SO, I WATCHED AN AWARDS SHOW

I just finished watching the Oscars. I scooped myself up in my blue blankey in front of the television with some fried chicken and watched the Oscars. Aah, comfort. It's funny, when I was in New York, the Oscars would end and it would be the next day. Here in LA, where they're actually taking place down the street it's only 9pm when they're over. 

I'm happy that Kate Winslet won. I'm happy that Heath Ledger won. I'm happy that Slumdog Millionaire cleaned house. And I'm happy that Sean Penn won for Milk. How do these people do it? What does it take to be at the right place at the right time for that universal fortuitous synchronicity to strike over and over again building to an illustrious career?

Kate Winslet is not much older than I am, and at 33, she has won an Oscar, and had six nominations. Hell, Angelina Jolie accomplished at age 32 everything I wanted and hoped to accomplish in my entire life; career, humanitarian efforts, family, pilot license and Brad Pitt! What are these people, aliens?!

Sure, many of Hollywood's young success stories were born into the business, but some aren't. How do you get to be a part of that magical world? One of my acquaintance friends here is very into New Age thinking, positive vibrations of being, elevating eachother's vibrations by sharing stories of miracles and love. I wonder? Am I vibrating on a lower level in that meta-physical way that's keeping me away from attracting the career blessings that I long for?

Talent aside, and she is awesomely talented, how high are Kate Winslet's vibrations? Did she use 'The Secret' and visualize her winning an Oscar when she was 8 years old with a shampoo bottle and because of that visualization carved a path for herself to win tonight?

Okay, Ann, now you're heading towards crazy ville. You have to be a person of great tenacity almost to the point of obsession to be giving up everything you are giving up in order to create even a 14 minute short animated film. It's extreme physical labor, with no guarantee of a paycheck.

But people do it. People I know do it, and are still striving to do it. An indie film I did in 2006, is finally now in festivals, called Capers. It's a one-scene role and I'm proud of it. I remember attending a screening here in LA shortly after I moved and realized for the producers, 'now comes the really hard part, getting it sold'.

My girlfriend Lauren Hoffman, who is the founder of Bubble Lounge here in Venice, did it with her film Bar Girls. You just do what you have to do to get there. But when you realize exactly 'what' it is you have to do...Ai-yah! (Chinese phrase of exclamation)

It's not acting that's hard, it's getting to act. It's not film-making that's hard, it's getting the money to make your film. It's not storytelling that's hard, it's getting people to listen. And it's not winning an award that's hard, it's living the life and struggling in that life to lead you there while staying in one piece.

Congratulations to artists all around the world who are willing to screw the 9 to 5, for something they believe in. I'll be at the party this Wednesday night for the opening of Bubble Lounge, 'vibrating' myself to success on the dance floor.(photos courtesy of telegrah.co.uk and Capers Productions)

                                                                              Yours truly -- Ann Hu

Comments

[Hadley]

Totally agree, here's to artists who believe in what they do despite not being honored by a culture that has largely turned its back on true expression.

[Nancy Malwitz]

Ann - You should be writing for Sat Night Live!! Your review of the Oscar winners makes me laugh out loud. I'm supposed to be doing work for your mom right now; she's probably wondering what is so funny out in the office. Love your other article, too. Sounds like LA has a great street psychologist/humanitarian pounding her pavements.
Nancy

[I'm with ya...]

I wonder the very same things myself. The other day I was reading some article about actors who got 'discovered' and couldn't help thinking 'How the heck did Charlize Theron get discovered out of the blue on Hollywood Blvd and go on to win an Oscar at 28 when I've been there countless times only to illicit attention from a homeless man?' Of course, I found the answer when I passed by the mirror- the woman looks like a supermodel and has the chops to back it up! Case Closed.