L.A. re-Union

Have you heard the one about the guy who goes to Hollywood to pitch a movie idea and ends up being held hostage for 3 days ending in a warehouse covered in goose bumps? Well, that guy was me. And I live to tell the tale.

Excuse me while I suck down a Fabulous Bastard from my barstool at Lemongrass Thai Bistro and gather my focus.

OK. My buddy Joseph Guay & I packed our scripts and flew out to the left coast for a planned 4-day “Razzle/Dazzle” pitch to a handful of movie industry folks. Our objective: taking this great idea from the paper to the big screen. We had some productive meetings at some cool eateries across L.A. (for those of you who follow me on Facebook & Twitter, it was like you were along for the ride.) Movie people opt to meet at restaurants & bars over boardrooms and I totally dig that! Long story short, we found an executive director for our film. Now the real work begins.

Coffee is a kind bean. I learned long ago that my creative juices flow from an espresso machine and come in the form of a Latte – the more venti the better. I FourSquared my way through the city, never gracing the door of the same Starbucks twice.

I ♥ L.A. !!! It’s my kind of city. “Liquid Gold” Lattes on every other corner.

Man can not survive on Lattes alone. The more memorable eats included a spicy dinner at the rock’n roll gritty TOI Thai with super hot Pleasant Gehman (Star of the Macon-filmed “Stuck!”) who regaled us with tales of being recently sawed in half on a Las Vegas stage and her latest film “The Casserole Club” about Swinging in the 60′s. (check out Maconite Maryann Bates’ exellent movie stills from the set.) We had some sumptuous sushi at a sidewalk table at Sushiya between the cold couple sitting next to us and the hot red Ferraris parked on Sunset Blvd. By far, the most unforgettable dish was “Mom’s French Toast” @ The Griddle Café on Sunset Blvd. Our server had the look of a serial killer with dead eyes and yet gave some “killer” food suggestions. “Tony” turned me on to the BEST French Toast I’ve ever had in my life! If you are in L.A., The Griddle Café is a MUST! Excellent food and fairly quick service…especially if you work the hair flip.

Footballer Steve Bartkowski’s wife, Sandee, invited us out to Malibu for dinner & drinks one night…all I can say is: WOW! “I … just adore a penthouse view…darling I love ya but give me my Malibu!” This was way better than my last trip to Malibu where I got in this weird other-wordly convo with a spaced-out Gary Busey.

Another friend invited us onto the set of NBC’s “Parks & Recreation” where we watched one scene being shot. Amy Poehler gets locked in a room at a cat-filled bed & breakfast.

Ok, back to the being held hostage part….we were invited out to Burbank for the final rehearsal of Elton John & Leon Russell’s tour of their new album “The Union.” The Friday rehearsal was rescheduled for Tuesday. We were scheduled to fly home on Sunday…they asked us to stay…so we did. Elton wanted Joseph to photograph the session. This was the opportunity of a lifetime! We get there…along with T.Bone Burnett, Bernie Taupin, Elton John, Leon Russell and Allman Brothers fan & Academy Award winning director Cameron Crowe. Now picture this…The full orchestra behind two pianos…in front of the pianos were two couches where I sat and enjoyed the most amazing private concert.

Elton started it off with “Levon” & “Tiny Dancer.” The audience: me, T Bone, Bernie, Cameron, the sound guys & Cameron’s film crew. Enter: The Goose Bumps! Joseph’s photos (including the following) have made world-wide media.

* Rolling Stone has given “The Union” 5 Stars. The CD will be in stores this week.

A shout out to my groovy brother-in-law, Tony Williams, for putting us up & putting up with us!

*** THRILL KILL CULT ***

Thriller Dance Practice. Every Thursday in October @ 7pm. Tattnall Square Park – directly across from Mercer University.

Netherworld Haunted House – Atlanta, Georgia. “Netherworld is a pinnacle haunted house attraction that truly transforms actors into horrific monsters of fright. This haunt is the industry leader in developing new scare techniques utilizing the perfect balance of live actor/animatronic scare zones. Outside the entrance, a dedicated army of monsters scare patrons before ever even entering the doorway. “America’s scariest haunted house.” –USA TODAY

If you’d prefer to get your fright on a little closer to home..check out The F.E.A.R. Institute. Third Street, Downtown Macon. October 22, 23, 27-31. 8p – Midnight.

Spirits in October. Oct 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30. $20 Adults, $10 Students.

“The Little Foxes” @ Theatre Macon. October 22 – 30. Call for tix: 746-9485.

Drag Queen Bingo @ The Hummingbird. Thursday, Oct. 28th. 7p -9p.

Big Screen Movie Night: “The Birds” @ Riverside Cemetery. Thursday, Oct. 28th. 8pm. FREE.

The 4th Annual Thriller Dance will be on October 30th @ 7pm.

Serial Killers are the new Black!
The Kill Room Halloween Party @ The SoChi Gallery. Oct. 30th @ 10p. Signature Cocktail: The Killer Cosmo. Attire: Fashion Victim. if you can’t figure that out: think “Serial Killer” or “Victim” attire. Music by DJ Dirty.

Brett Butler LIVE! @ Cox Capitol Theatre. Nov. 5th @ 8pm. Tix: $40 Floor/Reserved Seating, $25 Balcony/General Admission. 478-257-6391.

Fly South Fest. Nov. 6th. 2p ’til 10:30p. Amerson Water Works Park.

Made-in-Macon film “Stuck!” is now available for Pre-Order.

The Macon Film Festival is calling for sponsors for the 2011 film festival. Be Cool & Sponsor one of the hottest events in Macon! For more info, email me @ Terrell@TerrellSandefur.com

Calling all SoChilites! Show your SoChi pride by slapping a SoChi destination sticker on the back of your car. Buy yours @ The SoChi Gallery. 534 Second Street, Macon, GA 31201. 478-238-6630.