In his Best Picture Oscar-winning Annie Hall, Woody Allen as the character Alvy Singer discussed New York City’s plight to his friend Rob.
Singer observed, “Don’t you see? The rest of the country looks upon New York like we’re left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers. I think of us that way, sometimes, and I live here.”
I was prompted to hearken back to a 30-year-old film upon receiving a press release relating to the famed Venice, California. Virtually a lifetime Southern Californian, I too have out-of-touch, absurd notions of cities in my own backyard like Venice–Muscle beach, zanies on the boardwalk, cult “wheat germ” killers as Woody Allen once quipped about Los Angeles.
But jarring me back to reality and away from the postcard stereotypical is the good work of the Venice Media District (VMD), the subject of that alluded to press release. The VMD brings the creative, artistic companies and people of Venice together to do much good, among the latest examples being the VMD serving as a vehicle for the Venice Arts program by providing internship opportunities for at-risk youth at VMD member companies in the area.
“Our joint partnership with Venice Arts provides a way for students to garner real-world experience in the media industry,” said Robert Feist, VMD chair and owner of audio post house RavensWork. “We make sure our students receive hands-on experience in a real working environment.”
This past summer, the intern was Kristen Ramirez and the company was editorial house Final Cut (which also has offices in New York and London). At Final Cut/L.A. Ramirez was afforded the opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes knowledge from industry experts in the field of editing software and hardware, as well as experience in completing music videos and commercials.
“Venice Arts’ programs are so inspiring. Their students, who would otherwise not have access to a digital lab and intense long-art mentoring, are a pleasure to have as interns,” related Peter O’Donovan, Ramirez’s mentor at Final Cut. “Kristen came to us extremely knowledgeable in the many technologies that we use, and it was a pleasure having her with us. I hope her experience here and the relationships she developed better situate her for her dream editing job after she completes her schooling.”
Venice Arts runs innovative programs in documentary photography, filmmaking, and digital media/arts, primarily targeting low-income youth in the Los Angeles area. Since 1993, the program includes regional national, and international participant photo documentary projects with adults and children. For more information about Venice Arts, visit www.venice-arts.org.
As for the VMD, it was created in response to the changing business landscape in the beachside community, and has very defined goals:
• Create networking opportunities and business-to-business awareness.
• Raise awareness of VMD through city designation and promotion
• Attract business and entrepreneurs to the area.
• And create a vehicle for non-profits to access the assets of the VMD.(www.venicemediadistrict.org)
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More