Hollywood Weekly Presents Producer's First Look: Unproduced Scripts Sneak Preview

Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry

SUMMER EDITION

"Producer's First Look" 10 Pages of the Best Unproduced Screenplays

®

Healing Cancer

Featured in HW!

DR. GAMHOM NALANCHANG

with

Holistic Medicine

FROM THAILAND

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome readers to our summer Issue of the National Hollywood Weekly Magazine. On our Cover is the brilliant and beautiful Dr. Gamhom Nalanchang, better known to her patients as “The Ganja Witch.” Her name sounds like the title of a Hollywood movie, but it’s steeped in the reality of curing human illnesses through the medicinal properties of cannabis. Dr. Nalanchang is the President and Founder of “Cancer Hope Village” in Laos and Thailand. Believe me when I say she is fighting the good fight. Her commitment as a doctor to find a cure for cancer is the true Hollywood story. We are honored to have the amazing Dr. Gamhom Nalanchang gracing our Cover.

Long before Cannabis became a mainstream pop cultural lifestyle popularized

by Rap Music and its iconic stars (including a well-known Country singer or two), it took an underground pipeline to get access to weed. This issue of Hollywood Weekly is our inaugural coverage of this burgeoning new industry.

To memorialize the occasion, we are launching a new section in HW entited "Producer's First Look: 10-pages of the Best Unproduced Screenplays" available in Hollywood. This edition features the first 10 pages of a script revealing the unshakable bond between a father and his son. The son being Compton resident Virgil Grant. This is an emotional, sometimes funny, compelling and gritty tale, based upon his true stories, and completely relevant with "The Ganja Witch" on our Cover. We hope you enjoy this first selection in our new "Producer's First Look" Screenplay Series.

As always, we thank all of you for your consistent love and support.

We are who we are because of YOU. We wish you all peace and happiness!

Anthony Ewart, Associate Editor

Celebrating Diversity in the Entertainment Industry

SUMMER EDITION

"Producer's First Look" 10 Pages of the Best Unproduced Screenplays

®

Healing Cancer

Feature Inside HW!

DR. GAMHOM NALANCHANG

with

Holistic Medicine

FROM THAILAND

CALL US AT (424) 371-9900

On The Cover

Dr. Gamhom Nalanchang USA & Canada : 13035 Tom White Way # Ste K&L Norwalk CA 90650 888.988.8933 / 888.634.5666 / 888.706.3999 Facebook: Morgamhom Nalanchang

EMAIL hollywoodweekly@gmail.com

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 Barbara Burke Victor Migalchan Alex A. Kecskes ART DIRECTOR Damian Aragon GRAPHIC DESIGNER Evgeny K PRODUCTION ARTIST Toby Smith 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 DISTRIBUTORS CoMag MADER NEWS NEWS INFLIGHT, INC

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4 TATIANA DEMARIA 14 HOLLYWOOD SPOTLIGHT 18 SAL VELEZ JR. 24 PRODUCER'S FIRST LOOK: 27 HOLLYWOOD ICON 38

DR. GAMHOM NALANCHANG Who is the Ganja Witch?

Singer-songwriter

Catch the Upcomming Fall Premiere TV Shows

On Netflix’s New Apocalyptic Series

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Liza Minnelli

Who is the

GANJA WITCH?

4 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

THAILAND MOVES to Legalize Medical Marijuana and other drugs.

Thailand is the 1st country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis for medical purposes

The Ganja Witch is none other than the world renowned

natural cancer therapy practitioner Dr. Gamhom Nalanchang. Dr. Gamhom, who serves as the President and Founder of Cancer Hope Village in Laos and Thailand, has been advocating natural medicine towards treating cancer and other illnesses for many years. Medical Marijuana (cannabis) is a matter that is very dear to her heart. She believes cannabis plays a vital role in curing and preventing cancer and many other disease and illnesses.When the Thai Parliament scheduled a vote to legalized Medical Marijuana, Dr. Gamhom flew across the world from the United States to Thailand to speak on this very important matter. Because of her knowledge and expertise in this field, Dr. Gamhom is now one of the most important and influential fighters against the prohibition of medical Marijuana in Thailand.

Many states in North America have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational uses. However, the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) prohibits the United States Federal government from recognizing it as medicine and as a result, the law prohibits federal funding for research because it is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

Dr. Gamhom believes that because the Thai parliament passed the legalization of Medical Marijuana 166-0 and 13 assent, the Thai Parliament will welcome practitioners to continue their research. Dr. Gamhom cited that in many Thai medical practitioner practice booklets, cannabis has been used for curing a multitude of diseases and has 114 cannabis formulas. Her message to other naysayers and supporters around the world is “ Life Over Law�.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY• 5

1.Why is the doctor called The Ganja Witch and how long has she been using that name?

GW: I believe in Cannabis. I am involved in one of the most important and influential fights in against the prohibition of medical Marijuana in Thailand. I became “Ganja Witch” in 2018.

2.You believe in life over law.

Can you explain this concept in more detail?

GW: I dealt with underprivileged patients who had last stage Cancer since 2010. I do what I can. I give my heart and soul to all my patients. In America and other countries they use cannabis to heal both kids and adults from autism, seizures, epilepsy, convulsion and last stage Cancer etc. However in Thailand, Marijuana is illegal but use in secret. Your loved one is on the verge of dying and doctors aren’t able to help. What are you going to do? You will do whatever you can to help your loved one survive.

6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

This is why I say “Life over law” Law need to be natural and help people, if the law kill peoples, that’s not true law. Marijuana is natural and has been assisting for us many years.

3. Is there still a lot of controversy about medicinal marijuana?

GW: Yes, there is still plenty of controversy surrounding marijuana, Just recently in Thailand marijuana was legalized for medical use, knowledge of this is important and that why I created “Cannabis Witch Academy”, to give people the knowledge about marijuana, usage and side effects.

Everything in the world has two sides, good and bad. We use good for medical reasons but people still need to be aware of the bad side too. For example, marijuana can impair your senses during a drive. I can say 60% of Thai peoples want to learn because marijuana has been the native and natural weed in our country for many years.

4. How did you get into the field?

GW: In Thailand we have had traditional herbal formulas that contain marijuana inside for 300 years but we could not use it because of the law. The world keeps moving, legalizing marijuana for medical use and recreation, This made me more interested sine I live in the US, I know the benefits of marijuana and I know Thailand has good quality marijuana. If Thailand le-galized it, would benefits from it. I combined the knowledge I gained from the US and applied it to Thailand, working with other doctors to cure our patients.

GANJA WITCH That is why I say “Life over Law”

5.How did you determine that by using CBD oils that it could help assist or cure certain ailments?

6.How difficult has it been for you as a woman to be a pioneer in this field of holistic medicine?

7.Can you share some stories about your village and how rewarding it has been to work with the cancer patients?

GW: It is difficult but I deal with people’s lives and last stage cancer everyday for 10 years.

For me there’s nothings better than giving people back their life. My charity slogan is “As long as there’s breathe, there’s hope.” The best doctor in the world is yourself.

GW: The reward that I get from patients is smiling, it’s the most wonderful reward that I get. I also have cured last stage breast cancer, last stage kidney failure disease in Laos and I also made their family happy too.

GW: Before I gave this natural medicine to my patients, I used it with myself first for 2 years. I use to take painkiller every month for my period and Melatonin for sleep every night. Since I use CBD, I never used western medicine pills anymore because I know it has negative side effects on my kidneys and liver. Also, I did a lot of research in the US and shared case studies with other doctors who are my friends. There were good results after CBD use, some cases we can see the results right away after CBD drops in 10 seconds with Seizuring and Epileptic patients. Also I have a lot of last stage Cancer patients that see a shrink with the tumor in 3 weeks. Which can be proven by blood test and tumors marker.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7

US

For more information please contact us

Thailand Phone number

(+66)94 615 7555 (+66)94 617 2999 (+66)94 609 8999

USA & Canada : 13035 Tom White Way # Ste K&L Norwalk CA 90650

888.988.8933 /

888.634.5666 / 888.706.3999

Facebook: Morgamhom Nalanchang

Cannabis witch academy provides education , Training and conference in Thai-

land. Offers certificate for medical marijuana industry professionals,including medical cannabis budtenders and caregivers. We’re working with many university in Thailand and also with many cannabis professor around the world. After completing the program , attendants will received Cannabis Specialist Certificate . Marijuana is the native natural plant in Thailand for 2,000 years .

Cordyceps is a fungus that lives on certain caterpillars in the high mountain regions of China and the high-grade cordyceps can be found in Tibet, and that’s where we got our Cordyceps from. Natural cordyceps is hard to get and expensive.

10 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

In traditional Chinese Medicine, Mycelium Cordyceps is used to promote cardiovascular health & strength, to slow down the aging process, aid the immune system and sexual potency. Over millions worldwide use Cordyceps mushrooms to help boost energy and improve the overall health.

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HW: Collective: Best Best Dispensary Dispensary inin Los Los Angeles?

Angeles? What What inin your your opinion opinion establishes establishes aa top top tier tierdispensary dispensarylike likeThe TheHigher HigherPath PathCollective Collectiveasasthe the HW: The The Higher Higher Path Path Collective: premier dispensary inin Los Los Angeles, Angeles, and and how how do do you you differ differ from from the the many many other other cannabis cannabisshops shopsininL.A.?

L.A.? premier Cannabis Cannabis dispensary Staying on top in this industry requires strict adherence adherence to to regulations regulations and and aa determination determinationto toalways alwaysput putthe thecustomers’ customers’needs needsfifirst. rst.

As members of the UCBA and a long-standing legal legal business, business, we we take take pride pride inin providing providing safe, safe,tested testedproducts productstotoour ourfull fullspectrum spectrum of customers.

Is it challenging to keep up with all of the rules and regulations inin the the California California cannabis cannabis industry? industry?

Challenging? Yes. Impossible? No. We work diligently diligently to to check check every every box, box, and and our our team teamof oflawyers lawyersmakes makessure surewe’re we’realways alwaysone onestep step ahead of the next regulation. Not only do we stay fully fully compliant, compliant, we we offer offer our our customers customersinformation informationon ontaxes taxesand andlegal legalnecessities, necessities, and through the UCBA we offer those resources to to all all dispensaries dispensaries and and vendors vendors under underthat thatumbrella. umbrella.

What is the UCBA? The United Cannabis Business Association. From their their website, website, “We “We fifight ghton onour ourcollective collectivebehalf behalftotocreate createaarobust robustand andsustaining sustainingregregulated California cannabis industry. From introducing introducing ballot ballot measures measures locally locally and and legislation legislationatatthe thestate, state,tototaxation taxationissues, issues,licensing, licensing, and social equity programs, the UCBA is the leading leading voice voice for for legal legal cannabis cannabis inin California.”

California.”

The owner of our shop, Jerred Kiloh, is also the President President of of the the UCBA UCBA so so our our shop shop works works with with many many other othershops shopstotomaintain maintainthat that legality for California shoppers.

HW: As you know, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the the benefi benefitsts and and risks risks associated associatedwith withcannabis cannabisuse. use.According Accordingtotoyour yourwebsite, website,“since “sinceopening openinginin 2013, your focus has been on helping provide patients with the knowledge and medicine they need.”

There are a number of unlicensed cannabis shops the knowledge and medicine they need.” There are a number of unlicensed cannabis shopsininLos Los Angeles, why is it important for consumers to carefully select their medicine and other products from licensed cannabis shops like The Higher Path Collective? their medicine and other products from licensed cannabis shops like The Higher Path Collective?

Unfortunately, the Unfortunately, the unlicensed unlicensed market market is is still still alive alive and and well well in in California, California,and andthe thehemp hempmarket marketisisthriving thrivingwith withlittle littletotono noregulation. regulation.That That means customers are purchasing products contaminated with pesticides and possibly not the strains or potencies that are advertised means customers are purchasing products contaminated with pesticides and possibly not the strains or potencies that are advertised on their their packaging. packaging. Recent on Recent random random tests tests have have discovered discovered that that CBD CBD products products around around Los LosAngeles Angelesdon’t don’tactually actuallycontain containany anyCBD! CBD!We We fifind nd this this unacceptable. unacceptable. Just like the FDA has to put ingredients on their packaging, the regulated industry does as well to provide full Just like the FDA has to put ingredients on their packaging, the regulated industry does as well to provide full transparency as as to transparency to what’s what’s going going inside inside someone’s someone’s body. body. At At The The Higher Higher Path, Path, every every product product isis tested testedand andregulated regulatedfrom fromseed seedtotosale, sale, with complete clarity regarding its contents and potency. with complete clarity regarding its contents and potency.

HW: InIn our our Western Western society, HW: society, alternative alternative health health approaches approaches which which can can supplement supplement traditional traditionalmedicine medicineare areininaastate stateofofconfl conflict. ict.For Forexample, example,ififsomeone someonegoes goes into a hospital and is diagnosed with high blood pressure, medical doctors will generally recommend a lifestyle change and give prescription drugs which into a hospital and is diagnosed with high blood pressure, medical doctors will generally recommend a lifestyle change and give prescription drugs which often have have serious serious side often side effects. effects. IfIf you you ask ask your your medical medical doctor doctor for for aa natural natural alternative, alternative,they they will will typically typically avoid avoiddiscussions discussionsofofcannabis cannabisasasaasafe safeoption. option.

So let’s set the record straight, please discuss several prevalent diseases that pharmaceutical companies are claiming their drugs can treat and alternative So let’s set the record straight, please discuss several prevalent diseases that pharmaceutical companies are claiming their drugs can treat and alternative products available available at products at The The Higher Higher Path Path Collective.

Collective.

Well, the the spectrum spectrum of Well, of diseases diseases and and ailments ailments alleviated alleviated with with cannabis cannabis use use isis broad, broad,and andever-growing. ever-growing.While Whilewe wenever neverpromise promisetotofully fully cure any any disease, disease, our cure our consultation consultation team team listens listens carefully carefully and and advises adviseswith withspecifi specificcproducts productstotocoincide coincidewith withaalifestyle lifestylechange changethat thathave have proven effective effective for proven for many many people. people. Research Research is is continually continually conducted conducted on on everything everythingfrom fromcancer, cancer,auto autoimmune immunediseases, diseases,anxiety, anxiety,mental mental health disorders, and physical pain and we will continue to see the positive effects cannabis provides as relief for these. health disorders, and physical pain and we will continue to see the positive effects cannabis provides as relief for these.

HW: I understand that you are also involved in Vaping products, edibles and other cannabis related items. What can you share with our readers who maybe looking HW: I understand that you are also involved in Vaping products, edibles and other cannabis related items. What can you share with our readers who maybe looking for reputable products as part of their lifestyle? Are there resources that you can mention of other highly recommended vendors involved in the cannabis industry? for reputable products as part of their lifestyle? Are there resources that you can mention of other highly recommended vendors involved in the cannabis industry?

Vaping is the fastest way to consume cannabis, and one of the most discreet and easy. Edibles are the longest lasting, and provide the Vaping is the fastest way to consume cannabis, and one of the most discreet and easy. Edibles are the longest lasting, and provide the most pain relief and help with insomnia. Dosing can be tricky, and is never easy to determine. We always advise customers call and most pain relief and help with insomnia. Dosing can be tricky, and is never easy to determine. We always advise customers call and schedule a consultation so we can walk them through the process. schedule a consultation so we can walk them through the process.

HW: In closing, I greatly appreciate your time. Is there anything that you wish to mentioned or further elaborate on that we did not discuss?

HW: In closing, I greatly appreciate your time. Is there anything that you wish to mentioned or further elaborate on that we did not discuss?

We are a shop that focuses on eco friendly brands, practices, and standards, and we work with many charities to keep the benefits We areour a shop that focuses eco members friendly brands, practices,Oaks and standards, we workand with manytocharities keep the within community.

We’reon proud of the Sherman Chamber ofand Commerce happy become to involved withbenefi morets within ourincommunity.

We’re of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce happy to become involved with more charities the future. We areproud proud members of our commitment to a brighter, cleaner, more inclusiveand future. charities in the future. We are proud of our commitment to a brighter, cleaner, more inclusive future.

HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY WEEKLY •• 13 13 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13

Tatiana DeMaria The singer-songwriter on music, fans, and performing solo

By Alex A. Kecskes After fronting her celebrated punk-pop band TAT and touring with legendary artists and bands like Joan Jett, NOFX, and The Offspring, Tatiana DeMaria is breaking out in a new direction as a dynamic solo artist. With a passionately devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic, the Vans-Warped-Tour fan-favorite channels contemporary R&B in her latest indie singles, which include "Make Me Feel," "London Don't Lie," and "What It Is About You." Thanks for taking the time for this interview. How did music affect your life when you first started writing and performing?

Tatiana DeMaria: When I was fourteen, I struggled with anxiety. But I had a passion for music and started playing guitar. Music was the only thing that relieved the pressure. It allowed me to breathe and reduce my anxiety. I felt I’d found the cure. And I wanted to share that with as many people as possible. I also started writing music. Everything I wrote had to feel the way music made me feel when I was listening to it and it gave me relief.

In terms of bands or artists, who were some of your earliest influences?

DeMaria: Michael Jackson, The Clash, NOFX, Green Day, Stiff Little Fingers, Tupac, Snoop Dog—I kind of went across the spectrum. For me, there are two kinds of music: good music and shit music. It depends on the person and how they feel. It’s a subjective thing. I love that today’s music is so accessible. When I was growing up, people would pick the music they liked and it would define them.

Today, everyone listens to every kind of music. It’s rare to find people now who say I only listen to hip-hop or rock. And that’s the beauty of it—it’s just expressions across these mediums and we all feel the same thing.

14 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Something every artist dreams about—that first big break. How and when did it occur for you?

DeMaria: I found a lot of joy in playing at protests. I played my twelfth show to 18,000 people in a French arena where I’d grown up. It was with the Offspring.

And it was a mind-blowing experience to be playing to such a big crowd early on in my career. We were supported by radio, but mainly, it was seeing and greeting fans and how the music had helped them. It was poignant to realize that my music was touching people in a way that music had touched me. I realized I’d reached a milestone, that my music was giving back in a way I’d hoped it would.

I’ve seen artists seek out validation for their work.

But I’ve also seen artists who seek out a connection with a similar experience with their fans. And I think I’ve fallen into that latter category, where I’ve felt something and gone through some pain. When you get through it, you want other people to get through it as well. Seeing people coming out the other side and relating to that experience is so touching.

Singers-songwriters often change their style. How has your music changed in the last few years?

DeMaria: From a public perspective, it’s changing a fair bit, but behind the scenes, I’ve always written in a variety of styles. It’s one reason why I put my new material under my name as opposed to my band’s name. I’d been making music in my band, TAT, but as a solo artist, I still write and produce the music.

Going solo allowed me to go public with my various styles without tarnishing the band’s identity and the sounds that fans have grown to love. It’s an expression of who I am as a person. I can move between different styles more freely because it’s more of an artist as a whole than the sounds of a band representing one thing.

It’s left me more space, challenging me to bring more honesty and an edge to the music without having to rely on heavy guitars or masking. And everything is a bit more naked for lack of a better word. I still work with TAT. It’s just separating things: this batch of songs will be in the TAT album and that batch will be solo.

What do you love about the Vans-Warped-Tour?

DeMaria: The camaraderie. It’s such a fun tour. There are so many bands and friends who’ve played it. You’re on tour for two months together. And we look out for each other. It’s like a training camp where we push each other to get out there in the 110-degree heat and go to work. We also do a lot of press and signings.

And while we all have our own tour buses, we get together for barbeques every night. It’s a great environment where we connect, respect each other, and have a wicked time. You make lifelong friends. When you leave your family to tour, you need that stability, those grounding points. So when you’re on the road, you look for that connection.

You spend most of your life with these people, so it’s important to love them and want to hang out with them. It helps to prepare you for that hour and a half when you’re on stage. Every night, you’re tested on what you’ve prepared your whole life for. So it’s important to have a good headspace and be well surrounded or you feel like a performing monkey.

What have you learned – good and bad – about the music business?

DeMaria: It’s more of a platform to learn about yourself than it is about the business. It’s template-created and can get tricky because you’re marrying art and commerce. Those two things can clash. So can personalities. It’s the age-old argument: are you doing it for the money or the passion?

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 15

16 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

What I’ve learned over the years is how to juggle certain emotions, finding my center, my peace wherever I am and whomever I’m around. Essentially, it’s a training ground for your ego, your self-confidence, and your drive. You have to let a lot of things go and not get attached to them. You need to be in control of your emotions and deliver on stage no matter what’s going on in your life. It’s also learning to manage different elements of success—the ups, downs, and disappointments. It can be quite challenging on the human soul to go through so many different experiences in such a short time and interact with so many different energies. We’re often surprised by the self-discovery that occurs when you start to express and expose yourself. Once you put yourself out there, you’re bound to get things that reflect back to you.

So it’s about accepting yourself.

DeMaria: That’s something I’m passionate about for all people. I love seeing women today not having to fit ‘the mold.’ I think self-acceptance is huge for everyone. It’s at the root of self-esteem and I think it holds a lot of people back.

In some respect, I think we all care about what other people think. So I would encourage people to express their vulnerabilities. And that’s a challenge for me as well—pushing myself to be more honest in my work. It’s important to be open and sharing no matter what level in life you’re at. And that’s what I hope to impart: to be open and experience the freedom people can have with themselves.

Acoustic or plugged, what’s your favorite and why?

DeMaria: I love playing unplugged with just a couple of people in the room.

Stepping off stage, unplugged—I love that. But when the room gets a bit big, you don’t sink into your voice as much. You want everyone in the room to hear it. But when you’re on stage with a plugged acoustic guitar, you get to sink into the sound because you hear it back. You’re less in your head about the size of the room and the people there.

The elusive creative process. Do you start with a melody or lyrics?

DeMaria: It depends. You can be in the shower singing, find a melody, then struggle for weeks to put lyrics to it. Or both could happen at the same time.

Then again, you could just sit down with lyrics and put a melody to it. I find it easier to put a melody to lyrics than lyrics to a melody I’ve already written.

On that vein, how did your song “What It Is About You” take shape?

DeMaria: I was going through something at the time and that song was an honest reflection of that. I’d returned from a tour and was in my home studio making beats. One thing led to another and that song ended up coming out of it. It was different, more influenced by Timberland than any kind of rock song or feeling.

Any advice to young aspiring artists?

DeMaria: Be honest and give it all you’ve got. If you’re a songwriter, focus on writing songs. You don’t need to do it all. You don’t need to go across the board.

Choose the one thing that’s most important to you and go hard at it.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 17

t h g i l t Spo st the late h t i w ne dates Stay tu e r e i m e Fall Pr favorite of your ws T.V. Sho

GREY’S ANATOMY Thursday Sep 26th, 8:00pm (ABC)

BATWOMAN

Grey’s Anatomy will have to answer what happened to Jackson (Jesse Williams) in the fog when it returns for Season 16

Sunday Oct 6th, 8:00pm (The CW) Batwoman is a fictional super-heroine appearing in American comic books published

by DC Comics. Katherine “Kate” Kane is a wealthy heiress who becomes inspired by the superhero Batman and chooses, like him, to put her wealth and resources towards a campaign to fight crime as a masked vigilante in her home of Gotham City.

THE RESIDENT

NEW AMSTERDAM

Tuesday Sep 24th, 8:00pm (Fox)

Tuesday Sep 24th, 10:00pm (NBC)

Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in America, this new drama follows the institution’s newest medical director (The Blacklist’s Ryan Eggold) as he sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care. Brilliant and charming, Eggold’s rogue medical director disrupts the status quo and proves he will stop at nothing to breathe new life into an understaffed, underfunded and under-appreciated hospital.

But what happens when he’s also dying?

Guess we’ll find out.

18 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

A Million Little Things Thursday Sep 26th, 9:00pm (ABC)

An unexpected death has reverberations for a group of friends in Boston, all of whom feel stuck in their lives.

When the series returns for Season 2, we’ll get to dig deeper into Conrad’s (Matt Czuchry) rift with his father and whether these two can work in the same hospital without burning the place down. Jenna Dewan also joins the cast, and we already know she’s shooting some serious flirty eyes at Devon (Manish Dayal) – could that lead to more? The thing we need most, though, is for Conrad and Nic (Emily Van Camp) to stop flirting and making out in private rooms and just make a firm decision about whether or not they are back together.

SUPERNATURAL

CHICAGO MED

Tuesday Sep 24th, 8:00pm (NBC) Will’s (Nick Gehlfuss) proposal to Nat (Torrey DeVitto) left a lot to be desired, given it happened in the middle of a fight, so it’s not guaranteed that she’ll say yes (not that we’d reveal her answer to you here!). Bob’s heart attack will also put a strain on Dr. Charles’ relationship with his protégé Sarah, who blames him for what happened to her father. Plus, Chicago Med will see some fresh blood with two new medical students being added to the team, including Younger’s Molly Bernard as arrogant know it all Elsa Curry and One Tree Hill’s Colby Lewis as Terry McNeal, a former footballer who gave up an NFL contract for med school.

Thursday Oct 10th, 8:00pm (The CW)

Things are not going well for Team Free Will when Supernatural returns for Season 14.

Sam (Jared Padalecki) finds himself in a rough place emotionally, what with mourning the loss of his older brother (Jensen Ackles) while also taking on the task of leading the Apocalypse World hunters. He will naturally deal with this the way anyone would: by growing a beard. Elsewhere, Jack (Alexander Calvert) will lean on Cas (Misha Collins) as he learns how to cope with no longer being one of the most powerful creatures in the universe, and the always awesome Wayward Sisters will be reincorporated into the series now that the spin-off isn’t happening.

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT Thursday Sep 26th, 10:00pm (NBC) When we last saw the long-running NBC series, ADA Peter Stone (Philip Winchester) was left wondering why he ever left Chicago after his sister was killed during a case that got way too personal. When SVU returns, he will continue to be tested by deeply emotional cases, but he’ll find support in Benson (Mariska Hargitay). But brace yourselves, Benson will again be put through the ringer next season.

SUNNYSIDE Thursday Sep 26th, 9:30pm (NBC) Sunnyside - Trailer A diverse group of hopefuls hires an out-of-work politician to help them become American citizens. Unemployed Garrett Modi was the youngest New York City Councilman ever and the pride of Queens until he lost it all. But when a group of idealists who dream of becoming citizens believes Garrett can help them, Garrett gains a new sense of purpose and a chance for redemption - as long as he can remember where he came from.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 19

t h g i l Spot st the late h t i w ne tes Stay tu iere da m e r P l l Fa favorite of your ws T.V. Sho

NBC’S 2019-2020 FALL PREMIERE DATES

MONDAY, SEPT. 23 8 pm – The Neighborhood 8:30 pm – Bob ♥ Abishola series debut 9 pm – All Rise series debut 10 pm – Bull TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 8 pm – NCIS 9 pm – FBI 10 pm – NCIS: New Orleans WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25 8 pm – Survivor 9:30 pm – Big Brother THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 8 pm – Young Sheldon 8:30 pm – The Unicorn series debut 9 pm – MOM 9:30 pm – Carol’s Second Act series debut 10 pm – Evil series debut FRIDAY, SEPT. 27 8 pm – Hawaii Five-0 9 pm – Magnum P.I. 20 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

ABC start dates not announced yet

MONDAY, SEPT. 23 8 pm – The Voice 10 pm – Bluff City Law

series debut

MONDAY 8 pm – Dancing with the Stars 10 pm –The Good Doctor

TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 8 pm – The vvvVoice 9 pm – This Is Us 10 pm – New Amsterdam

TUESDAY 8 pm –The Conners 8:30 pm – Bless This Mess 9 pm – Mixed-ish series debut 9:30 pm – black-ish 10 pm – Emergence series debut

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25 8pm – Chicago Med 9pm – Chicago Fire 10pm – Chicago P.D.

CBS’S 2019-2020 FALL PREMIERE DATES

ABC’S 2019-2020 FALL PREMIERE DATES

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 8 pm – Superstore 8:30 pm – Perfect Harmony series debut 9 pm – The Good Place 9:30 pm – Sunnyside series debut 10 pm – Law & Order: SVU FRIDAY, SEPT. 27 8 pm – Bluff City Law repeat -one week only 9 pm – Dateline NBC FRIDAY, OCT. 4 8 pm – The Blacklist

WEDNESDAY 8 pm – The Goldbergs 8:30 pm – Schooled 9 pm – Modern Family 9:30 pm – Single Parents 10 pm –Stumptown series debut THURSDAY 8 pm – Grey’s Anatomy 9 pm – A Million Little Things 10 pm – How to Get Away with Murder FRIDAY 8 pm –American Housewife 8:30 pm – Fresh Off the Boat 9 pm – 20/20 2 hours

GAME SHOWS! Match wits with the contestants on Jeopardy! Take a spin of the wheel with on Wheel of Fortune. Bring out your pom-poms and pork pie hats for Let’s Make a Deal.

These game shows and other classics are mainstays in Los Angeles. Want to be a contestant? For some shows, that just means reserving a free ticket online and getting a callback to attend (then syncing up vacation plans), then crossing fingers that you’ll get picked from the audience.

STUDIO CONTESTANTS AND AUDIENCE FOR

LET’S MAKE A DEAL!

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Want cash? A vacation? A brand new car? Then head on over to Let’s Make a Deal with Wayne Brady to scratch Game Show Contestant off your bucket list! Come join us in the studio audience for the chance to play this zany and fun game show! Over $7,000,000 in cash and prizes were given away this past season! That’s an average of about $80,000 in cash and prizes per day. This season could be your chance to win, so get your tickets now! Let’s Make a Deal tapes THREE shows a day and it has the best odds in town to win! DON’T MISS OUT. Make a deal with Wayne Brady in Los Angeles!

EVENT WEBSITE: http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/lets_make_a_deal LIVE TAPING OF

FAMILY FEUD

NBC UNIVERSAL - UNIVERSAL CITY, CA

Name one thing missing from Family Feud. Survey says, You! Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the live studio audience for one of America’s longest-running and most beloved game shows. Hosted by Steve Harvey, the show features two families as they compete to name the most popular responses to a series of survey questions. At the end, only one family will walk away with a winning title and a big cash prize. Be there for every hilarious Freudian slip and see Harvey’s priceless reactions in real-time during this live taping of Family Feud at NBC Universal.

EVENT WEBSITE: http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/family_feud HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 21

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Sal Velez Jr.

By Alex A. Kecskes

On Netflix’s new apocalyptic series “Black Summer”

A second-generation Puerto Rican, Chicago born Salvador Velez Jr. auditioned for the infamous Chicago’s “Second City” where he won a three-year scholarship. He studied improv, sketch writing, and musical theater and later joined their Second City Tour Company. His love for performing found him at The Goodman Theater doing everything from Nuyorican Poet Miguel Pinero plays to the Life of Cesar Chavez musicals. Sal is best known for his current portrayal of Big Benny on FX’s series the “Mayans M.C.” He is also known for his role as Leonardo on ABC’s newest drama “10 Days in the Valley” and as Adrian Carrera in “Chicago Justice.” In Netflix’s new zombie apocalypse series, “Black Summer,” Sal is William Velez, one of a handful of survivors in the dark, early days of the apocalypse.

Thanks for taking the time for this interview. What attracted you to this apocalyptic series and the role of William? velez:

William is kind of like us, a normal guy. He’s not a hero or person who’s trying to do anything malicious. He’s just a regular guy with a family. When I read the script, I thought, this guy is really normal and I love that. It’s the kind of character that would be willing to die for anybody he fell in love with.

Did you audition for the role? If so, what was that like? velez:

Yeah. I was at my son’s house in San Diego when I got the call and they said, we want you for the role of William. When I first read the script, I noticed that the William role was written for an African American. But when I came to casting, the director said we really loved the way you played William. The scenes were intense, super long, and the process was pretty extreme. The show’s creators John Hyams and Karl Schaefer told everyone they had cast that they would have to go up to Canada for shooting.

24 24• •HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOODMONTHLY WEEKLY

.

The scenes in the diner called for William to make some difficult life-and-death decisions. What did you draw from to make William’s internal conflict so convincing? velez:

I believe that in normalcy and just being in the moment of life, we go through some of that already. We may not have to make life or death decisions but they are conflicting situations. You make a choice that will either leave you at the bottom or end up hurting someone. One of the things with William is that he was really hurting because he couldn’t get back to his family. He was also hurting before the apocalypse started since he was a father separated from his family. Seeing Sun—a small, beautiful Korean girl who can’t speak English—made William decide that at some point, he would adopt her into his family. He wanted to make sure that even if he didn’t make it, she would. So that was the vibe. When I was with her, I drew a lot from the love I had for my own daughters. To see someone who was exploited, picked on and bullied, I thought, who steps up to defend that person? William was willing to put it all on the line no matter what, just to make sure that Sun got to the end of her journey.

“Black Summer” is both physically demanding and emotionally draining. What challenged you the most about being in this series? velez:

We were up in Alberta for three months. It was in the middle of the summer so it was hot. We were shooting Monday through Friday, 12 to 14 hours a day. So I thought, okay, this is what I do.

I’ve been doing this for a long time. I ate square meals and tried to rest as much as possible. I also let my body heal after all the stunts, throwing people left and right, shooting and car accidents. After a while, your body feels like it’s been hit by a truck. With all that going on, the people in those Canadian provinces treated us so well.

They’re so professional.

There are many zombie films and series out there. What do you see as the core message in “Black Summer”? velez:

Humanity. We live in a society that is almost apocalyptic. The wealthy live across the street from poverty. We see that daily. We have third world countries where banks monopolize the lives of the poor. So while it’s not zombies on the streets or missiles flying overhead, it is a society that can only be saved by humanity—our own, inner self that we all should have. Is greed or money really the answer? Or is it really love? “Black Summer” shows us that love is still one of the strongest forces in the universe.

How are you like William and how are you different?

HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY WEEKLY • 39 • 25

velez:

It’s hard to say that William is not me and I’m not him. I ama father and I would literally die for my children. That’s never been a question.

William has a lot of anxiety and built-up tension toward this new society and younger generation, a generation that doesn’t truly understand the history of what we went through to be here today. Things are completely different from when we grew up. You ask yourself, how much easier are things today and what do young people do with that? Is today’s younger generation still respectful, humble and thoughtful? Are they still going to want all the things we had and should have? I believe there’s still a human side in connecting with people—even if it’s just a smile. We live in this social media world, which as an actor and human being took a long time for me to accept. My agents, managers, and publishers were all saying, you need to accept and embrace that, which I finally did. But I did find that while social media is a beautiful thing, some of the people in social media are the most unsocial people I’ve met in my whole life (laughs).

Why do you think the basic need to survive sometimes brings out the worst in humanity? velez:

Fear. Fear causes everyone to make mistakes, to misjudge the situation, to be impatient. It’s a human emotion that we underestimate. But fear can also cause you to be heroic at times when being heroic may seem irrational in your mind.

What’s next for you? velez:

It’s funny. I woke up this morning and l saw a tweet from Stephen King saying how much he liked “Back Summer.” I can’t say for certain, but it could be that William may come back as Jon Snow did in “Game of Thrones.”

I’m shooting a film with Warner Brothers and Ben Affleck called “Torrance.” Our characters have sons who have cancer. We share this bonding relationship that revolves around who loses and who keeps their son. It’s a heart-wrenching tearjerker.

26 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

HUSTLING BEYOND LIVING

Graphic Stories Based on the Incredible Life of Compton’s Virgil Grant

by Anthony Ewart

Producer's first look

1

FADE IN:

TITLE CARD:

COMPTON, EARLY 90’S

INT. COACH GRANT’S LIQUOR STORE – COMPTON – DAY

Behind the cash register is VIRGIL GRANT. Head full of dreadlocks and no nonsense in his eyes. Early 20’s. Physically fit. He’ll leap over the counter he’s behind in a single bound at the first sign of trouble. You know this.

Behind Virgil is the décor of a proud black man. Colored maps of Africa. African sculptures and paintings. Posters of Bob Marley, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou. A huge sign reads: “What You Call Black History Are The Missing Pages Of World History!”

Hidden speakers throughout the liquor store blast Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey,” from Burning Spear’s album of the same name.

Video games line a wall in front of the register. A 10-­‐year old boy plays one of them.

Smacking and banging the video game to make it go his way. This is D.J. RABBIT. VIRGIL Hey! It ain’t the game’s fault you suck.

D.J. snaps his head around. Facing Virgil.

D.J. You know who I am?! I’m D.J. Rabbit.

VIRGIL That’s good. It means you can hop your a** out of here. Don’t hit my games.

D.J. Everybody in Compton knows who I am.

VIRGIL Don’t nobody know you. And I do know everybody in Compton.

D.J. Bet you two blow pops someone knows me.

An OLDER WOMAN approaches the cash register.

28 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

2

VIRGIL

(to D.J.) That’s a bet. (to the Older Woman) Is that all today, Mrs. Hansberry?

MRS. HANSBERRY Yes, thank you, Virgil.

Virgil finishes her transaction. Bags her items. As Mrs. Hansberry turns to leave -­‐-­‐ VIRGIL Mrs. Hansberry, do you know this boy?

OLDER WOMAN I don’t think so. He looks like a nice young man.

She walks away. Smiling.

VIRGIL Yeah, she definitely don’t know you.

An African-­‐American teenager with emphasized swag strolls in the store. This is TREMAINE. He walks up to Virgil.

TREMAINE Yo’ what’s up, my Nnnnnnn…… (off Virgil’s menacing reaction) I mean, my Brother. (he looks down at D.J.) What’s up, D.J. Rabbit?

Virgil glances down at D.J. Incredulously. Tremaine disappears into an aisle. Virgil slams two blow pops on the counter.

VIRGIL Don’t bang my games no more.

D.J. grabs the blow pops. Tremaine appears and walks past D.J. on his way out the store – D.J. discreetly hands off one blow pop to Tremaine as he exits. Virgil notices the con they played on him. He grabs a blow pop and throws it at Tremaine’s head.

D.J. laughs and Virgil snatches the blow pop out of his hand.

VIRGIL (CONT’D) That’s yours on the street, playa’.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 29

3

Tremaine picks up the blow pop Virgil threw at him. Pointing at D.J. and laughing.

D.J. gives chase. COACH GRANT walks behind Virgil. He is a large, imposing man with an older athlete’s physique. Meaning don’t judge his physical capabilities by his age.

He is Virgil’s father.

COACH GRANT

That’s one way to get repeat customers.

VIRGIL

They ain’t customers… Dad, are you going

to be alright while I’m gone?

COACH GRANT

Are you still leaving?

VIRGIL

Yes…you know I am, Dad.

COACH GRANT

Then don’t ask how I’m going to be.

VIRGIL

Dad, come on. No joking. I gotta’ go. Are you

going to be okay?

COACH GRANT

(to the melody of “Midnight Train To Georgia”)

Are you leaving? On that Midnight Train to

wherever-­‐the-­‐hell-­‐it-­‐is-­‐you-­‐need-­‐to-­‐go-­‐in-­‐the-­‐middle-­‐

of-­‐the-­‐damn-­‐afternoon!

VIRGIL

Dad…

COACH GRANT

That’s on one of them bonus discs for Gladys Knight.

VIRGIL

Fine. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Virgil’s Dad grabs his arm as he passes him. Stopping Virgil. Looking in his eyes.

COACH GRANT

Go where you want, son. You’re in college so I can’t

be too hard on you. Just make sure whatever you do

you come back to me. Always come back to me, son.

30 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

4

Virgil hugs his father.

VIRGIL

You’re getting too sentimental, Dad. I’m

getting you flowers on Father’s Day.

COACH GRANT

Buy them here! Keep that money in the

family, boy!

They both laugh. Coach Grant watches his son walk out the door. His smile fades...

EXT. COACH GRANT’S LIQUOR STORE – CONTINUOUS

Virgil exits the store. His expression as grim and grave as his fathers. He gets in a black Mercedes parked in front of the store.

INT. VIRGIL’S MERCEDES – CONTINUOUS

Virgil starts the engine. Music floods the car. Burning Spear’s “Slavery Days.”

VIRGIL

(in response to the song)

Hell yeah I remember the days of slavery!

A slender, beautiful African-­‐American woman stands in front of Virgil’s car. This is EQUATOR “Quator” HURSTON. She slams her hands on the hood of Virgil’s car. Virgil rolls down his driver’s side window.

VIRGIL (CONT’D)

Quator! I swear I don’t have time for this!

Equator removes her hands. She spins and hops onto Virgil’s car hood. Sitting with her legs crossed and her arms folded. Virgil gets out his car.

EXT. MERCEDES – CONTINUOUS

Virgil stands in front of Equator.

EQUATOR

You making a run for your daddy or is this

a weed run? Because you told me you were

tapering out of the weed business.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY •31

5

VIRGIL

I don’t use the word tapering. And I have

someplace I need to be right now, Quator

EQUATOR

Where? Our apartment? Is that why you

wanted me gone all afternoon? I can’t

believe you still dealing in our home?

VIRGIL

Can you lower your voice?

EQUATOR

Can you turn that damn music off?! I am

so sick of that freakin’ Marcus Garvey album!

Virgil glares at her. He reaches in his car. Turns off the engine.

VIRGIL

I didn’t get where I am being a dumba**.

That’s why I have rules. They keep me alive.

They keep my world’s separate.

Equator slides off the Mercedes hood. She stands in front of Virgil looking up at him.

The top of her head barely reaches his shoulders.

EQUATOR

But what about me, Virgil? Do you

understand I’m in this sh** with you? It

don’t matter that I’m not selling. I’m-­‐with-­‐

YOU! That’s guilt by association. When

they come for you they comin’ for me.

When you looking over your shoulder I’m

looking over my shoulder. When you check

the rearview mirror I check the rearview

mirror. If you’re ducking I’m ducking!

VIRGIL

…I’m gonna’ need one more example to drive

that point home.

Now Equator glares at Virgil.

EQUATOR

Okay, how about this? If they shootin’ at you

they shootin’ at me! Point driven home now?!

32 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

6

Before tears fall from Equator’s eyes Virgil wraps his arms around her. Equator resists but gives in to his embrace. Virgil whispers in her ear.

VIRGIL

No one’s going to shoot at you, Quator.

People love me. You know that.

EQUATOR

You’re a good man, Virgil. But even good

men have dumba** moments. And they

can get you killed. They can get us killed.

Virgil looks down into Equator’s eyes. He kisses her forehead.

VIRGIL

Meet me back here tonight and we’ll do

something fun. Okay?

Equator moves back from Virgil. She nods “okay,” then turns and walks away.

VIRGIL

I love you, Quator.

Equator says nothing. She walks to the parking lot next to the liquor store.

EXT. PARKING LOT – CONTINUOUS

Equator wipes away tears while talking to herself.

EQUATOR

‘So, this is love?’ You lied to me, Cinderella.

You should have given me the dirt on Prince

Charming. How you gonna’ lie to a fellow

Princess? Tell me the truth so I know what to

expect. Tell me about your Prince. Is he lazy?

Is he a momma’s boy. He make you order his

food at the Castle all the time. Keep it real!

Straight ahead of Equator is a 7-­‐foot tall African-­‐American man in his 60’s. He’s ripped with muscles and wearing torn overalls. This is BOB THE BUH-­‐BUH-­‐ BUILDER. He’s moving a pile of rocks from one side of the parking lot to the other.

EQUATOR (CONT’D)

OMG! Bob, what the hell are you doing? This

makes no damn sense!

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33

7

Bob drops what looks like a boulder from The Flintstones on the ground. It falls with a thud.

BOB

Hi Mademoiselle Equator. I’m just

straightening up. Making it nice out here.

EQUATOR

But, Bob, you’re not making any difference.

BOB

Sure I am, Mademoiselle Equator. I’m cleaning

up that whole side. People get tired of seeing

all them rocks on the left side. So, I’m moving

them over to the right side… I’m helping out

Coach Grant… Why you not smiling today,

Mademoiselle Equator?

EQUATOR

I’m… fine, Bob… I’ll see you later…. Carry on.

She takes a few steps then turns back to Bob.

EQUATOR (CONT’D)

Does this really make you happy, Bob?

BOB

Anything I do to make our community

better makes me happy, Mademoiselle

Equator. No matter how small.

Equator stares at Bob. He’s smiling innocently. She looks around. Checks her watch.

EQUATOR

You, uh… You think you might want some

help with this new project, Bob?

BOB

Oh sure, Mademoiselle Equator.

EQUATOR

Okay… I can’t believe I’m doing this, but,

alright… Now, Bob, just so you know, this

is a symbolic moment for me. I’m not

trying to pick up nothing heavy out here.

This is your damn project.

34 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

BOB And that’s just how it’s supposed to be, Mademoiselle Equator.

8

INT. VIRGIL’S MERCEDES – MOVING – DAY

Virgil is driving with his cell phone on his lap. A phone rings through his speakerphone. Burning Spear’s instrumental piece “The Ghost” plays softly.

INT. KEVIN’S BMW –DAY

KEVIN reclines in his driver’s seat wearing Gucci sunglasses. He’s a young, athletic ‘LeBron’ complete with goatee. He’s dressed in a Nike track suit. He answers his cell.

Equator found you.

KEVIN

INTERCUT BETWEEN KEVIN AND VIRGIL

VIRGIL Really? That’s your greeting? You gonna’ dig right in.? No buffer?

Kevin laughs. Something he does a lot with Virgil.

VIRGIL (CONT’D) Yeah, she found me. Like Stevie Wonder sang, “Same Old Story.” What you up to?

KEVIN Waiting to smoke these fools at the track.

Who?

VIRGIL

KEVIN Them twins we raced last month.

Oh, damn.

VIRGIL

KEVIN Yeah – damn. You supposed to be here, too.

You not showing up is kind of a thing now.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 35

9

VIRGIL

I got you on the next race. I’m headed home.

Louis and Chess are rolling through. I need

them getting their account current.

KEVIN

They’re coming over together?

VIRGIL

No choice. I gotta’ get back to the store.

I’m at my spot. Peace.

INT. VIRGIL’S APARTMENT – DAY

LOUIS and CHESTER “Chess” ROBIN sit on a couch facing Virgil, who’s sitting alone on a matching couch. Louis and Chess are both African-­‐American men in their mid-­‐ 20’s. A glass coffee table separates them from Virgil. Louis stuffs a brick of weed into a black satchel bag. Virgil eyes them curiously.

VIRGIL (CONT’D)

It’s like you guys are robbing Peter to

pay Paul.

LOUIS

What’s that?

VIRGIL

You came and paid for the last front, now

y’all leaving and I’m fronting you again.

CHESS

We’re good for it, Virgil. You know us.

VIRGIL

That’s the only reason this is going down.

Virgil stands to leave. Louis stands with him. Louis has pulled a Glock out of his satchel bag. Pointing it at Virgil’s stomach. Chess remains seated. Enjoying the show.

LOUIS

Don’t say nothing.

VIRGIL

What you doing, Louis? You guys robbing

me? Ain’t this some sh**!

36 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

10

Virgil glances at Chess. He’s not moving, unless you count his creepy smile. Virgil locks eyes with Louis. Hypnotic intensity. In that nanosecond of distraction Virgil lunges forward and clasps both hands over the gun. Louis struggles to keep control of the Glock. A SHOT FIRES into the glass coffee table. It EXPLODES. Chess laughs.

All three men are cut with shards of glass. Virgil and Louis continue their fight for the Glock. Chess keeps laughing. His teeth smeared with blood from his cut face.

Reaching in Louis’ satchel he pulls out rope. The metaphorical “Noose” Virgil has felt closing in on his life has manifested in the hands of a killer. Chess moves behind Virgil. He kicks the back of Virgil’s legs, trying to buckle his knees. It doesn’t work.

Virgil frees a hand and punches Louis’ face with lightning speed. Then grips the gun again. He repeats the move as Chess kicks the back of his legs harder. Virgil’s next punch to Louis causes him to reposition his grip on the Glock. The CLIP FALLS OUT. Chess loses his smile. He slings his noose around Virgil’s neck and snaps it viciously.

It’s a disgusting scene. Like watching two hyenas on the back of a wounded Lion who refuses to go down, despite the pain being inflicted upon it. Virgil’s face is almost beet red. Chess adds to the color by punching the side of Virgil’s face with his free hand. Finally, Virgil drops to “One” knee. If just to catch the breath being stolen from him. Sunlight from the large living room window falls on his face. He turns to it.

VIRGIL

(almost a gargle)

Alright… Alright.

Virgil lets go of the Glock. Louis stumbles back from the release of pressure. Panting.

Chess tosses the rope down. He’s exhausted, too.

CHESS

This ain’t personal, Virgil, you know it’s

business. That don’t mean it can’t be fun.

Louis looks at Chess. He didn’t get the memo about torture. Virgil seizes another moment of distraction. He jumps to his feet and takes ONE, TWO, THREE GIANT STEPS toward the large living room window. Chess reaches down to grab the end of the rope but Virgil’s body has made contact with the glass and he’s CRASHING THROUGH IT. The rope burns Chess’ hand as it slides away and out the window.

It’s a first floor drop but it’s still a drop. Virgil writhes in pain. He gets on his feet.

Chess and Louis look down at Virgil from the broken window. Stunned at his escape.

VIRGIL

I hate to leave so abruptly, but I gotta’ get

back to my Dad. Peace out, Bit**es!

(he spits a mouthful of blood at them)

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 37

by Rebecca Miller

Actress. Singer. Dancer. Choreographer. Liza Minnelli did it all. Her mother may have played the iconic role of “Dorothy” in the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, but Liza Minnelli never relied on Judy Garland’s notoriety to make her mark in Hollywood or the New York stage.

At just 16 years of age, Minnelli set-off on her own, moving to New York City and successfully landing off-Broadway and Broadway roles. Her signature song, New York, New York, originated from the Broadway musical by the same name. Minnelli rose to the top of every artform she tackled, dancing alongside Gene Kelly and singing with Frank Sinatra. After garnering her first Tony award and dazzling audiences with her nightclub melodies, all before turning 20, Minnelli turned her attention to the silver screen.

Liza Minnelli’s track record of success continued into her television and film career. She won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the musical, Cabaret, beginning her partnership with musical theater choreographer and director Bob Fosse. The two collaborated on a television special, Liza with a ‘Z’: A Concert for Television. Minnelli then played Dudley Moore’s love interest in Arthur, but she never relinquished her love for live performance on the stage. Many of her theatrical stage performances were televised, including Liza Minnelli Live from Radio City Music Hall.

In the end, Lisa Minnelli starred in more than 45 films and television shows, headlined over 20 stage shows, and released 11 studio albums, ten of which were recorded live. She has won Oscar, Tony, and Emmy awards as well as being nominated for two Grammys.

Yet, Minnelli refused to be defined by any genre or artform. She has mesmerized countless audiences, championed gay rights, and conquered addictions. She once said, “I’m always looking at the next thing. I’m too curious to look back… It’s very hard to be unhappy when you’re curious and grateful.” Yes, Liza Minnelli is thankful, and the world is equally indebted to her for sharing her talent.

Liza Minnelli at the 45th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 26, 1973 38 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

mclean, g. (2006, oct. 5). super trouper. the guardian.

LIZA MINNELLI

Minnelli in 1973 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 39

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