I’m doing stand-up. Thank you Gerry Katzman! I love my stand up class. You guys are crazy sexy cool!

And latest MySpace Entertainment Posts from ‘The Channel’ and ‘Trailer Park’

Zac Efron to Headline Nicholas Sparks Flick

Amanda Bynes Unretires After One Month

‘Sucker Punch’ Trailer Makes Its Debut!

I can’t believe that I’ve been in LA for a little over 4 years now. I came here with a few bucks in my pocket, 2 suitcases, and a dream. And I’m in the majority of course…This is Hollywood, baby! Its always heartening to meet those who are paving the way for their dreams to come into fruition by making things happen whether its writing an improv show, writing a screenplay and then directing it, obtaining financing, or just starting your own web series. I had a chance to chat wih Jon Rannells, writer/director of ‘Ruby Booby,” about how he got started, the state of the movie biz, and what keeps him going.

Tell us how writing “Ruby Booby” came about and how did you come up with the name?

Well I’d have to say in general that I’m continually drawn to ‘fish out of water’ tales. And I think ‘Ruby Booby’ – came from myself and my wife buying a little house in Highland Park, which is a predominantly Mexican neighborhood, just north of downtown L.A. Making the move from Toronto, Canada, just a few years ago, I found our new neighborhood both exotic and wonderfully cinematic. I kept thinking “I should really set something in this neighborhood.” And that combined with the need to use what was available to me because we had basically no money to shoot – resulted in the story of an introverted girl from the Deep South landing in East L.A. Ruby probably reflects how new and different the whole setting originally was for me. And the title came from – there’s an early scene in the movie where a group of young kids tease Ruby and when I thought of what they might chant to mock her – “Ruby Booby” – came to mind and then just started to feel like the right title for the film. Although most people of course assume it’s a porn when they hear it. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Although if you rented “Ruby Booby” expecting a porn – I imagine you’d be pretty disappointed.

Haha..so how does your background as an actor and comedian help you as a writer/director?

Well the reason I started writing, was that as an actor involved in different weekly workshops, I just became too lazy to look for material. Once you’ve gone through every scenebook you can find and exhausted every John Patrick Shanley and David Mamet play – it just became easier to write something before class and grab a willing actor to help me out in the scene. And maybe because of how that all started I think I have a good grasp of what constitutes fun dialogue and scenes for actors to play with. In terms of directing, I think or at least hope I speak the same language as actors and can easily get to the tone and performance the scene calls for. I know what it’s like to be on the other side, so first and foremost I try to setup an environment where everybody can have fun and do their best work without it feeling like ‘work’.

What is your favorite part of the storytelling process?

That’s a tough one. My first reaction is all of it. Filmmaking is a particularly challenging art form in that you have to be comfortable or surround yourself with people who are comfortable in many different elements of storytelling. There’s writing the script, which is fun because you get to envision the whole movie without leaving your house or getting out of your pajamas (in my case). Then there’s casting, picking locations, the music you want and on and on and on. It’s truly endless. And then when you edit you get to tell the story all over again. So at each juncture you get to mold the overall product. And I’ll let you know the end result, as this is my first feature but so far I’m loving all of it!

Very cool. So, what are the struggles and rewards of being an independent filmmaker in this day and age?

Well the rewards, besides the inherent satisfaction of getting your story completed and out to the public – I don’t yet know, because again this is my first go around. But the struggles? Where to start? Even if you’re given absolutely everything for free, completing a feature length film is still a herculean task. We did everything we could to limit locations, cast and shoot time – but inevitably, the story informs all those things and as much as you might fight it – you always end up biting off way more than you can chew.

Who are your filmmaker influences and who would you like to work with in the future?

It’s tough for me to really pinpoint who my influences are. I know the people who have blown me away over the years and I hope their stuff informs what I do. Every time I stumbled over a Jacque Tati or Jean Renior or Antonioni, I had to see everything they did. I know I’m drawn to a very strong visual sense. I like wide angles, tons of tracking shots and what I’d call a real “breathability” – lots of establishing shots in beautiful outdoor locations. In terms of contemporary North American filmmakers, the Coen brothers for me are in a class onto themselves. They’re just such a rare combination of a strong literary influence combined with a distinct and powerful visual sense. After them comes Wes Anderson. Myself and my friends must have watched Bottle Rocket a hundred times. I love everything about what that guy does. As to who I’d like to work with, I guess I usually think of that in terms of actors and cinematographers. I have a notebook where I keep a long list of people who have caught my attention over the years.

Love the Coen brothers. What are your thoughts on the current state of the Movie biz?

I think it’s both an amazing time and a very difficult time to be a filmmaker these days. On one hand, the whole model of production is being re-invented. With the technology of today’s digital high-def cameras, achieving something that’s pleasing to the eye is easier and cheaper than it ever has been in the history of film. It’s really the wild west out there. Everyone has a camera and everyone’s working towards making something. And now they can even edit the entire film at home. I don’t however know if films are any better right now because of that freedom. But I think there’s an entire new generation of filmmakers who will have an easier time expressing themselves and growing as storytellers and the best is yet to come. On the other hand, the financial model for films is in trouble and if you don’t have a tent pole Hollywood picture that makes it’s money at the box office, right now you’re going to have a tough time making money.
But if you don’t believe that a good story and execution has at least a chance of some attention – then it’s time to grab a tool belt and switch careers. And I don’t have a tool belt… yet.

What about international investors/financing? Have you gone that route to help raise funds for “Ruby Booby” and your other projects?

I don’t have a lot of direct experience with cobbling together international financing. In Canada it happens a lot whereby you do a co-production with another country. The funding in Canada is mainly from the government, so you start there and try to add to it where you can. But as a first time filmmaker I think, or at least for me, it would be too tough to sit in the middle of that before you’ve proven to yourself and others that you’re up to the task. I wouldn’t be against it in the future if the model made sense. I really strive however to not be locked into fundraising for years. I’ve seen a lot of friends wait forever for that last piece of funding to come through and I think I’d go crazy. I’m prolific in nature and kind of fickle, so for me I really want to think it, write it and shoot it even if its for two cents and then move onto the next one. Or so the dream goes.

Well, props to you for going for it. What else inspires you and keeps you doing what you’re doing?

I guess the easy answer is, I don’t know what else I would do. I’ve gone to great pains to make sure I’m not good at anything else. I think in this business if you have something to fall back on, you’re inevitably going to fall back on it. It’s a truly tough and at times miserable biz but if you think you have something interesting and entertaining to say, it’s nearly impossible for people and circumstances to squeeze that out of you. And I’m inspired by a lot of things. Locations in particular seem to get my engine going. I love driving around and seeing places that interest me. Maybe because I grew up in a city, great expanses are really pleasing to me. We shot portions of Ruby up in the grapevine south of Bakersfied. It’s just fields, fields and more brown fields – and I have to say I loved every minute of being up there. Maybe I’m meant to make Westerns. There’s an idea…

Thanks Jon! And for more information about Ruby Booby..CLICK HERE!

(Originally Posted on MySpace Channel’s TV Blog)
Last season, MTV’s ‘Teen Mom,’ gave viewers a glimpse into the lives of four teenage girls who became mothers at an age when they should’ve been more worried about getting a date to prom. Well, Maci, Amber, Catelynn, and Farrah are back for season 2 of ‘Teen Mom,’ as they adjust to new realities of motherhood, love, life, and moving on.

I had a chance to speak with Farrah, a single mom as she faces the new reality of work, motherhood, trying to make ends meet, and trying to find love. This season, she seems to have matured quite a bit. Check out the interview.

Kat Ahn: Great to speak with you. So tell us, this is season 2 of “Teen Mom,” are you used to the cameras following you around now?

Farrah: I’m very used to the cameras. I mean, its been 2 years now, but some of my friends aren’t used to it. I’m actually friends with the crew and they don’t get in too much of my space.

Kat Ahn: Cool. So, what do you think it is about ‘Teen Mom’ that is resonating with viewers?

Farrah: I think ‘Teen Mom’ has more truth and responsibility to it. You know I don’t really follow the shows that encourage, getting drunk and having sex with more than one partner. There is a responsibility that does go on when you do have sexual intercourse. Young people/old people all watch our show because its for every type of group and everyone can relate.

Kat Ahn: Well said. Last season, you dealt with being a young mom and living with your parents. But after a recent incident with your Mom, you moved out. How are things now between you and your Mom?

Farrah: Right now…um..my Mom and my relationship is better than ever. We’re in family counseling now. I recommend that to every mom because it will help the relationship between mom and child. Kid and Mom. You have to in order to have great relationships.

Kat Ahn: Tell us about Sophia. How is she doing?

Farrah: Sophia is 17 months and she’s wonderful. She’s getting cuter as she gets older. I love her walking around, trying to help me, and learning different words very quickly. She’s having a growth spurt on learning vocabulary because my parents and grandparents help to learn words. They want her to learn 200 words by the time she’s 2.

Kat Ahn: So cute. So, what do you think this whole experience is teaching you? What can we look forward to seeing from you this season?

Farrah: I can’t speak for the other girls because we have unique situations. For me, this has gotten me through the barrier with my parents. We can be honest and not get frustrated. We will never have bad communication again. It has helped me, I would say..you know, being portrayed as going out all the time, now I make sure I’m not out all the time. I’m a teenager, going to school, and being responsible for my daughter. I’m the only parent for hero so it matters more to me that I’m more responsible. I can’t always be depressed. The show has helped me move on.

Kat Ahn: That’s good to hear. So, do you think this show glamorizes teen pregnancy?

Farrah: I don’t know how this show does that. The context needs to be looked at. I mean, I work hard, go to class and I don’t get glamorous things. I don’t think it is at all. I don’t get people who say that. We all have issues and problems.

Kat Ahn: There are viewers who love your show, but aren’t so kind about their views on your parenting style. What would you say to them?

Farrah: You know..I used to look at what they did say. Going to counseling has helped me get my priorities straight and looking at those don’t matter anymore. I understand that you have an opinion, but I don’t get why you’re saying that to me. I do have respect for my parents but I know that my parents aren’t right all the time. They have to look at both sides.

Kat Ahn: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Farrah: Getting my Associates degree iin culinary management, opening a restaurant. I also want to get a Bachelor’s for law degree. I want to be there for Sophia, save money for her to go to college.

Kat Ahn: Again, awesome to hear. So are we ever going to meet Sophia’s Dad?

Farrah: When you watch this season, you will see what happens with me and Sophia’s Dad. That’s all I can say.

Kat Ahn: If you could talk to your 14 year old self, what would you say?

Farrah: You know I recently did a panel discussion with Bristol Palin and I kinda touched on how before I met Sophia’s dad, I wanted to go to college and focused on expectations in guys when I was 14. I knew I wanted to wait and like many girls, they need to fill a void of wanting to fall in love. That got in the way of expectations of myself. Shortly after I turned 15, I got off track. Now, though, I’m back to normal. I’m back to who I was before I met Sophia’s Dad.

Thanks for your time, Farrah. And check out the Season 2 premiere of MTV’s ‘Teen Mom,’ tonight at 10 PM ET/PT.

(Originally Posted on MySpace Channel, TV Blog)
Christian Kane is a multi-hyphenate. Actor. Singer. Songwriter. Performer. He portrays the bad boy Eliot Spencer on TNT’s hit show, ‘Leverage,” but what you may not know about Christian is that he’s also a talented singer-songwriter and his song, ‘Thinking of You,’ just made its debut on this past Sunday’s episode entitled, ‘The Studio Job.’

Kat Ahn: Hey Christian, how are you? So, you like being referred to as the B.A. Baracus of the show, or how do you feel about that?

Christian Kane: Good. Well, I took a lot of stuff from Mr. T when I got this role. You know this is a Jason Borne character, it really is, that’s who he was before. And in order for me to be part of the team, if I was Jason Borne, I’d just be sitting there and I’d just be taking everything in. I wouldn’t talk a lot, and I was like how am I going to make this guy you know stand out and be part of a team and be a force to reckon with? And I just took one of my all time heroes, which is you know – you know Mr. T, and I said, you know B.A. Baracus was always pissed off about everything, so I’m just going to make Eliot mad at anything. I mean – and it’s really what I’ve done. If you’ll notice if Hardison drops a fork or if (Beth) spills a glass, it just makes him so mad, he can’t even sit in his seat. And I really stole that from B.A. Baracus, so I have no problem with people telling me that. That’s a great compliment to have, because that’s kind of what I was going for.

Kat Ahn: So, you have a ton of fans on your MySpace page, and you obviously interact a lot with them. Tell us a bit more about your songwriting process. And what do you think sets you apart from all the – you know the other country singers are right now, like what is it that you bring to the table?

Christian Kane: Well, I get paid to be a liar, that’s what it is, I’m an actor. You know what I mean, and that’s just what it is. And you know there’s a lot of truth to what we do, but basically I’m playing a character, I’m not Eliot Spencer you know even though I bring a lot of me to the character, and I know this guy better than anyone. But you know I – that’s – it’s not real. And I think with song writing and songs, you have to be absolutely truthful, especially in country music and so I write about what I know. And I don’t think that there’s really anything that sets me apart, but what I do bring to the table is that you know growing up, spending 10 years of my – 12 – 10 years of my life on Los Angeles, we played country music, I had to be in Los Angeles, and so we played country music, and we played the (Viper) Room, that’s where we played, we played (Sunset), we were the only country band at the time in LA, and there was – that was our venue, the (Viper) Room. Now it’s a Saturday night, and we’re in between grunge and metal and heavy you know and hair bands, but we were playing country music. And so in a sense to not lose the crowd, we incorporated a little bit of rock, we came back to The Almond Brothers, we came back to Skynyrd. And in that sense, I believe I found my sound, and I like to incorporate a little bit more rock and roll than most country people do, and I come to find out that there is a fan base out there for that.

Kat Ahn: That is great; you’re staying true to who you are.

Christian Kane: That’s it.

Kat Ahn: Well, your track, ‘Thinking of You,’ is featured on the “Studio Job” episode of ‘Leverage,’ that’s pretty awesome.

Christian Kane: Oh, that’s just – it’s a blessing, it really is. And you know and I said before where the song comes out, I’ll be so interested to see how many people go and get that. Man, that’d be so much fun. And just – it’s still the same song, but its somewhat of a different version, and I just, you know, I’ve been on MySpace, those guys on MySpace, I’ve got the best fans in the world. I’ve got to be honest with you… they’ve been with me through thick and thin. They understand that sometimes I leave the music to go do – to go do an acting job, and no one’s really criticized me that hard for it yet, and I just – and I owe it all to them, I really do. You know I think that’s why “Leverage” is such a great show, just because we’ve got – we’ve got all these people that are following us, and it’s just – they’re die hard, man, and we couldn’t do it without them you know we wouldn’t exist without them.

Thanks for your time Christian and check out his latest single, ‘Thinking of You,” on his MySpace Page. And check out ‘Leverage,” on TNT on Wednesday nights at 9 pm ET.

Check out “Thinking of You”

Ever have one of those days when your booty is glued to your chair and your fingers are like machines that are humming along.
Except when you think you have Carpal tunnel. Ugh….

Pic: Source

I had a chance to speak with DJ Qualls who plays Davey Sutton, a uniform cop who considers himself to be the protégé of Dwight Hendricks (Jason Lee) on the new TNT drama, ‘Memphis Beat.’

On this quirky cop drama set in Memphis, Tennessee, DJ Qualls plays a rookie cop who has a few tricks up his sleeve. He’s in good company with a talented cast including Jason Lee, Alfie Woodward, and Sam Hennings. The soundtrack featuring artists like Elvis and Sam Cooke also adds a unique flavor to this cop drama.

Kat: Hey DJ, so I’m from MySpace Channel and wanted to know how active are you with your fans on social media?

DJ Qualls: So I started basically just to you know to be able to Tweet one message so a bunch of my friends can know that I’m still alive. But I’m really starting to get into it. But I have to – like it’s a weird balance because the other day I realized that TNT is one of my followers. And that night I sent a text saying, ‘At a bar, 3:00 am, please God don’t let me take home a stranger”, as a total joke. First thing the next morning I was waking up, like what did I tweet last night? And then I was like oh no my bosses are on my follow list.

Memphis Beat airs every Tuesday on TNT at 10 p.m.(ET/PT)
(Originally posted on MySpace Channel, the blog for all things TV)

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Check out these giveaways on MySpace Fashion and Vivastic.

Murad Hybrid Product Giveaway!

The truth is that I don’t get as much sleep as I’d like, and I’m always looking for ways to hide the signs of my deprivation – dark or puffy under eye circles. Recently, I tried Murad’s Hybrid Treatment Cosmetic Line, which consists of products created by world-renowned Dr. Murad M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA and founder of Murad. Inc. His skincare line has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, and Self Magazines, and Murad products are the #1 selling skincare brand at both Sephora and Ulta. The new hybrid line uses Dr. Murad’s ‘inclusive health’ approach to skincare, targeting skin concerns with formulas that simultaneously treat and conceal imperfections.

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Rand Hills Naturals Product Giveaway!

I had the pleasure of meeting Randie, creator of “Rand Hill Naturals,” at a recent LA Beauty event and was floored by her down-to-earth nature, her natural products, and her story of how she started her skin care business. Her brand, “Rand Hills Naturals,” came from her goal is to create exceptional, unrefined, handmade products that incorporate plant and mineral ingredients of natural origins in their simplest, most unrefined form– products that are free of artificial colors, fragrances and preservatives.

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I’ve tried the Honey Oatmeal Cleansing Mask and let me tell you, it gently cleanses while making your skin feel so soft. And the fact that it is all natural is just icing on the cake. Well, we’re giving Vivastic readers a chance to win some fabulous Rand Hill Naturals Products…

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I spent time working at the Maritime Hotel right after graduating from college and I saw lots of crazy people. Rich people. Celebrities. People who spend their lives navigating the hotel nightclub scene..so I had to link this NEW YORK MAGAZINE ARTICLE.

The boutique hotels of New York City can be ultra exclusive and very much a “You’re not cool enough to be here,” type scene. When you work there, you become this fly on the wall to these antics. Then again, I actually met the most interesting people in New York while at work, with earplugs in my ears so my hearing wouldn’t be impaired by the blaring music. Strange.

Photo: Wired New York

Proof that Karaoke ain’t just an Asian Thing…what what?!

My brother and I have had our share of ups and downs, but what siblings haven’t? He’s the person who taught me how to be tough, how to act around boys, and always told me to wipe away my tears when I acted “too girly.” I was always that little sister who tried to hang out with her big brother and his friends and he never babied me at all. Instead, he treated me like a little brother which sounds bad, but actually made me really strong. The thing is..the tough times that our family faced..we couldn’t have done it without having an inner toughness and resilience. Maybe its an Ahn thing. He’s talented in many ways, and most recently he produced a film entitled, “Ruby Booby,” and has been working his ass off! I interviewed Mr. Andrew Ahn himself and oh yeah, Happy B-day Oppa!

How did you get involved with producing “Ruby Booby?”

I met the Tara and Jon of Ruby Booby through Craigslist. Thank God for Craigslist.

What got you into the producing game?

First and foremost, I love film. I really fucking love it. It’s something that I’ve dreamt about doing for over ten years. So most of my career decisions were geared towards entertainment. I mean I moved out to LA for the sole purpose of working in film. And naturally, I’m a business minded individual and I got that “Hustler” mentality and being a producer, you need to have that kind of attitude. It just made sense for me to go in that direction.

Starting out, it was really tough. I worked random odd jobs for the first 3 years and then found work in reality television on the post side. While working my weekday job, I’d take on small projects on the weekends as a coordinator. Working on set and then getting post side experience mentally brought things together and I could see everything from a macro POV. It was a tremendous learning experience. A show I was working on ended early 2009 and instead of jumping back in the television side of things, I just threw everything I had into producing films. I ended up working on a feature length film, Desire Street in the summer of 2009 that turned out to be an eye opening experience. That led me to some smaller projects and finally brought me to Ruby Booby.

What is the most rewarding part about being an independent producer?

I’d say the most rewarding part of being an indie producer is that you get a lot of freedom to tell the stories that you want to tell. We’re not really bogged by having to deal with making a product for the mass market, but rather films that really ring true to our thoughts and ideas. Although that might not as financial rewarding as say a Hollywood production, it allows us to take more risks with our storytelling. Essentially it allows us to figure out our style on our own terms. We can carve out our own space first and then we can go from there down the line.

The most challenging part about being an independent producer?

The most challenging part of being a indie producer or any producer for that matter is getting it off the ground. It’s just that as an indie producer, the chips that are stacked against you are that much higher and more intimidating. We don’t have that credit line or access to financing and so we have to squeeze everything out of all of our resources that we have. For Ruby Booby, we basically asked friends and family for donations or borrowed money. And everyone was so grateful to help out. It was just amazing. They really believed in the project. The other challenging part was finding a crew that would work for basically nothing. But the story was so compelling that we were able to gather an amazing crew that came aboard, donating their time to make this film happen. I mean without them, this film fails to exist.

But these were all challenges that we had to face throughout the production, but we were able to make it happen and that was what made the project even more amazing. Just everything that came together, made facing those challenges worthwhile. We all grew a lot from them.

Very Cool. So, tell us about how you are looking to raise money to finish “Ruby Booby.” Why are you going about fundraising this way?

We set up www.rubyboobythemovie.com to get people to see our teaser trailer, behind the scenes footage, photos and tons of other information. Our hope is that people might be interested in supporting our film by donating a couple bucks here, a couple bucks there and be personally invested in the success of the film. If they like what they see and would like to help, there is a donation menu where we would for example give them a copy of the DVD for a $35 donation or if you donate a larger amount, an executive producer credit. Right now, our greatest need is money to finish up post. That includes sound design, music and color correction among many others. Any donation or support would be greatly appreciated.

The reason why we decided to go about fundraising this way was because the budget of the film was so low, that it was within our means to do it this way. If we tried to go the traditional route of asking for money through investors and such, we would be sitting, waiting, twiddling our thumbs waiting for an answer. We just decided to move the project forward, borrowed all of our equipment, asked friends and family for money and filmed over the course of a month. This forced us to keep the budget as low as possible, but because the story was so important we were extremely prudent in making sure that we didn’t sacrifice that. We were all forced to produce in some way or another.

We are gonna work our asses off to get this amazing story out to the public. We all believe in Jon’s story, which truly deserves to be seen on the big screen.

F’sho. So, what are the types of projects that you hope to produce in the future?

I’m in this game to make interesting, compelling, thought-provoking, inspirational films. Whether it might be a comedy or horror film, whether it is independently financed or a multi-billion dollar studio production, I’m here to make DOPE films. And as long as the films are up to the high standard that I put on myself every single day, I feel that I’ve accomplished what I came to do in this game.

What inspires you to pursue this very difficult career?

It’s what I came into this world to do. It’s not a career or a job. This is who I am. Simple as that.

Do your thang, Andrew! For more information about Ruby Booby The Movie, CLICK HERE.
And this is my bro’s other passion for performing! Our family is just a bunch of attention-hungry freaks, aren’t we?