Oscar Nominations for 2017 Revealed: Is Your Fave on the List?

They're out. The Oscar nominations for the 89th Annual Awards Ceremony for 2017 are out, and LaLa Land tops the list. How many of these films have you seen? If you haven't seen them all, theaters often run the contenders again so look for them in your local theater and at the same time support the theaters. There's nothing like watching a movie in a real theater. Read the list here;

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/2017-oscar-nominations-academy-awards-nominees-1201968107/

RHONJ Dina Manzo Has Acting Debut in New Amazon Series Tainted Dreams: Cast Includes Reality and Soap Stars

Dina Manzo and Anthony Wilkinson star in #Tainted Dreams

RHONJ Dina Manzo has another show on her IMDB profile, a soap. Dina appears in Tainted Dreams, a continuing drama now streaming on Amazon. Tainted Dreams is the brainchild of Sonia Blangiardo, who has been behind the scenes in the land of soaps as a director for decades. Tainted Dreams chronicles the behind-the-scenes happenings of a soap opera, Painted Dreams - and if you think the on-screen happening are interesting there's even more drama behind the cameras.

Dina called her appearance, "my little acting debut among all these soap pros." Indeed, she is in the cast with iconic players from daytime, Alicia Minshew, Austin Peck, Terri Ivans, Walt Willey, Grant Aleksander, Michael Lowry, Kelley Hensely, Bobbie Eakes, Colleen Zenk, Natalia Livinston, the late Larkin Malloy, Jaimes DePaiva, Ilene Krsten, Nathan Purdee, Tonya Walker and Marie Schulenberg. Rounding out the cast is Anthony Wilkinson of  the My Big Gay Italian Wedding franchise and Big Brothers/wrestling's Jessie Godderz and others.

In her exclusive promo for the show she talks about "how she always wanted to be an actress." She also states how "it's a very different dynamic" versus being on a reality show, when the cameras are following you around. In this show, the Manzo surname is gone. She's a DiGiacomo!

Review: La La Land Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling: Simply a Delight for the Eyes and Ears

I had to see what all the rave was about regarding La La Land.

I went to see it, and I can't get the song "City of Stars" out of my head.

If you are a fan of romance, jazz, Emma or Ryan, musicals, or movie nostalgia, go see this move. It's also a movie for dreamers, if you have a dream in your heart that you know can come true there's meaning in this for you.

Here's what I liked about this film, no what I loved:

Go Behind the Scenes of a Soap with TAINTED DREAMS on Amazon - Features Alicia Minshew, Austin Peck & Other Iconic Daytime Talent plus From RealityTV Dina Manzo, Jessie Godderz

A Soap Fan's Dream - New Series Tainted Dreams Premiering on Amazon 12-26 -16

Tells the Story Behind the Scenes of A Soap Opera: Cast Includes Iconic Daytime Talent from All Networks and Reality Stars

NEW YORK CITY,  December 18, 2016 – Tainted Dreams, the Emmy-nominated web series about the "behind the scenes" drama of the fictitious soap Painted Dreams will start streaming on Amazon on December 26, 2016. Tainted Dreams (#TaintedDreams) will be available free, even for non-subscribers (without ads for prime members and with ads for non-prime subscribers).  Tainted Dreams is produced by NYC Brand Productions which includes the critically acclaimed film Equity’s Executive Producer, Candy Straight.  Visit www.tainteddreams.com for more info. View the Sneak Peak Trailer here: https://www.facebook.com/tainteddreamstheseries/

Females in Entertainment Interview: Producer/Actress Sarah Megan Thomas of Backwards and Equity Movie Can You Have it All?

                                                                                      By Suzanne Ordas Curry

Sarah Megan Thomas of  Equity and Backwards

Sarah Megan Thomas is an actress, writer and producer whose second film, Equity, a financial thriller rolled out in theaters nationwide this past year and is now available on DVD.

Aside from the suspense and storyline of this timely drama, Equity is known as being a film written, directed, starring, and produced mainly by women. In Equity it’s the females that call the shots.

Prior to Equity, Sarah produced and starred in Backwards, a movie about a subject near and dear to her heart, rowing.

But how did Sarah go from the suburbs of Philadelphia to Hollywood? In this interview Sarah talks about her beginnings, and what it’s like being a female and a mom in entertainment.

Suzee: So let’s start at the beginning. When did you first realize the field of entertainment might be for you?

Sarah Megan Thomas: It’s so funny cause I feel like I have wanted to do it since I was born, I don’t really remember the genesis. I do remember my dad made me and my sister play the piano for many years. And remember putting on Les Miserables with my sister in our living room, playing various roles. That was the beginning and end of my singing career because I’m a horrible singer! Just always wanting to create and perform. My parents were like “that’s nice she’ll outgrow it”. I come from two lawyers, very practical. So they said “not until after college, you have to wait till after college to pursue it.”

They thought maybe I would stop, and I was a theater major, they were always supportive. After college they said, ‘Well, I guess she’s really going to do this.”

Sarah Megan Thomas,  Roe Hartrampf and Samuel Roukin behind the scenes at the making of Equity

Equity Movie Fans: ABC Picks up Pilot Commitment from Sony Tri-Star for TV

Save 20% at JCrew Stores in Bergen County NJ and Help Support Kids in Foster Care Through CASA for Children of Bergen County

In The Car with Blossom and Len: Queens Theatre's Newest Production Stars Emmy Award Winner Martha Byrne and Patricia Randell

There's a lot going on in the car with Blossom
and Len.                 Photo by Dominick Totino

Who's in the car with Blossom and Len?

Emmy award-winning actress Martha Byrne is in that car.

After a few decades away from the stage having started her career in Broadway's Annie, three-time Emmy Winner Martha Byrne returns to star as Fern in "In the Car with Blossom and Len, a play about the trials and tribulations of growing up, growing old and having to take care of parents who are simply old. The play is a Queens Theatre in the Park production.

An Evening to Benefit Bergen County Family and Children's Charities: The Universal Unitarian Outreach Auction

Equity the Movie Screens at Rutgers: Special Discussion by Producers Follows

Interview: Martha Byne Talks Soaps Now and Then; CBS Daytime TV Reunion on THE TALK

Soaps are here to stay, even with changing viewing habits. Martha Byrne, legend of daytime, was on As The World Turns for two decades, General Hospital and wrote for Bold and The Beautiful. We ask her why people continue to tune in, and what 's she's up to now.     

Watch on Demand: Martha Byrne and other legends of Daytime on THE TALK on CBS Wednesday, October 12th. #TheTalk

Why do you think daytime TV still has an audience?

Martha Byrne: Most daytime soaps are multi-generational. I think a majority of the audience grew up watching and have continued the tradition. Even with many shows off the air, the remaining ones continue to build numbers. I'm glad there are still scripted shows to watch. I think as a society we need escapism and soaps were always good at filling that important need.

What kind of stories do you think daytime TV should do not to capture and new audience?

#JustSayThankYou: The Hollywood Beauty Detective Starts a Movement For Girls to Just Take the Compliment

Actress Holly Fulger says
to girls: #justsaythankyou

Actress Holly Fulger , from Ellen, Zenon,
& 7th Heaven is founder of  The Hollywood Beauty Detective. And she's starting a movement.. With all the emphasis on looks more than ever, she believes girls and women should be happy with their beauty. And know how to take a compliment.

Holly states, "The Hollywood Beauty Detective believes that women and girls everywhere deserve to feel beautiful. And we know that, as women, sometimes it's difficult to believe that, and even more difficult to hear a compliment and, 'just say thank you.' 

Holly's website aims to redefine beauty, after all, beauty is just an opinion. As part of this, #thehollywoodbeautydective has produced a video called #justsaythankyou. It's a start in a very long process.

Special Screenings for Wall Street Thriller Equity To Be Held in NYC and NJ this Month: Q & A's with Actors, Producers Held After Shows

James Purefory, Alysia Reiner, Sarah Megan Thomas
and Director Meera Menon at Sundance  Q & A

Special screenings of the movie Equity, which in theaters now, will be held in NJ and New York City throughout August and September. Equity is a tech thriller about a female investment banker who takes an Internet security company public amid competition by friends and foe. It stars Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad). James Puerfoy (The Following, Hap and Leonard). Sarah Megan Thomas (Backwards Movie), Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black, HTGAWM, Rosewood), David Alan Basche (TvLand's The Exes), Craig Beirko (Lifteime's Unreal), Sophie Von Hasselberg (Bette Midler's daughter), Margaret Colin (Independence Day), James Naughton (The Devil Wears Prada) and others.

Louis Vanaria from A Bronx Tail to Play at American Cut Bar & Grill in NJ

Englewood Cliffs, NJ – (September 8, 2016) –American Cut Bar & Grill welcomes singer, songwriter and actor Louis Vanaria who will perform live on Friday, September 9^th from 8PM-11PM on the Patio at American Cut Bar & Grill in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Born in the Bronx, New York, Vanaria has always aspired to be a singer/songwriter. After hearing about an open casting call for the upcoming Robert De Niro film, A Bronx Tale, Vanaria worked his way in and attempted to land a singing role, only to land the role of "Crazy Mario." Vanaria was soon cast in the CBS movie of the week, Young at Heart, starring Olympia Dukakis and featuring Frank Sinatra.

Interview with Bette Midler's Daughter Sophie Von Haselberg: From China to Wall Street She's Forging Her Own Path in Show Business - See Her in Wall Street Thriller Equity

Sophie Von Haselberg is making quite a name for herself in Hollywood. This talented and personable young lady has had roles in three feature films and her role in Equity, the story of a female investment banker who takes a company public, is sure to put her on the road to success. 

Sophie, the daughter of  the legendary Bette Midler and Martin Von Haselberg has taken a circuitous path to stardom, That journey started at Yale University where she majored in Asian Studies and sociology, brought her to China where she worked at an ad agency and then back to America to pursue acting.

In her role in Equity, she plays the outspoken Marin, a sharp, savvy coder who seems to know the real deal at Cachet, the company that's going public. 

In this interview, Sophie shares more about how she's ending up in movies, as well as what movies she chills to.  

Tell me about your role in Equity. Why were you drawn to it?

​Sophie: I love that Marin is sort of an outsider who is so damn good at her job that she doesn't feel the need to play by the same rules as everyone else, in particular because she sees through the egos of the people she's surrounded by. She finds herself in a tough and, I think, very unexpected spot -- I wish we could see where her life goes next! 

THE OTHER F WORD TO PREMIERE IN NJ: Caytha Jentis' Amazon Weberies with Judy Gold and Steve Guttenberg is the Midlife Sex and the CIty

The Other F Word, the latest production from Ridgewood’s award winning filmmaker Caytha Jentis will have its New Jersey premiere at the Bow Tie Warner Quad in Ridgewood on Wednesday August 31^st at 7pm.  Doors open at 6:30. 

The Other F Word, a micro digital series that will stream on Amazon September 1^st, cast includes Jersey natives,
comedians Judy Gold (The Jim Gaffigan Show) and Ben Bailey (Cash Cab).  Ridgewood’s Matt Cermack will be making his television debut.   The cast also includes Steve Guttenberg (Police Academy, Cocoon), Michael Boatman (Good Wife, Spin City) and Reiko Aylesworth (24, Hawaii 5-0).

Star of New Movie Equity Alysia Reiner to Appear at Special Screenings in NJ for This First Female-Driven Wall Street Movie: Tech Thriller Opens Nationwide

Alysia Reiner, star and producer of the new movie Equity, will be appearing at special screenings of the movie in New Jersey as part of a Q & A afterwards to promote her new film. She will be in Red Bank  at Bow Tie Cinemas Red Bank on Saturday, September 27th for the 7pm show. She will also be at Princeton Gardens in Princeton, NJ on Sunday, September 28th.



Aside from Equity, Alysia can also be seen in Orange is the New Black, How To Get Away with Murder and Rosewood.

Equity's Alysia Reiner and Anna Gunn attend the Premiere Party Opening Week in NYC
Photo: Suzanne Ordas Curry

Interview: One of Good Housekeeping’s 50 over 50: Director/Producer Caytha Jentis - After Three Feature Films She’s Now Turning to the Web to Find her Audience for “The Other F Word”

Caytha Jentis, who was recently named one of 2016's Good Housekeeping’s 
50 Over 50, is turning to a new medium - the digital world. After her success with three movies, And Then Came Love (Vanessa Williams, Eartha Kitt),  Bad Parents (Janeane Garafola, Cheri Oteri) and The One (Jon Prescott)   and she is now using the Internet to reach a new audience, the growing legions of vibrant, motivated,  women and men in mid-life. “It’s such a terrible term” she adds, but that is what’s used.”

Caytha’s new web series, The Other F Word, focuses mainly around a group of four women experiencing all the joys and pitfalls of life and relationships at this stage of life.It features Comedienne Judy Gold and Steve Guttenberg.  A little Sex in the City-ish plus a decade or so, the characters are likeable, funny and interesting. She believes women, and men will be able to identify with the characters and the stories. You can see more about it at http://www.theotherfwordseries.com/

The Math Behind Movies: Slated.com Study Shows Success of Female-Driven Movies Despite Fewer Opportunities

Slated, (https://welcome.slated.com/) a major online site which finances film and other projects, did  quite a comprehensive  survey of female-based or created films. The study tracked just about every theatrical release 2010-2015, In this article in the Hollywood Reporter, the study found that movies directed, starring, or produced by women had a higher return on investment, especially above the 25 million dollar mark. However, they are typically given lower-budget films and doubly handicapped by being given almost 2/3 less screen time. Details here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/study-films-directed-by-women-907229 

The Captain Fantastic Movie Challenge: Get Out and Do Something: View New Featurette Here

Achilles Walk for Hope in New York City to Benefit RSDA and other Diseases: Spend a Morning in Central Park and Help Others

Help those with RSD/CRPS at the
Achilles Walk for Hope and Possibility in NYC

Want to spend an enjoyable day in New York City and help others? The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) will be participating in the Achilles Walk for Hope and Possibility on June 26, 2016. This event helps to help make a difference in the lives of those affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS/RSD).

If you can't walk but want to help, you can help raise funds by sponsoring a walker. Visit http://rsds.org/

Former Teen Idol David Cassidy Still Making Us Happy: Up Close & Personal Tour Comes to New Jersey Performing Arts Center in June

David Cassidy returns to NJ, the state he grew up in with two performances NJPAC. New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an evening with 1970s heartthrob David Cassidy. Come on, get happy! The Partridge Family’s David Cassidy performs hits from the ‘70s TV show (“I Think I Love You,” “I Woke Up in Love This Morning”), along with favorites from his solo career (“Cherish”). Click Here for a Review of his Atlantic City Show: http://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2015/02/the-ultimate-david-cassidy-concert.html David Cassidy to perform at NJPac                                                                     Photo Suzanne Curry

RHONJ Jacqueline Laurita Pens New Book Called Get It? Authors Sign Copies at NJ Bookstore for this Book of Tips for Busy Moms

Missing Real Housewives of NJ? Though the new season hasn't started yet, you can meet Jacqueline Laurita as part of her book tour in her home state of NJ at Books and Greetings in North Vale, NJ. She'll be there Friday, May 20th with co-author Jene Lucia to sign copies of their new book Get It?

A busy mom with many challenges and projects, Jacqueline teamed up with Jene to write a book on how to make the most out of this part of your life, with helpful hints on looking good, feeling good, and getting the most of your life. This is a free event but you must buy the book.

Manzo'd With Children/RHONJ's Chris Manzo Delights the Kids with His New Book Oliver Brightside: It's a Great Book for Kids

I just can't stop raving about the independent bookstore in downtown Ridgewood, New Jersey called  Bookends. They get such fabulous authors and personalities there.

This time they had Chris Manzo from Manzo'd with Children and RHONJ. He was there signing copies of his new illustrated children's book entitled Oliver Brightside.

All patrons entering the store were asked to sign a waiver as BRAVO was there filming for the show that afternoon. All patrons were photographed as well after signing.

Equity The Film at Tribeca Film Festival 2016: Photos from the Red Carpet and More

Equity The Film screened twice at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Cast and producers stepped out on the Red Carpet to celebrate this female-driven Wall Street movie that will be in theaters July 29th. 2016. Anna Gunn plays an ambitious investment banker with Alysia Reiner watching her every move as a prosecutor and Sarah Megan Thomas as her assistant in this highly-anticipated tech thriller.


For more info on the movie visit: https://www.facebook.com/equitythefilm/

Alysia Reiner, Anna Gunn and Sarah Megan Thomas                                                          photo Suzanne Ordas Curry

Equity the Film Screens at Tribeca: Cast Talks Wall Street and Women in this First Female-Driven Wall Street Flick

Equity's Alysia Reiner, Anna Gunn and
Sarah Megan Thomas on the Red Carpet at Tribeca 2016
                                                         Photos by Suzanne Ordas Curry

The Red Carpet was abuzz with excitement as Equity, billed as the first female-driven film about Wall Street, had two screenings at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Equity is the story of Naomi Bishop, a female investment banker played by Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad, Chunk and Bean), who takes a privacy company, called Cache, public. In this tech-thriller the ambitions of these highly-competitive Wall Street bankers collide to create a complex story full of unexpected twists and turns emulating the real dealings of a world in which power and money supersede all. Unique to this movie, the main movers in this movie are the women. It was also directed by a woman, Nora Ephron Prize Winner Meera Menon.

The cast includes  Alysia Reiner (OTINB, Rosewood, Better Things), Sarah Megan Thomas (Backwards Movie), James Purefoy (The Following, Hap and Lenard), Craig Bierko (Unreal), David Alan Basche (The Exes) Samuel Roukin (The Turn), Nick Gehlfuss (Chicago PD), Sophie Von Hasselback, Carrie Preston (The Good Wife, Crowded) as well as others from television and screen.

RHONJ Chris Manzo, Anderson Cooper, American Idol Scotty McCreery, Buzz Aldrin, Bachelorette Andi Dorfman, Freddie Prinze Jr. & More To Visit NJ's Bookends for Book Signings, Meet, Greet and Get a Photo with Your Fave

#RHONJ  Chris Manzo adds author
to his resume and appears in his
home state for book signing

North Jersey will be chock full of notables in the next few months. From reality to news to the moon, Bookends in Ridgewood is the place to be to see some of your favorite celebrities.. and an astronaut.

For the price of a book, this venue offers a way to see these celebrities, hear from them, say a few words to them and then get a photo with them (in most cases). 

Coming in April are RHONJ Chris Manzo, business owner and now children's book author. He'll sign copies of his illustrated children's book Oliver Brightside on 4/22/16. Expect that mom and family may be there to support him. I have been to this store for many #RHONJ events and many of the the families and friends you see on the show are always there because they truly are their families and friends.

Review: Sofia Restaurant in Englewood, NJ: Tasty American and Italian Cuisine in a Contemporary Setting

Sofia's is an upscale restaurant in Englewood, NJ, a few minutes from the GW Bridge.

Their website is http://sofiaenglewood.com/

According to the website, Sofia emphasizes its dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection, its wide array of beverages including a great wine list, expert-crafted cocktails and loca beer. It also has a downstairs smokers bar with a filtration system. 

I visited this restaurant to review it with my millenial son as a second opinion. Overall, we will both go back to try more of what's on the menu as we were very impressed with the selections we chose. Here's why:

The Actors Theater Company in NYC Presents George Bernard Shaw's Widowers Houses: An Intimate Setting for the Classic Story

The Actors Company Theater presents George Bernard Shaw's Widowers' Houses, from now until April 2, 2016 at the Beckett Theater, 410 West 42nd Street in New York City. Following this run the classic Arsenic and Old Lace opens.

TACT was formed in 1992 by a group of actors coming from all aspects of stage and Broadway that came  together to "reveal, reclaim, and reimagine great plays of literary merit, creating an intimate theatre experience for its audience by focusing on the text and the actor’s ability to bring it to life."

Since then they have produced over 125 quality productions. Set In smaller, off-Broadway theaters, these productions provide an intimate and unique experience for the viewer. Tickets are about $64.

For more information and to purchase tix:
 actnyc.org/shows-events/

CASA for Children of Bergen County Holds St. Patty's Day Casino Night: Online Silent Auction Now Available So You Can Bid to Help Kids in Foster Care

Beat the Winter Blues with Laugher: NJPac Features Comedian Gilbert Gottfried and Festival of Laughs with Mike Epps, Gary Owen and Cocoa Brown in March 2016

Gilbert Gottfried graces the stage at NJ Pac.

Need a way to beat the winter blues? Laughter is the best medicine, and NJPac's got two LOL shows coming up on Friday, March 11th at 8pm, the popular and zany  Comedian Gilbert Gottfried and  the Festival of Laughs with Comedians Mike Epps, Gary Owen and Cocoa Brown.

View: We Do It Together Formed by Entertainment's Best and Brightest - Taking a Step Towards Representation and Equality For Females in Front of and Behind the Camera in Hollywood

Jersey's Queen Latifah   

Should be called Finally It is Being Done?  A group of notable, talented and high-powered women and men have come together, pooling their talents to form We Do It Together, a non-profit organization with the goal of financing and producing films, TV projects, documentaries and other media "dedicated to the empowerment of women."

In order to do this, the group will raise funds from various sources which will fund a production company to produce films and other media. Sources report that their first project will be announced at Canne.

First Project Announced: Together Now

The Advisory Board for the non-profit is impressive, with women (and men) from both in front of and behind the camera. Here are just a few of the Board members noted so far in press:

Jersey Shore's Nicole Polizzi Returns to Where it All Began with New FYI Channel Show Nicole and Jionni's Jersey Shore Flip

Nicole "Snooki Polizzi" will be taking lots
of bathroom photos in her new Jersey Shore
houseflipping show on FYI.     Photo from Facebook

Three years after Sandy there are still, sadly, Sandy houses along the Jersey Shore, houses that look like they may be used during the summer or lived in until you look closer, and you notice the blinds have not moved in years and the windows are really dirty. 

Jersey Shore's Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, along with her husband Jionni, are taking a few of these on as projects in their new show, Nicole and Jionni's Shore Flip.

Hoping to capitalize on the mesmerizing and successful trend of home  makeovers shows, they're taking on the challenge as a husband and wife team.

"His dream was to flip houses,"  Nicole told NY Live, "and we fell in love with it. "It makes sense to do it down the shore because Sandy hit. It's a good purpose. We're helping our friends."

Interview with General Hospital and Fear The Walking Dead Flight 462's Kathleen Gati: From Port Charles to the Not-So-Friendly Skies

 By Suzanne Ordas Curry
Kathleen Gati is a Canadian actress most well known for her role as the sinister Dr. Lisa Olbrecht on the long-running daytime drama General Hospital, is now part of the immensely popular Walking Dead phenomenon. She plays Deirdre, a flight attendant on the companion series to WD Fear The Walking Dead, Flight 462.

This actress has been on stage and screen since the 80's, appearing all over the place with roles in stage and screen in Canada, the US and internationally. With her exotic European aura and her flair for European accents, she often plays . From the webseries Winterthorne to Star Wars: Clone Wars, to Meet the Fockers to Jimmy Kimmel she's got an extensive resume. On TV, she's had roles in The Mentalist, NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, 24, ER, The Practice, Bones, NYPD Blue and more. In addition to General Hospital, she had a long-standing role on All My Children and also appeared in Young and the Restless early in her career.

RHONJ Teresa Guidice to Appear in NJ at Books and Greetings: RHONJ Will be Filming at Book Signing

RHONJ fans, be a part of the show. Call Books and Greetings about how to purchase tickets. Many people purchase them prior to the event and then show up with the book.

RHONJ Teresa Giudice's First Event in NJ: Bookends Hosts Book Signing for Turning the Tables: From Housewife to Inmate and Back Again

Hard to believe that almost a year has passed, and for us it went quickly but not so much for RHONJ Teresa Giudice. Making lemonade out of lemons as did Martha Stewart, Teresa makes her first appearance in her home state of NJ to sign copies of her new book, "Turning the Table, From Housewife To Inmate and Back Again." She will be at Bookends in Ridgewood, February 10th at 7pm.

This NJ Italian has already started her book tour with numerous appearances on television about her experience. Poised as always, I would say she handled the whole thing with grace and honesty. I have met her before as we have a mutual friend and barring discussion on what she was in for, this is one tough lady who did not let the experience get her down and has probably grown a whole lot from it.

In interviews she has said that the 'hardest part was being away from my family."  She talks about her time incarcerated and called it "hell". "There was mold in the bathroom and the showers were freezing," she added.

The Play's The Thing: Interview with WGA Award Nominated Writer of Weight: Daryn Strauss - Includes List of WGA 2016 Nominees

There's an old saying, "The play's the thing." It can't be more true, even in our modern world where anyone with a video camera can produce a video with amazing visual effects.

However, you can have a great bunch of actors,  a great director, great effects and if the words just aren't there, it won't work.

Writing is the seed of a production. Sometime the writer has the concept his or herself, builds a script around it and then shops it around. Other times there's a story in the works, and it's the screenwriter's job to tell the story with pages of dialogue.

Daryn Strauss, creator and writer of the series pilot Weight starring Emmy winner Martha Byrne, was nominated for a 2015 Writer's Guild Award for Weight (for Original Short Form New Media). This is her second nomination, having been nominated in the past for Downsized, a webseries about ordinary people getting, well, "downsized".  Daryn wrote, produced and starred in this. With a dancing background, Daryn is also at ease in front of the camera, looking I may add, a bit like a younger Helen Hunt.

__________________________________________________________________________________

For a complete list of Nominees for WGA Awards 2016 click here:

http://awards.wga.org/wga-awards/nominees-winners

____________________________________________________________________________________

Equity The Movie Premieres at Sundance 2016 - Sold to Sony Classics Pictures

Equity, premiered at Sundance 2016 at the Library in Park City, Utah.

On a comfortably cold evening in January the theater was sold out to see this female-driven financial thriller that was sold to Sony Classics Pictures before it's Sundance audience premiere.

The movie stars Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn as a female investment banker struggling in her career who takes a company public. Her boyfriend is played by James Purefoy, The film's producers,  Alysia Reiner and Sarah Megan Thomas, had starring roles aside Ms. Gunn.

All eyes were glued on the screen as the plot unfolded. Equity is a complex movie about the behind-the scenes of an IPO. There are multiple characters, distinct personalities and subplots all contributing to the eventual climax of the movie, the day the stock went public.  It's the kind of movie that needs to be seen twice to get a full understanding of the relationships of the characters and how these affect the ending. 

The movies was produced by with the help of real female investment bankers, with monetary support as well as story support. in fact, some of the producers, who are current investment bankers, have  cameos in the film. One co-producer spent hours with screenplay writer Amy Fox explaining the math behind the movie. Another co-producer spent time explaining the complex relationships females have in banking. 

After the movie ended , the Q and A was held with  Director Meera Menon, Producers Alysia Reiner and Sarah Megan Thomas, David Alan Bash, Actor Jamers Purefoy, and Screenwriter Amy Fox. 

The Q and A started with writer Amy Fox talking about the the script. "As  a writer, I always want to be working on something that means something,  that has something to say in the world, but it's not a documentary. It's gotta be a page turner, something to keep you on the edge of your seats. Otherwise it's an essay, that's not what we wanted to do, we are making a movie."

Alysia Reiner, who played Sam the compliance officer said, "I try to think that it's a stealth bomb-issuing. You like, have this really exciting thriller, and there's this stealth bomb in it, something that's changing the world for women."

Sundance 2016: Behind the Scenes from the Premiere of the Movie Equity by Broad Street Pictures - A First Timer's View

Alysia Reiner and Sarah Megan Thomas helm
Broad Street Pictures, LLC

                                                   By Suzanne Ordas Curry\
So somehow, after my 25 plus years doing PR for everything from elevator controls to pizza to bankruptcy lawyers, I ended up in entertainment PR.

Of course I live a stone’s throw from New York City, the greatest city in the world,  the entertainment mecca where the best and brightest and most creative people come to gather and grow.

And active, creative people have a way of finding each other. They build a momentum when they are together, and then anything can happen.

Anna Gunn plays investment banker Naomi Bishop

On a cold day in January 2 years ago I met a woman at an educational seminar that I connected with after it. Turns out we shared  not just a mutual interest in education but also in entertainment.

It’s just as cold now in January almost two years to the date and we are both on our way to Sundance as producers. (My friend Candy Straight is the Executive Producer and I am a co-producer). We have a unique movie premiering there, called  Equity. It's in the US Drama Competition and stars Breaking Bad’s Anna Gunn.

So Who Is Caroline Byrne? Hear About Her Journey to American Idol and What the Future Holds for This Talented Jersey Girl

                  

Caroline Byrne makes her television debut on American Idol 

                                                   By Suzanne Ordas Curry

Jersey Girl Caroline Byrne is lighting up the stage of American Idol and ready to take on the world. Appearing on American Idol is just the start for this talented singer, as she’s working on some new songs, planning to wow the Big Apple with some appearances and is determined to make her passion come alive.

Caroline shares with us how she started, where she’s going and talks about being on the much-anticipated "Farewell Season" of #AmericanIdol.

Q: Tell me about when you decided you liked to sing and wanted to pursue it.

Caroline Byrne: I knew I loved singing since the time I was very little. There’s plenty of home video of me singing Beauty & the Beast in my living room like it was my own personal stage. Even though I loved the spotlight at home, I was extremely shy at school and in front of other kids. It wasn’t until college that I really became comfortable in my own skin and singing in front of other people. I realized that I had a gift for touching other people and making them feel something thorough my music. That realization is what ultimately made me want to pursue music seriously. 

listen to caroline on soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/iamcarolinebyrne

Q: Do you come from a musical family?