Swinging a vote with Kevin Costner

Last night, Kevin Costner and friends took try at voting on the red carpet with the world premiere of "Swing Vote" happening at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA. For event photographers, this premiere was definitely a hard one to shoot as we were squeezed into the photo pen like a pack of sardines. It was so bad to a point that we event had a third row of photographers. However, Disney came to the rescue after realizing how tight the squeeze was by opening up a space for a few photographers after the video crew line.

It didn't help much as security had to put the separating metal barrier in place between photographers and video crews. Of course, being from video, this one video crew member "Access Hollywood" had high disregard for photographers as he told the security that the barrier should be at least two feet towards the photographers area, which wasn't true. This fool tells one photographer who is at the end of the line, that it's the yahoos (photographers) in the second row that are making a big deal about the barrier's location. Duh, Mr. video guy, you're the one who took it upon yourself to have the barrier encroach more on the photographers side. Opps, sorry readers, I think I got a bit carried away.

Anyways, being in second row myself, I was only able to get half shots and head shots of celebrities. One event photographer mentioned to me half way through the premiere that we're definitely working harder than usual to get these celebrities to look at our cameras. Even movie star lead, Kevin Costner, was a bit difficult to shoot especially being second row. Mr. Costner didn't have much eye contact.


Kevin Costner with his wife.

Nathan Lane was a bit easier as was George Lopez. Last night we definitely know who George Lopez is supporting for president with the t-shirt he wore to the premiere.


Nathan Lane hanging out on the carpet.


George Lopez sports his Obama shirt.

Closing out the carpet was a surprise appearance by Paula Abdul. What a pleasure it was to shoot her as she was cooperative with photographers especially with eye contact and doing over the Shoulder shots.



Until next time, "Over The Shoulder!"

Backstage with JC Chasez

Chasez Challenges the Dance Crews with his judging skills.
By Peter Gonzaga

Many of you know of JC Chasez from the group 'N Sync, the popular boy band that produced the superstar Justin Timberlake along with paparazzi chased Lance Bass. In 2004, Chasez released a solo album, Schizophrenic, and has gone on to write and produce for music acts such as Girls Aloud, Basement Jaxx, and the Backstreet Boys.


JC Chasez with backstage correspondent Layla Kayleigh.

His new project that Chasez is currently working on is the popular MTV show "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" in which he's a judge along with choreographer Shane Sparks and rap diva Lil Mama. Since the show's inception, he's been a judge that is particular with execution and choreography that sometimes leads to audience members booing him whenever he has a solid critique of any of the popular b-boy/dance crews. Don't call him a Simon Cowell because he understands the hardship the groups go through.

JC took a few minutes out of his time before the show taping last Tuesday, July 15, 2008, backstage to wow me with his judging sensibilities.

Peter G: You're in your second season as a judge on "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" and it seems like you've been a bit harder on the b-boy/breakdancing crews, why is that?
JC: I'm not necessarily harder on the b-boy crews but you know, I will point out things that should be worked on. Here's the thing. I respect all these crews. I respect the athleticism of these b-boy crews because they are doing things that take a lot of agility and a lot of strength, a lot of concentration. I'm going to tell you right now that a lot of those flips on my best days is not happening. I have the utmost respect for these guys but at the end of the day, in order to entertain for a long period of time, there has to be more. You have to so range. If all you do is back flips for an hour, it becomes less impressive 45 minutes in. The first back flip is wowing, the second one is wowing, and the twentieth one has lost its edge. I'm looking for range and execution.


B-Boy crew Super Cr3w.

Peter G: Talking about range, do you see that with Fanny Pak? Personally, I thought of them as the underdog but then now they have some contention to get to the top.
JC: They are definitely an underdog. In my opinion of what they have over all the groups, they have a creative element. They are a bit more visionary when it comes to the overall entertainment level. They don't do a thousand back flips and yet you're excited to see them, as you are an acrobatic group. There is something to be said of that. But I think at times some of the groups have given us that. It's just a matter of everybody living up to their fullest potential.


Fanny Pak.

Peter G: It's coming down to the wire with only five groups left as of today (Tuesday, July 22, 2008), it's harder for you as a judge to send someone home?
JC: It's definitely tough to be a judge right now because basically I'd say four out of the five groups; we're like it's going to be impossible to send home.

Peter G: Do you feel like there's going to be a surprise upset where you say, "Oh My Gosh, we have to send one of these groups home."
JC: Here's the thing. On any given day, these groups can have their best day and they can have their worst day when the pressure is on that day.

Peter G: For you seeing these groups perform, does that give you the bug to get back out there and dance?
JC: I enjoy it and I enjoy watching these groups. I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I have a front row seat to a great show. To be it's like a dancing concert to me while I'm kind of taking notes along the way. I'm a fan of all these groups. I know how hard they work and they put their time, their thought and energy into it and I appreciate it. I know I'm judging but I'm enjoying it. When I see them working at it, it's inspiring and makes you want to go to work.

Peter G: I asked Shane Sparks about this, what group or what particular moves from a group has blown you away this season?
JC: Any in particular move, ah, maybe the air flairs. I just love the lines that I see with Fanny Pak. The lines they use are so unique. They are not going with generic lines when they are putting their legs or arms out. They are giving me something that is angular and eccentric. I've haven't been overexposed to it, so I feel like I'm watching something new all the time. I also love the cleanliness of SoReal. They're great. When it comes to execution, they are unbelievable. I would say those two are the greatest.


SoReal before the opening performance of the show.

Peter G: Once the show wraps up, what's in the pipeline for you?
JC: I'm doing this show. I'm also going to shoot a small part in a film. Also, I'm always in the studio writing whether on my stuff or other people's stuff.

Peter G: Any plans for an album?
JC: That's always in the pipeline.

(As of this writing, there are five crews left. They include Fanny Pak, SoReal, SuperCr3w, Boogie Bots and Supreme Soul. The show airs on MTV every Thursdays at 10:00 pm et/pt. with reruns through out the week.)

All photos by ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press

SuperCr3w and SoReal Showing Their Strength on Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew

After a successful first season of MTV'S "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" with the Jabbawockeez taking the title of "America's Best Dance Crew," the second season of the show premiered Thursday, June 19, 2008. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. Starting off with 10 dance crews, three have been eliminated and one more will fall tonight. The current crews that are still in the running as of this afternoon are: ASIID, BOOGIE BOTS, FANNY PAK, PHRESH SELECT, SOREAL, SUPERCR3W and SUPREME SOUL. ASIID. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. Boogie Bots. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. Phresh Select. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. SoReal. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. Super Cr3w. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. Supreme Soul. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press. The current underdog or suprise crew of the season has to be Fanny Pak. It looks as if they may be able to just survive the next few rounds of eliminations. This crew's unique style include their strength with their unique interpretations of the songs they choose. Their style consists more of dance, artistry and less hip-hop, b-boy and breakdancing moves. As for the major favorites of this season's show include SuperCr3w of Las Vegas and SoReal of Houston, TX looks like they may be battling each other at the very end but things can change week to week. An interesting element of the majority of the crews is that there is at least one crew member that is of Asian descent. After interviewing the crews during last Tuesday's taping of the show for tonight's airing, I was able to gauge the group's pride in who they are and where they come from. One interesting fact from Lor "Blao" Song of Phresh Select hailing from the city of brotherly love (Philadelphia), he's proud that his participation in the show is breaking down stereotypes of Asian just being computer geeks, nurses or accountants. Without realizing it, "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" has become a subconscious soapbox for Asian American Pride. I will be covering the rest of the upcoming episodes and will post my behind the scene experiences of the show. Maybe I'll get the groups to do an "Over The Shoulder" pose All photos are copyright of Pacific Rim Photo Press - ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press.

Brenda Fraser digs a hole in Westwood

As the Los Angeles Film Festival wind downs its event, the festival hosted a family day at UCLA'S Westwood Village. At the same time Brendan Fraser, Anitia Briem and Josh Hutcherson dug their heels into the red carpet for the 3D World Premiere of "Journey To The Center of The Earth." In this remake of the classic "Journey To The Center of The Earth," Fraser plays a science professor who's untraditional hypotheses have made him the laughing stock of the academic community. However, during an expedition in Iceland, he and his nephew find a major discovery that launches them on an exciting trip deep beneath the Earth's surface, where they travel through different worlds and non-existent creatures that you don't find on the surface of the earth. As the warm sun heated up the carpet, the talent were trying to find good shade to have their photos taken on the carpet. The general public would wonder why not a picture in the sun. There's more light. For an event photographer, direct sunlight ruins the photos as there are various shadows created on the actor's face. This time, the talent didn't mind taking directions from the event photogs as to exactly where to stand. It also kept them in the cool shade. For Brendan Fraser, he had some fun on the carpet as he took a camera from one of the photogs and aimed it back at us. It wasn't just any ordinary camera as it had a large obnoxious lens that you see photog use to shoot from far away distances. Anita Briem was a total hoot as she showed us her sexy side, her funny side and just plain excitement on the carpet. Josh Hutcherson took everything in stride, but when he saw Brendan on the carpet, his journey at the premiere became a reunion. The film opens up on July 11 at a theater near you with other theaters hosting the film in 3D.

Patricio Ginelsa shoots his win in 72 hours

Asian American wins the Los Angeles Film festival's 72 Hour Film Competition sponsored by CANON.

Last Monday night, at the Los Angeles Film Festival, Asian American director, Patricio Ginelsa won the festival's "72 Hour Film Competition" sponsored by Canon. This competition was a hard one as four memebers of the Film Independent organization which hosts the Los Angeles Film Festival were chosen by random drawing last Wednesday, June 18th to create a short film that would be They were briefed on instructions for the Canon HD Cameras and then set loose on the film festival to make a short film. The short films were then screened on Monday night, June 23rd at the members party held in the Target Red Room. The short films were required to have the theme "Festival Stories" and will be shot entirely in the Westwood area.



Low and behold, Ginelsa came out on top as the winner of this event. His film titled, "Being Reel" is about scriptwriter Justin and his director friend, Ritchie, who are talking about their experience at the various screenings they have been to. During that time, Justin may have found the girl of his dreams at the festival because she has been attending all the same screenings as he is. The pragmatic Ritchie, shoots him down saying this girl can't be hot..

For Ginelsa, he states that " It was an emotional rollercoaster ride and even made more difficult because I was sick, had a sore
throat, lost my voice, and had to shoot in the middle of a summer heat wave. I went through a personal depression 2 years ago after a community controversy and then went through a creative dryspell I felt I could never recover from. This competition has rejuvenated me like nothing before! And the fact that I wrote a script in just 5 hours (when I couldnt write in 5 years) and
then WIN (even though i wasnt 100 precent healthy) has inspired me heavily.



"Being Reel" stars Phillip Jeanmarie, Bambu (formerly of the Native Guns), Kristine Sabella, Cyndee San Luis, and Mia Guzman.

Check out "Being Reel"

Being Reel - Patricio Ginelsa from fatfreefilm on Vimeo.

You can catch all the drama from each day's shoot with the director's video blogs at:
http://www.fatfreefilm.com

Or catch them in order here:
DAY ONE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6awzkJ6JG8
DAY TWO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJM3rwz63y8
DAY THREE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Mj2SrjOeY
THE FINISH LINE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2foHOC0RbY
THE RECAP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MkpcfiTQec

Ginelsa is known for his films Lumpia, The Debut and also directed videos of APL.DE.AP of the Black Eyed Peas. Glad to have you back Patricio.

James McAvoy is Wanted at the Los Angeles Film Festival

This year's Los Angeles Film Festival kicked off it's opening night with the World Premiere of "Wanted" starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. 

Unfortunately, Angelina did not make it to the premiere as she readies herself for the birth of her twin babies. Event photographers anxiously awaited the arrival of the newlywed couple of Nick Cannon and Mariah Carrey. Hmm, was there a misprint in the "Tip Sheet." Half way through the event, photogs began asking if the couple were coming. One publicist gave a quick laugh with out saying yes or no. We already knew what that meant. No Mariah.

Garcelle Beauvais is bring her body back after having a baby.

As for the festival itself, this year's theme is dubbed "The Audience Is King" with quite a few screening that will be free to the public. 

Kristen Hager knows how to work the shoes. Hmm I think the were Jimmy Chu. 

Speaking of Jimmy Chu, I just got home from the red carpet of the Daytime Emmy Awards and most of the stars were wearing Jimmy Chu but that's another post.

An interesting international showcase is "The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela" by director/write Olaf De Fleur Johannesson. Raquela is a Filipina transexual sex worker longing for romance and a better life with trying to keep her humanity intact.

If you're in Los  Angeles, head out the film festival which is being hosted at UCLA's Westwood Village. A great convenience of the festival is that there are shuttles to take you from one screening venue to another. The festival runs from June 19-29. "Wanted" opens on June 27. 

Lori Petty of Tank Girl fame showed up at the premiere of Wanted. She has a film playing in the festival.

Come on Down! You might see me in the photo pen during a premiere.

Not much else happened except that some of the female photogs were commenting on James McAvoy's package. Hello girls, this should be a g-rated premiere and there are kids surrounding the streets of Westwood.

Nick Stahl is wheelchair bound

Q&A: Nick Stahl
June 18, 2008

By PETERSON GONZAGA
Entertainment News Wire
HOLLYWOOD _ In 1984, at the age of 4, Nick Stahl realized he wanted to act. In 1993, the native Texan got his big break, playing a fatherless boy opposite Mel Gibson in "The Man Without a Face." Another opportunity came in 2003 with the role of John Connor in "Terminator 3: The Rise of The Machines." Following that, Stahl moved to the small screen with a lead role on HBO's "Carnivale."




His latest film is a psychological thriller called "Quid Pro Quo," in which he plays Isaac Knott, a paralyzed public radio reporter who receives a news tip that takes him on a journey into an unusual New York subculture.

Sitting in a comfortable chair in his public relations firm's conference room, Stahl talks about why he chose to do "Quid Pro Quo," his take on "Carnivale" and his future with the "Terminator" franchise.

Q: Tell me more about Isaac Knott. What drew you to work on this film?

A: I just thought it was really unusual and unique, and I'd never read anything like it. The character was very complex, and it just looked like a real challenge as an actor to take on. It's such a unique story with a lot of plot twists, and the dialogue was great.

Q: Did you go through any process of dealing with the character's physical disabilities?

A: Yeah. I went around New York in the wheelchair and tried to manage that and to get comfortable with that so I would look like I knew what I was doing and not have to think about it. That was something concrete to focus on _ the physicality of it.

Q: Just being in New York must be hard for a physically disabled person. Was it really hard to be in a wheelchair?

A: Yeah, it's very hard. It's harder than what I had imagined. First of all, you don't realize that the city is on a slant, so your arms are pretty much dead when you get to the end of a certain block. And going uphill and curves are a challenge. I only had two weeks to do as much as I could with the wheelchair.

Q: With your character trying to figure out why another character wants to be disabled _ what is called a "wannabe" _ didn't that make you wonder why someone would want to be that way?

A: Sure. Psychological disorders. It's very real. I saw a documentary about "wannabes," people who want to be amputees or paralyzed. It's a very real subculture of people, and I think it just kind of falls in line with sort of odd psychological disorders that are different from everyone.



Q: Do you think Isaac had some psychological disabilities?

A: Of course. I think the whole idea of being paralyzed is a great metaphor for trauma and psychological trauma that you suffer at a younger age. I think most people I've met have that to some degree. Life is suffering. Dramatic events happen to you as a kid and it stays with you.

Q: How was it for you, going from kid actor to adult actor and taking on all these serious roles?

A: It's something that I feel lucky that I'm getting better at. I really do feel that with each project I do, I get more dedicated to acting. I feel that I learn things from every film that I do. People ask me a lot, "Why do you do a lot of dark-themed films and heavy drama?" The truth is, these were the films that were available to me, and when someone sees you doing darker movies, those are the movies that come your way. I would love to do a variety of things. I would love to do comedy, more commercial movies, and I think I will.

Q: Has anything come up in line with the "Terminator" franchise?

A: No. No. They're doing a fourth one. They're sort of retooling the franchise so John Connor is older, and there is a new director, so I think they are reconceptualizing it.

Q: Do you keep in contact with Arnold Schwarzenegger?

A: Ha. No. We don't text message or anything.




Q: Why do you think "Carnivale" ended?

A: It ended because there weren't enough people watching it. It's pretty simple and comes down to not enough people watching versus the amount of money they spend on each episode. I would say more people come up to me about that than anything else. It was on a premium channel, which narrowed the field of viewers off the bat. It never had the numbers that they wanted. But the fans that it had were very hard-core and loyal fans that loved it. It kept us going for two seasons.

Q: You mentioned you wanted to do more comedy _ slapstick or verbal jokes?

A: "Three's Company: The Movie."

Q: Playing Jack?

A: Chrissy.

Q: I see the resemblance.

A: Ha. Ha. Mr. Furley. I like all kinds of comedies. I would say I am more attracted to the quirky type of stuff like Wes Anderson-type movies or Tim Burton things. Coen Brothers I love. Sort of the more absurdist type of things. I'm a pretty tough critic on movies in general. I like seeing all kinds of movies and usually there are redeeming qualities in every movie. But I don't know. There are some comedies that are just intolerable and that are so stupid that I can't drag myself to sit through. So I don't see myself in slapstick stuff at all. I don't think anyone else would see me in that.