My Movie: The Newsboy

I entered a film in the Wyoming Short Film Contest. It's called The Newsboy and it's about a boy from 1912 who travels to the future to sell his newspapers.

Here's the link

http://www.wyomingshortfilmcontest.com/VideoContest/Entries.aspx?vcId=1198276&v=1347961

Friday Flicks: Birdman of Alcatraz

The Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) Burt Lancaster and Karl Malden - based on a true story about Robert Franklin Stroud, the real "Birdman."




Some of my favorite prison flicks:

The Dirty Dozen (1967) Lee Marvin and John Cassavetes-- WWII flick with all-star cast including Ernest Borgnine, Donald Sutherland, Clint Walker, Telly Savales, Jim Brown, Charles Bronson - "Killin' generals could get to be a habit with me."

Cool Hand Luke (1967) Paul Newman, George Kennedy and Strother Martin - Kennedy won an Oscar for his role as Dragline - "What we have here is failure to communicate."

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman - beautiful story, amazing cinematography, suburb performances. "Hope can drive a man insane."

Papillon (1973) Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen - the first time I saw a prisoner eat a rat! "I accuse you of a wasted life!"

O, Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson- Coen Brothers bizarre Odyssey parody. Great music! "We thought you was a toad!"

The Green Mile (1999) Tom Hanks and Michael Clark Duncan - skillful adaptation of Stephen King's serial short story. A creative mix of tragedy, humor and fantasy. "People hurt the ones they love. That's how it is all around the world."

Phillip Phillips and Colton Dixon ROCK American Idol

It was Billy Joel week at American Idol and you just gotta take a look at my top favorite performers of the night!

What's with all the fairy tale shows?

Let me say right off the bat that I'm a huge fan of the new TV show "Once Upon a Time," a delicious metamorphosis of reality and fantasy whereby the characters live parallel lives in both realities. It's one of the most creative and beautifully shot shows I've seen in a long time. As an avid TV Watcher and Movie Goer, that says a lot.

But I've noticed the copycat shows are starting to come out of the woodwork. Grimm; Mirror, Mirror; Snow White and the Huntsman...and there are probably more that will pop up like poison poppies in an Ozymandian meadow.

I don't understand the copycat syndrome. Has no one the ability or the desire to create an original story? "They" say there are no original ideas. I disagree. Yes, fairy tales have been around for ages, but the creators of  "Once Upon a Time" have taken the genre to another level. That's what I'm talking about.

Here and now I challenge creative people everywhere to THINK! Go for a walk. Take a trip. Clear your head. Ride a horse. Wash a dog. Bake a pie. DO SOMETHING! Color outside the lines. Think outside the box. Don't worry about what everyone else says -- write what's in your heart. Believe in yourself. Believe in others.

Rant complete. Carry on.

Shooting a Movie Today

I haven't posted much lately because I've been in pre-production on a movie I'm shooting for the Wyoming Short Film Contest. It's been absolutely INSANE! But fun!

Today is the shoot and I'm pretty excited. My movie is a time travel story about a newsboy from Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1912 who travels to the Cheyenne of the future to sell his newspapers. As he explores the town, he experiences the modern amenities of the future such as computers, video games, ipods, kindle,etc.

Hoping to get the majority of the shooting done today and some pick up shots tomorrow. Deadline is April 4! Stay tuned.

Music Humor

Friday Flicks: Diamonds Are Forever

Next to Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever (1971) is my favorite Bond film. It may not be the most critically acclaimed of the Bond movies, but it holds special memories for me because it was one of the few movies I saw in the theatre with my family. We didn't have much family time and we had a lot of problems, but movies seemed to knock down all the barriers.

I absolutely LOVED the opening credits animation and the theme music. Watching Bond through the barrell of a gun and red "blood" dripping down to the sound of a cool bass guitar was thrilling. Oh, yeah!

Sean Connery on the Big Screen was amazing to say the least. Even at age 14, I could see he was a ten on the handsome scale. I loved the shiny red sports car with all the bells and whistles and the beautiful Jill St. John. The character name puns were so clever-- Tiffany Case, Plenty O'Toole, Bambi and Thumper.

I'll never forget the scene where James is trapped in a coffin about to be cremated. I thought there's no way in the world he could get out of this one! But lo and behold, he jumps out of the coffin calm and dignified without a wrinkle in his suit, like he was ready to go to a royal ball.

I was also impressed with Mr. Kidd (Putter Smith) and Mr. Wint (Bruce Glover). They were so creepy. The poison tarantula scene freaked me out!

Shout out to my friend Craig who is celebrating 50 Years of James Bond on his blog Let's Get Out of Here

Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees!

Tribute to The Monkees! They got me through the tough times in my preteen years. Their show was the highlight of my week. And of course their pictures were plastered all over the teen magazines, especially Davy Jones. I remember a Brady Bunch episode where Marcia had a crush on Davy, who made a guest appearance on the show. Ah, those were the good old days.

In remembrance of Davy Jones:

Friday Flicks: Revolutionary Road

The one word that describes this movie is INTENSE. You won't walk away from this movie and be the same person.

Story: Set in the 1950s, a young couple (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) get fed up with societal expectations (home in the suburbs, kids, gender roles), so they decide to leave it all and go to Europe to live a Bohemian life. But when the husband gets a promotion at work and changes his mind, his wife see that all her hopes and dreams are shattered. The result is tragic.

In my opinion this was Leonardo DiCaprio's best performance.

Audition Cancelled

So Peter and I go the community college playhouse for the Maltese Falcon/Casablanca Radio Drama auditions and we find out the auditions are CANCELLED!

It appears there was a scheduling conflict at the last minute. I just hope the show will go on. I've been looking forward to this audition for weeks!

I even updated my acting resume. I'm not a professional actor, but lately the theatre has been asking for resumes. Here's mine:

Luana Krause

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Hazel

Height: 5’ 5”

STAGE

SUNNYSIDE PLAYERS

Sketch comedy/drama/monologues – 2004 to 2011 (actor/writer/director)

Razzle Dazzle Radio Comedy Theatre – 2011 (actor/writer/director)

Valentine’s Day Dessert Theatre – 2010 (actor/writer/director)

CHEYENNE LITTLE THEATRE PLAYERS

The Odd Couple – 2010 (stage crew)

Sherlock Holmes Radio Drama – 2008 (commercial announcer/writer)

Oliver! – 2008 (actor “Old Sally”/barmaid/chorus)

FILM

SKATING BUFFALO PRODUCTIONS

“The Bear Switch Project” for Cheyenne Shoot Out 24-Hour Filmmaking Festival – 2011 (producer/director/writer – film won Best Picture/Best Comedy/Best Actor)

“My Heart Belongs to an Alien” – 2011 (producer/director/writer)

Video commercial contests – 2011 (producer/director/writer)

PANAMAX35

“The Prototypes” – 2009 (actor “news broadcaster/mother”)

“Heinz Mascot Meeting” – 2009 (actor)

“Bad Radio” – 2009 (extra)

WORKSHOPS/TRAINING

Video Production seminar with Alan O’Hashi - 2011

Sunnyside Players workshops – 2011, 2006

Covenant Players workshop– 2007

“Drama Now!” seminar with Chuck Neighbors – 2007

SPECIAL SKILLS

Accents: British – Cockney – New York – Texan – Southern – Italian - French – Spanish – German

Play guitar

Choral singing

Depressing Songs

Music taps into our emotions -- happy, excited, whimsical, frisky, bold, fearless, jumpy, morose, reflective and sometimes downright depressed. Here is a list of some of the most depressing songs I know.

Cats in the Cradle (sung by Harry Chapin)

Circle Game (sung by Joni Mitchell)

Honey (sung by Bobby Goldsboro)

I Will Always Love You (sung by Whitney Houston)

My Heart Will Go On (sung by Celine Dione)

Wind Beneath My Wings (sung by Bette Midler)

Leaving on a Jet Plane (sung by John Denver)


I know I will think of others and add them to my list. What are your choices?

Friday Flicks: The Purple Rose of Cairo

A Woody Allen masterpiece The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) is original, funny and brilliant. The idea of a character walking out of a movie and entering "real life" is magical! I could relate to Cecilia (played by Mia Farrow) and how she escaped her drab life by watching movies. My childhood was not that great, but I found a way of escape in TV and movies. In junior high The Brady Bunch was one of my favorite shows. I would have loved it if Peter Brady had walked out of my TV and asked me to be his girlfriend. Swoon!

Audition Time

Excited about an upcoming audition for the Maltese Falcon/Casablanca radio drama presented by our community theatre  - the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players.

It will be a reader's theatre production which means no memorization and only two performances. We will be wearing costumes circa 1940s. Lucky for me I don't have to worry. My drama closet is well stocked. 

There are six male characters and only two female characters (it figures!) However, they will need people as announcers and Foley artists for sound effects (footsteps, doors opening, glass breaking, etc.)

This is my first audition since The Odd Couple in 2010. (I didn't get cast but I worked on the stage crew.)

"God, I hope I get it! I hope I get it! How many people does he need?..." (channeling A Chorus Line).

Losing It

Just thought I'd update everyone on my new healthy lifestyle program. I have lost nine pounds and I'm feeling great!.

So what am I doing right?

Eating healthier foods and less processed foods. I'm learning that processed foods are toxic to our bodies. Just take a look at the list of ingredients on a processed food. So many chemicals and additives. Better to make your meals fresh and from scratch. For example, instead of eating a bowl of canned chili, make it yourself. It is healthier and you know exactly what's in it.

Making sure I get enough exercise and doing different kids of exercises that I enjoy.

Getting used to eating normal portions. After all, I'm not a lumberjack burning 10,000 calories a day.

I'm still enjoying special treats, but choosing lower calorie versions (a fudgesicle at 100 calories vs a cup of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce with peanuts at 600 calories)

Experimenting with foods I've never tried before like quinoa and couscous. I made a delicious quinoa dish the other day with fresh red bell pepper, garlic, onion, parsley and olive oil.

Not letting myself get into starvation mode which can lead to over eating. I eat small meals throughout the day.

Planning my splurges. When I go to the movies, I plan for my small popcorn and small Pepsi (550 calories).

Knowledge about how many calories are in the foods I'm eating. When I found out that the small dessert shooters at Applebees were 360 calories each, it was pretty easy to say "No, thank you!"

Friday Flicks: Lord of the Rings: -The Two Towers

I've been in an intense family drama for the past few weeks and did not have the mental focus to post Friday Flicks. Today is my first in a while. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) is part two of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The creature Gollem's battle with himself and the release of Theoden, King Rohan, from the evil clutches of Saruman the White capture a battle that has been going on in my life  in recent weeks.

Not to freak anyone out, but this movie has become a metaphor for my life lately. Let's just say I know what it feels like to be an exorcist.

I'm Married to Batman

This is the picture that pops up on my
phone when Hubby calls.

Five reasons why my hubby is like Batman:

1) He's always there when I need him. Just one Bat Signal away.

2) He loves crime-fighting gadgets.

3) He looks good in a cape.

4) He can't fly.

5) He likes to say "Haven't you noticed how we always escape the vicious ensnarements of our enemies?"

Modigliani



Adrienne (Woman with Bangs) 1917



Every year I get an engagement calender for my desk -- always something beautiful and inspiring. This year I am enjoying artwork from the National Gallery of Art.

The featured work this week is Amedeo Modigliani's painting "Adriennne Woman with Bangs" 1917 --- oil on linen. I find this piece compelling and mysterious. I would like to know this woman. I wonder what she was thinking and what her life was like. So many questions.

Modigliani's portraits are captivating. I love the rich colors and his simple style that captures the subject in almost abstract caricature. Common feature among his works are the elongated neck and almond-shaped eyes. I wonder what my portrait would look like.

Enjoy the Gallery!

Saturday To Dos

Work out on elliptical.

Go for a walk if weather cooperates.

Go to library for peace and quiet to work on my Bible study class for church tomorrow.

Practice piano: Bach A-minor invention, Beethoven Moonlight Sonata, Joplin Pineapple Rag.

Work on my poppies painting - preliminary sketches and nail down the composition.

Go to grocery store.

Eat, drink and be merry.

Poppies on My Wall

One of my New Year's resolutions is to rekindle my artistic fire and create some beautiful artwork. My first project is to paint a picture for my living room. It will be a large painting of poppies. Poppies are my favorite flower to paint; they are delicate, colorful and full of whimsy and magic. Just what I need right now.

In my research I've found some lovely pieces of art for inspiration:

White Rabbit

My entry for the Doritos Crash the Superbowl commercial is now on my YouTube channel. It's an Alice in Wonderland theme and my darling hubby is the White Rabbit.

The rules limit the commercial to 30 seconds which was very difficult because I had some great footage that I couldn't use. Oh well.

I shot the commercial at the Historic Hynds building in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming.