Grey Gardens, Act III

Posted on April 18, 2009 at 12:55 pm

What is is about the story of Grey Gardens that has been so enduringly fascinating? They have inspired a documentary film, a Broadway musical, endless articles, even a song by Rufus Wainwright.

Some people think it is because the two women who lived in splendid squalor were the aunt and cousin of one of the world’s most famous and glamorous women, Jacqueline Kennedy. And some think it is because of the schadenfreude effect — seeing two women born to wealth and power fall into helpless poverty. Both are certainly a part of it, but I believe the reason that the story of the two Edith Beales is so enthralling is because of something central to the lives of all of us. It is about family ties that both sustain and constrain. It is about the line between function and dysfunction. It is about devotion. It is about love. It is about control. And it is about the way that the route to madness is much more slippery and treacherous than we would like it to be.

Edith Beale and her daughter “Little Edie” lived in a mansion in East Hampton called Grey Gardens. At one time they were at the heart of high society and Little Edie, a debutante, was known as “Body Beautiful Beale.” Their lives seemed filled with luxury and promise. But by the time a documentary film crew arrived in the early 1970’s the mansion had fallen into filth and disrepair. The two women shared the house with more than fifty cats and other animals. They had almost no electricity or plumbing. The women’s behavior was outlandish, even delusional, but their resilience and ferocious passion for survival were inspiring. They were not just willing to defy convention; they seemed to relish it. The film was a sensation. It led to a Tony-award-winning Broadway musical starring Christine Ebersole. Tonight, the latest version of the story premieres in HBO, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange.

Here is a clip from the original documentary with Little Edie explaining her “revolutionary” attire, followed by Ebersole in a scene from the musical based on that monologue and a trailer for the HBO movie.

iCarly

Posted on April 13, 2009 at 4:00 pm

iCarly is a cute Nickelodeon series about a girl named Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) who creates her own web show called iCarly with her best friends Sam and Freddie. The series incorporates content produced by the viewers. I’ve got copies of the new DVD (Season One, Volume 2) to give away to the first four people who send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “iCarly” in the subject line. Tell me what you like best about iCarly!

Make a Zimmer Twins Movie — and Win!

Posted on April 11, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Qubo is sponsoring a contest for kids who make their own movies featuring the channel’s Zimmer Twins. Children have until April 30 to submit animated films to be considered for broadcast on national TV.
Young filmmakers can create mini animated movies at qubo.com using the storytelling web application called ZIMMER TWINS. Fifteen films will be selected by qubo to be professionally adapted into fully animated mini movies and screened on national TV this summer on qubo Channel as well as on qubo’s broadcast blocks on NBC, ION Television and Telemundo.

Launched on qubo.com in the fall of 2007, the Zimmer Twins, Edgar and Eva, are animated characters featured in interactive cartoons that kids can create from scratch, modify and share with their friends in a rich, safe web environment. The ZIMMER TWINS section on qubo.com includes storytelling tools, pre-made animated clips and simple editing instructions that tap into kids’ inherent love of stories. The clips and storytelling prompts explore classic kid themes like science, animals, magic and adventure. The animation interface is designed around the basic elements of sentence structure, and reinforces reading, grammar, and writing techniques. After creating their stories, users can post and share their creations and even vote for their favorite user-created submissions online. In 2007, the ZIMMER TWINS won the International Interactive Emmy® Award.

Good luck!

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Elementary School Television

Interview: Stacey Oristano of ‘Friday Night Lights’

Posted on March 13, 2009 at 10:00 am

Stacy Oristano provides comic relief as the warm-hearted but slightly trashy Mindy on “Friday Night Lights,” one of the best shows on television. She was nice enough to take the time to answer some questions about the show and the character and about her influences.
How does your experience in Texas and football help you understand the subject of “Friday Night Lights?”
I think it helps me understand the mentality of this town and these people. Football has been such a huge part of my whole life… I’m just keeping the tradition going!
Why is high school football so important in Texas?
I wish I knew. We don’t question it… we just do it!
How do you bring comedy to a show that is essentially dramatic?
I think that’s the great thing about Mindy! She can find the fun in any situation.
She is inanely funny and I think on a show that tends toward the dramatic it’s a relief sometimes to laugh….
Can you create a comic character who is also believable and sympathetic?
Oh gosh…. I hope I am with Mindy! You tell me….. 🙂
What were some of the performances you saw when you were growing up that inspired you?
Billy Crudup in “The Pillowman” and Rufus Sewell in “Rock and Roll” changed my life! The most brilliant and inspirational performances I have ever seen.
What’s the best advice you ever got about acting?
Just keep showing up!
What do you do to help you create the character of Mindy? How does the costume help you create the character?
I just go to a tougher, darker side of myself. Ohhhhh the costume….. it helps!!! I could never get away with wearing what Mindy does. It helps to differentiate between me and her.
What inspires you?
Talent!

What makes you laugh?
Everything!!!
What’s on your iPod?
Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Patty Griffin, loads of musicals…..

Who was the best teacher you ever had?
Dr. Alan Nielsen. He was a professor of mine in college that helped me get where I am today!

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Interview Television

‘Kings’ — A Modern David and Goliath

Posted on March 7, 2009 at 8:00 am

I am really intrigued by the new NBC series Kings, “a contemporary re-telling of the timeless tale of David and Goliath. This series is an epic story of greed and power, war and romance, forbidden loves and secret alliances — and a young hero who rises to power in a modern-day kingdom.”
I was lucky enough to get an early peek at the opening episode and found it fascinating to see the classic themes and characters in a modern-day setting. It explores issues and conflicts that resonate with today’s headlines — war, energy, health care — and eternal themes of faith, conflict, loyalty, and family.
David Shepherd (Chris Egan) is a soldier who rescues a wounded hostage, not knowing the man he rescued is the son of the king, Ian McShane (“Deadwood,” “Kung Fu Panda”). In gratitude, the king offers David access and power, but there is treachery that makes the battles of war seem easy. The superb actor Dylan Baker co-stars.
It premieres on March 15. Give it a look. (Note to parents: Mature material including violence and sexual references)

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