Housewife in Hollywood - housewifeinhollywood.com

There is always one costume that dominates trick or treaters and holiday party goers each year. Whatever is popular in current pop culture will be the next costume of choice. According to the National Retail Federation we’re sure to see The Dark Knight out and about. I bet the Joker will be making appearances all around town, and Iron Man will be flying into a few parties.

Hannah Montana will be at the door with the usual favorites like princesses, pumpkins, and little vampires. My interest in pirates and my Johnny Depp enthusiasm leads me to the question, “How many Captain Jack’s will be out this year?”

You never know if you might meet the real Captain Jack Sparrow. Don’t be confused by imitations this Halloween season. Check out this documentary footage of the Real Captain Jack, found wandering around a park in Orange County, CA.

So if you do spot a Captain Jack Sparrow on Halloween night it just might be the real one and not an imposter. Be warned!

If you’d like to see more from the people that brought you the above YouTube selection check out www.markedmen.net and www.dusktodawnproductions.com. If you’re interested in becoming an authentic Captain Jack yourself this year, visit www.youtube.com/JantyChattaw for costume making tips.

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I’m off to a pumpkin patch today to choose a pumpkin worthy of Halloween carving. Ultimately the kiddo will get the final choice but I’ll help decide the carving design. When I was young there was Happy, Scary, Angry, and Surprised Jack O Lantern. These days, carving a pumpkin goes from traditional to elaborate.

Pop culture carved a niche into the Jack O Lantern tradition, now we can choose from a variety of designs and patterns, ranging from Captain Jack Sparrow, to the profile of Jack Kerouac.

According to Wikipedia, the carved pumpkin was a symbol of the harvest in North America before becoming an emblem for Halloween.

The poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who was born in 1807, wrote in “The Pumpkin” (1850):

Oh!—fruit loved of boyhood!—the old days recalling,
When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,
Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!

I’d love to check out this year’s The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze in New York. The blaze of 4,000 carved pumpkins is a glowing art walk in the historic Hudson Valley.

If you’d like to create interesting pumpkin art check out:

www.masterpiecepumpkins.com

www.jamminpumpkins.com 

www.pumpkingutter.com.

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I came across a great article in Los Angeles Magazine online about a Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator working at Disneyland, named Brandon Hillock. Being fascinated by pirates the way I am, plus my enthusiasm for Captain Jack, I decided to find out more about Brandon.

Brandon was approved by Johnny Depp to work at The Happiest Place on Earth. He is also an actor, director, entrepreneur, and all around nice guy. You may have seen him as Deputy Sacks, his reoccurring role, on the TV show Veronica Mars.

If he’s not acting, he’s working with his film company Pinto Pictures, or impersonating Captain Jack Sparrow with his crew of Marked Men.

With the popularity of Captain Jack Sparrow, most Captain Jack impersonators acquire a fan base from the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. Brandon has a following all his own.

He is a down to earth, and charismatic guy, that “keeps to the code” when conducting business. He seems devoted to his family and close friends, while being hopeful and ambitious about his future projects.

We sat in the over 100 year old adobe home he inherited from his grandfather, with the backdrop of his younger brother’s photo on the wall, and two year old daughter’s stroller in the back room. I asked him questions about his adventures as Captain Jack, his work with charitable organizations like CoDA, and his fledgling company Marked Men.

Like many pirate enthusiasts, Brandon started off with a love for all things Star Wars, dressing up like Anakon Skywalker. He decided to make his first Captain Jack costume before there was any reference material and since that time he’s moved from being Captain Jack at Comic Con, and a Depp approved Jack at Disneyland, to the head Captain of his own company Marked Men.

The cast from The Girls Next Door, and Kate Moss swooned over Brandon as Captain Jack while visiting Disneyland. Kids visiting the Disney theme park were excited to get hugs, and a treasured autograph from Captain Jack. These days you can hire Brandon and the rest of his Marked Men crew to entertain your own pirate themed party.

Brandon informed me there are more Captain Jack Sparrow impersonators then there are for Elvis. This was one of the main reasons he decided to start Marked Men. What makes Brandon and his Marked Men company unique is his Pirates of the Caribbean crew that can be hired not just to mingle at your party but to act out Pirates of the Caribbean movie scenes. Giselle and Scarlett can be your servers, while Tia Dalma does palm reading. Davy Jones can duel with Captain Jack, while Will Turner and Elizabeth grab their swords and join the fight.

Even if you’re not in the market for a Captain Jack, you should keep a keen eye on Brandon Hillock.

And now ladies and gentlemen, the first Housewife in Hollywood “Cribs Style” walk through. Here’s a tour of Brandon’s piratey pad:

Brandon Hillock’s Room Tour on HIH

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Two talented sisters put together one of the biggest show sensations on the Internet. If you’re a fan of Johnny Depp, Captain Jack Sparrow, or Tim Burton movies, you’ll be a fan of The Hillywood Show.

It’s not just the subject matter they choose that makes this show unique. Their witty humor, talent, motivation, and amazing attention to detail intrigue viewers and have them eagerly waiting for the next episode.

I met with Hilly & Hannah at Comic Con 2008. As we talked, fans commented on Hilly’s incredible costume, and gathered to take pictures with her as Edward Scissorhands. I was a bit bummed to find out I would be missing Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett the following day but I was thankful to meet these two Internet celebs in person. Check out their video from the event.

The Hillywood Show recently released Episode 13. In a jaw dropping sort of way, Hilly & Hannah reenact scenes from one of Tim Burton’s best films, Sweeney Todd. They weave in creative content, making each episode their own work of art.

Here is my interview with Hilly & Hannah of The Hillywood Show:

HIH: I read on your official website that you were both performing at a young age either impersonating characters or taking dance classes. When did the idea of The Hillywood Show come about?

It started back in 2006. AOL put out a contest that encouraged teens to send in their own idea for a web show. So, we sent in our entry and discovered we were in America’s Top 5 Finalists out of 100,000 entries! It was so exciting! After the contest was over, we came in 3rd place and gained fans through that! They told us to continue with the show, so we did!

HIH: Hannah, we see a lot of Hilly on screen, recently you’ve been playing Mrs. Lovett in your Sweeney Todd featured episodes. What are some things you do behind the scenes for The Hillywood Show?

I am the Director of “The Hillywood Show”, script writer (along with Hillary), cinematographer (along with Hillary), and make-up artist. Plus, I do most of the scheduling for shoots and organizing things for the show.

HIH: Hilly, has Johnny Depp told you what he thinks of your flattering homage to his characters?

No, because I have never met Johnny, but it would be an honor to hear what he thinks about “The Hillywood Show”!

HIH: In a recent interview for Las Vegas Weekly I read that you were both homeschooled. Did homeschooling help you pursue this out of the box idea of creating your own show on the Internet?

Yes! Being home schooled allowed us to focus on the things we wanted to do in life and opened up our imagination even further. It was a true blessing.

HIH: What do your parents think of the show? Are they involved in your productions?

Our parents support us 100%! They are constantly involved and in ‘the know’ about all our projects and future episodes. They are absolutely amazing!

HIH: Your intro complements the professionalism of your show. Who created The Hillywood Show intro?

We both did! We both wrote the lyrics to “Hooray for Hillywood” and shot the intro as well. We contacted a band by the name of ‘SPIV’ and asked them to perform “Hooray for Hillywood”. They agreed and we couldn’t have been more pleased with it! It’s great!

HIH: With all the acts, impersonators, and flashy resorts in Las Vegas, does living there help the production of your show in anyway?

Well, to be honest, it depends on what we are looking for at the time. Episode #5 was very easy to shoot, down on the Strip and everything, but Episodes #10 - #13 (Sweeney Todd) was very difficult. The locations needed to look like England in the 1800’s…so that was extremely difficult to find!

HIH: Where do you film your episodes? Do you rent space or is it a home project?

Our episodes are shot in various locations. Sometimes they will be shot on a set or at an actual location.

HIH: You’ve appeared and been featured on many TV shows, a few being Access Hollywood, Fox 5 News, and CNN Live. Although your show itself isn’t on television you have enough visibility to generate a big fan base. You have a fan center on your site which includes fan artwork, fan videos, and fan avatars. What is it like having so many appreciate and promote your creative work?

It really encourages us and makes us want to make more episodes for the fans! They have been so supportive through everything and we couldn’t ask for more. It is absolutely fantastic having people appreciate your work! Without the fans, “Hillywood” wouldn’t be the same.

HIH: What is next for The Hillywood Show?

We are currently shooting for Episode #14 which will air sometime in September. Also, we would like for a television network to pick up “The Hillywood Show”! That’s one goal we are praying for!

You can watch The Hillywood Show in High Definition at www.thehillywoodshow.com

Leave a hello or a comment for Hilly & Hannah on their official MySpace page. Tell them the Housewife in Hollywood sent you! www.myspace.com/thehillywoodshow

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The best character actor of our century is 45 today.
The man that brought to life characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, and Edward Scissorhands just to name a few, is also one of the most humble celebrities on the planet.

Recently, while filming Public Enemies in the Midwest he took time to shake hands, hug fans, sign autographs, and take photographs with the locals. This isn’t a rarity for Depp, he does this each time his fans, to whom he has referred as “his boss” gather to greet him. Huge turnouts are present when he’s on location for a film, premiere, or awards ceremony, no matter what country he is in.

He gives time, energy, and personal attention to many charitable groups. In October 2006, Johnny received the Courage to Care award in recognition of his contributions to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. The list of his benevolent actions is long, and there are many stories of his generosity on the internet. I don’t know if all those accounts are accurate but I do know that his kindness transcends to people of all ages and conditions. He is not the type of celebrity that calls a press conference, or makes sure photographers are around when he does a good deed. Johnny Depp does most of these things without the mainstream media knowing about them, the buzz comes from the people themselves saying thank you and it’s carried around the globe by his fans on internet forums, blogs, and word of mouth.

Depp is proof that a person can stay true to their ideals while playing the game in Hollywood. He has chosen every character, even helped create many of them, without wavering his creative principles. Many of his devoted fans loved his work even before the world wide phenomena of Captain Jack Sparrow in 2003. They have followed his career since his 21 Jump Street Days, or that first glimpse of Edward Scissorhands on screen. Many of them were able to meet with him in person, shake his hand, take a photo, get an autograph, or just chat awhile after a long days work on the set. Stories of his sincerity with these people are evident whenever they are being told.

I have my own story of being behind the barricades on Hollywood & Highland hoping for a glimpse of Johnny or better yet a few words in my direction, maybe the desired hug photo. It was the premiere of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory in 2005. I brought my old book from 1978 for Johnny Depp to sign. I was one of the lucky fans that day getting his autograph, a smile, and a WOW when I told him how old my book was. That was my golden ticket day.

Seeing him get out of his car, dodging the press, and traffic, running across the street to his fans was amazing to watch. I really do think he gets the idea that without us, he’d be out of a job.

So to help celebrate the birthday of an amazing person I’ll be watching one of my favorite Depp movie’s tonight, Edward Scissorhands. Or maybe, Dead Man, of course Ed Wood might be best, well for now I’ll sing along with Amy Anne to her cool tune named after the man of the day. You can listen to it here at cdbaby.com

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