Kitties and Tigers, OH MY!

Last week, I visited 'Switzerland' on my lunch, this week: The African Congo.

I walked over to the "Jungle," on my lunch because CHUCK was filming over there and I ran into one of my security guard friends, who offered to give me a quick tour of the 'Congo.' There were tents set up every where. The outdoor set looked really cool, I believe they even had a fog machine.

The security guard took me back down a dirt road and showed me the 'Kitten House' in the Jungle. There is a small house in the back corner of the jungle for all those Cagney Cats that hang around the WB lot to keep the rodent population under control. There were a few kittens hanging outside the small building, playing with each other. I almost got one to come over to me, but he was too scared.

After my walk through the Congo, I made my way back to reality and onto the main lot. I walked over by Stage 4 (one of the CHUCK stages) because I heard there were still Tigers on the lot. And to my surprise, they were loading up one of the tigers into the back of its very own trailer.

See photo above.

The Golden Globes 2010

Now I haven't seen all of the movies nor do I watch all the television shows that were nominated for the 2010 Golden Globe Awards, but like most I do have my favorites and I wished that they had won.


Right before the show started I went through the list of nominees and I made my list of my "projected winners," like I normally do for every Award Show I watch.

I really hate to admit this because I am a huge Movie fanatic, but I have not seen any of the films that were nominated for Best Motion Picture Drama. I know, it's very wrong, because this is the industry that I want to work in. And I should have done my homework and gone out and seen all the movies that were nominated. But frankly, I can't afford it. But I know that AVATAR has won Best Drama, I will definitely go out and see it. I hear the cinematography is amazing but the story is, eh.


I was rooting for DEXTER to win Best Dramatic TV Series... I feel as though Mad Men should wait a year before they win again. Didn't they win last year? I know, I know... I'm complaining and yet I have never sat down and watched that TV Show. But this year's DEXTER was phenomenal. It as my favorite season by far.

I am so excited that the show did get some wins:
YAY!!!! For DEXTER's stars: Michael C. Hall and John Lithgow...

I am excited that The Hangover won for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy!

And so the True Blood Season begins... filming :)

TRUE BLOOD has been filming the 3rd Season for awhile now. I think they started filming their 3rd season at the end of November, though if I heard correctly, they went ON LOCATION to Louisiana to get some real Southern shots for Bon Temps.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 I was very fortunate in that I got to watch some of these exterior shots being filmed.

On my lunch, I did a quick lap around the lot, (I didn't want to seem too eager to go over to where they were filming). It's kind of hard to just walk by and look into the jungle when there are all these big production trucks around. As I was passing by I thought I heard a familiar voice, so I went around some of the portable buildings and found my new friend, Stan. And I am so thankful, that I had the courage to do that.

I knew someone working on the production. YAY!!! I was standing there enjoying this fact when I heard TRUE BLOOD filming. I could hear Sookie Stackhouse screaming. And moments later, I watched Anna Paquin walk right past me in her full Sookie Stackhouse costume, complete with the white Merlotte's tee shirt and apron. OH MY GOD!!! That moment was exhilarating to be that close to yet another Academy-Award winner. She seemed nice and she's kind of short.

I headed back to work not too long after that to let my TRUE BLOOD friends know, that we had an "in" for later on that night, after work. We were all very excited. I contacted a friend from upstairs and she had told me that she had gotten to watch Anna Paquin and Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte) do a scene while she was on a break.

When my friend, Nirv got off work and was ready to go, we had 2 more TRUE BLOOD fans who joined us on this adventure: Rock* and Oregano* (both female fans). I wasn't sure that 4 of us would be allowed to watch filming. I was a little worried that too many of us would cause the crew to be apprehensive with letting us hang out.

When I found Stan, I introduced him to my friends, and then asked us if we wanted to see some production. He lead the way down the beaten path to the 'parking lot of Merlotte's.' It was very cool to see the set all dressed up, complete with neon lights and signs in the window. Stan introduced us to a PA named Sunny. Sunny was a very nice guy and he showed us where we could stand without being in the way or in the shot. Oh, the four of us were giddy with excitement.

We got to watch a scene involving Tara and some drunks that came stumbling out of the bar. We watched them do this scene a dozen or so times. We watched the actors as they went to and from the set. We watched the crew as they set up the shots, as they set up the lights, as they made sure everything was in order for filming. I believe these were scenes for Episode 2 of Season 3. So not only did I get to hear TRUE BLOOD filming but I got to watch it film.

Nirv and Rock eventually left due to other engagements, so that left me and Oregano to endure the cold and soak up the production.

Oregano and I got to say hi to Ryan Kwanten aka Jason Stackhouse, all bundled up in a big black jacket (no he wasn't shirtless, or naked. At least, not that we could tell).

Eventually I had to head home, but I love every minute of being there (even if I was cold).

I was very fortunate to see quite a bit of the cast including:

Anna Paquin-- Sookie Stackhouse
Rutina Wesley-- Tara Thorton
Ryan Kwanten-- Jason Stackhouse
Chris Bauer-- Andy Bellefleur
James Frain-- Franklin Mott
Brad Carter-- Drunk bar patron
Andy Mackenzie-- Drunk bar patron


Sadly, Stephen Moyer nor Alexander Skarsgard were not in any of the scenes.

*Again names have been changed to protect the fangbangers :)

Our CHUCKfest 2010

My friends, Mute and Crowe** and I, spent January 10, 2010 honoring CHUCK.

How we managed to celebrate the premiere of a little show known as CHUCK:

Step One: Go to downtown Los Angeles to the LA Live Stadium 14 Theater and watch Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. Gotta go show our love and support for Zachary Levi.

Step Two: Go to Subway and order foot long sandwiches to enjoy while watching the premiere of CHUCK.

Step Three: Watch a couple of Season Two's Episodes as a refresher before the big night.

Step Four: Rock Band to get yer Nerd On.

Step Five: Watch the 2-hour season premiere while eating Subway sandwiches.

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent. :P

Christian Slater's The Forgotten

The Forgotten, a new TV show with Christian Slater, is filming a very intense scene with an 'El Train' derailment into a semi on New York Street on the WB backlot. There is real fire and there are real firefighters on hand just in case something goes wrong.

It was very cool to see this scene being set up over a couple of days. It was cool to see how the all the pieces were put together for this one scene.

The End of 2009

Last year I started this Blog. Last year at Christmas (2008), I started this blog. I thought to myself, I am going to post something every week. It was supposed to be a year full of posts... Alas, I have not kept up with my promise.


The month of December 2009, was full of unexpected adventures. I spent an evening with Dexter fans and friends at the DEXTER Season 4 Finale Party.


And another full day at Disneyland. Most of the day at Disneyland involved me and my 3 friends trying on a variety of hats (occasionally we went on a ride, but we had fun).

I was unable to go home for Christmas, so I spent the holiday in Southern California by myself. I continued my Holiday Movie Marathon.

Today I watched reshoots of the new Nightmare on Elm Street movie starring Jackie Earl Haley as Freddy Krueger.

November 2009 had its highs and lows. My little sister got engaged on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco. And on that same day, my dad went through a surgery that had me on the edge of tears the entire day at work. (He's fine). But still a very emotional day.


I did, however, get to go home to Northern California for Thanksgiving and my birthday. I was able to visit with friends and spend time with my family (though I never got to visit with my niece and nephew). I went to a couple movies: The Blind Side and New Moon. I went to a couple of my favorite local restaurants (Shout out to: La Comida & Italian Cottage).

Also in November, WB Softball team: Wrath of Kahn. We started our games in November and they are supposed to go through February. It's something new to do outside of work and a great way to socialize with my coworkers.

October 31, 2009 was probably the most exciting day of the month. Dressed up like a waitress from Merlotte's and joined my friends, Mute and Crowe at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery to watch "Halloween."

September is when the WB lot starts to pick up. During the summer, all the fall TV shows are on hiatus and not much is going on. But during this month, me and a couple of friends started to have dinner every Friday night. It was something to look forward to after a long work week.

August: Valentine's Day was filming on the lot. Saw Anne Hathaway riding a Vespa, Garry Marshall heading to set, Carter Jenkins outside of Stage 19 and a few background extras.

July: The big EVENT of the month was going to Grauman's Chinese Theater and seeing Harry Potter 6 with friends before the movie was released to the general public. The movie was free and we also got free soda and popcorn.

June: I got to go home to Chico for a week at the beginning of the month. I went home to see my niece graduate from Junior High School. I also went with my Grandma to have lunch in Corning with some cousins. And I got to hang out with my old Wise Owl coworkers, Char & Kier.
I also volunteered my time at the WB Lot Sale. Very cool event. The WB puts on a huge garage sale every couple of years and sells props, costumes, and furniture from their TV shows and movies. I bought a couple of plates and mugs (Legally Mad).


In May, I went to a Media Focus Group for The Mentalist. It was interesting, I got to put my 2 cents in on my thoughts and feelings about the characters and their back stories, etc. I also was supposed to go to the Ellen DeGeneres Back Lot bash, but unfortunately, my friends and I got turned away because they invited too many people to the event.

There were a lot of fun events in the month of April. To start the month off, I attended the unveiling of the new WB Animation Mural featuring DC Comics Superheroes & Villains (as well as some Looney Tunes characters & Scooby-Doo). Mario Lopez hosted it, America's Best Dance Crew danced at it and Julie Newmar posed for pictures at the event.

I also had a lot of car trouble during this month. Spent almost 2 weeks without a car, fortunately for me, I have great friends down here.

I happened to meet an Academy-Award winning editor by chance too. He is super nice and has allowed me to come into his office and watch him edit episodes of the TV show that he works on. Those have been some Awesome Days.
As well as, LA Times Book Fair at UCLA and "Mammia Mia" at the Pantages Theater.

March: It's PILOT SEASON on the WB Lot. Lots of sets being constructed and shows being cast, and filming being done. Watched a lot of the production of a David E. Kelley pilot called "Legally Mad," starring Kristin Chenoweth being done on the lot (sadly, it did not get picked up, so I don't know what the end result looked like).

The 15th and finale season of the NBC medical drama, "ER" comes to an end, complete with a Stage 11 Dedication. Almost every major leading star comes back to the show for the finale season, even that guy, what's his name, with the salt-n-pepper hair... oh, yeah, George Clooney.


Went with friends down to San Diego to see "Rent" on stage. And went with Mute to a book signing in North Hollywood.


February: Watched A LOT of filming of 2 of my favorite WB shows: CHUCK and The Mentalist. Also my roommate got a Wii for his birthday, so there were a lot of Wii tournaments in the house during this month.



To start of the 2009 New Year, in the month of January, I got my first up close look at The Mentalist filming one Friday evening, when they were filming outside of Central Perk on the WB lot. I spent approximately 2 hours watching them film a scene that ended up being only a few minutes in the episode "Scarlett Fever." It was fascinating to watch Simon Baker go from an American accent while doing scenes to his own Australian accent in between takes.



I also attended my first LA Clippers Basketball game with coworkers after a long and intensive day of inventory at work. They won!


On the 20th of January, Barack Obama was sworn in as the President of the United States. And I attended my first live taping of a TV show: The Big Bang Theory.

And that is a little of what I experienced this past year, what I saw this past year, etc.

Trailer Review: Movies for 2010

Here I am on Christmas Eve, alone in my room, alone in my house... and what am I doing?

First I was listening to Christmas music while surfing the Internet. Then I reminded myself that I wanted to watch some Movie Trailers for upcoming films. So here are my reviews of the trailers and kind of what I hope to expect from the films.

The new Garry Marshall film, VALENTINE'S DAY has an all-star cast and looks like it could be a 'Love Actually' film for the February holiday. "A day in the life of love." It looks absolutely cute and I am hoping it is more like 'Love Actually' and less like 'He's Just Not That Into You.' I have always loved intertwining stories and how they get woven together to form a whole story. I am excited to see this film, one reason is because they filmed on the WB lot and I got to see Mr. Marshall walking around outside Stage 19 where most of their scenes were filmed. I also saw Hector Elizondo heading to set in a golf cart and Anne Hathaway heading to set on a pink Vespa. I hope it's good, but then again I do like pretty much all Garry Marshall films.
In theaters February 12, 2010


The new Tim Burton film, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, starring Johnny Depp looks dark, disturbing and very Entertaining. From the trailer, it looks like what I expect from a Tim Burton film: the music and the cast are very familiar. Along with the askew look of things: the bright colors, the big heads, the cinematography. I look forward to see this adaptation of such a classic Disney film.
In theaters March 5, 2010


I am definitely excited to see THE BACK-UP Plan starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. The trailer makes the movie look very cute. I want to see the movie for O'Loughlin and for the fact that part of the movie was filmed on the WB lot this past summer (I work on the lot). I also hear that O'Loughlin is an extremely nice guy and I want to support him as an actor. And he's pretty cute and Australian. So I have some good reasons to go see this film.
In theaters April 16, 2010


Might I say, IRON MAN 2 looks pretty AWESOME. It looks just as entertaining as the first one. Robert Downey Jr. makes playing the role of Tony Stark look like a lot of fun. I am, however, very bummed that Terrence Howard will not be reprising his role of Rhodes. He played the concerned, annoyed friend very well and I will miss him in the new film.
In theaters May 7, 2010


The new ROBIN HOOD film starring Russell Crowe, I am not so sure about. It is directed by Ridley Scott (whom directed Crowe in Gladiator) and to me the 2 films look very similar. But I might have to see it to support Scott Grimes, whom was very nice when he was on ER. But on another note, I am also very fond of Kevin Costner as Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. It was one of my favorite movies when I was little.
In theaters May 14, 2010

SEX & THE CITY 2, I am not so sure about this sequel. Let me first admit, I saw the last film after I had only seen 1 episode of the TV series. I was lost. So I went back and watch all 6 seasons and then re-watched the movie. I liked it much better the second time around. But as for the sequel, even when watching the trailer, I felt like I had no idea what the plot was for the film. I will probably see the sequel because I know the basic background stories for all the characters involved and I'd like to see how Big and Carrie end up, but I am a little nervous for fear of the film bombing miserably.
In theaters May 28, 2010