Dueling Tampons

This Oscar Nominated Writer/Director Has a Musical Tribute For All You Beautiful Pregnant Ladies (VIDEO)

2010-03-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

After his short film was nominated for an Oscar in 2006, Rob Pearlstein (C'95, DP) went on to create another funny film that caught our attention.

Now, Rob has created what seems to be a sure viral video sensation called "She Gotta Bump", a song as he says, "for all you beautiful pregnant ladies".

Watch this very funny video after the jump ...and his reference to pickle farts. (look out for Rob in minute 1:57)

On a related note, the pregnant woman who plays the main love interest in the video is Rob's actual pregnant wife, J. Robin Miller! Rob tells me that she gave birth to their son 8 days after the film was shot!

Also, as with previous projects, Rob co-produced this film with fellow Penn alum Loren Mendell (C'95, Friars).

More about Rob's beginnings in the industry HERE

More Penn funny videos HERE

More Penn writers HERE

More Penn directors HERE

More Penn alumni working together HERE

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Will Liz Banks Bring Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper to Pats for a Cheesesteak?

2010-03-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

Nothing seems to be slowing down Elizabeth Banks' career!

After the jump, more about Liz shooting a film in Philly, her appearance on last night's "30 Rock" and her upcoming directing gig!

In the coming month, Liz will be shooting Dark Fields, a new thriller set in Philadelphia with co-stars Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper.

Per comingsoon.net and NBCPhiladelphia.com,

"The film, based on the book by Alan Glynn, follows a down-and-out writer (Cooper) who gets his hands on a top-secret pharmaceutical drug that makes one smarter. He experiences sudden financial and social success but soon discovers that the drug has lethal and lasting side effects. Before long, mysterious antagonists are pursuing him."

De Niro will play a brilliant financial whiz and Liz plays the female lead opposite Bradley Cooper.

...I believe the last time Liz filmed in Philadelphia was in the stands of Franklin Field for the film Invincible.

Hey Penn folks on campus, send in any photos you may be able to snap!

In other Liz news:

Did you catch her on "30 Rock" last night? In the episode, "Jack (Alec Baldwin) frets that his dreams will be dashed after Avery (Liz) tells him of a rumor that a cable company wants to buy out NBC." (fyi, Liz is wearing in a wig as she was in the middle of filming a movie as a brunette with Russell Crowe)

Liz will also be putting on her directing hat and directing a sketch within an upcoming sketch comedy movie which will be similar to the classic Kentucky Fried Movie. (source)

The Super Creative Oscar Winning "Logorama" Film You Must See (VIDEO)

2010-03-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

While this wasn't created by a Penn alum, I wanted to share this new Oscar winning "Logorama" film because it just came online and it is really super creative and super funny.

In the film where Los Angeles is made up entirely of corporate logos, Michelin Man cops pursue a criminal Ronald McDonald.

This really is brilliant! It's no wonder why it won an Oscar!

Enjoy the film after the jump!

9 Men in Heels and a Kickline: Mask and Wig Brings The Funny to LA (EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS)

2010-03-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Mask and Wig came out to LA to perform its 122nd Annual Production "A Cheshire Catastrophe". And in case you missed it, DT has some exclusive highlight clips for you.

Above, check out the show's finale number followed by Mask and Wig's traditional kickline (wait until you see their costumes this year!)

...And then, after the jump, check out my thoughts and some select moments from the night which include the show's opener, tap number, kickline and post-show floorshow!

Some Mask and Wig alumni in the audience included: Ned Wertimer (C'49), Bob Myer (C'73), Bob Young (C'74), Lew Schneider (C'83), Scott Anderson (C'85), Mark Cronin (ENG '86), Steve Lavapies (C'81), Dave Polsky (C'86), Sam Elias (C'86), Dave Glass (C'90), Kyle Kozloff (C'90), Chris Heisen (C'91), Dave Koff (C'91), Mike Hardy (C'93), Matt Rosler (C'96), Tim Gloege (C'96), Dave Baronoff (C'99), Nathan Agam (W'01), Brian Appel (C'01), Gary Lundy (C'05), Marques Warren (C'05), Josh Burgess (C'07) and Reg Tigerman (C'07).

Some quick thoughts...

I enjoyed the show and wish I could see it in the Mask and Wig clubhouse to get the true experience. Ian Stringham (C'10, Head show writer), Abhrajeet Roy (C'10), David Loewy (C'10) and Ethan Pine (C'11) all had some funny scene-stealing moments.

I will also say Penn undergrad Billy Frierson (C'11) definitely plays one great memorable villainess. (And note to anyone seeing this show: he's not wearing a wig. It's his own hair!) He reminded me a little bit of 101 Dalmatians "Cruella" mixed with a bit of Mark Milstein's (C'97) "Ms. Tagonist" character from my senior year Wig show"Hit or Mrs."

I was a bit saddened that "Shiksa", my favorite Mask and Wig floorshow bit is now out of this generation's repertoire. But I'm sure it will make a comeback!

Hey Mask and Wig alumni from the mid 1990s reading this, check out video "9-Band-Um" above. Listen to minute 1:31 and you'll be pleasantly surprised. When I spoke to the band after the show, they had no idea about the rich history behind this classic musical selection. : )

A special shoutout to Mask and Wig alum Neil Radisch (C'85) who composed the fantastically catchy music for the show and musical director Gene Bender for some great harmonies!

Just because I think it's fun, compare these other Mask and Wig kicklines over time:

Kickline from 2007 (Mask and Wig LA Tour) HERE
Kickline from 1958 (on "Ed Sullivan Show") HERE

And in case you missed these Mask and Wig related DT gems....

By the way, the videos above were taken with the new IPod (video) shuffle.

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Hollywood Exec's New Mission: "Kenya Spare a Camera"

2010-03-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

What happens when one Hollywood Exec has a spiritual awakening and decides to make a life change?

Ask Norman Golightly (C'94, Mask and Wig) who used to run Nicholas Cage's production company, Saturn Films...

As Norm puts it:

"small town kid goes to hollywood to make it big. instead, he makes it medium. pause. isn't there more to life? isn't my life worth the same as that of each of millions of orphans in africa? then why doesn't the world agree? why is it ok when they die but when one of "us" dies, it's news? blessed to have a month to spend with 50 of my little equals in kenya."

Norman came to Kenya armed with twenty-some digital cameras donated by friends and people he didn't even know. In between mending chicken coops and digging wells, he has been teaching the kids from the Cura Orphanage to take their own pictures so they can show the world the way they see it.

He adds,

"i thought it would be a simple way for them to express themselves, build self-confidence and allow us to the world as they see it. some of them are so naturally gifted i hope to be able to bring their art to the rest of the world as well as an awareness of their situation."

A side note of Norman's adventure there was realizing that there is an empty barn meant for cows and chickens, but no funds for the animals. So he's been accepting pledges from people on the "so you want to help" discussion board of the "kenya spare a camera" group page.

Check out the pictures on the Norm's "Kenya Spare a Camera" Facebook group HERE

Other Penn alumni making entertainment-related "Career Changes" HERE

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Oscar Presenter Elizabeth Banks Takes a Jab at James Cameron (VIDEO)

2010-03-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Banks (C'96) sits next to husband
and Penn alum Max Handelman (C'95, AEPi)

Did you see Elizabeth Banks (C'96) present on last night's Oscars? Liz looked beautiful as she presented for the Sci-Tech awards (she hosted 2 weeks ago).

After the jump, watch Liz talk about "super nano cubic grain technology" and take a jab at James Cameron. She's surely in her element!

And Liz isn't the first Penn alum to be part of the Oscars...

Click HERE to learn about other Penn alumni who were part of previous Oscar ceremonies.

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He Starred in a Commercial With Some of His Idols

2010-03-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

Back in October, we started our "An Actor's Path" vlog series with Penn alum Alex Weber (C'09, Lacrosse).

In my Alex's last post on DT, he won a contest that landed him an audition in front of a casting director. (Turns out he's won a part in an upcoming lacrosse movie called Crooked Arrows.)

This month, Alex continues to succeed and in fact, landed a commercial and a new web series you'll want to check out...

Since Alex's last post, he did a commercial for Full-Tilt Poker (they're doing a series of commercials highlighting one professional player in each one.)

Per Alex,

"The commercial I was in was with Gus Hanson. Then later in the day I was able to play poker with a few of the other professional players I mentioned so that they could film other shots."

This month, Alex also stars as the "cool kid" in a new web series called "Delta Psi Pi".

Alex describes it as "'The Office" taking place at a fraternity. (it feels a little like a male version of The House Bunny). Check out Episode 1 and 2 below!:

Delta Psi Pi: Episode 1
Last in popularity on fraternity row, Delta Psi Pi hires a "professional" to turn their fortune around.

Delta Psi Pi
Alex's character gets wooed by Delta Psi Pi. To sum it up, "Pomegranate or he walks....."

More Penn actor posts HERE
Headshot Hotties HERE
Actor Reels HERE

On a side note...
Hey actors out there, I came across a new free App (for the first 3 scripts you upload) called "Rehearsal" that will help you memorize lines. The guy from "Heroes" who plays the puppetmaster (David H. Lawrence XVII) created this cool app that allows you to upload scripts, highlight your lines and record audio rehearsals of your scenes. During a read through with the cast, record other actors' bits so that can you can rehearse your lines organically. Record each run through then listen back to experiment with diction, emphasis and timing. You can even add beat marks, or insert photos or video commentary into run throughs.

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Her New Site Plays Matchmaker for Emerging Designers

2010-03-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

As part of my ongoing "Fashionista" series, I want to introduce to you an alum who is on the constant lookout for fresh new up and coming designers.

So much so, that she's started a new website where you too can get the inside scoop...

Carrie Lowenthal's (C'04, Phi Sig Sig, RAP Line) new site ShopLittleBirdie.com plays matchmaker between fashion curious customers and emerging designers who can get lost among the larger labels.

Per Carrie,

"Every week, Little Birdie members will receive a newsletter showcasing one up-and-coming designer of clothing or accessories. Designers are hand selected for originality, aesthetic, and quality, enabling members to find maximum fashion with minimal effort. Each newsletter contains personal histories, interviews, images, and videos – all of which help the consumer to relate to the designer on a personal level. If they like what they see, readers can click through to the Little Birdie Shop to make a purchase from the designer’s collection.

Little Birdie spotlights one designer at a time, offering the undivided attention of readers looking for the next big thing. After being featured on the site, designers’ news and progress will be posted on Little Birdie’s “Blah Blah Blog”.

Members can follow the careers of their favorite emerging designers and continue to shop with them in the future. If someone asks them “Where did you find that brand?” they can answer, a Little Birdie told me."

More Penn Alumni Fashion HERE

More of DT's Website Wednesday stories HERE

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DT Sneak Peek Exclusive: Mask and Wig Performs In Your City; Welcomes You to Merryland (VIDEO)

2010-03-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

Starting this Friday (3/5/10), the Mask and Wig Club will be traveling to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Island and Boston to present their 122nd annual production "A Cheshire Catastrophe". I've been told it's like Alice in Wonderland meets The Wizard of Oz.

If you live in these cities (or are in Philly and haven't yet seen the show), check out more info about the show, an exclusive sneak peek video, plus tour dates and times after the jump.

In its 122nd Annual Production, “A Cheshire Catastrophe”, Mask and Wig takes you down the rabbit hole, over the rainbow, and across the universe in a suitably absurd return to its historic clubhouse. At the opening we meet our protagonist Alex, a disillusioned college graduate who stumbles through a mysterious door at his graduation party and winds up a stranger in the bizarre fantasy world of Merryland (no, not Maryland). Initially only trying to find his way home, Alex becomes embroiled in a rebellion against the evil Lady Marmalade, who is hell bent on ordering and regulating the eccentric and fantastic world of Merryland. Will Alex ever find his way back home? Can Merryland be saved from the obsessive Lady Marmalade? Talking moles and Munchkaloompas and tap dancing, oh my! Break on through the looking glass and let Mask and Wig show you why there’s no place like home.

Here are the times, dates, and locations for Mask and Wig's Spring Tour 2010

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

San Francisco - March 5th - 8PM
Cowell Theatre 99 Marina Blvd San Francisco, CA 91423 (415)-345-7575

Los Angeles - March 6th - 5PM & 8PM
Beverly Hills High School 241 Moreno Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310)-229-3685

Port Washington, Long Island - March 12th - 8PM
Landmark on Main Street 232 Main Street Port Washington, New York 11050 (516)-767-6444

Boston, MA - March 13th - 8PM
Cambridge YMCA Theatre 820 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139 (617)-661-9622

For more information, contact PJ Heyer and Shaun Alperin at tickets@maskandwig.com

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NBC is Giving This Penn Alum "Friends with Benefits"...and How You Can Get A Studio To Produce Your TV Pilot

2010-03-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

For all those aspiring Penn TV writers, here's some advice for you, if you write a hit film, studios are more receptive to giving you your own TV pilot.

Case in point for one talented Penn alum...

Recently, NBC okayed the single-camera comedy pilot "Friends With Benefits" for (500) Days of Summer writer Scott Neustadter (C'98, TEP, 34th Street Film Editor) and Michael Weber.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the pilot "explores modern-day romance through the eyes of five friends each looking for "the one" but in the meantime settling for "friends with benefits."

This sounds in line with NBC programming: kind of like a 2010 edgier version of "Friends".

More Hollywood Bits and Pieces about Penn Alumni HERE
DT's "Tuesday Tips" for an entertainment career HERE

Augmenting My Reality: My Project for the Olympics (VIDEO)

2010-03-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

As you may have noticed, over the past 2 months I haven't been posting on DT as frequently as I would like. The reason for this is because I was producing some very cool a u g m e n t e d r e a l i t y ("AR") projects that have kept me very busy.

Don't know what this new technology is? Per Wikipedia, it's "a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are augmented by virtual computer-generated imagery."

Still don't get it?

Check out the video above to see some random people engaging with a very cool window kiosk I produced for Yahoo for the Vancouver Olympics that was up and running over the past 2 weeks. Having produced three other engaging projects like this (one for In Style magazine and one for the Army), I can tell you it really is amazing to see all the different ways AR can help engage the consumer!

Let me know if any of you are interested in learning more about this technology for your businesses!

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Taking Her Comedy From "Ugly Betty" to a new NBC Dramedy

2010-02-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

With the recent news of "Ugly Betty" being canceled, Penn alum Becki Newton (C'00) is quite the hot property!

She has received 11 offers since the show got canceled and will be starring in a new dramedy pilot for NBC called "Love Bites". The show weaves together modern stories of love, sex, marriage and dating."

In the show, Becki will play Annie, an upbeat social worker virgin.

More of my Becki Newton posts HERE

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These Austin Musicians Are Keeping Their Eyes on the Prize (VIDEO)

2010-02-22T16:50:00.000-08:00

Back in August, we started a new exclusive DT monthly Vlog series documenting the life of 2 Penn graduates who are embarking on a music career, so that others can learn from their experiences.

In their 6th episode, Ben Naecker (C'09, Water Polo) and Blake West (W'09, Jazz Combos) talk about their transition living in Austin from bad times to good times.

Per Blake,

"For roughly the 8 weeks hiatus, things were looking bleak. Ben was running out of cash, my main source of income was leaving in months, still no new band members, and we were unsure what to do next. We were losing momentum, but we took some specific actions to help us get through which we'll share as part of our 6th lesson, and give some positive updates about what's been going on as of late!"

Watch Episode 6: "Bad Times, Good Times"!

*On a related note, check out "One and the Sun", the song Blake and Ben created originally for the first episode of their Vlog series here on DT. Since their first episode, they have turned it into more of an actual piece and it's available for purchase here.

DT Catch Up:

Penn Alum Tory Burch Guest Judges on Project Runway (VIDEO)

2010-02-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

Did you see Tory Burch C'88 guest judge on last night's "Project Runway"? (recently she was on TV on THIS popular CW show).

In this "Project Runway" episode, the designers' challenge was to create a children's look as well as a companion piece for their model. Check out Tori's thoughts on some of these designs above! She definitely knows what she likes and what she doesn't!

Other Penn alumni on TV HERE

More Penn fashionistas HERE

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Animated Cats and Tumbleweeds on 40th Street: A Sweet Valentine's Video For You

2010-02-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day (and the last post of my Valentine's Day Sampler Week), I bring you "Yin/Yang", a sweet love video from Nickelodeon finalist Jason Merrin (C'13) about a relatively sad boy and a relatively happy girl meeting somewhere in the middle.

Check out scenes around Penn as well as the cool animation Jason integrates into this film! I personally chuckled at the animated tumbleweed you'll see rolling on 40th street!

More Penn class project videos HERE

All of my "Love" DT videos (from past and present) HERE

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Join His Movement: Ban Sexual Loitering (NSFW VIDEO)

2010-02-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

As part of my Valentine's Day Sampler Week, stand-up Aaron Karo (W'01) has some NSFW advice for all those post-coital "lingerers"...

Watch his video above to see what I'm talking about! Funny stuff!

More of my Aaron Karo posts HERE

More Funny Friday posts HERE

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Elizabeth Banks Woos Alec Baldwin on 30 Rock; Talks Commercials on Letterman (VIDEOS)

2010-02-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

Did you see Liz Banks (C'96) last night on the Valentine's Day episode of "30 Rock" where she played a CNBC political correspondent and love interest to Alec Baldwin's character?

She then appeared on Letterman a couple hours later and talked to Dave about "checking her dignity at the door" when she used to audition for commercials in her NY days (see video above). Liz also revealed that she will be on "30 Rock" for "the rest of the season". (As you may recall, Liz was on Letterman last year when she was promoting her films "W" and "Zack and Miri Make a Porno")

Next up for Liz: hosting the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Science and Technical Awards on Feb. 20

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Ode to the Nice Guys

2010-02-11T15:04:00.000-08:00

Sometime last year I came across this great "rant" that was published in the Wharton Undergraduate Journal by a Penn alum by the name of Fu-zu Jen (SEAS/WH, 2003).

Her piece is dedicated to all those nice guys who finish last ...and it's a perfect post for my Valentine's Day Sampler Week.

Check out her moving rant after the jump!

Ode to the Nice Guys

"This is a tribute to the nice guys. The nice guys that finish last, that never become more than friends, that endure hours of whining and bitching about what assholes guys are, while disproving the very point. This is dedicated to those guys who always provide a shoulder to lean on but restrain themselves to tentative hugs, those guys who hold open doors and give reassuring pats on the back and sit patiently outside the changing room at department stores. This is in honor of the guys that obligingly reiterate how cute/beautiful/smart/funny/sexy their female friends are at the appropriate moment, because they know most girls need that litany of support. This is in honor of the guys with open minds, with laid-back attitudes, with honest concern. This is in honor of the guys who respect a girl’s every facet, from her privacy to her theology to her clothing style.

This is for the guys who escort their drunk, bewildered female friends back from parties and never take advantage once they’re at her door, for the guys who accompany girls to bars as buffers against the rest of the creepy male population, for the guys who know a girl is fishing for compliments but give them out anyway, for the guys who always play by the rules in a game where the rules favor cheaters, for the guys who are accredited as boyfriend material but somehow don’t end up being boyfriends, for all the nice guys who are overlooked, underestimated, and unappreciated, for all the nice guys who are manipulated, misled, and unjustly abandoned, this is for you.

This is for that time she left 40 urgent messages on your cell phone, and when you called her back, she spent three hours painstakingly dissecting two sentences her boyfriend said to her over dinner. And even though you thought her boyfriend was a chump and a jerk, you assured her that it was all ok and she shouldn’t worry about it. This is for that time she interrupted the best killing spree you’d ever orchestrated in GTA3 to rant about a rumor that romantically linked her and the guy she thinks is the most repulsive person in the world. And even though you thought it was immature and you had nothing against the guy, you paused the game for two hours and helped her concoct a counter-rumor to spread around the floor. This is also for that time she didn’t have a date, so after numerous vows that there was nothing “serious” between the two of you, she dragged you to a party where you knew nobody, the beer was awful, and she flirted shamelessly with you, justifying each fit of reckless teasing by announcing to everyone: “oh, but we’re just friends!” And even though you were invited purely as a symbolic warm body for her ego, you went anyways. Because you’re nice like that.

The nice guys don’t often get credit where credit is due. And perhaps more disturbing, the nice guys don’t seem to get laid as often as they should. And I wish I could logically explain this trend, but I can’t. From what I have observed on campus and what I have learned from talking to friends at other schools and in the workplace, the only conclusion I can form is that many girls are just illogical, manipulative bitches. Many of them claim they just want to date a nice guy, but when presented with such a specimen, they say irrational, confusing things such as “oh, he’s too nice to date” or “he would be a good boyfriend but he’s not for me” or “he already puts up with so much from me, I couldn’t possibly ask him out!” or the most frustrating of all: “no, it would ruin our friendship.” Yet, they continue to lament the lack of datable men in the world, and they expect their too-nice-to-date male friends to sympathize and apologize for the men that are jerks. Sorry, guys, girls like that are beyond my ability to fathom. I can’t figure out why the connection breaks down between what they say (I want a nice guy!) and what they do (I’m going to sleep with this complete ass now!). But one thing I can do, is say that the nice-guy-finishes-last phenomenon doesn’t last forever. There are definitely many girls who grow out of that train of thought and realize they should be dating the nice guys, not taking them for granted. The tricky part is finding those girls, and even trickier, finding the ones that are single.

So, until those girls are found, I propose a toast to all the nice guys. You know who you are, and I know you’re sick of hearing yourself described as ubiquitously nice. But the truth of the matter is, the world needs your patience in the department store, your holding open of doors, your party escorting services, your propensity to be a sucker for a pretty smile. For all the crazy, inane, absurd things you tolerate, for all the situations where you are the faceless, nameless hero, my accolades, my acknowledgement, and my gratitude go out to you. You do have credibility in this society, and your well deserved vindication is coming."

What do you think nice guys?

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful (TIME LAPSED VIDEOS)

2010-02-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard, there was a big enough storm on the east coast to warrant not one, but now two Penn "snow days". The last time a double snowday happened was during the winter of '94. There seemed to be tons of students and faculty tweeting with excitement. One tweet said:

"just saw somebody skiing down locust walk."

Hysterical!

After the jump, check out 2 very visually cool time lapsed "snow" videos on Penn's campus!

(photo provided by Jake Werlin (C'12))

While the videos below were from a snowstorm at Penn in Decmeber, you should still check them out!

This snowstorm reminds me of of winter break '96, when we were rehearsing in the Mask and Wig clubhouse all day preparing for the Spring show. During our day of rehearsing, it was snowing so bad, that they shut SEPTA down, so all of the Mask and Wig guys had to layer random costumes from the clubhouse and walk from 11th and Pine all the way back to campus. Since I was a senior at the time, I got the cherished and enviable shotgun in Mark Milstein's (C'97) blue volvo.

For my DT Readers, did you ever have a snowday at Penn? Comment below!

The sun setting over the University of Pennsylvania during a snowstorm.

The sun setting over the University of Pennsylvania.

More about Penn's snow days this week HERE

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This Penn Film Producer Brings Us A Star Studded "Valentine's Day" (Great Interview with Mike!)

2010-02-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

Did you know that this week's star studded Valentine's Day movie was produced was Penn alum Mike Karz (C'89, W'89)? (It doesn't get more appropriate for my Valentine's Day Sampler week!)

Check out a great interview Mike did about the movie after the jump!

In the interview below Mike talks about:

the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper
on broad audience appeal
on a once in a lifetime cast
on having Gary Marshall's reputation to thank for his cast

Per Yahoo Movies, the film is about

"A diverse group of Los Angelenos navigate their way through romance and heartbreak over the course of one Valentine's Day. Couples and singles experience the pinnacles and pitfalls of finding, keeping or ending relationships in a day in the life of love."

The film has a ton of stars!: Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Emma Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Patrick Dempsey, Eric Dane, Taylor Lautner, Carter Jenkins, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah.

This formula for having lots of stars (at a lower price per star because each star is only in a part of the film) has prompted Mike to already produce a similar formula for another movie about another momentous day: New Year's Eve.

More of my Mike Karz posts HERE

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Glee Serenades My DT Readers

2010-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

(l to r: John Ferrari, 2013; Andrew Abranovic, 2010; Andrew McAleer, 2012;

Dan Torrington, 2013; Dave Frankenfield, 2011; Nick Madian, 2011; Chris Wogan, 2011; Fan Zhou, 2010)

As part of my Valentine's Day Sampler Week, I have a treat for all of you.

Like I did last year, I've got a special dedication to all of my readers from a bunch of Penn's Glee Club members above (wait until the end of the video)!

Get the Penn Glee Club to serenade someone you know on campus. Learn more after the jump!

Thinking of a special but affordable way to show that special someone you care on Valentine's Day? Don't mind embarrassing them in front of a lecture hall filled with their classmates?

The Penn Glee Club and the Penn chapter of Habitat for Humanity are proud to present Singing Valentines! For only $5, you can hire a part of the Glee Club to sing a song to your significant other in class or anywhere on campus. We also offer singing valentines over the phone; just give us a name and a number.

Like last year, the Glee Club will donate 100% of the proceeds to Penn's chapter of Habitat for Humanity!

Interested? There are two ways to sign up:
1. Visit http://www.penngleeclub.com and complete the information listed on the form. You will be prompted to pay online via PayPal.
2. Visit us on Locust Walk and give us all the information in person.

We will be on the Walk February 8th-12th and delivering singing valentines from February 11th-14th.

Have something more extravagant in mind? Shoot us an email at pgcvalentines@gmail.com and we'll try our best to make it happen!

Questions? Special Requests? Give us a call at (215) 898-GLEE or 898-4533 OR send us an email at pgcvalentines@gmail.com

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This Week, My Valentine's Day Sampler To You

2010-02-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

For the past 3 years, I have dedicated Valentine's Day week to Penn "love-themed" stories.

And this year is no different!

Check back this week for our Valentine's Day Sampler pack filled with some tasty, chewy-centered love-themed stories about our talented alumni. (plus some fun surprises!)

Become a DT fan on facebook HERE!

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He's the TV Medical Consultant on this New Show Promoted On The Superbowl

2010-02-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

At last year's Penn in Pictures event, Zach Lutsky (C'97, AEPi) talked about his experiences working as a medical consultant on the hit show "ER".

Now Zach tells me about "Miami Medical", the new Jerry Bruckheimer CBS drama he's been working on that debuts on April 2. And if you saw the Superbowl yesterday, you would have seen the trailer for this new show during the 3rd quarter. Otherwise, check it out above!

Per Zach,

"I was intimately involved with the writing and choreographing of ALL of the medical scenes in each of the first 13 episodes. I still work as an attending emergency physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center."

Miami Medical" is Jerry Bruckheimer's first medical drama about a "trauma-only" hospital in Florida. It is based on a real "trauma-only" hospital in Miami that is one of three such hospitals in the United States. It tells the story of a team of trauma surgeons handling the sickest and most severely injured trauma patients from accidents in and around Miami.

More Penn Doctors on TV HERE

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Tour Penn's Campus in Google Maps!

2010-02-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

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As you may recall, the Google bike visited the Penn campus last summer.

I'm happy to announce that Penn can now be seen in the "street view" on google maps.

More views from within the Quad after the jump!

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Pretty, cool, huh?

Of course there's THIS tour of Penn's campus that will wow you.

And then my video tour of Penn's changing campus I took a few months ago.

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A Karate Kid Headband Started This Fashion Entrepreneur's New Media Business

2010-02-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

As part of my new Fashionistas series, I share a story about one Penn alum's new media fashion company that began at Penn and is now an established online business...

Ethan Lipsitz (C'06, Off the Beat) wants you to experience fabric self-expression from the company he stitched together since his days as an undergrad at Penn.

apliiq inc is a new media fashion company that began at Penn and has since moved to LA and is growing steadily online. apliiq is based around the process of applique, sewing unique/rare textiles onto simple everyday gear. The site offers exclusive and custom garments and accessories that are unique thanks to the fabrics sewn onto them. apliiq collects textiles from all over the world, each with a distinct story that is translated onto apliiq products.

How did Ethan get his start?:

Per Ethan,

"I used to play with my own hoodies and clothes by stitching old fabrics onto them in a graphic/ architectural way. I stitched a karate kid headband my buddy gave me onto the top of a hoody and some friends liked it, so I made some more for them. From there I began experimenting with lining the entire hood with fabrics I'd buy on Fabric Row in Philly. My friends would come to my room on 42nd and Locust and pick out the fabrics they liked and the hoody they wanted and I'd hand stitch them a hoody. I called the company delph (inspired by Philadelphia - I was an Urban Studies Major and was really into the city). By the end of my senior year I was selling my hoodies at ReLoad Baggage in Northern Liberties, Momoca in Berkeley California and Bodega in Boston.

After Penn I moved to Australia having built delphness.com, a website where people could customize their own hoodies. My classmate Jess Casper (Visual Studies 06) helped me keep the business running and filling orders while I was living in Sydney.

In April 2008 I moved to Los Angeles which has a thriving garment production and textile district and changed the name to apliiq (based off applique and unique). I have been working on the company full time since then. In June 2009 Emily Gruber (Visual Studies/Architecture Minor '08) joined the team as CFO and Audrey Chin (Visual Studies '05) also came on to assist with production. We have a workshop/retail space in downtown LA (on 6th and Spring Street) which is the home base for all operations for apliiq.com."

More on Ethan's website HERE

More Penn Entrepreneurs HERE

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