolls of plastic, masking illusions, and faders allow the puppeteers to manipulate the pieces of plastic with a fluidity that is often mistaken for animation.

Alonzo's Lullaby is a luminous, richly-hued, shadow puppet play for adults, with original score performed by singer/songwriter ellen cherry. Funded by the Jim Henson Foundation, Alonzo's Lullaby received the prestigious Union Internationale de la Marionette citation of excellence in puppetry. 

Miwa Matreyek's Myth and Infrastructure and Dreaming of Lucid Living are live performances with projected animation. As the artist walks behind the screen, her shadow becomes an integral part of the animated world - she crosses from domestic/home spaces of kitchens and dining room tables to oceanscapes and cityscapes in a fantastical journey.

Matreyek's performances can be viewed as a cinematic experiences taking place on a screen. What is seen on the screen is a collapsed product of multiple layers of animation, objects and body. Her work exists in a juxtaposition of illusion and non-illusion. 

Showtimes

Alonzo's Lullaby

Friday, March 9 @ 7:00pm
Saturday March 10 @ 3:00pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 11 @ 3:00pm 

Myth and Infrastructure and Dreaming of Lucid Living

Friday, March 16 @ 7:00pm
Saturday March 17 @ 3:00pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 18 @ 3:00pm                            

Tickets for all shows

General Admission ~ $20
Seniors/Artists/Military ~ $15
Students ~ $10 

** ASL sign language interpreters will be provided for the March 9 & 11 performances of Alonzo's Lullaby and the March 16 & 18 performances of Myth and Infrastructure and Dreaming of Lucid Living. **

Tickets are available through Theatre Project's website and Tixato. 

For more information call 410-752-8558. 

Alonzo's Lullaby, Myth and Infrastructure, and Dreaming of Lucid Living are being presented as part of QuestFest, a two-week international visual theatre festival. QuestFest features groundbreaking work from exceptional performers and companies dedicated to the use of movement, gesture, and digital media to tell stories. By stripping away the artifice of language, QuestFest builds bridges between disparate communities and cultures. 

QuestFest is funded in part by the United States Department of Education, the Herbert Bearman Foundation, the John J. Leidy Foundation, VSA/MetLife Foundation, and Target.