halloween costumes
It’s the last day of September which means I am declaring it officially time to start talking about Halloween. I’ve even changed my header in honor or my favorite holiday.
First order of business is costumes. I always try to plan ahead so I can make my costume but then can’t decide until the last minute where I scramble to make something overly complicated and end up making myself crazy. Yet again, I’m stumped this year.
Looking back at the last few years, I’m really happy with my costumes, in fact, they’ve been some of my favorite.
Last year I was a prairie girl. The coolest thing about this costume was that it was super comfortable and totally re-wearable. I knew I wouldn’t have time to make a costume so I bought a lovely vintage dress on etsy.
In 2009 I had big ambitions that I would make an intricate Marie Antoinette dress, including a corset. I never finished it. It managed to get it to a wearable state but never made the hoop skirt that went along with it. This project nearly broke me. Despite not totally finishing it, I was still really happy to have a fancy and yet really creepy costume.
In 2008 I was a bat. I have wanted to be a bat for many years as I have wings already built in. This costume was a simple, black, shiny dress with an open back. It was easy to make just by draping. I added gloves, thigh highs and mask to finish it off.
Possibly my favorite costume of all time was this dear costume I made in 2007. Knowing in advance that I needed something I could wear on a bike ride, I made a super comfortable cotton jersey dress, spray painted the belly white and added ears and a tail. I also made the cape Shawn wore with his pumpkin head costume. It was one of the best Halloweens ever.
So what’s next? I’d like to go with something traditional and scary. Maybe something with horns? I much prefer things that are creepy than cute or sweet. I also love getting the chance to wear makeup and masks.
What are you going to be for Halloween? Do you make your costume or buy it? Let’s brainstorm ideas together!
craft night
Oh it’s almost October and I can hardly contain myself. Every day when the sun goes down a little earlier and the air is a little crisper, a feeling of elation passes over me. I adore fall time.
I’ve already been plotting decorations, and last week a few lady friends came over for some crafting.
With Halloween on our minds, everything we created had a sort of holiday theme.
A gaggle of ghosts were born. Or unborn? Not sure with those ghosts.
It was nice to spend the evening with some lovely women and talk about anything while we worked on our little projects.
At the end of the night I had a few ghosties of my own, and a dear little spider.
I can’t wait till our next craft night…I foresee pumpkin carving!
Pablo Ferro
Last night we went to a special screening at Cinefamily showcasing some of the work of Pablo Ferro. We were just blown away by how superb his trailer for Dr. Strangelove is. It was so cool to hear him speak about his work and experience. He even told us about the one tiny spelling mistake in the Dr. Strangelove titles that lives on forever.
But now you should watch the trailer…in full screen please.
Dr. Strangelove Trailer by Pablo Ferro
His titles and trailers feel so contemporary now, but were groundbreaking in the 50′s & 60′s when they were released. When looking at the title sequence for The Thomas Crown Affair, I can’t imagine how much more complicated it would be to create the entire sequence optically on film. His split screen of the polo scene from the film, seen below, at one point has 60 different frames of film all placed into one 35mm frame by hand. Make sure to watch it in full screen.
The Thomas Crown Affair – Polo Scene
It’s true that really exceptional design is timeless.
la femme film festival
I’m very happy to share that Brainwashed Love was selected to be part of the La Femme Film Festival here in Los Angeles. I’m excited that we’ll be part of a festival that supports women filmmakers, but more importantly, I’m excited that we’ll get to have a screening next month and you’re invited.
If you missed our friends and family screening, you have another chance to see the film that we put our hearts and souls into. For those of you not in Los Angeles, we’re working on releasing Brainwashed Love on DVD / Blu-ray or on demand somehow. I will let you know when that happens, and it will happen. I have to say, that I am truly proud of this film and I will do whatever it takes to get it out there for people to see in some form or another.
Come see an honest, independent film about falling in love and what happens when things go unexpectedly wrong.
Friday October 14th, 2011
2pm
Renberg Theater
1125 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90038
You can buy tickets here (be sure to write “Brainwashed Love” in the box, so they know what film you want to see).
Hope to see you there!
in the kitchen
Despite all the hard work it takes to put together a supper for eight, I do love being able to spend so much time in the kitchen creating an assortment of dishes. Yet again, I got so caught up in preparing and serving everything for our most recent secret supper I didn’t take a single photo the night of the event when everything was finished and presented. I still think just the colorful vegetables, spices and ingredients are beautiful though. Oh and that quiche, it’s making me dream of quiches and pies to come.
The days are getting darker and cooler and I am looking forward to the many delectable meals that will be prepared in our kitchen. The turn of the seasons and the coming of fall brings me so much happiness.
Have a wonderful weekend!
