Dusty Springfield Drama Set to Premiere at the L.A. Shorts Film Festival

Set in 1970, “The Soul of Blue Eye” tells the story of Dusty Springfield’s decision to record her Platinum selling hit Son of a Preacher Man for Atlantic Records, and the struggles she had as a white gay woman singing black soul music during the tumultuous 1960’s.

Besides having a hit show, “It Must Be Dusty” in England, Dusty was influential in the discovery of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and produced dozens of Billboard top 100 hits in her career.

Written and Directed by Jesse Brunt, the film has put a lot of effort into the authenticity of the scenes as well as the tense interaction between Dusty and one particular interviewer who breaks an agreement, and demands to know about her sexual preferences.  “I wanted to tell part of the story about this amazing artist,” says Brunt, who also shot and edited much of the project.  “she created music that has sustained the test of time and she broke new ground for an entire genre which came to be known as Blue Eyed Soul.”

Producer Bob Bekian noted that the tag line, “You know my music, but you don’t know me” really gave insight into the story.  “She was an amazingly talented musical artist who had a genuine desire to help others –which is a refreshing story in today’s world of ‘everyone-out-for-themselves.'”

Producers Bekian and Brunt have a feature length script that they are looking to produce with Nicole Kidman as their first choice to play Dusty Springfield, and have made this short to give people a glimpse into the full story they hope to make.

“The Soul of Blue Eye” stars Paige Segal as Dusty Springfield, and will be shown at the Laemmle NOHO 7 Theater in North Hollywood on Saturday, July 26th 2014 at 3:15pm.   For more information, email bob@loyalstudios.tv.

For more information about the festival, visit LA Shorts Fest

To know more about Loyal Studios, visit the Loyal Studios website

“Soul of Blue Eye”

Soul of Blue Eye

Set in 1970’s Los Angeles, the film “Soul of Blue Eye” explores Dusty Springfield’s life at the pivotal moment where the term ‘Blue Eyed Soul’ become known through her album “Dusty in Memphis.”  Its focus is on the struggle she faced daily that came to a head at one interview with Atlantic Records.

Her road was not an easy one.  Dusty fought a constant battle between her love for her girlfriend, and keeping up appearances in the public eye.  Her relationship suffered under the suffocating stress of living in a society plagued with rampant homophobia.   Coming out in that time period would likely promise a lifetime of social bullying for both her and her lover.

“I find Dusty Springfield’s story compelling and underrated,” says Jesse Brunt, Director.  “Her achievements are rarely recognized, and her contributions to music almost never spoken of.  I made this film to help fix that.  Her life has much to contribute to a contemporary audience.”

“Son of a Preacher Man” is one of the most recognizable songs in soul music today.  It’s played on thousands of shop radios, kept alive in classic rock/soul stations, and the smooth, smoky-edge timber of Dusty’s voice influences artists of all ages today.  The song, originally offered to Aretha Franklin, cemented Dusty Springfield’s career into the heart of American music history despite her blond-haired, blue-eyed British origins.  She once commented that if people only knew her by her music, they would think she was a black woman.

On the set of “Soul of blue Eye”

Producer, Bob Bekian, saw the potential of this movie, and was happy to offer up his studio, equipment, and knowledge to the project.  “What interested me most about the Dusty Springfield story was the relationship she had with Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, who are two of my favorite artists.  She recognized their incredible talent and helped launch both of their careers in the late 60’s.”

The music industry owes much to her efforts and powerful charisma, not just because of her voice, but of what she accomplished behind the scenes.  Were it not for her influence, the world may have never known the legendary rock sounds of Led Zeppelin, or marked the 60’s with the guitar riffs of Jimi Hendrix.   She is responsible for convincing the agents at her label to listen to Led Zepplin’s music, and ultimately sign them.  The death of Jimi Hendrix, hit her hard.  She lost an amazing colleague, and a long-time friend.

“Soul of Blue Eye” stars Paige Segal (“The Day the Music Died”), who gives a spark of life, attitude, and vulnerability to the persona of one of the worlds most famous soul singers.

Captain Phillips Star Barkhad Abdi Is Reportedly Broke

After countless award nominations, including one for an Academy Award, many may think that Captain Phillips star Barkhad Abdi had made it. But the truth of the matter is, the 28-year-old is struggling to stay afloat, according to a New Yorker story.

Abdi, who played Muse, the leader of the group of Somali pirates who take on Tom Hanks in Paul Greengrass’ film, earned $65,000 for his performance in the $55 million film, but that was more than two years ago.

“When Abdi is in Los Angeles to promote the film, he subsists on a per diem, good at the Beverly Hilton, where the studio likes to put him up,” the report states.

“The town car is available only for official publicity events. His clothes are loaners,” reads the article. “Recently Abdi requested that he be allowed to stay at a commuter hotel near LAX to be closer to his friend, a Somali cabdriver from Minneapolis, who shuttles him around for free.”

After filming Captain Phillips, he went to work at his brother’s mobile phone store in Minneapolis. But he decided to quit when the film premiered.

“How I thought about it was, like, When the movie came out, reviews either gonna be good or bad,” he told the New Yorker. “Either way, I cannot be working here.”

Abdi just recently won the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor and he is currently reading scripts to find his next movie role.

Ellen DeGeneres Knew Her Selfie Would Crash Twitter

Ellen DeGeneres is somewhat of a psychic.

After all, the Oscar host correctly predicted that her star-studded selfie—featuring Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Bradley Cooper, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie—would temporarily take down Twitter’s servers during Sunday’s Academy Awards.

“I thought it would crash,” DeGeneres told Marc Malkin at the Governors Ball. “But I didn’t know everyone would do it.” The comedienne continued, “What’s funny is that Lupita’s brother is the most prominent. And then Jared came running over to be in it. And Angie got it in. I didn’t expect all that.”

DeGeneres then stopped to chat with American Hustle‘s Cooper, who lost Best Supporting Actor to Leto. “Did you see the picture? It was great!” she told the nominee. “I knew you’d be game to do it.”

The 56-year-old comic then told Cooper that her original plan was to cut Meryl Streep’s head out of the picture. “That was going to be the joke,” she revealed. “But it doesn’t matter. It was just great.”

Before taking off, Cooper asked DeGeneres, “You going to Guy Oseary’s later?” He was referring to Madonna’s annual afterparty at the music mogul’s house. “Yes,” DeGeneres replied. “I can’t wait.”

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston get bad once more

Yeah, bitch!

Aaron Paul is not ready to leave Jesse Pinkman and for this we are thankful. A source close to Better Call Saul, AMC’s highly anticipated Breaking Bad spinoff, recently spilled the beans that everyone’s favorite sidekick meth cook is in talks for a recurring role when the show debuts in November.

Casting will officially begin at the end of the month, and production begins in May, but the source says the show’s creative team is already talking to Paul about reprising his role—for more than one episode.

The producers also mentioned they very much want Bryan Cranston to appear for a cameo or two, and he has said he is game.

Go on and get your “Yeah, bitch!” out of your system, we’ll wait.

Demi Moore Steps Out Following News of Ashton Kutcher’s Engagement to Mila Kunis—and She Looks Great!

Demi Moore is certainly looking like a lady without a care today.

The actress was spotted on this rainy L.A. Friday grabbing a hot beverage at a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Hollywood, the first sighting of her since news broke yesterday that her ex-husband Ashton Kutcher was engaged to Mila Kunis.

And…nothing to hide from here! Moore certainly didn’t look too concerned by Kutcher’s plans to tie the knot again.

Bundled up in a long black coat, leggings an artfully arranged scarf and fur-lined boots, the 51-year-old mother of three looked her usual gorgeous self.

Lea Michele Shares Bikini Photo, Lily Allen Stops Smoking: Top 10 Celebrity Tweets of the day!

Lea Michele shares a hot bikini photo, and Lily Allen stops smoking. Check out this week’s top 10 Celebrity Tweets!

1. Lea Michele: “Enjoying a relaxing weekend in sun with my best friends. So happy!”

2. Lily Allen: “I just stopped smoking.”

3. Snooki: “I’m obsessed with Kristen Stewart.”

4. Sarah Silverman: “Is there an intervention 4 people who can’t stop watching Intervention Canada on her phone? Asking for a friend . . .”

5. Taylor Swift: “HAPPYBIRTHDAY @edsheeran! Now let’s take a moment to reflect back on the best outfit you’ve ever worn. @austinswift7.”

6. Miley Cyrus: “I need a hurrrrr cut.”

7. Anna Kendrick: Can we drop the pretense of ‘President’s Day’ and just call it ‘I needed a long weekend because Valentine’s Day is garbage.'”

8. Kevin Jonas: “Parenting = no sleep.”

9. Lena Dunham: “My life’s ambition is to create a “proprietary blend” of something.”

10. Chris O’Dowd: “It’s so great being a man. You get to be on telly, make jokes, observations etc., without everyone being obsessed with your bloody hair.”

Celebs have it hard… reading mean Tweets on Jimmy Kimmel

It’s a tough life being a celebrity – not only do the paparazzi photograph you going to the gym, mean people on Twitter say you look like a ‘duck’s vagina.’

In the latest hilarious installment of Jimmy Kimmel’s Mean Celebrity Tweet segment, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have proven they’re not too precious to make fun of themselves, and that there are some really weird people in the Twittersphere.

Jennifer Garner looked genuinely hurt as she read aloud her nasty tweet, ‘Jennifer Garner looks like a duck’s vagina. Literally, a duck’s t**t.’

Watch the hilarious video below! Let us know what you think!

 

 

Miley respond’s to prom invite — will she make it?

High school student Matt Peterson made a video (which has since gone viral) asking his favorite pop star, Miley Cyrus, to be his date to prom.

“I have been a fan of yours from the beginning. You’ve changed my life, and I want to repay you by giving you the best night of your life. In order to do that, allow me to take you to my Prom on May 3, 2014,” he wrote alongside the YouTube clip asking Miley to be his date. “I promise you, we will have a great time.”

On Saturday, the 21-year-old singer responded to Matt’s invite.

“Dear Matt Peterson, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to prom BUT why don’t you come to my AZ show & hang w me?” Miley Tweeted, adding an emoji kiss. “Don’t forget a corsage.”

Dear Matt Peterson, I don't think I'll be able to make it to prom BUT why don't you come to my AZ show & hang w me? Don't forget a corsage💋

— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) February 8, 2014

@heymattpeterson 👅PuHlEaSe👅

— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) February 8, 2014

Check out Matt’s invitation:

Tweets of the Day!

Here at Hollywood Trending, we love to share all the trending and silly things going on with our beloved celebs. Here’s a new trend we’re rolling out this year… Tweets of the Day! Check out a few by some we love…

Dusty Springfield Drama Set to Premiere at the L.A. Shorts Film Festival

Set in 1970, “The Soul of Blue Eye” tells the story of Dusty Springfield’s decision to record her Platinum selling hit Son of a Preacher Man for Atlantic Records, and the struggles she had as a white gay woman singing black soul music during the tumultuous 1960’s. Besides having a hit show, “It Must Be Dusty” in […]