Hellman Lobby

Mysterious film shoot in the lobby (facing 4th St) of the Hellman. I wonder what was going on.

Outside the Window

I was working at my desk the other day and saw something a little off pattern that I noticed above my computer, right outside the window (that is my cat's butt on the printer):



I then stood up to see what the hell was going on.






As the lift raised more, and when we sort of got close to eye level, we then waved hi at each other.

New York Taxis in Los Angeles

Taxis for CSI: NY

Michel Gondry Music Videos

I recently got a hold of a DVD that is a collection of the creative works of Michel Gondry. He is the director of Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind and several music videos.

I saw two particular music videos that are set in Los Angeles. One is "Let Forever Be" by The Chemical Brothers which is about a red head waking up from her bed at The Barclay on 4th and Main and then she dances all over the place and it quickly gets surreal after that. The bearded drummer looks like he is drumming right in front of where Warung is now. Its a gorgeous video. Too bad the low resolution on youtube does not do it any justice.

The other one is "Deadweight" by our local surrealist in Silverlake, Beck. You see him lounging in a beach chair in an office building with downtown LA outside the window, and him at the Nuart by the 405 fwy watching his own video.




"Let Forever Be" by The Chemical Brothers




"Deadweight" by Beck

5th St Records on 4th St

Nah.... the Sci Fi channel was filming a pilot on Tuesday and Wednesday right next to Bar 107.

(On Thursday, Carrie Underwood filmed a music video a few meters away.)

A robbery on 4th and Main?

No. Just a crew filming a mountain dew commercial.
(This happened early last week).

Carlos

A few weeks ago, word in the neighborhood had it that Carlos Santana was playing his guitar on the rooftop of the Rosslyn. This is a classic example of of how my neighborhood can be so random and surreal. I am not much of a fan of Santana, but I do like more than dislike his music and I just had to check it out for the shits 'n giggles. Actually, one of the most stunning guitar performances I have ever seen (not in person) is his Soul Sacrifice at Woodstock, 1969. He looks like he is having one big long orgasm. I admire his intensity.

So I went up to the rooftop and it turns out that he was filming a video.

One of my favorite kinds of pictures to take are of people taking photos of people. In between takes, the film crew and extras were eating snacks, lounging, and taking photos.

I was able to sneak in a shot of him before I left...