Women Over 40 Rock!

‘’ Sordid Lives: The Series” debuted on July 23 on the Logo channel.  The series is an offshoot of the very successful play written by Del Shores.  Los Angeles Theater audiences are familiar with the hilarious writing style of Del Shores.  The titles of his plays hint at their rich humor:  ‘Daddy’s Dyin’ (Who’s Got the Will?), ‘Southern Baptist Sissies’ and ‘Sordid Lives’, to name a few.  Del grew up in what he describes as the “tiny Texas Republic Bible-thumpin’ town of Winters.”   His writing reflects his southern small town roots.  It is outrageous, and also big-hearted.  ‘Sordid Lives’ was called “a black comedy about white trash.”

In 2000 ‘Sordid Lives’ was released as a film, starring Olivia Newton-John and Beau Bridges.  The rest of the cast was mainly made up of what I’d call Del’s repertory company – actors who’ve consistently worked with him over the years.  Many of the actors who were in the play and film are also in the series.  Not only is Del Shores loyal to his actors but he also writes absolutely delicious roles for everyone, including older women.  His female characters are eccentric, opinionated, strong or loopy, but always pitch perfect and very, very funny.

IMDB described the storyline of ‘Sordid Lives’:  “We become intimate with the ‘Sordid Lives’ of a family in a small Texas town preparing for the funeral of the mother. Among the characters are the grandson trying to find his identity in West Hollywood, the son who has spent the past twenty-three years dressed as Tammy Wynette, the sister and her best friend (who live in delightfully kitschy homes), and the two daughters (one strait-laced and one quite a bit loose.)”   With all these wonderfully, richly-drawn characters thrown together, you know you are in for some huge laughs.   The series stars Rue McClanahan, Caroline Rhea and Olivia Newton-John, as a singing ex-con.  The rest of the ensemble cast consists of some of the finest character actors Hollywood has to offer.  Hopefully your cable provider carries the Logo channel because you don’t want to miss this series and what is sure to be a rollicking good time.
Jan Bina, blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Network for Women Over 40

Well this film doesn’t star a woman over 40 ( it stars a 66 year-old African American male) but there are a lot of marvelous and interesting women over 40 in this magical, enlightening and inspirational new documentary. And since we’ve been talking about “therapy shopping” lately this film is a definite alternative to shopping for lifting your spirits.

A MAN NAMED PEARL moved me in such a way that I want to share this film with everyone.  I can’t say it any better than this review by Bill Thompson of the Charleston Post.“In a sea of pedantic, heavy-handed political documentaries,  A MAN NAMED PEARL offers both an effective social statement on race relations and human potential”

It tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar.  It is a subtle and intriquing film that is certain to open hearts and minds.  It offers an upbeat message that speaks to respect for both self and others, and shows what one person can achieve when he allows himself to share the full expression of his humanity. Pearl’s garden is a living vision of peace, love and goodwill and this documentary reflects the true essence of this man and the amazing life lessons that can be learned or reaffirmed from the truly remarkable and astoundingly gifted Pear Fryar.

“Gardening books will tell you that some of these things in my garden can’t be done, but I had never read them when I got started. Not knowing ahead of time that something is supposed to be impossible often makes it possible to achieve. I didn’t have any limitations because I really didn’t know anything about horticulture. I just figured I could do whatever I wanted with any plant I had.”

“In this life you’re gonna have obstacles. The thing about it is, don’t let those obstacles determine where you go.”

Those are just two examples of Pearl’s philosophy to live by.  So instead of that shopping spree or that chocolate eating fest check your local newspaper this weekend to see if A MAN NAMED PEARL  is still in a theatre near you and if not the DVD is expected to be out in December 2008.  A MAN NAMED PEARL should definitely be in your DVD library or next to your pocketbook and the chocolate stash.

Debbie Zipp, blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Website Celebrating the Power and Beauty of Women Over 40

We all know that it’s the little extras added that make meals delicious, table settings lovely, gifts special and outfits to-die-for, but extras in movies? They make the movie. Literally. Think what a street scene in NY would look like if the only people you saw were the stars. Or a hotel scene. Or a battle scene. Or just a doctors’ waiting room. Without the extras (politically correct term coined in the 70s - Background) none of the movies and TV shows we watch daily would have an iota of believability.

What brought these thoughts to mind recently was seeing a super charming documentary, “Strictly Background”, which, in following the lives of ten aspiring actors, opens our eyes to a fascinating and touching show-biz world that usually fades….well, into the background. (Check out the trailer) And while I was enjoying watching these “extras in the spotlight”, I was bombarded with memories of my own career beginnings in 60s and 70s New York….me crossing the street in front of Jack Lemmon (The Out-Of-Towners), waving hello to Gig Young at a wedding reception (Lovers And Other Strangers), jumping into a swimming pool in front of Dustin Hoffman (Lenny), and standing, caftan clothed, behind Woody Allen and Diane Keaton at a cocktail party (Annie Hall), among others.

Remembering those days on sets as one of the actors making $50 instead of $50,000, I can see how his own jobs as an extra inspired Jason Connell, producer and director of “Strictly Background”, to delve into the stories of these un-sung actors who bring life and authenticity to our films.

Jason says his reason for taking an extra job when he moved to L.A. from OK was that he thought he could learn more about film production…and he quite obviously succeeded. The idea he got from that job to explore the struggles and determination of some of Hollywood’s’ hardest workers, both professional extras and those hoping to use it as a stepping stone to greater careers, has already won Best Documentary in five film festivals and has been an official selection in many more.

“Strictly Background” is, in short, strictly terrific. Thanks, Jason, for bringing these extras into the spotlight. You can purchase the DVD now at “Strictly Background” Website and beat the Official DVD Release for Netflix, Hollywood Video, Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc which is August 5th.

Judith mighty-proud-to-have-extrad Drake, blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Website Celebrating the Power and Beauty of Women Over 40

Thirty Somethings have nothing on Fabulously40.com, a new social network designed for women age 40 and beyond. Fabulously40.Com was created for every woman 40 and beyond, who is ready to celebrate this exciting stage of her life. Relationships with families, friends and even ourselves are undergoing profound change, and it seems like the time is right for something new. The Website creates a forum for women over 40 to gather information, build relationships, interact and learn about emerging trends. Founded by Yana Berlin, membership on Fabulously40.com is free, enabling women to share daily food for thought in a user-friendly format.

Proving that technology isn’t solely for the Facebook generation, Fabulously40.Com offers benefits such as editorial content written by “expert” columnists. From lifestyle to career - celebrity gossip to recipes - there’s a good chance you’ll find articles that are beneficial to you. Social networking features include blogs, message boards, groups, videos and pictures fostering a grassroots approach to connecting online.

The personalized interactions forged by the inclusive platform of Fabulously40.Com are both a reflection of this demographic’s growing desire to interact with like-minded individuals and its interest in becoming updated with online technology in a non-threatening environment. The Website has a slick design that women over 40 can easily navigate. Fabulously40.com is built on the latest in Web 2.0 technology, scalable to millions of users. With upcoming features including photo albums with the ability to tag images with captions and instant chat messaging, the Website presents an opportunity for members and brands to develop unique social networks.

A mid-life crisis is not just for men. There are plenty of women who pass the 40-year-old benchmark and find themselves flooded with emotions and feelings. The Fabulously40.Com Social Network empowers women with wisdom, sass and class. Before you spend countless hours on a psychotherapists couch, I recommend you check out Fabulously40.Com, a social network designed for - sorry guys - ladies over 40.

Debbie Zipp, Blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Network Celebrating the Power and Beauty of Women Over 40

Earlier this week I was lucky enough  to get to a pre-opening screening of “Mamma Mia”, and I’m still smiling! Not  to mention humming all the infectious songs, “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S” among  them. - But what gave me the biggest smile and set my little heart to beating  in joyful rhythm was the sight of three of the four female star parts embodied  by fantastic actresses over size 2, over age 20 (over 45, to be exact), and  with what looked like REAL faces!!! Meryl Streep has never been better, if you  ask me. (Having lived in NY for over 25 years, I actually saw her in a musical  before she was famous, so her wonderful singing was no surprise to me.) And by  her side, intensifying the fun, are Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, both  of whom were made for these parts. - Now the only young one among the female  stars, Amanda Seyfried, is quite wonderful as well, but I’m sure she not only  had a great time working with these terrific older actresses, but learned the  equivalent of a Doctor’s degree just watching them, not to mention getting to  act with them. And as if this weren’t enough to make my day, three equally  gorgeous middle-aged men: Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard!  All of whom are the bees knees! - What fun to watch them perform…singing,  dancing, laughing, crying….and quite obviously enjoying every minute of it.  Enjoying every minute of working with fabulous actresses in their own age  group!!! Not, which as we all know is usually the case, with girls who could  be their daughters! (an ironic comment, as being fathers of one of the leads  is a major plot point, tee hee) I am willing to bet that this film, starring  three over 45 actresses and three over 45 actors will not only be one of the  hits of the season, but will garner 4, if not 5, Academy Award nominations.  Mamma Mia! Will this help ‘the biz’ finally start to open their myopic eyes  and see that actresses and actors over 40 are not only fantastic, but money  makers as well???? Let’s hope so. And p.s. - be sure you stay for all the  credits, as there is a lovely improvisational bit during them that is almost  as fun as the movie. Mamma Mia, what a treat!
Judith Mia-lova-it  Drake, blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Website Celebrating the Power of Women Over 40

Before Madonna, before Cyndi Lauper, there was Pat - the invincible Pat Benatar.  In May of this year a 2-CD re-mastered digital collection of 40 of her classic hits and signature songs was released.  This amounts to more than 2 hours of music that showcases her amazing 4 ½ octave range.  All of her classic hits are there, including “Heartbreaker,”  “Love is a Battlefield,”  the ironic “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” as well as, “Fire And Ice,” “Invincible,” “We Belong” and “Hell is For Children,” the poignant song about child abuse.  There are also cuts from her blues album “True Love”.  This CD set is a collection of riches and a tribute to this trail blazer who took on the male hierarchy of rock music and won.

Pat Benatar didn’t start out as a rock dynamo.  She was born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on January 10, 1953, into a working class family living on Long Island.  Her mother, Millie, had been a club singer with dreams of singing opera.  Pat briefly trained to be an opera singer but financial realities kept her from attending Julliard.  When her marriage to her high school sweetheart ended in 1975, she moved to New York.  She started out as a shy cabaret singer, performing with her eyes shut, afraid to look at the audience.  It was a chance event on Halloween night in 1977, at Catch a Rising Star in New York.  She showed up for her usual set dressed in costume.  She describes it as “a vaguely Vampirella-like send-up of an urban minx – with black tights, and I was all legs with this black short top and a lot of black eyeliner.”  Wearing that costume gave her the courage to unleash her passion and that night was the debut of her sexy, take charge persona.

What is intriguing about Pat Benatar is that she has listened to her heart throughout her career.  When she met and fell in love with her lead guitarist and collaborator, Neil Giraldo, she grew uncomfortable promoting herself as a sexy vamp.  As she said in liner notes, “As time went on I wasn’t comfortable behaving like that, knowing I was in love with someone.  It felt disrespectful to our relationship….I felt different things about my marriage, about the family I want to start with Neil.  A costume is only for fun for a little while; you can’t let any impulsive idea make you into an object or a prisoner.”  Of course, her record label had a different idea.  But she bucked the system at a time when there were almost no solo female rock artists.  Then, at the height of her career, she started a family, working hard to balance her multiple careers as performer, song writer-collaborator, wife and mother.

Pat Benatar has never hesitated to call herself a feminist.  On this CD set you’ll hear the passion and strength in her voice. Even if you have other Pat Benatar CD’s, this set is one to own.  It’s a beautifully put together retrospective of her career and the sound is impeccable.

At 55 she is still recording and musically exploring.  This summer she’ll be touring throughout the country, May through September.  Over 30 years ago she began to pave the way for other female artists.  Today women in rock can expect to be treated as equals, without condescension.  As more all female bands emerge, as rock ‘n’ roll camps for girls spring up, it’s clear that the battles Pat Benatar waged have made the road for women in rock a little wider and a little smoother.

Jan Bina, Blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Website Celebrating the Power and Beauty of Women over 40

Think its only companies like 20th Century, NBC, Paramount, etc, steeped in production work here in Hollywood Land? Well think again! There are lots of small production companies up to their movie projector switches in work, and one of the best is GOSCH PRODUCTIONS, hiding behind a little blue door in Burbank.

It is a complete production and post production co. started by Pat Gosch and her husband 21 years ago, and at the ripe old age of 68, Pat is busier than ever.  They’ve directed, written, video taped, filmed and edited over four hundred films, commercials and videos. And, by gosh, we now have a clip from their pilot production, LITTLE DREAM FACTORY, in our ‘Films By Others’ section under “Films By You” on the In the Trenches Productions Website! I can only hope that they are able to get this pilot seen, as I think it would make a really fun show. Directed by Bob Basso, it follows the ins & outs and daily stories of a little indy film company…found behind a little blue door. Featuring actors like Jamie Lee Curtis and G.W. Baily of The Closer, it could give people an interesting behind the doors look at how indy companies survive here in La La Land.

Pat Gosch told me the amusing story of GOSCH PRODUCTIONS’ birth the other day, and it fits right into the subject of indy-ville. She said that she and her husband, after writing, acting and directing in Boston, New York and here in the early 80s, became involved in a group of actors, directors, writers and would-be film makers, who met daily from 6 to 8 in the morning before going to their jobs, in hopes of coming up with projects. Well guess what? The fork ran away with the spoon! i.e. the leader of said group ran off with everyone’s money! So she and her husband, left broke and disallusioned, with only a car full of old film equipment left, ended up turning crap into crepes! They went ahead and shot a pilot that turned into gold…Kiddie’s Castle, with an 8yr old Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) in it (she was recently ranked #35 on the Maxim Magazine ‘Hot 100′ list this year), and GOSCH PRODUCTIONS was on its way to being born.

Testimonials abound: for the 7th year in a row they have shot spots for Children Affected by AIDS, with Pat as a director…and Jaimie Lee Curtis says no one lights her like the Gosches, Blair Underwood (Eclectic Entertainment) praises their technically sound but creative atmosphere, and the cheers pile up.

How could Pat have known on what was possibly the worst day of her life up to then in 1982, at the age of 42, what would grow from the ashes of her dissapointment?  May all of us stick-to-it ladies be rewarded in such a fashion.
Judith remember-we-can-do-it-no-matter-what-ladies Drake, Blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Website Celebrating the Power and Beauty of Women Over 40

At least those with sense and intelligence enough to make films starring women over 40! Our website, geared to the purpose of making the media and the world in general take more notice of  our huge, under-served (not to say totally ignored) section of our population, has made and posted several lovely, charming and sometimes humorous short films over the last few years. And from the responses we’ve had, and chatting with our own friends and friends of friends, we began to realize that we are not alone.

There are lots of you out there! So we decided to make it easier for you to make your statements too. We want to support you other filmmakers out there who, like us, feel that its time to show the world that there really are fantastic actresses over 40 out here, and that stories don’t have to star 20 year olds to be relevant, engaging, and downright fantastic. So if you’ve got one of these relevant, engaging and downright fantastic short films starring women over 40 and will resonate with women, you can upload them right now to In The Trenches Productions Entertainment Website! Just click on SUBMIT/UPLOAD  for the instructions on how to join us and shout out to the entertainment world that we are underserved and under appreciated and we ain’t gonna take it anymore!!
Judith Over-40-And-Still-Relevant Drake, blogger for In The Trenches Productions Entertainment Website, the first entertainment website celebrating the power and beauty of women over 40