5 Awesome Events for L.A. Film Nerds

Outsiders think L.A. is so damn glamorous, right? We Angelenos know better. It’s hard work living here, especially when you’re trying to build a career for yourself in entertainment. This week’s slate of events, however, is designed to conjure up a bit of that Hollywood lustre—from visiting famous movie locations to literally experiencing a bit of Old Hollywood, these happenings are perfect for reminding you why you moved to L.A. in the first place.

Get advice from a Hollywood casting director. 
For actors, getting feedback is crucial to developing and improving your craft. We talk a lot about SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s small-group workshops because they’re a really worthwhile perk of union membership. Another is the opportunity to interface with real-life casting directors and those who could be sitting on the other side of the audition table. On Feb. 11, meet horror-thriller casting director Dean Fronk, participate in a Q&A, and perform a cold read to receive feedback from this industry pro. Be sure to fill out a Casting Access application beforehand, and bring a notebook to record the many valuable tidbits you’re sure to hear! (Free for union members)

Go back in time with the Hollywood Heritage Museum.
One of the few remaining structures integral to Hollywood’s history the Lasky-DeMille Barn on Highland Avenue—across from the Hollywood Bowl—is worth a visit for any actor, particularly since it houses the fabulous Hollywood Heritage Museum. If you’re looking for an excuse to visit, join the organization in celebrating 100 years of United Artists and the “Fourth Musketeer,” legendary actor, director, and producer Douglas Fairbanks on Feb. 10. The afternoon includes a screening of rare archival clips, experts on hand and so much more to make the history of Fairbanks (and “the Barn”) come alive. ($7.50–15)

Learn the correlation between “screen and cuisine.”
How is food related to entertainment? Well, if you ask a sampling of critics, they’d have a lot to say about how each is evaluated and reviewed. On Feb. 7, film, culture, and food critics from the New York Times will gather at the gorgeous Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to talk both “screen and cuisine.” Questions are invited, so it’s a perfect opportunity to pick the brains of folks who may one day be reviewing your performance—or meal, depending on where your life takes you! ($30)

Discover the creative process behind the gorgeous style of Wakanda and “Black Panther.”
The old adage goes: “Clothes make the man.” But in film, the phrase “clothes set the scene” might be more appropriate. Over the past 35 years, Ruth E. Carter has designed costumes for over 40 films, including “Amistad,” “Malcolm X,” and most recently, “Black Panther.” Those three movies even earned her Academy Award nominations. On Feb. 7, she sits down Senior Curator of Costume and Textiles Sharon Takeda at LACMA to discuss her illustrious career and detail her creative process and how she realized her fashion vision for “Black Panther” with “Afro-futurist superhero costumes.” ($5–15)

See famous movie locations in the Valley.
This one is kind of a biggie because it’s usually sold out by the time we get to tell you about it! Yes, it’s the legendary San Fernando Valley Film Tour led by the Valley Relics Museum—the three-hour bus trek that takes you to places featured in “Wayne’s World,” “Back to the Future,” “E.T.,”  and so many more. For those who groan at the thought of the Valley (or immediately think of “Boogie Nights,” which is also featured on the tour!), know that so many iconic moments in cinema were shot right on the other side of the Hollywood Hills. Don’t miss your chance to experience the sights on Feb. 9 and maybe gain a little appreciation for the Valley along the way. ($39.95)