Wednesday, August 27, 2014

MEET AND GREET WITH STAN ZIMMERMAN THE GENIUS MIND BEHIND GOLDEN GIRLS TO GILMORE GIRLS AND BEYOND

There's a hilarious comedy play "Meet and Greet" showing in Los Angeles that I was invited to see by my good friend Brendan Robinson (Lucas from "Pretty Little Liars") who plays the casting assistant along with four amazing actresses who play actresses competing for the same TV Show role. As a fellow actress, I appreciate the way a script is written and how the lines are delivered as it is this combination that determines its' success with an audience. I quickly looked up who wrote the script and found out it was a guy named Stan Zimmerman with a laundry list of credits that included one successful sitcom after another. I was lucky enough to first meet this genius screenwriter, director, and producer of such hit sitcoms such as "Golden Girls" and "Gilmore Girls" after the show and then later found myself greeting him at my parents' entertainment law offices to sit down for a personal interview about his success story. Some people do not find their calling that early in life, but Stan was obviously an early bloomer as he was already creating complete television programming in his room by age ten and trying to compete with the major networks. These obvious signs of an entrepreneurial spirit from a youngster shows he was well on his way to succeeding in show business. His passion was not just a hobby like building a train set in his room for fun. Just the opposite, he was creating a soundstage within the confines of his boyhood bedroom for his future screenwriting debut in the real world as a young adult fresh from NYU eager to enter the entertainment world now as an educated  professional. And, the millions of viewers who this visionary has breathed life into characters they identify with, chuckle, even double over from side splitting laughter at the humor he hums into their lines. including myself, can claim Stan is the man with the gift of gab and guffaw that anyone with a sense of humor can find relatable and relaxing after a hard day. "Even when tough things happen, try to find the humor in the situation" - Stan Zimmerman


Brendan Robinson (Lucas from Pretty Little Liars) (L) standing outside Theatre-Asylum-Elephant Space located at 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90038 with Tatiana Mclane (R) where Brendan is starring in "Meet and Greet" (a new comedy play) written by Stan Zimmerman and Christian McLaughlin and directed by Stan Zimmerman. Go see Brendan along with his 4 leading ladies Daniele Gaither (MADTV), Teresa Ganzel (Tonight Show),Carolyn Hennesy (General Hospital) and Viki Lewis (News Radio)! It will leave you in a fit of giggles!
Photo Credit: Venice Wong 


1. Describe your personal clothing style. Does it differ from when you are working in your creative mode vs. your daily life?
I don’t know why, but I really like wearing other people’s clothing. Especially vintage. I like mixing and matching vintage with current trends. I will always be wearing some kind of vintage piece. When I was working on "Rita Rocks", for the live audience shows, I would dress up. I was known for my vintage ties and cardigans. I have a walk in closet and people are always like, you have so many shoes. I can’t bring myself to get rid of my clothes because I hope that I can someday bring them back if it becomes in trend again. Right now, I’m more into the classic style. I also really like vintage patterns but not so much the comical ones even though I’m a comedy writer.  

2. It seems like your success story as an entertainment entrepreneur began at a very early age when you began creating your own TV Network in your bedroom at age ten. How do you think that experience prepared you for working in the entertainment industry today?
I was nuts. I was unpopular and wouldn’t play sports, so I would stay in my bedroom making this TV network. Even though it was all in my head. I would draw my own ads. I would see what the other networks were running so I would make a block of shows, such as sitcoms, to compete with them. I wasn’t that good in English class, but I knew I wanted to be a writer for TV and I knew I wanted a writing partner.

3. Are there any other talents that you have that have turned out to be an asset to seeing your creative vision come to life?
I’m a big drawer. I do set design since it’s in my head already. I always pick out the nicest fabric, such as for my house. Yet, it somehow always turns out to be the most expensive. I added a two room addition to my house. They said it would take seven months, but it took seven years. I envisioned it being done and beautiful and it happened. Just like the play, I envisioned great actors in the parts and it happened. 
4. If you were only allowed to watch one Television channel for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
I know this is so cliché but, "Bravo". I actually did a reality show for them. It was to make a sitcom from script to screen. I liked being on camera. It was fun. I was also producing "Gilmore Girls" during this time. I had a crazy schedule that somehow everyone tolerated. Somehow, I did feel energized because I was just getting to do what I love.

5. I noticed that a lot of your projects that you have worked on have been geared towards a demographic of older women. Was this intentional on your part or were you hired to specifically write for these types of shows?
I was just hired to write for them. There are so few shows that are geared towards more mature women. It's not as difficult to come up with dialogue for them since they’re more in touch with their feelings, as men just shrug their shoulders as an expression of emotion.

6. Do you think you have a clear sense of humor to the point that someone can tell you wrote a specific joke or line?
People have come to the show and say, “Oh, I can so hear you in your work!” I think I like to write witty, smart lines that come out of a character. I don't think of myself as a joke writer. 

The amazingly funny comedic screenwriter of your favorite sitcoms, Stan Zimmerman (L)  sharing some of his career's funniest moments with Queenie4ever celebrity blogger Tatiana Mclane (R) during his interview which took place at Tatiana's parents' music and entertainment law firm (Mclane and Wong) located in the NoHo Arts District North Hollywood, California.
Photo Credit: Venice Wong

7. It says on your website that you DJ. As a big fan of music, I find that really cool. What is your DJ name and what is your playlist like?
Z Man, DJ Z, I haven’t quite found the perfect name. I just started doing it for people’s birthday parties. I did do a club once called the Falcon. I love old school funk and R&B. Where there was a Hollywood party in the basement of the Max Factor Museum. It has the props from the Silence of the Lambs in it. I DJ’d the party from inside the freight elevator that the guests had to take to get to the party. It had a disco ball in it. I wore a costume of a tight muscle t-shirt and a hat. No one recognized me. 

8. What was the casting for "Meet & Greet" like?
We had table reads as my version of auditions at my round coffee table at home.

9. How did the sets differ from the first show until now?
At the Fringe Festival, we had a very small set. Because we were only given 15 minutes  between plays we could only quickly set up a couch, cheap table for the casting assistant and hang three movie posters.  But the next time we did it, we had a real set that did not include an Ikea table.  

10. What is the cast of "Meet & Greet" like?
Doing this play, we have become like a little family, with no infighting. It’s such a great tight ensemble. Everyone has their shining moment. They really enjoy being up there. Maybe a Tony award would change that. I hope not, but a nice ensemble award would be nice. We don’t see each other during the week but on the weekend. We’ll be like oh my God, how was your week? I love hearing their stories.

11.If you were going to add another female character to the cast of "Meet and Greet", who is auditioning for the part of Andrea, what type of actress would this character be typecast as?
A drag queen, transsexual, or YouTube star. Someone came to the show who was a telenovela star. They said they would like to do an all Latin cast in Miami. It might also be fun to have the whole cast be drag queens.   

12. Was "Meet and Greet" written with plans to try to pitch it as a sitcom in the future?
No. I never wanted to write a play only sitcoms. When I direct, I like doing preexisting works so that the lines are the same. I was told by Larry Hirschhorn to write about my life, but I wrote about something in my life. I think it’s horrible what we put actresses through. They are waiting in a room with their competition and are expected to go in and land the part. 

A last glimpse of Queenie4ever celebrity blogger Tatiana Mclane (L) with one of Hollywood's most successful screenwriter/producer/director Stan Zimmerman(R) hanging out on the vintage red velvet settee in her parents' music and entertainment law firm (Mclane and Wong) located in the NoHo Arts District North Hollywood, California.
Photo Credit: Venice Wong


13. What do you want the audience to take away from watching "Meet & Greet"?
I just want them to have a good time for an hour and twenty minutes. I think it’s an interesting subject to explore, people wanting fame and if you do get a taste of fame would you be willing to give it up? When people are laughing I think they take away more of a lesson. I pick the playlist before the show. It’s all songs about fame and fortune.

14. What is your advice to someone who aspires to be in the entertainment industry?
What I tell my acting students is that there is success on the back wall. If you want to get to success you need to push the obstacles away, so you can get to the wall. Sometimes we’re our own obstacle, and sometimes your obstacle is someone that you have allowed to get in your way. You need to say no I have somewhere to be and push them out of the way. If you really want it, visual a clear path. You have a unique perspective on the world. Everything you listen to and experience shapes who are. Even when tough things happen, try to find the humor in the situation. 

15. What is next for Stan Zimmerman?
My weekday writing partner is, James Berg. We’re currently finishing up a pilot for Jessie McCartney for ABC Family. It’s called, "Piece of Work". It's a cross between the movies, "Devil Wears Prada" and "The Proposal". My Weekend writing partner is Christian McLaughlin, who co-wrote "Meet & Greet" with me. We got the rights to do a musical using 40 TV show themes such as, "I Love Lucy" and "True Blood" with my weekend partner. Christian wrote meet and greet with me. I am also working on my dream of directing a movie. It will be called "The Homecoming Queen is Going Down". The storyline is that they have a revote for homecoming queen 20 years later. The cheerleader won the 1st time, but she has gained weight. Yet, she doesn’t want to lose. It’s in the mode of "Bridesmaid".

I highly recommend that you round up a bunch of friends and go experience this super hilarious play with an all star cast guaranteed to have you laughing in your seats, then go have coffee and have a gab fest about all the lines that make you giggle with glee!!!

AS OF NOW,  ONLY 11 MORE SHOWS OF "MEET AND GREET" !!!!
CLICK THE LINK FOR TICKETS: www.theatreasylum-la.com
To Learn More About Stan Zimmerman: www.zimmermanstan.com



Princess Kisses! xoxo
Tatiana Mclane Queenie4ever
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Thursday, January 16, 2014

GEORGE NORTHY G.B.F. MOVIE SCREENWRITER INTERVIEW

GEORGE NORTHY G.B.F. MOVIE SCREENWRITER By Tatiana Mclane

George Northy may have begun his career in advertising, but he recently segued his way into becoming one of America's hottest new screenwriters to hit Hollywood on its' head as a wakeup call to realize that he held the golden ticket to success on the big screen. Yup! A script that was not only filled with a serious LGBT issue taking place on every high school campus from the sunny shores of California to the snowy banks of his east coast home town, but also an important lesson wrapped up in a humorous comedy which shows the ridiculousness of stereotyping gay males as the latest "It" accessory of the season similar to a designer brand logo handbag or pair of high heels with the signature red sole. As an outcast, it may seem cool and exciting at first to be the object of the high school Clique Queens' affections as their new G.B.F., but it comes at a price. The main character, Tanner played by Michael J. Willett, soon finds out as he begins to lose his identity, his real friends, and his dignity. He willingly is re made into these girls' version of what a G.B.F. should dress and act like complete with a personality and wardrobe makeover. The point screenwriter George Northy drives at throughout the funny and quotable one liners between the characters is simple: People are not accessories. Being Gay is not a popularity contest. It is a sexual orientation that deserves societies' respect.

The first time I met George Northy was on the set of G.B.F., it was sort of surreal to actually meet my character, May-Eve's , creator. Just because most screen writers do not hang out on set. I wasn't sure who this guy was as he appeared as if he could have been part of the crew by the way he was walking back and forth while us cast members were waiting for wardrobe. However, he was more smartly dressed than the typical crew member whose uniform usually consists of a band t shirt and shorts which gave me a clue that he was someone special. And, my guess was correct. He turned out to be the writer who penned to life the quirky yet hilarious Gay Straight Alliance member, May-Eve. I feel lucky to have been chosen to bring his vision of this high school misfit to life on the big screen and as part of the G.B.F. family. George made me feel that I was playing a very special character that day as he mentioned in his chipper tone of voice: " May-Eve is the name he would give his daughter if he had one" So, I felt a deep connection to him as if he was my character's father. I hope that my performance made you proud Papa George!

I have seen G.B.F. in its entirety twice. And, each time it keeps getting more and more intriguing as I finally get something one of the characters makes reference to or I notice subtle details in the background that I did not notice before that really starts to help me put this whole GBF puzzle together. It really is like a giant yearbook that you have to keep flipping through the pages over and over again in case you missed yourself hidden in one of the photo collages! Or, you are featured on the Best Hair page and missed it the first flip through because you were so excited to see if your hair looked nice in the GSA Club Photo lol! I could go on and on about how cool this movie is, how all your favorite stars from all your favorite TV Series and Movie Franchises are in G.B.F., how much fashion eye candy is worn by one of the most drop dead gorgeous casts I have ever seen or been a part of,

This is a before and after shot of what Tatiana Mclane looked like before G.B.F. Hair and Makeup and G.B.F. Costume Dept. transformed her into screenwriter George Northy's character May-Eve. Don't you just love the glasses?
Photo Credit: Tatiana Mclane
But enough of that. Just do yourself a favor and take a friend or two because it's that kind of movie experience where it's so much better when you have someone to share in the experience and talk and laugh and believe me you won't be able to stop talking about G.B.F. and hopefully you will recover from your sides splitting for an hour and 32 minutes to realize that you just have to go see it again!

Princess Kisses! xoxo
Tatiana Mclane Queenie4ever

PS: G.B.F. is now in a theater near you as of January 17, 2014 and available on iTunes
Follow George Northy on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/georgenorthy
Check out G.B.F. happenings here:
https://www.facebook.com/GBFMovie



1. Since this is also a fashion blog, I am sure that my readers would be interested in hearing about your personal fashion style. How would you describe your clothing style.
I'm not a very fashion-focused person myself. I love to watch runway shows and things like Project Runway and I can appreciate beautiful clothes, but I generally wear simple t-shirts and jeans every day. I do have some more stylish clothes from TopShop though.
Here's G.B.F. Actress Tatiana Mclane with Screenwriter George Northy on the left
and with lead actor Michael J. Willett who plays Tanner still wearing her May-Eve
costume celebrating the last day of filming. It's a wrap! 
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
2. Since you have been attending film festivals to promote G.B.F. so often, how do you chose what to wear on the red carpet? Who helps you pick out your red carpet outfits? Do you have a professional stylist or is there someone such as a friend or relative who helps you pick out your wardrobe or are you a Do it yourself-er in the wardrobe department?
My boyfriend works in fashion so he can help sometimes. But generally I just go to TopShop for my red carpet looks.
3. Is there an item of clothing in your closet that makes you feel like a Prince when you wear it?
Not really!
Look how excited G.B.F.actress Tatiana Mclane aka May-Eve is to get her copy of
the North Gateway High 2013 Yearbook! Go see G.B.F. if you want a peek inside the pages! Find out who won Best Hair? And check out the photos on the big screen of so many more great memories of the year the clique Queens decided to vie for the newest accessory- A Gay Best Friend! 
Photo Credit: Tatiana Mclane


Andrea Bowman who plays 'Shley (L) with Tatiana Mclane who plays May-Eve (R) on the last day of filming G.B.F. Written by George Northy and directed by Darren Stein
Photo Credit: Venice Wong

4. What were you like as a child? How old were you when you decided to become a screenwriter? Why did you choose to Major in Advertising and Sociology as an undergrad instead of concentrating in areas most people would think a screenwriter would study such as attending film school? Do you think that your college experience at Syracuse helped you to become a better writer? If yes, in what way?
I didn't really think I'd become a screenwriter in college. I was more focused on a career in advertising than anything else, which is why I chose those majors. I do think my experiences at Syracuse and the time I spent working in a field outside of film helped to give me outside perspectives on the world of screenwriting, so I can come into things with a different point of view!


Here's a photo taken of Xosha Roquemore as Caprice (L) and Tatiana Mclane as
May-Eve on set still in costume immediately after wrapping filming on G.B.F. Movie
written by George Northy and directed by Darren Stein
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
5. When was the first time you knew that you were meant to be a screenwriter?
I took a screenwriting class in NYC while I was working in advertising. As soon as I started writing in the screenwriting format, it just came so naturally and was so much fun, I knew that I wanted to pursue it full time.
6. When you first began taking a screenwriting class was it with the intention of exploring it as a part time gig or as a possible full time career change from working in the world of advertising?
I really took the class just for fun and to escape the dullness of my day job. I was getting burnt out at work and needed some creative stimulation. I never guessed it would turn into a career .



Having fun at the cast/crew wrap party are Sasha Pieterse who plays Fawcett (L) and
Tatiana Mclane who plays May-Eve (R) in G.B.F. Movie written by George Northy and
directed by Darren Stein @ Boardners Hollywood, Ca
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
7. Is there a little bit of you in the G.B.F. main character Tanner played by Michael J. Willett and how would you describe that similarity as far as what you were like as a teen in high school?
Tanner definitely has a lot of me in him. I was (and still am) an introverted comic book geek who didn't always get into the right stereotypes. I often preferred flying under the radar and riding the coattails of my flashier friends .
8. Why did you chose to work in advertising as your first career choice after college? What was the attraction? Is there something about working in the world of advertising that helped you become the intuitive and entertaining screenwriter today who created a script that has the possibility of becoming an iconic coming of age movie?
I wanted to work in advertising because I wanted to be creative but also have a steady income. The income was always nice, but as the job got less and less creative, I realized I needed a change.


Two amazing actresses Evanna Lynch who plays Mckenzie Price and Tatiana Mclane who plays May-Eve in G.B.F. Movie written by George Northy and Directed by Darren Stein having fun at @ Boardners Hollywood, Ca (G.B.F. Wrap Party)
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
 9. Do you think working on G.B.F. as the screenwriter may have been the key to getting you the job as a writer on MTV's Faking It?
Yes! G.B .F.  was the script that got me noticed at MTV and it's the script my boss Carter Covington read that convinced him to hire me! So it 100% was the key!
10. If you were going to add one more scene to the movie what would it be and why?
Maybe one more scene of just Tanner and Brent, since they're the heart of the movie. 


Molly Tarlov(L) who plays Sophie and Tatiana Mclane who plays May-Eve enjoying a
first time screening of the trailer for G.B.F. Movie written by George Northy and
directed by Darren Stein @ the Wrap Party Boardners Hollywood, CA
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
11. What was the scene that flowed from to pen to paper in its' entirety without you really thinking about it?
Anytime I was writing for Caprice, the dialogue flowed really easily. But all the teen scenes flowed pretty well. I think the harder scenes for me to write were the adult characters and the more dramatic moments.


Paul Iacono who plays Brent Van Camp (L) with Tatiana Mclane who plays May-Eve
having a blast at the Wrap Party for G.B.F. movie written By George Northy and
directed by Darren Stein @ Boardners Hollywood, Ca
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
12. What do you hope that the audience will get out of watching G.B.F.?
I hope they see a film that gives them joy, makes them feel and that they'll want to watch over and over!


JoJo Levesque who plays my GSA Club Leader Soledad (L) and me Tatiana Mclane (R) who plays May-Eve in G.B .F. movie written by George Northy and directed by Darren Stein. The private cast/crew screening @ Downtown Independent Los Angeles, Ca
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
13. If you were going to write a sequel to G.B.F., would you show the characters in college or introduce  new characters in the same high school dealing with similar issues who are aware of what happened to Tanner in the first movie. In other words, G.B.F. the second generation cast who deal with similar LGBT issues.
I think I'd go the second generation route. But if would be quite fun to get the gang back together for college as well! 


Proudly posing in front of the G.B.F. Movie Poster Marquee with my character's creator George Northy! Ah hello I'm Tatiana Mclane and I play the hilarious high school misfit and GSA Club Member May-Eve! I wouldn't exist if George hadn't brought me out of his imagination to the big screen! Now Playing in theaters and available on VOD I present you teen comedy G.B.F. Written By George Northy and Directed by Darren Stein @ Downtown Independent
Photo Credit: Venice Wong
14. What advice would you give to an aspiring screenwriter?
Write as much as you can. And write things you can make yourself, even if it's on an iPhone with a bunch of your friends. You'll learn more by doing it than you'd ever learn in a class. Lots of people write pilots and screenplays, be one of the people who makes something, no matter how cheaply or simply. Don't just be a writer, be a filmmaker.


Check out the official trailer for teen comedy G.B.F. written by George Northy and directed by Darren Stein.
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