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!

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Iphone App Commercial in San Diego

Last month I joined the crew at Think Basic to do wardrobe styling for a commercial for a new iphone app they are helping to launch. I couldn't have asked for better or nicer people to work with! Above is a picture from an apartment in Downtown San Diego we shot in. Below are some of the looks from the shoot!

 View of Petco Park.

 Nathan Falco, our male actor in his day1 outfit.
Button up and chucks from Nordstrom, tee and pants from H&M.

 Sarah Gabany, our female actor, in her day1 art scene look.
Ombre sweater and ripped denim from Nordstrom. 

 Sarah in her fashion office look.
Sleeveless button up from Forever21 and lace skirt from Nordstrom. Oxfords actor's personal. 

 Nathan at the coffee shop.
Baseball tee from H&M, Levi's jeans from Macy's. 

 Sarah in her Trolley look...
Button up and floral shorts from Forever21. Shoes, jacket, and purse actors own.

...and on the beach on Coronado Island
Crochet tank, scarf, and cut-off shorts from Nordstrom. 

 Sarah's workout scene in downtown San Diego
Active wear from Target, shoes from Nordstrom. 

Falco's workout look on the bridge
Active wear from Lulu Lemon (actor's own), and shoes from Nordstrom.

Life on Set

I work on two hilarious sitcoms produced by Byron Allen, "Mr. Box Office" and "The First Family." Unless you are inside at home on Saturday afternoons watching KTLA, you will miss these two gems. Set your DVR's if you find that you like to enjoy the fresh air on your weekends and you won't be disappointed. The picture above was shot from "The First Family" and stars Jackee Harry, Christopher Duncan, John Witherspoon, and Kellita Smith. The kids are great on this show too and I wouldn't be surprised if they all go on to be big stars.

Look Mom! That's me! Credits on "The First Family"

Me destructing a giant pink dress worn by Jackee during a flashback wedding episode for "The First Family."

This photo may be my profile picture, but I feel it needs some explaining. That cute little pup with the overbite is non other than Jerry Bruckheimer, Jon Lovitz adorable dog. He likes to run between the wardrobe and make up rooms saying hi to everyone.
Jon Lovitz stars on the other sitcom I work on "Mr. Box Office." This show has a great cast including Vivica Fox, Bill Bellamy, Tim Meadows, Essence Atkins, and more.