All right, I’m going to say it: The city of Los Angeles has a horribly underrated theater scene. Stop laughing. Seriously. I’m waiting. OK. I know it’s L.A., and I know it’s got the whole Hollywood thing going on. I know there are as many premieres in Westwood in a week as there are Ben […]
Author Archives: Jake Tracer
Hollywood work not necessary to 'make it'
In the film industry, “making it” can be as difficult to define as to achieve. While people can rationalize the issue however they want to, the question essentially boils down to this: Is it more important to make exactly what you want or to make enough to get by? For anyone graduating college hoping to […]
'I don't know what I am.' – Tim Robbins
NEW YORK “”mdash; Tim Robbins lost his Oscar. To be fair, his now 12-year-old son stole and hid it for April Fool’s Day and it hasn’t turned up since, but Robbins isn’t too concerned over its whereabouts. Why should he be? The 45-year-old actor and UCLA theater alum of 1981 won the statue, which is […]
Films have great style, less-than-stellar stories
ucla school of theater, film & television Alan Estridge’s “At Wit’s Vend” features a candy bar as its protagonist. “At Wit’s Vend” Directed by Alan Estridge Screening on Saturday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 16 “At Wit’s Vend” is a setup in search of a punch line. It relays the cute story of the last […]
Gay-themed channel must stray from stereotypes
Let me get this straight: On May 25, MTV announced it will launch a new cable station that will show programming aimed at gay and lesbian audiences. The station, named Logo for no apparent particular reason, will premiere in February, and “will follow in the trail blazed by such shows as “˜Will & Grace,’ “˜Queer […]
Despite explanations, artistry and content are inseparable
Upon awarding Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11″ the Palme d’Or prize last Sunday at the annual Cannes Film Festival, film jury member Tilda Swinton said of the film, “It is sophisticated cinema. It wouldn’t have served its political end if it wasn’t a good piece of filmmaking. (Moore) has matured as a filmmaker since “˜Bowling for […]
Approach stars with questions, not awe
It’s probably safe to say that enough students at UCLA have had or will at some point have some kind of personal encounter with a movie star. Whether you went to the “Saved!” screening Tuesday featuring Mandy Moore or saw Julie Andrews and Diane Keaton at the same restaurant, there are simply too many famous […]