Saturday, September 29, 2007

Nikki Sixx signs copies of his new book 'The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star' at Borders Bookstore in Philadelphia, Pa

Fans waiting in anticipation for Nikki Sixx to appear. I have to say I had no idea who he was, I had just been watching the "wires" over the past few weeks and saw photos where he was doing a lot of book signings which caused me to do some research and I found out that he was coming to the Borders in Center City. When I arrived they had a nice set up for the photographers, well nice for us, it was in front of these fans. For me it was great to see some of the local photographers who I have met over the past 9 months as I try to establish myself here in Philly. One of the guys told me he has actually quit his day job and is able to make a living in Philly photographing celebrities. That was really a big deal, I must not be trying hard enough, I can barely pay my memory cards off. He says he will take me around and show me a few things, which would be great as the year is coming to a close and I really want to get something in a glossy magazine or two.
The moment has arrived. Unlike most book signings, Nikki started right off by signing books for fans, bypassing us paparazzi's and not posing with the book in his hand, which is the "money shot." He did respond to a couple of requests. So it wasn't all that bad.
This story really moved me. The girl on the left stated to Nikki that she was in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcohol Anonymous and when she was 30 days in rehab she had read his book and it inspired her, she would say "if Sixx could do it, then I can do it too!". Today, the book signing day, she had just returned form a meeting and celebrated 90 DAYS clean. She handed Sixx her 30 day coin and wanted him to keep it. He was really touched. As she walked away she broke down, I went over and comforted her, congratulating her, and gave her my card and said write me I will send all 15 shots I took of you and your meeting with Sixx. She's got them now.The man
Let the signing begin, no personal items, but books, cd's and body parts were fine
Melinda traveled all the way from Nashville Tn for an autograph One of the photographers asked Nikki Sixx to wave to a young fan in the back, then I got my money shot. We will have to wait and see if this one sells. I do know that tomorrow another shot I took will be in the Philadelphia Inquirer which is awesome. That makes 7 photos in the local papers that I have gotten published since July. I am still having fun, but I have to say it's a whole lot different than NYC where you can get 5 - 10 celebs a day, and in Philly you are lucky to get one a week (OK last week I got 3, photos to come.) Either way I think I will keep my day job.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

BACKGROUND CHECKS, BLOOD SAMPLES, AND GIFTING THE FIRST CHILD GETS YOU CREDENTIALED AT THE BONO EVENT IN PHILLY

Tonight I am shooting Bono who is receiving the 2007 Liberty Medal and $100, 000 check that goes along with it. I have posted the credential rules and regulations on my other blog. To learn about the behind the scenes of a huge operation, check out: http://phillychitchat.blogspot.com/2007/09/background-checks-blood-samples-and.html

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Is their Goose Cooked? Paris and Farmer Used to Live the Simple Life until Ridiculed in a Greeting Card!

Farmer files lawsuit over use of his picture The complaint seeks $7.5 million in damages from the photographers and the companies that used the image. Andrew Marsinko didn't know that a photo taken of him with a goose had been used in a slightly naughty birthday card until complete strangers started poking fun at him. The complaint filed in Roanoke County Circuit Court seeks $7.5 million in damages from the photographers who took the photo, the companies that offered the photo as a stock image and the companies that created and sold the card. The greeting card features a black-and-white portrait of Marsinko holding a goose, along with the text: "Since it's your birthday, you decide – Would you rather get spanked... or goosed?" Marsinko is suing, claiming he signed no model release [for commercial use] and has been subjected to the ridicule of his peers at "animal auctions and other agricultural events." The lawsuit alleges teasing from colleagues that includes: "Your girlfriend sure has a long neck" and "When did you give up women to hug a goose?" (The folks over at http://www.ideagrove.com/blog/labels/andrew%20marsinko.html thought it was ashame that such animosity came out of an innocent birthday card and thought of a few additional ideas that might not be so offensive)And in a related matter: Earlier in September, Socialite Paris Hilton suffered a similar humiliation, and filed a lawsuit against Hallmark Cards, claiming it used her likeness without permission on a greeting card entitled "Paris's First Day as a Waitress." Hilton, 26, is suing for an injunction against the U.S. greeting card company and for damages in of $500, 000, according to the suit filed USDC in Los Angeles. The suit says that Hallmark failed to obtain approval from the hotel heiress for using her image and had damaged her rights to privacy and publicity. "These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding ... public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights," Hallmark said in a statement. (Ought Oh that's sistah Perez Hiltons' defense claim against his suit with X17 - I guess Paris is willing to throw Perez under the bus for pocket change.) Hilton gained notoriety in 2003 when a home video of her having sex with her boyfriend was posted on the Internet. In June, she made international headlines when she was sent to jail on a driving violation, released early and then sent back to complete a 23-day sentence.

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Monday, September 24, 2007

LIVE WEBCAST WITH PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH as BONO and DATA are honored with the National Constitution Center's 2007 - Liberty Medal

LIVE WEBCAST (http://www.libertymedal.org/) WITH PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH AS BONO AND DATA ARE HONORED WITH NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER’S 2007 LIBERTY MEDAL IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the National Constitution Center . DATA is Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa, the advocacy organization he co-founded to combat poverty and disease in Africa. http://www.libertymedal.org/ Since tickets to the ceremony were gone in minutes, this is the best way for Bono fans all over the country to watch the event. http://www.libertymedal.org/ On Thursday, September 27, Bono and his advocacy group, DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), will receive the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in Historic Philadelphia. And, for the first time, we’re webcasting the ceremony. The live web cast begins at 7 p.m. at http://www.libertymedal.org/. Viewers can watch the 50-minute ceremony live, or archived on the website for a month. A two-minute, edgier version of the ceremony will also be at http://www.libertymedal.org/, posted just hours after the ceremony ends. The 19-year-old Liberty Medal is presented at the National Constitution Center, literally in the shadow of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Its $100,000 prize is awarded to someone who has “demonstrated leadership and vision in the pursuit of liberty of conscience or freedom from oppression, ignorance or deprivation.” Bono and DATA, the advocacy organization he co-founded, certainly qualify. Former President George H.W. Bush is the chairman of the National Constitution Center and will present the award to Bono and DATA. So sit back, relax, I am sure that the Bono live cast is going to be 1000% better than P Diddy's Unforgivable webcast we watched last week. Did I mention it's at http://www.libertymedal.org/. The prestigious Liberty Medal, and its accompanying $100,000 prize, will recognize Bono and DATA’s groundbreaking work in raising awareness about and spurring a global response to the crisis of AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa. Locally, you can watch all the events on WPVI TV channel 6 ABC. (all photos by HughE Dillon, except Bono pixs)

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Broadway Care's Annual Flea Market New York City

Xanadu table and theater The crowds
Joanne Worley auctions off her "Pearls" and a kiss from the blond, who is that? The View Posters are going for cheap, $1 each. Tony Roberts
Barbara Cook Playbill and CD I was thrilled when I ran into my friend Betty Hudson who was there with the Paper Mill group manning a table The talent on their way to the autograph table. The staff would lock hands so the fans wouldn't interupt the flow from the stage door to the stage Tyne Daly hocking her goods for a good cause. She wore these boots and you can now own them to wear or display Tyne explains where she got the pair of earrings to a fan that just bought them.

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Friday, September 21, 2007

BRAD PITT STOPS BY THE WASHINGTON POST FOR RESEARCH

My partner Mike's cousin, a reporter (and now paparazzi) David Nakamura, works at the Washington Post and it seems that Brad Pitt stopped by this afternoon to do a little research for an upcoming movie ("State of Play") with Ed Norton and Natalie Portman... Brad is real people, learning reel life from real reporters. I love how he is sitting on the floor, and the women in the next cubicle is taking something off the printer like its a normal day and the Sexiest Man Alive is not within 10 feet of her beating heart. Here's the link to the story that is in the "Breaking News" section: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/09/21/BL2007092101372_pf.html

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Dying Professor's Lecture of a Lifetime

I saw this on Good Morning America this morning, it was really amazing. Randy Pausch, a 46-year-old Carnegie Mellon computer science professor, gave his last lecture this week, and it's getting a lot of attention. He talked to Diane Sawyer today on "Good Morning America" about the inspirational talk and the life lessons we could all use. (ABC News) http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3633945&page=1

Thursday, September 20, 2007

THE HAPPENING FILMING IN PHILADELPHIA, NOW Pennsylvania

A few weeks back The Happening was hot and heavy filming in Philadelphia (I wrote about it on my other blog www.PhillyChitChat.com with photos of Mark Wahlberg taken my friend http://christophergabello.com/). I couldn't make it that day, but the next day I had read they were near Rittenhouse Square and I ran over there. After shooting a few shots from a distance, the PR person on the set chatted me up, and then allowed me to get a little closer to shoot these of M. Night Shylamen.

Everday a notice comes out of the Casting Department. here's the latest:

Tomorrow they are shooting here: THE HAPPENING Shooting Info SHOOTING INFO FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 SAG members: this is a WEATHER PERMIT CALL. THIS is a CLOSED SET. Only those on the list will be permitted.

NO Cameras, all cell phones MUST be turned off. EVERYONE MUST REPORT TO THE CREW PARKING AREA . Look for the YELLOW directional signs that say, “TH”. ONLY THOSE LISTED BELOW should report at 7:15 AM in the MORNING.Klaus, KyleDePino, LaurenWilson, BlairBlagrave, Richard ONLY THOSE LISTED BELOW should report at 10:00AM in the MORNING. Mabry, Erica DIRECTIONS To CREW PARKING :Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company5064 Stump RdPlumsteadville, PA 18949 This is NORTH BUCKS COUNTY (Near Doylestown…)! Give yourself time.From Philadelphia: Ya wanna get paid, well prove you are a US citizen: On most feature films, you need to prove that you are a US citizen in order to get PAID.The government REQUIRES this form to be completed.This usually entails showing your drivers license AND social security card OR a passport. If you do not have a drivers license, your birth certificate is usable, too. (A resident alien or "green card" is also usable) There are other options, if you're unsure - check out www.formi9.com/i-9.pdf for other choices.Once you have worked, keep your copy of the pay voucher in case you have any questions/problems with your check (when it arrives). Checks are usually issued within 2 weeks of shooting.Any problems with the check should be referred to the PAYROLL COMPANY listed on the check Do's and Don't's of Background Work At booking:­ Be sure that you are available for the day (and night!). Many times, a shooting day can be 14-16 hours long. Please don’t commit to the day if you can’t complete the day.­ Many times, extras are booked on very short notice. Please be sure we have the best number where you can be reached at all times. Keep your cell phone turned on!­ Know your union status. If you are non-union, you may receive a “waiver” for the day.

Have a pen and paper ready! You will be given:· Wardrobe specifications - listen carefully, these will be specific. What season clothing should you bring? Are there any colors prohibited? Usually, Black, white, red, wild colors and logos are prohibited.· Location to report – Be sure you know where you’re going. Buy a good map of the area. (unfortunately, the internet maps are NOT reliable)· Call time – Be on time! The production company has the right to dismiss (without pay) any extra who is late for call time (even ONE MINUTE!) Take into consideration if your call time is around rush hour or if there is construction along your way.· You are not officially booked until you receive a call time. Call times are generally not released until the film finishes shooting on the previous day. You may not get that call until late in the evening. If it is a night shoot, we probably will call you the morning of the shooting day with your call time.·

Pay attention to your “wrangler”. There is always a crew member assigned to background talent. He/she needs to know where you are at ALL times. Please don’t wander outside of assigned areas.· Cell phones and pagers must be off or on vibrate! Also, leave cameras at home.· If they request to use your car in the shot, be sure it has a full tank of gas. You may also be asked to bring a specific prop ( briefcase, bookbag, etc.) Generally, you are reimbursed for use of these things.

This site has much better information on the film shoot and current photos: http://thehappeningmovie.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

P Diddy is throwing a Party and You Are Invited

The last time I saw P Diddy he was ducking into his Mid-Town Hotel after flying the Red, Drunk, Fucked Up Eye back to NYC after partying all night long with Paris Hilton after the MTV Music Awards. Well he must have looked like shit, because P, who loves his press and never turns down a pap for a photo to promote something, gave me a series of shots like the following:
But tonight you are invited to a P Diddy party, where you will not only witness Diddy in his finest duds, but everything that goes on at a Diddy do because you are invited, and will see everything that goes on via the Diddy Cam That's right, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Sean John Fragrances will launch their first women's scent, Unforgivable Woman with a celebrity filled event that everyone can view on-line. Making history once again, Unforgivable is the first fragrance to host a launch party to be broadcast live on the internet, allowing millions of viewers to have unlimited VIP access to the red carpet arrivals and even go inside this celebrity packed event. Located inside a $35 million mansion in one of New York's most exclusive neighborhoods, the party is sure to be the most glamorous and exciting night of the yearGuest celebrity hosts will guide viewers through the party. They will be your connection to the happenings at the hottest party of the year. Via instant message, hosts will ask user-generated questions to Diddy and the other celebrities strolling down the red carpet. And, it will all happen LIVE.To be a part of all of the excitement, log on to the live webcast at www.myspace.com/diddy
tonight, September 19th from 10pm-12am EST. You can party with Diddy and Unforgivable no matter where in the world you are. (More than likely the after party will be at the Marquee, so if your in the Apple just head on over there and see the Diddy in person) UPDATE: I should have posted this before, but Diddy's perfume ad has been banned from all advertising markets, but you can catch a clip here: And then you decide, Was it too Risque for MTV? Then check out this one on one clip with an up close and personal Diddy spraying "Unforgivable" on our new sexy video vixen Frasco: Maybe Diddy will come to your office and do the Unforgivable!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Antonio Sabato Jr in the Flesh

OMG Antonio Sabato Jr right in front of my face and I get to shoot him, er what ya doing, over here Antonio, dude you are falling to the D list you need to get your mug out there, look over here
oh he wants face time with Ashanti, that explains his distraction still gazing at her with those pearly whites I finally got that one of the many shots I was looking for

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Monday, September 17, 2007

QUEEN LATIFAH: PAPARAZZI STYLE

I arrived in NYC on the afternoon bus, I stopped taking Amtrak as $90 R/T tickets were getting a bit expensive for me. I stopped off at the theater where the movie premiere was to take place. Nothing was set up yet, so I decided to hit two or three hotels to see if anyone was around, it was Fashion Week, so someone was definitely going to be around. At the second spot I went to, I ran into Ray and his wife. They are the paps that always go to Regis & Kelly every morning. If you see a shot of Kelly, like in People Magazine this past week where she is playing football in heels, well Ray took that shot. He started out as a fan, like I did, and the next thing ya know, someone suggested he get a camera and shoot celebs he saw at Regis & Kelly. His wife still collects the autographs in a book which they will be saving for their son's inheritence. He takes the photos of the celebs, and if there is someone she really likes, he will take a "two shot." Ray didn't know me from Adam, but I knew of him and I strike up a conversation. He says I know who you are waiting for, I said I am just trolling. He tells me who is coming out. And since I know that Ray and I shoot for the same outfit, I mention that I will not submit these shots to that agency, but will submit them to another one. He was nice enough to mention who was inside, and he has to feed his family. I am just doing this for fun, and hopefully a photo in People by the end of the year.
Queen Latifah exits the hotel with her mother, except I didn't know it was her mother, Ray tells me.
A close up shot of the above is published by the NY Daily News for Ray. I secretly kick myself, I didn't even turn this shot into my agency as I thought the others were better; not the one below either. Queen says good-bye to mom, and is ready for an interview with CBS this morning. I thought I got plenty of shots (ie invaded Queen's space) and thought I would give her space, but then I see Ray across the street shooting and thought what the heck, I want in on that action too. I cross columbus ave dodging cars. I also want to see the reaction of people and the fact that this big ass star is walking among themonly this crazy bum bothers Queen, but she doesn't seem flustered and instead engages him in conversation This is my money shot, except no one bought it so you get to see it and it can be your free shot. Anyway Queen isn't all happy about me, but the kids that are standing right in front of me. I love this shot and there's a good chance it will show up on Ebay someday. later after the interview and a walk in Central Park, Queen goes to the corner to cross the street. I love the reaction on these young kids, they are as excited as I am Queen crosses the street the only way someone would that doesn't want to get hit by a crazy NYC taxi driver going around Columbus Circle Queen decides she wants to go shopping and she ducks into the Time Warner building for a few things. I let her continue on her way, as I had the money shot, I thought!
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