Textually Active At Any Age

 By Pam

I don’t text, myself.  I only use my cell phone for important stuff, like ordering Chinese while I’m still in the drugstore parking lot a half mile away.  I suppose if I did text to my friends, here’s a Senior Texting Code I might use…when I’m older, of course.  Even if you're not a senior yourself, at least you'll know what grandma and grandpa are saying. · 

  ATD ~ At The Doctor's
· BFF ~ Best Friend Farted
· BTW ~ Bring The Wheelchair
· BYOT ~ Bring Your Own Teeth
· CBM ~ Covered By Medicare
· CUATSC ~ See You At The Senior Center
· DWI ~ Driving While Incontinent
· FWB ~ Friend With Beta Blockers
· FWIW ~ Forgot Where I Was
· FYI ~ Found Your Insulin
· GGLKI ~ Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking In
· GGPBL ~ Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!
· GHA ~ Got Heartburn Again
· HGBM ~ Had Good Bowel Movement
· IMHO ~ Is My Hearing-Aid On?
· LMDO ~ Laughing My Dentures Out
· LOL ~ Living On Lipitor
· LWO ~ Lawrence Welk's On
· OMMR ~ On My Massage Recliner
· OMSG ~ Oh My! Sorry, Gas!
· ROFL-CGU ~ Rolling On Floor Laughing,Can't Get Up
· SGGP ~ Sorry, Gotta Go Poop
· TTYL ~ Talk To You Louder
· WAITT ~ Who Am I Talking To?
· WTFA ~ Wet The Furniture Again
· WTP ~ Where's The Prunes?
· WWNO ~ Walker Wheels Need Oil

* I do not take credit for this code.  I got it from Anonymous.

Paps, Fans, and Hounds

by carol  (based on Pam's experiences at upfronts)

When a celebrity turns a corner, steps out of a car, or goes through a door, they are likely to find a crowd of people waiting for them. That crowd is usually comprised of one or more of the following types of people: paparazzi, autograph hounds, and fans.

Would you be nervous if this was pointed at you?

Do the paparazzi really follow celebrities that much? Well, think about it. If you are looking at a photo or video of them, the chances are it was taken by a pap who was following, waiting for, or got a tip on the location of a celebrity. The better the shot, the more money they can charge media outlets. What makes a better shot? An agitated celebrity. Benign smiling head shots are readily available. So the more out of character, the higher the paycheck for a pap.

Autograph hounds, like the paps, earn their daily bread by tracking down celebrities and getting as many autographed photos as possible to sell.  And fans who otherwise would have no type of contact with their celebrity are willing to pay for that second-hand personal connection. Celebrities are aware of this and may not like the idea of fans being charged for something they give away, but will rarely refuse to sign at least one photo. Maybe that’s why a celebrity will be seen not smiling at some people in lines but smiling and quite friendly at other points.

Alex O'Loughlin walking the line at CBS upfronts

Fans depend either on good luck or scheduled appearances to get a look at their favorite actor or singer. They try to be on their best behavior and be respectful. And I believe most of them are. Unfortunately they may get caught up in the frenzy around them or simply “lose their grip” in such close proximity to their special celebrity. That’s more understandable than the pap who steps on anyone to get “the money shot” or the autograph hound who pushes through to another place in line to get another signed photo.

Celebrity point of view:  friend or foe?

The focus of this chaos of mixed intentions is the celebrity who realizes this is part of his job and tries to do his best amidst all the shouting and pushing. I can’t handle two people talking to me at the same time, so let’s try to imagine what our favorite celebrity is going through. Like my mom taught me, show your manners and say thank you.

Beware The New STD: Socially Transmitted Drivel

by carol

“I would rather set fire to myself than join social networks. I’m so unmanageable when it comes to that stuff. If I had to Facebook, Twitter, anything like that, I don’t know what would happen.” Alex O’Loughlin

Whoa, that’s a pretty strong statement, isn’t it?

"I would rather have a prostate exam on live television by a guy with very cold hands than have a Facebook page.” George Clooney

“I just (couldn’t) live with myself if I started twittering. I just think: 'That way lies madness.'” Bruce Willis

Sharing on social media does not appeal to every celebrity. There are also celebrities who decide to delete their existing accounts on Twitter and Facebook accounts, such as singer John Mayer who quit Twitter and posts only occasional promotions on his Facebook page.

Celebrities are able to promote themselves, good causes, get personal with the fans if they want to, and correct rumors and outright lies about themselves. They can also be badgered, sent hate mail, and bothered by fake accounts which are set up in their name. Not participating may seem like the simple answer to these celebrity account problems.

The Hollywood Reporter has made the observation that "there's a growing number of studio deals with new language aimed specifically at curbing usage of social-media outlets by actors, execs and other creatives." The studios may hope to prevent confidential information about their film and television projects from leaking out on major social networks. Studios might also want to discourage verbal misbehavior or "mis-speaks" that can occur during a happy hour or after a rough day on the set.

Justin Timberlake, who plays Napster creator and former Facebook President Sean Parker in The Social Network, recently admitted that he doesn’t use Facebook. "I’m sort of admittedly ridiculously stupid with computers,” he told Jon Stewart. “I don't have a lot of time between work. And so much of that time goes to watching SportsCenter,” Timberlake added in an interview with Extra. "I think your life is as private as you choose it to be… That's the beauty of this country, freedom of choice."

“I just don’t like this compulsive, instantaneous, over-information, lack-of-privacy, weirdo aspect of the world,” self-proclaimed technophobe and actress Drew Barrymore explained to The Daily Mail as to why she’s not on Facebook or Twitter. “If you meet someone, they already know everything. What about showing up on the date and saying, ‘What do you do for a living? Who are your friends?’”

Twilight star Kristen Stewart voiced her displeasure for social networking sites as well. Stewart ranted about Twitter, telling Flaunt magazine, “Twitter f@@ks me over every day of my life. Because people go, ‘I’m sitting next to Kristen Stewart right now’ and then [the paparazzi] show up."

“When does anyone find the time to tweet? I can barely open my mail. I have to pay someone to help me open my mail. As sad as that may be, it’s the truth. And what would I say? ‘Hey, just letting you know I am going to get a coffee?’  CBS has begged for both (Twitter and Facebook) but I’m thinking about creating my own ... it’s going to be called TWITFACE.” Alex O'Loughlin

Multiple Personality Disorder, Hollywood Style

by carol

"I think I’ll end up directing one day as well. I don’t feel as though I’m really ready at the moment but I love the process of filmmaking and I love the process of storytelling, I always have, and I want to be involved with all of it on a deeper level."  2007 interview with Alex O’Loughlin

Many actors talk about their hopes to write, produce and/or direct. I am not aware of any producers or directors who have expressed their desire to act. Hmm, wonder why….

Some actors don't want to just wait for a good role or story to come along or for their agents to find them work. They may establish their own production companies and actively search for or create projects to produce.*

Actors and actresses may be seeking more control of their own careers. This opens up options for actors who want to write their own scripts, or who find movie scripts they are interested in performing. Then, when they go to a studio, they maintain some “ownership” of the property and this can give them the opportunity to do the kind of work they want to do.

Some of the more spectacular successes include:

Coen brothers and George Clooney

George Clooney has embraced every aspect of movie creation as director, producer, writer and actor. In his 90+ film and TV appearances, his roles have ranged from “star” to “village extra.” He and his producing partner Steven Soderbergh decided to close down their Section Eight production company (responsible for the Ocean's movies) after six years of partnership. He and Grant Heslov then founded Smoke House which is producing the film The Ides of March, due out in October 2011. This film stars, is written and directed by Mr. Clooney as well.

Clint Eastwood also acts, directs, writes and produces in Hollywood. And although his film appearances only number 66, he can include composing as an additional skillset he has to offer. Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby are just two of the films that feature his soundtrack contributions. His production company is Malpaso Productions, which he formed in 1968. The company's first feature release was Hang 'Em High. 

Those who question whether actors are simply indulging their vanity for additional credit should know that Eastwood is the director of films which earned Oscar nominations for ten unique actors and he has earned Best Director recognition for himself. He has said, “I love every aspect of the creation of motion pictures and I guess I am committed to it for life.”

You don’t necessarily have to wait to be an established and successful actor to branch out in the business.

Most film buffs know the story of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, friends and struggling actors in the 90’s, who co-wrote the screenplay for Good Will Hunting and starred in the movie.

Robert Pattinson has stated he wants to set up his own movie and music production company.

"I think if we get to seven years (with Hawaii Five-0), by that stage we will both be producers (Alex and Scott Caan). We will be running the show, making obscene amounts of money, and we'll both be perfectly happy with the way things are going because we'd both have creative control."  2011 interview with Alex O’Loughlin

Of course, even without a director or producer credit, actors can still make their presence felt. Katharine Hepburn never officially directed a film. But once, when asked if she ever wanted to direct, she blithely replied:

“Oh, I’ve directed all my films. I meddled in everything, which is just what a director does. I meddled in the set decorations, the cinematography, the cast’s costumes, the cast’s performances. That’s what a director does. He meddles.”

* http://moviemiscellany.com/2010/06/some-production-companies-founded-by-actors-or-directors/