Saturday, May 25, 2013

HBO: Behind The Candelabra Starring Michael Douglas Matt Damon Sunday May 26, 2013 9PM

"Behind The Candelabra" AcademyAward® winners Steven Soderberg, Michael Douglas, and Matt Damon's collaboration, is a luxurious feast for the senses and a great tribute to WÅ‚adziu Valentino Liberace or as he is more familiarly known to his fans---Liberace, or Lee to his friends and intimates. 

The HBO® movie and it's title are based on Scott Thorson's book of the same name. Thorson was the closeted Liberace's lover.

The movie premieres on HBO® Sunday May 26th 2013 at 9pm #BehindTheCandelabra


HBO® Interview with Michael Douglas

HBO  What interested you about this project?

MICHAEL DOUGLAS Well, my fascination has to do with, first of all, the script, which was simply one of the best screenplays I had seen in a long time. So you read a really good script, and they’re asking you to play Liberace, which you don’t get a chance to do every day. And then, oh, by the way, Steven Soderbergh, is going to be directing it.  Jerry Weintraub is producing it, and your co-star and lover is Matt Damon. So, where do I sign up?

But for me, this is a full circle, because it’s twelve years ago that I’m making the movie Traffic, with Steven Soderbergh directing. And in the middle of shooting, Steven says to me, have you ever thought about playing Liberace?  And I look at him and think: is he messing with me? I’m supposed to be the drug czar in Traffic, and I said: well, it hasn’t ever crossed my mind. So that’s how long ago Steven had been thinking about the project.  But it really is a combination of a great script, and being fortunate enough to have such a strong team around you.

HBO What was it like, creating such an intimate relationship with Matt Damon?

MICHAEL DOUGLAS Well, Liberace was one of the biggest stars in America. He was a kind of a phenomenon. He had a warm personality, and was very astute. And, like a lot of men who like young blonde girls, Lee (Liberace) loved young blonde guys. And so the love affair between Lee and Scott (Thorson, Liberace’s lover) was all written there, in the script.  So we knew what we were getting into. And I really have to take my hat off to Matt Damon, because he’s in the prime of his career and takes a lot of chances. It’s fine for me, at my age, to play Liberace, and a wonderful opportunity to play a great character.  But I’m not in the prime of my career, and I’ve thought, during the show - wow, would I be as brave as Matt, to take on being my lover?

 As far as the sexual intimacy, it’s funny, because it can get very campy, and we wanted to keep this story real, and not poke fun at anybody.  And we both quickly found a style together. We knew the script called for us to be attracted. And that’s what acting is all about. And everybody always asks, well, do you kiss Matt Damon? I said, baby, I do a lot more than that. [LAUGHS] And so, we just got into it, and had a great working relationship.

HBO  The story is set in the late Seventies, early Eighties.  It was a different time, a sort of changing time.  Liberace’s public persona was very different from his personal life.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS Well, he vehemently protected and defended the fact that he was not gay, and would go after newspapers and magazines, legally.  He was very conscious, very smart and astute about his audience.  People loved him.  So he protected that part.  But Behind the Candelabra is about the relationship of Scott and Lee, not a biography of Liberace.

HBO Did you feel transformed when you put on some of those elaborate outfits?

MICHAEL DOUGLAS Yes, it was wonderful. We worked closely with Ellen Mirojnick, our fabulous costume designer, who I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a number of times. She did a great job of replicating Lee’s costumes. I studied tape of his performances, and when you watch them enough you start getting a feeling of how to carry the capes, and move them around. And you begin to feel the joy, the fun that he’s having, and his ability to kind of wink with the audience, and have close contact. It was a gas.

HBO  Was Liberace ahead of his time, as a performer?

MICHAEL DOUGLAS Definitely.  I mean, when you put him in perspective, he was completely over the top.  The shows became grander and grander. But if you look at what Elton John was doing, and Lady Gaga, and Madonna. I’m sure, without them even realizing, a lot of that came from Lee. He enjoyed it so much, and he enjoyed the audience enjoying it with him.

HBO What is it like collaborating with Steven Soderbergh?

MICHAEL DOUGLAS Directing talent is very nebulous.  You know, it’s not in front of you like an actor’s performance. Steven casts really well. He likes actors, and he doesn’t say much, if he doesn’t have to. He’s smart.  Saying that, you know, he’s also operating the camera.  He’s lighting. So, I’ll do anything for him.  He never asks very much. So in return, you’re willing to give whatever you can.

HBO  Why do you think this is an intriguing story to tell?

MICHAEL DOUGLAS  Well, it’s a great love story. And people always love a good love story. The fact that it takes place between two men… the issues that they deal with, what happens, are completely universal.

What I’m most proud of is that you forget about Matt and me pretty quickly, because the story sucks you in so much that you forget it’s about two guys, and you’re just watching a relationship between two people who really love each other.


~~~

HBO® Interview with Matt Damon

HBO You can pick and choose the projects you work on - what interested you about this one?

MATT DAMON Steven had told me about it in 2007. And so I knew I was going to do it, because I’ve done seven movies with him, and I basically just work with him whenever I get a chance. And then the script came, and it’s really one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. Richard (LaGravenese) did such a beautiful job. 

I’d read Scott Thorson’s book, and Richard just seemed to nail a really interesting dynamic.

And I think for Michael and I -that was a way in.We’re both married. 

We’ve both been in relationships awhile, so we could relate.


But Richard wrote such a human script that it was really easy for me to just connect to the character, and the relationship. 

And another reason I wanted to do the movie was I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play opposite Michael Douglas. I didn’t want to miss having a front row seat to Michael playing Liberace.

HBO You’ve worked with Steven Soderbergh many times. Tell us a little about his directing style, and how you collaborate with him.

MATT DAMON I’ve never really worked with anybody like Steven. Spielberg is similar, in the sense that, he’s cutting in camera, and making decisions in as decisive a manner as you could ask, which comes from an understanding of how things cut together. 

We really wanted to do it justice. But it would’ve been really tough to do take after take of some of these more intimate scenes. It’s a challenge, as an actor, and one that I really wanted to take on. And knowing it was Steven, and knowing that there’s a scene where I have to walk out of a pool, and straddle Michael on a chaise lounge, and start making out with him. We didn’t rehearse it. I just came out in a white, bejeweled, man-kini with a big blonde wig and sunglasses, and we did it in one take.

HBO And I understand that Steven also operates his own camera?

MATT DAMON he’s also the cinematographer, which means he sets all the lights. He’s the camera operator as well, which means he’s the guy holding the camera. So those three jobs that normally three different people do, he does all of them. And he edits the movie as well. So, every night I’d go home, I’d have dinner with my wife and kids, get them to bed, and by the time they were asleep, Steven would’ve uploaded to a website not only what we had shot that day, but the scene, completely cut together. 

Normally you’re making a movie in a vacuum. You have a rough idea of how things are going. But with Steven he actually shows you the entire scene, cut, which is a huge advantage as an actor. So when you have someone like Steven, who’s as decisive and inclusive, you really get a better handle on your role.

HBO What was the difference between Liberace’s public persona and his private life?

MATT DAMON Well, his private life bore no resemblance at all to his public life. He was always petrified that he was going to be found out as a gay man. He thought his fans weren’t going to forgive him. I can’t imagine how hard it would’ve been to live in that kind of fear.

HBO Once you put on the costumes, did you feel transformed?

MATT DAMON This was the first movie I ever enjoyed wardrobe fittings on. I did probably eight, ten wardrobe fittings? And we really got into it; it was really fun. The clothes were so different from anything that I’d ever put on. They changed me so much, the way they make me stand, or walk, or move a different way. I really got into it.





Scott Thorson: the lover Liberace remade in his own image

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

“WIGS,” THE NO. 1 CHANNEL FOR SCRIPTED DRAMA ON YOUTUBE

Press Release:

“WIGS,” THE NO. 1 CHANNEL FOR SCRIPTED DRAMA ON YOUTUBE,

PICKS UP POPULAR SERIES “BLUE” AND “LAUREN” FOR SECOND SEASONS AND ANNOUNCES NEW RELATIONSHIP SERIES “PALOMA”

Julia Stiles Returns in Popular Series BLUE, Premiering with New Episodes Friday, March 15

New Season of Fan-Favorite LAUREN, Starring Troian Bellisario and Jennifer Beals,

Plus New Series PALOMA, Written and Directed by Stiles, to Debut in Spring 2013

Watch Trailer for BLUE [Adult Language/Content Viewer Discretion Advised] at www.youtube.com/wigs

WIGS (www.watchwigs.com and www.youtube.com/wigs), the No. 1 channel for scripted drama on YouTube, announced today the return of two of its most acclaimed series, BLUE, starring Julia Stiles (“The Bourne Ultimatum”), and LAUREN, starring Troian Bellisario (“Pretty Little Liars”) and Jennifer Beals (“The L Word,” “Flashdance”). The channel also is announcing new series PALOMA, written and directed by Stiles, and starring Grace Gummer (“Gigantic,” “Margin Call”).

Returning with 26 all-new episodes, Season Two of BLUE will debut Friday, March 15 (9:00 AM ET/6:00 AM PT) on WIGS, with the release of the first seven all-new episodes. 

More new episodes will be made available on Fridays: March 22, March 29 and April 5. The award-winning series stars Stiles as the title character, a single mother trying to protect her son from the consequences of her secret career as an upscale escort. 

Written and directed by WIGS co-creator Rodrigo Garcia (“Albert Nobbs,” “In Treatment”) BLUE also features Mark Consuelos (“All My Children”), Holly Robinson Peete (“Mike & Molly,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”), Uriah Shelton (“The Glades”) Kathleen Quinlan (“Apollo 13”), Carla Gallo (BONES, “Men of a Certain Age”) and James Morrison (“Revenge,” “24”). Karen Graci is co-writer on the series. The Season Two trailer for BLUE, as well as all episodes from Season One [Adult Content/Language Viewer Discretion Advised], can be viewed now at www.youtube.com/wigs.

Season Two of LAUREN, scheduled to return with all-new episodes in spring of 2013, will continue to explore the consequences of dealing with sexual assault in the military. Troian Bellisario and Jennifer Beals will return as “Lauren” and “Major Jo Stone,” respectively. The series also features Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”), Raymond Cruz (“Major Crimes”), Sean Harmon (“NCIS”), Mykelti Williamson (“Justified,” “24,” “Forrest Gump”), Justine Ezarik (YouTube channel iJustine) and Sarah Jones (“Vegas,” “Alcatraz”) who will be reprising her self-titled role as a military veteran from WIGS series KENDRA. WIGS co-creator Jon Avnet (“Black Swan,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Risky Business”) directed the 12 new episodes of the series, which is written by Writers Guild of America award nominee Jay Rodan.

New four-episode series PALOMA, also set to debut this spring, is written and directed by Stiles, marking her second WIGS project. PALOMA stars Gummer as a young woman dealing with the unpredictability of relationships, both in romance and in the workplace. The series also features Rhys Coiro (“Entourage”) and Garret Dillahunt (RAISING HOPE, “Looper”).

“WIGS” SEASON TWO PICKUPS 

“We’re very excited about bringing Season Two of BLUE to the WIGS channel,” said Avnet. “Rodrigo’s work on BLUE with Julia Stiles is filled with surprises. LAUREN, starring Troian Bellasario and Jennifer Beals, again, digs much deeper into the characters and the impact this assault has on the lives of ‘Lauren’ and her fellow soldiers. Jay Rodan followed up on his WGA-award-nominated script with more powerful drama. I very much enjoyed having the opportunity to direct these screenplays with these actors.”

Added Garcia, “We’re looking forward to hearing what fans think of the new installments of these series but are hoping to introduce them to new viewers as well. The inability for content to ‘become old’ is one of the qualities intrinsic to the platform that drew Julia Stiles to WIGS. As a writer, director and actress on the channel, she is a huge advocate for us and we’re truly blessed to have her amongst our talented cast and crew on both BLUE and PALOMA.”

“The consumer feedback has been inspiring, and we expect this season to be even more spectacular than the first,” said Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Senior Vice President, Multi-Platform Programming at FOX. “We’re thrilled to be supporting Rodrigo Garcia and Jon Avnet as they continue to trailblaze with this important endeavor.”

American Express is the Presenting Sponsor and Unilever is the Associate Sponsor for WIGS.

About WIGS

WIGS was launched in May 2012 by director/producers Jon Avnet (“Black Swan,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,“ “Risky Business”), Rodrigo Garcia (“Albert Nobbs,” “In Treatment,” “Big Love”) and Jake Avnet, and is now the No. 1 channel for scripted drama on YouTube, with over 24 million views to date and more than 100,000 subscribers. The channel offers high-end original series, short films, and documentaries, all starring female leads. 

Popular series on the WIGS channel include BLUE, about a single mother trying to protect her son from the consequences of her secret career as an upscale escort, starring Julia Stiles, Uriah Shelton, and Jeanne Tripplehorn; LAUREN, about the consequences of dealing with sexual assault in the military, starring Troian Bellisario and Jennifer Beals; SERENA, a story of lust, temptation and forbidden love, starring Jennifer Garner and Alfred Molina; and JAN, about a young woman whose first job goes awry, starring Virginia Madsen, Stephen Moyer and Caitlin Gerard.

In February of 2013, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) entered into a multi-year pact with WIGS. The programming, marketing and distribution partnership is designed to expand the breadth of offerings through the WIGS channel, and test and nurture dramatic concepts and talent in the digital realm.

Additional WIGS offerings have included such actors as America Ferrera, Alison Pill, Dakota Fanning, Jimmy Wolk, Allison Janney, Walton Goggins, Maura Tierney, Michael C. Hall, Sarah Jones, Jason Isaacs, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Messina, Lois Smith, Gary Cole, Jena Malone, Gary Dourdan, Sarah Paulson and Eric Balfour. Writers and directors include Paul Brickman, Betty Thomas, Lesli Linka Glatter, Rose Troche, Mitch Albom, Ami Canaan Mann, Scott Turow, Amy Lippman, Neil LaBute, Leah Rachel, Mattie Brickman, Patricia Cardoso, Mykelti Williamson and Lee Krieger.

To watch all current WIGS series, please visit: www.watchwigs.com, www.youtube.com/wigs or www.youtube.com/wigsespanol.

“Like” WIGS at www.facebook.com/wigs; follow WIGS on Twitter @wigs and join the conversation at #watchwigs; find WIGS on Pinterest and on Google+

Contacts:
Kim Kurland / FOX
Kim.Kurland@fox.com
310-369-2415

Michelle Marron / MPRM
323-933-3399
mmarron@mprm.com

Karlyn Nelson / MPRM
323-933-3399
knelson@mprm.com

[EDITOR’S NOTE: For photos and more information about WIGS, please visit www.foxflash.com.]



FOX INKS PROGRAMMING, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP
WITH YOUTUBE ORIGINAL CHANNEL “WIGS”

No. 1 Digital Channel for Scripted Drama Created By Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia
Explores Female Characters in Original Series

Extends FOX’s Efforts to Discover and Nurture Talent and Content on Digital Platforms

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has entered into a multi-year pact with YouTube original drama channel WIGS. Building upon News Corporation’s initial investment, FOX and WIGS have formed a programming, marketing and distribution partnership designed to expand the breadth of offerings through the WIGS channel, and test and nurture dramatic concepts and talent in the digital realm.  Under the terms of the partnership agreement, FOX will assume a collaborative role in developing and marketing the channel to grow its base of female viewers, with an eye toward building content that can be programmed on FOX and/or other channels.

“Our overarching goal is to create an ecosystem where creative people and ideas can find expression independently in the online environment, but benefit from the resources that the larger platform of the network affords,” said Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “It takes unique creators and operators like Jon and Rodrigo and Jake Avnet, who not only understand the unfettered and entrepreneurial digital system, but also have a firm grasp on the mainstream – and can capitalize on both. They’ve spent a year building a novel production process and a vibrant alternative pipeline, and we’re excited to help them take those tremendous stories and talent and develop them into long-term digital or on-air assets.” 

“Rodrigo, Jake and I are looking forward to working with Kevin and his team on the next iteration of WIGS. We will continue to write, direct and produce quality scripted entertainment with many of the most talented actors, writers, directors and producers in our business for our YouTube platform. FOX will allow us to expand our horizons and offer us limitless possibilities, which we intend to fully take advantage of in all traditional media platforms, as well,” said Jon Avnet.

WIGS was launched in May 2012 by director/producers Avnet (“Black Swan,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,“ “Risky Business”), Rodrigo Garcia (“Albert Nobbs,” “In Treatment,” “Big Love”) and Jake Avnet, and is now the No. 1 channel for scripted drama on YouTube, with over 22 million views to date and more than 100,000 subscribers. 

The channel offers high-end original series, short films, and documentaries, all starring female leads. Popular series on the WIGS channel include “Blue,” about a mother with a secret life, starring Julia Stiles, Uriah Shelton, and Jeanne Tripplehorn; “Lauren,” a narrative about the complications from a military rape, starring Troian Bellisario and Jennifer Beals; “Serena,” a story of lust, temptation and forbidden love,starring Jennifer Garner and Alfred Molina; and “Jan,” about a young woman whose first job goes awry, starring Virginia Madsen, Stephen Moyer and Caitlin Gerard.
FOX PARTNERS WITH “WIGS” 
Additional WIGS offerings have included such actors as America Ferrera, Alison Pill, Dakota Fanning, Jimmy Wolk, Allison Janney, Walton Goggins, Maura Tierney, Michael C. Hall, Sarah Jones, Jason Isaacs, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Messina, Lois Smith, Gary Cole, Jena Malone, Gary Dourdan, Sarah Paulson and Eric Balfour.  Writers and directors include Paul Brickman, Betty Thomas, Lesli Linka Glatter, Rose Troche, Mitch Albom, Ami Canaan Mann, Scott Turow, Amy Lippman, Neil LaBute, Leah Rachel, Mattie Brickman, Patricia Cardoso, Mykelti Williamson and Lee Kriege

Wigs can be found at www.watchwigs.com www.youtube.com/wigs www.youtube.com/wigsespanol

-FOX-

Monday, May 13, 2013

Thanks Influenster for the AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream

Visitors to In A Lather know the site's primary function is to provide reviews and press releases of television shows, movies and other forms of entertainment. This post goes more the route of product spokesperson. Influenster "an exclusive community of invited trendsetters, social media mavens, and educated consumers who live to give opinions of products and experiences" has recently gifted me with many fine products. 

So i am spreading the word about Influenster and the terrific rewards they share. Most recently i received AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream "formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and vitamin B3, helps to reduce the appearance of discoloration, uneven tone and blotchiness, revealing healthier-looking skin." It feels great on my skin and i noticed positive results after just one application. i'm feeling #RadiantwithAVEENO