Though Los Angeles is pretty great (in general, anyway), how often do you take a minute to just enjoy it, especially when it’s on screen? This week, some of our events take special care to honor this place we call home: from a certain Julianne Moore–starring film set in the City of Angels to a selection of clips highlighting L.A.’s past, you’ll find tons of reasons to celebrate this sprawling urban landscape.
Hear from the Academy Award–winning director of “Gloria Bell.”
The star-studded “Gloria Bell” (with Julianne Moore as the title character) tells the story of a divorcée rediscovering herself post-marriage—by twirling around many a Los Angeles dance floor and embarking on a whirlwind romance. See the film on March 8, 9, or 10 at the Landmark, and stick around afterward for a special Q&A with co-writer and director Sebastián Lelio (“A Fantastic Woman”) and actor Brad Garrett. With a film that celebrates such singular subject matter, it’ll surely be an enlightening conversation with an Academy Award–winning filmmaker. ($11.50–15)
Revisit a television program that made L.A. and TV history.
When “Ralph Story’s Los Angeles” premiered in 1964, it made history as one of the first “newsmagazine”-style programs on television. Each week, the show would profile L.A. happenings, culture, characters, and more. It’s not only a vital part of entertainment history in general, but also Los Angeles itself. Head to the L.A.P.L.’s Central Branch on March 9 to catch highlights from the series along with a panel featuring producer and USC professor of journalism and communication, Joe Saltzman and television archivists Dan Einstein and Mark Quigley, UCLA Film & Television Archive. (Free)
Uncover your acting niche with SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
The entertainment industry often seems like a world of possibilities for actors, but sometimes, it helps to focus your specialization on a certain area or two. Explore why and how you might want to better channel your career energies in a special small-group session with SAG-AFTRA Foundation on March 7. Even more valuable than learning the benefits of specializing as an actor, you’ll walk away with real, actionable tips for targeting industry professionals in the area of your choice. (Free for union members)
Learn about two pioneering Asian-American women in film.
Anna May Wong and Marion E. Wong had a lot in common besides being pioneering Asian-American actors in Hollywood’s early days: both women were California natives and both paved the way for women in the industry for decades to come. Marion, in particular, also worked in costume design, screenwriting, and more. Explore the dynamic careers of both actors, along with how they overcame tremendous obstacles to become stars, at the Hollywood Heritage Museum on March 13. The program also includes clips from two documentaries, “To Climb a Gold Mountain” and “The Curse of Quon Gwon,” and a $1 raffle! ($7.50–15)
Inspired? Check out Backstage’s Los Angeles audition listings!