jeanneferris.com – Page 6 – writer & journalist, essays & latest updates

The Glass Slipper

May 11th, 2015

As a former shoe junkie, I certainly loved the story of Cinderella, the glass slipper and her fairy godmother with her magical wand. Who wouldn’t want an entire fabulous, sparkly outfit from head to toe constructed from thin air and for free? Oh wait, movie stars get it for free.

Anyway, throw in a handsome, rich Prince and life is good.

As one of life’s greatest ironies, my youngest daughter’s favorite princess of all the Disney princessess was Cinderella (the gilded shoe doesn’t fall far from the decorative box)…so thanks to Ms. Laurel and Mr. Bernie, we were their sixth row guests of a transformative two hours and twenty-five minutes from reality at the Civic Theatre. Sans the Bibbi-dee, bobbi-dee boo.

Yeah, yeah, I know that feminists would like to reconstruct all fairy tales to have empowered, self-reliant and practical feminine characters who wield pension plans and mergers in the boardroom instead of stilletos and gossamer tulle—and that in reality, a handsome Prince doesn’t show up and rescue one from poverty and abuse but that Cinderella would instead be the founder of a ‘battered women’s’ shelter.

However, the Prince was clueless about the poverty and disadvantaged in his kingdom. (Today, the disadvantaged are the homeless who live under our freeway overpasses. In fairy tales, they are the peasants who live in hovels). It took Cinderella to bring that to his attention. Really? Then he must be a good-looking, tall bimbo.

At least, that is how Rodgers and Hammerstein saw it.

And may I remind you, princesses can only become a queen if they marry a Prince who becomes King or they inherit the throne from a monarch parent. Hear ye, hear ye Cinderella: Sheryl Sandberg has a message, ”LEAN IN”.

The real morale of the story is that Cinderella’s virtues are:

Forgiveness
Kindness
Charity

The tenets of Christianity and a cheerful attitude saved Cinderella’s harsh imprisonment from defeating her. And the fact this is a fairy tale. The good thing is— the Prince saw beyond her fabulous, sparkly outfit (I assume Cinderella was A.D.) and was attracted to her goodness. #whatsinsidethatcounts.

So maybe, he wasn’t such a bimbo. Anyway, I would have had a hard time forgiving that awful gold-digging beast of a Stepmother.

The comic relief in the play came from not the singing birds and mice, but from the plus size stepsister with the mouth from the south, Charlotte (played to the hilt by Aymee Garcia). She got all the laughs with her self absorbed, larger than life personality (no pun intended).

And the real magic was how Wardrobe Supervisor, Donna Landis Peck made Cinderella’s dresses transform magically right on her body. It was a genuine and audible, “OOOH, AAAH” from the audience (self included) when Cinderella was outfitted by Marie, the Fairy Godmother (Kecia Lewis is an amazing singer and stage presence in lavendar taffeta).

Thanks to fairy tales, we left the theatre smiling and feeling happy because all was right in our kingdom. (Psst, the gentleman next to me had a tear running down his face when the Prince rescued Cinderella! It was that good. Either that or he couldn’t wait for it to be over.)

By the way, the starlit glass slipper was designed by Stuart Weitzman. Sigh. Where is my fairy godmother?

Blessings,

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Brave New Hair

March 13th, 2015

So my dear friend Beth Ann has conquered cancer! She like Columbus, took the long way. It was a year ago last month that she started down the yellow brick road back to the land of the living. She is cancer free and done with drugs. Really done with drugs. Like doesn‘t even want to pop Advil.

I on the other hand, have embraced the short “do” so much I have not gone back to long tresses. Now I understand why men are always waiting impatiently. May I just say, it is not the clothes or the shoes, nor the make-up. It is the damn hair-do!

Up or down?
Blow-dry or air dry?
Headband or clips?
Behind the ears or in front?
Color or more color (no woman over 50 wants to be fifty shades of any kind of grey)
Yada-Yada.

When I first went bald, I felt like an Asian Lady Boy—or a Buddhist monk who should be clothed in saffron and burgundy. I could have chanted Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo or whatever…and gave out chrysanthemum leis and no one would have questioned my faith or gender.

Often, people would let me cut to the front of the line as if I might expire before reaching the register. (I was never sure if they thought I had cancer or it was a Pay It Forward act, in any case, I confess I did use the “C” card). Or they would cut me off—afraid to look at me. As if I would contaminate them with a glance. I always accepted the cuts and made sure to run my cart into theirs if they ignored me.

Not really.

But it was an amazing social experiement to be bald. Thank you Beth. I never would have known the freedom and sheer adrenaline to shave one‘s head was similar to natural childbirth. Less pain but lots o‘ adrenaline.

You wore it all with grace and dignity. The baldness and the illness. I am so glad to share more karaoke and laughs with you! Planning for the future is not something to take for granted so planning is back on. I especially love your pixie cut. Very youthful.

Here‘s looking at you kid! God bless you and you ARE blessed.

P.S. You too, Julia!!

Live Long and Prosper, Mr. Nimoy

March 2nd, 2015

Of all the characters in Star Trek, it was Spock that I identified with because he was mystical and calm. And never afraid. And different. Vulcan different.

Not necessarily characteristics I embody but two of which that I would like to. His struggle to be objective and unemotional was fun to watch because the human side seemed to spill over like white froth on cappuccino when he would lose control. But only rarely. And then I would sigh with relief that being human was always forgiveable.

Plus the ears! I remember thinking, what? Who thought of that? Roddenbery, of course.

And the mind meld thing—who wouldn’t like to use that on a few people?!

Yes, he will be missed. Apparently, he was a prolific poet, an author and a photographer. I also heard the Starfleet crew had a record (LP) floating around somewhere…how funny that would be to hear them singing…or trying to. Sounds like it would be bad karaoke. Can you imagine Nimoy singing ”Fly Me to the Moon”?

So hopefully, one day, we will cross paths upstairs and I can tell him how much fun I had watching him play an alien/human.

Space. Not the final frontier anymore. It is our minds. Or in our minds.

God bless, j

God Bless 2015

January 13th, 2015

According to the Feng Shui calendar for 2015, the number 5 star visiting on the west side of the Bagua brings affliction.

There are 50 states in the U.S—In numerology, 5+0 = 5.

All democratic countries are considered the “west” and I guess you could say that the U.S. is being afflicted by the #5 star which also governs mishaps like the North Korean/Sony hack…

Western European country, Paris was more than a mishap. It was outright murder. Killing to prevent freedom of expression was a shot heard around the world. It is right up there with Farenheit 451. “They” say journalism is the most dangerous job in the world. Well, this proves “them” right.

Je Suis Charlie.

It worries me late into the early dawn what world my children are inheriting. Especially the world their children will inherit…the news is allowed to infiltrate our home at a minimum. Unfortunately, her history teacher makes her watch CNN so the terrors and fears of the outside world is very present in her young and tender mind and heart.

So yes, God Bless 2015…because 13 days into 2015 has found us on our knees praying for peace and harmony. Every day. Every night.

San Diego Film Festival 2014 Raises the Ante of Stardom with new sponsor, “Variety”

November 20th, 2014

sdfilmfest.com

The opening night premiere of “Wild” with Reese Witherspoon was sold out, standing room only at the San Diego Film Festival (SDFF). Screening was at Reading Theatres in the Gaslamp. An outstanding screenplay adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s autobiography about her solitary Pacific Crest Trail journey was excellently directed by Jean-Marc Vallee.

It is sure to garner Witherspoon an Oscar nomination for her commitment to roughing it in the woods.

The Pacific Crest Trail will never see the bottoms of my boots because having discovered a recent serious bee venom allergy—the great outdoors looks mighty different to me now. Particularly, near wildflowers.

Every day of the festival offered world premieres and U.S. premieres of independent and studio pictures both at Reading and the Arclight theatre at UTC. Often, there would be such a conflict for me to choose which ones I could forego or not. Also, the Q & A after some of the screenings added depth and insight into the movies created.

One screening that stood out for me was “The Good Lie”. Amazing true story of former Sudanese child soldiers who came to America and asked for asylum. Again, with Ms. Reese Witherspoon, playing comic foil to the tribulations of these Sudanese exiles.

Best party?

“The Chairman’s Reception” (chairman being Dale Strack of SDFF) at the gorgeous La Jolla Contemporary Museum (a star in its own right), a SDFF signature event titled, “Variety’s Night of the Stars” .

This event complete with red carpet and movie stars (see photos) honored the always funny and mostly grumpy, Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor and North County resident, Alan Arkin. He was present to recieve the Gregory Peck Lifetime Achievement Award which the event awards tributes to veterans in the business.

Jeffrey Lyon moderated and interviewed. Unfortunately, a rogue newscast overshadowed the audio of clips shown throughout the evening’s presentation.

His response when I asked Arkin who did he think was funny?

Eddie Izzard.
And some female, I never heard of: Maria Bamford (sp?).

Arkin said she was hilarious, and Izzard: brilliant.

Arkin’s favorite Gregory Peck movie was Arkin’s first film:

“The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming”.

Berenger was in town to present the Chris Brinker award to John Beaton Hill for his indie, “Wolves of Savin Hill” and a Q & A for “Bad Country”. This film was directed and produced by San Diegan Indie Chris Brinker who suffered a sudden demise a few years back and subsequently, the Chris Brinker award was created for indie directors.

Also on the Red Carpet… actors:

Eli Roth (Inglourius Basterds—he stole every scene he was in)
Tom Berenger (Rough Riders—also one of his favorite movies to make)
Michelle Monaghan (Fort Bliss)
Beau Bridges (Showtime’s Masters of Sex)
Alison Pill (HBO’s The Newsroom)
Saginaw Grant (an excellent feature! The World’s Fastest Indian)

Ms. Monoghan revealed she was five months pregnant while filming “Fort Bliss”, a film she is very proud to be a part of and was shocked at the prevalent sex abuse in the military. The film was made in 21 days.

I asked Mr. Bridges where he was putting his award (Cinema Vanguard) which he was receiving that night he quipped, “In the closet”. He said one of his favorite movies was “The Fabulous Baker Boys” which also starred his brother, Jeff Bridges. It is one of my all time favorites too. Love, love the music.

Good looker Josh Duhamel, deep velvet voiced Dennis Haysbert and kind Stelio Savante were in attendance at the Insider’s Panel which was moderated by the funny Jeffrey Lyons and his bright son, Ben Lyons . This was a sell-out event at the movie set of a nightclub, Vin De Syrah in the Gaslamp. Cleverly designed to resemble the underground where Alice fell into the hole, guests are always charmed by the whimsical interior.

Below: Dennis Haysbert being interviewed at “Syrah”.

Above photo:

Patti Judd SDFF VP, Dale Strack SDFF Chairman, Tonya Mantooth SDFF talented VP of Programming, actor Tom Berenger and lady friend, Kevin Leap SDFF President.

For all movie buffs, indie enthusiasts, or festing global travelers—San Diego is THE place to screen movies, party hard and play nice!

2014 Competition Award Winners:

Best Narrative Feature: Where the Road Runs Out
Best Documentary: Waiting for Mamu
Best International: Schimbare
Best Narrative Short: The Bravest and The Boldest
Best Animated Film: Dam Keeper

2014 Audience Award Winners:

Best Gala Film The Imitation Game
Best Feature Cas & Dylan
Best Documentary Waiting for Mamu
Best Short Sure Thing
Best International Noble
Kumeyaay Award: Sycuan: Our People, Our Culture, Our History
UT San Diego Award: Where The Road Runs Out
Chairman’s Award: The Hornet’s Nest

Well there you have it. Next year, same sunny place—Get your tickets at www.sdfilmfest.com

Best news of the week?

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the San Diego Film Commission (SDFC) was going to be resurrected and that San Diego is including the SDFC in its budget. YIPPEE!! San Diego is back in the moviemaking biz. We are on the map.

Red Carpet photographs courtesy of the generous and amazing Suzette Valle of Hollyblogger and The Wrap. I bow to you.

Bad nightclub photograph of Dennis Haysbert with IPhone, yours truly.

Peace and may your Thanksgiving be filled with it,

YAY! School!

August 26th, 2014

God knows how I love my kids. But 24/7 of dishes and “what are we going to do today” is wearisome. So. Yay! School!

On another note, my dear friend, Beth has been pronounced “cancer free” after a vigilant six weeks of chemo. But just to make sure they are going to burn her at the stake like Joan of Arc…with radiation.

Now, Beth likes to read EVERYTHING about the drugs they give her including, those pesky side effects. It would keep me awake at night to read that stuff. I hate hearing about what they are going to do let alone, read about the drugs. But Beth likes to do her due diligence. I really can’t blame her. I still wouldn’t read about it. She didn’t want to proceed with the treatment but hers is an agressive type of breast cancer. Even if all the cells are gone, they are making sure no renegades get through the front line…nuke the suckers!

Keep on praying,

P.S. I love my hair!!! So liberating not to have to worry about what I’m going to with it. Vanity be damned.

“Cancer Schmancer”

March 21st, 2014

“Cancer Schmancer” is the title of a humorous autobiography by actress, Fran Drescher of the television sit-com “The Nanny”. It is about her successful fight with uterine cancer.

Today, my favorite yoga teacher and one of my ‘besties’ is fighting that bitch of a disease.

Beth is the model of dignity, grace and courage…plus she ‘strong like bull’. Greek descent, she is Spartacus in female form and would wake four in the morning, meditate, make her kids breakfast, teach five yoga classes in hot heat, walk her dog and then make dinner for her kids all with a smile and continual kind words to dispense to her friends.

She found a lump by self examination and her life changed literally overnight.

She has inspired me to join her in climbing Mt. Baldy. A big shout out to her longtime hairdresser, Estie with Swagg Salon, who was our hair “sherpa” for free.

The healthy public’s response has been an interesting experience for me. Either, I am encouraged to go to the front of the line, ignored or complimented on my beautiful hair don’t. Most assume that I am ill.

Pray for Beth’s complete and wholesome recovery and if so inclined, please donate to <Silver Age Yoga.com> for a tax deductible receipt of any monetary value to help Beth with her recovery.

I wish you peace and a Happy Spring,

A Yummy Recipe for a Healthy and Intermittently Rainy (Drought Go Away!) 2014

January 13th, 2014

Into each day:

Put equal parts of…

Faith
Patience
Courage
Work
Hope
Fidelity
Charity
Kindness
Rest
Prayer
Meditation

Remember to add one teaspoonful of…

Good Spirits
a Dash of Fun
a Pinch of Folly (after all, we are human and not angels)

and always, always, top off with a Sprinkle of Play and a Generous cupful of Good Humor.

Warm wishes to all,

Eyes are you SEA WORLD!

November 22nd, 2013

With all that we now know about dolphins and whales—it is time for Sea World to catch up with the new information and set aside its archaic way of making money. The damage control on the public relations part of rescuing pelicans, seals, and other hurt animals doesn’t make up for intentionally putting humans (Orca KILLER whale trainers) in harm’s way of a giant mammal gone bonkers. They are sonar creatures and live in concrete pools–well…DUH. It is the mammal’s version of a mental breakdown.

We have had the heartbreaking documentary of THE COVE by Ric O’Barry and now we have CNN’s BLACK FISH. The faithful customer of purchasing baby dolphins from the Japanese dolphin hunters and baby Orca KILLER whale hunters?

Yup. That’s right. SEA WORLD!

This is an institution that is a money making machine which perpetuates fallacies and myths by its Board of Directors. Because these mammals are valued at over a milion dollars there is no way the investors are giving these investments up. So poor “Tilly” (stage name: SHAMU) the whale in Florida who killed Dawn Branchaeu (his trainer) sits and stares at a concrete wall in an isolation tank because he has been deemed violent. He will never know the freedom of being wild in the ocean.

Why don’t we shut the Sea World’s Board of Directors in a sensory deprived tank —each in isolation for the remainder of their lives and only let them out for applause and a few fish?

BLACKFISH and THE COVE are right up there with the horrifying images of “12 YEARS AS A SLAVE”.

Tilly is also a slave —to humans. The only difference is, humans can speak and plot and hopefully find a way through other humans (earth walking angels) whose heart may listen and help with the freeing of that poor soul.

Who can Tilly ask for help? Better yet, HOW can Tilly ask for help?

We have boycotted countries for genocide and other atrocities in hopes of holding them accountable for ignoring human rights. The public has the power to educate their children and avoid spending their monies at SEA WORLD.

BOYCOTT SEA WORLD!!
BOYCOTT SEA WORLD!!
BOYCOTT SEA WORLD!!

It is that simple.

My children have been immersed in the ugly details of why (I waited till they were older of course) and they know better than to ask to go to SEA WORLD now. Even if one of their friends is having a birthday party there.

It is your duty as a human being living in San Diego to watch BLACKFISH. Especially if you work there. Find a job where you don’t have to see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. These magnificent creatures are under our stewardship.

You don’t have to go to Africa or another continent on a Christian mission to understand compassion and charity. There is a mission right here in San Diego. Be the change.

I give thanks I live in the free world where I can write and speak in protest of imprisoned victims for monetary gain (be they mammals, animals or otherwise).

Festing at San Diego Film Festival

October 7th, 2013

Hello!

Festing at San Diego Film Festival (SDFF) felt like I took a vacation in my own town.

I got to:

preview a big Oscar contender, the harrowing and exhausting “12 Years as a Slave” (hated it but appreciated its objective)
spoke with Judd Apatow, a very funny director—I asked him if Brick (a character from Anchorman I) would ever pay for his crimes? He answered, very good question and very good idea, but he wasn’t going to pay me for it. Thank you for the good question, Sorensen, we can sue him for property rights together 🙂
took a photograph with a very influential man, Jeffrey Lyons, a New York movie critic, (not your usual movie star, but nevertheless, a well respected opinion)
met many creative and movie loving people at the V.I.P. lounges and Industry Panels
observed people observing actors who observed the cameras while walking the red carpet
AND worked with other devoted volunteers who hope to see SDFF reach the same respected level of other international festivals such as the Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, the Tribecca Film Festival, etc.
made one good friend whom I will stay in touch with

Of course, there were some technical glitches like only half a reel was screened at the tribute for Judd Apatow, microphones faded out perpetually, misprinted theater locations and times, understaffing, but like all good recipes, each year should be better and better. I believe the co-founders, Dale Strack and Tonya Mantooth have their hearts in the right place and deserve the support and applause for their gargantuan effort in producing this monumental event.

The V.I.P. lounges were packed with beautiful people, wannabee movie stars, sponsors and “industry” professionals. Industry is the word which is used for people who work in, with and around movie magic…even catering is fancily known as craft services.

A memorable image for me is when one particular young man did not move for a good half hour as he methodically stuffed his face over a communal trough of free sushi at the Bang Bang Club (opening night party). Despite the throbbing, overly loud bass speaker, I overheard another gentleman yell, “Germs!” to his date with complete distaste and pulled her away to escape it all. Having not eaten since lunchtime and hearing Big Ben chiming 10:00 p.m. (really, just my stomach grumbling)—I, being known as the next paranoid Howard Hughes contender… threw caution to the darkness and timidly stuck my chopsticks into this germ ridden trough to skewer a tiny sushi roll. I ended up sticking my fingers in it and popping in succession, about five pieces into my mouth because I couldn’t pick it up with sticks. I guess I must have looked like the other guy who was still stuffing rolls as fast as he could before anyone else could get in front of him.

I also popped a Super Immunity vitamin when I got home after washing my hands in boiling hot water with lye.

The next starry night at the gorgeous venue, Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, I drank Northern California pinot noir and ate at the craft service table of the restaurant Amaya chefs and felt I had arrived at the right party. To the tune of a single flamenco guitar, I chatted with sponsors, actors and filmmakers. Tonight’s tribute was for Judd Apatow and following his receipt of the Visionary Filmmaker Award, Apatow sat down with Jeffrey Lyon for an entertaining interview but not before the zealous and family unfriendly David Koechner profanely extolled Apatow’s directorship and comedic prowess—Koechner’s tribute sounded more like a roast than a toast.

The post reception offered pumpkin pudding mousse, key lime meringue cookie, and rich dark chocolates with white wine only for me (no red wine was allowed nor served inside the museum) with a full bar for the more intrepid drinkers. The only stars I wanted to meet was a Native American and the Buddhist monk whose introduction was as the Peace Emissary of the Dalai Lama. Twenty four old Justin Nappi received the Emerging Producer award and his parents were apparently friends of the Peace Emissary, so we all got a little Tibetan whirled peas as a result.

Jeez louise, Nappi only graduated in 2010 and he’s making movies like Arbitrage!

I just figured out I wanted to write my novel in 2010 after two kids and an almost film career as an actor in my 20’s. It pays to set goals in the womb, I guess.

Screening after screening, I found myself sneaking my fancy multi-colored silk and satin covered hemmoriod pillow into the theater to offset all that sitting. Shhh! My glamour. With my butter soaked popcorn (who cares, I’m not in front of the camera) and regular soda pop, (no diet for me, have you ever seen a skinny person order diet Coke or Pepsi?)…I am satiated with festing till next year’s festival. Plus, I didn’t want my family to divorce me for staying out so much.

Till then, can’t wait.