Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry
® OKSANA KOLESNIKOVA
COMPOSER, CONCERT PIANIST, ENTREPRENEUR
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS
HWM PRE-GRAMMY PARTY
BEDSIDE READING BOOKS TO DEVOUR
® LETTER FROM THE EDITOR W
elcome readers to a very special issue of Hollywood Weekly Magazine. We are honored to have chef Jack Lee gracing our cover.
Jack Lee, who is famous for catering for A-list celebrities in Hollywood. People in Hollywood and Vietnam fondly refer to him as đầu bếp Hollywood, which translates to the Hollywood Chef. He has experience in catering to large celebrity parties to private catering for celebrities. Some of the celebrities he has catered for includes Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Oprah Winfrey, Patti Labelle, Quincy Jones, and Barbara Streisand. He received his training from the California School of Culinary Arts and the Le Cordon Blue program. His career really started taking off once he received the position as Banquet Chef at the Hotel Bel-Air. Chef Jack has worldly experience and has experience cooking in restaurants across the globe. Chef Jack creates a menu to is unique to the event he’s catering based on the “personality and appetite” of his clients. We are so proud to feature Angela Lee. Angela is following in the steps of her father in becoming a chef. She baked the pastries with her sister. Angela began baking at the young age of 8 and now at the age of 13, she’s baking for celebrities at our exclusive event. Chef Jack Lee describes his daughter as adventurous and a quick learner. She uses the kitchen as her personal playground, and she specializes in making cakes and cookies. As always, readers, we thank you. We are who we are because of YOU. Wishing you all Peace & Happiness! Anthony Ewart
Associate Editor
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson SENIOR BOOK CURATOR Jane Ubell-Meyer ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Ewart DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES & ASST TO THE PUBLISHER Jordan O'Quinn-Campbell MARKETING & SALES Launy Rhem CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anthony Ewart Alex A. Kecskes Allison Kugel Jordan O’Quinn-Campbell ART DIRECTOR Damian Aragon PRODUCTION MANAGER George Hegedus PRODUCTION DESIGNER Denise Chavez VIDEO EDITOR/ PRODUCER Israel Aleman CHINA OPERATIONS Victor Migalchan victor@hollywoodweeklymagazine.com (213) 220-3052 (424) 371-9900 INDIA OPERATION Ike Sinha Country Director Art4Peace Awards Hollywood Weekly Magazine B1/1565 Vasantkunj New Delhi-110 070 Mobile +919599068592 ASIA OPERATION Joyce Penas Pilarsky HWM Asia Ambassador Email: info@joycepilarsky.com Bench Bello HWM Asia Operations hollywoodmagazineusa@gmail.com Mobile +639273895559
@ANTHONYEWART @ALEXANDRINEPOET
CALL: (424)371-9900 EMAIL: HollywoodWeekly@gmail.com
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JACK LEE Hollywood Chef
12 Composer, Concert Pianist, Entrepreneur... Lesley Ann Warren 22 BEDSIDE READING 26 SOUL VISION MAGAZINE 30 Quincy Jones & Youth Employment JOHN MICHAEL FERRARI 34 OKSANA KOLESNIKOVA Joys and Challenges of Acting Books to Devour
Signging Poet Songwritter
JACK LEE
HM NOMINEES for BEST PICTURE At The 92ND ACADEMY AWARDS
BEST PICTURE NOMINEES
THE IRISHMAN FORD V FERRARI Martin Scorsese, Robert De Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and James Mangold, Producers Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Producers
JOJO RABBIT Carthew Neal and Taika Waititi, Producers
JOKER Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper and Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Producers
LITTLE WOMEN Amy Pascal, Producer
MARRIAGE STORY Noah Baumbach and David Heyman, Producers
1917 Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne-Ann Tenggren and Callum McDougall, Producers
ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh and Quentin Tarantino, Producers
PARASITE Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon Ho, Producers
More Nominees in Next Issue
Dear Studio Executives: I am delighted to announce HW’s new Film Division focusing on developing major film projects. Our slate of hi-concept feature films have projected budgets between 5-15 million dollars. I personally feel, HW’s Film Division presents a great opportunity for any major Hollywood studio seeking a conduit to a broad segment of an largely unrepresented society of people.
PRATHER JACKSON
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We have expanded into an international publication with global print distribution into 16 foreign countries. Future editions of HW will identify stories that can easily be adapted into major films. Below are a few of our current film projects. Please contact me if you are interested.
“LEGAL POSTITUTES” (TREATMENT EXCERPT) By Prather Jackson
Currently in Pre-Production with Dream Street Entertainment Producer: Gloria Morrison
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GRASS ROOTS: AMERICA’S SECOND PROHIBITION The Underground War in Compton for the Control & Legalization of Marijuana in the 90s Cable/Streaming Original Series written by Anthony Ewart
“America’s Second Prohibition” tells the story of all the men and women who lost their lives or were incarcerated during America’s prohibition of marijuana. The series focuses on ground zero of the resurgence and explosion of marijuana in America: Compton, California in the 90s -- the birthplace of West Coast Hip-Hop and the new fusion of music and marijuana as a lifestyle. But not everyone who sold marijuana in Compton was a drug dealer, and this was The War. Marijuana activists fighting for the legalization of the marijuana they sold to the community against those who sold crack and heroin -- the real drug dealers. And in the midst of this struggle you had the Crips and Bloods killing each other. But the African-American families in Compton found a way to survive these turbulent times. “America’s Second Prohibition” introduces a global audience to the tough, fascinating characters who populated “Compton of the 90s,” and shows the resilient, joyful loving spirit of African-American families who lived through this violent moment in our history.
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“PROPHECY” By Ben Hur
The screenplay revolves around Isaiah, a smart but troubled, bigoted and hateful young African-American man who is going down the wrong road in life. Despite a religious mother challenging him to become someone great, and a wonderful girlfriend who adores him, his intolerance toward White people based on a lie he was told as a child keeps pulling him in the wrong direction. Marred by a victim mentality and an obsession to get rich, when his last hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated, he loses all hope and succumbs to temptations for making fast money as a drug runner and thief. It is at this time he meets Joshua, a quirky, rather innocent young man of Middle-Eastern descent who has just been released from a mental institution, where he was incarcerated for believing he is Jesus Christ. Joshua’s childish innocence compared to the stark harshness of a streetwise conman makes for odd traveling buddies.
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“HEROES FROM HEAVEN” By Dr. Scott Glenn
In the Garden of Eden two beings of light are tricked into consuming a forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge by a man made of flesh with a sinister smile. Creatures land from the heavens and cast Adam and Eve from paradise. As the millennia go by, their descendants continue to fall further and further from grace. The world is broken into seven different continents. Each is led by an unfortunate soul who has been twisted by one of the seven deadly sins and given dominance over man. Together, they rule as the Seven Continental Alliance.
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS By Brian Kinsey
For a young mulatto woman passing for white in the Carolinas in the 1870s, her dreams of leaving an oppressive black existence are crushed when the white man she plans to marry discovers her true background, forcing her to return to the black world and embrace her true identity.
Email: HollywoodWeekly@gmail.com or Call: (424) 371-9900
6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
JORDAN O’QUINN-CAMPBELL
HW Magazine threw its annual Pre-Grammy Party on January 25, 2020 at the Penthouse Headquarters of the NFL Los Angeles Chargers. The Penthouse was located inside of the brand new SoFi Stadium Premiere Center in Playa Vista, California. Inside of this highly modern building, attendees were able to get first glimpses of the interactive L.A. Stadium that will be built in Inglewood by Summer 2020. It is said that the Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 will take place in the actual stadium. The LA Stadium also has plans to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics. The party itself featured performances from emerging pop sensation HITHA, singer-songwriting legend John Michael Ferrari, Russian pianist Oksana, Krunchtime Productions, and many other incredible acts. HITHA performed her new song, “Got me liking you” along with several other hits. John Michael Ferrari also debuted new music during his performance and overall had a great connection with the crowd. Each performer was supported by a live band and brought incredible energy to the stage. In attendance was Hollywood Weekly VIPs and Grammy stars that performed and/or attended the Grammys the following day. Stars came from all over the world with some travelling as far as from India and Vietnam.
Attendees walked around the Penthouse in awe, looking at the futuristic interactions and displays. There was even a VR experience that showed the vision for the new stadium. After guests walked in the penthouse, they could see a $500,000 piano on display, which was donated by Steinway & sons for the event. As you walked further into the venue, people could see the red carpet. All the celebrities and VIPs walked across the red carpet and photographers and attendees surrounded them and took pictures. Some stars and celebrities that previously were on the cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine were interviewed on the red carpet and you can find their interviews online. Once people crossed the red carpet, they were greeted by guides that directed guests upstairs. People then went through a grand tour of the penthouse. Guests also had the opportunity to buy season tickets for the new stadium. After the grand tour, guests were free to walk around the enormous penthouse that had an indoor and outdoor area. Inside, guests could grab a bite and they were able to listen to a live DJ while enjoying a large variety of food from Chef Jack. Outside, guests could checkout our vendors, which included Sculptures by Stella and the Charles & CompanyBeverage Services. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7
The highlight of the night was the food catered by Vietnamese American celebrity chef, Jack Lee, who is famous for catering for A-list celebrities in Hollywood. People in Hollywood and Vietnam fondly refer to him as đầu bếp Hollywood, which translates to the Hollywood Chef. He has experience in catering to large celebrity parties to private catering for celebrities. Some of the celebrities he has catered for includes Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Oprah Winfrey, Patti Labelle, Quincy Jones, and Barbara Streisand. He received his training from the California School of Culinary Arts and the Le Cordon Blue program. His career really started taking off once he received the position as Banquet Chef at the Hotel Bel-Air. Chef Jack has worldly exand has experience cooking in restaurants ealthy.perience Live Happy across the globe. Chef Jack creates a menu to is 1430318 unique to the event he’s catering based on the “personality and appetite” of his clients. For the Hollywood Weekly Pre-Grammy Party, he presented a efjacklee.com Asian and French fusion cuisine that consisted of klee1@gmail.com New Year’s Golden Crispy Seafood Roll with Red Caviars, Asian Free Range Chicken Gyoza with Ginger and Sesame Chili ,Korean Short Ribs Taco with Sweet Remoulade Coleslaws, Jumbo Prawn with Honey Soy Glaze & Crispy Coconut Flakes, Grilled Chicken and Roasted Eggplant Quesadilla with Mango Salsa, and Thai Style Wild Mushroom Mini Pizza with Coriander . He was supported by his culinary team consisting of Tino Martinez, Nick Am-
Jack Lee
Angela Lee Instagram:_angeluhh_lee_
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brosio, Jason Ambrosio, Patrick Pham, Bill Chow, Angelica Ramos, and Salma Ramirez. There was a pastry team that was run by his daughters, Angela Lee and Liza Abella Lee. Angela Lee is following in the steps of her father in becoming a chef. She baked the pastries with her sister. Angela began baking at the young age of 8 and now at the age of 13, she’s baking for celebrities at our exclusive event. Chef Jack Lee describes his daughter as adventurous and a quick learner. She uses the kitchen as her personal playground, and she specializes in making cakes and cookies. Angela has also experimented in the cooking world by serving the turkey for her family’s Thanksgiving. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys playing volleyball, tennis, and clarinet. Chef Jack Lee is a well-known chef in both the United States and Vietnam. Some of his shows he has been featured in include, MasterChef Junior Vietnam, Celebrity MasterChef Vietnam, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Rachael vs Guy: Kids Cook-off. Chef Jack also has famous food collections, such as Beyond the Seven Seas, My True Colors, Chinoises Tapas, and many more. Chef Jack is also known for his $100 egg roll. His signature dishes include Salmon Napoleon with Sea Urchin Sauce, Jumbo Prawn, Chilean Sea Bass with Orange Marmalade, and Lobster Beignet with Curry Sauce.
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Pre-Grammy Party 10 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
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OKSANA 12 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
KOLESNIKOVA
Getting to know
OKSANA
KOLESNIKOVA COMPOSER, CONCERT PIANIST, ENTREPRENEUR… AND TRUE TESTAMENT TO “THE AMERICAN DREAM”
W
e recently sat down with Oksana Kolesnikova, the Russian-born classically-trained composer, concert pianist and entrepreneur based out of the Beverly Hills area, to find out more about her roots, her beginnings in Florida, the kind of music she composes, some of her most famous gigs and much more, offering a peek into the businesswoman extraordinaire who has become a true testament to “the American dream.” The current owner and operator of the Oksana School of Music and Art in Beverly Hills – a facility that has won the coveted Best of Beverly Hills Business Award and which has become recognized on L.A.’s uber-competitive arts education scene – Oksana reaches students in the greater Los Angeles area through in-person and online lessons, with a plethora of professional instructors boasting years of experience under her tutelage. Pupils exhibiting skills of all levels, from beginning to intermediate to advanced, are welcomed in a state-of-the-art environment, and even students in other states or countries get in on the learning experience by way of Skype music lessons. Yet even with the impressive accomplishment of establishing and running her own music school and recording albums that represent a showcase for her classical pianist expertise, Oksana has further expanded into other ventures,
what with the Oksana Management Group, Inc. arm of operations regularly holding exciting mixer events throughout the Los Angeles area, her music school evolving to include well-received After-School Enrichment Programs and more. Indeed, in a town notorious for sheltering the dreams of everyone who has ever fantasized about becoming famous – or infamous, in some cases – it’s not always easy to cut through the thick fog of Hollywood promises and find one’s footing… but this classically-trained composer, concert pianist and entrepreneur has done just that in a relatively scant period of time. Q:Tell us about your move from Russia to the U.S. – what was it like for your family there, and where did you end up settling in America? Oksana: We moved to the U.S. in the early ‘90s when I was in my mid-teens; life was not easy back home, and the country was going through major economic turmoil and dramatic changes. I feel truly blessed that my family brought us to America, eventually settling in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13
Q: Why did you choose St. Petersburg when coming to the Q: How did you land the prestigious position playing piano USA? daily at the Polo Lounge in the famed Beverly Hills Hotel? Oksana: I would have to say it was fate; upon arriving in the States, we landed in Miami, but we were heading to San Francisco, and so we took a coastal train to see and experience some parts of America. To say it was marvelous is an understatement – but perhaps more importantly, we struck up a conversation with a fellow traveler who offered a real glimpse into what the U.S. was all about, immediately connecting with this individual. She provided us so much interesting and valuable information, and we truly enjoyed learning about this new place we were calling home. One of the most powerful impressions she left on me was her enthusiasm about this gorgeous city called St. Petersburg; in fact, this enthusiasm had such an effect on us that after a year or so living in San Francisco, we decided to visit the Florida hot spot and fell in love with everything about it. In making St. Petersburg my home, I eventually graduated from Saint Petersburg College – of which I have the fondest memories – and during my tenure there won a piano competition that earned me a full scholarship at Florida State University.
Oksana:To be honest, it was the cumulative result of pure hustle, passion and determination. When my husband and I moved to L.A. in 2006 from the Tampa Bay area to be in the Mecca of the entertainment industry, we didn’t know anyone, and so to establish myself in the new city, we had to literally knock on the doors of countless food and beverage directors of upscale hotels and other venues (who, in Hollywood, handle all entertainment bookings). A lucky break came when one of these managers gave me the contact of a well-established booking agent in L.A. who handles all entertainment for several five-star hotels; after multiple attempts and a passion-endowed perseverance in trying to establish contact with him, he finally took notice and gave me the opportunity to perform daily at one of the most glamorous venues in Beverly Hills, the legendary Polo Lounge, where I performed from 2006 until 2013. Q: You must have quite the interesting collection of stories – who are some of the celebrities you played for?
Q: What kind of music do you compose? Where can we Oksana: My seven-year tenure at the Polo Lounge was filled with daily excitement and interactions with just about evhear it? ery A-list celebrity – from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Brad Oksana: Being a very versatile musician and having been Pitt, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and others. I would play at classically-trained, classical music is my first love…and al- the Lounge during lunch hours when these stars would come ways will be. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Debussy in to have meetings with their managers. One of the best and, of course, my favorite, Rachmaninoff, are all inspira- highlights of that time is when one day I was playing Elton tional beacons for my work. However, in facing the “real John’s ‘Your Song’ when lo and behold, Elton John himworld” following my schooling, I realized that the demand self walks in! He strolled over to the piano, smiled and said, for popular and rock music was greater than the demand for “Nice song, isn’t it?”He then sat at the table next to the piaclassical. Ultimately, I had to switch gears and change with no, and when I was done, he hugged me and complimented the times, as they say, so I delved into discovering and learn- me on my playing. This is just one example of the many ing music of all styles as performed by contemporary artists. celebrity interactions I can tell you about; in fact, some of Indeed, I learned how to play everything from The Beatles these celebrities took notice of my playing and would into Elton John, Queen, Jerry Lee Lewis and everything in quire about private piano lessons. This interaction eventubetween; at one point, I had engaged in seven consecutive ally became the catalyst that helped build my private studio hours of never repeating the same song. Still, my true artistic (teaching celebrities and their kids) and also inspired me to calling is composing my own original music, which I would perform at many gala events and fundraisers. classify as “crossover” – a combination of both classical and modern – and I continue to pour my heart into composing Q: How did you transition from pianist, composer and beautiful melodies, a sentiment that I consider the essen- one-on-one music teacher to educating countless stutial core of my every musical creation. My music is overtly dents on a variety of instruments? deep and intended to inspire contemplation and reflection, Oksana: My first company, the Oksana School of Music, and while I love writing for piano, I have collaborated over the years with many other talented musicians who went on was born grassroots-style, if you will; when I became a to create their own instrumental and vocal arrangements of mom, I could no longer travel and perform as much as I used my music, in varying styles. What’s more, there are about to before, so I focused my energies on building my busi200 YouTube videos depicting me in action on my channel, ness. Thanks to the many years of creating and cultivating contacts at the Polo Lounge, I was ready to transition into dubbed Oksanabella. starting my own venture and becoming a businesswoman. 14 •14HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
I started out by building my studio for piano students, but I soon spotted an opportunity for something unique when many of my existing piano clients would ask me for referrals for the siblings of my students, for the purpose of learning other musical instruments. At that point, I slowly started building a team of contracted professional musicians who shared the same passion for teaching and who wanted to make extra money. This is essentially how the current iteration of the Oksana School of Music was born, offering not only piano but guitar, drums, singing and other instruments. Currently, we have over 70 teachers on our team. Q: How did you recognize the need for the arts and scholastic enrichment in L.A. schools? Oksana: It’s not a secret that so many music, arts and foreign language programs have been cut out from schools nationwide. When I moved to a new school district and was enrolling my son in the new school, I was also hoping to enroll him in extra curriculum after-school programs so he could learn a new skill or subject. At that point, I realized that none of these were available; not only at my child’s school, but in so many others. In understanding that there were so many other parents that wanted the same options as I did, I created exciting and affordable group programs and pitched them to several schools. I received an overwhelming reception for our After-School Enrichment Programs, which now are in many schools throughout L.A. and in Beverly Hills. Q: What inspired the foreign languages and test prep options to evolve from your music program? Oksana: In 2010, I launched my second company, Oksana Management Group, Inc., also known as OMG, Inc., and wherein the Oksana School of Music would only offer music lessons, OMG, Inc. would expand to provide foreign language and academic tutoring, being that I saw the growing demand for these subjects through my music lessons clients. In fact, many of the very same clients who had signed up for music lessons ended up needing additional services such as foreign languages and/or academic tutoring for their children. So, once I had informed them about our new expansion, they felt more comfortable working with us rather than searching for an outside solution, being that they could experience everything under one roof, delivered in a professional manner.
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Q: How many schools are you serving and where are they located? Oksana: We initially launched in Beverly Hills, and then expanded into Santa Clarita and South Bay. Currently we service dozens of schools and have reached maximum capacity at our headquarters. However, since the demand for After-School Programs was at an all-time high and we wanted to continue growing our brand nationally, the idea of franchising our business model came along. And so, as of this past October, we launched our own franchise venture, Oksana Franchising International, Inc., allowing us to duplicate the same success through other entrepreneurs nationwide – and, as our namesake suggests, even internationally at some point. Q: What was the inspiration to make your enrichment program available for franchising? Oksana: The private education sector is a multi-billion industry. There was and always will be great interest in educating children and providing them opportunities beyond what general education can provide. For as long as there are kids around, their parents will want them to be involved with sports, music, art, drama and, of course, anything to improve their grades through tutoring and strengthening their academics. Through building OMG, Inc., I learned that I could scale my business model to meet this demand; it took us 10 years of hard work plus trial and error to get to this point of success and expansion, but our franchisees can minimize the learning curve and avoid costly mistakes to get to the same point. We provide a proven formula and turn-key operation for other entrepreneurs to be just as successful. Q: What goes into the preparation for that kind of business offering? Oksana: Well, I am going to be honest here…it’s not exactly a walk in a park: It entails a lot of hard work, organized
thought and many sleepless nights. It took one year of diligent work and preparation for putting together the layout of the foundation for our Franchise model, with the help of our Franchising Consultant, which made it possible to get it all approved by the FTC and U.S. Regulators. But now, I’m proud to say that as of this past October, Oksana Franchising International is officially approved to award franchises in 35 states, to start with. Q: What advice do you have for musicians, educators and budding entrepreneurs who want to move beyond their current vocations, but don’t believe they possess the expertise to run a franchise? Oksana: Be your own boss! And I’m here to help by offering this fantastic franchise opportunity. I’m highly vested in our franchisees’ success; when they succeed, we succeed! To ensure that, we provide several days of in-depth training and ongoing support so they can duplicate our success and attain their own American dream. Also, our competitive advantage is that we make the entry level for our franchisees as smooth and easy as possible by offering very low initiation fees and royalties, and by assigning the largest protected territory. Q: Are you performing at any upcoming events where we can catch you? Oksana: Yes, in early 2020, I will be performing at a pre-Grammy Awards party at the Los Angeles Chargers’ penthouse headquarters and will be presented with an Award of Excellence in Education. I can be followed on social media, where I post my activities and other interesting tidbits; on Instagram: Pianist Oksana and on Facebook: OksanaEnrichment. Q: What is the website for your services and franchising? Oksana: www.OksanaEnrichment.
OKSANA FOUNDATION
Mission and Goals for OksanaFoundation.org Children are our future. I personally, truly enjoy working with children and have been dedicating my life’s mission to them. This is what motivates and drives me to succeed every day! Through our Non-Profit, Oksana Foundation, our goal is to bring educational opportunities to the underprivileged youth. It all stems from my own experience; I never dreamed about pursuing my talent and passion due to limited means, when I came to this country in my late teens. It was not until others believed in me and gave me the opportunity to pursue a higher education. And that has changed my life! I am driven to duplicate the same experience by making a positive difference in young people’s lives, who otherwise could not afford it! I want to bring out the talent in each underprivileged child, so it can be nurtured, cultivated and utilized to better the world around them. I thank all of you who believe and see my vision and decide to join me in this journey of truly making a difference! Yours Truly, Oksana 16 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
www.OksanaFoundation.org
Oksana’s Photos By: MINDY SAHAGUN-RUDER
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Overcoming Shyness Through Music
BY OKSANA KOLESNIKOVA
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Oksana Kolesnikova working with her # 1 student, her son Alessandro
hen I was a little girl, I had a problem many children face: I was shy. It was difficult for me to relate to my classmates, not to mention the trouble I had talking to my teachers. I felt like I had nothing that would show the world that I was special. Then, thanks to my parents, I found music. I began studying piano and suddenly I was able to open up like never before. I could now understand and appreciate the delightful nuances of a musical work. I gradually learned to swim in the deep end of music, getting immersed in more complex melodies, harmonies and rhythms. I wanted to learn more about the world, the sounds in it and the people and cultures who made them. In turn, I was rewarded with Chopin, Beethoven, and Gershwin. Here are three ways music helped me to overcome my shyness. Performing: A big part of being a musician is performing and sharing your art with others. Admittedly, the first time I stepped on stage I was nervous, but when I began to play all that melted away. I had a job to do, and once I saw how happy it made everyone it encouraged me to get out in front of people more. Not only was I not nervous, but I was confident, and that confidence extended into all other areas of my life. Sense of Purpose: Part of my shyness was due to the fact that I felt I wasn’t good at anything, but once I became proficient in piano I realized I must be good at a lot of things. Though it didn’t come all at once, I knew I had a skill not everyone else did. What’s more, I knew I had a hobby and passion to pursue for the rest of my life, and it could only get better with time. Ultimately I turned this passion into a highly rewarding artistic career and business venture. 18 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Creative Expression: Now that I had these new skills, I wanted to put them to use. Expressing myself verbally, especially to my parents, was very hard for me. Often times, I didn’t even know what to make of my feelings myself. But when I began composing my own music, all of that changed. I was able to let the notes of the melody say the things I couldn’t. Knowing I had this unique outlet was a tremendous comfort to me. I found it therapeutic and calming. As every student of music already knows, my experience was not unique. It’s well documented that music greatly expands brain function, helping in the development of abstract thought, motor skills, and even language comprehension. Children involved in music have a larger growth of neural activity than those who haven’t had music training. Brain images show changes to the networks in the brain associated with fine motor tasks and sound discrimination. Active participation in music works ears and eyes, large and small muscles. Studying a multifaceted subject such as music develops the ability to visualize the way disparate elements fit together — similar to skills used in fields such as mathematics and science. Music is the most wonderful of art forms. It’s a time machine through space, connecting eras, sounds and ideas. Overcoming my shyness was just the first of many lessons music taught me. Every child should take the first step in this long, magical journey. Oksana Kolesnikova is the founder of the Oksana School of Music in Beverly Hills and is a successful artist and entrepreneur. Learn more at www.oksanaenrichment.com.
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62 Annual Grammy Awards nd
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LESLEY ANN WARREN New York-born Lesley Ann Warren began her career as
ON HER LATEST FILM AND THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF ACTING
BY ALEX A. KECSKES
New York-born Lesley Ann Warren began her career as Cinderella in Disney’s classic feature “Cinderella.” The youngest student in Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio, Warren went on to play a wide range of vulnerable neurotics and sexy, worldly ladies. These included roles in “Clue,” “Love Hate Love,” and “The Legend of Valentino.” Warren later earned a Golden Globe in the rags-to-riches miniseries “‘79 Park Avenue.” This was followed by her outstanding performance as Norma Cassady in the slapstick musical “Victor-Victoria,” which won her nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a New York Film Critics Award and a People’s Choice Award. She also appeared in several high-quality offbeat films, including “Choose Me,” which earned her a People’s Choice Award, and “Songwriter,” which secured a Golden Globe nomination. And who can forget her portrayal as the scatter-brained comedienne in “Will & Grace” and “Desperate Housewives.” In “3 Days with Dad,” Warren is Dawn, the devoted wife of dying husband Bob Mills (Brian Dennehy). The darkly comic film brings out the pain, humor, and pathos of a family facing the demise of a cantankerous but lovable curmudgeon. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. You have one of the most well-rounded careers in show business. What stands out as your favorite early acting role? Lesley Ann Warren: Honestly, I don’t have a favorite. I feel so blessed in having had such a wide variety of roles in my career. And so many have been close to my heart. It would be impossible for me to play favorites. From “Cinderella” to “Victor-Victoria” to “Clue” to “3 Days with Dad”—I’m so proud of them all.
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In “3 Days with Dad,” you play the devoted wife of a dying man. What did you draw from to bring the character of Dawn to life? Warren: The film was based on people that were close to Director Larry Clarke. I really relied on him to give me an overall as well as a specific understanding of the character. I built from there using a variety of sources. Larry showed me pictures and explained the dynamic of her stepchildren. So I was able to use all of that in creating Dawn.
What aspect of Dawn’s character did you find most challenging to bring out? Warren: I think her lack of sensitivity toward others. What may have come across as selfishness was really the adoration of her husband at the exclusion of her stepchildren. And there was her critical judgmental perspective, her denial. I don’t have a lot of denial in my life. And until the very end, Dawn is unable to accept the reality of what’s happening.
You started dancing ballet at six. If someone offered you a role that included dancing would you take it? Warren: Absolutely! I did a show for a couple of years called “Dance to the Movies.” It was a theatrical performance that I did with some of the dancers from You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. We did it with the Boston Pops, in Ontario and others. It’s a compilation of movie dance numbers. I did that periodically and I just loved it. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 23
What do you like about comedic roles, like those you played in “Will & Grace” and “Desperate Housewives”? Warren: It’s interesting because I never look at it as a comedic role. I try to create the character in a situation that’s funny. It’s her quirks and behaviors that are comedic. It takes flight from there. I love to be funny. I have a great sense of humor and I enjoy making people laugh. I feel so lucky that I’ve been able to do both comedic and dramatic work. Same question for your dramatic roles like those in “Bay House?” Warren: It’s the other side of the coin. Understanding character, the character’s motivation and the situation she finds herself in. It’s also the relationship to the other characters. If it resonates with me, if it moves me then I have the hope that it will move others as well. When you develop a character, do you sometimes feel that you get lost in it to the point where you have to back out of it? Warren: I used to be that way when I was younger—unable to separate myself from the character. But after years of work experience, that isn’t a problem anymore. In a way, it was a saving of my sanity. Most actors have a love-hate relationship with auditions. What was your most memorable audition? Warren: At the beginning of my career, I auditioned. My most memorable audition was with Richard Rodgers in “Cinderella.” It was in his apartment with musical supervisor Johnny Green and choreographer Eugene Loring. Richard asked everyone to step out of the room. He sat at the piano and had me sit next to him. He taught me My Funny Valentine and had me sing it with him. That’s a memory I’ll never forget. My worst audition was for a dancer-stripper role—I can’t remember the film’s title. But I tried to do this kind of dance in the room with the director and I fell flat on my butt. I was so mortified. And when I tried to get up, I smeared lipstick all over my face. Needless to say, I did not get the role. 24 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Talking about the craft and business of acting, what have you learned about acting that most surprised you? Warren: I guess it’s what we were talking about earlier. I’d have to stay in character in the scene, especially if it was a dramatic or emotional scene, pretty much all day. As the years went on, I’ve learned how to create that in maybe five minutes before I have to do it and then let it go within minutes afterward. It’s very hard to do that and very heartbreaking to go to those places. I’ve learned that I don’t want to load up my nervous system by staying in it too long before and after. What scene involved the most takes you ever had to repeat in a film? Warren: I know they’re out there but I’ve never worked with a director that does many multiple takes. Had you never pursued acting, what career path would you have taken? Warren: That’s almost impossible to say because I started dancing at six and went into acting when I was 16 on Broadway. But I’ve always had an interest in homeopathic medicine. For the last 35 years, I’ve been going to doctors who do that. I find it incredibly brilliant and fascinating. I think it’s something I would have had a talent for. Can you go into your role in the upcoming murder mystery “Blind Psychosis”? Warren: That was a web series in which the director wanted a 1940s melodrama. He wanted a sort of heightened radio performance of those kinds of murder mysteries. It was a lot of fun to do. But sadly, you’re not with a lot of actors when you’re doing it, so that’s difficult and it makes it less creative in a way.
What did you like about working on “Victor-Victoria”? Warren: Everything. I loved working with Julie (Andrews). I absolutely adored Blake (Edwards)—both personally and professionally. He gave me a complete run of my character and allowed me to do tons of improvising. It was one of the more creative, exciting and challenging experiences that I’ve had. You’ve seen it all. Paid your dues. What advice would you give to young actors just starting their careers? Warren: I always say the same thing. I worked with Lee Strasberg for ten years—both privately and in the Actors Studio. And I do believe in studying a craft—whatever craft that may be—and being diligent about it. So when you’re lucky enough to get on a set, you have your toolkit you can use in any circumstance.
LESLEY ANN WARREN AS DAWN IN “3 DAYS WITH DAD” HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 25
Books to Devour by Jane Ubell-Meyer
Books to Devour by Jane Ubell-Meyer
Love is in the air this February! Celebrate the love with a few of our romance books, Loveyour is instyle… the air Celebrate the Need love awith a few of our romance and if romance isn’t pickthis up February! a thriller or business book. romantic books, and if romance isn’t your style… pick up a thriller or business book. and literary getaway? Join us in the Hamptons for the 2nd Annual Hamptons Bedside Reading AuthorsNeed Weekend on February -March getaway? 1.BedsideReading.com 1770 a romantic and28literary Join us in Hotels: the Hamptons for the 2nd House, Baker House1650, Hotel Maidstone, Topping Rose House and White Fences Annual Hamptons Bedside Reading Authors Weekend on February 28 -March 1. Water Mill, BedsideReading.com Hotels: 1770 House, Baker House1650, Hotel Maidstone,
Topping Rose House and White Fences Water Mill, Books We Recommend
BOOKS WE RECOMMEND
The Prize by Geoffrey M. Cooper What does it take to win a Nobel Prize? Deceit? Fraud? Maybe even murder? When she finds a drug that has the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease, Pam Weller is certain she's made the discovery of a lifetime. But her success threatens the supremacy of Eric Prescott, a leading figure in Alzheimer's research, who sees his chances at a Nobel Prize slipping through his fingers. His lust for the prize and the accolades that come with it drive him to concoct a plot against Pam that threatens her career, her hat does it take to win a Nobel Prize? Deceit? freedom, and even her life.
The Prize by Geoffrey M. Cooper
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Fraud? Maybe even murder? When she finds
The Pale-Faced Lie byaDavid drugCrow that has the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease, Pam is certain she’s made discovery of growing up on the In this riveting memoir, DavidWeller Crow presents a searing accountthe of his experience a lifetime. But her success threatens the supremacy of Navajo Indian Reservation with a mentally ill mother and violent father, an ex-con from San Eric Prescott, leading in When Alzheimer’s research,found the courage to Quentin who groomed him to bea his partnerfigure in crime. David ultimately who sees his chances at a Nobel Prize slipping through change his life, he unwittingly triggered a plot of revenge that forced him into a deadly showdown his fingers. His lust for the prize and the accolades that with his father. Raw and palpable, “The Pale-Faced Lie” is an unforgettable testament to the power come with it drive him to concoct a plot against Pam of forgiveness and strength her of the humanher spirit. thatthe threatens career, freedom, and even her life.
The Pale-Faced Lie When We Found Home by Susan Mallery Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a pastby David Crow you’d rather not talk about. Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has aWhen brother and a sister—Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a n this riveting memoir, We Found Home streetwise twelve-year-old. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her _David Crow presents a by Susan Mallery siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the searing start account of his exof a whole new life. But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but perience not growing up on the ife is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. Navajo Indian Reservation -with no family, limited prospects and a past with Becoming a family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love. But love isn’ta mentally ill mother you’d rather not talk about. Callie Smith doesn’t father, an exMalcolm’s strong suit…until he learns that an open heart, like the family table, can always makeand roomviolent for know how to feel when she discovers she has a brothcon from San Quentin who er and a more. sister—Malcolm, who grew up with affec-
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groomed him to be his parttion, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise ner in crime. When David The Body Double by Emily Beyda twelve-year-old. Despite her trepidation, she moves ultimately dark, glittering Body and Double is the suspenseful story of a young woman who is found the courinto the grandA family homedebut withnovel, her The siblings age to by a stranger to give up her old life and identity to impersonate a reclusive Hollywood change star. A his life, he ungrandfather onrecruited the shores of Lake Washington, hopwittingly strange man discovers our nameless narrator selling popcorn at a decrepit small-town movie theatertriggered a plot of ing just maybe this will be the start of a whole new revenge that forced him into and offers her an odd and lucrative position: she will forget her job, her acquaintances, even her name, life. But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira a deadly showdown with his fit in with each other, but not with their posh new father. Raw and palpable, lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. Becoming a “The Pale-Faced Lie” is an family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love. But love unforgettable testament to isn’t Malcolm’s strong suit…until he learns that an open heart, like the family table, the power of forgiveness can always make room for more. and the strength of the hu26 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
man spirit.
The Body Double by Emily Beyda
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dark, glittering debut novel, The Body Double is _-the suspenseful story of a young woman who is recruited by a stranger to give up her old life and identity to impersonate a reclusive Hollywood star. A strange man discovers our nameless narrator selling popcorn at a decrepit small-town movie theater and offers her an odd and lucrative position: she will forget her job, her acquaintances, even her name, and move to Los Angeles, where she will become the body double of the famous and troubled celebrity Rosanna Feld.
The Price of Time by Tim Tigner
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here’s a secret in Silicon Valley. A discovery. An invention. One so startling and surprisingly sinister that it needs to be kept—at any price. Tim Tigner takes a step back from his bestselling Kyle Achilles series to introduce Zachary Chase and Skylar Fawkes in a fresh standalone novel that’s bound to keep you glued and guessing. With secluded meetings, sudden disappearances and strange murders; secret agents, skillful assassins and sexy locations; The Price of Time is packed with fast-paced action and first-class intellectual intrigue. Propelling the thrills and perched at the middle of the mystery is one of humanity’s great questions: Would finding the Fountain of Youth be a blessing?
The Storm Beyond the Tides by Jonathan Cullen
Cold Silence by Danielle Girard
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widow and ex-FBI agent __of hard-earned courage, Cody O’Brien is finally enjoying the quiet life, providing a good home for herself and her eightyear-old son, Ryan. Then Ryan is kidnapped in broad daylight. And Cody knows why. Her life is a dangerous lie, easily exposed by the killers responsible for her husband’s murder. Failed by the Witness Protection Program, she’s on the run again, trusting only herself to save her son while heading blindly toward a past that wants only one thing from her: cold-blooded revenge.
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uly 1939. War is on the horizon but on Monk Island, Maine life goes on as usual. As the daughter of a lobsterman, Ellie Ames’ future seems limited until a mysterious German couple comes off the ferry with their nineteen-year-old son. From the moment she meets Karl Brink, the two become inseparable and not everyone approves because locals are suspicious of outsiders. Ellie ignores their scorn, however, and the secret she learns about Karl’s family makes her even more determined to be with him. The magical summer ends when the Brinks suddenly have to go home. And although Karl promises to return in the fall, by then Europe is at war. Two years pass and Ellie has all but given up hope when she gets a letter in the mail that will change her life forever. The Storm Beyond The Tides is the story of the unlikely romance between a small-town girl and a German on the eve of the Second World War and explores a frightening time in America’s past—when U-Boats prowled the East Coast and put small, coastal communities on the frontline of a global conflict.
Bulwark by Brit Lunden
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lay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark. Recently separated -from his wife, all he can think about is what went wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He’s troubled by a bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories, told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves, things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the same. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 27
The Association by Sharon Ann Ziegler
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ATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019 FINALIST IN THE LEGAL THRILLER CATEGORY! A YOUNG FEMALE ATTORNEY TAKES ON A POWERFUL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND UNCOVERS FRAUD, MYSTERY, AND MURDER! Champaign, Georgia, Davis County: A young attorney and her husband have relocated to the small, idyllic town for his new job, and she’s on an extended hiatus after becoming exhausted and weary of her profession. Yet she knows she needs to get back in the legal game, even though it won’t be easy. Now discouraged and out of practice, she must start fresh, with new determination and new clients. Through an acquaintance, she meets the Wainrights, an older couple living in Covington Commons, a cluster of three neighborhoods advertised as a luxury lakeside community. In truth, though, such a description only applies to one neighborhood in Covington Commons: Eagle’s Nest. Both Mockingbird Heights and Peacock Plains have become sad displays of utter neglect, in awful disrepair after years of inattention. The Wainrights need her help to prove allegations as to the person—or persons—responsible for it. After painstaking research into claim after claim, she soon realizes the obviously guilty party. At the forefront, is the Association—the board and committee members who oversee everything and every decision at Covington Commons. Its members have taken what was once a decent organization and turned it into an operation based entirely on corruption and dishonesty that operates according to the whims and greed of only a privileged few. With prejudicial and biased purveyors of justice at the helm, prior lawsuits against the Association have been routinely dismissed early on. Our attorney heroine must find it within herself to navigate and succeed in a world where grossly confident men grandstand in gold jewelry, private investigators are always listening, and judges are not honorable—a world where people aren’t at all who they seem to be.
Non Obvious Megatrends by Rohit Bhargava
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he future belongs to non-obvious thinkers. This book is your guide to becoming one. For the past ten years, Rohit Bhargava’s signature annual Non-Obvious Trend Report has helped over a million readers discover more than 100 trends changing our culture and how business is done. Now for the first time after a decade of publishing more than 100 trend predictions, for the first time to identify ten revolutionary new Megatrends that are transforming how we work, play and live.
The Golf Course Millionaire by Robin Richter
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hen properly applied, golf has the amazing power to introduce you to interesting and influential people; to establish lasting relationships with movers and shakers; and to help you reach your full potential in your career and in your social circles. In short, golf has the incredible power to improve your life! Robin Richter, former golf pro, has been playing golf for over four decades. She has built her successful promotional products company, Wearable Imaging, Inc., through the many meaningful relationships that were developed on the golf course. In her book, The Golf Course Millionaire, Robin shares how a great hobby can lead to fulfillment both on the course and off; in business and developing lasting friendships and alliances. If you’re an avid golfer, this book will help you to use the sport to improve your life. If you don’t play golf, she provides ways to use golf to connect with influencers too! Get Robin’s book to leverage the amazing power of golf and witness the transformation that will happen to you! 28 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Conversations With Our Authors Q&A with Matt Coyle, author of Lost Tomorrows Q: Why did you decide to write the conclusion to Rick Cahill’s deceased wife’s story in LOST TOMORROWS? A: The death of Colleen Cahill has been the driving force for Rick’s quest for redemption from the very first book, YESTERDAY’S ECHO. I knew at some point Rick would have to discover the truth about her death. LOST TOMORROWS was the right time because at the beginning of the book, Rick is at his nadir, questioning the decisions he’s made since his wife died. Q: This is book 6 in the series, will a new reader who reads LOST TOMORROWS feel lost not knowing the backstory to Rick’s life? A: I don’t think so. The book reads well as a standalone. The important parts related to Colleen are addressed just enough so new readers understand Rick’s actions. Q: Why did you choose to write the Cahill series in first person? A: All of the books are very personal. I didn’t want any distance from Rick and the action on the page. The books are character driven and I wanted the readers to know why Rick does what he does and how much each action affects him. Q: How has Rick Cahill changed from the beginning of the first book, YESTERDAY’S ECHO, to the beginning of LOST TOMORROWS? A: He’s become more damaged, darker, and unsure of the decisions he makes.
Q&A with Deke Copenhaver, author of The Changemaker Q: What inspired you to write “The Changemaker: The Art of Building Better Leaders”? A: Having spent nine years as mayor of Augusta I saw the impact positive, ethical, inclusive and unifying leadership can achieve in a community and I wanted to provide a road map to benefit current and future leaders. I believe that being successful in local politics by maintaining my character and integrity while treating people with dignity and respect shows that leading in the right way can be done through any leadership platform including those provided by political office. Q: Is it possible to be successful with this type of leadership in today’s political climate? A: Definitely as people will go to a positive alternative to politics or business as usual if you provide one for them. Constantly challenging the status quo and the mindset of
“but we’ve always done it this way” is key to changemaking leadership at any level. Q: What is one of the most important lessons for individuals on a leadership journey? A: The only power which true leaders should concern themselves with is the power to inspire and lift up the people around them from all walks of life. For me, politics was never about seeking power but rather about seeking to empower the people I served. Q: What do you want to achieve through your book? A: I believe that sustainable, positive change through civic engagement must start at the grassroots level so basically I’m trying to start a grassroots revolution to change the world. I’m also hoping that the book will continue to cut across all demographics and bring people from all walks of life together to have a conversation about how we can work together to implement positive change in our communities, our businesses and ourselves.
***** Bedside Reading places books by the bedsides in luxury hotels. For more info, visit BedsideReading.com***** HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 29
FEATURES FROM
Photograph by Art Streiber
QUINCY JONES
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Congratulations on your achievements! Quincy is not just about me, It’s about US . . . The collective is always greater than the individual. UBUNTU I am because we are.
– Quincy D. Jones
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Each month we will celebrate a living legend. We kick off this celebration of greatness in our inaugural issue with Quincy Jones, a global icon. “Q” has worked with other entertainment greats from Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra, to Michael Jackson and countless others. He continues to inspire veteran artists and newcomers with his outpouring of music and his generosity as an ambassador for humanity. He has never stopped lifting as he climbs. We thank him for reaching out as we embark on our maiden voyage of SoulVision Magazine. We also congratulate him on the extraordinary documentary “Quincy” about his life and works that is currently streaming on Netflix. Thank you for your lifetime of dedication to humanity and speaking to all of us with your beautiful music and expressions of love.
December 2018/January 2019 | soulvisionmagazine.com COMMUNITY
Life’s Interpretation: Youth Empowerment
“Help youth showcase their unique talents.” Each month we will highlight a community program that aligns with the values of SoulVision. We believe engaging with one’s community is critical to fostering positive change in the world. For our inaugural issue, we highlight Life’s Interpretation, LLC, a nonprofit youth engagement program based in Richmond, VA. Life’s Interpretation provides workshops, classes and client based services in music, media, marketing and film. Students at all skill levels are invited to participate. The program allows youth to express themselves through the visual and audio arts. In other words, it’s cool and encourages young people to share their talents as they work on building a better village for all of us. To get involved, email lifesinterpretation@gmail.com or visit lifesinterpretation.com to learn more.
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DEBRA MARTIN CHASE: THE FACE OF HOLLYWOOD
You learn by experience.
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Debra Martin Chase is an influential and powerful force in the film industry. She has been responsible for producing some of the most well-known films that speak to an entire generation of young women and people of color. If you’ve seen Sparkle, The Princess Diaries, Cheetah Girls, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Just Wright, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella then you are familiar with her vision of female power and diversity in film and television. It is rare to have access to the people behind the scenes—producers, writers, directors, and executives—that make the movie magic happen. Ms. Chase—the first African-American female producer to have a deal at a major studio—is passionate in her reflections as a Hollywood executive and pioneer. Debra and her team recently completed principal photography for Harriet, the Focus Features biopic on Harriet Tubman. She travels from coast to coast, living in NY and LA. When asked why she wanted to be in the film and television industry, she says, “I got into this business because growing up as a child devouring film and television, I never saw people who looked like me. So, one of my incentives for getting into the business was to put people on screen who
looked like me, both from an ethnic and female standpoint.” She wants young women of color to see themselves in her work and say to themselves, “I can be anything. I can be the princess. I can be the CEO. I can be whatever I want to be.” Chase was born into a family who valued education and hard work. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Her mother was a professor at the City College of Chicago and her Dad was a sergeant for the LAPD. Her uncle is a lawyer and her aunts have masters degrees from Northwestern University. Her late grandmother was a part of the Great Migration from New Orleans to Chicago. She passed away twenty-six days before her one-hundredth birthday “with her mind and spirit sharp until the very end.” Her grandmother’s grace and spirit continue to be positive influences on her life. Her parents divorced by the time she was twelve. Even though Debra and her two younger siblings lived with their mother, their dad continued to be a positive force in their lives. His immense passion for television and film set in motion young Debra Martin’s love for all things cinema. A typical discussion at most family’s dinner table would be about current events or politics. In the Martin household, her dad would lead a lively discussion about film and television. As Chase looks back on her childhood, she says, “Two of the most important lessons I learned from my parents were that they never put limits on me and they supported me in taking risks. They always let me know that I could do anything that I wanted to do. The sky was the limit.” She continues explaining why her parents’ approval was pivotal in making her who she is today. “I was a lawyer at a big law firm, and it’s a very secure route to take and I was doing very well, but I would say to myself, ‘This is not my destiny; this is not what I’m supposed to be doing.’ So a few years into practicing law, I completely rebooted and started over in film and television, not without questions of course, but at the end of the day, my parents supported me because they knew it was important for me to be happy.” When Chase made the change from a big law firm in New York City to Columbia Pictures, her purpose in life became more clear. I was in a two-year executive development program at Columbia that was designed to bring people from different disciplines into the movie business in order to create more well-rounded executives. I met the chairman of the studio, Frank Price—one of the last of the old-guard studio bosses—at a studio luncheon. A few months later, he brought me on to be his executive assistant, and that was really my big break in the business.
Price became my mentor. Because he wanted me to learn the business, I accompanied him to all of his meetings, read scripts for him, handled special issues and at the end of the day, he would let me ask questions about any of the decisions he made during the day….” She formed Martin Chase Productions after working for Columbia Pictures, running Denzel Washington’s Mundy Lane Entertainment and Whitney Houston’s Brown House Productions. All work and no play wouldn’t be much fun. Chase feels blessed to have plenty of friends and family to share the fruits of her success. “I live in NY and LA, so I’m a big consumer of arts and culture.” She supports the arts by sitting on the boards of the NYC Ballet, Second Stage Theater, and Mount Holyoke College, her alma mater. As a filmmaker, she believes in the importance of knowing what’s going on in all mediums of culture and the arts. She is also a traveler. Last year she went on a safari in Botswana and Zimbabwe. When she travels, she says, “It is important to see both the similarities with and differences from people around the world. As a human being, knowing what people are thinking and feeling is important.” In the age of social media, there have never been more opportunities for young creatives to showcase their work to the right people. Chase agrees with this observation but emphasized that you have to “...get training, learn how to write a script, learn how to use a camera—get your basic skills, then do the work because you learn by experience. You learn by trial and error; and if you’re not doing the work, no one will see your work or bring you into their environment.” Ms. Chase’s advice calls to mind a quote from the late poet laureate, Maya Angelou — “Nothing will work unless you do.” This article was initially published on December 20, 2018, and updated on November 1, 2019. When we wrote this story we were not at liberty to talk in detail about her latest film, Harriet. We went behind the scenes and found ourselves awestruck at what she and the crew were filming. Here is a special video of “Stand Up” from Focus Features that captures the spirit behind the new motion picture starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet. To learn more about Debrah Martin Chase, follow her on Facebook @Debra Martin Chase, Instagram @debramchase, and Twitter @DebraMChase. Get your tickets to see “Harriet” here: harrietfilmtickets.com/. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33
John Michael Ferrari
SINGING POET SONGWRITER
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ohn Michael Ferrari is an award-winning singer songwriter who has written many iconic hits over his career. Many can compare him to the likes of Sammy Davis Jr or a young Bobby Darin. He is described as “crooner with a smooth as silk voice.” In fact, in 2019 he won the award of Outstanding Male Singer Songwriter of the Year by the Producer’s Choice Honors. Aside from being a musical artist, Ferrari is also a songwriter, music arranger, composer, still photographer, public speaker, teacher, and author. He is signed to Pepper Jay Productions. His style of writing is telling swooning stories that entice listeners with his life experiences. Ferrari has also recently assembled his own band called the John Michael Ferrari Band that performs nationally. His genres include Country, Pop, Christian, and Children. Ferrari has an upcoming EP called “Be the Smile on Your Face”, which was based on a personal experience. The EP is being recorded at Larry Beaird Studio in Nashville. Ferrari’s sound can be described as “very California”. He grew up in California, but now he currently resides on a ranch in Pahrump, Nevada. Ferrari has been listening to music since the 3rd grade and all the genres he listened to growing up inspired all of his music. He emphasized that the most important aspect in his music is music structure. The way that songs are written are very important a flowing combination of intro, verses, chorus, perhaps a pre chorus, perhaps a bridge. Ferrari explains “if you have something memorable, you have a song”. Ferrari’s career started taking off when he began in earnest to write and perform his own songs. Initially, he performed covers, but he found that audiences con34 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
nected with him more when he shared his personal life experiences. The title of the EP was inspired when he and another gentleman saw a beautiful woman with a dazzling smile at Trader Joe’s. The gentleman and John both noticed the woman and he told Ferrari “I’d sure like to be the smile on her face” and John agreed. This short encounter inspired the EP’s name and two songs on the EP. All of John’s songs are developed like this. He takes instances and makes them into emotional stories. Pepper Jay helps convey his vision by producing music and creating or securing his album art. Pepper Jay is one of Ferrari’s hugest supporters. Pepper is a music producer, record label owner, actress, teacher, public speaker, and author. She has been Ferrari’s manager for over 30 years. Pepper believes that everything that Ferrari writes is “poetry put to music”. Ferrari has created over 12 singles and his album “My Early Life” throughout his musical career. He also has several unreleased songs that can be found on his Reverbnation page: www.Reverbnation.com/JohnMichaelFerrari. Recently, he has released the song Bad Dream, which is quite different from his other songs. In this song, he cleverly takes the listener through the experience of his reoccurring nightmares. He explains that it’s about “when you have these bad dreams and you can’t quite figure out what they mean”. It’s also about finding yourself out of a bad dream. One of his most haunting lyrics is that “I missed the sign checkout is at noon, all penalties will apply”. In the song, he makes references to “The Catcher in the Rye,” which is about a young boy trying to find his way in life. The listener is to interpret the song in their own way and, like several of John’s songs, there is a twist at the end of the song.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 35
Along with sharing his own life experiences, Ferrari likes to share experiences from other people’s eyes. One thing he likes to do is share an experience through a child’s eyes. “Let’s Run Away to Alaska” and “Who’s that Girl?” both have childlike themes. “Who’s that Girl” is actually inspired by Ferrari observing a young boy seeing a 14-year-old red head in a square-dancing club. A boy around the same age walks into the club, notices her, and exclaims “Who’s that girl?”. Ferrari observed how the boy wanted to dance with the girl and get to know her, and he adopts his viewpoint into his hit song. Ferrari’s album, Early Life, describes many of his life experiences growing up. The inspiration for this album was Ferrari’s difficult childhood. He solely found refuge 36 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
by playing his guitar and singing. At a very young age, Ferrari wrote his first song “Wah Do Wah Do”. As a teen, Ferrari often found himself in trouble and trying to escape his spiteful stepfather. Constantly in trouble, a judge believed that Ferrari was “incorrigible” and sentenced him to the Nevada State Children’s Home in Carson City for 2 years at the age of 15. Ferrari believes that this is the best thing that could’ve happened. While in high school, Ferrari also decided to drop out and join the military to serve in the Vietnam War. This also worked in his benefit, because it fruitfully added to many of Ferrari’s life experiences and stories. He wrote the song “Dustoff”, “Run”, “Let’s Run Away to Alaska”, and “When Love Said Goodbye”while serving in the war. In his own words, Ferrari describes the songs in his album:
“Let’s Run Away to Alaska,” fun, child-like let’s run away together theme; “tell the animals, the bear and the deer”. This song was created from a pickup line unsuccessfully used on a girl years ago when he was performing at Mount Charleston Lodge outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. He said, “Let’s run away to Alaska and we’ll tell everyone we moved to Nevada!” “Why’d Momma Lie?” is based loosely on a true story of what happens when love never arrives. Her mother didn’t like her daughter dating John and told her love will come. So, she broke up with John. Years later, John asked her, “Did love come?” “No” she said with tears in her eyes. “Don’t Fall Between the Daylight,” also based on a true story: empathy with teen “cutters” to prevent suicide, “and when you’re bleeding, I’m bleeding too”. “Brand New River,” remembering a past love, “then, again, I’m with you”. John wrote this tune while staying in Lake Tahoe when he completed his Army enlistment time. “When Love Said Good-bye,” is about moving forward in life. “I’ll pick up your dreams, put them away, I’ll save mine away for another day.” “Ain’t No Mistaken:” “no matter how much we play this game like we just don’t care, there’s no mistaken, we’ve been taken with each other.” “Dustoff”, penned by Ferrari in 1966 while serving in the United States Army in Vietnam, honors the military rescue helicopters and their crews, is a favorite among Veterans, including is still honored by the Dustoff Association. “Who Can Blame a Broken Heart?” was created about a girl John lived with before going into the Army. When he returned, they had a fight. She said she wanted to go home. He said ok, I’ll drive you to the bus station never realizing he would never see her again. Ferrari’s personal favorite song is “Be the Smile on Your Face”. He explains that it is one of his best musically structured and memorable songs. He also believes that “Who Can Blame a Broken Heart” and “Peggy Sue’s” are his favorites. They are story songs about his life and hard instances he got through. As stated before, musical structure is very important to making each of Ferrari’s song. His musical process involved him doing a lot of writing and rewriting. He explains that some songs can take 20 minutes to write, HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY• 37
John Michael Ferrari
while others can take much longer. “Everything is trial and error,” he explains that “there is no one set anything when it comes to creativity”. When Ferrari creates new songs, he will perform them in front of the crowd to gauge their reaction. From then, he can revise or switch some things in the song. Experiencing Ferrari in concert is a unique experience for the crowd. He speaks from his heart and will often talk to the audience between his songs. Hearing him live, is not just listening to a disconnected singer on stage that just goes from one song to the next. He interacts with the audience. “I just love seeing people smiling in the audience,” he tells Hollywood Weekly. His performances always bring a strong emotional response to audience members. Some of his performances are so moving that it will bring people to tears. He is very talented at reading the audience and adjusting his set list based on the mood of the crowd.
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Ferrari wants all his fans and readers to know that he absolutely loves what he does. Ferrari tells Hollywood Weekly that “it’s nice to be inspired in life and have the ability to write about it”. For readers and fans interested in hearing Ferrari’s music, you can find it on all music streaming platforms and on his website www.Reverbnation.com/JohnMichaelFerrari. Ferrari’s tour schedule and blog can also be found on his website: www.JohnMichaelFerrari. com. He has upcoming shows in Hollywood, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, and on the American Queen Steamboat on the Mississippi River. Ferrari will also be performing at Hollywood Weekly’s Pre-Grammy party. If you are interested in publishing or recording any of his unpublished songs or booking John Michael Ferrari for any upcoming show, please contact Pepper Jay, 310-345-9366.
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CREATOR Of CHINOISE CUISINE
