Travelin' Local » Westlake

Lights, Camera, Action and The Unit

Lisa Newton — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:27:52 +0000

Sometimes in Los Angeles, we get to literally be “part of the action” and have a backstage pass for being at the right place at the right time, for just being there. Welcome to Travelin’ Local’s backstage shoot of “The Unit.”

Such was the case during my recent foray during my afternoon visit to Macarthur Park. When I was there, a CBS production crew was filming an episode of “The Unit.” It was quite an event as the scene being filmed was with their main star, Dennis Haysbert, who plays the character Jonas Blane.

To those unfamiliar with this television series—which I was a previous member of—it is a hit television show now in its fourth season and going strong.

The Unit’s Plot and Summary

From Executive Producers David Mamet and Shawn Ryan, The Unit is an action drama that follows a covert team of Special Forces operatives as they risk their lives on undercover missions around the globe, while their families maintain the home front, protecting their husbands’ secrets. Jonas Blane (Dennis Haysbert) leads the Unit on missions out in the field and is responsible for taking new recruit Bob Brown (Scott Foley) under his wing. The Unit includes Jonas, Colonel Tom Ryan (Robert Patrick), Mack Gerhardt (Max Martini), Charles Grey (Michael Irby), Hector Williams (Demore Barnes) and Bob Brown, all highly skilled, trustworthy, brave and dependable soldiers whose ability to rely on each other is what creates their brotherhood. Jonas’ wife, Molly (Regina Taylor), is the base matriarch who comforts and counsels the other wives as they cope with the fear and uncertainty they experience when their husbands leave home. Molly and Tiffy Gerhardt (Abby Brammell), a wife hiding her own dark secrets, help Bob’s pregnant wife, Kim (Audrey Marie Anderson), acclimate to the stress of her new secret life. Source: CBS

Allstate Insurance Company Connection

Many of you will already be familiar with actor Dennis Haysbert, because of his deep baritone voice and statuesque frame, as he’s frequently seen in Allstate’s nationwide commercials. Haysbert is the official spokesman for the Allstate Insurance Company.

24 Connection

Surprisingly enough, I became interested in Barack Obama’s persona, based on a character that Haysbert played—President David Palmer in the 24 on Fox.

And he agrees! It’s an eerie occurrence of Life imitating Art.

In 2001, Haysbert became better known when he was cast in 24 playing U.S. Senator David Palmer, who served as America’s first Black President (in the context of the show) during the second and third seasons. He also returned as a guest star in the last six episodes of season 4 and the first episode of season 5. He stated in an interview for the show that the three men he admires most — Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Colin Powell — collectively embody his idea of what a President should be. Haysbert believes that his playing of David Palmer on 24 helped Barack Obama — whom Haysbert supports — to win the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Source: Wikipedia

Since a picture tells a thousand words, I’ll let them do the talking. Without further adieu, welcome to The Unit, up-close and personal. Lights, camera, action:

Haysbert, crouched and shooting live. Although it’s only a television show—the gun is real, and it sounded real, although of course, blanks were used.

Cast and crew, plus lots of equipment “backstage.” It takes a lot of people to run the set.

That camera looks and must be heavy.

Haysbert, with his co-star, Regina Taylor, make their get-away after the shootout.

Living in Los Angeles frequently means that when we’re Travelin Local, we create our own “get-a-ways.”

Since Hollywood is the Entertainment Capital of the World, its sets are frequently built to represent other cities, or places, around the world.

But Entertainment is no joke—it’s big business here

With only 3 major big-budget productions due to be filmed in Los Angeles, city officials are considering hiring a "film czar" to promote their interests with the multibillion-dollar entertainment industry. By contrast, more than 100 major films were shot in LA in 2007 and 22 in 2008.

The loss of entertainment revenue and jobs is a critical issue in Los Angeles, especially given the current economic climate. The Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. estimates that more than 117,000 jobs are connected to the industry, which generates $38 billion annually for the region. Source: Contra Costa Times

Have you ever encountered a film shoot in your city? It’s becoming more and more common as the costs of filmmaking have dramatically decreased because of the move to digital moviemaking and associated content.

As well, many other states and countries are aggressively offering film and music production companies large subsidies and lucrative contracts.

How about you? Are you Travelin’ Local to your movie theatre today?

Next time you do, keep in mind that your favorite star or show, can be part of your neighborhood too…………………:)

Macarthur Park is going to The People

Lisa Newton — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:00:30 +0000

A couple days ago, I featured some of our local feathered friends that I discovered while visiting Macarthur Park, so today I’d like to share some other interesting photographs that I took while I was at the park.

As Diane C. noted, Macarthur Park is also famous for the song named after it, which was first recorded by Richard Harris in 1968.

If you listen closely, you can hear Harris using the incorrect possessive form, "MacArthur’s Park". Jimmy Webb, the song’s writer, said he tried correcting Harris during re-takes, but gave up when he simply could not sing the correct words.

With that in mind, here’s Macarthur Park, the song:

In both 2007 and 2008 summers, Macarthur Park hosted over 80 evening concerts of family entertainment. All told, at least 50,000 people attended the summertime park’s concerts.

Adding to this venue’s allure, there are at least 50 concerts scheduled and planned for each summer. They’re totally free to the public, so I’m sure I’ll be attending at least a couple of these, so watch for them this summer.

Although Macarthur Park has seen a major revitalization over the past few years, its recent history includes the Los Angeles May Day mêlée, a pro-illegal-immigration rally which occurred on May 1, 2007.

During the rally, police clashed with a few of the protesters, who began blocking the street, which the rally permit expressly prohibited. When several people began pelted Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers with rocks, bottles, and other debris, the police commanders declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and gave the command for the crowd to disperse.

During the incident, 27 marchers and 9 members of the media were injured, 5 people were arrested, and at least 50 civilians filed complaints with the LAPD regarding mistreatment by officers. 7 to 15 police officers were injured.

Well here’s to better times and problems solved!

In that spirit, the day I was there, quite a few other activities were going on, and people were having a whole lotta fun!

Wow, he must have had a great bike ride!!

An intense game of chess…………….:)

This is one of the entry points to the park, which a bike rider has just gone through. I think that these balls have something to do with ship anchors but I’m not sure, so if there are any military experts or ship aficionados in the audience, feel free to let me know, and I’ll update the story.

Reading the local paper is always a relaxing activity especially when surrounded by a beautiful lake and scenery.

If all of these actions weren’t enough for one day, there was also a live shooting of the very popular TV series, The Unit, taking place as well. I captured some unique and unlikely shots of the scenes, cast, and crew, so definitely stay tuned to Travelin’ Local. I’ve learned that you never know what you’ll find in your own backyard.

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and don’t forget, “Let’s keep our park clean!”

Welcome to the Free Pipe Organ Recital at the First Church in Los Angeles

Lisa Newton — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:53:39 +0000

For this Sunday morning, I’d like to take you to a very old church with an exceptionally large organ, the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. It’s Los Angeles’ oldest Protestant church in continuous operation, being founded in 1867.

Every Thursday at 12:10pm, the church opens its doors for a free 30 minute pipe organ recital.

Its exterior is as bold and omnipresent as its studious pews, magnificent stained glass windows and thunderous organ.

In fact, it’s the largest church pipe organ in the world.

Did I say pipes?

From the moment I stepped into the church, I was surrounded by pipes; large ones, short ones, tall ones, and tiny ones. In fact, there are over 20,000 pipes in total.

This organ is the largest church organ in the world and the third largest of all the organs in the world, with the largest, being The Wanamaker Organ, which is located in Pennsylvania, and the second largest Organ is in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Source: The World’s Largest Pipe Organs

The manufacturer of this Church’s organ was M. P. Moller, the same manufacturer of the organ at the United States Military Academy at WestPoint.

In fact, there seems to be some discrepancy—and a touch of controversy–as to which church or who can lay claim to which institution has the largest organ; as both of them claim the honor.

Controversy at the Church? Hardly, but who knew?

Be that as it may, my vote is for the First Congregational Church plus, the gentleman who I noted above agrees with me.

Due to economic circumstances, the M.P. Moller Pipe Organ Company closed its doors in 1992, but fortunately for the organ community, four of the Moller employees grouped together and started a new company, the Hagerstown Organ Company.

As I was watching the organist, S. Wayne Foster, I kept having mental images of watching a dancer or high-wire artist, because while playing the various songs, his body was perched static on his bench, but his hands and feet energetically but smoothly were using every key and pedal.

After the performance, I asked the Mr. Foster about the keys and pedals. He informed me that with the higher notes, the higher keyboard on the console is used. Indeed with this particular organ, most of the higher notes are keys and the lower notes are pedals.

The knobs on the right and left panels are called “stops,” with each stop used to turn on a set of pipes. If no stops are turned on, pressing a key on the keyboard will not make a sound.

Although I didn’t record or videotape today’s Organ Recital, I did find a remarkable video recorded on a different day at the same First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. It provides a musical explanation of stops.

I encourage everybody to just sit back and listen—it’s quite an experience:

I hope you enjoyed today’s Free Pipe Organ Recital.

If you live in LA—or are planning to visit—definitely make sure to keep Thursday at 12:10pm free to attend the special lunchtime Recital at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. It’s definitely the place to be.

After the free pipe organ concert, Macarthur Park is a short walk for a picture perfect picnic lunch.

I’d like to give a shout out to Will over at [sic], who first introduced me to the free recital and had a rather unique experience during the free recital he attended.

I hope you have a great Sunday planned Travelin’ Local, and don’t forget to shoot some Spring into 2009 pictures to show and feature for the first weekend of Spring.

Macarthur Park is going to the Birds

Lisa Newton — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:18:13 +0000

Whoever thought a major metropolitan city like Los Angeles couldn’t have so many different varieties of birds, definitely hasn’t visited Macarthur Park, which is located in the Westlake district.

Considering the recent history of Macarthur Park, it has come a long way; it used to be “crime central” in Los Angeles–drug-dealing, shoot-outs and the occasional rumored drowning, and as many as 30 murders in 1990. When the lake was drained during construction of the Red Line Metro tunnel, hundreds of handguns and other firearms were found to have been disposed of in the lake.

However, beginning in 2002, the Los Angeles Police Department, along with local business and community leaders led a revitalization effort that has led to the installation of surveillance cameras, the opening of a recreation center, increased business, a new Metro station, plus paddle boats and a fountain. Most recently, in 2005, the park was celebrated for having the highest reduction of crime statistics per resident in the United States. Source: Macarthur Park

I’ll be telling you more about Macarthur Park soon, but for today, I’m going to feature a few of our feathered friends that I discovered there. I wish I knew them by their names, but since I don’t, the pictures will have to suffice.

If there are any ornithologists in the audience, speak up or forever hold your peace; or if you do know the birds names, please feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll add them into the post.

Let’s Bird Watch:

That’s it for the birds for today, as this last guy—or girl—is seemingly both curious as to my reason for taking its picture but not offering him/her some food.

So as my visit to Macarthur Park this afternoon is fading into dusk, today’s Travelin’ Local’s foray into previously dangerous but now bird friendly ground, has made this day one more of delight and appreciation of nature right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles.

Tomorrow I’ll be featuring a testimony and treat about a world famous organ, its concert, and the church where the city was built around; it’s within walking distance from Macarthur Park as well.

Yesterday was a fun weekday Travelin’ Local. Not all events happen on the weekend, so are you trying to go somewhere nearby to celebrate your backyard and week?

[Update] Much Thanks to Stacy from Create a Balance who provided the names of the birds. From the top:

1. A Brewers Blackbird

2. The black bird in the background is an American Coot and the bird in the front is a Greylag Goose (note: this goose is not a native bird to North America)

3. Barnyard Geese and potentially Western Gulls in the background.

4. Perhaps a first year Glaucous-Winged Gull…but it could be a Glaucous-Wing Western hybrid.