Getting To Know: Shannon Hemmings

Shannon Hemmings

In case you missed episode one, when yours truly chatted Actor Jeremiah Hahn up from filmmaker Robert Hensley's current project Family Affair, well we are now on to episode two.

"Yes" another cast member from the film was also in attendance at the grand opening of Silverback Coffee of Rwanda in Echo Park, CA.

Her name is Shannon Hemmings she portrays Charlie, she has a tale to tell...

MS: So spill who do you play in Family Affair?

SH: Well, I play Charlie. I can't say too much about my character. She's there, she's a happy face, a caring character. Let's just say she was really fun to play.

MS: Nice. How do you know Robert?

SH: I moved to Los Angeles only six months ago...

Shannon
On The Set Of "Nashville"

MS: Where are you from originally?

SH: Atlanta, GA. About two weeks in I was submitting myself for things. I didn't expect anything because they say when you come out here it's hard, it's competitive. So I saw this character and I loved her and I thought "why not" I might as well audition. I was submitted and I was taped, I got the job. I got a little E-Mail, I was like "No Way!" I already booked my first job in LA!

MS: Awesome!

SH: When I went to the table read and got to know who these people were for the first time, it was like "This is really cool." I felt so welcomed in, so excited! It really is who you know and the connections you make, it's a really beautiful thing.

MS: Congratulations! Sometimes it takes forever.

SH: Yeah, thanks! I came here so grounded thinking it would take a whole year to build up my resume, get a manager, what's happened now is mind blowing!

MS: Fantastic! There are so many pitfalls and it's easy to get discouraged.

SH: There were those times where I wondered if it was time to go back home. I wasn't sure if I could do this (laughs) There were time when I felt really alone, it's hard to find community in a brand new place. I'm glad I've stayed strong because everything is really coming together now.

MS: Nice to meet you.

SH: You too! Are you on Instagram?

MS: Yes.

SH: Let's follow each other.

Family Affair on the WWW -
https://familyaffairfilm.weebly.com/

Shannon on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/shanhem1/?hl=en  

Monday Motivation

Call Me, Maybe
Carly Rae Jepsen

See Carly Rae Jepsen on stage in Atlanta, GA. Hear Carly sing during her "Dedicated" tour. Get so high you touch the sky. 

Looking at this photo of Carly on her current tour (mentioned above) inspired me to throw out this bit of Monday Motivation wisdom. Today is the first day for you try new things. Why you may ask am I making Carly Rae Jepsen the poster child for this? Glad you asked...

Once upon a time in Hollywood I was asked if I would like to attend her show at the Fonda (comped of course) - While being only familiar with her song Call Me Maybe, I hesitated then thought "Why the F#ck not? it's free" 

Thus I came, I went, I heard and I saw. Guess what??? I was blown away! "Yes" CRJ is a great live performer and I would never have known that had I not gone because of a song, that was not something I hated, but definitely not my thing. 

What's on your agenda to try that you haven't before today? Start small and work your way up to something grand.

Get out there and go for it, now!

CRJ on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/carlyraejepsen/?hl=en  

Pills & Kills "The Theta Girl"

Once upon a time...

The Theta Girl, a feature film produced by first-time filmmakers David Axe and Christopher Bickel, is coming to film circuits this Winter.

The film had its world-premiere in Atlanta on Friday the 13th of October at midnight -- a fitting time slot for opening what director Christopher Bickel calls "a brutally violent existential horror film." At the Atlanta screening, several audience members walked out of the film following one shocking scene depicting a violent home invasion. The audience members who remained were very vocal and enthusiastic about their enjoyment and appreciation of the film, one audience member writing in a comment online: "Holy sh*t! Talk about a low-budget MASTERPIECE. A gory drug-induced mystery! A psychedelic B Movie thriller! Roger Corman-esque Punk cinema that's WAY better and smarter than it should be! A++++++"

The Theta Girl was produced on a shoestring budget of $14,000. To put that budget into perspective, the film could have been made 3,571 times over for what it cost Hollywood to make one Emoji Movie. It is the first film for Axe and Bickel, and indeed it was the first film for the majority of cast and crew. Though the film exhibits some rough edges as a result of its extremely low budget and the experience level of the creators, it has been enthusiastically praised for its high entertainment value, thoughtful existential themes, and shocking content. 

The film has already received accolades from critics. One critic gushing "not only is it possibly the best independent film of 2017 but possibly one of the best examples of low budget filmmaking EVER!" (full review HERE)

Venerated Indie Film magazine Film Threat gave The Theta Girl high marks calling it "edgy, thoughtful, quality entertainment." (full review HERE)

Billed as an "existenploitation film," The Theta Girl follows the trials and tribulations of young drug-dealer, Gayce Delko, and the hallucinogen she peddles. "Theta" was a "fun drug" -- a drug that blew people's minds. Theta was supposed to be a door to Heaven, but when her best friends get methodically and brutally murdered, Gayce realizes theta might also be a door to Hell -- and it's up to her to shut it. The film's tagline is "She brought the pills. He brought the kills." 

Bickel describes The Theta Girl as "an exercise in sex, drugs, punk rock, brutality, gore, revenge, and self-actualization... but really it's an art film." 

The Theta Girl was written by David Axe and directed by Christopher Bickel, who also shot, edited, and provided sound-design for the film. Axe and Bickel also served as the film's producers under the "Barron Perter Productions" moniker. The film stars Victoria Elizabeth as "Gayce," Shane Silman as "Brother Marcus," and Darrelle D. Dove as "Derek." 

The film has not been rated by the MPAA, but it contains nudity, drug use, adult themes, and extremely graphic violence. 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-My7mJg1M4  

Shake Your Booty With Tootie!

Here and Ready to Twerk!
Kim Fields

Hey all you people who made it through the 80's, it's time to get nostalgic. Because, Kim Fields who played Tootie on the iconic of the time series The Facts Of Life is breaking out her boogie shoes for season 22 of Dancing With The Stars.

Fields, who now appears on the Bravo reality show Real Housewives Of Atlanta. Will be showing you how all that time in dance clubs paid off. Kidding, or perhaps I'm not.

Whatever happens all you people yearning for some fond memories of the 80's should definitely tune in. I am sure Kim will not make you ride on a bummer with her dancing prowess.

So, can I get a pair of roller skates and a brand new key high five?!

Yep, that's the spirit, I knew I could count on you guys!

Kim on IMDB:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004917/?ref_=nv_sr_5

Mash Up Monday With KC + Ceelo !

KC & CEELO SET FOR MASH UP ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!
ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND


'KCeelo and the Sunshine Band' to Perform
As Part Of #MashUpMonday 

They did the mash, they did the Mash Up Monday mash, oh yeah!!!

 

This week’s #MashUpMonday on ABC Network's Jimmy Kimmel Live! will feature two of music’s most identifiable – yet different artists with the collaboration of KC and the Sunshine Band and CeeLo. In the episode, which will air on February 22 at 11:35/10:35c on ABC, the two performers will join up for what has become one of the most-anticipated segments on the comedian’s popular talk show. During the month of February, the series has paired up Panic at the Disco and Sisqo, Weezer and ZZ Top, alternative band Haim with Morris Day & The Time, and Blackstreet along with Aloe Blacc. Founded in 1973, KC and the Sunshine Band carved out one of the biggest musical careers of all time with their feel-good anthems "That's the Way (I Like It)", "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty", and “Please Don’t Go.” Under the leadership of front man Harry Wayne Casey, the band also became one of the biggest touring draws of all time – a mark they still hold over four decades later. Their music has also been featured in box-office favorites as Blow and Roll Bounce, in addition to a successful series of video games titled Dance Dance Revolution. Born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway in Atlanta, Georgia, CeeLo Green has carved out one of the most varied careers in the world of entertainment. As an artist, he’s enjoyed success with the Hip Hop group Goodie Mob, and later as a member of the duo Gnarls Barkley. He also enjoyed a huge international hit in 2010 with “Fuck You!” He has guest-starred on series such as Anger Management and Parenthood, and is also well-known to audiences for his four seasons serving as a celebrity coach on NBC’s The Voice. In 2013, he released his autobiography Everybody’s Brother. Casey said he is very much looking forward to the collaboration. “KC and the Sunshine Band has always tried to incorporate a variety of sounds in our music – while being true to ourselves musically. Being able to collaborate with someone like CeeLo will definitely give us a chance to stretch and get those creative juices flowing – and it will make for one hell of a party.” For more information on KC and the Sunshine Band, please visit heykcsb.com. # # #

The Church Of Chris Pratt

Take Me To Church
Chris Pratt

It's Sunday, and this weeks inspiration comes from The Church of Chris Pratt. Gotta love this hunky, funny, sexy monkey of a guy. I know I do!

He recently took to his Instagram to inspire people out there to keep your dreams alive. Here is what he wrote while filming Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Passengers back to back in Atlanta.

Don't you wish you were Anna Faris?! 


"It's 3:20am. I got picked up for work at 6:45am yesterday. I'm not good with math, especially after being up for approximately 61 hours but I think I've been up for over 77 hours. I did a table read for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 this morning and then shot all day on Passengers and just now wrapped some 144 hours later. Weirdly both films, which i'll be shooting back to back, are being shot in Atlanta at Pinewood studios. We have the best crew. Total rock stars busting their asses. And the stuff we're shooting. My God. I can't wait for you to see it. I go back in in about 8 hours to do more. I am doing what I love. It doesn't feel like work. Even though it is. I'm having fun. I'm overcome with joy and gratitude. I felt like posting this to say to anyone out there chasing your dream... Fifteen years ago I felt the same passion I feel today, but I had very little opportunity. I had to hustle hard and go hungry. I had to eat sardines and figure out how to get gas money. And I never had a plan B. I never stopped believing. Ever. Don't give up. Apply constant pressure for as long as it takes. It will break before you do. Go get it."

Preach!

Join the congregation of Chris Pratt at: 
https://www.instagram.com/prattprattpratt/?hl=en

Robert Downey Jr. Goes Blaxican!

RDJ & The Blaxican Gang

I have unfortunately never met Robert Downey Jr. - I say this because I've only ever heard & seen him be one cool guy.

Well here is more proof, while filming Captain America: Civil War in Atlanta, RDJ got his eat on at the Blaxican food truck.

Being the guy he is Robert posed for photos with the owner and his crew. 

Such a a good guy, no wonder he was cast as Iron Man!

RDJ on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000375/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Small Is Beautiful With Trevor Hall

Trevor Hall, Om Shanti
Photo: Emory Hall



King Of  Mellow, Trevor Hall goes with the flow and embraces the vibe of the road to let you know, small is beautiful.

TREVOR HALL ANNOUNCES “SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL” HEADLINE TOUR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 10th IN SAN FRANCISCO NORTH AMERICAN TOUR FOLLOWS RELEASE OF LATEST ALBUM CHAPTER OF THE FOREST  Singer songwriter Trevor Hall will be heading back on the road this fall on a North American headline tour beginning on September 10th at Slim's in San Francisco, CA. The “Small is Beautiful” tour will include stops in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston and New York City. See the full list of dates below. The announcement comes on the heels of Trevor having wrapped up a 30+ city amphitheater tour with Michael Franti’s Soulshine Summer shows. For tour updates visit: www.smarturl.it/thtour  Trevor recently surprised his fans with the sudden release of his new 12-track album Chapter of the Forest, a collection of songs born during a yearlong sabbatical where Trevor returned to his beloved India, Nepal, Vermont, and Maine, and spent that time in deep reflection and spiritual connection.

 “This album is inspired by simplicity, by the roots of life, and by the beauty that one finds in solitude and in nature,” says Trevor.


Chapter of the Forest was released on June 17th and debuted at #3 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart and #17 on the iTunes Overall Albums chart.  

Commenting on his “Small Is Beautiful” tour Trevor states, "The 'Small Is Beautiful' tour goes along with the same message as "Chapter of the Forest." It’s about coming back to the roots and approaching music in a simple and conscious way.”

WATCH A SPECIAL ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF THE FIRST SINGLE “WISH MAN” HERE:http://youtu.be/QIzF-8CM3g8

LISTEN TO “WISH MAN” here: https://soundcloud.com/vanguard-records/trevor-hall-wish-man

 Small is Beautiful Tour Dates:

 
September

10                  San Francisco, CA        Slim’s
12                  Portland, OR                 Aladdin Theatre
13                  Seattle, WA                   Nectar Lounge
14                  Vancouver, BC              Media Club
16                  Missoula, MT                Top Hat
18                  Salt Lake City, UT         The State Room
20                  Ft. Collins, CO               Aggie Theatre
21                  Aspen, CO                     Belly Up Aspen
24                  Lake Tahoe, CA            Crystal Bay
27                  San Juan Capistrano    The Coach House
28                  Los Angeles, CA            The Troubadour

October

7                     Charleston, SC              Music Farm
10                   Tampa, FL                      The Ringside Café
11                   Orlando, FL                   The Social
12                   Jacksonville, FL             Freebird Live
14                   Asheville, NC                Grey Eagle
15                 Atlanta, GA                      Eddie’s Attic
17                 Ozark, AR                         Harvest Festival
18                 St. Louis, MO                   Off Broadway
19                 Evanston, IL                     Space
21                 Cleveland, OH                 Music Box
23                 Burlington, VT                 Higher Ground
24                  Boston, MA                     Middle East
25                  New York, NY                  Gramercy Theatre
26                  Vienna, VA                      Jammin’ Java
28                  Philadelphia, PA             World Café Live
29                  Fairfield, CT                     Stage One

Hang Loose With Trevor at: http://www.trevorhallmusic.com/