CIne Gear Expo- Film, Video, & Digital Media Event Hollywood June 2009

Cine Gear Expo, in its 13th year, has grown from a one day social event with a hands-on equipment display to become the premiere Film, Video and Digital Media Expo, networking event and seminar series for the entertainment production and post production community in Hollywood. Cine Gear Expo continues to draw a focused audience of top notch industry professionals. Many exhibiting companies choose Cine Gear Expo to introduce new and groundbreaking equipment and services to professionals in the community. The Premiere Seminars and the Master Class Seminar Series are constantly expanding and are hosted by leaders in their respective fields. Cine Gear Expo 2009 will continue its tradition of hosting the opening night VIP Reception, a complimentary bar of beer, wine, champagne and sodas on Saturday, daily food court, snacks, music, exhibits, demonstrations, panel discussions and seminars.
The Studios at Paramount Gower Parking Structure 801 Gower Street Hollywood, CA 90038 (No Entrance at the Front Gate on Melrose)
Exhibition and Premiere Seminars Friday, June 5, 2009 - Hours: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pmSaturday, June 6, 2008 - Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Film Series at Cine Gear ExpoThursday, June 4, 2009 - Hours: 10:00 am - 8:15 pmFriday, June 5, 2009 - Hours: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Reception)

For more information please check out: http://cinegearexpo.com/expo.html

FirstGlance Film Fest 9 Hollywood- May 1-3 2009 Raleigh Studios Hollywood

FirstGlance Film Fest 9 Hollywood- May 1-3 2009 Raleigh Studios Hollywood

Come see 30 award winning truly indie films only at FirstGlance Film Fest Hollywood 9. Spend the weekend watching an amazing lineup of shorts, features, docs, animation and more! Watch Robert Pattinson, Ving Rhames, Dean McDermott, Dwain Murphy, Lea Thompson, Dina Meyer, Ian Ziering, Brad Renfro, Lucas Grabeel and many more notable stars in great films throughout the weekend. Get your tickets now!! Tickets available for most shows, or buy a weekend pass and watch them all!
For more information please see: http://www.firstglancefilms.com/

Seeing Stars- Hollywood's Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California USA, that serves as an entertainment hall of fame. Designed by Southern Californian artist Oliver Weismuller, who was hired by the city in 1953 to give Hollywood a "face lift", the Hollywood Walk of Fame represented one of a number of improvements the city undertook at the time. It is embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of not only human celebrities but also fictional characters honored by the Hollyywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry. The Walk of Fame is maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The first star, awarded on February 9, 1960, went to Joanna Woodward.

The Walk of Fame was created in 1958. Many honorees received multiple stars during the initial phase of installation for contributions to separate categories; however, the practice in recent decades has been to honor individuals not yet represented, with only a handful of previous honorees being awarded additional stars. In 1978, the city of Los Angeles designated the Walk of Fame as a Historic-Cultural Monument.
The Walk of Fame began with 2,500 blank stars. A total of 1,558 stars were awarded during its first sixteen months. Since then, about two stars have been added per month. By 1994, more than 2,000 of the original stars were filled, and additional stars extended the Walk west past Sycamore to La Brea Avenue, where it now ends at the Silver Four Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo (with stars honoring The Beatles and Elvis Presley).

In July 2008, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that the Walk of Fame will undergo a US$4.2-million face-lift.Seven hundred seventy-eight stars will have to be replaced because of the wear and tear that they have undergone since they were first laid down. Some of the stars have become so damaged that they are tripping hazards to tourists who traverse the walk. At the same time, Hollywood Chamber announced the Friends of Walk of Fame program will begin, with Absolut Vodka becoming the first Friend; it will be given an award on private property in front of the Kodak Theatre, as the first major contributor to the restoration process. This program is a collaboration between the Hollywood Chamber and various city entities.

Information taken from: Wikipedia.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame

Picture taken from: WayFaring.info http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/hollywood-walk-of-fame.jpg

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce FAQs

How can I get visitor information sent to me? Contact the Los Angeles Visitors Bureau (Hollywood Office), (323) 467-6412. If you are in Hollywood, you can visit them at 6801 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd Floor.

Where can I see movie stars? Celebrities live all over Southern California, many of them right here in Los Angeles/Hollywood. Frequent events such as movie premieres and Walk of Fame ceremonies bring them to Hollywood Boulevard. Check out the Chamber’s events calendar on this website.

Where can I purchase a map of the stars homes? You can purchase maps of the stars homes at many shops on Hollywood Boulevard, or catch one of the many bus tours based here. A list of sightseeing/tour bus companies who are members of the Chamber are listed right here on our website.

Where can I find the grave of my favorite star? Many celebrities who called Los Angeles home during their lives are also buried here. If you are interested in finding a particular grave, try looking up the deceased name at www.findagrave.com. We ask all visitors to show respect for the burial sites and the families of others buried there.

Can I watch a movie or television show filming? It depends. On-location movie filming is a frequent occurrence in our community. When planning your trip, you can find information on projects during your visit by looking up www.eidc.com or contact their offices at (323) 957-1000. An easier way to see stars at work is to be an audience member at a television show taping. There are many ticketing agencies that can assist you, or you can call the studio where the taping takes place. Check out www.tvtickets.com, or call (818) 753-3470.

Where can I go to shop in Hollywood? There are a number of merchants on Hollywood Boulevard who specialize in everything from movie posters to souvenirs to lingerie. Hollywood and Highland is also a great entertainment and shopping complex, located in the heart of Hollywood. Check out their website at www.hollywoodandhighland.com or you may call them at (323) 817-0220. There’s also the Farmer’s Market, www.farmersmarketla.com or phone them at (323) 933-9211 and the Beverly Center Shopping Mall at www.beverlycenter.com or phone them at (310) 854-0071. You can also find many shops specializing in trendy and eclectic clothing and furniture on Melrose Avenue.

While I am in town I’d like to take a tour on one of the buses. How do I do this? There are several members of the Hollywood Chamber listed right here on our website. Please contact them directly for their cost and schedules.

What is the best way to get around in Hollywood? A number of transportation methods are available to visitors. The subway runs right through Hollywood, connecting us with Universal Studios, Downtown LA and beyond. Bus transportation is also available throughout much of Southern California. For more information on riding public transportation, please look up www.mta.net or call 1-800-266-6883. There are also a number of taxi, tour and limousine companies that are members of the Hollywood Chamber who would be happy to take you around.

Where exactly is Hollywood? Hollywood is a region of the City of Los Angeles. It is located west of Downtown LA, and the approximate boundaries are: North to Griffith Park, East to Silver Lake/Hyperion, South to Melrose and West to La Cienega.

Is Hollywood safe? Hollywood is busy with activity almost 24 hours and is safe for tourists traveling by foot or car. In the last four years, crime has dropped more than 50 percent due to the hard work of the Hollywood Division Police and the Business Improvement District Security teams. However, as with any urban area, it is always wise to be aware of who is around you and to not leave packages visible in your car.

How can I see the Hollywood Sign? The sign is 45 feet high, 450 feet in length and weighs 480,000 pounds. It cannot be reached by foot or car, but there are several nearby places to view the sign, such as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood and Highland Complex and the intersection of Gower and Hollywood Boulevard. Please do not disturb the residents of the Hollywood Sign in search of a route directly to the sign.

There are two different ways to view the Hollywood Sign.
1. Off the 101 (Hollywood) Freeway:
- Take Gower Exit to Franklin Ave. (one block East of Gower)
- Turn on to Beachwood Drive.
- Go North 2 miles to Ledgewood and turn left.
- Go 1 mile to Deronda and turn right-deadend.

2. Off the Barham Blvd. Exit:
- Take Lake Hollywood Drive East, following around the Lake.
- Turn left on to Tahoe Drive.
- Turn right on Canyon Lake Drive.

How can I see a Walk of Fame Ceremony? Check for upcoming ceremonies on the Chamber website. The walk extends across five acres, Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea to Gower and Vine Street from Yucca to Sunset. Ceremonies are “free” to the public. Approximately two stars are added per month. Presiding over the Walk of Fame Ceremonies is Hollywood's Honorary Mayor, Johnny Grant. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce accepts nominations and new recipients are chosen once per year.

How can I find a certain star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? To find the location of a particular star, click on the Walk of Fame link on the Hollywood Chamber website. Those celebrities who have been honored are listed alphabetically.

How can I nominate someone for a Walk of Fame Star? Click on the Walk of Fame link on the Hollywood Chamber website. You can print a form from this site. The criteria for receiving a star are: professional achievement, longevity, and community service. After the Walk of Fame Committee makes its selections, the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, then the Los Angeles City Council vote to approve the selections.

Are there any Museums I can visit? There are several museums listed on the Chamber website. Please call them directly for cost and their hours of operation.

What Hotels are in the area? There are several hotels in and around the Hollywood area. The best way to get information about them is by viewing them at the Chamber website. Hotels generally have a direct link from the Chamber website where you can see their locations and room rates.

What Restaurants are nearby? There are several great dining establishments in and around the Hollywood area. The best way to get information about them is by viewing their listing at the Chamber website. You would have to contact them directly to get their hours of operation, cuisine type and cost.

I will be attending a play at the Pantages Theatre. Are there any restaurants within walking distance? Yes, there are several. Please check the Chamber of Commerce member directory or visit the Pantages Theatre website at www.nederlander.com or you may call them directly at (323) 468-1700.

How can I find out about events happening in Hollywood at the time of my visit? Check the calendar of events on the Chamber website. Also, the Hollywood Christmas Parade is held annually the Sunday after Thanksgiving at 6:00 p.m. The Academy Awards is also held annually at the Kodak Theatre. For other events, call the Hollywood Visitors Center (323) 467-6412.How can I attend a movie premiere?You would have to contact the movie studio that is releasing the film and see if they plan on holding a premiere. See Motion Picture and Television studio listings on Chamber website.

Are any discount coupons offered for Hollywood Attractions? Citypass – Offers a ticket booklet containing an actual ticket to five of the top attractions. Save money and avoid waiting in ticket lines. www.citypass.net

I’d like to use the Hollywood Sign and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Do I need to get permission to do this? Yes. Please contact Global Icons at (310) 820-5300.

I need driving directions to Hollywood. Where can I get these? There is a great website, www.mapquest.com which allows you to enter your destination and print out the directions.

Information Taken From the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Website.

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

Hollywood is a district in Los Angeles, California, situated west-northwest of Downtown Los Angeles.[1] Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word "Hollywood" is often used as a metonym of cinema of the United States. The nickname Tinseltown refers to the glittering, superficial nature of Hollywood and the movie industry.[2] Today, much of the movie industry has dispersed into surrounding cities such as Burbank and the Los Angeles Westside[3] but significant auxiliary industries, such as editing, effects, props, post-production and lighting companies, remain in Hollywood.

Many historic Hollywood theaters are used as venues and concert stages to premiere major theatrical releases and host the Academy Awards. It is a popular destination for nightlife and tourism and home to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Although it is not the typical practice of the city of Los Angeles to establish specific boundaries for districts or neighborhoods, Hollywood is a recent exception. On February 16, 2005, Assembly Members Goldberg Mikiyas Assefa and Koretz introduced a bill to require California to keep specific records on Hollywood as though it were independent. For this to be done, the boundaries were defined. This bill was unanimously supported by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles City Council. Assembly Bill 588 was approved by the Governor on August 28, 2006 and now the district of Hollywood has official borders. The border can be loosely described as the area east of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, south of Mulholland Drive, Laurel Canyon, Cahuenga Boulevard, and Barham Boulevard, and the cities of Burbank and Glendale, north of Melrose Avenue and west of the Golden State Freeway and Hyperion Avenue. This includes all of Griffith Park and Los Feliz—two areas that were hitherto generally considered separate from Hollywood by most Angelenos. The population of the district, including Los Feliz, as of the 2000 census was 167,664 and the median household income was $33,409 in 1999.[4]

As a portion of the city of Los Angeles, Hollywood does not have its own municipal government, but does have an official, appointed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, who serves as "Honorary Mayor of Hollywood" for ceremonial purposes only. Johnny Grant held this position for decades, until his death on January 9, 2008.

Info and Photo Taken From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood

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