SHALLA GOES HOLLYWOOD

Uta Hagen Acting Class Part 4

2010-05-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

We Love You Michael!

2009-06-26T08:18:00.001-07:00

To the Genius, the Icon, the King of Pop...

I just have to take some time to honor Michael Jackson.

Yesterday, as soon as I heard that Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital, I immediately lit a candle for him.
I thought he'd be fine, I thought it was a heart attack--people have recovered from those... Then, I learned that it was cardiac arrest... okay, isn't that a heart attack? No, that means his heart has stopped.
I was glued to the TV, praying, sending him loving thoughts...

Michael Jackson...

1983, Philippines. I've heard his song being played on the radio over and over, I think it was Beat It... Michael Jackson, the singer's name is Michael Jackson, everyone loved his songs, everyone knew his name. Music Videos were so new... VH1 on TV was playing every afternoon and that one day, I stumbled upon it for the first time. That's when I saw him for the first time, Michael Jackson, the singer from America and he did not have white skin. As a little Filipino girl, it shook me to learn this... I didn't even know there was such a thing... it was so new to me.

Michael Jackson, he transcended color barriers, cultural barriers... what can I say, the man is legendary, the ultimate artist, the greatest entertainer of all time, the... I woke up this morning, turned on the TV, hoping it was all a bad dream, a publicity stunt, please... When I learned how to sing last year, the first song I worked on learning was Michael Jackson's Ben. When I set my goals, I shot for the stars, the best of the best--to be able to sing like Michael... I can't believe it... I can't believe it...

I love you Michael, you're always with us through your music... your magic lives on...

SHALLA: Congrats to Pacquiao and his Team!

2009-05-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Congrats, Hatton went down in the first round. By the second round, Hutton went down after Pacquiao easily landed a left hook to the side of his face (which is said to be like a two-ton refrigerator coming at you).

Brilliant Pacquiao cements legacy with win

Pacquiao vs. Hatton
by agarakz

***

HOME SHALLA CHATS ARTICLES RESOURCES LET'S SHALLA BLOG WHO IS SHALLA?

SHALLA MINGLES with VICTORe of the band, Tokadiscos

2008-12-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

“Tokadiscos Reggaes”

by Shalla DeGuzman

First off, who’s VICTORe?

Well, I was born and have lived in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico my whole life, I’m 25. I’m the youngest of a family of five (My two older sisters always enjoyed to make me cry when I was a kid). I Studied Industrial Engineering here in Ensenada and I’m going thru a Professional Certificate in Construction Safety in the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

I like to learn new things in all aspects of life. Love roller coasters, rappel and willing to skydive as soon as I have some spare money. Recently I learned to scuba dive, and has become my new passion, I just love it =)

Ensenada is a quite small town, and that’s what I like about it, it’s not crowded and if you want to see big concerts or the advantages of a big city, you just need to travel an hour to the north to get to Tijuana or cross the border and get to San Diego.

We started Tokadiscos eight years ago (almost nine) with the idea of making music that we enjoy. There were no other bands in the town that would do anything like it. A curse of the small town is that 98% of the bands follow the trends instead of creating something because you feel it. Back then, everyone was playing like Nirvana, then Deftones, then Blink 182 and now Emo. I don’t mean to be rude to any style of music (I like Emo), but after the trend is over you can tell who actually liked it and who is migrating to a new trend. Pretty much like a mainstream Mexican band called Panda.

So far we have two records and are working on the third one. The band hasn’t given us enough money to live yet, but has given us a lot of personal satisfaction. We’ve been in many places around Mexico and a few important cities in the US (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Chicago). Roco and Pato form Maldita Vecindad recorded in our first record and we have some surprises for the next one.

Shalla: Hello VICTORe, nice band. Have you been performing long?

VICTORe: I’ve been playing for about ten years right now. I started a the School band and then moved to make my own music with some friends. In the band there are some older guys that have a longer road and some younger ones that have way less. We as a band as I said we have almost nine years and counting.

Shalla: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

VICTORe: When I was about four years old I wanted to be a police officer (how wrong was I? Jaja), fireman or an Ice Cream Seller (I could get all the Ice Cream I could eat, can you imagine that???). After that I wanted to be a Professional Basketball player. As every average kid I used to play to be a singer with the comb as microphone, played the Air guitar since I started listening alternative music about the age of ten. But was at the age of 15 when I got my hands into a real drum set that I knew that I wouldn’t be able to drop the drumsticks anymore.

Shalla: Which musical instruments do you play? What’s your favorite musical instrument? Did you take music lessons or just learned on your own?

VICTORe:
I Love and have respect for all instruments. But my passion is all kind of percussion. I play drums most of my time, but I play a little (very little jaja)of congas, guitar, bass and trumpet.

Shalla: Do you play the drums? Is it hard to play the drums?

VICTORe:
Yes, Is as hard as any other instrument. There’s no hard or easy instrument. Drums attract most common people because they think it’s just hit, hit, hit. The truth is that anyone can play an instrument as long as you dedicate enough (a lot) time to practice really slow and then gain speed. It becomes a second nature, like breathing, you never think about it, but do it all the time. When you start you only focus in that specific rhythm and any single distraction takes you out of the beat. But as you keep doing it, you can talk, sing, or even think about the after party and keep playing without even think about it.

Shalla: Do you write your own music? What’s your inspiration?

VICTORe:
We as a band write our own music. I personally only work with the arrangements. Most of the time Tozzy (lead singer) comes to a rehearsal with an idea and we all together work it out. As I told you, our ages are quite spread (from 17 to 31), so we all have different influences and all put a little of ourselves into the songs.

Shalla: Any tips for other musicians on how to get your music out there?

VICTORe:
Well, forget about the record companies, the future of music is on-line. Make your own demos, records, and try to get it to all the audience possible. If they like your music they’ll start to ask for your shows and that’s how you start touring.

Shalla: Oh, and can we feature more of your music on SHALLA Magazine? (we can put a link to it or something)

VICTORe:
Well, you can find our music, videos or info in:
Music.com
myspace.com/tokadiscos
tokadiscos.com
youtube.com/profile?user=victoretkd

THANKS for the space =)

Shalla: Thanks so much! Best with your projects!

or more on Tokadiscos: http://www.tokadiscos.com/

Shalla DeGuzman's short stories have appeared in the Mosaic Literary Journal and Mad Hatters Review, her articles in The Scriptorium and L.A. Freepress, her skits at the Stella Adler Theatre.

Her flash fiction Fish In My Bed recently won the FISH AND PLANE Competition and is featured in Issue 6 of Mad Hatters Review.

Shalla, a former writer and producer of a health and fitness cable show, is currently writing a novel. She is President of The ShalladeGuzman Writers Group
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShalladeGuzman/ ) where she interviews literary agents, publishers, editors, etc.

For more about Shalla: http://www.shalladeguzman.com/

and

http://www.myspace.com/shalladeguzman

Shalla: BEWARE OF IDENTITY THEFT

2008-11-26T12:31:00.000-08:00

SHALLA: Married With Children Transcripts

2008-11-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Married With Children Transcripts

http://www.albundy.net/marriedaniac/ate/script.html

SEASON ONE

and more...

SHALLA Learning Drums

2008-11-07T09:54:00.000-08:00

What is Shalla doing these days, besides editing her novel (it's almost done--wahoo!) well, she's playing drums...

I've always wanted to play, I've had a practice pad and sticks for years!

Let's Play Drums! for beginners...

A Listmania! list by Shalla DeGuzman "Editor of SHALLA Magazine"

Plus, here are free drum lessons...

SHALLA NEWS: Hi writers!

2008-11-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

How are you? I hope you're doing well too.

I'm editing my latest novel, so, I'm having lots of fun with that.

Anyway, guess what I found: Writing Competitions, just for you...

Hollywood Poets Consortium Writing Contest 2008 for positive, motivational, inspirational poems. Awards: $300, $150, $50. Entry fee: $15. Deadline: November 28, 2008. Info: PO Box 3202, Hollywood CA 90078; hollywoodpoetsconsortium@live.com; http://www.hollywoodpoetsconsortium.books.officelive.com/.

WOW! Women On Writing Fall 2008 Essay Writing Contest, sponsored by skirt! books. In less than 750 words, tell us how recreating your personal space has changed your life, or how by making changes in your life, it has moved you to express yourself and recreate your home. These can be personal stories of love, loss, moving to a new area, or anything that has affected or inspired you to recreate your life and your home. Awards: $200, $150, $100 plus gift certificates and skirt! goodie bags. Entry fee: $10, or $20 with critique. Deadline: November 30, 2008. Info: http://wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php.

Soul-Making Literary Competition - 11 categories: poetry, prose poem, short story, flash fiction, essay, memoir, novel excerpt, humor, creative nonfiction and young adult poetry, and young adult prose. Most categories accept previously published works. Awards: $100, $50, $25 in each category. Entry fee: $5. Deadline: November 30, 2008. Info: NLAPW, Nob Hill Branch, The Webhallow House, 1544 Sweetwood Drive, Broadmoor Village CA 94015; PenNobHill@aol.com; www.soulmakingcontest.us/

Colonial Players Promising Playwright Contest. Playwrights residing in 14 states and the District of Columbia along the Eastern Seaboard from New Hampshire to South Carolina are eligible to submit scripts. One act and two act plays, but no musicals, may be entered. Award: $1000 plus a weekend workshop of the playwith a rehearsal. Deadline: Postmark of December 1, 2008. info: Colonial Players, 108 East St., Annapolis MD 21401; http://www.cplayers.com/.

Write2Help.Org Fall 2008 Short Fiction Contest. Proceeds benefit World Relief, a worldwide humanitarian effort based out of Baltimore, MD. Write a short story (1500 words or less) about an exciting or awakening experience in childhood. Awards: $1,000, $250, $100. Entry Fee: $10. Deadline: December 20, 2008. Info: http://www.write2help.org/.

The 2008 Northern Woods Literary Awards for Short Stories and Poetry. Awards: "Prizes are determined by total number of entrants but right now it looks like first place in each category will be around $250." Top three entries will receive cash awards. Entry fee: $10. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: www.northernwoodsliteraryawards.blogspot.com/.

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest - Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject and/or Write a short story, 5 pages maximum on any theme. Awards: Poetry Contest: $250, $125, $50; Writing Contest: $500, $250, $100. Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story. Postmark Deadline: December 31, 2008. Mail entries/fees to: Dream Quest One, PO Box 3141, Chicago IL 60654. Info: http://www.dreamquestone.com/.

Suspense Magazine First Annual Writing Contest. All entries must be in the suspense/mystery/thriller genre. Writers retain all rights. Awards: Winner will receive 12 Bestselling Books (many or all of them autographed by the authors). Second and Third places will receive Amazon.com gift cards. No entry fee. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: www.suspensemagazine.com/contest.html.

Creative Quills Writing Contests: Humorous story or essay; Inspirational essay; Poetry. Awards: $150 and online publication ($50 for poetry), online publication and editing/promotional consultation, promotional consultation and literary advice. Entry fee: $15. Deadline: December 31, 2008. Info: http://www.creativequills.com/; booklady@creativequills.com; Andrea Foster, Creative Quills, PO Box 942, Kingfisher OK 73750.

Well, I'm going to go edit my novel now and um, practice playing my drums. BTW, here's a great place to learn percussions free

http://www.freedrumlessons.com/

Good luck!

What is Shalla doing these days?

2008-07-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

Learning to Sing!

Check out SHALLA Listmania at Amazon:

Sing Like a Star! Let Your Voice Free! (July 30, 2008)

This list includes:• Singing for Dummies by Pamelia S. Phillips

For more: http://www.amazon.com/Sing-Like-a-Star-Let-Your-Voice-Free/lm/RS0MQZRL6BLH4/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

Where's Shalla? SHALLA IN CANCUN, MEXICO & BORACAY, PHILIPPINES '08

2008-05-23T20:29:00.001-07:00

Spellbound 2003 Part I

2007-12-21T15:41:00.001-08:00

Spellbound 2003 Part II

2007-12-21T15:40:00.000-08:00

Esteelo by Toy Alano

2007-12-21T15:39:00.000-08:00

Fernan Fashions by Philippine Fashion Designer Fernan

2007-12-21T15:38:00.000-08:00

D Miscellany Collection by Sharon D

2007-12-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

Roger Fojas Photography in Spellbound

2007-12-21T15:36:00.000-08:00

Iztim by Mitzi Coons

2007-12-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

SHALLA Magazine: Blank Canvas Issue, Halloween Edition

2007-11-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

podcasts

On SHALLA Magazine this Issue

Blank Canvas Issue, Halloween Edition

At SHALLA Magazine, everyday is Halloween!

Listen to spooky stories by Dr. Margaret L. Carter, Edgar Allan Poe, vintage radio's the Haunted Tales of the Supernatural, Paul G's SHALLA Magazine jingle, songs and music by Levi Kreis, Moose (Mooska), Music from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com),
and more!

Coming Soon!

Listen to poetry by Bill Brocato, Byron D. Howell, Kenneth Pobo; and
short stories by Shalla DeGuzman, Blake Butler, Elizabeth Kadetsky, etc.

Listen to us in the Internet Archive

SHALLA CHATS by Shalla

2007-10-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

News

Who's on SHALLA CHATS?

Know who Shalla has interviewed?

Maybe you'll be next?

Turn up the volume...

Hear our musician, Moose (Mooska), with his reggae/ska, other, acoustic
blues, roots, leftfield music.

Featuring:
Dorchester author, Tess Mallory; Artscape author, Frederick Ramsay;
Hallie Ephron;
Shara Lanel; Margaret L. Carter; Gena Showalter;
Judie Aitken; NY Times Best Selling author, Barry Eisler;

Chick-Lit author, Sonia Singh; Brett Battles; Michele Scott;

multiple Emmy Award winning TV news producer & author Mari Mancusi;

Terry Spear; Andrea Wilder; Tina Gerow; Seamus Cashman;

NY Times Bestselling author,
Bob Mayer; Patricia M. Terrell and more!

Produced and Directed by Shalla DeGuzman

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallachats.php

**********

Cinema History: Films from the Silent Era

Zoetropical Motion Explained !

SHALLA Magazine submissions will be read by Literary Agent

2007-05-11T11:54:00.001-07:00

News!

Literary Agent, Alana Lennie of theLennie Literary Agency & Authors Attorney will be reading submissions at SHALLA Magazine.

Submit your short stories, poems, essays, screenplays, one-act plays today!

For more:

SHALLA MAGAZINE

our press release

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200705/1178908504.html

***

Free Online Stock Video Footage 9 Of The Best Public Domain Video Resources

http://www.goingware.com/tips/legal-downloads.html

SHALLA Magazine is Coming Soon!

2007-04-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

Shalla Takes Pictures for SHALLA Magazine...

Which one will make the cover?

What do you think???

Coming 2007! A Smart Author's Toolkit: Insider's Guide to Literary Agents, Editors and Publishing by Shalla de Guzman

2007-04-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

***

Seen the Latest on SHALLA?

SHALLA: Previous Posts
Coming this Summer! SHALLA CHATS with Publishers
Read Shalla? Coming May 6--Shalla on LitBits.ca--a...
SHALLA CHATS with Editor Alice Andrews Coming Apri...
Here's a List of Writing Competitions; Flash Ficti...
Coming 2007! A Smart Author's Toolkit: Insider's G...
News! Shalla is now on SAVOY Online Feb. 2007 Issu...
Have You Checked out Shalla at The ShalladeGuzman ...
SHALLA NEWS: CALL-4-SUBMISSIONS AND SHALLA CHATS W...
SHALLA: Know Flash Fiction? And, CALL-4-SUBMISSION...
Shalla: HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Tips on Writing Short Stor...

***

Tools for Your Website

http://www.adeveloper.com/resource.html

http://simplythebest.net/scripts/DHTML_scripts/dhtml_animation.html

2007-02-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

Shalla is now on SAVOY Magazine's February 2007 Issue

Find Shalla on SAVOY's Noir Notebook

(Literati Section)

Literati: Special contributor Shalla de Guzman. Of the Shalla de Guzman Writer’s Group. Shalla’s community connects new writers with editors, literary agents and each other. http://www.shalladeguzman.com/

*read more

SHALLA: Rocky 6 Hits Theatres this December

2006-12-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

ROCKY! ROCKY! ROCKY!

Yahoo! Movies: Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) steps out of retirement and back into the ring, pitting himself against a new rival decades after his initial glory. When a computer simulated boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason "The Line" Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited. But when his desire to fight in small, regional... See Full Description

Check out the Movie's Photo Gallery

**************************************

"The Fish In My Bed"

Shalla de Guzman

Live!

Issue 6

Mad Hatters Review

Like to watch more Shalla de Guzman FYI Movies?

*watch more

The PACMAN Wins! Manny Pacquiao The Destroyer Took On El Terrible

2006-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Wynn Resort in Vegas packed with people, for the fight!

Others, me, HBO Pay Per View... :) W-O-W.

Manny Pacquiao Downs Mexican Hero, Eric Morales, 3 times before he Knocks Him Out in the 3rd Round

PACMAN DEVOURS EL TERRIBLE

Oh look, someone made a Music Video...

Oh, it's so coool in Tagalog... the Philippine National Anthem, oh, it's been a while... I couldn't help but standing up and singing along...

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM: Hinirang Official version used since 1956

Bayang magiliw Perlas ng Silanganan,

Alab ng puso, Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang, Duyan ka ng magiting,

Sa manlulupig, Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok, Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,

May dilag ang tula At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y Tagumpay na nagniningning,

Ang bituin at araw niya Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta,

Buhay ay langit sa piling mo; Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi

Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.

It's about never giving up in the face of oppressors, ie. the foreign conquistadors, did you know the Philippines was under Spanish occupation for over four hundred years? ...but I digress...

Okay, that's it, I'm watching ROCKY--Adrrrianne! Adrrrianne!

For more SHALLA GOES REALITY TV

SHALLA HONORS Silent Super Star Charles "Buddy" Rogers

2006-10-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Plus! Shalla On Mad Hatters Review? And Like to Watch Project Runway Season 3 Finale? Shalla has it here...

2006-09-28T09:22:00.002-07:00

"The Fish In My Bed"

Shalla de Guzman

Live!

Issue 6

Mad Hatters Review

Like to watch more Shalla de Guzman FYI Movies?

*watch more

So, who's going to win Project Runway's Season 3?

Decide for yourself!

Here's what Uli, Laura, Michael and Jeffrey showed in NY Fashion Week...

Uli's Line...

Laura's Line...

Michael's Designs...

Jeffrey's Designs...

For more: SHALLA GOES REALITY TV

SHALLA Wins Competition in Mad Hatters Review

2006-09-20T05:03:00.000-07:00

Spread the Shalla News!

Dear Shalla,

Hold onto your hat and take a deep breath.

You are the winner in our FISH AND PLANE contest!

You will receive a special MHR prize and your delightful entry will be published in our next issue.

MAD HATTERS REVIEW

Rock You Features SHALLA

2006-09-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

| View | Add Favorite

SHALLA GOES REALITY TV

2006-07-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Watching Project Runway is fun, that's why Shalla blogged at SHALLA GOES HOLLYWOOD: Project Runway.........

but now that the designer she's been rooting for (Keith Michael) may get auf'd, it became advisable to go broader,

so--SHALLA GOES REALITY TV

And check out Shalla de Guzman at MySpace.com

Already have MySpace? Like to beautify your page?

Shalla Tips to Free Layouts and Generators

Shalla Watches Project Runway

2006-07-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the latest on Project Runway?

Keith Michael--what a name for a designer!--won the first challenge. Super handsome, super charming and super talented.

(Alison Kelly is a great name too)

Some say Keith's arrogant, I say he's confident, he knows he's good.

Then second episode, Malan--oh, I can't believe, I would have loved to find out more about your exquisite style and hear more of that laugh. (Heard it yet? He has this devilish laugh that's contagious.

What a fun show!

So many talented artists, one of these days,

maybe Keith Michael will design a dress for me.

And Austin Scarlet (from season one) you're the tops too, I know you can make me gorgeous.

I would have considered Santino, except, well, I'm into "save the animals" and he hunts, so... Santino, we'll talk when you turn vegan or vegetarian's cool too.

Like to read Tim Gunn's Blog?

Project Runway Blogs

***

Oh, no! Keith Michael may get kicked out???

Have you read?

Fans of Project Runway and bitchy gay guys, brace yourselves: Season 3 contestant Keith Michael, he of the face like a bird (fine, a cute bird), may have cheated on his Project Runway application. A sharp eye over at Television Without Pity notes the similarities between many of Keith’s portfolio designs compared with those of some major designers...

*Read more

And for Shalla's Latest Blog:

http://shallagoeshollywood-projectrunway.blogspot.com/

You've got to see what Shalla thinks of the Runway

Philippines on the News!

2006-07-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, we all know the Pacman pounded Morales a few months ago (oh, and he's coming back for more this November) yes, I'm crossing my fingers--alright, they're both good but--Pacquiao! Come on, Manny Pacquiao the Destroyer!

Strike! Hook! Swipe! ...but I digress...

Emmanuel "Manny" D. Pacquiao (born December 17, 1978), aka "Pacman" and "The Destroyer" is the reigning WBC International Super Featherweight Champion (2005–present), former RING People's Featherweight Champion (2003 to 2005), former IBF Super ... Pacquiao started his professional boxing career in 1995 at 106 pounds... *for more

Anyway, can you believe, the Philippines is on the news again--okay, so we're not talking top of the page but it's good news :)

Vanuatu is world's happiest country: study

LONDON (AFP) - The tiny South Pacific Ocean archipelago of Vanuatu is the happiest country on Earth, according to a study published measuring people's wellbeing and their impact on the environment.

Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica and Panama complete the top five in the Happy Planet Index, compiled by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation (NEF).
The index combines life satisfaction, life expectancy and environmental footprint -- the amount of land required to sustain the population and absorb its energy consumption.
Zimbabwe came bottom of the 178 countries ranked, below second-worst performer Swaziland, Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine.

The Group of Eight industrial powers meet in Saint Petersburg this weekend but have not much to smile about, according to the index.
Italy came out best in 66th place, ahead of Germany (81), Japan (95), Britain (108), Canada (111), France (129), the United States (150) and Russia, in lowly 172nd place.

Andrew Simms, NEF's policy director, said the index "addresses the relative success or failure of countries in giving their citizens a good life while respecting the environmental resource limits on which all our lives depend."

Nic Marks, the head of NEF's centre for wellbeing, added: "It is clear that no single nation listed in the Happy Planet Index has got everything right.

"But the index does reveal patterns that show how we might better achieve long and happy lives for all, whilst living within our environmental means," he said, according to British daily The Guardian.

"The challenge is: can we learn the lessons and apply them?"
Island nations performed particularly well in the rankings. But Vanuatu, with a population of around 200,000, topped them all.
"Don't tell too many people, please," said Marke Lowen of Vanuatu Online, the republic's online newspaper.

"People are generally happy here because they are very satisfied with very little," he told The Guardian.

"This is not a consumer-driven society. Life here is about community and family and goodwill to other people. It's a place where you don't worry too much."

"The only things we fear are cyclones or earthquakes."

Selected others: 17. Philippines; 23. Indonesia; 31. China; 32. Thailand; 44. Malaysia; 62. India; 64. Iceland; 70. Netherlands; 87. Spain; 88. Hong Kong; 89. Saudi Arabia; 99. Denmark; 112. Pakistan; 115. Norway; 119. Sweden; 123. Finland; 139. Australia; 154. UAE; 156. South Africa; 159. Kuwait; 166. Qatar.

*for more

SHALLA TALKS...

2006-06-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

check it out at Let's Shalla Blog

ADVANCE WITH SHALLA

Plus!

Shalla on MySpace.com

and

Shalla at Spoiled Ink

SHALLA in Body Beautiful

2006-03-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

Shalla produced a show called Body Beautiful...

A show where we work on creating a mind and body that's fit, healthy and beautiful--Body Beautiful!

Photo by Mitch Merritt

SHALLA in a Toy Alano Gown at Spellbound Fashion Show

2006-03-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

Toy Alano is a fantastic Philippine Designer, always has a gorgeous gown for Shalla...

Shalla Hollywood Pictures and Get Free Royalty Music?

2006-03-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

For those asking for pictures of me...

This is from Sharon d.'s D.Miscellany Collection

Photo by Mitch Merritt

Partners In Rhyme Your audio resource for multimedia projects with free royalty free music, sound effects, midi files, audio tutorials, audio software and sound advice.

SHALLA MINGLES with JIDE--from Donald Trump's The Apprentice

2005-12-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

The R&B Babe on The Apprentice

by Shalla de Guzman

First off, who’s Jide?

Jide is the rebirth of music, which is why his symbol is the Phoenix. There is something about R&B songs that connect with the emotions of people. There is also something about hearing African percussion that makes people want to move.

Jide grew up listening to music from both worlds; he is the bridge for those who wish to hear something new, yet familiar. All his life all he has known is music & he just wants everyone else to hear the music that echoes in his heart & soul.

Take a trip to the Jungles of Africa & hear music that makes you feel like making love in the jungle heat against a tree. Feel the pulse from the percussion & wonder if it is the beat, or if it’s your heart beating fast. That’s the world Jide lives in, are you ready to come & visit.

Recently, Jide was featured on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice.

Shalla: Hey Jide!

How's your cool self doing?

How are you handling all the fans?

Jide: Hi Shalla, I’m doing well, thanks for asking.

I love the fans that I’ve made from being on the show. I didn’t expect the reaction to be this crazy, but I’m not complaining!

Shalla: What do you think about being on The Apprentice? Was that cool or what?

Jide: Oh yeah, being on the show was incredible. I went in there & auditioned, they picked me, & we started doing the task right away no time to even blink. What I had done did not hit me until a few days later.

Shalla: What’s the deal with XM Radio? Is the song you did on The Apprentice still on there?

Jide: Yeah, they are playing the song the team wrote on XM still. Actually XM has also started to play my original music as well. So I appreciate that and I think it’s a good look on their part.

Shalla: I was reading your bio and looks like you’ve known you wanted to be a singer since you were like… a baby!

What stuff did you have to do to make this dream come true? Did you take lots of music lessons?

Jide: I had to sacrifice a lot & it’s still early in the game. You may ask like what? Well I have to always write & record new music. If an opportunity comes up I have to jump on it, no matter what previous plans I may have had.

Like I’ve missed a couple of Thanksgivings because someone who could further my career wanted to meet that day. It’s thanksgiving yeah, but when opportunity knocks you got to be ready to answer if you really want something.

Shalla: I’m wondering, for someone who would like to become a singer, do you have any tips? Learn piano? Play saxophone? Go wild and learn to brave singing in front of anybody? Get on reality TV?

Jide: lol, you’re too funny!

Well I’ll put it like this, Bruce Lee used to say if you are a fighter you should learn everything about all styles of fighting. You may not use everything you’ve learned, but at least you know it & can call upon it if you need to. I believe the same theory goes towards anything you really wish to do in life.

I know how to play the piano a little bit, drums, & various other instruments. I’m not great at them, but I have enough of an idea on how they work so that I can incorporate them into my music & know what they should sound like.

As far as voice lessons it’s a must. Even if you’re the best singer in the world you need to practice. You may know how to sing well, but may not be breathing properly. Then you might run out of breath in the middle of a show. Better yet you may not be used to singing for hours, or days back to back & can end up hurting your vocal chords. You need instruction on the technical aspect of singing.

As far as the T.V. reality show situation; I’ll leave that to your judgment. It’s a risky thing to do, if you mess up there’s no “Take 2” that’s it & trust you will be remembered for it! lol

Shalla: Which reminds me –how did you get on The Apprentice?

Jide: A Producer I work with, Ali Dee heard they were looking for artists. He submitted my music, and they narrowed it down from thousands of artist to 4. We went on the show to audition for the groups & they liked Levi & me.

Shalla: So, you write your own songs –what are your writing inspirations? Do you ever get writers block? And if you do, how do you get over that?

Jide: I definitely write my own songs, but I’m down to co-write also. I’ve had writers block three or four times. I find if you stress it stays longer. I usually go for a drive and zone out. That’s actually when I write the best… just zone out.

Someone once told me that your brain is most creative when you’re halfway between falling asleep & being awake.

Shalla: And I’m curious, do you have any song lyrics you’ve written that you’d like to share with us?

Jide: Um, there are no lyrics that really jump out at me right now. I think all my lyrics are pretty good, not to pat myself on the back. But I try to write things that are always meaningful… at least to me.

Shalla: Any tips on song writing?

Jide: Just write what you feel, no holds barred. After you have fully expressed yourself you can go back & tweak it.

Shalla: Is there a difference between writing R&B and, say, writing soft rock or rap?

Jide: Well there is a difference to an extent. Certain lyrics only work in a certain style of music. I couldn’t write a polka songs talking about, “holla at your boy!"

It’s like when you go to a Doctor & you need a specialist for your situation. Yeah there are general Doctors that you can go to, but when it’s serious you need that specialist for that particular field.

Shalla: Since The Apprentice has it gotten easier to meet producers? Attend Hollywood parties? Get recognized?

Jide: You would think the answer to that question would be yes, but not exactly. I can call places now to make an appt. to speak with Producers & what have you.

In the end they still reschedule & push your appt. to the side for those who are really making money in the industry. But at least they answer my calls now, lol.

Shalla: Has anyone offered your gazillions of $$$ yet? And how’s the music production thing going?

Jide: No, I haven’t been offered a gazillion dollars yet, if I were you’d be the first to know, lol. I have some interest from people here & there, but nothing worth talking about yet.

I’m still in the studio writing recording & trying to make the best musical product I can possibly make.

Shalla: Finally, what’s next for Jide?

Jide: Your guess is as good as mine. All I can do is what I know, and that’s make more music. If an opportunity jumps out at me I’ll be there. I can promise you that!

Shalla: Cool Jide, thanks for talking with us. You’re so sweet :)

Jide: No, no the honor was all mine, if I’m sweet it is only because I’m the image of what I see… and I’m looking at you, beautiful!

Shalla:

Ooooh!

That's sooo nice, thanks so much Jide ;)

And now for my good-luck-for-all-of-us dance!

For more on talented Jide, please visit him at www.Jide.Org

Shalla de Guzman writes multicultural and literary novels with a chick lit tone. A former writer and producer of a health and fitness cable show, Shalla is currently writing her next top secret, future best-selling novel. http://advancewithshalla.blogspot.com/

Coming Soon! SHALLA MINGLES with JIDE from Donald Trump's The Apprentice

2005-11-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

Who is Jide?

Jide has been a featured vocalist on The Maury Povich Show, CBS Morning Show, and local Long Island news channels, and he even sang for the U.S. President at the White House.

Jide has also expanded his talents into the field of acting: He was in the movie Shaft, has been featured in several commercials (one of which includes the Toyota Rav 4), had an appearance on an episode of HBO's Oz and also Donald Trump's The Apprentice.

For more on Jide Yahoo Music

Levi Kreis e-mingles with Shalla... and Jide too :)

2005-11-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT

Singer, musician, song writer extraordinaire Levi Kreis e-mingles with me-e...

Shalla. What a hot name. :-) Thank you for your kind words. what a fun experience that was. I'm gonna run now and check your blog, just wanted to say thanks for taking the time. Levi

Ah, yes, the writing voice of an Artist.

This e-mingle exclusive only here at SHALLA GOES HOLLYWOOD.

Cool!

Watch Levi Kreis video from The Apprentice Nothing Can Be Anything

I just ordered Levi Kreis' new CD :)

Have you ordered Levi Kreis' new CD yet?

One of the Ones

***

LATEST MOST EXCELLENT NEWS!

Ever wonder who the other millions are reading SHALLA GOES HOLLYWOOD?

Jide the sweet, hunky singer/artist with the Excel Team in The Apprentice

I saw ur article & your best wishes for Randal & I, I wanted to thank you. Be safe Happy Thanksgiving! Jide

Wow, ain't he sweet?

Get More on Jide

Best Jide! Best Levi Kreis! Super... to success and more :)

Congrats Capital Edge --The Apprentice Rocks!

2005-11-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

"XM is the biggest satellite radio company with the most music choices in all of radio. They have a passionate team of experts who know music inside and out. To impress people of this caliber, the candidates will need to push their creative abilities to the limit."

- Donald Trump

Over and over I learn from The Apprentice --anything's possible. Within a week the 3-people team of Capital Edge produced this song with Levi Kreis.

Sounds soooo good! Thanks Levi! I love your passion :)

Congrats Felisha! You got everyone on the right track, so talented all of you.

Best to Jide, Randal --you're still the tops.

"Nothing can be everything" --I love that!

Shalla

www.shalladeguzman.com

Don't you just love the internet?

www.LeviKreis.com

www.Jide.org

The Apprentice Blog

All of you give me so much inspiration, thank you.

Happy Halloween!

2005-10-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

What do ghosts add to their morning cereal?

Booberries...

What do you call someone who puts poison in a person's corn flakes?

A cereal killer...

Why do mummies have trouble keeping friends?

They're so wrapped up in themselves...

What is a ghoul's favorite flavor?

Lemon-slime...

SHALLA MINGLES with screenwriter Mark Treitel --Best Sitcom: Sperm Donor?

2005-09-19T01:58:00.000-07:00

SHALLA MINGLES with screenwriter Mark Treitel

“Best Sitcom: Sperm Donor?”

by Shalla de Guzman

First off, who’s Mark?

Mark gives new meaning to the word “multi-tasking” and can switch gears flawlessly. Besides being a comedy writer, he has among other things, prosecuted misdemeanors as a city attorney in the Los Angeles area, parlayed his Tufts Biology degree to become a member of the US Patent bar, as well as fastidiously collecting adverbs in his spare time.

Mark recently sold with writing partner, Shoe Schuster, a comedy feature with Mike Epps ("The Honeymooners") attached that should go into production this fall and is currently writing a comedy feature (with Shoe) for Zucker-Netter, (the production company behind the all time comedy favorites of "Airplane" and "Naked Gun".) Mark is proud of the fact that he has more google hits than Sean Hayes -- over 350,000 as of now.

Shalla: Watched Situations Comedy? Remember Mark Treitel?

Hi Mark. How’s it going?

Mark: Great. Nice to finally put a name with a face. Sorry, it took so long to get together, but I was busy with the show. Nice place you picked. I like the decor.

Shalla: How was watching yourself on TV? What was that like? And did you and Shoe Schuster throw big parties with chips and dips every Friday when Situation Comedy was on?

Mark: Watching myself on TV, is like the real thing, except in the middle of a conversation, you don't have an advertisement for Kathy Griffin flash across my midriff.

Our original plans were to have viewing parties, but it was difficult to get people to come by at 7 PM, except for the Early Bird special crowd from Denny's across the street. And we didn't want our party to degenerate into a raucous game of Bingo. We might throw a viewing party at the 5 AM showing, for all the garagemen.

Shalla: Looked like you guys really enjoyed the experience, which is great. What was your most memorable one so far? Your funniest? Your least expected?

Mark: Honestly, my most memorably experience was tape night when we filmed Sperm Donor last December.

It's been a dream of writing a sitcom since I was a kid.

And to look back and say no matter what, that I had created this show that people can watch (there's a link to the aol.com video on my website at http://www.marktreitel.com/ or here... http://us.video.aol.com/video.full.adp?mode=0&pmmsid=1373712&referer=http%3A//television.aol.com/feature/situation_comedy_tv

We had an amazing tape night -- where the audience was laughing hysterically at almost every joke. It was a real high. Those memories will never be lost or taken away.

The funniest experience was something they did not show. The reality crew took us out to a Barnes & Noble book store to have us interview as kid on how she talks.

Well the teenager they got was not very forthcoming, but a very sweet girl and she wasn't giving us any good material, but Shoe kept trying to get something from her, so I was laughing hysterically at the absurdity of the entire situation. Here we have a reality crew filming us -- it's crazy -- the whole reality thing when it was going on -- even more than being on TV.

The least expected? As reality junkies, Shoe and I expected almost anything. We thought we might show up the first day and it would be a joke where the producers were kids. You never know people's real motivations. At least at the start, everyone wanted to make the best television shows.

But in the end, you have a reality show. You constantly had to be on your toes, because cameras are watching you every second. At the end of the day, Shoe and I want to get TV jobs out of this, so we acted like we would under normal job situations. We listened to our producers and tried to make their suggestions work. I have TV writer friends who said that what we specifically went through, major rewrites, is what happens on TV. There are so many notes through the process.

Because you're always being watched, though, Shoe and I learned to speak in code. It was like something out of "Goodfellas." No I know what the Mafia feels like when they think they're being watched.

Shalla: If Sperm Donor won, what were your plans with the 50K? Disappear to Bali? Or were you splitting it with Shoe Schuster J ?

Mark: Well, we didn't win. So luckily I didn't spend the money. I hope that Andrew and David buy us a muffin.I would have used the money to feed the homeless, so, oh well.

Shalla: Any tips on creating funny characters?

Mark: We just were looking for opposites and what you see around you. Meaning, that once we had character, it was clear what the other characters should be. Take Odd Couple, one messy, one clean. Same with Sperm Donor, the more chaotic Clyde is, the more square Kaitlyn had to be. That's why the show works. We had the character of Clyde in our head pretty clearly. The other characters changed. For example, Dalton was more snobbish, but it didn't work when we had all the characters together. I like the change in Dalton.

Also, characters change over time, with the strengths of actors. Look at the original pilot of Seinfeld. The only one that is the same is Jerry, George and Kramer changed so much. Not 100%, but over time, more of who they are came out. The same would be true of our characters. The actors added so much to their roles. We wish we could have them work together more.

Shalla: Any tips on how to break into the business? Will there be Situation Comedy II?

Mark: The only way to definitely break into the business, is to claim you are the child of someone face. It's really difficult and you have to keep on working on it. The only way it will come easy is if you are incredibly lucky. But if it's something you want to try, as long as you are realistic and know that it's not going to come over night -- you might as well try for your dreams rather than being miserable.

I don't know if there will be a Situation: Comedy II. I think it's a great way to get other shows out there -- but probably things will go back to business as usual. Meaning, that the odds of someone actually getting a pilot on the air are impossible. People should just show it on the web and forget the network system.

Shalla: What have you learned so far from being in a Reality TV show?

Mark: Reality TV would be the best show if you had absolute control of the editing process. There are genuine moments that you can see on the show -- but just because someone tells you something happened, or how it happened, it can be biased. For example, they said on the show that Shoe and I had writers to help write the show. Well, they made it sound like only we had writers, while both shows had writers and that is par for the course. Any pilot usually gets other writers to add jokes, but somehow if you say it and you have no reason to know otherwise -- it sounds true.

Shalla: Would you say, everything was truly “real,” nothing rehearsed? Did you get directed in any way?

Mark: The moments at the beginning, when I was picked to win -- was a genuine moment of happiness and reality. Other moments had to be "recreated". For example, when I tell my wife I'm going away for my first day on the job, it was shot six weeks later -- check Shoe's shirt -- it doesn't match to the shot later. This is especially apparent to the video interviews that were done after the fact. After going through the process, it was pretty clear how to watch reality shows. The only show I believe as real is "Amazing Race" -- because either you climb the Great Wall of China or you don't. Also, people like Bobby Brown, are acting for the camera. And others are acting -- the more you think -- you might second guess people's motivations.

You also have the fact that we were working ten to twelve hour days and they are only showing you a few seconds per day, if that. Selective editing. But all the actors were trying their best. Originally, the show was supposed to be more documentary style, like Project Greenlight, then Bravo made it more "reality" like -- which mean less actually reality.

Shalla: What is the future of sitcom?

Mark: We can't go back to the days of three networks -- so the sitcom is dependent on advertising and viewers. With Tivo, advertising as we know it is dead. Maybe not tomorrow, but within five to ten years. It doesn't make sense for advertisers to advertise when no one's watching.

Networks need to make money. Which means less money to create the products and less money for writers and actors. There will be shows. But not in the same way they were in 1996. Less of the working writers are working -- so there might be a few sitcoms. But even if there was a break out hit -- will it be a unifying viewing experience -- I doubt it. There are no ultimate viewing experiences anymore. Take Star Wars III -- you can't get bigger than that -- that came out in May, and now it's September and already it's gone. We're on to the next thing. Only in our collective memories, will shows like Gilligan's Island, Brady Bunch and Seinfeld live on. Even the shows they are pushing, like Everybody Hates Chris and My Name is Early -- we'll see what happens in six months from now. We have too many other distractions. Obviously, people will always have jobs -- but we won't all be watching the next Happy Days.

Shalla: What’s next for Mark? Any projects in the works?

Mark: Lots of stuff is always going on. The two main things right now are projects I did with Shoe. We sold a comedy feature with Mike Epps ("The Honeymooners") attached that should go into production this fall and we are currently writing a comedy feature for Zucker-Netter, (the production company behind the all time comedy favorites of "Airplane" and "Naked Gun".) People can read my daily blog, http://www.marktreitel.com/ which has been getting lots of press. Don't ask me how, but I have more Google references than Sean Hayes.

Shalla: Wonderful to know, thanks! Please visit Mark Treitel at http://www.marktreitel.com/

Good luck Mark. You’re always welcome to talk with us again.

Shalla de Guzman writes multicultural, fantasy and paranormal novels with a chick lit tone. A former writer and producer of a health and fitness cable show, Shalla is currently writing her next top secret, future best-selling novel. http://shalladeguzman.com/whoisshalla.php

**********************************************************
NEWS! Like to read celebrity blogs? Go to Celebrity Blogs

WoW! Did you just watch Situation Comedy???

2005-09-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, amazing, Stephen's Life won -- who knew???

Good luck to the writers David and Andrew!

The best to Shoe Schuster and Mark Treitel!

Thanks for a fun, informative show :)

Shoe Schuster joined The ShalladeGuzman Writers Group :)

2005-08-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the 15 min presentation of Sperm Donor and Stephen's Life?

They're pretty good. Josh Flitter, you're so cute and smart!

My fave's Sperm Donor though.

Love the opening surprise (the guy in heels) and love the jokes. Love the heartfelt moments...

Talk about miracles! Episode after episode, Stephen's Life looked like it was "it" then Sperm Donor caught up.

Who knew???

Decide for yourself. Vote here...

Congrats to The Sperm Donor and Stephen's Life Teams

2005-08-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Very interesting show, learning a lot!

Thanks Sean Hayes, thanks Todd Milliner. Love watching Stan Zimmerman ('hope he's not upset with the Sperm Donor guys as he seemed to be at the end of tonight's episode) and Maxine Lapiduss.

So, this is how it works. I always thought we just click on the remote and shows start playing.

Rewrites -- how inspiring. They turned a script that's not working into an 8! Congrats to Shoe Schuster and Mark Treitel (the Sperm Donor guys)

Lucky them, they got Punch up writers and joke writers to help out... hmm, where can I find those for my manuscript?

Congrats to the Stephen's Life Team for having a wonderful network run through.

Vote for your Favorite

Sperm Donor Pleas: Vote for Us!

2005-08-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

It was bound to happen,

the Sperm Donor team asking for our votes. . .

they even sent their mascot Spen to ask us. . .

Love me...

Love Sperm Donor...

great ruff, ruff show!

A Letter from the Sperm Donor:

As you all may know, I've been starring on Bravo's "Situation: Comedy".
Starting this Friday, you can vote for my sitcom, THE SPERM DONOR.

This is a very important vote, because not only will I be granted title of "best sitcom" a $50,000 cash prize, a Hollywood agent, but it will also help me in my lifelong dream of becoming a sitcom writer.

Voting starts this Friday, August 26th at 7pm EST and will end next Friday, September 2nd at midnight EST.

To vote go to aol.com/situationcomedy

(You do NOT need to be an AOL subscriber). From there, voting should be VERY simple.

You are allowed to vote for SPERM DONOR once a day,

for a total of seven days, seven votes.

Please take a moment to forward this email to as many people as you can. Spreading the word is critical for me and Shoe, my writing partner. I guarantee you, your vote will make a difference. Your support is greatly appreciated.

So, folks, should we help the Sperm Donor guys out?

My question is, are they sharing the wealth?

just kidding

SHALLA MINGLES with Bravo TV's Sitcom Writers

2005-08-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yep! Shalla's interviewing screenwriter

Mark Treitel this September.

--How cool is that?!

...Who's Mark???

He's one of the finalists in Bravo's new reality TV show,

Situation Comedy.

***

And did you know there's a

Live Journal Discussion for Situation Comedy?

Rant and Rave about it here

****

With creators/stars Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner, Maxine Lapiduss and Stan Zimmerman

Love the reality TV's Executive Producer, Maxine Lapiduss (Ellen, Roseanne, Home Improvement, etc)?

She's a darling on the show. Did you know she sings, acts, been a stand up comedian, etc and she's got a website here

ACCORDING TO SHALLA:

Screenwriter Shoe Schuster says,

he'd really, truly like it if you vote for his team The Sperm Donor, to help, here's a subtle reminder:

SHALLA MINGLES with screenwriter Shoe Schuster

2005-08-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

“The Reality of Situation Comedy’s Finalist”

by Shalla de Guzman

First off, who’s Shoe?

Shoe Schuster has a feature script, The New Don, which is set to go into production in the fall starring Mike Epps (The Honeymooners, All About the Benjamins, etc). He’s currently working on a script for Bigfoot Entertainment (3 Needles). He’s rewriting a script for Zucker/Netter (The Naked Gun, Airplane, etc).

Cedric the Entertainer , John Leguizamo &
Mike Epps in The Honeymooners (2005)

Shoe has a short film, Fight of the Fly, that he wrote and directed that is making its rounds through film festivals (Beverly Hills Film Festival, Palm Beach Film Festival, among others). As well as being a finalist in Situation: Comedy, where his script, The Sperm Donor, was chosen from 10,000 scripts to go to pilot and let the audience choose between two to see what they want on the fall schedule. (Situation: Comedy is on Bravo in the unfortunate timeslot of Fridays at 7pm, but that’s why there’s Tivo.)

Shalla: Hi, Shoe.

Shoe: Shalla, we begin? (chuckles) Oh, you probably get that all the time. I hear you’re Filipino.

I had a roommate in college that was Filipino. He made the best hot pretzels, but it was kind of a hassle having the cart in the living room.

Shalla: :) Haven’t tried cooking pretzels, I’m starting out with seasoning mixes. You know, just add water and veggie beef (yup, I’m vegetarian).

But you, how have you been doing since the airing of Situation Comedy?

Shoe: Good, good. Visibility’s always a good thing. You ever try to drive without it? You know, before I was recognized from the show,

I used to have to annoy waiters to get them to spit in my food.

Shalla: Nerve wracked about winning?

Shoe: Not really. As I see it, people who want to vote for a winner will choose the winning team and people who want to vote for a loser will choose the losing team.

Also, I don’t want to sit here and try and manipulate people into voting for me. I’ve already won because this contest has afforded me the opportunity to visit orphans in Old San Juan. I miss you, my little Taquitos. If I win the money, I’ll buy you all a pony.

Shalla: Make it alpacas :) Getting fan e-mails?

Shoe: A few. I got one from a couple who wanted to thank me for the great periodontal work I did on their kid’s teeth. I think they might have sent it to the wrong email address but since it was so sweet, I hung it up on my wall.

Shalla: Where did you get your idea for Sperm Donor? Watching talk shows? Or…?

Shoe: The same place all ideas come from, a giant light bulb flashing above my head.

Mark (co-writer of The Sperm Donor) and I were sitting around one day and talking about how there’s no great TV shows on anymore like we grew up with. Where was “Family Ties?” Where was “Facts of Life?” Where was “Small Wonder?” Okay, maybe not Small Wonder so much. But where were these shows? Why weren’t they on anymore?

Then we watched them on Nick At Nite and realized these shows were completely idealized in our mind and were actually quite average. So, Mark and I set out to do a really average family sitcom that people would watch and fondly recollect being great in 20 years.

Shalla: How did you get started writing sitcoms?

Shoe: In front of reality TV cameras. Like everyone! No? Oh, geez, I thought that was how it was done.

Sitcoms were always something to write while waiting for notes on feature scripts. Because, no matter how much I love sitcoms, it’s a very tight-knit community so getting a sitcom job always seemed impossible. It still does, mind you. But features, well, features can be sold on the writing.

Movie producers need feature scripts. TV producers need to help sixteen of their unemployed friends find work. And it some ways it makes sense, because you will be working grueling hours with these people so you want people you jive with.

With features, you don’t need to jive with anybody, you just need to write a great script. If you write it, they will come. With sitcoms, you write it and hopefully win a contest.

Shalla: Are you naturally funny?

Shoe: No, I’m naturally pretty morbid, but then I think about how happy I’ll be when I’m dead and the funny just spills out.

Shalla: Any books on learning to write humor you’d recommend?

Shoe: Jean-Paul Sartre’s Being and Nothingness, The Antichrist by Friedrich Nietzsche and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Sartre, Nietzsche and other Depressing Dudes.

Honestly, I’m avoiding this question because if I say, ‘Yes, I’m funny au jus,” your readers will say I’m arrogant or worse not funny and delusional. But if I say funny is something that can be learned, then I’d be lying. I don’t think there’s anything an unfunny person can do to be funny.

I’m sure there are plenty of Learning Annex classes that will tell you otherwise. You can read books that explain why something’s funny, but unless it’s innate I don’t think there’s anyway to replicate it. God, that’s a depressing answer.

You know what? If you want to be funny, say words with the letter K… Cupcake. That’s good! That’s my answer. Get rid of that depressing stuff and just say… Cupcake.

Shalla: For those just starting out, any tips on screenwriting? Go to conferences? Move to Hollywood and socialize with actors? Date a movie star?

Shoe: I think if you’re serious about writing, that’s what you should be doing – writing.

Not to toot my own horn – actually, if I could toot my own horn, I’d never leave the house – but I write seven days a week, up to ten hours a day. That’s what I want to do. It makes me happy.

If writing makes you happy, it isn’t even work. As for actors and conferences, I’m the world’s worst networker. I have agents and managers that I rely on to make those connections.

If you don’t have representation, then you need to write something that’s going to help you get them.

Hollywood’s all about gatekeepers. Agents are the first gatekeepers. Once you can get past them, then they can help you get past the studio gatekeepers. And so on. The key to all the gates: a great script. Hollywood knows writers are a few yaks short of a zoo, so don’t worry about where you live, what you wear or who you know, just write the script.

As for hands on tips, I outline for about four to six months prior to touching a draft. A screenplay really is story, it’s plot. If the story holds up against your harshest scrutiny then the script will hold. Dialogue can be finessed. Dialogue’s simply the smoke and mirrors to hide the story. A well-constructed story with effortless dialogue to hide it, you’re golden.

It’s funny because you slave over a script for months and months all to insure that it seems like you rattled it off over a weekend. A great script seems like it was written on line at the bank.

Shalla: What is your ultimate goal in screenwriting? To write the next block buster movie? To team up with Leonardo DiCaprio?

Shoe: It’s funny you mention DiCaprio. I’m always being confused with him. From the back, at two hundred paces, we have an uncanny resemblance. Honestly, I just want to work. Write.

I need money to live so it would be nice if someone paid me for it and right now I feel pretty fortunate to be able to do what I love and have a modicum of success.

Shalla: What do you think is different from writing a script to writing, say, a short story?

Shoe: I know as much about writing short stories as I do about what’s in Cheez Whiz. For instance, I know there’s Cheez and I know there’s Whiz, but how they come together… (sighs) A mystery as complex as Ugg Boots in the sunnertime.

Shalla: What’s the best and the worst about being in a reality TV show?

Shoe: The best thing is the exposure; the worst thing is no one is watching because it’s on at Fridays at 7pm. I hear we have a huge following in retirement communities.

Shalla: What’s next for Shoe? Latest projects?

Shoe: A feature script was recently set-up with Mike Epps of The Honeymooners, that’s supposed to go into production in the fall and I’m working on a feature script for Zucker/Netter. They’re the guys behind The Naked Gun, Airplane, and the last Scary Movie so, as you can imagine, it’s a thrill to be working with such comic savants.

Oh, also I’m thinking about grabbing a bite to eat. Shalla, we? (chuckles)

Shalla: Okay, let me go grab a Shoe :)

Thanks so much! For more on Shoe Schuster, please visit his website http://www.shoeschuster.com

Best wishes Shoe. Please come back and talk with us again.

Shalla de Guzman writes multicultural, fantasy and paranormal novels with a chick lit tone. A former writer and producer of a health and fitness cable show, Shalla is currently writing her next top secret, future best-selling novel. www.shalladeguzman.com

SHALLA MINGLES with screenwriter Shoe Schuster

Plus-Size News! SHALLA MINGLES with screenwriter Shoe Schuster

2005-08-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Remember Shoe Schuster?

He’s one of the writers competing in Bravo’s latest reality TV show, Situation Comedy. Yeah, from the Sperm Donor team.

--Guess what? We didn't chat, we mingled…

SHALLA MINGLES with screenwriter Shoe Schuster, get it on SHALLA GOES HOLLYWOOD this August, coming soon!

A Tribute to Super Stars Mary Pickford and Charles “Buddy” Rogers

2005-08-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

T hey initially met during casting of the 1927 silent classic, M y B est Girl. At the time, she was married to swashbuckler film actor Douglas Fairbanks Sr; he had just done a movie, Wings, which eventually won the first Best Picture Oscar.

During filming, Mary and Buddy’s chemistry bubbled on screen. Off screen, sparks were flying. It’s been said that they kept “rehearsing” a love scene over and over.

But nothing came of the romance for a time, that is, until Douglas Fairbanks Sr’s philandering resulted in their divorce. Soon after, Mary and Buddy became man and wife. They lived in Pickfair and adopted a couple of children, Roxanne and Ronald.

Ho-kay, I’m sure their romance had ups and downs, yes the alcoholism factor etc. but they did stay together until her death in 1979. And in their later years, when asked about his wife, Buddy said, “She’s still my best girl.” Awww…

Could it be? Maybe I love this movie so much because their magnetic attraction/passions for each, forever imprinted on the movie, still seethes from the screen?

Besides, the plot is charming. No cussing (boring!) and not much violence (okay, “Joe” punched a guy in the face but it was to protect his girl, so it was cute :)

Reviews for My Best Girl
Some of Mary Pickford's Silent Movies Free to View

I found this great article on MY BEST GIRL by Felicia Feaster

My Best Girl was Pickford's last silent picture and the first with Taylor, a veteran of Harold Lloyd comedies and an expert at crafting effervescent fare like My Best Girl.

Taylor would go on to direct all of Pickford's remaining films except forSecrets (1933).

Considered one of Pickford's best films, My Best Girl was released at New York's Rialto theater. Its release came at a pivotal time for both Pickford and the motion pictures.

The silent age was largely at an end, and Pickford, who had made her reputation and fortune as one of the silent era's darlings, found adjusting to the new era of talking pictures a fresh challenge. It was a hurdle which she partly overcame with her next film Coquette (1929) in which she played a sophisticated flapper with bobbed hair. The film won the actress an Oscar, an award many saw as an honor bestowed, not just for Coquette, but in celebration of Pickford's entire film career.

After the release of My Best Girl, Pickford decided to radically change her innocent screen image, and cut off her famous curly locks and began to take on more adult roles. As she told an interviewer in a statement that could have easily applied to My Best Girl "I am sick of Cinderella parts, of wearing rags and tatters. I want to wear smart clothes and play the lover. I created a certain type of character and now I think it is practically finished."

Pickford's co-star in My Best Girl, Buddy Rogers, was a straight arrow from Kansas, son of a judge and a Sunday school teacher, and eleven years Pickford's junior. Rogers had auditioned for the role with Pickford, who initially seemed unlikely to pick him for her leading man when she asked him "Mr. Rogers, do you consider me a great actress?" and he replied "My favorite is Norma Shearer."

But Rogers secured the part of Joe Grant and was so visibly infatuated with the married Pickford during the filming of My Best Girl that Pickford told writer/director Frances Marion, "I think he's got a crush on me."

Others also noticed the strong attraction between the two actors, especially Pickford's current husband Douglas Fairbanks, who visited the set of My Best Girl one day. There he saw Charles and Mary filming a love scene and immediately had a strange feeling about it that was "more than jealousy. I suddenly felt afraid."

Those initial signs of a blooming love affair between Pickford and Rogers would eventually spill over into real life when Rogers became Pickford's third and final husband in 1937. The couple were married for 42 years.

Rogers role in My Best Girl ushered in the beginning of the good-looking actor's movie stardom, eventually earning him the moniker "America's Boyfriend." That nickname certainly jibed with Pickford's honorary title as "America's Sweetheart" for the lovable, sunny girls she played in films such as Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917) and Pollyanna (1920). Cecil B. DeMille once said of Pickford "

There have been hundreds of stars, there have been scores of fine actresses in motion pictures. There has been only one Mary Pickford."

Director: Sam Taylor

Producer: Mary Pickford

Screenplay: Hope Loring, Allen McNeil, and Tim Whelan; based on the novel of the same name by Kathleen Norris

Cinematography: Charles RosherProduction

Design: Jack Schulze

Music: Gaylord Carter

Cast:

Mary Pickford (Maggie Johnson)

Charles "Buddy" Rogers (Joe Grant) Sunshine Hart (Ma Johnson), Lucien Littlefield (Pa Johnson), Hoba rt Bosworth (Mr. Merrill), Carmelita Geraghty (Liz Johnson).BW-80m.

Ooh, I found Mary Pickford Interviews and more info

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NEXT on Shalla's Faves...

Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood (2001)