Obama Got Kush?

Obama is moving towards a greener society in more ways than one. SF Gate reports that Obama is making fundamental moves towards allowing states to have jurisdiction over their marijuana laws. Read here. Also, here's a quick clip of Barack back in 2004, discussing the failed drug war and his belief in decriminalization. Yes we cannabis!

Franki Chan vs. Steve Aoki??

The latest vimby video I shot about Franki Chan (iheartcomix). In it, he talks about his once formidable partnership with Steve Aoki, which ultimately dissolved in classic (hipster) Hollywood drama. Watch for yourself..

VIMBY - Franki Chan

Facebook Fumbles

I don't trust this guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Facebook is in direct cahoots with the FBI, CIA, ATF, DEA, etc. After Mark Zuckerberg's controversial new ToS (Terms of Service), where anything one uploads is under license by FB, people including myself were outraged. Still am that he would even try! Now Zuckerberg is backpeddling, claiming they don't own anything and this is all in line with FB's ultimate goals. It sounds like a bunch of rhetoric to me. Read about it here. If only Myspace would have the design of Facebook, virtual life would be perfect. The reality is, I just can't stop updating my status!! Facebook is indeed an addiction, and if you delete your account, you're almost out of the loop. We'll see how this all plays out. Or if we get played out!

Spirit Awards

A big congratulations to my friends Sara Simmonds and Scoot McNairy, stars of "In Search for a Midnight Kiss", which won the John Cassavetes award, given to features made for under 500K. There's Sara after her win (and Katie to the left :)..



Sara was also the mystery girl in my own video "Rachele & Taz". Here's a refresher..


RACHELE & TAZ from Danny Lee on Vimeo.

Toons

Today took a stroll on Melrose east and stopped by Bike Style, a straight up bicycle custom shop. Bike Style is the brain child of legendary LA graffiti artist Toons. There he is showing off a new frame..











There's Toons' seminal Bike Styler movers..







There's the beginnings of Toons' 3D creation of a machine gun boombox, with live speakers to be built within..





If you're in SF next week, you can see how these pieces turn out at..

Double Conviction

Shame on anybody that would do something like this. Male or female. WTF is wrong with this world??

LA Undercover

Today, stopped by the Corner on Highland for lunch and ran into Michael DeLorenzo, an actor who starred in some of the seminal shows of the late 80's/early 90's including "Head of the Class" and the hip hop influenced, gritty Fox series "New York Undercover", which notably was the first police drama on American TV ever to have 2 colored people as the leads. If you don't know, Mike's a good dude. I'd love to reprise a good role for him..

If You're a Transplant..

..who moved here to be in entertainment, this rap video might seem all too familiar...


Hollywood ASST from Back of the Class on Vimeo.

Rainy Day Viewing

It's... Mohammed!

My favorite middle eastern Mobil Mart clerk. Right around the corner from my house, this guy is non-stop laughs! In the morning he says "Good morning!", in the afternoon he says "Good morning!", at night he says "Good morning!" This is my ongoing tribute to some of the most interesting people in this world. On top of it, his full name is Mohammed Butt! No joke!

Five Four in the Wall Street Journal

My good friends and fashion brand Five Four just had a very enlightening article in WSJ, about how they've strategized to brave the economic storm, particularly in an industry that's very recession-vulnerable. Read the guys' thoughts here. There's Andres, Dee and myself the other week..

The World Needs More Joaquins

Mr. Phoenix on the Late Show. I think the guy's cool..

"Rock Fresh" is Fully Digital!

As seen in the news section, we are pleased to announce that foreign digital rights for ROCK FRESH are being represented exclusively by Cinetic Rights Management. For more information about CRM, please contact Cineticcrm@cineticmedia.com. Domestic is represented by Music Video Distributors. This means for your iPhones, iPods, iBooks, everything! For posterity, here's the web-only scene from the film, Studio 9!

Grams of Friends and Fams

The day brought floods..



The night brought Friends & Family. The Grammy party took place at Paramount.



There's Thuy of GreenGrownandSexy.com..



There's Robbie Melnik and Betty Lee of Lionsgate..



There's Daniel Sakai of CBS Mobile..



There's Jordan and the co-host with the co-most, Mr. Roker..



There's Dario and Young Dre..



There's Brandon and Sunspot..



Good night.

Throwback Fridays!

Every friday, I'm going to post another throwback music video. Here's an oldie but goodie, Original Flavor's "Can I Get Open". Features a very, very green Jay-Z. Check out the '94 fashion!

Christian Bale-istics!

Usually I don't post celebrity fodder, but this one is fascinating. Although Christian should've definitely handled the situation better, his frustration is understandable. There are people you work with from time to time, that try to undermine the whole process. Apparently Bale was in a serious, emotional scene on the set of "Terminator Salvation". Then this DP meanders in his view and breaks his concentration. In my opinion, when a scene is underway, the only thing moving should be your chest from breathing. But damn Christian, your point won't get across this way. Pops always said, "The cooler heads prevails." Here's the audio of his rant..



By the way, the trailer didn't thrill me. No Arnold, no Terminator. Only Governator.

Realistically Speaking

Earlier tonight, finally sat down with a producer friend Ronan P. Nagle, who currently produces Storm Chasers, with a few other reality shows in the pipeline. Also joined in was Matt Labate, a former Sony exec who now is forging ahead independently..



Later met up with some lovely ladies over dinner at Cafe Med on Sunset Plaza. There's Karen, Chelo and Jennifer..



I'm not at the liberty to say exactly about what but will say great ideas usually come with great food!



Finally, stopped by my buddy Vince Chia's home studio to finish sound on my new short film "Blind Serenade" starring Desmond Harrington..



Look out for it soon!

Favorite Super Bowl Spots

Here's a selection of super bowl spots that stood out in my book. Careerbuilder.com. "Hey dummy.."



Cash4Gold. "My gold hip replacement.."



"Hyundai!"



And the LAND OF THE LOST trailer! "Matt Lauer can eat it!"

Korean Tacos?

It's true. The Korean food fusion train has definitely left the station. It's interesting, because my older brother Gene and I have been talking about this for years. But since I'm focused in my genre and he's off learning the biz as manager of the new restaurant Kitchen 24, the Kogi guys have launched a huge craze. They basically cruise around greater LA and post up at corners and parking lots. To catch up with them, here's their website. Bon appetit!







(photos courtesy of Anne Fishbein)