Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Ready for her Closeup

When you live in the greater Los Angeles area, you get used to coexisting with Hollywood's dream factory. Yet another film crew set up along El Centro the other day. Despite an impressively lavish production set up across the street in the library lawn and down the block at the brick lofts, it was business as usual at Kaldi. (Regular patrons were decidedly unimpressed.)

12 comments:

Judy Williams said...

Isn't it funny how the locals are totally blase when it comes to film crews. In other parts of the country it's the big deal of the day if one sets up in their neighborhood.

I immediately loved this black and white. It's quite busy, but in monotone, the color variations are subdued, so that we can concentrate on the shapes and tonal ranges from white to black. I'm particularly fond of the off centered vertical line created by the brick meeting the concrete facade, as well as the one way and the no left turn arrows pointing to each other. Nice one, L!!!

Mister Earl said...

As I alluded to the other day, a bridal shop opened in the new brick lofts building the other day, displaying several white wedding dresses. I said to Dinah, "That's interesting. Not sure South Pas can support a bridal shop." Of course, once the film crew left, the bridal shop left too.

I once took a black and white photo class in the old bank building pictured in today's photo. She taught us something called "film developing."

Anonymous said...

Love that old building. Your photo really captures the texture of the brick.

Jean Spitzer said...

Is Kaldi the shop with "coffee and procrastination served daily" sign? These folks look decidedly--perhaps unnaturally--indifferent.

Cafe Observer said...

Thanks 4 reminding me LA: a few summers back was Highland Cafe (now a Thai joint) on Colorado Bl in de Playhouse Dist.
A production crew had set shop right out the door of de Cafe. They took up most of that block. But it was still open for bizness. And literally I had to walk through the set to get in & out of that Cafe! You would look out the window & you'd see these hot blazing production lights staring back at you. I woodant be surprised if this dog 1 day turned up on some X or B-movie bcuz of that.

I hope Petrea wasn't a part of that particular filming!! Woodant surprise me if it were 1 of her ideas. The nerve of these celebrity/entertainment types.

PS: JS indifferent, or de newly unemployed.

Wayne said...

They're probably shooting scenes for a denture adhesive commercial.

Trish said...

I think Mr Earl and I have discussed our photography lessons in this building from Pamela in the comments for this post:
http://southpasadena.blogspot.com/2008/12/settings-part-5.html

It is just an amazing building. I can still think of myself in the darkroom, fumbling with the canisters trying to get them unloaded for processing.

I suspect, Laurie, that the folks hanging around HAVE been lookey-loos, but after a scan for the celebs, most folks go back to their business, like COFFEEEEE!

TheChieftess said...

Kaldi's is what other coffee shops strive to be...

Yakpate said...

Reading Judy's comments on your photos is like attending a lecture by a very smart, very hip photography teacher!

By the way, I also agree with Shanna about that brilliant "sirens" pun in yesterday's post.

Ken Mac said...

and i love that building

Anonymous said...

those Kaladians are so jaded

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, everybody. I love it that this old bank building has had so many incarnations. Photo classes there sound perfect -- just step outside to shoot those trees and the old school admin and library buildings!

I think Shanna almost rented space there for a studio in the 70s... am I right?

Judy, I'd love to take a class taught by you, too.

Chieftess, we should have coffee together there again soon!

Ken, I always think of you when I see these old buildings.

I appreciate all the contributions today, everyone. Until tomorrow.