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Casting Hope
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Merlin Castell
DESIGNER MERLIN CASTELL IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS HAUTE COUTURE TAILORED FITTED JACKETS, CRAFTED FROM HIGHLY UNUSAL FABRICATION. HIS PIECES ARE POPULAR WITH CELBRITIES, MUSIC, FILM, AND TELEVISION FOLKS, TRENDSETTERS AND THE MELROSE TRADING POST CROWD.
THE MERLIN CASTELL LINE HAS A HIGH HIP FACTOR RANKING AND IS BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT COLLECTIONS IN LOS ANGELES – FROM HIS METRO WEAR, RANGING IN PRICE FROM $150.00 - $1,000.00 TO HIS CUSTOM MADE AND COUTURE GARMENTS THAT CAN SELL FOR MORE THAN $10,000.00.
HIS PIECES CAN SEEN ON THE SHOW O.C. AND CELEBRITIES LIKE LENNY KRAVITZ, PARIS HILTON AND MANY MORE. THE ULTRA HIP DESINGER WAS RECENTLY VOTED “ONE OF THE TOP TEN TO WATCH OUT FOR” BY THE POOL TRADE SHOW.
BORN IN HONDURAS, WITH AN INNATE AFFINTIY FOR FASHION AND A KEEN EYE FOR STYLE, CASTELL NEVER DREAMED THAT HE WOULD BE SO FORTUNATE TO CRAFT A CARRER OUT OF WHAT HE ENJOYS DOING THE MOST.
“MY JOURNEY HAS BEEN VERY MAGICAL,” SAYS CASTELL. HIS CASUAL BUMP INTO THE FASHION INDUSTRY WAS ALMOST NEVER PURSUED.
“ONE OF MY EARLIEST FASHION MEMORIES IS ONE OF ME DRESSING MY MOTHER. I THINK I WAS AROUND THE AGE OF EIGHT WHEN I STARTED TELLING HER WHAT SHE SHOULD AND SHOULNT WEAR,” SMILES CASTELL.
“I STUDIED FASHION IN MEXICO, FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THERE MY TEACHER COMPARED ME TO FRIDA KHALO, SAYING MY STYLE WAS DIFFERENT AND SUGGESTED I FURTHER MY STUDIES IN ITALY.” CASTELL SAYS. “MY SPECIALTY IN SCHOOL WAS WORKING WITH LEATHER, BUT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I COULDN’T AFFORD LEATHER. SO I STARTED TO APPLY MY IDEAS TO FABRIC AND THAT BECAME A WHOLE NEW SENSATION.”
"I believe a true designer is one who can bring a new concept in design. One who believes what he does is innovative and risky but does it because it comes from inside the heart," Merlin Castell.
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Kevin Dobson
Kevin Dobson has starred in television series, movies and theater for two decades. Most recently he portrayed Marc in the Tony Award winning play ART, at Chicago’s Royal George Theater. On TV, his first series, Kojak, ran five years with Kevin in the co-starring role of Crocker. He starred in Shannon and then for a 10-year run on Knots Landing as Mack, followed by his starring role on FX - The Series as Leo. He also starred in 28 made for TV movies. He directed episodes of Knots Landing and won a Soap Opera Digest Award as Best Actor for his work on Knots.
A New Yorker (one of seven), his first love was baseball (semi-pro), and in the U.S. Army he served as an MP during the Vietnam era. While a conductor on the Long Island Rail Road, he studied theater with Sandy Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. His debut role was in The Impossible Years, starring with Tow Ewell, followed by roles as Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. His theatrical credits include Klute, Bananas and The French Connection, Midway and All Night Long, co-starring with Barbra Streisand and Gene Hackman. He toured in The Sound of Music as Von Trapp.
Twice Chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans, Kevin says, “If you love your country, thank a Vet.” He hosted two Veterans Inaugural Balls, one for President Clinton and President Bush. He received the Most Outstanding Young American Award and has been widely acclaimed by Veterans organizations for his service to help hospitalized veterans, receiving the Silver Helmet Award and the American Legion Award. He was the first winner of the ABC Superstars athletic competition. He and wife Susan raised funds through the Kevin Dobson Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Institute, of which Susan was a member of the Board of Directors.
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Lisa Dunn-Dern
Author and children’s lifestyle expert Lisa Dunn-Dern will read and sign her newest children’s book, "Dr. Duncan Dog On Duty!," at two upcoming appearances:
• Tuesday, June 5, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Family Story Time, at the new Westwood Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Westwood (Los Angeles, CA 90024). Information: (310) 474-1739.
• Saturday, June 9, 10:30 am Story Time reading; 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. book signing. Chevalier’s Bookstore, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., LA 90004. Info: (323)465-1334. A certified therapy dog and its handler will be special guests.
Just published, “Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty!” tells of a family’s therapy dog who visits hospitalized children every week and helps them get through their hospital stay.
“Dr. Duncan Dog On Duty!” is beautifully illustrated throughout in full color by Andrea Yomtob, a digital artist whose credits include "The Simpsons Movie," "King of the Hill," and Pepsi commercials. The book has been praised by Mary Hart (“Entertainment Today” host and board member of Children's Hospital, where Dunn-Dern did her research for the book), famed neurosurgeon Keith Black, MD, and the late Yolanda King (daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King), among others. “Children’s Bookwatch” said, “simple but engaging story...nicely enhanced throughout with colorful illustrations....With its underlying message of service to others, [it] is a pleasant and charming addition to any family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picturebook collection for young readers.”
Author Dunn-Dern, a Westwood resident, produces and hosts a children’s series (“The Lisa and Winston Show”) on ETV Ethiopian Television. She and her daughter, 14, co-produce and co-host a live Internet radio program, “The Chelsea and Lisa Show,” on GlobalTalkRadio.com. Dunn-Dern is the author of “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow,” which featured the same family as in Dr. Dog.
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| Appears: |
| 5/24/2007: |
Mother's Day Tribute/The Healing Power of Man's Best Friend |
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Richard Epcar
Richard Epcar is one of those rare people whose anime career in English covers the modern era, starting with several roles in the Robotech dub and extending to his voicing Bateau in the dub release of the Ghost in the Shell TV series. "I have several characters that I really love a lot - I play a lot of heroes and a lot of villains." Epcar started in theater at the University of Arizona, toured in Equity shows, and then began an on-camera and off-camera career in Los Angeles that included on camera acting and voice work, writing and directing, and it all started with the original Robotech dub, done in the days of slicing tape and film to edit scenes and dialogue. "We didn't have the (cueing) beeps, we didn't have Pro Tools (audio editing computer program), we had to go off the (TV frame) time code and grab it. It was basically like combat dubbing...when we did Robotech, we did it at 2 o'clock in the morning. Actors would be sleeping in the halls and the stairs."
Richard is very well known to Anime fans, starting with the original ROBOTECH series – in which he played Ben Dixon, Lunk, and Gruel. Most recently he can be heard as BOBOBO-BO BO-BOBO on Cartoon Network, which he also helps write and direct. He is extremely well-known as Batou in the GHOST IN THE SHELL movie, CD Rom game and is now playing Batou in the series, GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX, G.I.T.S.: S.A.C. - 2nd GIG and G.I.T.S.: S.A.C. - SOLID STATE SOCIETY. He also wrote-directed and did the voice of Batou in GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE.
Richard has even more credits in in animation, video games, television and directing that are just too numerous list. |
| Appears: |
| 6/7/2007: |
Creative Vision comes in various Shapes, Sizes and Voices! |
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Robert Galzarano
Beverly Hills resident, Actor and business owner Robert Galzarano is nothing if not self-assured.By this time next year, his plan is to be well on course to a successful acting career in Hollywood.He’s about to appear in a made-for-cable-TV thriller called “Clean Break,” and he thinks he knows things will just take off from there. “What the mind of man can conceive, he can achieve,” he says, paraphrasing Napoleon Hill. It would hard to meet this guy and think he’s just another pretty face trying to break into the biz. There’s a lot more going on here. In addition to his acting career, Galzarano is a writer, he owns a jewelry store that sells his original designs and he works closely with local charities to raise money for good causes. He’s also a former motivational speaker. His “can do” spirit is front and center as he talks about all he wants to accomplish in life for himself and others. “The only thing that’s impossible is the word itself,” he says. “I got my PhD from the school of hard knocks,” he adds. “I was Poor, Hungry and Determined.” |
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Ester Goldberg
Ester Goldberg has had a long, fabulous life. In addition to being a widow, a star of radio, cabaret, and Nightclubs, she has also been a make-up artiste, gossip columnist, counselor to young teens, and gifted music maven and chanteuse. It is not hard to imagine why she is widely considered to be one of the world’s newest (and oldest) influential Diva’s.
Ester Goldberg’s Life is a People magazine cover story. Her story is a true rags to riches scenario, a real Jewish American Princess Fairytale (or Jewish American Fossil?)
Ester Goldberg’s rapidly spiraling show biz career began in Music City USA, on morning radio in Nashville, Tennessee. She was one of the hosts of the popular and hilarious Star 106 Morning Show for three years. She rubbed elbows with the likes of Bette Midler, Faye Dunaway, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, Delta Burke, Mel Torme, and interviewed some of the biggest names in show business.
Born in Queens, New York, Ester Goldberg is the daughter of Eastern European immigrants, from an unknown country. “My parents never told us exactly where they came from,” says Ester, “for all we know, we could be Swedes.” Ester’s parents met aboard the ship while en route to the New World. The ship, captained by a dyslexic, retired Polish Naval Rear Admiral, accidentally docked at Liberty Island instead of Ellis Island, and Sam Lipshitz and Fanny Glick nervously disembarked. |
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Margaret Kemp
Margaret Kemp (Fitzmaurice Voice Work, Actors' Instrument)
Margaret Kemp is an Actor, Writer, Producer and instructor. As a writer and actor she is currently developing her solo performance piece Creative Instructions from MyCrummyLife. This multi-media play chronicles Margaret's personal journey to breath, voice and meaning. The show will world premiere in 2006.
Margaret's most recent acting credits include guest starring on ABC Television's In Justice as Regina Furlong and on Commander in Chief as Denise Landis (also on ABC). On stage she appeared as The Duchess of York in William Shakespeare's Richard III with The Independent Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles. Other recent credits include: The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet with Will & Company at Los Angeles Theatre Center, eight appearances on The Orlando Jones Show (various sketches). Playing Felicity in A Farndale Christmas Carol at Santa Barbara's Ensemble Theatre Company and the World Premiere of Tom Walker at Arena Stage in Washington, DC.
As a teacher Margaret primarily teaches Fitzmaurice Voicework to students of all ages and backgrounds. Margaret is a Certified Associate Instructor of Fitzmaurice Voicework and holds and M.F.A. from the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.
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Katie Mahanes
Katie Mahanes is the designer and owner of Katie M. Designs, featuring fine beaded sterling silver jewelry with bridal, earring and necklace collections. |
| Appears: |
| 5/24/2007: |
Mother's Day Tribute/The Healing Power of Man's Best Friend |
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E.P. McKnight
E.P. MCKNIGHT IS A GRADUATE OF FORDHAM UNIVERSITY LINCOLN CENTER, NY,NY WHERE SHE RECEIVED HER MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY.
AS AN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST, SHE FOUNDED THE NIKAO IMANI, INC., A MARKETING AND CONSULTING FIRM FOR CARRERS IN THE CORPORATE INDUSTRY AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
SHE IS A POET, PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS, AND WRITER AND A MEMBER OF SCREEN ACTORS GUILD, ACTOR'S EQUITY, AND AMERICAN FEDERATION TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS.
THEATRE CREDITS:
MOST RECENT THEATRICAL CREDIT WAS THE CHRISPUS ATTUCKS’ BLUEBIRDS, TRUE LOVE,AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, CRANE MISSISSIPPI AT THE LILLIAN THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD. SHE WAS SEEN PRIOR IN “EXILES FROM PARADISE” AT THE RENEGADE THEATRE IN THE NOHO DISTRICT, NORTH HOLLYWOOD. OTHER CREDITS INCLUDE LEO’S BARBERSHOP & GRILL, SPINNELI, SECRECTS OF THE PUSSYCAT;NEW YORK CREDITS INCLUDE FENCES, THE CRUCIBLE, DO LORD REMEMBER ME, BLACK GIRL, STEAL AWAY, NZINGA'S CHILDREN, PURLIE, MY DIARY, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, WINE IN THE WILDERNESS, MARCUS GARVEY , THE REVIVAL TABLE, WHO'S MAMA'S BABY WHO'S DADDY'S CHILD, HIGH STEPPIN IN HARLEM, & I WANNA BE.
TELEVISION CREDITS:
PASSIONS,ER,ONCE & AGAIN, UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, DHARMA & GREGG, LAW & ORDER, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, ALL MY CHILDREN, ANOTHER WORLD, GUIDING LIGHT, AS THE WORLD TURNS, MATT WATERS, SESAME STREET, AND SEVERAL COMMERCIALS.
FILM CREDITS:
RECENT LA PROJECTS: ZODIAC, A GOOD DAY, BAKE OFF, BETA, THE PINK ELEPHANT, HAZING with Brad Dorlief (One Flew Over the Coco Nest),RAT RACE W/WHOOPI GOLDBERG, PRINCESS DIARY W/ JULIE ANDREWS, YO TYRONE,SHAKEDOWN COP, JUNGLE FEVER, QUICK CHANGE, LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLAS,BAMBARELLA, OFF-WHITE POWER,& DREAM LOVER TYRONE.
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Linda Mechanic
Teaching people to throw, one pot at a time.
Linda has been throwing clay for 20 years and has been the owner of Peach Tree Pottery for 7 years. Linda teaches both kids and adults at the studio. She also sells her pottery and other artists work at the Peach Tree Gallery. |
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Lena Nozizwe
Emmy award-winning broadcaster, speaker and author Lena Nozizwe's (Len-nuh No-zeez-way's) life story reads like an improbable movie plot.
Nozizwe almost died at birth, the first miracle in her life. The second was when her family came to the United States so that her mother, Dr. Alice Princess Msumba Siwundhla, could star in the pioneering reality show This is Your Life.
Once in the land of opportunity Nozizwe faced her share of challenges. She was the original Ugly Betty who was tormented by critics who told her she was too ugly and too stupid to achieve her dreams. She proved them wrong by growing up to be an award-winning broadcaster. You may have seen her on CBS, BET, Hallmark TV or Fox's America's Most Wanted. She's also the author of the motivational book, Starring in Your Own Life. It's a guidebook on how all of us can reach for the stars. Her spontaneity, honesty and quick wit have made her a popular speaker. She's been invited by youth groups, high schools, colleges, churches, women's
associations, and literary groups around he world, including the University of Malawi, Virginia Tech University , Alaska University, and Northern Caribbean University, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the Diamond Literary Council,African American Women on Tour and Federally Employed Women. Nozizwe lectures at her alma mater, San Diego State University where she named Most Influential Professor in 2002. Her message to students and adults alike is, "It's all about the inner bling. |
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Alex A. Quinn
Alex Quinn was born into the spotlight. Groomed for Hollywood success from an early age, it wasn't until 2002 that he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and pursue an acting career. It was during the summer of 2005 that America got a closer look at Alex. Hand selected by E!Entertainment, he joined the cast of Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive.
His credits include "Lake Dead", "The Curse of Alcatraz", "Last Goodbye" opposite Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway and David Carradine, An Existential Affair opposite Academy Award winner Martin Landau, and Starving Hysterical Naked opposite Billy Zane. Alex was named one of W's "Hollywood's Hottest Kids to Watch" and one of America's Most Eligible Bachelor's by Complete Woman Magazine in 2007. He holds a Visual and Media Arts degree from Emerson College in Boston.Alex Quinn is also the CEO of his self-entitled premiere events company in Los Angeles "Alex Quinn Presents" He lives with his cat Peanut Quinn in Los Angeles.
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Dana Richie
Executive Producer/Director
Whether reporting the local breaking news, producing hip programming, or interviewing Hollywood's hottest celebrities, Dana Richie is a genuine storyteller. With a production career spanning over 15 years, Dana is currently executive producer and director of Backlot Productions in Hollywood, CA where she is touted as the "producer who knows every angle of the show" thanks to her honed storyteller's eye.
A graduate from the University of Houston with a double major in journalism and film studies. Her roster of clients include MTV Networks, Warner Brothers Television International, Universal Music Group, EMI / Capitol Records, DreamWorks Pictures, Lifetime, CNN, ABC, CBS, and VH1 among others.
Adept at every aspect of production, Dana is highly sought after for her signature touch, traditional storytelling through stylized editing, which allows her to capture memorable moments through cutting edge production. Among the many programs where her signature can be viewed include ABC News 20/20, CNN's Political Convention Coverage, I Love The 80s, Behind the Music, Best Week Ever, Access Hollywood, E! Entertainment and A & E Biography.
While securing new partnerships almost daily, among the latest clients and/or projects Dana has signed with Backlot productions include Genius Products, director Marty Weiss, TV veterans Pam Hyatt and Kim Swann.
Backlot Productions recently completed filming Fran Drescher's documentary entitled The Cancer Shmancer Movement. Dana has also been named West Coast Bureau Chief for VH1's new website "Celebrity Eyecandy".
Richie is a natural celebrity reporter. Among the many celebrities Dana has interviewed include Sting, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Britney Spears, U2, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, Gwen Stefani, Stevie Nicks, P Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Nicole Kidman, Christina Aguilera, Usher, Ringo Starr, Lindsay Lohan.
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| Appears: |
| 7/19/2007: |
Dana Richie, Executive Producer/Director |
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Daniel Sol
Daniel Sol, Co-Founder, HollyShorts, Short Film Festival Director
With a passion for film and filmmaking since childhood, Daniel decided to move to California in 2000 with an interest in the film business. After working on Commercial Productions as a PA and then acting in various short films, he gained an interest and knowledge into what it takes to put together a film. With that came friendships, and with the people he met along the way the common theme sprung up: Young Filmmakers had no access to industry professionals, and they had no way to screen movies locally. This sprung the idea for the HollyShorts Film Festival. Sol has recently acted in the new Short Film “Shoot-Out.”
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Ellyn Stern
ELLYN STERN has appeared in many films including JESSIE’S GIRLS, FEAR CITY, WARHEAD, FATAL CHARM, and DUCHESS AND THE DIRTWATER FOX to name a few. Some of her TV credits include AMERICAN CARROTT, GENERAL HOSPITAL, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, SANTA BARBARA, CHARLIE’S ANGELS, and two new pilots.
Most recently on stage Ellyn was seen in WE’LL NEVER BE YOUNG AGAIN, playing Jacqueline Kennedy at the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre. Also on stage she was seen on stage in RUMORS, SHORTAGES, A SMALL PLACE IN HISTORY, BLOOD WEDDING, CHINAMEN, HOW HE LIED TO HER HUSBAND, DAY GAMES, and THE VOW.
She starred in the premiere production of Shakespeare’s TWO NOBLE KINSMAN, which is in the Smithsonian Institute, the disputed 38th play, now recognized and included in the canon by the Folgier Library.
Ellyn is well known for her voice work in animation, interactive games and films, which includes dubbing Academy Award winning films into English, most notably: WIDOW OF ST. PIERRE, CINEMA PARADISO, BELLE EPOQUE, BABETTE’S FEAST, LA FEMME NIKITA, KIKA, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, SHIRI and EMPEROR AND THE ASSASIN. Her game and animation voice work includes hundreds of titles including: BLUE DRAGON, BOBOBO, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2, NOEIN, MAR, SHADOW HEARTS II, PATLABOR 3, and LUPIN the THIRD to name just a few.
Ellyn has written screenplays, children’s books and poetry books and her one-woman show called MIDDENTIME. She has directed games and animation projects some of which are: AERO WINGS, JADE CACOON, AND GALERIANS.
Ellyn was very sick due to an auto accident and thanks to daily yoga ,a vegetarian diet has found that cleansing her body through foods has helped her maintain better health. |
| Appears: |
| 6/7/2007: |
Creative Vision comes in various Shapes, Sizes and Voices! |
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Charlene Tilton
Charlene Tilton is perhaps best known for her long running role as Lucy Ewing on the hit TV series "Dallas." Since the "Dallas" series finale, Charlene has done numerous films including:
Totally Blonde (2001)
Bar Hopping (2000)
The Theory of Everything
Detonator (1998)
Safety Patrol (1998)
Star Witness (1995)
Favorite Deadly Sins
The Silence of the Hams
Deadly Bet (1992)
Center of the Web (1992)
For Parents Only (1991)
Ragin' Cajun (1991)
Problem Child 2 (1991)
Border Shootout (1990)
The Fall of the House of Usher
Bob Hope Funny Valentine Special(1981)
Circus of the Stars #4 (1979)
Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker (1979)
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| Appears: |
| 5/24/2007: |
Mother's Day Tribute/The Healing Power of Man's Best Friend |
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