Motion Picture Costume Design And Other Treasures In Downtown Los Angeles

The author sports a cloche hat at the Bradbury Building in L.A.

Once again, I attended the Art Of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit at FIDM's Museum and Galleries in Downtown Los Angeles. Now in its 22^nd year, the exhibit showcases outstanding costumes from the year's best films. In a year filled with period films, superheroes, sci-fi, action, and fairy-tales retold, costume designers had considerable opportunity to display their talents on the big screen.

While some may find it particularly mesmerizing to see costumes displayed from the likes of Man Of Steel, G.I. Joe, and Thor, my eyes wandered toward more classic costume design. I was far more fascinated by the detailing of the more elaborately tailored and embellished costumes from The Hunger Games, Oz, American Hustle and The Great Gatsby.

The contributions of motion picture costume designers capture a world, an era, and a story on film. Costume designs come to define a character. Costume designer, Catherine Martin, nominated for The Great Gatsby, explains: "That's the job of a costume-the actor is the transformer. The actor with the script and the director really make the story, and the costume is there to support the process." (From FIDM exhibit notes) What would The Great Gatsby be without the lined suits of Tom Buchanan's Yale pedigree or Daisy's glittering headpieces and gorgeous Prada evening gowns? Also, on display are costumes from American Hustle including several of Rosalyn's frocks as well as some of those low-cut ensembles Amy Adams wore so well as Sydney. American Hustle's Costume Designer, Michael Wilkinson, is among those nominated for an Oscar this year.

** For full article, please click HERE**

Other Treasures Near FIDM (Downtown Los Angeles)

After you've completed your cultural excursion to FIDM's museum, take advantage of downtown L.A. While I was there, a friend and I walked from the Fashion Institute to     The Bradbury Building (304 S. Broadway.) Originally built in 1893, The Bradbury Building is known for both its architecture and its appearances in films such asBladerunner, 500 Days of Summer and The Artist.

The Bradbury's exterior is rather understated, but walk a few steps inside and you'll see what all the fuss is about. The building's interior houses a central court and atrium that beautifully allows natural light to illuminate the cascading staircases and highlight the ornate filigree ironwork that's seen throughout the building.

The Fashion Institute Of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) hosts the 22^nd Annual Art Of Motion Picture Costume Design February 11 - April 26, 2014.

FIDM Museum & Galleries: 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90015
Gallery hours are: 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. (Tues - Sat) 

** The exhibit is FREE and easily accessible from the Los Angeles Metro Red Line. 

Please note:Photography is not permitted inside the exhibit. FIDMmuseum.org

The Bradbury Building is located at 304 S. Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles.
The building is open to visitors from 9:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. (Mon -Fri) and
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Sat/Sun)

Copyright © 2014 by KLiedle

American Hustle: A Dizzying Game Of Cat And Mouse

Amy Adams In American Hustle

If there's any message to American Hustle, it's the idea that we're all con men to some degree or another. Whether it's power, money, food, love, or the latest tech gadget, even the most innocent of us will manipulate others to get what we want. It's human nature. When we con someone, we deceive them. We play a part, act a certain way to get exactly what you want. Sometimes, we even con ourselves. A con at its worst is pure betrayal. With those heavy ideas in mind, the fact that David O' Russell was able to put together such a funny and entertaining film is quite an achievement.

*****

His latest, American Hustle, may be splashy and flashy and all around effervescent. Yes, it's a comical drama, a farce, with little splashes of camp thrown in for good measure. It's a throwback to the screwball comedies no one makes anymore. Some have criticized that it's too flamboyant for its own good. That it's glitzy enough to fool even the most savvy audience member, the harshest critic, and the most knowledgeable Academy member. If that's the case then David O'Russell has conned us all.  

In my estimation, it's not a perfect film, but no film ever is. What American Hustle has going for it is that you are swept up in the con world the characters inhabit. Its sheer glamour seduces you because you're witnessing these larger-than-life characters acting screwy, making bad decisions, and one-upping each other with their cons. More than likely, you find yourself enjoying the experience and perhaps feeling a bit guilty about it because these characters are not good people. They're criminals when you get right down to it: white-collar criminals who rise to the top not because of talent, luck or hard work, but by cheating all along the way. American Hustle is about people you'd do anything to get away from in real life. Maybe that's one reason why they're so fun to watch on the big screen.American Hustle is nominated for 10 Academy Awards.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Copyright © 2014 by KLiedle

AMERICAN HUSTLE : Costume Design

A fraction of the wardrobe from 'American Hustle' would make me a happy girl indeed. Esp. Amy's turquoise dress! pic.twitter.com/TR08cs1uf3
— Kendra Liedle (@Cococaffeine) January 24, 2014

Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson is nominated for an Oscar for work on American Hustle.

Amy Adam's Plunging Necklines

Jennifer Lawrence Gets Doritos On Her Dress

UPDATE: LOUIE coming back plus Louis CK's new FX Pilot Announced

Along with sharing the good news that the thirds season of LOUIE goes into production next month, FX just revealed that they've greenlit a new pilot with Louis C.K.  Few details have emerged, but fellow comic, Zach Galifianakis is set to star.

Louie has a development deal with FX Networks through his company, Pig Newton.  This pilot would be the first show under that deal.

Louis C.K. TCA Panel 2014

FX Orders Comedy Pilot from C.K.

Louis C.K. Inks Deal

Written content © 2014 by KLiedle

Louis C.K. Proves It's Never Too Late...To Release A Film

                                                                                                                                                                            

When you get right down to it:  There are very few overnight success stories.  I would say none, but unfortunately we have reality stars that seem to come out of nowhere and body slam us with their images and likenesses.  Apart from that, even most lottery winners have been buying those tickets week after week for years before they win the jackpot.

Louis C.K. who seemingly came out of nowhere with the popularity of his FX show, "Louie" seems like an overnight success, but that is far from the truth as he himself has said:

I've had, what, two years? Probably five good years. Before that I had twenty years of uncertainty and suffering and ego destruction and poverty. All those things. That'll always outweigh the good times.  ~Louis C.K.

Louie has been toiling away as a filmmaker and stand-up comic for years now.  He first started doing stand-up (badly, he says) around the age of seventeen.  Back in 1998 though, with the help of some comedian friends, he directed "Tomorrow Night."  It premiered at Sundance and, after failing to get a distributor, faded away into obscurity.  

To prove it's never too late to release your first film ( or pay back your investors) Louis C.K. is self-distributing "Tomorrow Night" via his official website .  Being that it's now 2014, that means an incredible Sixteen Years have passed since he first completed the film. 

So, if you've missed "Louie" during its lengthy hiatus and you're curious about Louis C.K.'s first foray into filmmaking, check it out.  From the looks of the trailer, it would also help if you enjoy watching eccentric characters in odd scenarios all captured in black-and-white.  Should be interesting.

Louis C.K. To Make His Rarely Seen First Film Available

Rolling Stone Movie News

**And by the way, I believe "Louie" is set to come back to FX Networks sometime this spring.  Fingers crossed.

Copyright © 2014 by KLiedle

Transcendence: DP Wally Pfister's Directorial Debut Slated for April Release

The world is awash with sci-fi coming up in 2014.  Here's the first trailer for TRANSCENDENCE, a film I worked on last March.  Both Johnny Depp and Rebecca Hall were a delight.

The film marks Wally Pfister directorial debut.  Prior to directing Transcendence, Pfister is most known as Christopher Nolan's longtime director of photography, having worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, and Inception. Nolan served as an executive producer on the film.

Premise:  A terminally ill scientist downloads his body into a computer. This grants him power beyond his wildest dreams, and soon he becomes unstoppable.  (From Imdb.com)

Transcendence is tentatively scheduled for release April 18, 2014

~KLiedle

We're All Mad Here... Happy New Year!

"Then it doesn't matter which way you walk," said the cat."
"So long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the cat, "if you only walk long enough." [ Alice In Wonderland]

******

I'll keep walking... even though I don't really know where I'm headed.  Here's to living life in 2014.  For me, it's the journey and the people I've met along the way that make all the difference.

Thank you to all the phenomenal people in my life (and the readers of this blog.) May you all have a Happy New Year!!!

~KLiedle