Oscar’s Hollywood

While the conversation,

“We need more affordable housing” is one we hear over and over, Thomas Safran & Associates has been providing such for decades. Indeed, since the firm was founded in 1974, they have built over 6,000 units. Today they have 1,000 units under construction and another 1,200 in pre-construction. One of those projects is the exciting Hollywood Arts Collective on Hollywood Blvd.

This handsome $120 million project, scheduled to open in Summer 2023, will include 151 affordable units that will be offered to artists working in the industry, an 86seat theatre, a rehearsal studio and office space for nonprofit arts organizations. The project will serve as the western region HQ for The Actor’s Fund, a nonprofit that will provide social services to those in the entertainment industry. At the virtual groundbreaking for the project, Actor’s Fund Western Region Executive Director Keith McNutt stated , “Access to affordable housing is critical to the thriving creative community in Hollywood and the city of Los Angeles. Also at the event, Anette Benning, Vice Chair of The Actor’s Fund said, ”The Hollywood Arts Collective allows us to significantly deepen our commitment to our colleagues in the Hollywood creative community. ”

Safran & Associates is noted for building affordable units that look like standard market rate units as well as managing the properties that they build to high standards. The first Hollywood project they built on Fountain Ave., just east of Vine Street in the early 80s, still looks brand new as do several others that they have built in Hollywood. We are indeed fortunate to have Safran & Associates in partnership with The Actor’s Fund building the new Hollywood Arts Collective. DH

Discover Hollywood Special Report by Oscar Arslanian

Hollywood Arts Collective artist’s concept

AMDA COLLEGE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

6305 Yucca St. (323) 603-5915. When you attend AMDA Los Angeles, you become a part of Hollywood's creative community; the studios, theatres and landmarks are your inspiration. Hundreds of films, television shows and live performances take place here each day. With Hollywood as your classroom, you'll get a real understanding of how show business actually works. Rising to the top of entertainment is rewarding, but getting there takes more than just talent: You need discipline, determination and-most importantly-the right training. For over 50 years, AMDA has been transforming talented performers from all over the world into respected, working professionals. Your journey to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree all begins with an audition. www.amda.edu

THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL

6363 Sunset Blvd. (323) 860-0789. The Los Angeles Film School, located in the heart of Hollywood is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), VA-approved, and offers entertainment-focused Bachelor of Science degrees in Animation, Audio Production, Digital Filmmaking, Entertainment Business, Film Production, Graphic Design, and Writing for Film & TV as well as Associate of Science degrees in Audio Production, Music Production, and Film. The L.A. Film School has been an academic leader in the entertainment community since 1999. Our goal is to equip every student with the necessary skills they need to succeed in this industry. Whether our students choose to take classes online or on campus in Hollywood, we train the next generation of creative professionals. Students thrive in our experimental environment under the instruction of seasoned faculty members, many of whom are still actively involved in the entertainment industry. www.lafilm.edu

LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE

Established in 1929, LACC provides a dynamic innovative learning environment offering more than 100 vocational and professional programs including degrees, transfer programs and certificates to more than 18,000 students. Los Angeles City College is home to one of the most vibrant and diverse campuses in the country and houses state of the art equipment, soundstages and editing rooms for students majoring in cinema/tv, theatre and music. The campus provides a wide range of professional and vocational programs at a fraction of the cost of state and private colleges. Notable alumni include Morgan Freeman, Mark Hamill, Alvin Ailey, Nick Beck, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams and Clint Eastwood. www.lacitycollege.edu.

American Society of Cinematographers

Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Mary Pickford Center

1313 N. Vine St. Built in 1949, first Hollywood TV studio. Early shows and sitcoms included Queen for a Day and I Love Lucy. Includes 286-seat Linwood Dunn Theater, Academy offices and Academy Film Archive. www.oscars.org/about/facilities/linwood-dunn-theater

American Film Institute

2021 N. Western Ave. (323) 856-7600. Historic Immaculate Heart College campus now famed institute and one of the best film and video libraries in the world. www.afi.com

American Society of Cinematographers

1782 N. Orange Dr. (323) 969-4333. Built in 1903, this classic Mission Revival residence has been lovingly cared for by the Society since 1936. www.theasc.com

Bronson Caves

3200 Canyon Dr. Used as backdrop for countless movies and TV shows such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza, the jungle island in the original King Kong, a distant planet in Star Trek: The Movie, and the entrance to Batman ’ s Bat Cave in TV’ s Batman and the first Batman movie.

Cahuenga Pass/US101

Named “Cahuenga ” or “Little Hills ” by the Tongva tribe of Native Americans. The ancient way through the hills was travelled by Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola in the 18th century and later by the American frontiersman Kit Carson.

Capitol Records

1750 N. Vine St. World’ s first circular office building was built in 1956, the light on its rooftop spire flashes “H-O-L-LY-W-O-O-D” in Morse code. Gold albums of its many artists displayed in lobby. John Lennon and other Capitol artists ’ stars on sidewalk. Artist Richard Wyatt’ s LA Jazz mural in tile depicts jazz greats. www.capitolstudios.com

Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd Alley

1640 Cahuenga Blvd. Site of Charlie Chaplin (The Kid), Buster Keaton (chased by Keystone Kops) and Harold Lloyd silent films.

Château Élysée/Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International

5930 Franklin Ave. (323) 960-3100. Built in the late 1920s, Hollywood’ s first residential hotel, guests included Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and Ginger Rogers. Now owned by Church of Scientology. www.manor-scientology.org

Chase Bank/Millard Sheets

1500 N. Vine St. Mosaics, murals and stained glass created by noted California artist Millard Sheets depict Hollywood personalities.

Chateau Marmont

8221 Sunset Blvd. (323) 656-1010. Since 1929, this castle-like hotel has been popular for its privacy. From secret romances to untimely deaths, guests include Errol Flynn, Bob Dylan, Paul Newman, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Jim Morrison, Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, and John Belushi who died there. www.chateaumarmont.com Alfredo de Batuc’s Dolores Del Rio mural graces Hollywood Blvd. at Hudson Ave.

Crossroads of the World

6671 Sunset Blvd.(323)463-5611. Historical landmark built in 1936 as “the world’ s first modern shopping center. ” An architectural potpourri with Streamline Moderne, Tudor, Moorish, French Provincial and pseudo Spanish styles. Used for locations for films L.A. Confidential, Indecent Proposal and Argo. Now an office complex awaiting restoration. www.crossroadshollywood.com

Cinerama Dome

6360 Sunset Blvd. (323) 464-1478. The unique geodesic-shaped theatre designed by Buckminster Fuller was built in 1963. www.arclightcinemas.com

Columbia Square

6121 Sunset Blvd. Originally a CBS broadcasting center for many early radio and TV shows, the development features a 20-story residential tower and offices for Neuhaus, Viacom and Fender Guitars. www.columbiasquare.com

De Longpre Park

1350 Cherokee Ave. A lovely old “ pocket” park in neighborhood one block south of Sunset Blvd. Jerry Fuller wrote Travelin ’ Man (recorded by Rick Nelson) here. Features sculptures honoring Rudolph Valentino.

Academy Awards/Dolby Theatre

6801 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 308-6300. Inside the Hollywood & Highland complex. Home of the Academy Awards. www.dolbytheatre.com

Places continues on page 30