New Year, New Show, New Start!

 As I write my last blog for 2K13, I can't help but feel so lucky and blessed for getting to work in a field I've always wanted to. With each new opportunity, I get to work with more talented and amazing and creative people. And as you can see in the latest addition, each new job is completely different with new challenges to learn but new opportunities for growth. I can't wait to see what 2K14 has in store for this girl on set!

Building the tutu layer by layer

Ever look underneath a tutu? The construction is intense.

Ok, what girl doesn't love a tutu. I've loved them since I was a young ballerina and I loved them when SJP rocked one on Sex and the City.  This November I got a call from my friend and costume designer Marianne Parker, Costume Director of the Los Angeles City Ballet, to come help with the costumes for the classic Nutcracker Ballet.

 

There was a lot to accomplish in a small amount of time. Repairs, steaming, mending, fittings, and building costumes from the start were just a few of the things to get done. Besides it being pretty magical to work on ballerina costumes, it was a great experience to work on the theatrical side of production.

Actor Deneen Melody

My next project, "Boudoir," written and directed by Gina Ronhovde, is about a female photographer battling internal demons. Marianne Parker was the costume designer for this also, and the red lingerie she pulled for this couldn't have looked more beautiful on camera. I worked as the set costumer for this short film, and it was one long, exciting, thriller of a day.

 

I mean, how hot is Deneen?

Alaia at Saks 5th Ave

 When I work as an assistant costumer (or wardrobe PA), most of my day to day involves pick ups and returns at any and every mall/store/boutique in Los Angeles. I always like to take quick shots of inspiring displays I see while I'm putting around Beverly Hills.

The Valentino store front on Rodeo

 December brought along the good fortune of a new show! No, it's not "Men at Work," but I am working with the same extremely cool costume designer, Pam Chilton. I booked the TNT show "Franklin and Bash," which will start shooting in January. If you haven't been watching, F&B is on their 4th season and stars Mark Paul Gosselaar as Peter Bash (c'mon Zach Morris!) and Breckin Myer as Jared Franklin (Clueless was my fav but he's been in everything) as two comedic lawyers. Here's a tid-bit from the F & B website: Peter has a knack for connecting with jury and judge, while Jared loves sticking it to authority every chance he gets. Despite their bad-boy antics, brash presentation and devil-may-care attitudes, Jared and Peter are good lawyers who are willing to do anything for a client, no matter who the client might be.

 Stay tuned for pics in 2014! We had one pre-shoot day in an auto garage in Culver City. Here's one of many gorgeous rides that will be featured in the new episode. Happy New Year!

From Set to Set

"The Leatherettes" Our on set bad-ass leather jacket rockin band. We're hardcore.

 October was a great month for this girlonset. The sitcoms were back on after a long summer hiatus and it was great to see my cast and crew family.

Like watching people humiliated nightly on "Hell's Kitchen?" They film directly across the street from us at Entertainment Studios in Culver City. Most beautifully designed set I've seen in awhile. This picture doesn't do it justice. 

 

 "Bridesmaids" is a top 5 all time favorite movie for me.  At Universal Costume House, they have these sweet still photo gems along the walls.

Like many production gigs, I got a late night call one night to work on a new Pilot from Amazon called "Maker Shack Agency." What a treat! Such a talented cast and crew. It would be a dream if this got picked up as a series and I got a chance to come back. The storyline is about two brainy high school boys that dream up crafty inventions in their garage to help out kids that get bullied at school. The costume designer was Stacy Caballero, super famous and very sweet.

 

The day before shooting started, we had to "age" a lot of the wardrobe to make it look worn. Fun playing with dirt and paint. 

 The art dept busy dreaming up the Shack.

From Left: Kalama Epstein, CJ, Ashlie, Kenny Ridwan, and Greg Freeman

 How cute are these kids?! Some of the cast here getting ready for the Talent Show scene. They came from all over the states for this pilot and were so professional and on point. I do not miss high school, but I miss being this young...

Gianna LaPera and Alexis Wilkins

 Two of the gorgeous, popular "Tone Cold Fox" girl singers.

 Joanna's successful car salesman dad Burt is played by the hilarious Matt Corboy. He was such a trooper eating mushroom after mushroom off his tie in this scene. Best part was he hates mushrooms.

 After working on the pilot, I had some time off. I checked out the loyalist private opening of the new Bloomingdale's at the Glendale Galleria. WOW. They do speak fashion. The women's shoe section alone took up half of an entire floor. I know where I'll be spending my free time.

GirlonSet in San Diego: La Migra the movie

This wooden cross looks out to Chula Vista with the fence right behind

 September was quite a month! I got the opportunity to work on my first film, La Migra, written and directed by Mark Maine. The story takes place in San Diego near the Mexican border, and that is where we spent 4 weeks filming. The movie stars Michael Copon (Scorpion King, One Tree Hill) as Border Patrol Agent Diego Chavez and Antoinette Kalaj (Pirates of the Caribbean, Don Jon, Riddick) as Natalie from his youth. "A childhood crush defines these two from a border town. Romance blossoms as they stand on opposite sides of the law. They strive to untangle the web that threatens their romance and lives..."

Border Patrol Agent Rico E. Anderson (Agent Maloney) and DEA Agent Doug Olsson (Agent Navarro) with me at Imperial Beach.

 The fence that divides us...only goes about 50 feet into the Pacific Ocean.

At the end of our first week, we shot at Chicano Park, literally underneath the Coronado Bay 75 hwy. Above are Aztec dancers that made a special performance for us. 

 This Mariachi Band was awesome!! I don't know how hot is was that day, but it was too hot to be wearing all that gear.

 The artwork all around Chicano Park is beautiful.

 Seriously?! How cute is this Pomeranian named Leo. He unfortunately is not in the movie, but Boo ain't got nothing on this cutie. He just cruises in his convertible blasting Daft Punk being adorable. Yes, he has a Costco card and a Driver's License. And he will give you kisses for free.

 This was in downtown SD in front of Whiskey Girl Bar. Our car crash grew quite a crowd.

 Our third week of filming landed us at the old Caltrans building in Old Town. This little peanut is Nikki Soohoo who plays Officer Tracy and a love interest of Diego's. Michael Copon working that BP uniform.

 Here is the stunning and super sweet Antoinette Kalaj shooting on green screen for the movie poster. I had the privilege working with Costume Designer Marianne Parker on this independent film. She created so many great looks with such limited time and money.  Jumpsuit from the store Flashbacks.

 Our master Set Designers and Prop Master created this insane "underground tunnel" Agent Chavez crawls through to search for illegals.

 Make-up and I dirty up Michael for the tunnel scene. Trying not to jack up his microphone...

 At the end of our third week and beginning of our forth, we got to shoot on the beach in breathtaking Ocean Beach.

 Antoinette in one of her date looks. Dress: Bebe; Jacket and shoes: Zara; Purse from Flashbacks, who graciously lended us clothes!

 View from the condo we shot in.

 Our last week of shooting was bittersweet. It was hard to say goodbye to a great cast and awesome crew. Easy to say goodbye to 4:30am wake up calls! Here's Nikki and I at a cemetery near downtown. 

 Antoinette posing in front of one of her high end cars, a Shelby Cobra Mustang. This was shot in Natalie's childhood neighborhood.
Jacket: Bebe; Shoes: Zara; Dress: Can't remember! But we ordered it online from China.

 Can't quite compare this picture of me posing in front of the Shelby Cobra with Antoinette's.

The End! With Michael and Antoinette. These two make a beautiful movie couple. I will miss them and hope to work on many more projects with them. La Migra is set to be released in Spring 2014.

Summer Break

Eye-catching displays at Barneys New York

There are no guarantees in the world of production. Shows come and go as quickly as reality stars do.  While I wait patiently on hold for the current status of my sitcoms, I search far and wide for my next wardrobe gig. 

Last week I helped prep for a movie called "Blackbird," backed by Relativity and being released next year. The movie features Gugu Mbatha Raw (Larry Crowne, Touch), Nate Parker (Secret Lives of Bees, Great Debators), and Machine Gun Kelly (Rapper). I was out doing wardrobe runs most of the week so I didn't get to meet any of the cast, but the wardrobe looks incredible (Costume Designer is the super talented and very sweet Sandra Hernandez). 

While on a run to studio services at Nordstrom's Grove, I caught a glimpse of Maria and Mario shooting Extra. I would love any of Maria's wardrobe rejects. 

 

Butterfly display at Neiman's Topanga Canyon

There's not many pictures of me on this blog so I end with a picture on the road doing my wardrobe runs...trying to keep a smile on in the thick of LA traffic.

Back in Action

Video Village on the set of Mr. Box Office

 The last few weeks have been fun and challenging. The fun part of course being that I have an awesome job doing what I've always wanted. The challenging part of production is going on a long hiatus. A two week break turned into 4 weeks. Restful yes, but not exactly profitable.

 Before we went on break, we had the privilege of working with basketball phenom Metta World Peace! He was a pleasure to work with and so nice to all that asked for pictures with him.

Layla Crawford and Sade Kimora Young

We're back now and have had some amazing episodes including a "honey boo boo" esq episode for The First Family. Costume designs created by the incredibly talented and lovely Maurnie Isaacs.

Goofballs and comedians Tony Roberts, Jon Lovitz. Bill Bellamy, and Jeff Garcia from Mr. Box Office make going to work daily a blast.

The hilarious Tom Arnold was our special guest this week on The First Family, acting as Vice President Crandall. Posed here with one of my all-time favorite actors John Witherspoon.

 Also this week, the beautiful Miss Vivica A. Fox had a birthday on set. Happy Birthday Vivica!