Notable: Seattle premiere of ‘Scrapper’ with after-party

Check out the poster for the film "Scrapper" starring Michael Beach and Aidan Gillen. Artwork courtesy of Grinning Man Media Group.

Check out the poster for the film “Scrapper” starring Michael Beach and Aidan Gillen.
Artwork courtesy of Grinning Man Media Group.

Hello all! One of my favorite writer-producers, Ed Dougherty, is premiering his film Scrapper at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 21, 2013. Plus, Ed and his producing partner, Tarek Kutrieh, are hosting a “sick” after-party. Scrapper stars Michael Beach (Third Watch, Sons of Anarchy, The Abyss), Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Dark Knight Rises, The Wire), and newcomer Anna Giles. If you’re in Seattle for the festival, you won’t want to miss the film’s premiere or its after-party at the Crocodile. Musical guests include Rose Windows, Kithkin, and Ephrata. For more details, check out this video.

Scrapper is the first feature film from micro-studio Grinning Man Media Group. The film is about Hollis Wallace (Beach), who makes his living salvaging metal. When Wallace discovers a teenage runaway (Giles) in the basement of his unhinged neighbor (Gillen), Wallace salvages her life. Wallace and the girl become partners in his scrap metal trade until the forces in their disintegrating lives threaten to destroy them both.

Helming the film is Brady Hall, a Seattle filmmaker and musician. Experienced in microbudget filmmaking, Brady has directed three other features, including Hello My Name is Dick Licker, June & July, and Jerkbeast. Matching Brady’s shooting style and sensibility with Ed’s irreverent, darkly comedic tendencies puts Scrapper on my must-see list.

Ed and Tarek launched Grinning Man Media Group in 2012. They have several other cool projects in the pipeline, which I’ll tell you about in a future post. In the meantime, go see Scrapper on May 21, 2013, at 6PM at the Seattle International Film Festival and party with stars and the filmmakers! Go here for tickets.

Quick update and 2013 goals reality check

Is it May already? Summer will be here in the blink of a cursor. For me, these past few months have been crazy busy. I’ve been pitching and working on several cool projects. I hope I’ll be able to tell you about them soon. In the meantime, I wanted to take a moment and touch base with all of you.

Beach Bokeh

Beach season is on the way! Photo courtesy of Doug Wheller.

Now is the perfect time to revisit your 2013 goals. You still have seven months or approximately 239 days left in the year. So you have plenty of time to reassess your goals. Were you over-enthusatic at the beginning of the year? Have obstacles popped up that have changed your perspective? Have you lost some of the eager umph you had on January 1st?

Accomplishments list

If you’re encountering difficulties, take a step back now. One of the things a few of my friends and I do regularly is look at what we’ve already accomplished. We make a “done” list vs. a “to do” list. When you’re only looking at what you still have to do, it can be discouraging and overwhelming. A “done” list will remind you of everything you’ve already accomplished. It’ll help motivate you to continue working on all of your 2013 goals. Have you finished an outline, first act, or first draft of your next project? Have you revised your NaNoWriMo novel? Have you been networking? Have you been keeping up with industry news? How many films or TV shows have you watched this year? How many scripts or books have you read? I encourage you to write down everything you’ve already accomplished this year before looking at your remaining yearly goals.

To-do list book.

Whip out that new year’s goal list. Photo courtesy of Justin See.

Now take a look at your 2013 goals. Much may have changed between January 1st and now. Your job or family obligations may have increased. You may have stumbled onto an opportunity you just can’t walk away from. You may have hit a major hurdle in your current project. These are all great reasons to modify your goals. Reevaluating now may save you disappointment at the year’s end. Plus, it may make your next seven months more manageable and enjoyable.

One of the most important aspects to consider is your well-being. Sometimes it’s easy to let our eating, exercising, sleep, and sanity fall by the wayside while we’re pursuing our goals. However, if you want to make a career and life doing what you love, your health plays a huge role. A creative career is a marathon not a sprint, even though it often seems like we’re racing Usain Bolt to meet our deadlines. Please make sure you take care of yourself.

Speaking of your health, was one of your goals to get more exercise and more writing done in 2013?

Lots of folks asked about my FitDesk after my 20+ gifts writers will love post. The FitDesk topped my list. If one of your goals is to get fitter this year, definitely check out the FitDesk. As you may remember, I’d been using my FitDesk for two years and loved it. After reading my blog post, FitDesk inventors Ryan Moore and Steve Ferrusi were kind enough to send me their new model, which had major upgrades from their original model. Thanks, Ryan and Steve! Their new FitDesk has blown my mind.

The new, improved Fitdesk rules. Photo courtesy of Fitdesk, Inc.

The new, improved FitDesk rules.
Photo courtesy of FitDesk, Inc.

The new FitDesk comes with a super-comfy seat. The original model had a rigid, narrow seat, which I had switched out with a Schwinn Touring model. The Schwinn seat was okay. I’d gotten used to it, but this new beach cruiser seat is so much kinder to the hinterlands. I also love the changes to the laptop bolster. It feels less angled and more comfortable. The bike’s footprint is smaller so it takes up less space. You can scissor the unit together and stash it in a closet, a pretty small closet. It’s crazy. I also love, love, love the odometer, calorimeter, and timer.

And the new FitDesk is über-quiet! It barely makes a whisper of a sound. I couldn’t believe it.

If you’re concerned you won’t write while on a FitDesk, well – I’m writing this blog post while pedaling right now. It’s really easy to get used to typing and pedaling. So you can churn out pages as you log the miles. Plus, you can knock out your social media time guilt-free.

FitDesk Vice President of Operations and Marketing Ryan Moore says they have four NEW products including a tabletop standing desk – smart idea – so check out their website and follow them on twitter @FitDesk.

Here's FItdesk's tabletop standing desk converter. What a cool idea! Photo courtesy of Fitdesk, Inc.

Here’s FitDesk’s tabletop standing desk converter. What a cool idea!
Photo courtesy of FitDesk, Inc.

I hope this 2013 goals reality check spurs you on to success. I wish you health, happiness, and creative satisfaction throughout the year. Cheers!

Friday drinks: Moscow Mule

Happy Friday! This week we have a surprisingly refreshing cocktail complete with a Cock ‘n’ Bull Hollywood story. Three cheers for the Moscow Mule!

Moscow mules mixed by Jeff Stewart and served in authentic copper mugs. Photo by Barbara Stepansky.

Moscow mules mixed by Jeff Stewart and served in authentic copper mugs. Photo by Barbara Stepansky.

The Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 by three well known spirit purveyors: John G. Martin, president of G.F. Heublein Brothers, Inc., an East Coast spirits distributor; Jack Morgan, owner of the Sunset Strip celebrity hotspot the Cock ‘n’ Bull and owner of Cock ‘n’ Bull products; and Rudolph Kunett, president of Pierre Smirnoff, Heublein’s vodka division. You’ve probably heard of Smirnoff vodka, but you may not know that Jack Morgan’s Cock ‘n’ Bull products produced a non-alcoholic ginger beer. When Martin, Morgan, and Kunett got together for drinks one night, they decided to combine their products together in a cocktail. They mixed Smirnoff vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice over ice and served the concoction in copper mugs. After a taste – or four to five mugs – they knew they had a winner: the Moscow Mule.

Cocktail served in mug engraved with Moscow Mule insignia. Mugs courtesy of Greg Nussbaum. Photo by Barbara Stepansky.

Cocktail served in mug engraved with Moscow Mule insignia. Mugs courtesy of Greg Nussbaum.
Photo by Barbara Stepansky.

The copper mugs would become as iconic as the drink. To promote sales of the cocktail, Cock ‘n’ Bull restauranteur Jack Morgan had copper mugs engraved with the names of the Hollywood stars who frequented his establishment. When the celebs came in, they ordered a Moscow Mule and it was served in their personalized mugs. Who wouldn’t love that?

Once the Moscow Mule caught on with the celebs, the drink gained huge popularity. Smirnoff vodka and ginger beer sales took off. Some suggest the Moscow Mule was created purely as a marketing tool. It’s thought Martin, Morgan, and Kunett wanted to drive flagging sales for ginger beer and a then little known vodka brand. Whatever their impetus, they concocted a cocktail with broad appeal.

English: Oprah Winfrey in Denmark on 30 Septem...

Oprah Winfrey has been known to raise a copper mug. Photo courtesy of Bill Ebbesen.

Celebs still love the Moscow Mule. In 2012 Oprah Winfrey listed a Moscow mule kit as one of her favorite things. I think you’ll dig the drink, too. I know I sure did.

When music video and commercial director and our resident mixologist Jeff Stewart served the Moscow Mule at our most recent cocktail sampling, it was a big hit. One of the first things I noticed was the light, bright taste of the ginger beer. Ginger beer is similar to ginger ale, but it’s less sweet. It blends beautifully with the fresh-squeezed lime juice. However, you can use ginger ale if you enjoy sweeter cocktails.

The neutrality of the vodka makes the Moscow Mule an easy, smooth cocktail perfect for the warmer temperatures of late spring and summer. While the original calls for Smirnoff, Jeff recommends chilled Ketel One or Stoli.

Wanna try Jeff’s recipe? Here it is.

Half a lime
1 1/2 oz. of vodka
3 oz. of ginger beer

Fill mug or glass with crushed ice. Juice half of a lime into your mug. Add squeezed lime to mug. Add vodka and ginger beer. Stir gently until mixed.

Keep your glass half-full. Drink responsibly.

Friday drinks: corpse reviver

Happy Friday! Looking for that perfect drink to serve at your Walking Dead viewing party? We’ve got you covered. Why not try a corpse reviver?

A corpse reviver mixed by Jeff Stewart. Photo by Jeff Stewart.

A corpse reviver mixed by Jeff Stewart. Photo by Jeff Stewart.

Depending on your sensibilities, the corpse reviver may sound awesome or icky. The term was originally used to describe certain “hair of the dog” hangover cure drinks. Like a zombie bite, these types of drinks allegedly provided reanimation for poor hungover souls.

A "Walking Dead"

A parched zombie from The Walking Dead. Photo courtesy of AMC network.

Today many people drink corpse revivers as regular, non-curative cocktails because they tend to be complex and interesting. There are cognac, brandy, and gin-based corpse revivers. We’re sharing a gin version, which is unimaginatively called corpse reviver #2. I really wish it was called something like, I don’t know, once-bitten-twice-die corpse reviver or apocalypse-survivalist Molotov cocktail.

The name might not be very clever, but the recipe is quite inventive. The green fairy makes an appearance in the corpse reviver #2. In fact, the first thing I noticed about this drink was the absinthe. A hint of anise or black licorice aroma greets you with every sip because the cocktail glass is coated with a touch of absinthe before the rest of the mixture is poured. Jeff Stewart, music video and commercial director and our trusty mixologist, suggests swirling St. George Absinthe in your cocktail glass, thus coating its interior with the spirit.

The absinthe taste leads you into a crisp, bright citrus taste, which is delicately balanced with Lillet Blanc. Lillet Blanc is a wine-appertif with its own citrus notes and sweetness. (We last used it in the Vesper AKA James Bond’s martini.) The corpse reviver #2 has a lingering finish of absinthe that is neither overpowering nor cloying.

Jeff suggests Plymouth or Hendricks gin and, of course, fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Wanna try Jeff’s recipe? Here it is.

1 oz. gin
1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc
1/2 oz. Cointreau
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. absinthe

Add absinthe to a cocktail glass. Swirl the absinthe so it coats the interior of the glass, especially the lip. Pour gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice into an iced cocktail shaker and shake for 25-30 seconds. Add to cocktail glass and serve. You can garnish with a cherry or mint leaf, if you want to get fancy. Cheers!

Keep your glass half-full. Drink responsibly.

Notable: Gary Lennon’s play ‘A Family Thing’

I received a lot of positive responses to my features about writer-producer-director Gary Lennon (The Shield, Justified). You can find those features here and here.

Gary is one of the most prolific writers I know. Most recently, he was a writer-producer on Jenji Kohen’s new show Orange is the New Black for Netflix. Also, Union Entertainment Group picked up Gary’s feature screenplay, The McKennas, this year at the Toronto Film Festival. Still more proof Gary is a writing machine: His play, A Family Thing, is opening February 16, 2013, at the Echo Theater in Los Angeles.

Key art for Gary Lennon's play, "A Family Thing." Artwork courtesy of Gary Lennon.

Key art for Gary Lennon’s play, “A Family Thing.”
Artwork courtesy of Gary Lennon.

If you’re in LA, definitely check it out. I went to a staged reading and it’s phenomenal. Raw, gritty, and darkly humorous, A Family Thing boldly taps into Gary’s own life story.

A Family Thing stars Daryl Stephens (2 Broke Girls, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives), who was also in Gary’s wonderful play The Interlopers, along with Johnny Messner (Spartan, The Sweetest Thing, Killer Instinct) , Elizabeth Regen (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Sex and the City, Entourage), and Austin Hébert (True Blood, Longmire, Vegas).

Chris Fields, founder and artistic director of the Echo Theater Company, is directing A Family Thing. He recently directed The Illustrious Birth of Padraic T. Duffy, the world premiere of Kate Robin’s What They Have at South Coast Repertory, the Los Angeles premiere of Jessica Goldberg’s Body Politic, Ovation nominated Kate Robin’s Anon, Sarah Ruhl’s Melancholy Play, the world premiere of Paul Zimmerman’s Pigs and Bugs, and the world premiere of Eat Me by Jacqueline Wright, which was nominated for six LA Weekly Awards including best director.

Gary’s a Peabody award-winner and A Family Thing is power-packed with talent drawn together by this amazing play. You don’t want to miss it.

Wanna see A Family Thing? Here’s the info.

The Echo Theater
Stage 52
5299 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
There’s a preview Friday, February 15, 2013.
The play opens Saturday, February 16, 2013, and runs through Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Performances are Fridays/Saturdays 8PM and Sundays 7PM.
For more info, go here.

Cheers!

Notable: Stephanie Palmer’s 4-week online pitching course

Happy Friday! This week I interviewed pitching consultant Stephanie Palmer, author of “Good in a Room.” She is absolutely fantastic.

Pitching consultant and "Good in a Room" author Stephanie Palmer. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Palmer.

Pitching consultant and “Good in a Room” author Stephanie Palmer. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Palmer.

Stephanie is a former director of creative affairs for MGM, where she supervised the acquisition, development, and production of feature films. Some of her projects included 21, Legally Blonde, Be Cool, The Brothers Grimm, Agent Cody Banks, Agent Cody Banks 2, A Guy Thing, and Good Boy. Prior to MGM, she worked at Jerry Bruckheimer Films on Armageddon, Con Air, and Enemy of the State. I will be sharing my entire interview with you in the next few weeks. However, I want to tell you right now about something that’s time-sensitive: Stephanie’s 4-week online pitching course, which starts this Monday, February 4, 2013.

If you have a project you’re getting ready to pitch or you’re past the outline phase of your most recent script, check out Stephanie’s online course. It’s conducted online through video and written lessons, and it sounds super-cool.

“Each Monday will be a video lesson where I’ll explain a key pitching technique that will be the theme for the week,” Stephanie said. “Then Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I’ll send out written exercises so people will have different ways to tweak their pitches. On Fridays, each person will have the chance to submit their work to me and get feedback. The goal is to build a pitch they can use to really sell their project.”

When designing the course, Stephanie said wanted to make sure it wasn’t a “one size fits all” class.

“It’s online, but it’s not canned lectures; it’s all based on what people are turning in,” Stephanie said. “It’s happening in a live space, but it’s available whenever the student’s time permits. I know people are busy and their schedules are different. I wanted people to be able to access the information at a time that’s convenient for them.”

The course is designed for people who have outlines or drafts of their scripts. It doesn’t require your project to be absolutely polished. In fact, developing your pitch may be one of the best ways to get your project industry-ready.

Want more information? Here you go:

Stephanie Palmer’s Pitching Essentials online class
February 4 – March 4, 2013
14 lessons and 4 opportunities to pitch your work and get feedback

Also, check out Stephanie’s book – “Good in a Room”

That’s it for now!

Drinks at The Famous

Recently, I was looking for an LA bar that had great cocktails, a friendly atmosphere, and of course, a little Hollywood flavor for a drinks gathering. I found The Famous lounge and flipped for it. And I’m not the only one. Details magazine just named The Famous one of the best bars in America.

The Famous at night. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

The Famous at night. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Established on the site of The Famous Department Store, hence the name, the bar has maintained much of the historic Huntley-Evans building’s original brickwork and exposed piping. These design elements gives the place a warm, inviting feeling.

A peek inside The Famous. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

A peek inside The Famous. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

One of my guests, TV writer Pang-Ni Landrum (“Malcolm in the Middle,” “Six Degrees”) said, “This is like ‘Cheers’!” She was so impressed with the place she immediately texted her husband, actor Ian Vogt (“Bunheads,” “The Mentalist,” “Everwood”), to suggest that he host his next guys night out at The Famous. Director Barbara Stepanksy (“Hurt,” “Fugue,” “Life Saver”) said she wanted to have her birthday at The Famous. In fact, while we were there a wedding party celebrated in the back. The radiant bride took a moment for an impromptu photo op atop a motorcycle parked inside the bar. The vibe was laid-back and exuberant at the same time. So to say folks dug the place is a bit of an understatement. However, ambience is just part of the equation of a great bar. It also must deliver the goods – great drinks.

The Famous prides itself on its craft cocktails, the aspect that first attracted me. To create the bar’s amazing drinks selection, Luke Leonard, the bar’s general manager, has brought together a stellar crew, starting with head bartender Nick Vitulli. Nick is formerly the bar manager of the reservations-only £10 bar in Beverly Hills’ Montage Hotel, where he created its cocktail service. Nick seems very much at home in the more chill atmosphere of The Famous. It’s his motorcycle stashed next to the bar.

Luke Leonard has also recruited former Harvard and Stone head bartender Matt Wallace, who is well-known for his whiskey knowledge. While on a “scouting” run on the bar, I had a chance to chat with Nick and Matt. I also enjoyed talking with bartender Chris Raba, who has a keen interest in absinthe. Luke has really gone out of his way to hire people who love the craft of bartending. These are not folks who are making drinks until something else comes along (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Luke has simply hired career bartenders who have a passion for mixing the best damn drinks imaginable.

Our fantastic server, Megan. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Our fantastic server, Megan Arsenaux. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Even our server, Megan Arseneaux, was exceptional. A New Orleans native, she deftly served a party of 25 ordering a wide variety of drinks. One of my guests, punk rocker and reality-docu producer Jeff Penalty, asked if they had lemonade. While it’s not something the bar normally stocks, Megan didn’t miss a beat. She said, “We’ll make it up.” And they did. So while The Famous has its own suggestions, they will roll with your requests – alcoholic and nonalcoholic. However, I recommend trying The Famous’ cocktails.

The Vitulli at The Famous. Photo by Kam Miller.

The Famous’ Vitulli cocktail. Photo by Kam Miller.

Nick Vitulli has crafted a complex yet approachable list of signature cocktails, including one of my favorites, the Vitulli. Yep, it’s named for Nick. This rye whiskey drink pulls together Amaro Nonino, sweet vermouth, along with Fernet Branca. Fernet Branca is an aromatic, bitter spirit made with 27 herbs from five continents. You may recall in “The Dark Knight Rises,” Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth, says he goes to Italy every year, visits the same restaurant, and enjoys a glass of Fernet Branca. Hey, if Alfred and Nick have a taste for it, I’ll definitely give it a try.

The first thing I noticed about the Vitulli is the wonderful orange aroma from the Amaro Nonino. It invites you right into the drink. Next I tasted a very smooth rye whiskey. The drink ends with a complex finish of Fernet Branca. There is a lovely treat at the bottom of this drink, a Luxardo cherry. I’m not one for cherries in drinks, thank you very much, but this dark-colored jewel had me. It was the perfect cap to this cocktail.

The live young die fast cocktail at The Famous. Photo by Kam Miller.

Live Young Die Fast cocktail at The Famous. Photo by Kam Miller.

Another standout on The Famous’ signature list is the Live Young Die Fast. Wow! Talk about something completely different: Beefeater gin, basil, black pepper syrup, and fresh lime juice. Music video and commercial director Jeff Stewart had a couple sips of mine and went straight to the bar to order his own. The basil opens this drink nicely. And honestly, my taste buds exploded with the gin, black pepper, and lime flavors. The black pepper simple syrup stayed with me pleasantly so. Luke mentioned they grow all their herbs on the roof of the bar, so everything is fresh. This is a drink where the freshness of the ingredients is readily apparent.

The Grey Goose and Vodka at The Famous. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

The Famous’ Grey Goose and Vodka cocktail. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Author Melinda Corazon Foley (“The Ice Hotel,” “The Cure”) was kind enough to send a Grey Goose and Vodka cocktail my way. The Grey Goose and Vodka has no vodka in it. In fact, The Famous doesn’t even stock Grey Goose. The name comes from an inside bartender’s joke. You probably know that Grey Goose is a brand of vodka; however, some people actually order Grey Goose and vodka not knowing what the heck Grey Goose is. The Famous’ Grey Goose and Vodka is made with Beefeater gin, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and a splash of agave nectar. This is a wonderfully smooth citrus cocktail. And despite the usually tart grapefruit and lime juices, mine had a balanced sweetness to it. Because it goes down so easily, it’s very popular and a great first drink to try, especially if you’re just getting into craft cocktails.

Just a bit of The Famous' bar stock. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Just a bit of The Famous’ bar stock. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

As I mentioned, The Famous doesn’t stock Grey Goose. You’re also out of luck if you want a Jack and Coke. However, Luke, Nick, and the entire bar staff work year-round to stock the most interesting, best-tasting, best-mixing spirits. Check out their impressive liquor list on their website.

Classic films are projected throughout the bar. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Bob Hope pays a visit to The Famous. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Despite its name, The Famous is an unpretentious and approachable bar for true cocktail drinkers. Whether you’re just dipping a toe in or know your own way around a cocktail shaker, you’ll find Luke and his staff are incredibly accommodating. If you want an Old Fashioned, it’ll likely be the best, truest Old Fashioned you’ve had. Plus, they make a point of stocking some great beers. Editor Nicole Opyr (“The Glee Project,” “Pretty”) was stoked to find Longboard Lager and Yeti Imperial Stout on tap.

What’s more, classic black and white films are projected throughout the bar. Buster Keaton’s “Go West” was playing while we were there. It was a big hit with my friends.

As you can tell, I flipped for The Famous. It’s in Glendale, which is a suburb of Los Angeles, but it’s totally worth the jaunt. The bar is located at 154 South Brand Boulevard directly across from the Americana, a shopping complex á la The Grove. There is plenty of parking, something I dig, especially when inviting friends to join me. And this drinks gathering was a blast.

A vintage typewriter that had me at hello. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

A vintage typewriter that had me at hello. Photo courtesy of Luke Leonard.

Thanks to Luke Leonard and his wonderful staff.

Want to check out The Famous yourself? Here’re the details:

The Famous
154 South Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91204
Across from The Americana at Brand
818.241.2888
Dress code: Nice. No sports attire or beachwear please.
Hours: M-F 5pm-2am Sat-Sun 6pm-2am

Keep your glass half-full. Drink responsibly.