And the Toscar goes to …. Terminate Her

Before the Oscars Brits in LA, with presenting partner Jaguar North America‘s 7th Annual “Toscars” at The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, CA, took place on the evening of Feb 26, 2014, benefiting the UKares Foundation charity.  The night was a roaring success, keeping celebrities and attendees alike giggling all evening! The Toscars The Toscars is a live event that parodies the biggest award show of the year. Ten teams of ten people have 3 weeks in which to make spoofs upon the nominated films for Best Feature at the Academy Awards. The Whacademy made up of a team of experts in their field, hand selected from the Entertainment industry, decide the winners in ten categories including Best Whactor and Whactress. This year’s comedy event will be hosted by Glee’s Alex Newell, who plays Unique on the show. “I’m excited to host this year’s event. It’s for a great cause and it’s a chance for the celebs to let their hair down and have a lot of fun during an intense awards season.”

Winners announced:
BEST TOSCAR FILM presented by DORIS ROBERTS
Terminate Her – Parody of Her – Producer Matt Crabtree
BEST WHACTRESS presented by JOSHUA JACKSON
Elizabeth Arends – Shaving Mr. Hanks – Parody of Saving Mr Banks
BEST WHACTOR presented by JAIME WINSTONE
Matt Crabtree – Terminate Her  – Parody of Her
BEST SUPP. WHACTRESS presented by last years toscar winner – MICHAEL ENRIGHT
Sarah Farooqui – British Hustle – Parody of American Hustle
BEST SUPP. WHACTOR presented by JENNIFER ELISE COX
John Campbell-Mac – British Hustle – Parody of American Hustle
JAGUAR BEST CHOONS AWARD presented by PAUL OAKENFOLD
Guy Ross – Captain Phillips & The horn of Africa – Parody of Captain Phillips
BEST CUTTER (*editing) presented by ADAM WOOD
Laura Harbron – Dallas Biters Club – Parody of Dallas buyers Club
BEST SCRIBBLE (Writing) presented by JIM PIDDOCK
Ben Stanley – Captain Phillips & The horn of Africa – Parody of Captain Phillips
BEST BANG FOR BUCK (Production design) presented by MICHAEL WHETSTONE
Kerry & Evan Marlowe – Pheelaweena  -Parody of Philomeena
BEST DICTATOR presented by OSCAR NOMINATED PRODUCER BRUSNSON GRE

Laura Harbron – Dallas Biters Club – Parody of Dallas buyers Club

 

Past celebrities have included Bruce Vilanch, Janina Gavankar, Siobhan Fahey, Skeet Ulrich, Entourage Rex Lee and Academy award nominee, Eric Roberts, who stated “It was more fun than the real show.” As The Toscars grows so has the talent who get involved. This year Tim Russ who plays the Vulcan, Tuvok on the popular TV series “Star Trek: Voyager” got to direct the parody of Gravity called “Cavity” and retired adult-film actor Ron Jeremy gets to star in his first ever PG -13 movie in “British Hustle”: The Parody of “American Hustle”. Mr. Jeremy who has most recently had a whopping 2 million youtube hits of his parody of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking ball” is nominated for best Whactor. Other well-known names who have starred in previous Toscar films are Luke Evans (Fast and the furious 6, Dracula),Tehmina Sunny (Argo, The Following), Jennifer Page (The Master) and British TV star Dawn Porter. This year’s panel of celebrity judges were: Jim Piddock (Best in Show, Epic Movie) The very handsome British actor, Owain Yeomans (The Mentalist) Funny Lady Jennifer Elise Cox, World renowned DJ, Paul Oakenfold will be judging the original scores of the films and many others to be added. The Toscars was inspired by the Michel Gondry movie ‘Be Kind, Rewind” starring Jack Black and Mos Def, in which they have to recreate blockbuster movies on a shoestring budget. Actor and Co-creator Craig Robert Young said “It just seemed like a great way to have some fun with other people in the industry and raise some money for a good cause. We aren’t poking fun at the Oscars, so much as we are paying respect with a cheeky nudge and a wink in our very British humourous way. We are also delighted that Jaguar North America are presenting partners this year, especially as they recently debuted their first ever Super Bowl ad “Rendezvous” starring three iconic British actors, as part of their “British Villains” campaign,  – a partnership with Brits in LA seemed like a perfect fit. We look forward to a fruitful long-lasting relationship with Jaguar and thank them for their support” — Last year the Parody of Les Miserables renamed Miserable Lesbians took home the big prize and went on to become a stage show which toured London’s West End, Off Broadway and the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Oscars Red Carpet – Get The Look

Emma Watson

emma watson - oscar stylrimage001
0.50 Carat Diamond Hoop Earrings in 18k White Gold- £999

 

Jennifer Lawrence

image003Jennifer Lawrence

 

 

 

 

 

0.50 Carat D/VVS2 18k White Gold Stud Diamond Earrings- £999

 

Kerry Washington

kerry washington - oscar styleimage005

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.00 Carat Tennis Diamond Bracelet- £9,969

 

All available from Vashi.com

What do you think?

 

Somewhere Over England Book Review

somewhere over england book reviewSomewhere Over England almost had me just with the back cover. I love books about World War II, female protagonists and history. Somewhere Over England has all in abundance and a whole lot more besides.

Set in 1930s England, 18-year-old Helen falls in love with Heine, a young German photographer. She bravely puts aside the prejudice of her friends and family to marry him. He fled Germany because of the growing powers of the Nazis, but there power is growing and the worst is yet to come as storm clouds gather over Europe and World War II looms. What happens next is an unputdownable story of love, war, compassion and struggle.

Heine is interned and Helen has to face the horrors of London during the blitz alone as their young son is evacuated. Heine is political, he sees Hitler for what he really is and knows that a war is coming, they help refugees before anyone knows their will definitely be a war, but his weakness is that he is too much of a political fighter and cannot always see his family. Helen is sweet and fresh at the beginning of the book. She longs for love and the proper family she never had. Helen becomes stronger and stronger, even feeding the family and selling her own pictures. She becomes a strong, bolshy, independent women and makes Heine find his way home to them. The book perfectly captures early love and marriage.

As World War breaks out the family is divided and times are tough for everyone. The historical facts in the book are excellent. This really is a riveting book with a lot of depth. It is interesting and you learn a lot. The prejudice that people go through is horrendous. Chris, Heine’s and Helen’s son, hates being half-German and even hates his own father sometimes. He is horribly bullied sometimes and finds his identity hard. Will he ever see the difference between being a German and being a Nazis, and be proud of his heritage?

This is a wonderful, layered book. One that you never forget after you have read it. Essential reading.

Buy Somewhere Over England

For more on Margaret Graham: www.margaret-graham.com
www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
www.wordsforthewounded.blogspot.co.uk
www.margaret-graham-author.blogspot.co.uk

 

The Most Viral Moments in Oscar History

Here you are, the most viral moments in Oscar history, just for you. Enjoy!

oscars

Jennifer Lawrence Backstage Interview at Oscars

Jack Black and Will Ferrell Oscars Performance: Get Off the Stage

Jack Nicholson Interrupts Jennifer Lawrence Interview at Oscars

Hugh Jackman’s Opening Number at Oscars

Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey Oscars Duet

Adrien Brody Kisses Halle Berry at Oscars

Michael Jackson Performs Ben at Oscars

Roberto Benigni Goes Crazy after Oscars Win

Russell Crowe Acceptance Speech for Gladiator

Tom Hanks Gives Acceptance Speech for Forrest Gump Win

Most viral Oscar moments measured by Visible Measures and its True Reach methodology and patented video platform to analyse over 8.1 billion video views across the web during 2013.

Visible Measures has tracked over 3 trillion video views, 500 million videos, 16,000 video campaigns since 2005, and sees over 380 million people cross its platform every month. Pretty impressive.

no:carrier | Music Profile

Artist: no:carrier
Location: San Francisco, California, USA/Ingolstadt, Germany
Styles: Electro Noir, Electropop, Synthpop, Darkwave
Similar to: The Crüxshadows, Wolfsheim, Portishead, Depeche Mode
CD: Confession EP

no:contact music profile

Members/Instruments:
Cynthia Wechselberger – vocals
Chris Wirsig – keyboards, vocals

Production: Chris Wirsig

Tracklisting:
1        Confession – Single Mix
2        Hero To A Fool
3        Confession – 1st In 14 Mix
4        And Sometimes – RMX 2011B
5        Confession – Inspired By F.P. Mix
6        A Bright Room

Websites:
Official
Bandcamp
Facebook
Twitter

Bio:
Electro Noir Pop – a description that fits no:carrier best. “We can’t be compared easily. We have our very own sound that includes elements from several styles – from Dark Wave to Synthpop, from Acoustic to Electro,” says Chris Wirsig, main songwriter and producer of no:carrier. “We found our own way, we are not going on the trodden paths. We stay true to our ideals and write exactly the songs we want to write.”

no:carrier, originally founded in 1995 in Germany, but active in its current line-up since 2001, is now a long-distance musical affair, with Chris Wirsig living in San Francisco while singer Cynthia Wechselberger still resides in their home country Germany. But as with all long-distance relationships this can add some spice to the mixture.

After two critically acclaimed albums, “My Own Dream” in 2002 and “Between The Chairs” in 2011, the duo is back in 2013 with even more variety. Still firmly rooted in Dark Wave and Synth Pop, no:carrier’s sound and topics are broader than ever, incorporating Arabic instruments, drums and percussion from different cultures, with topics ranging from melancholic introspection to defiant declarations to tragic real-life biographies.

First harbinger of the new songs was the 5 track single “Last Scene”, released in June 2013. The song reflects a dubious past, a “last scene of a play we shouldn’t have staged”, and was praised in magazines like Side-Line, Nachtaktiv, Amobss-Mag and ReGen. The follow up single, “The Nine Days’ Queen”, released in December 2013, deals with the tragic life of Lady Jane Grey who ruled England for nine days and later was beheaded. A third precursor to the new album “Wisdom & Failure”, the “Confession EP” is released late February 2014 with the album following late April/early May.

 

Interview With Author Sophie Duffy

sophie duffyHow did it feel to win the Yeovil Literary Prize, and then a host of others?

I was very surprised when I had an email to say I’d won the Yeovil Prize back in 2006. I see that moment as a breakthrough though it was another 5 years before The Generation Game was published by Legend Press, after it won the Luke Bitmead Bursary in 2010.

Do you have a favourite book that you have written?

I feel closest to the characters in The Generation Game as I lived with them for so long. I still think about them and wonder what they are up to. Particularly Philippa Smith.

What is your writing routine?

I wish I had one! I am not the most organized and have a house full of teenagers which can be a distraction. Supplying food. Washing countless socks. Nagging. Driving around Devon lanes. However, I do now have a room of my own, an office at the bottom of a garden. A glorified shed. It is full of all the tat I’m not allowed to display in the house. I love tat. So I try to get out there in the mornings. But inevitably my plans are scuppered.

How do you come up with your ideas?

They come from small thoughts. A memory. A conversation. A person who passes in and out of your life. Those small thoughts then grow into something more substantial. Something that nags away in the back of my mind, eventually pushing through and saying ‘write me’. I write about families and so I get inspiration from every family I meet, all with their different quirks, make-ups, rules, traditions and skeletons in the cupboard.

Do you ever get writers block?

Not really. I can faff around a lot and resist the act of sitting down and actually writing. But when I do sit down with the intention of writing, the words usually come. If I am struggling, then I read and read and read. It’s all part of the creative act.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Hmm. A while. Eighteen months to two years to get down a decentish first draft. Then maybe another year to rewrite. It’s a long, slow process for me.

What’s next?
I’m rewriting my current novel. I have the plot and the characters but I was telling it wrong. So I have changed the voice and it seems to be working much better. I hope.

Tell us about CreativeWritingMatters.

I used to be an early years teacher and moved on to youth work. I love teaching and was delighted to join Cathie Hartigan along with Margaret James running workshops and courses for www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk in the Exeter area. We also appraise manuscripts and mentor novelists online. Last year we launched the Exeter Novel Prize and had over 250 entries. We now have a shortlist which is being considered by my agent Broo Doherty of DHH Literary Agency. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Exeter on 22nd March. Very excited.

Advice for wannabe writers?

Persist. Don’t give up. Be determined. Read. Do a writing class. Join a writing group. Enter competitions. And write whenever and wherever you can.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Be bold.

http://www.sophieduffy.com/
The Generation Game
This Holey Life

 

Nikki Gemmell Interview | Books

Nikki Gemmell is a talented Australian author, best known for writing the best-selling erotic trilogy The Bride Stripped Bare, With My Body and I Take You. She has recently released her first children’s book, The Kensington Reptilarium. Scarily talented and productive, it was an honour to interview her.

 nikki glemmel interview

You have written eight novels and four works of non-fiction. How do you manage to be so prolific?

 

In that exhausting lifestyle triumverate of the modern harried woman – work/family/social life – something has to give.  I just don’t believe you can have all three.  In my case it’s the social life that’s been sacrificed.  I just get too knackered.  Having kids has also made me much more disciplined.  I don’t spend their school hours unpacking the dishwasher and tidying the house – I write, solidly.  Am constantly gleaning little pockets of time to get it all done (in fact am typing this now, in the car, on the side of the road, having just dropped off my son to a basketball match.)

 

You write a lot about female sexuality. What draws you to write about it?

Honesty connects.  Nowhere more powerfully than in the sexual sphere.  There is so much vulnerability, bewilderment and misconception about sexuality, and it feels exhilarating (and necessary) to write about it utterly truthfully.

 

Lire included you in a list of the fifty most important writers in the world. How did that feel?

It’s a little tuning fork in my head – to try and live up to it!

 

You have written your first children’s book, The Kensington Reptilarium: what made you choose that genre?

Several of my own children who were too addicted to their wretched screens.  I wanted to write a kid’s book that would ignite the flame of reading passion in them, because I just couldn’t get it to catch alight (to my despair and mortification.)  Lo and behold, the Grand Scheme of Maximum Distraction actually worked.

 

Do you have a favourite book that you have written?

Shiver, my first novel – a story extremely close to my heart.  The Bride Stripped Bare – because it transformed my life.  And The Kensington Reptilarium – because it was such enormous, liberating fun.

 

What is your writing routine?

Get the kids, work solidly, then pick them up and give my life over to them.  My trick is to get household chores done around them – never in cherished writing time.

 

How do you come up with your ideas?

I’m constantly on the prowl with a notebook in my handbag – it records ideas, titles, quotes, conversation scraps, magazine articles.

 

Do you ever get writers block?

I used to but not anymore – writing is a business to me now, as well as a passion.  It pays bills, so I just have to plough on or my kids won’t be fed.  I literally can’t afford to be blocked anymore.

 

How long does it take you to write a book?

Usually a couple of years, but I’ve actually written one of them in three weeks (not saying which!)

 

What’s next?

The publishers want a sequel to Kensington Reptilarium, as it did well for them.  Then I’m thinking of an historical novel after that. Something different for me.  I’m addicted to change, trying new things. Not afraid of failure in the slightest. It’s how you progress in life.

 

Advice for wannabe writers?

Tenacity is all. And discipline. Focus. The capacity for hard, gruelling work. Talent only gets you so far.

 

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Write as if you’re dying – it’s a great motivator.  It stops you making that seventh cup of tea.

 

http://www.nikkigemmell.com/ 
Nikki Gemmell’s Threesome: The Bride Stripped Bare, With the Body, I Take You
Honestly: Notes on Life