My Contribution to a Documentary about my Favorite Pinup Model

I am so excited to be a part of the Bettie Page Reveals All documentary about my favorite pinup legend! She is the often-imitated icon whose life was complicated and controversial, and who unintentionally helped inspire the feminist revolution of the 1960s after her mysterious disappearance into seclusion in 1957. Before she passed away in 2008, she spilled the full story in her own words through a series of interviews with Academy-Award nominated filmmaker Mark Mori, who is now directing and producing the documentary.

It's not like me to be star-struck but Bettie is one of only two exceptions. So when I saw a posting on a Bettie Page newsletter asking for Photoshop experts to work on her film, you can imagine my response. I am honored to help out with such an exciting project and all of the images I have been working on only serve to make me more excited to see the final film, which premiered at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender yesterday.

I made this video while I was working on one of her photos as a "teaser."



Of course, it is a real tease; you can barely see any of Bettie except for a tiny thumbnail on the right at the end... but hey, that's fitting with her personality, too! I can assure you the full shot is just lovely.

SnagFilms Documentary

Support independent films! You can watch excerpts, trailers, and whole features for free, with short commercial interruptions. You'll also find links to relevant charities and websites. This one is about a Chinese / Canadian modern dance pair:

"Baby Mama"

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler back in action. Is this late? I'm a little out of the loop being out of the country and all but look forward to seeing this one when I return... in a way, I sort of miss Hollywood. Ha, ha.

 

Sono Stanca

(I am tired)

Yesterday, we had to wait all day on campus for the "Permesso di Sognorno" and to get wireless internet access. I also got a cell phone so I will be able to stay in touch with students at the Residence. I felt so gross and needed to go home before attempting to go out, so I missed dinner with the other homestay students :-( There are only 5 of us this semester!

It turned out to be an interesting night. I went to meet up with Katie at the Residence around 10:30, but we didn't end up leaving until about midnight. Which is when the busses and metro stop running, except for the night busses which we haven't figured out yet. Of course no one knows what they are doing in Rome right now, so there were flocks of American students walking towards some unknown destination. We finally agreed on Art Café, a nice club somewhere in Villa Borghese. We walked all the way to Piazza del Popolo, which is a little past campus, in the rain (and me in stilettos). Finally we asked for directions and it turns out we had passed the turn we were supposed to make. So a group of students broke off and took a cab but we kept walking. All throughout Villa Borghese's cobblestone paths. Until finally...

We came across a beautiful mansion-turned-restaurant playing Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music," which we presumed to be the club. (American pop is ubiquitous. Britney Spears' "Gimme More" was playing in the grocery store on Tuesday when I arrived.) As we approached, we immediately felt out of place. We had expected Art Café to be an upscale destination, but this was ridiculously beyond our expectations. An Italian couple noticed us peering at the menu posted on the gate outside, and asked if we were trying to go inside. He said that he was the director. And the (very beautiful) woman said to ask for Christian. ???

There was no way we were getting in. The second we approached the glass doors, the doorman disappeared, locking the door behind him. Stupid Americans.

Slightly discouraged and feeling pretty damp and frizzy from the rain, we descended the marble staircase once again, and waited for a cab to go home. Even the cab driver at Villa Borghese looked different. Much more clean cut, wearing a turtleneck sweater, and even driving a nicer cab. We asked him what was going on up there. He told us in Italian that it was a very important party, a premier.

We took the cab to Art Café. We didn't get in. It was about 1:30 by then. Finally, we went home. But looking up online which movies premiered last night....

Bianco e Nero?

No way.

11 Gennaio, 2008.

And Ambra Angiolini looks remarkably like the woman that told us to ask for Christian. Who knows. At any rate, half-attending the premier of Bianco e Nero was way better than a night clubbing at Art Café. There will be plenty of time for that in the coming weeks. Tonight, a more relaxed night in preparation for Todi tomorrow!