Friday, June 1, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
It's been real, unreal and surreal: The rest of the LA trip!
All right, now that I told you about the Jib Jab experience, it's time to fill you in on all of the other exciting moments that happened in LA! Before I do that, let me remind you of the top 5 reasons why I wanted to go to LA:
5) I Haven’t Left the Time Zone.
If it wasn't for terrible jet lag the first few nights (Sarah can attest to how I was practically sleepwalking at the jazz cafe we went to!), then I really would have enjoyed it more. But I think I was like a little kid when I kept thinking what time it is in New York! It was actually the first day, when we walked through the Third Street Promenade in the late afternoon and I saw the Yankees-Red Sox game on the TV at a restaurant bar that I got really confused!
4) Have you been to Binghamton?
Apparently we went during the worst overcast time, and the one day we were prepped for the beach, it wasn't beach weather, but even seeing the palm trees everywhere were enough for me!
3) I want to see the celebrities!
AND THAT WE DID! I almost died when I saw Dermot Mulroney (The Wedding Date, My Best Friend's Wedding,jeez...the guy loves matrimony!) at a table right next to us at this new cafe! It was at that same cafe we saw "Trey" from "The OC." So two celebs in one sitting--not to bad! Then it was the next day for dinner that we saw the actor who played "Napoleon Dynamite" at a restaurant! Not to mention seeing and taking pics with Bob Saget at The Laugh Factory and Jay Leno at The Tonight Show! Also we went to the Bill Maher show and saw Ben Affleck on the season finale (not to mention Kevin Costner and Jordin Sparks on Leno!)! But the excitement didn't end when we got back to New York. JC Chasez, formerly of N'SYNC, was spotted when we got offthe plane! I guess I didn't need to leave NY after all to see some stars!
2) I want the golden ticket!
Like the American Idol hopefuls, I want to say, “I’m going to Hollywoooooooooood!!!
All right, now coupled with my Leno experience, I didn't think that an idol reference was going to turn into a reality! It turns out on Tuesday night, after Sarah and I checked out my cousin, Damon's work on the Comedy Central show, "Lil' Bush," we walked our way over to the Kodak Theatre. Damon suggested that there could be a chance there may be some unused Will Call tickets. So I power walked my way up to the theatre.
"Tickets please...tickets!" the usher cried out.
"How do I get tickets!" I replied in a panic.
"Go try at the box office. Show starts in 5 minutes!"
So Sarah and I headed down to the office, where we were told they can't give out any tickets at that moment. So we hovered around that area and stood next to a security guard. The woman calls over the security guard two minutes later and tells him "Go start finding people to give out these tickets."
"I have two girls right here," he said.
"All right take these two."
If there was anywhere in the world I wanted to be (sorry if this sounds cheesy) but it was right there at that Idol show--and since we were in LA anyway--why, we just HAD to be there! We didn't see the real finale, but we saw the night that really counted, and therefore, add Ryan, Paula, Simon and Randy to the list of celeb sightings!And so I was handed an American Idol ticket and quite frankly, I think I was lifted up to our seats on Cloud Nine.
1) This is my big break!
All right. Now what didn't I do out in LA you ask? Let's see, not only did we see celebs, view the shows American Idol, Jay Leno and Bill Maher, GO ON THE SET of the filming of National Treasure 2 by chance, but we checked out Universal Studios, Rodeo Drive, toured the Celebrities homes, checked out the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre, covered the Santa Monica Pier, shopped at Third Street Promenade, The Grove and The Farmer's Market, walked along Venice Beach and ate at some great restaurants! Now I don't know if this was my big break--that I'll have to get back to you years from now, but I do know that this trip was an unreal, and surreal experience that I will truly NEVER forget.
I think Sarah and I are extremely fortunate to have done all we did in Los Angeles. As you can see, a lot of our cool stories and experiences all happened by chance! It all couldn't have been possible without Experience.com and Jib Jab Media!
THANK YOU!
The Jib Jab Experience: Nuckin' Futs!
They literally told us they put in about 12hr work days, if not more. So while at breakfast, most of our questions were answered the prior day, butit was interesting to pick the brain of a Wharton School graduate! Sarah and I grilled him on how the company actually profits (which at the moment, it does not!) and gave advice on the best ways to target our demographic for their new features--which aren't targeting those interested in politics like their previous works!When we came in, we saw Evan sleeping on the couch in the break room. He didn't go home that night before! These guys are WORKAHOLICS!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sarah's Appearance on The BS Show
While our time in this competition is coming to an end, I am compelled to still blog away, just like you should still CLICKAWAY®!
I promised you all footage from Sarah’s appearance on The BS Show, so take a look at the link below! You can watch the "Send Brooke To LA" show by clicking on it at this site! Feel free to catch all other BS Shows too!
http://sa.binghamton.edu/~btv6/clips/video.htm#The_BS_Show
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Adieu, Adieu to you and you and you
This is a big day in my life. Not only did i just partake in a spectacular chocolate-eating party with my roomate (with all the chocolate treats her grandmother sends her in care packages pretty much every other day), but today signifies the three-week mark for Brooke's and my blog. Yes, supporters, this is IT. The final stretch. The big finale. The fat lady is singing. We have done our work, and now our popularity will do the rest. If we have more hits than our other finalist friend Amber, then we, ladies and gentlemen, have won! This will be all due to you, and I'd like to thank everyone for clicking the link! When we know the results of the contest, we will post it immediately on the blog. (Even better, I'm hoping that we will win so that we can give you a phone call from the sunny beaches of Los Angeles). I had a lot of fun writing this blog, I'm not going to lie. I got to learn the in's and out's of the world of online journalism and I also got to express myself and show off my movies a little bit. I'm proud of the work we've done, and I hope you have enjoyed reading our blog just as much as both of us enjoyed making it. I'm hoping for the best possible results in this competition, but whether we win or not, it was incredible to be among the TOP TWO in a national media contest and to have the experience Brooke and I have had in making this is invaluable.
Thanks For Everything. You're the best supporters a blogger could ask for.
Sincerely,
Sarah Kuvin Oren
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Top 5 Reasons Why I Need To Go To LA!
Sad, but true. I’ve traveled to
4) Um, have you ever been to
Let’s just say it felt like -25 degrees a few weeks ago according to weather.com. If it’s not snowing, it’s raining. In fact,
3) I want to see the celebrities!
Now I’ve seen my fair share of the rich and famous: Sarah Ferguson was 10 rows behind my family and me at The Lion King on Broadway, I’ve interviewed Bob Costas and members of the New York Mets (for those sports fans at home), and I saw Bebe Neuwirth in a grocery store in the city (she’s an actress). Wow. Now that I think about it, I really haven’t seen any celebrities. I wouldn’t mind bumping elbows with George Clooney, Matthew McConaughey or of course, Mr. Brad Pitt, in LA!
2) I want the golden ticket!
Like the American Idol hopefuls, I want to say, “I’m going to Hollywoooooooooood!!!!”
And now...the #1 Reason Why I Need To Go To LA.....
[DRUMROLL]......
1) THIS IS MY BIG BREAK!
All right, while I don’t have a Hillary Swank-like story of my family living out of a car for years, life hasn’t been that easy. Getting this opportunity would really validate everything that I have strived to accomplish. Working in the entertainment field has always been a dream, and there is a part of me that wonders whether or not that will just stay a life-long dream. But this could be the beginning of an amazing future! I can see it now….
I would like to thank the Academy, the
-Brooke
CRIBS: University Plaza
Above is a prime example of my BTV Cribs (for Binghamton Television), made last semester by me, starring some of my good friends. I've made many episodes of Cribs, some of Frat houses, some of dorm rooms. The season is still in progress, but here's a small morsel of the Cribs Fall 2006 season.
-Sarah Oren
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Brooke's Take on Celebrity Gossip
While I wholeheartedly agree with Sarah that celebrity stardom has had a negative impact on our society, I can’t help but admit that I enjoy reading the tabloids, gossiping about who is dating who, or occasionally catching Entertainment Tonight. The truth is, I can’t control what I find to be enjoying, and even though most of you may agree with Sarah’s sentiments, there is a little bit of all of us that are intrigued by celebrities’ lives.
One day, I was having a discussion with my friend about how he finds celebrity gossip to be insignificant and an utter waste of time. Our conversation went something like this:
“Celebrity gossip is stupid,” he said.Interesting, don’t you think?
“Did you hear what happened with K-Fed?” I asked him.
“No, tell me!” he replied.
“Wait a minute, you just said you don’t care about celebrity gossip, and now you want to know all about it!”
The truth is, there is not one SECOND that goes by that I think my obsession with Hollywood stars is meaningful, important and worthy of my attention. I wish I were this passionate about real-world news, politics, or finding a cure for cancer. But the truth is, I need to know where Anjolina Jolie is adopting her new child, why Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn split and the latest on TomKat. I’m being sarcastic, yes, but all my friends know that I am the girl to ask for the latest dirt on the celebs and all things entertainment. I guess in some sad way, I'm proud of that! But like the theme of my blog here, I love being entertained, and if reading PerezHilton.com is a crime, then guilty as charged!
To keep along with the theme of celebrity gossip, I started my own celebrity gossip column last semester for the school paper. Click on the articles below if you are interested. Whether you are willing to admit it or not, I know you’re tempted to click!
The Tinseltown Blabbermouth:
1)http://bupipedream.com/pipeline_web/display_article.php?id=3505
2) http://bupipedream.com/pipeline_web/display_article.php?id=3118
3) http://bupipedream.com/pipeline_web/display_article.php?id=2896
4) http://bupipedream.com/pipeline_web/display_article.php?id=2778
5) http://bupipedream.com/pipeline_web/display_article.php?id=2544
I also write about sports too!
http://bupipedream.com/pipeline_web/author_articles.php?id=186
-Brooke "The Blabbermouth" Schneider
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Lifestyles of the Rich and... Who Cares?
I was recently pondering our society's fascination with celebritydom, the lifetstyles of the rich and famous (this is where you can feel free to burst out singing the Good Charlotte song, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"), and came to the conclusion that it is not WE who are at fault; it is the media! Yes, media, that's you I'm talking about. You cannot walk through a grocery store, hair salon, or convenience store without mass media marketing in your face. George Clooney, Naomi Watts, Madonna, all famous names, all household discussions. Now, one might ask "How does this affect me and why is this necessarily a bad thing?" It's not a bad thing, per se. It is more of an out-of control phenomenon that has immersed itself in the minds of young and old alike.
For example, I participate in a mentorship program with the local middle school, spending about 5 hours per week with a little blonde 6th grade girl. This week, I got to her English class as the kids were writing down names of famous people they'd like to research in the library: George Washington, Derek Jeter, Rudy Giuliani, etc. Then I saw what my mentee wrote: Britney Spears, Eminem, J-Lo, and Anna Nicole Smith.
I asked my mentee what her reasons were for writing these names, to which she replied by telling me how they all are interesting people, and that she'd like to know why Anna Nicole Smith died from an overdose. I thought to myself how unfortunate it is that my young mentee, someone who should be so innocent and naive, is researching drug-induced deaths of trashy celebrities. I wanted to tell her that this is something she should not worry about, she should stick with the classy famous people and the true important historical figures. But that stuff doesn't sell tabloids, does it? The reason kids love celebrities is the same reason the older generation does: they're popular. Pick up any issue of Cosmo, and there is an extremely high chance that the woman on the cover is a famous person.
My mentee did not know better, she simply wanted to learn about the things her friends were probably discussing at the lunchtables, which is also probably the same thing they overheard their parents talking about over dinner. I learned a lot that day in mentoring. I learned the shallowness of many aspects of our culture, and if we only obsess over celebrities and forget the people who truly make a difference, then we all deserve to go back to middle school.
-Sarah
Borat Star Visits the BS Show!
After reading my school newspaper last semester, I noticed an article that read “New Borat Film Features Bearcat.” I immediately thought one thing. No, it wasn’t: how did I not know Sasha Baron Cohen went to BU, but rather, how do I get this guy on my show!
I decided to go to the most reliable and efficient contact source---Facebook, and messaged David Corcoran, one of the sweet gentlemen who expressed such kind words as one of the frat boys on the RV van in the movie (if you haven’t seen the movie, that was complete sarcasm). It took about 10 messages back and forth to finally convince David to come on the show, but once he confirmed, I couldn’t help but get excited to know that a real movie star was making his way on to my show! First David Corcoran, next Brad Pitt! That’s right! I’m thinking BIG!
This past Sunday on "The BS Show," my partner Sarah here was a visitor, and we filmed a “Help Send Us To LA” segment that will hopefully make its way to the blog shortly! STAY TUNED!
In the meanwhile, click on the link below to see the Borat episode which also features a very funny improv group! (Disregard all technical glitches and errors--this is BTV, not CNN! Cut me some slack here!)
http://sa.binghamton.edu/~btv6/clips/BS2_9.htm
-Brooke
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Road Trip To Seinfeld!
Nothing was going to stop us from seeing Jerry Seinfeld live--not even a snow storm in Binghamton. Yup that's right, yet another reason to leave Upstate NY and head to LA!
Seinfeld was great! His comedic work has inspired me to do a little comedy bit of my own, so stay tuned for my "Top 5 Awkward Moments in Life" blog that will be coming later this week! I swear it will be original material!
-Brooke
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Binghamton's Got Talent
As you guys can probably tell from my previous blogs, I love to entertain! But while I have visions of getting my own Hollywood star, I will be just as happy working in behind the scenes in the entertainment field! I mean who wants to deal with the paparazzi and the tabloid rumors anyway. I wouldn't want to take headlines away from Britney and Lindsay now!
Here at Binghamton University, I have tried my best efforts to provide students with plenty of entertainment. Besides my television show, I am currently coordinating a campus-wide, week-long talent show, "Binghamton's Got Talent," in which all the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I've been handling the public relations with the local media, talking with businesses about sponsoring the event, advertising around campus, and coordinating each of the six shows. Currently, we already have a belly dancer, magician, juggling unicyclist and a puppet show!
Take a look at the commercial I created for the show! YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT! YES YOU ARE! YES YOU ARE! :)
-Brooke
Friday, March 16, 2007
Gotta Love Them Apples
by Sarah Kuvin Oren
(fun fact: This commercial stars Anna Mahon who was not only my high school English teacher, she also came in 2nd in the 2004 Olympic Trials for her sport, hammerthrowing)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Sarah and Brooke "CLICK AWAY®" Infomercial
Are you tired of
Testimonial
“I didn’t realize how easy it was until I clicked. I’ve tried all other sites, and nothing gave results like this.” –Sarah’s Mom
“CLICK AWAY® changed my life. I’ve lost four pounds in my index finger and I feel GREAT!” –Brooke’s Mom
You heard it hear first. Clicking for Sarah and Brooke is easy, and FREE!
So what do you say? CLICK AWAY® to send Sarah and Brooke to LA!
[Sarah and Brooke]: Thanks, CLICK AWAY®!
-Brooke
CLICK AWAY® Creator
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
My Cinematic Life, in a Nutshell
Are you ready?...
This is the part where I spill my guts and then tell you a little bit about myself.
On the other hand, let's just do the latter.
My name is Sarah Oren and I'm going to be a film editor. Goodness knows that we all have had our confusions about where we're going in life and what path is our "destiny." But who's to say that it hasn't been there under your nose the entire time? Since I was really young, I've been scrapbooking; family events, summer excursions, wild vacations, etc. This is the stuff of great albums. This brings me to my next point where I tell you how scrapbooking has affected my life. Through the painstaking hours spend cutting out paper and writing captions and glueing photos down, I've learned an invaluable skill about editing. I learned how to have patience with my creativity, how to make good artistic decisions, and how to present an appealing piece of work. I'm so thankful for my mother's frequent trips to AC Moore for scrapbook supplies, how could I have done without means for my craft?!
The next step in my ever-improving scrapbooking process? Movies. I began making video scrapbooks when I was of junior high school age, making fun simple Imovies (with my lovely Mac). I learned how much fun they were to create and how enjoyable they were to watch. I moved onto more elaborate projects, making short documentaries in high school, and often was able to utilize my video skills for class group projects. I've lost count of how many video scrapbooks and other movies I've made, but I'm sure the tally runs high. It is my passion, my hobby, my future. Upon admission to college, I put my moviemaking drive on the backburner and hoped that a run-of-the-mill Liberal Arts major would satisfy me. But it did not. Cinema is my passion, and to not spend my days working on that makes me feel empty. Looking back, I realize just how crucial those little scrapbooks were, for they guided me to where I'm at today: a future filmmaker.
by Sarah Oren
Sunday, March 11, 2007
My Claim to Fame: The BS Show
While I don’t normally like to boast about my accomplishments, that’s all about to change. Freshman year, I decided to start my own television show, “The BS Show.” Through my fame and fortune, I have stayed humble throughout—mostly because there’s no real fame or fortune. But I take pride in having a TV show that allows me to express my passion—celebrity gossip, New York sports, television and movie news.
When people come up to me and say, “Thank you Brooke, I didn’t know Britney was back with K-Fed,” it reminds me of how Mother Teresa felt when she helped make the world a better place.
But in all seriousness, the show is supposed to be entertaining! I will post a few of my favorite shows in this blog, starting with one that garnered the most popularity. In fact I still receive calls requesting that this student, Luke, come back on.
If a student wants to come on the show as a "visitor" to sit in the "visitor's chair," I am all for it. So when one student e-mailed me about coming on, I didn't realize until he showed up that he was a 40-year-old Napoleon Dynamite look-a-like! Unsure if I should allow him to come on, the marketing major in me realized he would make for great television. Take a look and see for yourself!
http://sa.binghamton.edu/~btv6/clips/BS2_11.htm
Friday, March 9, 2007
Why I Want Us To Be The Underdog!!!
When you win, it’s expected. When you lose, it’s an embarrassment.
Who wants to deal with that?
That is why I am officially labeling us the “underdogs.” Now I have no idea who these other participants are, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that two Jewish girls from the Metro NY area aren’t the favorites to win. (If we are, sssshh! Don’t ruin this blog for me). And who doesn’t like rooting for the underdog?
So that is why, I proclaim Sarah and myself “underdogs” in this competition. When we win, it will shock the world. And when we lose, well…we don’t have to worry about that scenario!
So if you’re not family, friends, or stalkers of Sarah and me, than you’re probably thinking to yourself, who should I root for in this competition?
I say root for the underdog.
-Brooke
YouTube: the wave of the future
-Sarah
CLICK HERE
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Brooke & Sarah--The Beginning!
There's a First Time for Everything
Not strictly for internet nerds anymore, this online spillage of inner emotions is the "cool" thing to do these days. I've given in, and you are about to hear why I am becoming o-so-trendy with this new blog site I've got going here. This blog (as you might be able to tell from our glorious title) is dedicated to sending my friend Brooke Schneider and me to Los Angeles, California. Confused? I would be, too.
Almost a month ago, Brooke and I entered a national contest to Job Shadow the makers of JibJab.com. Little did we know that we'd get a phone call weeks later saying that we've been chosen as 1 of 5 finalists out of 100's of groups that applied! 'Flattered' would be an understatement of our emotions at the time of the phone call. I'd say we were more on the very of elated/uber excited for this incredible opportunity. And this is where the blog comes in. For three weeks, she and I will have to blog in to this site and enter our deepest, innermost secrets (or just a joke of the day), and the finalist with the most hits to his or her blog page WINS the free trip to LA to meet the minds of JibJab. Simply stated, by reading this blog page you are making Brooke's and my life so much closer to being perfect. So take a minute, browse through our page, feel free to smile and/or chuckle, and send it to ALL your friends! This is offically the end of my first blog post, I think Blog and I are in for a wonderful relationship.
Love Always,
Sarah
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Movie in the Making?
They said it couldn't be done....
Sarah speaking to Brooke: "This is our time...we can DO this!"
Through their hard work and efforts...
Brooke speaking to Sarah: "You're right...we CAN do this!"
The impossible...was made possible...
Brooke: I belong in LA...WE belong in LA...we NEED to go to JibJab!
[cue dramatic music]
If you ever believed in a dream...
[SARAH AND BROOKE RUNNING UP THE ROCKY STAIRS]
Sarah: LA--Here we come!
Brooke: Now is our time to SHINE!
Believe in this....
"Send Sarah and Brooke to LA" Productions Presents
A Sarah and Brooke original film
Send Sarah and Brooke to JibJab
*This film is not yet rated...in fact...its not even produced yet...the only way that the movie can be made...is if you support our blog...so whadya say? Do you think it can be done? Because I sure as hell do! LA--HERE WE COME!!!
-Brooke "Send Me To LA" Schneider