If you're a struggling actor hitting the pavement toiling for gigs - then you hit it big - you can bet your sweet bippy crafty characters will slip out of the woodwork later anxious to cash in.
Such is the case with - "They Dared to Dream" - a just-published collection of photos crammed into a slim volume and being offered up to fans hungry for early images of the likes of Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and Robert Downey, Jr.
At a sparsely-attended book-signing event at "A Different Light" in West Hollywood, the author - Karen Bystedt - was on hand to chat up avid book readers there to gobble up all the juicy tidbits of gossip the photographer was thrilled to whisper in their ear.
When I sauntered in - old interviews taped in tandem with the photo sessions of yesteryear crackled overhead - as celebrity enthusiasts strained in their seats to catch every little word that squawked out over the cheapo speakers.
Half-sounding like ghosts from the past - Pitt and the others (now household names) - shared their innermost thoughts, gnawing fears, and starry-eyed dreams for the future.
Robert Downey Jr. noted for the record, for instance, that he liked things to be predictable.
That's why he did drugs, he conjectured.
"If I smoke marijuana, I know what the outcome will be. I'll get stoned!"
In new situations, there was never any guarantee how events would pan out, so venturing forth into unknown uncharted waters was a troubling proposition for the introspective actor.
Pitt - in an interview that echoed similar sentiments in a broadcast which recently aired on night-time gossip TV - whined about being overwhelmed by the "spotlight" and expounded on the emotional traumas he experienced mixing in with high-profile celebrities (being just a kid from the sticks and all).
"I use to be in awe of these guys," he lamented, or something to that effect.
"Whoa! Now, here I am working with 'em."
Slow down, dude! Get a hold of yourself.
Courtney Cox confessed she slept on floors and stayed with friends until her showbiz break came.
If you can imagine it, even Keanu Reeves managed to cough up a nugget or two of wisdom about his rise to stardom.
Ms. Bystedt titillated the rapt audience when she hinted at some salacious gossip about actor David Duchovny.
Apparently, the struggling thespian was working on an experimental project about phones and sex, when she was introduced at a party.
"He told me he was having sex problems."
Do tell!
Shortly after that little episode, the Californian landed X-Files.
The photographer was open and outgoing at the book store until her press agent put a muzzle on her.
For instance - when I asked her if she anticipated that the fledgling actors she was capturing on film were ever going to snag star status in Hollywood - the pushy overbearing publicist responded on her behalf before she could get a word in edgewise.
"For the sake of the press," he piped up pointedly - after giving a slight glance in my direction - "you should say 'yes', that's why you took their photos."
At this juncture, she responded in kind on cue!
The pretty tall blond photographer was doin' fine 'til he butted in.
Personally, I prefer responses that rise up straight from the heart.
Sugary pap prepared by a publicist is not my cup of tea, thank you very much.
I did not have the opportunity to thumb through the book and peruse the photos in advance of her scheduled appearance, so I asked Ms. Bystedt whose photographic stills she might compare her musings to.
"No one is comparable," her PR man blurted out before she could utter a word.
On the heels of his strident endorsement - she fessed up - too.
"My work can't be compared to that of anyone else."
Is that because the photos are undistinguished at best?
Usually, photographers develop their own distinctive style which sets them apart.
Annie Leibovitz, for instance, attained great acclaim not only because she captured an elusive quality about her subjects, but due to the fact she facilitated bold contemporary ideas into the mix which effectively transformed the stills into works of art.
Likewise - Bruce Weber, Newton and others - climbed to the top of the pile not only through the use of highly original stylized techniques, but because they implanted their own inimitable signature style which set them apart.
When I thumbed through the book, I found myself gazing on a handful of pretty portraits, for the most part.
Ms. Bystedt uses a lot of soft lighting and warm tones with very little contrast or tension within the frame.
So, the photos tend to be warm and fuzzy lens renderings, with nary a hint of personality or mystery bubbling up from within.
Consequently, the photographs are mediocre, at best.
In fact, two photographs of Keanu Reeves are downright boring.
"They fly in from everywhere to have their photo taken," her PR dude exalted.
Well, the reason for that is a no-brainer.
Actors are a vain lot.
Once a performer gets wind of a photographer that is capable of flattering a subject, they'll bang down the door for a photo shoot and pay through the nose, if they have to.
Until the next whiz-kid photog happens along.
It's obvious from the get-go that this vanity publication is geared towards capitalizing on actor Brad Pitt's fame and success.
His face graces the flap of the jacket in a sly effort to boost sales, no doubt.
At the web site designed to promote the handsome-looking publication, the photographer has also used a tired old web technique to put the "focus" on megastar Pitt to maximum effect.
When the page loads, the cover shot of the actor slides into frame from the left side of the computer screen, and springs into the spotlight center stage.
At his juncture, the image of a cash register springs to mind - at which point - a glorious sound sings out.
Ka-ching!
No comments:
Post a Comment