Sunshine from Around the World (in photos)
“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories…” -An Affair to Remember It’s been pretty bleak in Nashville, and around this time of year, a walk through my neighborhood isn’t very appealing: gray skies, bare trees, brown grass, and a chilling wind. Instead, I’m staying curled up in my blanket with a cup of coffee, looking up flight prices to the Yucatan Peninsula. I’m ready for springtime and some sun! But, alas, since it’s only just February, and to keep myself from getting even more sad that the prospect of spring is still many weeks away, I’m turning to memories of balmier days. (As I went through my pictures, I realized how lucky I’ve been to have a little good weather and blue skies.) Sydney, Australia Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Athens, Greece Colonia del Sacremento, Uruguay Tauranga, New Zealand Tigre, Argentina Como, Italy Coolangatta, Australia Do you feel the...
My Transformation Into a Mega Football Nut
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I’m flying back from New Orleans today after working amidst the madness that is Super Bowl Week (no, CMT did not supply us with gametime tickets…I think you have to be in some sort of ultra-union for that). For a little fun, and in honor of the holiest game in professional sports being held in New Orleans today, here is a comparison that shows how much my love of football has grown in the last year. Both photos were taken in Champions Square before game time, outside of the Superdome. Drastic hair color change aside, there is little indication that this is even the same person! On left: A girl who didn’t even have a black shirt in her suitcase, and couldn’t name a Saints player aside from Drew Brees or Lance Moore. Gunner was beyond embarrassed and made me wear his hat so I didn’t get kicked out of the city. On right: A fanatic who is quickly advancing in her football studies, and never missed watching a Saints game all season – now proudly being able to recognize shotgun and pistol formations. Boyfriends, there is hope. The same transformation could happen to your girlfriend, too. + + + In protection of girlfriends everywhere, Gunner did not force or coerce me into becoming a mega-Saints fan. My love for the sport was discovered on my own accord after enjoying a Titans vs. Saints game from the second...
5 Things to Do In Memphis (If You’re Not an Elvis Fan)
Memphis never has been a city that intrigued me. For some reason, I held this begrudging view that Elvis was the best thing that happened to an otherwise terrible place. You see, we Nashvillians and Memphis(ites?) have a pretty good Tennessee city rivalry going. Nashville has superior neighborhoods, shopping, food, professional sports, and obviously better music (this is Music City after all), so what’s the point in wasting gas to visit an inferior, crime-ridden place like Memphis? Kidding, obviously. Despite my passionate disinterest, when Gunner’s massive Southeast US road trip took him through Memphis for a weekend, I couldn’t balk at the opportunity to see him and explore a new city, even if it was Memphis. After eating the food, walking the streets, and hearing the music, my perspective began to change. This list is responsible for the small part of my heart that was captured by a nearby place that took me several years to visit. It’s what changed my mind about Memphis – and it had nothing to do with Elvis. The Barbecue Nachos at Central BBQ. It sounds a little strange – my expectations were low – but the barbecue nachos were so decadent and tasty! Barbecue steeped in a mild sweet barbecue sauce, topped with cheese and jalapenos…it’s the first time since New Orleans that I’ve had a real food epiphany. What do I mean by that? I mean I will definitely return to Memphis – if only for the barbecue nachos. Visit the Lorraine Motel. Just across the street from Central BBQ’s downtown location is the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The museum was under renovation when we were there, but even still, seeing that motel balcony in person was just as moving. It’s hard to believe the racist society MLK fought against was within my parents’ lifetime, and even more unfathomable is that the assassination happened less than 20 years before I was born. If you’re in Memphis, it’s definitely worth a stop to pay respects to one of the greatest American spirits to have lived in modern history. Within the Lorraine Motel is the National Civil Rights Museum, which does charge an admission fee. ($10 for adults, $9 for students.) Explore Mud Island. I raised my eyebrow when Gunner suggested we go to Mud Island, a neighborhood just outside of Memphis. It is an island situated right on (in?) the Mississippi River, and contrary to what its name suggests and my initial mental image, it’s not a gross or dirty place at all – it’s actually quite pleasant! There’s a nice waterfront park, perfect for a quiet afternoon spent reading,...
Film Industry News: The Return of the GoldFold Callsheet Wallet!
>> March 2013 Update: Click HERE for the latest update on GoldFolds. Exciting news, AD nation! For the last several months, it’s been difficult to track down the illustrious GoldFold wallet. The GoldFold is the perfect tool for storing those awkward legal-sized callsheets without wrinkling, as well as any additional papers you’d need to have on your person while on a film set. I’ve been trying to find a distributor to link to on my film gear recommendations page, but as anyone with Google has realized, it’s impossible to find – let alone buy – these handy callsheet wallets. I also couldn’t find any information explaining the absence of GoldFolds. After following several dead links to FilmTools webpages, I decided to go straight to the source: Travis Gold himself – a 1st AD and creator of the wallet. Within an impressive 5 minutes, he replied to my email! Travis Gold’s response, as of January 2012: Hi Laryssa. Goldfold is on a little Holiday of sorts. Gonna intro New improved line with Side carry mid feb. Subtle changes to Fold but side carry will be a terrific addition. Thank You And, there you have it – just a few short weeks until these wonderful little callsheet wallets are once again available for purchase. I’m guessing they’ll once again be distributed through FilmTools. Too bad we can’t preorder, eh? >> March 2013 Update: Click HERE for the latest update on GoldFolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you liked this post, subscribe to receive updates and stories about the film industry – or subscribe to my normal feed which includes all of my posts, including my adventures...
New York City and Randy Travis
Nashville supports a broad range of musical genres, but country music is Nashville’s core. For those of us who are immersed in it on a daily basis because of our work, it’s hard to estimate how popular country music is beyond the Mason Dixon line. When I was in New York City for a few days last year, that seemed as good a place as any to test the waters and see just how broad the reach of country music is. My friends and I were were eating dinner with a local New Yorker, and she asked me what TV shows I work on in Nashville. “Well, I just started working on Crossroads for CMT,” I said. In my experience, most people had heard of Crossroads. Or so I thought. Nope. “It’s a show that features one rock artist or band with a country band – and they play each other’s songs.” I explained, carefully selecting one of the bigger-caliber combinations. “Like, John Mayer and Keith Urban.” The New Yorker looked at me doubtfully. “I thought John Mayer was taking a break from music.” “Well, that show was a couple years ago,” I said, now on a quest to establish Nashville’s reputation as a legitimate film/tv hub. I was going to win over this New Yorker. “Uhh, the most recent one I worked on was the Avett Brothers-” quick smile of approval, score! “-and Randy Travis.” “Who?” “Randy Travis.” The New Yorker just shrugged, resuming her attention back to her meal. She’d never heard of Randy Travis. I grew up resistent to country music, mocking it and changing the radio station if I even heard a slight hint of twang, and even I’d heard of Randy Travis prior to moving to Nashville. I looked helplessly at my Australian friend who’d spent his whole life living in Brisbane or Sydney, and he looked as surprised as I did. Even he knew who Randy Travis was. “Uhh, well anyway, it’s a cool show.” I concluded, taking a sip of my margarita. And then the topic was promptly changed to finance, or traveling, or something everyone could relate to. What do you think? Was this New Yorker out of touch, or is the reach of country music limited to the Southeast (and apparently,...
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I'm Laryssa, and when I'm not working in film or television, I'm attempting to travel -- or I'm here, providing resources for working in film or travel. Read more Elsewhere on the internets
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