Bonsoir

We recently had a fun visit with our friends Cathy and Chris who were visiting from France.  Chris' English is getting better and I'm surprised at how well you can get along by pointing and searching for a word that they'll understand.
For back-up I invited my friend Nile to join us and she speaks perfect French so she was able to talk to them in their native tongue.  Thanks Nile!

Up at the Hollywood Sign, they posed in front of this warning  about rattlesnakes and mountain lions...

Moments later we saw two deer nibbling on plants.  Five minutes later we were driving down the canyon and a coyote ran in front of our car running for its life.  Right on its tail was a giant Great Dane chasing it out of the neighborhood.  It was a very surreal sight.  Very exciting for our French friends.  I told them that Hollywood is very wild!

Up All Night....On The Set Of "Dating After Divorce"

Here's some "behind the scenes" pix from the short film that Vince and I directed last night.  It's been a long time since I went to bed at 4:30 in the morning.  Man am I dragging today!  Only got two hours of sleep before the cats started whining about their breakfast.

Happiness on a plate

Can you guess where I'm at?  I think a few of you true Mexican food lovers will recognize the booth :)

Outdoor Disco Party at the Music Center

Doing the "Hitchhike" dance moves

We had a blast dancing under the stars at the Music Center's Disco Party.

3-D Walls

The start of a new piece.  Not sure where I'm going with it but that's the fun part.

Also not sure which way I like it better - vertical or horizontal.


One things for sure, there will be a statue or something else standing in front of this wall.

Bettye Lavette

I first heard Bettye sing at Obama's inaugural ceremonies with Jon Bon Jovi.  They sang "Change Is Gonna Come" and the emotion brought me to tears.


Here's the clip in case you missed it:
Bettye LaVette & Jon Bon Jovi


We saw Bettye perform at a free concert in Pasadena over the weekend.  That raspy soulful voice is a pleasure to my ears.  Love this lady!

Dim Sum and Then Some Shopping Fun

We ventured off to Chinatown for Nancy's birthday.  Had dim sum at Ocean then shopped around and bought parasols and kimonos.  Such a fun day.

Vince was there too but he was the "paparazzi" and didn't get in to any of the photos.

"Our Legacy" Recording Day

It's a great feeling at the end of the recording day when you're celebrating a job well done.  Our actors rocked this session!

Animation Insider Interview

Here's a link to an interview I recently gave about working as a casting director in the animation business.  

Click on this link to read the interview:

Animation Insider

Donna Grillo

 June 24th, 2011  Mike

Audrey - A happy rescue story

I have fallen head over heels in love with Nancy's new dog, Audrey.  It's amazing the love and smiles this dog brings wherever she goes.  I can hardly believe this little fur ball was found on the street all gnatty and scared. I've got to give it up for the rescue group that took her out of the pound, cleaned her up and saved her life. She will now spend the rest of her life being pampered and loved by Nancy and all who lay eyes on her.  This dog seriously puts a smile on your face.  Nancy has had her for about three months.  She's definitely feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.  This is a very happy rescue story - yay!

Beauty Culture at the Annenberg Photography Center

I swear this should be illegal.  Vince had it right when he said he'd like to see an interview of a grown up woman who was put through this when they were young.  Would love to see how it affected them in their older years.  My guess is it wouldn't be pretty....

Point Pleasant with my dearest dear cousins

John, Lynn, Caitlyn, Alexandra and Luke.  We spent the day at the shore.  The kids rode the rides, played games and we ate ice cream, pizza and Mexican food. 
Don't let the palm trees fool you - we're in New Jersey!

Vacation with the family in New Jersey

Celebrating Fathers Day, Dad's birthday and Grandpa's 92nd Birthday!

Valves

Here's some more valve prints.

I can't decide if I like this print horizontal or vertical.

Fotoplayer Valves

This print was inspired from a picture Vince took for the Academy's archives of some valves in a Fotoplayer from 1912.  V's been photographing the restoration of this Fotoplayer over the past year.


I just found this clip of Joe (the restorer) playing the Fotoplayer - check it out, it's really fun: 
http://www.victorianreproductionlighting.com/antique-photoplayer.html

I made several copies of this print and now I'm collaging it.  I'll put the finished piece up once it's done.

Hiking at Deukmajian Park

Hiking with Vince and Mario up at Deukmajian park.  We got to the end of the trail and there was a small waterfall.  Lot's of flowers too.

Dancing on Bodie Tiles

Jimmy's garden of eden

I'm so blessed to have an organic garden right around the corner from me.  Every Monday I go over there and see what's ripe.  It's strawberry time - so yummy.