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Entries from May 25th, 2010

Inspiration for Gwen and Sarah

May 25th, 2010 by emily · 20something, 90's, Blog, film, Otessa, otessa ghadar, teen things, Women In Film

Inspiration in filmmaking comes from so many places. Depending on how creatively curious and deep (ohh la la) you are – any number of happenings, weird expeditions or strange life experiences could influence your prose and picture. Since, in fact, I’m not a filmmmaker (Emily here) I thought I’d pick Otessa‘s brain.

We’ve been seeing something beautiful blooming between to buds recently (Sarah and Gwen). Sure, it may have only just begun but I wanted know what inspired the new key story arc; since we’re a finely-tuned women run machine over here, you can be assured it’s not the product of some geeky film nerd’s wet dream. Sorry, just had to put that out there.

While prepping for the girl’s story – she looked to a few great movies that inspirational je ne se quois concerning characters, scenery and lifes little questions like “Do you like me?”. It’s also a great movie list for those who tend to miss a few films (or a lot, like me).

My Summer  of Love (2004)

Jules et Jim (1962)

Henry & June (1990)

Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

High Art (1998) and Lost and Delirious (2001) are two more suggestions.

She also credits some non-lesbian films about women’s sexual awakenings that take place in the countryside. Check out  Stealing Beauty (1996), A Room With A View (1985), The Man In The Moon (1991), and Enchanted April (1992) for some bangin’ bucolic eye candy and girl power. Honorable mentions: Heavenly Creatures (1994) and Ratcatcher (1999).

Liv in “Stealing Beauty”

Enid Blyton-esque English countryside movies and cinematic-style-reference points: FairyTale: A True Story (1997), Tess (1979), Atonement (2007), The Secret Garden (1993) (one of my favorite movies) and Brideshead Revisited (1981).

on the set of Polanski’s “Tess”

Okay now you (and I) have a great summer movie list – at least 20 boxes of Raisinets worth. You’re welcome. And if you aren’t the hopeless romantic type, you may be after stuffing all these beauties under your championship belt, tough guy.

Okay, I just googled Raisinets for no reason and found a lovely photo. I’ve never thought to capture the tiny mutations but here they are in all their glory (ha).

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Out ALL Night

May 24th, 2010 by The OJBG Team · 20something, 90's, Bishop's Garden, Blog, film, teen web series

In this week’s episode “Yes or No,” the show closes with Sarah coming home after staying out all night to a dramatic mother who has sat up worrying. Needless to say, upon her arrival she was grounded, her mother hysterical, and both taking comfort in a heart felt embrace.

For the majority of you following our web series, I would suspect, you too have experienced the out all night- complete with angry/crying moms, likely grounding, and for the lucky few of you- a heart felt embrace.  But, as I watch this weeks episode reminiscing the freedom that comes with being a teenager, I am forced to laugh.

I have become old. I am no longer willing to stay out all night just for fun, I don’t want to sneak in at 4 or 5 a.m. It is merely too much work. The youth and energy of the teenage sphere astounds me and makes me feel sad that I no longer possess such motivation or passion for seeing sunrises before bed.

And while I can remember being grounded, it was how I spent most of my sophmore and junior year in highschool, I can also remember thinking that my night out was easily worth a few extra chores and perhaps even a weekend in. Because in spite of any punishment, I had tasted and appreciated freedom. Now, years older, I have that ability to spend a night out without reprocussion, (beyond being exhausted and in a bad mood), and I have no desire to do so.

The irony of life is life.

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Saved by the Bell and Other Rerun Classics

May 18th, 2010 by The OJBG Team · 20something, 90's, Bishop's Garden, Blog, film, grunge, teen things

So, as you all know, Orange Juice in Bishops Garden is filming it’s 3rd season this summer, and in order to prepare our young teen actors and actresses for their parts we have to clue them in to what people wore in the 90′s.

Well as I googled the web for images on the fashions of days past the best results I came upon were those relating to “Saved by the Bell” “90210″ and “Clueless.” And in spite of my nostalgia for Kelly and Zack, intermixed with the quintessential “whatever” (hand motions implied), I really do think the 1990′s produced some fantastic tween/teen story lines.

I mean, what is better than love triangles, being self conscious about your height, or having such a bad spending habit that you wind up auctioning all your clothes only to have them wind up collected for charity? Exactly. The 90′s teen drama didn’t concern itself with the vengeful plotting of these Gossip Girl days. It focused on real things- like cutting class, getting a bad grade, and having dreams that you’ll be too tall for all your dates.

Maybe that’s why I like them- they’re nice- hometown almost. And maybe that’s I think one of the best ways to learn about the 90′s culture isn’t from wikipedia, or google, but early morning TBS, possibly soap dish, or even Nick@Nite.  It isn’t that there is some realistic portrayal of life as a teen that is depicted. But there is insight to what teens wore, what they watched, and what was pop culture then- and for our purposes that’s just as good.

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DC- without the Washington

May 17th, 2010 by The OJBG Team · Blog, Uncategorized

For most of you who have passed that metabolic threshold and are no loger able to consume 3500 calories a day- before your bedtime ice cream, you have probably been converted to the diet version of all beverages. And for those of you who have neither a vendetta against caffeine, or a moral dilemma concerning carbonated beverages you have probably embraced Diet Coke. And if you haven’t given in to it, eventually, you will.

Diet Coke is, I believe, part of our cultural identity. It is the guilt free drink that combines the greatness of caffeine with the enchantment of cola flavored carbonation- and being diet- there is just enough bitter to hit the spot. 

Considering what a vital role it plays in the daily life of many Americans, I think it important to overview the history of such a forefront product. Diet Coke was introduced to America July 4, 1982. Immediately following its arrival, Diet Coke took over the role originally held by Tab and has since escalated to include 7+ variations. However, much to the dismay of US citizens everywhere, versions such as diet raspberry coke, and diet coke black cherry vanilla, and diet coke with citrus zest, are available only outside of America. 

So for those of you who have yet to fully convert to the goodness of diet coke- give in and enjoy it! 

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Blogger Obsession: Christeric

May 12th, 2010 by emily · 20something, 90's, Blog, grunge

We found someone else stuck on the 90s :)

Okay, so we have a blogger crush. But Christine’s Christeric blog is full of wonderfully curated, 90s inspired outfits – so who can blame us? Is she rocking a scrunchie, oh yes… yes she is. And we salute her for it.

That flannel shirt wraps her up like a little present from 1994.

Even cooler – she’s one of the creative brains that started a 90s inspired denim line, Play Me Jeans (and apparently the prices were brought back from the 90s, too).

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Crush

May 10th, 2010 by The OJBG Team · Blog, Uncategorized

In the February 2006 issue of National Geographic the cover featured an article boasting that love could be easily diagrammed as a chemical reaction that occurred within the brain chemistry. In spite of this scholarly insight, I prefer to leave out the brain chemistry and simply accept the blissfulness of the first, second, or hundredth, crush.

That said, what is better than recognizing that you have a crush on someone? With the exception of a few lusty accessories and a first class transatlantic trip, not too dang much. In fact the emotional high that comes from the constant text message checking, and reapplied lip gloss, is probably almost as good as the rush from buying new Marc Jacobs sunglasses- just perhaps not as long lasting.

However, crushes are characterized by the smile talking, the dewy eyed look when announcing that yes you are going to his brother’s 14 hour long little league tournament, and being able to find enjoyment in the mundane. And these things rock, in fact they make up a significant percentage of the great memory pile.

In episode 4 of Orange Juice in Bishops Garden season 2, Sarah is deciding whether or not to acknowledge her crush on Gwen, stating that “fear of the unknown“ is her major deterrent.

And while my immediate reaction is to screw fear and go after something that could be great – I’d be a hypocrite to say the unknown was a deterrent for me too. So, instead I will say this: fear what is worth fearing, and for everything else weigh out the factors, and when things still are uncertain go with your gut.

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Creepy Gold Stars

May 5th, 2010 by The OJBG Team · 20something, Bishop's Garden, Blog, grunge, teen things, Uncategorized, webseries

Admit it.

Throughout highschool, maybe middle school even, you, at one point or another, had a crush on a teacher. Looking back, the reasoning, older, version of yourself can say with certainty that no, your balding, love handle flaunting, “crush” was perhaps not the looker you once believed them to be.  But regardless of that logic, you still maintain a certain lilt in your voice when you speak of them years later.

Well guess what: stop that! And this is why, since the February 18, 2010 (yes 3 months ago) there have been at least 7 reports of student molestation by teachers. This is sickening. This is creepy. And this is happening across America at an alarming rate. 

Girls, your weird science teacher who offers to rub your shoulders while you stay after class is creepy: extremely creepy. Guys, no offense, but does it really make sense that your 30 yr old teacher is flirting with you? Sure, we get that you’re manly- but c’mon, there’s just something wrong with that situation…

And when Orange Juice in Bishops Garden discusses this, portraying the weird teacher who inappropriately flirts with students and socializes with them outside of school- OJBG is dealing with a real issue. In fact they’re dealing with several real issues.

1. The student/teacher relationship boundaries.

2. The implication of these relationships: potential for jail.

3. The need for students to know their rights.

Unfortunately, we understand how confusing and scary all of these points are. And, we understand that the automatic teen ‘truth’ is the one that is most likely to help avoid grounding and revoked priviledges. And, we also understand that you may not be in a position where you know, the boundaries, the implications, or your rights.

So here are some guidelines: If you think it’s weird- it probably is. If you’re in any way creeped out by their behavior- then their behavior is probably creepy. If they are invading your bubble- (not the one you put away while freaking at Homecoming)- they’re completely wrong. If you have ANY question about whether or not what they’re doing is ok, then it probably isn’t. No gold star is worth your being harassed.

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Smart Girls At The Party, a web series.

May 4th, 2010 by emily · Blog, film, teen things, Women In Film

Amy Poehler is celebrating smart chickadees with her new web series, Smart Girls At The Party. It features “girls who are changing the world by being themselves.” Others on board: co-producer and friends Meredith Walker, a former senior producer for NICK News and SNL Talent Development Head, and Amy Miles, a popular singer/songwriter and host of PBS’ Lomax: Hound of Music.

Here’s how it goes (if you haven’t checked it out already): Amy and co traipse out into the world, in search of your average “girl next door” with smarts to boot. The pre-teen interviews are pretty cute. The first episode interviews a 10 year-old writer named Cameron. YAY, we heart it :)

Link: The Writer - Cameron Another bright young thing, Ruby the feminist.

Link: The Feminist - Ruby

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Sex, LSD, and The Odyssey

May 3rd, 2010 by The OJBG Team · 20something, Blog, film, teen web series, Uncategorized

In today’s episode of “Orange Juice in Bishops Garden” (episode 3, season 2) characters Sarah and Gwen reference their shared enjoyment of The Odyssey. This appreciation for overt sexuality, mingled with promiscuity, apparent drug reference (LSD), and men being transformed into animals, (ok, all teenage girls can laugh), makes sense to me.

However, not taking into consideration the outliers, it seems that nobody recognizes The Odyssey for what it is: antiquity’s daytime soap. And, this mystifies me.

Unlike other works there is no challenge in uncovering the savory details in The Odyssey. In fact as the epic opens Odysseus is crying on the coast of Calypso’s island mourning his homeland. In theory the audience should be sympathyzing at this pitiful sight, former brilliant war tactician, now prisoner on an island. And we would be. Except that everyone knows the night before, shoot probably the morning of, and the night to follow, he, Odysseus, was shagging the goddess Calypso. And who can really feel sorry for someone shagging a goddess.

Just like who can feel sorry for someone shagging a witch (Circe), or someone who has countless princesses wanting to shag them, or has goddesses helping them? Exactly.

And this is only one facet of the wild lasciviousness captured in The Odyssey. Homer incorporates excessive drinking, LSD, and even mention of a device to physically trap people in the art of love making. The Odyssey may be many things, but one thing that it is certainly not, is boring.

So, for everyone who is currently bemoaning their 10th grade English reading assignment, I have to ask: Do you hate all things scandalous? If so, then you may have a point. If not, then start reading because it is about to get good.

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