CONFESSIONS OF A PAPARAZZI etc: February 2007

Pride Premiere Philadelphia Tuesday 2/27/27

Last night at the Prince Theater in Philadelphia, a little bit of Hollywood came to Philly town. The movie is called "Pride" and it is the inspiring story of Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard), a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia's roughest neighborhoods. Below it the man of the hour - Jim Ellis

Bernie Mac makes the carpet.

Kevin Philips; You'll come for the story, but you will stay for the Speedos - http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809280946/photo/970426339

Who are you, but you're bringing a little fashion to Philly. Now if this was NYC, you would have taken off your damn coats.

Super Model Amanda Beard famous for among many things, gracing the recent, now defunct FHM Magazine, and her friend. (It may be a Hollywood type premiere, but it's still Philly and the PR people sometimes do a lousy job at introducing the folks.)

After a short but successful run on the Red Carpet, the gentleman that he is, Terrence Howard signed, posed and chatted with over 300 fans.

An interviewer said, why do you do it, why do you sign and chat to each and everyone. TH responded, to give them hope, I want to inspire each and everyone to follow their dreams, and to know that if I can do it, they can too. "When I was young, I had a chance encounter with Clint Eastwood at an event like this, he turned smiled and winked at me. It was that moment that carried me through some of the rough days of my career, so that one day I would have the chance to thank him for that inspiration"

As Mr. Howard bounded back from completing his last signature, he returned toward the theater doors when stopped by one of my favorite columnist Philly Daily News writer, Dan Gross who, well let me let his column pick the conversation up: 'NO. NO. That's ugly. Don't do that," replied Terrence Howard when we asked him about New York tabloid reports that he's dating model Naomi Campbell. Howard, the star of "Pride," attended the film's premiere last night at Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut), where the heartthrob actor signed autographs for many fans, while his handlers tried hard to keep the media at bay (aparently Gross wasn't on the carpet as I got a lot of my best shots when Terrence was being interviewed [those photos are with my agency].) "I reached out to her," Howard told us about Campbell, to whom he was recently linked. "That's what that was about. I reached out to her in a time of need. That's what people are supposed to be doing, not trashing people."

Things then went bad to worse with the bastard Mayor showing up, I wish I didn't have to show him, but I wanted to draw attention to the guy below me with the big ass hood for his flash that often cast a shadow on my subjects. Damn I forgot my ladder!

Then the mayors cronies came along, sure that's Clifton Davis of TV fame, but he's a croney now. To his right, Shawn Fordham, the mayor's nephew and campaign manager. In this picture the former "Temperture's Rising Star" is saying that this is your next Councilman. Please someone stop the insanity, Streets son Sharif is running too, hasn't this family done enough to the City.

Helen Mirren Congratulations on winning the Oscar I told you you would get!

This is an update to an earlier post because I have more info about the people in the pictures and I also figured out how to video edit and add clips to Youtube.com; Some of you may know that I shot a few pictures at as celebrities were leaving a party that was held for the DGA Awards (which her husband director Taylor Hackford is VP; he also directed the movie Ray with Jamie Foxx) at Nobu. A man named Itsi Akins is also a member of the esteemed GDA group. He arrived at the event on his Segway, and was showing it to many of the celebs as they were leaving, in fact I saw Loraine Bracco from the Sopranos try it out and she fell on her ass in an attempt to operate it. Well when Dame Helen Mirren exited the restaurant, she too was curious, and although I warned her that she could hurt herself, thankfully she ignored me and gave it a try. Itsi started out by giving her a lesson, and wallah, she was off and going. I think he would agree that she was an excellent student as he had really had a hard time keeping up with her making sure she wouldn't spill over like the other women.

I really didn't have too many photos of her riding that night, as I partially felt that it was a private moment and I didn't want to spoil it (Thank god I don't have to make a living from shooting pictures or I would be poor) Eventually I took about 4 shots of Dame Helen doing about 2 laps as Itsi assisted her, and at some point I remembered that I could video it with my other camera, which I did at the same time and that is why the video is a bit shaky.********************

After getting these shots and the video, many of my friends WHO ARE professional photographers, told me that these photos and the video would have been worth upwards of $5,000 if Helen Mirren won the Academy Award for the Queen. Some of the photos have been published, but I never sold the video, and I know why, I shot it in low res and Helen is wearing her underwear. Some of these folks were really bent out of shape everytime they saw me, as it reminded them that they should have waited longer and they would have caught these shots. ******** I may have shot it in low res, but sadly Youtube compressed it and its further distored, but you can see what's going on. The Queen riding a segway can be seen here:

HILLARY CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN MANAGER CAN'T SPELL

Friday evening, former DNC Chair and current Hillary Clinton Campaign Manager, Terry McAuliffe did a reading and book signing at Friends Select School in Philadelphia "What A Party!" Which is a fascinating, hilarious, and provocative look at the life of one of Washington's legendary figures. From wrestling an alligator to running the Democratic National Committee to his friendship with President Clinton, Terry McAuliffe's wonderful memoir covers it all and is, without doubt, the political book of the year.

Former DNC Chair after McAuliffe, Gov. Rendell introduced him.

At the event McAuliffe said he was very honest in writing the story of the Clinton administration and the facts surrounding the impeachment. He provided an advance copy to the Clintons for review. The President returned it and said it was great, the best book I read since the Bible, don't change a thing; Hillary on the otherhand, over 250 corrections, none of which were content, but with gramerical errors underlined in red!

Each book was inscribed personally with our names, you are a great democrat, Vote for Hillary, thanks - Terry McAuliffe

My Oscar Predications

Dreamgirls Anika Noni Rose - Plays the part of Lorrel in the movie Dreamgirls. She will win Best Song with Eddie Murphy for "Patience". In 2004, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress In a play called "Caroline or Change." Tony Award Winner Anika Noni Rose sings "Can't Help Loving That Man Of Mines." This is a song from the Broadway play called "Showboat." I saw her sing this song in Central Park this past summer. Anika Youtube Click Here. Below is a photo I took at the Premiere in December.

Eddie Murphy will win Best Supporting Actor for Dreamgirls

Helen Mirren for Best Actress for the Queen (I told her she would win)

Jennifer Hudson for Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls

Not pictured here - Forest Whitaker in “The Last King of Scotland” (Fox Searchlight)

Barbara Gittings, our gay Rosa Parks, died Sunday of breast cancer

Activist Barbara Gittings, a pioneer of the American gay rights movement, compiled an impressive list of accomplishments. In addition to being instrumental in having homosexuality removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental disorders, she founded the New York chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis and edited its magazine, The Ladder. During her work with that group, she met her life partner of 46 years, Kay Lahusen. She first became well-known to the public in 1965, when she helped organize gay rights demonstrations at the White House and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. She also worked tirelessly within the American Library Association to make materials with glbtq content more accessible to the reading public.

In 2005, Gittings and Lahusen attended the unveiling of a state historic marker noting those demonstrations across the street from Independence Hall. Barbara Gittings, died Sunday of breast cancer. She was 75. Yesterday a wreath was laid at this marker by Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum; Virginia Gutierrez, William Way Community Center; and Stacey Sobel Executive Director, Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights;

Today, right now, at this hour (12:20AM) several same sex couples are getting married in Civil ceremonies in New Jersey. This wouldn't have happened if Barbara Gittings didn't stand up for our rights in 1965!! Thanks Barbara, we'll miss you, I was lucky to meet her several times in the past couple years:(

RADIOMAN, many people outside of NYC probably don't know the one guy that knows all the stars

Hollywood's hot list is nearly endless this week: Leonardo DiCaprio. Helen Mirren. Jamie Foxx. And Craig Schwartz. Better known to New Yorkers as Radio Man, Schwartz is most familiar as the inspiration for Robin Williams' homeless character in "The Fisher King." (which is on the Encore Channel Thursday at 10PM-EST) http://poll.imdb.com/name/nm0144425/ Again this week he is George Clooney's guest at the Oscars in Hollywood. When he arrives he gets the star treatment, facial, new clothes, a nice place to stay, a limo ride to the ceremony and a golden ticket to sit in the audience to watch Helen Mirren, Jennifer Holiday and Eddie Murphy get their trophies. Later he will attend the after parties with Clooney; and for the rest of the year he will share his stories with us.****** Radioman has come to know many of the industry's most elite players, who try to hire him - or at least allow him on set - when they're working in New York. The bicycle-powered guy inexplicably shows up at darned near every NY/NJ film set. Bronx, Staten Island, Newark. He's there.Crew members shake their heads and wonder how in God's name he knows where and when to show up for a meal and news. It's a mystery. And so is he.*********** This is one of the first photos I took of Radioman. I had seen him around town, heard about his legend and randomly shot him. When Radioman isn't starring in some show, he is a professional autograph seeker (autograzzi) to supplement his living.

Although he looks homeless, he allegedly lives in Brooklyn, the extremely dedicated film fan has become a personality in his own right, having appeared in dozens of films and television shows shot around town as a HOMELESS MAN or BUM in uncredited roles, including "The Manchurian Candidate," "The Departed," "Hitch" and the an upcoming Will Smith movie "I Am Legend", which is the remake of the Charlton Heston movie "Omega Man", in "Elf" you see him in one of the last scenes as Santa gets his sleigh airborne and disturbs Radioman who sits up from his Central Park bench.... Here bitchy Lorraine Bracco, who rarely signs for anyone, does at least 5 graphs for Radioman. Outside of Mission Impossible 3 is where I saw my favorite actress Susan Sarandon. It was my one and only time in 15 months to see the New York resident actress at an event. Radioman held court for so long, that I was unable to get a decent photo. He didn't get the hint to leave them alone when they both hopped on the phone. (I'm still bitter) Radioman was there the night I broke the story about Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe's big fight at the afterparty for "Flags of our Fathers" Julianne Ann Moore wanted to know "How many do you want me to sign Radioman? He said I only have 20 more! She signed them all. Radioman escorts George Clooney to his car last DecemberHe chats with Steve Buscemi as Jamie Lynn waits her turn Who is bussing Radioman on this very hot August night Well it's Eva Mendes exiting from a club on 27th Street from the afterparty of "Trust the Man" about six months after my arrival, I guess he saw that I was a regular and he would on occasion give me information of the where abouts of celebrities, he also allowed me to get a posed shot. Radioman became a invaluable source of information, telling me where movie shoots were, where after parties would occur and who was in town (sometimes I would tell him things he didn't know, but that was rare). But with him it wasn't a constant stream of info as he could be moody and at those times you don't want to approach him. NEVER, ever approach him when the Yankees are on. Radioman maintains a movie-production hot line at (212) 714-8045 and a Web site, http://www.craigradiomanschwartz.com/. On Sunday look for Radioman in the audience at the Kodak Theater of the Academy Awards and the Oscars for your sighting of the most infamous New Yorker. And listen to him on XM Radio the Celebrity Channel for his 5mins a day celebrity news and sightings.

Chinese New Year rang in at Midnite in Philly Saturday

Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday celebrated among Chinese people. It is often referred to as the spring festival because it signals the beginning of spring. It is a time when families and friends get together to say goodby to the old and welcome the new. It originally lasted for about 4 weeks, but now only lasts for 3-5 days.

The dragon is another popular symbol for Chinese New Year. It is a symbol of strength, goodness, and good luck, and supernatural forces. The dragon is said to be a mythical combination of many animals. During New Years, one of the main events is a large parade down the city streets. As part of this parade, people dress up in dragon costumes and dance down the streets. These costumes are made of brightly colored silk and decorated very extravagantly. Some of the dragons are 100 feet long! Men and boys perform intricate dragon dances with one person manipulating the head of the dragon and the rest moving the body.

Little Dragons, aren't they cute?

One very important tradition of the Chinese New Year is exchanging gifts. A traditional gift that is given is small red envelopes filled with "lucky money". These envelopes are given to children by their family and friends. The red color is used to bring good fortune, and the money inside is used by the children to buy holiday treats. These envelopes symbolize the giving of good fortune.

Chinese New Year celebration would not be complete without fireworks. There are many beliefs about why fireworks are used. One is that the noise wakes up the dragon who will fly across the sky to bring the spring rain for the crops. Firecrackers are thrown at the feet of the dragons in the parade to keep them awake for the celebration. The dragons are believed to sleep the rest of the year. Thanks to Mike for being a real trooper for hanging out til 2AM as old chinese men threw firecrackers inches above our heads.

Party Time at Two Liberty Place Philadelphia

I went to a party to celebrate event planner extraordinaire Karen Spiro's 15th Anniversary of her company EVENTures, ( http://eventures.net/home/home.html) at Two Liberty Place where they are in the middle of converting the top 20 floors of office space into luxury condominiums (Floors 37 - 57.)

I wish I had taken a better shot of the panels lit in red, as they had Karen's logo on them, and silhouettes of Liberty One and the Bell Atlantic Bldg. The lighting design was done by Jeffrey Faust at http://www.faustdesignarts.com/

The caterer was the Frog Commissary. Asian Fusion served in these pink plastic take out containers, which was very clever. Crab cakes were served in martini glasses. I hear the dessert was delicious, I didn't even look at that table.

The very busy Thom Cardwell of the Philadelphia Festival Executive Director (before there was a Tribeca Film Festival, there was http://www.phillyfests.com/ April 5 - 18th) was there as was my good friend Phyllis, Manager, Special Projects, Pennsylvania Tourism Office.

One of my best girlfriends Greta Greenberger, Director of the City Hall Tours and master of many talents!! (and her daughter Julia, check her out at the Bobbi Brown counter at Macy's)

The views were just spectacular, City hall in the foreground.

but I was obsessed with just one view - the 61 story sister building - Liberty One on the right

The Mellon Bank building's crown is golden in celebration of the King Tut exhibit currently at the Franklin Institute until Sept 25, 2007

Liberty One, and being built in the background - The Comcast Bldg., soon to be the tallest building in Philly, the tallest bldg between Chicago and NYC and the Tallest GREEN building in the USA.

The 57th Floor, seen here, has some amazing views, which can be yours for a mere $15 Million!!

Photographers, Ladders and Celebrities

Sometimes it was hard to get a good shot of a celebrity if you stood behind the paparazzi's, they had ladders and blocked your view. But unfortunately, 9 times out of 10, the celebrity posed for them and just signed for the fans. This is at the stage door for David Letterman.

This is the fan side. This is a light day as the crowds for the fan side can get very large. Three of the people in this picture are professional autograzzi's meaning they sell they are in the business of selling their "graphed photos of celebrities" The others are fans that show up repeatedly at events.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY - Love is All Around

Love Park - Philadelphia - The design of LOVE Park turned out to be perfect for skateboarding and became internationally famous. The park is nicknamed LOVE Park for Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture (wikipedia)

The X-Games were held here in 2001 & 2002 - Philadelphia's Love Park

Love (& my Love, Mike) - 54th and 6th Ave (Ave of Americas) New York City

Love - University of Penn campus - Philadelphia

Today is the launch of my once a week "How We Met" blog. Stories of couples in love and how they met. http://howwemetstories.blogspot.com/ or http://www.howwemetstories.com/

Wasn't she the beard for Lance Bass too?

From "The Upper East Side Scene" blog - Sunday, May 14, 2006 Jamie (Lynn Sigler) sat on Lance's lap talking with people in the booth and Lance would momentarily kiss her back in a very sweet, affectionate way. It looked like they were definitely an item and like he definitely forgot to consult his stylist when he chose the hideous leather jacket he was wearing.... and a few weeks earlier I shot this at the Fall 2007 Fashion Show

And in todays New York Daily News: So JC Chasez seemed very interested in meeting a particularly handsome young gentleman during Fashion Week. Of course, the poor bastard had to pick a guy who was friends with a gossip columnist. "[His publicist] was like, 'JC is going to be at such and such a place later, and he'd love to hang out with you,' " sez the olive-skinned hunk, who declined to share his phone number. Chasez's rep says he does not recall that conversation taking place. "And if it did, it would just be to hang out in a group, because he's a cool guy, not like a setup," he explained. Snickers bar, anyone?

Hurricane Schwartz (PHILLY NBC10) Predicts NO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY

Philly - Remember a few years back when NBC10's John Bolaris predicted the "Storm of the Century" and many schools and even businesses closed even before a flake flew; and then PFFTT nothing, barely a blip of rain or anything. Then shortly after that he was banished to NY and their CBS station because of the "end-of-sweeps-month Blizzard Alert". ++++ Today my mother-in-law ran into "Hurricane" at an event where they were both volunteering; she asked Mr. Schwartz about the snowstorm coming on Tuesday, he said that the school children of Philadelphia would have a SNOW DAY on Wednesday. She asked him to put it in writing so she could give it to her grandchildren.

I guess "Hurricane" was nervous about making such a broad statement, so he wrote "Day off from school likely on Wed."

++++ This is priceless as I just found it on the NBC10 site+++++

http://wcau.weatherplus.com/weathernews/5374484/detail.html

RIP: ANNA NICOLE SMITH

Ralph Nader, a HUGE hypocrite, for president 2008 - NOT

Ralph came to Philly last week to promote his new book. I had to listen to his dribble to get these photos.

Ralph Nader has done a lot of good for consumers. He has also led attacks on such evils as Volkswagen cars, the American Automobile Association, whole milk, colored toilet paper, fluoridated water, and the Elvis stamp. Through it all he has manipulated the press brilliantly and built himself a comfortable and powerful niche without need for election, even within his own consumer groups. 6 years after he unquestionably tipped the 2000 Presidential election to George W. Bush, Nader refuses to admit that or take any kind of responsibility, and he's planning to run again. This time though even the Green party is getting sick of him. For 30 years, Ralph Nader has proclaimed himself to be "Saint Ralph", the only honest man in Washington, and the only friend of the average citizen. If that doesn't make you puke already, then click on the allegation of your choice: a HUGE hypocrite -- just another politician -- Anti-democratic authoritarian -- secret luxury house -- owned by the trial lawyers' lobby

Michelle Rodriguez formerly from the TV show Lost at the Marc Jacobs Fall 2007 Show

Michelle Rodriguez, (born July 12, 1978 in San Antonio, Texas), is an American actress, best-known for her roles in the television series Lost and movies, The Fast and the Furious, S.W.A.T. and Resident Evil. ****************Last year she on top of her game appearing in the hit series Lost, and I got to see her when she was the surprised celebrity guest at the Marc Jacobs Spring 2007 Fashion Show

In November 2003, Rodriguez went to court to face eight misdemeanor charges based on two road incidents: On July 22, she left the scene of an accident after hitting another motorist. And on November 4, she sped through an intersection while under the influence of alcohol. She had a suspended license both times.[9] In June 2004, Rodriguez pleaded no contest in Los Angeles to three of the charges: hit and run, drunken driving, and driving with a suspended license.[10] She went to jail for 48 hours, performed community service at the morgues of two New York hospitals, completed a three-month alcohol program, and was placed on probation for three years.[11] On December 1, 2005, Rodriguez was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence.[13] Rodriguez pleaded not guilty when arraigned[14], but on the day of her trial in April 2006, she pleaded guilty to one charge of driving under the influence. She chose to pay a $500 fine and spend five days in jail instead of doing 240 hours of community service.[10]

Because the Kailua incident was a violation of her Los Angeles probation, Rodriguez was sentenced to 60 days in jail, a 30 day alcohol rehabilitation program and another 30 days of community service, including work for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, by a judge in Los Angeles on May 1, 2006.[16] Because of overcrowding, she was released from jail on the same day she entered it. As of June 2006, she will still have to serve the community service.[17] *****************************************************************************

This year when she attended the Marc Jacobs fashion show, she was seated in the front row and wore a nice ankle bracelet. I can't figure out how they let her leave the state of California, where she lives, to attend a fashion show in NYC. ****Later friends of mine told they saw her at the Gramercy Hotel and when they asked her about the accessory on her ankle she responded by saying "that's what you get when you're a bad girl."

Marc Jacobs Fall 2007 - Front RowNEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Actress Michelle Rodriguez attends the Marc Jacobs Fall 2007 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at NY State Armory February 5, 2007 in New York City. (Photos by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

When Shooting Celebrities, be prepared

Because you never know when they are going to come right up to you and give you a good pose as B.D. Wong did for me here at the Chicago 10th Anniversary After Party.

Anticipate when to call out their names so they can look towards you at the right time, like James Lipton from the Actor's Studio did when I called him prematurely.

Shoot when the opportunity presents itself; when Iman saw me and the other paps, she turned the other way. I should have shot a few seconds before when she and Bowie were walking towards the curb thinking their car was there waiting for them.

A Sexier, Hot, Dripping Wet Hannibal Rising

This is not your Jodie Foster's or Anthony Hopkin's Hannibal Lecter. This one is much sexier, hotter and sweeter. Hannibal Rising (2007) .... Hannibal Lecter... aka Hannibal Lecter - Les origines du mal (France) Gong Li and Gaspard Ulliel like you've never seen them before, actually I don't think I have ever seen them before?

For the full review check out my friend's Scotts Page - The NYC Movie Critic. He gets to see these celebs in person and ask tantalizing questions. http://www.moviepicturefilm.com//

The Red Dress Fashion Event

This has got to be one of my favorite events of the Fall Fashion shows. As a fan (and even a few paparazzi's that I talked to) you really don't know who is invited til the last moment and then it's a hodge podge of people. This year was no different. First up is Betsy Johnson in one of her own creations. BJ has always blazed the trail of quirkyness, long before the Heatherette gang, and a penchant for turning cartwheels at the start of any entrance she makes on the runway, although yesterday she fake us all out as she was wearing a long gown that would have prevented a clean landing, as she walked the carpet in the charity fashion show about the awareness of the number 1 killer of women - heart disease.

Back from England after a year long run on the West End, Samantha Jones on the runway

An American Idol in the house, Katherine McPhee

Billie Jean is not my lover are the lyrics heard as Billie Jean King strutted the runway

Hands down my favorite dress worn by Marlee Matlin

Someone feed Kelly Ripa please

Angela Bassett recently co-authored a book with her husband titled: "Friends: A Love Story" detailing their long relationship as friends before they married. Due: Valentines Day 2007; here she struts her stuff on the Wear Red Day on the runway.

Celebrity models joined First Lady Laura Bush backstage (above, from left): Danica Patrick, Mary Hart, Kristin Chenoweth, Camilla Bell, Bush, Natalie Morales, Jane Krakowski, Paula Zahn, Angela Bassett and my girl, Kelly Ripa

Dishonorable mention: Rachael Ray - This girl needs a sylist. Her hair is horrible, and the dress is too tight as it squeezes a part of her body that has seen too much OVO to be exposed or flattering to this dress.

I think its obvious in this picture that Rach has seen her reflection in the lense and is less than happy with the results. Someone needs to get fired.

Source of photos: NY Post and www.imaxtree.com

Tapography Dance Recital

My very talented friend David, who owns a dance company called Tapography, did a very Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney schtick and "put on a show" with his dance students a few weeks back. It was held in Philadelphia at the Arts Bank and it was really entertaining. I'd like them to hit the road and do a touring show.

David never one to disappoint us with an entrance, kept up his end of the bargain tonight too

I thought the numbers were clever, the costumes were great, the performers were really having a great time, this guy especially since in many of the numbers he received a lot of female attention.

You're just too good to be true.Can't take my eyes off you.You'd be like Heaven to touch.I wanna hold you so much.At long last love has arrivedAnd I thank God I'm alive.You're just too good to be true.Can't take my eyes off you.

He had it comin' He had it comin' He only had himself to blame If you'd've been there If you'd've seen it I think that you would have done the same

This is a shot of the begining tap class, but the guy on the far right is no slacker, he's 74 and greatly admired for not just sitting on his laurels, but getting out there and trying something new

Oh, she's gonna shimmy 'till her garters break and All That Jazz

She walks into a room And you know you must Shuffle along, join the parade. She's the quintessence of making the grade.T his is whatcha call Trav-ling.Oh, strut your stuff! Can't get enough Of her.