Casey Twenter: Co-Writer, "Rudderless"

The world premiere of the movie, "Rudderless", was at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. It stars Billy Crudup, Anton Welchin, Felicity Huffman, Selena Gomez, and Laurence Fishburne.

This is the directorial debut of William H. Macy, and was written by Casey Twenter, Jeff Robison and William H. Macy.

Here is the trailer. And, go here for one of the sound tracks (scroll down to the red "play" button).

Here is a scene with Selena Gomez.

Look for Rudderless in theaters October 17th.

Pictured is Co-Writer, Casey Twenter.

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Michael Brandt - "Chicago Fire", "Chicago PD"

While studying at Baylor University, Michael Brandt met Derek Haas, and they began collaborating on screenplays.

Their first production, 2 Fast 2 Furious with Universal Pictures, made over $236 million. 

They went on to write the re-make of 3:10 To Yuma starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, and the movie opened #1 at the box office in 2007.

Michael and Derek's adaptation of Wanted, starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie, grossed over $400 million.

In 2011, Michael directed his and Derek’s screenplay of The Double starring Richard Gere, Topher Grace and Martin Sheen.

More recently, Michael and Derek are Creators, Writers, and Executive Producers of NBC's prime-time drama Chicago Fire, and now Chicago PD.

Update: Sadly, Molly Glynn, who had a recurring role on Chicago Fire, passed away in Chicago. My condolences.

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Java Monster

I asked Josh if he could balance a can of Java Monster on his energized bicep.

Cans are not team players, and its cooperation was lacking. Although the can was falling in every shot, the photograph still worked fairly well.

Model: Josh Hall

Stunt Can: Java Monster Irish Blend Coffee Energy Drink

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Kristi Capps

Writing in Dance Magazine, Janet Light describes ballerina Kristi Capps as, "A Classic Beauty", and praises every turn in her career. 

Kristi trained at School of American Ballet, The Harid Conservatory and University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and was selected to study and perform with the Hungarian State Ballet School in Budapest, Hungary. Upon graduation, Kristi became a member of Atlanta Ballet for three seasons, then joined Cincinnati Ballet where she rose quickly to Principal.

She danced numerous lead roles, and as guest artist performed with ballet companies such as the International Ballet Festival of Miami, International Dance Festival in Vail, Colorado, and with Stars of American Ballet in Spain.

Kristi danced as Principal with Chautauqua Ballet Company in New York, performed at New York City’s Guggenheim Museum and performed the leading role with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Most recently she performed with the Morphoses dance company in Paris, France.

She is part of the faculties of Colorado Ballet Academy, Sweatshop Dance, Colorado Conservatory of Dance, a rehearsal coach for Ballet Ariel, and now Ballet Mistress for Kansas City Ballet.

I recommend clicking on this Dance Magazine link, as the article about Kristi is thorough and enjoyable.

Photograph and written content © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

"Rich Hill" - Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary

The 2014 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Grand Jury Prize for Documentary went to Rich Hill, a feature documentary by directors Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo.

The crew spent a year with young friends Andrew, Harley and Appachey in a declining, rural-American town. The boys live with hope amid unfortunate and overwhelming circumstances, and limited resources.

It is uncommon to see a documentary in theaters, however Rich Hill, which has garnered additional recognition, opens in select theaters in August, and in Kansas City August 8th. 

Vanity Fair's Hollywood just listed Rich Hill as one of nine independent movies to see this summer. 

Since the movie's completion, Harley was diagnosed with a brain tumor and has undergone surgery. If you care to make a donation to help with his medical expenses, you may click here.

Pictured are Harley, and Tracy Droz Tragos.  


Photographs © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Michael F. Kelly - Ferrari Aficionado, Racing Instructor

Engineer Michael F. Kelly is a race track driving instructor for Ferrari Club of America, as well as for high-performance brands Porsche, BMW, Lotus, and Audi. He has driven on race tracks across the United States.

He is also Chapter President and Technical Advisor for Ferrari Club of America - Ohio, and Chair of Ferrari's 2016 International Meet.

In the movie Blue Sky, Michael was the track Technical Director, drove the camera truck, and even made it into a few scenes.

Michael has owned a Ferrari 308 and Ferrari 355, and presently owns a Ferrari Testarossa.

He resides in Cincinnati.

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Patricia Underwood Hat

For more than 35 years, Patricia Underwood has made luxurious, custom-made, hand-finished hats. Numerous design awards have been granted her.

They are sold in specialty stores worldwide, and have been featured in Sex and the City, Down With Love, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Tiffany & Co. commissioned Patricia to make this one-of-a-kind hat.


Model: CJ
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Nadia Thompson

Nadia Thompson hails from Australia. She completed all examinations for Royal Academy of Dance, attaining her Solo Seal by age sixteen. She traveled to Royal Ballet School in London, where she secured a Bronze medal at the world-renowned Adeline Genee Awards.  

Nadia toured with Sadler's Wells Theatre, now Birmingham Royal Ballet (United Kingdom), in her graduate year of the Royal Ballet School, then joined Northern Ballet Theatre where she danced as Senior Soloist and performed all principal roles.

Later, she accepted a position with London City Ballet and performed as Leading Artist.

Nadia danced throughout Europe, and Singapore and Bangkok. 

She performed before Royalty, including HRH Princess Diana, Princess Margaret, The Duchess of York, Prince Edward, and Her Majesty the Queen at Royal Command Performance.

Nadia signed a Soloist contract with Boston Ballet where she danced numerous roles and taught, then proceeded to Milwaukee Ballet.

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Dr. Jane Chu

Dr. Jane Chu is President Obama's nominee to head the National Endowment for the Arts.

Her mother was placed on a train as a teenager to escape Communist China, hoping for a better life in Hong Kong.

Jane's grandparents took significant risk putting their daughter on the train without travel papers, knowing if authorities checked for documents she would have been imprisoned. 

Jane's mother never saw her parents or siblings again.

Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Auburn Hair

"When red-headed people are above a certain social grade, their hair is auburn." – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – Mark Twain, 1889



Photograph © 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Model: Jessi

On Their Way to The Cannes International Film Festival

Davis DeRock, Joe Carey and Chad Alan Crenshaw are leaving Monday for France to mingle with the most influential movie producers, directors and stars.  

Their short movie has been selected for the Cannes International Film Festival.  

What a wonderful opportunity, and acknowledgement of your storytelling prowess!

Photograph ©2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/05/07/5006444/fun-little-movie-turns-into-cannes.html#storylink=cpy

James Jordan, Ballet Master

In 1981, James Jordan became a Kansas City Ballet company member. 

In 1991, James was made Ballet Master where he has had a tremendous positive impact. 

He now has accepted the same post with Sarasota Ballet.

You will be greatly missed, James.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

A Comment on Real Estate Photography

My price estimate was too high for a real estate sales person needing photographs of an upscale home.

He probably envisioned someone with a point-and-shoot camera walking through the house, and around the property, casually taking pictures. How long could that take, and the price could not possibly be very high, right?

A full-time professional photographer is going to spend ample time evaluating each point of interest and angles, and create magazine-like photographs. These can take hours to do properly, and the results are worth the time and expense.

I made this exterior image after location scouting a few days ahead, and much of the creative work was accomplished in-camera when I shot it.  At the request of my client, very little was done in post-production. 

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Eye Art is Big News

#WomenYouShouldKnow 

This eye artwork was created by my glamorous Korean model. 

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Rolls-Royce Publicity

My dynamic subject is currently working in the New York City and New Jersey area publicizing British automaker Rolls-Royce.

A perquisite of the job is driving one of the company's half-million-dollar convertibles while there.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Aaron Paul Dworkin

President Obama's first nominee to the National Council on the Arts was Aaron Dworkin, founder and President of Sphinx Organization.

Aaron, a consummate violinist, is a member of the National Arts Policy Committee, a MacArthur Fellow, and named one of Newsweek magazine's 15 People Who Make America Great.

He is a Royal Philharmonic Society Honorary Member, a recipient of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Lifetime Achievement Award and holds The Luise Vosgerchian Teaching Award at Harvard.

His mother is a White Irish Catholic; his father an African-American Jehovah's Witness. They were not married when he was born, and Aaron was given up for adoption at the age of two weeks. A kind and loving Jewish family adopted and raised him.

Thirty-two years later, he located his biological parents who had ultimately married, and they have a very close relationship.

Aaron describes himself as, "a Black, White, Jewish, Jehovah's Witness, Irish Catholic adoptee who plays the violin, writes poetry and creates artistic experiences."

Not surprisingly, in his lectures Aaron stresses diversity.

He, and his accomplished wife Afa, live in the Detroit area.

Here are books and CD's Aaron has authored.


Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Bret Iwan

Bret Iwan is the voice of Mickey Mouse®, and you hear him wherever Mickey is - on television, video games, Disney On Ice, Disney theme parks, and Disney Road Shows. 

Bret was cast in 2009, when Wayne Allwine passed after being Mickey's voice for 32 years.
 

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Melinda Petet

Melinda Petet and I have worked in tandem on numerous publicity projects.

Melinda was just honored as one of Kansas City's Most Influential Women for 2014.

Brava, Melinda. You deserve it.

Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.
Location: Kansas City Royals Diamond Club at Kauffman Stadium

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Julie Mulhern, Book Author

Congratulations to novelist Julie Mulhern. Her newest book, A Haunting Desire, was recently nominated for the distinguished Golden Heart® Award. 

Winners are announced in San Antonio this summer.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Karen Day (Karen Agron Flattery)

Vocalist Karen Agron's first publicity photographs were made by Bruno of Hollywood when she was a teenager. An agent suggested she change her professional name to Karen Day because, "Agron isn't catchy enough." 

She entertained audiences across the United States, performing with first-class bands and orchestras.

The surname Agron appears to be working satisfactorily for Dianna Agron (Glee). Karen and Dianna are distantly related.

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Jason Wiles

After high school, Jason Wiles passed on the opportunity to play college football, working instead for the Parks and Recreation department. 

Jason was interested in movies, and was on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Bridge with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Robert Altman's Kansas City, and Stephen King's movie Sometimes They Come Back. These were shot in Kansas City.

He moved to Los Angeles where he appeared in commercials and in the Bon Jovi music video Always.

Jason's biggest opportunity came when was cast as Colin Roberts in Beverly Hills, 90210, making 32 appearances. He was then cast as Maurice "Bosco" Boscorelli in the television drama Third Watch, where he appeared in all six seasons.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Fashion Model CJ

My regal model, CJ, is six feet tall. Wearing heels, she is as tall as I.

She tends to become the focus of attention in public.


 Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Amy Seiwert

Amy Seiwert is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated with honors from The School of the Creative and Performing Arts.

She danced with Smuin Ballet, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, and Sacramento Ballet.  

Amy was included on the 25 to Watch list by Dance Magazine, one of the Hot 20 Under 40 by 7x7 Magazine, and her first full evening of choreography was named one of the Top 10 Dance Events of 2007 by the San Francisco Chronicle. She was awarded the Gerbode Foundation's Emerging Choreographers grant, San Francisco Arts Council's Individual Artist commission, and the San Francisco Foundation's Fund for Artists grant. 

She retired from dancing in 2008, and is an active choreographer. She directs Amy Seiwert's Imagery, a contemporary ballet company based in San Francisco.

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

John P. Connolly, Actor

John P. Connolly has scores of television, movie, and stage credits. 

Television credits include Without a Trace, The West Wing, NYPD Blue, ER, The Practice, Law & Order, and Star Trek: The Next Generation (Orn Lote).

John served as Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and on the National Board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

Photograph copyright 2011 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Headshot

Professional photographs are always carefully planned. 

Deliberate choices for wardrobe, hair, makeup, background and post-production are made, and all must come together perfectly.

I relied on decades of fine art and people-photography skills to suggest the best elements for this successful book author and actress.

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Coleman Barks

Coleman Barks is an internationally-celebrated poet, author, scholar and performer. He is also one of the top-selling poets in the world. 

Coleman has devoted decades to studying 13th-century poet Jelaluddin Rumi, and has been a student of Sufism since 1977. His work with Rumi was the subject of an hour-long segment for The Language of Life series on PBS with Bill Moyers. He was also a featured poet and translator on the PBS poetry special Fooling with Words with Bill Moyers.

Coleman published several volumes of his poetry, including Hummingbird Sleep, Winter Sky, and Early Autumn.

He taught poetry and creative writing at the University of Georgia for 30 years, and resides in Athens, Georgia.
 

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Bruce Weber, and Update

Bruce Weber, one of the most successful active Division I basketball coaches, is the head men's basketball coach at Kansas State University.

Weber has over 300 career wins, and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.

He has won numerous Coach of the Year honors, including consensus National Coach of the Year, Naismith Award, honored by The Associated Press, Adolph F. Rupp Cup, U.S. Basketball Writers Association's Henry Iba Award, National Association of Basketball Coaches Award, Chevrolet/CBS laurels, and praise from The Sporting News and Basketball Times.  He was also selected as the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, and the Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Update, March, 2022: 

Bruce resigned as basketball coach at Kansas State University.

Dee Wallace

#WomenYouShouldKnow 

Dee Wallace has 207 movie and television credits as an actress. Seven new projects in which she appears are in post-production or completed for 2014 release.

Dee starred as Elliott's mother (Mary) in the Steven Spielberg film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, starred in Cujo (Donna), and played key roles in The Hills Have Eyes, The Howling, The Stepford Wives and 10.

In The Office, she played Andy Bernard's mother in the eighth-season episode, "Garden Party."

Dee was a ballet soloist before she became an actress.

She married actor Christopher Stone, her co-star in Cujo and The Howling. Christopher died suddenly fifteen years later.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

#DeeWallaceStone

Kansas City Ballet & Todd Bolender Center

I previewed the impressive 2014-2015 season for Kansas City Ballet.

New Artistic Director Devon Carney has accomplished in 7 months, what easily could have taken 2 years. Among other achievements, Devon established Kansas City Ballet II (for emerging professionals), and a dashing new logo has been designed.

Congratulations to the Board of Directors, Devon, Executive Director Jeffrey Bentley, the staff, and the talented dancers who make it happen.

Pictured is the home for Kansas City Ballet, the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity.

Photograph copyright 2014 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Jack Campbell

Attorney Jack Campbell served as President of the Kansas City Jaycees in the 1970's. During his presidency, that group became among the first in the nation to admit women. 

The Kansas City Jaycees were scheduled to host the United States Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men conference, however because of Kansas City's new policy to admit women, the national organization cancelled the meeting. This resulted in a lawsuit being filed in United States District Court. Although the Kansas City Jaycees lost the opportunity to host the national meeting, they created a pathway for women in the Jaycee movement.
 
Jack served in the Missouri General Assembly, and was named Legislator of the Year in 1982 by the political action committee of Hallmark Cards. While serving in the General Assembly, Jack co-sponsored legislation, which established payments for adult daycare through the Missouri Medicaid system.  

Jack's wife Marsha, also an advocate for health care, served as Missouri State Representative from 1997 to 2004. Marsha was named Best State Legislator by The Pitch newspaper.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Publicity Photographs

Shooting exemplary publicity photographs for movies, television and theatre is crucial. Produced and finished creatively, images set the mood for the show, and are used for posters, DVD covers and news media.

Exterior location: Quality Hill Playhouse, in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Frank Haith

Basketball coach Frank Haith was hired in 2004 to lead the Miami Hurricanes into the Atlantic Coast Conference. In his first season, he was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award.

In April, 2011, Frank accepted the head coaching job at the University of Missouri. That year, his Missouri Tigers set a school record for the most regular-season wins at 27. The Tigers were 13-0 in non-conference play, 14-4 in Big 12 play, and 3-0 in Kansas City to win the Big 12 Tournament. 

In March, 2012, the United States Basketball Writers Association awarded him the Henry Iba Award as National Coach of the Year. That same month, he was named the Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year.

He has just been named men's basketball head coach for  Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

Frank was born in Queens, New York. When he was 5 years old, he and his older sister went to live with their grandmother. Six years later, when their mother passed, his three siblings joined them.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Geometry: It's Not Just For Dinner

Most of my photographs are more complicated than is evident. This simple image required the use of a scissor lift aerial platform raised high above the table.

Geometry is about shape, size, relative position of the shapes, and the properties of space. I love them all here.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Baby on the Set

My advice when photographing babies is: Don't over-direct. Being patient will pay off. It's good advice for many adult subjects as well.

This little sweetheart was a joy to photograph, and ideal talent for print and broadcast.

Photograph copyright  2013 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

As 2013 Comes to An End...

This is my last photograph for 2013. The view is northeast overlooking the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

Photograph copyright 2013 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

California Dreaming

B.T. lives outside San Francisco. He is in the Berkeley Hills, about halfway to Grizzly Peak. 

Sounds like heaven.

Photograph copyright 2013 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Jeff & Allison

Meet Jeff and Allison. Jeff is in the touring-cast of The Book of Mormon, and Allison successfully landed co-starring roles in three television projects in Los Angeles.

Jeff's brother, Brian, is in the cast of The Book of Mormon as well, performing in the show on Broadway in New York City.

Photograph copyright 2013 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Advice

My advice has always been, "Present yourself as if you are a gift."


Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.

Photograph copyright 2013 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Ladies Make Accessories Look Good

The jewelry is valued at $100,000.00, and the dresses were delivered from New York City. 

Every lady will make those accessories look good.

Model: CJ
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.

Photograph © 2013 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

David Von Drehle, Writer

David Von Drehle is Editor-at-Large for Time magazine. Cover stories he has written include the United States Supreme Court's health care decision, and the death of Osama bin Laden. It was he who wrote the story when Barack Obama was named Time Person of the Year in 2008.

David has worked for The Denver Post, The Miami Herald, and was New York Bureau Chief for the Washington Post.

This photograph was made December 6, 2013, the 148th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. David's most recent book, Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year, examines ways President Lincoln dealt with the core issue of slavery.

David holds a master's degree from Oxford University in Oxford, England where he was a Marshall Scholar. The four books he has authored have garnered many awards. He is married to Karen Ball, former White House correspondent for The Daily News in New York City. 

Photograph copyright 2013 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

Jerry Agar

Jerry Agar grew up in Manitoba, Canada and started his radio career as an all-night disc jockey in Dauphin, Manitoba. When he married an American and moved to the United States, he continued his radio career with a show in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Later, in Chicago, he worked on WLS in the morning, while doing an evening show for WABC in New York City from studios in Chicago.

Presently, Jerry is the morning host on Canada's largest talk radio station, Newstalk 1010 Toronto.

Jerry is also a regular Tuesday columnist for the Toronto Sun newspaper, and occasionally appears as a current affairs commentator on various television shows.

He was Senior Multimedia Fellow for the think tank, The Illinois Policy Institute. He has been a substitute host on G. Gordon Liddy's satellite radio show, as well as Mark Levin's radio show, and is a substitute host on The Source with Ezra Levant.

Photograph copyright Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.