Richard V. Rupp

August 21, 2024

I'm novelist Richard V. Rupp, writing to you from Burbank, California – "Media Capital of the World."

 

Welcome to my monthly newsletter, published on the third Wednesday of each month.

 

This post addresses the ground under our feet here in Burbank, what's being built on that ground as movie production starts to roll again, and what's been in my neighborhood for years. It also includes some memories prompted by something Donald Trump said and, finally, the Paris vs Hollywood Olympics.

 

ROCKING AND ROLLING

 

An "Oh my God" went through my mind as my body sensed something was wrong. Mother Earth was moving under my feet. We've been rocking and rolling here in Burbank since I last posted. Over the past three weeks, we have experienced six earthquakes with magnitudes over 2.5 on the Richter Earthquake Scale, with the highest having a magnitude of 4.4. This is not a common occurrence. According to Dr. Lucy Jones, a geophysicist and researcher at CALTECH and author of a book titled THE BIG ONES, "Thus far this year, we have experienced more earthquakes than any year since 1988." With over three months left in 2024, the region has experienced 13 quakes measuring 4.0 or greater.

 

The good news is that no one has been hurt, and the damage has been minimal. But some say this much activity may be a precursor to a big one coming. I'm hoping they are wrong.

 

HOLLYWOOD/BURBANK BUILDING FOR THE MEDIA

 

Based on my recent visits to STORY TAVERN, a local watering hole popular among second-tier movie industry professionals, and my readings in the movie industry trades, it's evident that movie production is gradually resuming. The increasing number of new media industry production facilities being built in the area is a promising sign. These developments indicate that Hollywood and the Burbank area are on track to maintain their status as major producers of movies and other media forms.

 

One of the new production complexes, announced by Century City-based LATERRA DEVELOPMENT LLC, is set to open by the end of the year. This 573-unit apartment complex in the Burbank Media District is designed to cater to a media production tenant base. The complex will feature two buildings and a range of creative amenities, including writers' lounges, getting-ready rooms, movie theaters, green screens, podcast rooms, and more. This comprehensive set of facilities is a testament to the growing interest and investment in the Burbank media industry.

 

It is reported that in the Hollywood/Burbank area, 17 studio complexes are in various stages of development, including 155 new sound stages. These include a complex near the Burbank Airport, where WARNER BROS. is converting some of the WARNER BROS. RANCH to include 16 new soundstages with connected production support space, a 320,000-square-foot office complex, a commissary, a parking garage, and a dedicated set—and prop-building space (known as a mill in industry jargon). BURBANK STUDIOS has been sold to the WORTHE REAL ESTATE GROUP, which plans to add five new soundstages ranging from 18,000 to 20,000 square feet as part of a $ 100 million in improvements. Early last year the RADFORD STUDIO CENTER (CBS STUDIO CENTER) began a $1 billion expansion to add 25 new soundstages, modern production offices, and support facilities.

 

Hollywood/Burbank will remain the world's media capital with all these investments.

 

HOLLYWOOD OLD STUFF

 

Another reason Hollywood/Burbank will remain the world's media capital is the foundation of hundreds of prop houses that have evolved over the years. One of them is MEYER'S FAUX LIBRARY STUDIO PROPS. This facility has been around for over two decades. It was founded by Marc Meyer, a former set decorator, who indicates on this website, "Our journey began with a small collection of fake books that has grown exponentially over the years. By 2000, Faux Library was officially established, now housed in an 89,000-square-foot warehouse in North Hollywood. Our inventory includes 16,000 fake books, 4,000 real books, and a variety of rare furniture and décor valued at around $6 million, ensuring we meet the diverse needs of our clients."

 

The Faux Library has provided prop books for thousands of movies, including the 1980 Olivia Newton-John musical XANADU and the 1970s detective series SWITCH. Steven Spielberg's HIGH INCIDENT in the early 1990s. Then there are TV series, including ANGELS & DEMONS, SNOWFALL, AMERICAN HORROR STORIES, DAISY JONES & THE SIX, TRUE BLOOD, THE X-FILES, NCIS and TOP GUN: MAVERICK.

 

Again, from Meyer's website – "Transform your set with our impressive selection of books, both real and faux, designed to create an authentic library atmosphere. Our library props are meticulously chosen to suit various genres, bindings, and periods, ensuring your bookshelf looks convincingly real. Whether you're setting up a grand library, a cozy study, or an academic office, our diverse book collections add depth and character to help you create the perfect literary backdrop for your production."

 

My neighborhood has dozens of places like this. It's fun talking with the people who run them. Their knowledge and stories are unbelievable.

 

DONALD'S MISTAKE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

 

Last week, as I was working on my upcoming novel SKYWARD, something Former President Trump had said that day about Willie Brown and Kamala Harris came to mind. That's because one of the characters I have used in previous novels and will use in SKYWARD is Willie Brown. For those of you who don't know Willie, he is a Democrat politician who, when he was active, was known as one of the most powerful state legislators in history (Speaker of the California Assembly for 15 years and former Mayor of San Francisco).  

 

What popped into my head was Donald Trump's comments about Willie Brown telling him things about Kamala Harris. It's interesting that Brown has indicated to the press that he has never met Trump and is considering suing him over the comments.

 

I lived in the San Francisco Bay area from 1990 to 2008, where I frequented the LE CENTRAL RESTAURANT on the financial district's cusp. Local businesspeople and politicians like Willie Brown also frequent it. Visitors to Willie's table at Le Central when I was there included Nancy Pelosi, Former Senator Barbara Boxer, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, when he was Governor of California.

 

I know Willie knows Kamala very well, as he dated her in the early 1990s. I remember being at Le Central Restaurant in San Francisco playing Boss Dice with Willie, who was then accompanied by Kamala.

 

An article on the Brown/Harris relationship from a November 29, 1994, article in the LOS ANGELES TIMES indicates that Harris and Brown were "frequent companions" and went on to say several people referred to her as Brown's girlfriend. That article also cited a column from the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE'S Herb Caen that called Harris "the Speaker's new steady." When they met, she was 29 and Brown was 60. Caen goes on to indicate that the couple split up in 1995, which "flabbergasted" those "who found Kamala the perfect antidote to whatever playboy tendencies still reside in the mayor-elect's jaunty persona." 

 

As the state assembly speaker, Willie started Kamala in politics by appointing her to two political posts: the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and later the Medical Assistance Commission. The San Francisco political clique provided her with great advice over the years.

 

So, I'm revising my SKYWARD manuscript. I might as well take advantage of a very well-known name who may be our next President. Here's the section of the manuscript that I may enhance -

 

* * * *

 

Jordon frequently wandered into Le Central Bistro on Bush Street near San Francisco's Union Square.

 

"Good to see you, Mr. Bowman," Louie, who was handling his waiter and maître d' duties today, said as a greeting.

 

"Thank you, Louie. Is Willie holding forth today?"

 

"Of course," Louie responded and pointed toward the far end of the bar. "He's playing boss dice with his crew."

 

As Jordon walked up to the group, he was greeted by Wille Brown, de mayor of San Francisco, with, "Hey, brother, how are you?"

 

"Doing good."

 

"So, what are you doing slumming here?"

 

"For some god-forsaken reason, I thought of you and wanted to see if you were still holding forth here on Fridays."

 

"Of course. You going to join us?"

 

"Sure, why not? What're the stakes?"

 

"Shit, with your money, what do you care?"

 

"Just being polite."

 

"Put two bucks out there. By the way, do you know everybody?"

 

Jordon looked over at Wilkes Bashford, who owned a nearby upscale men's haberdashery. "Good to see you, Wilkes."

 

Next, he greeted his sharp-tongued friend Harry de Wildt. Harry was born and raised in the Netherlands and, like Jordon, was quite the lady's man. He joined San Francisco's high society after marrying a steel heiress. De Wildt had no occupation other than bon vivant and no place other than lunch at Le Central, where his chauffeur delivered him in a Rolls-Royce every Friday. "Hello, my friend."

 

* * * *

 

So, Kamala, you will be a part of my novel SKYWARD.

 

OLYMPICS HOLLYWOOD ENDING

 

I enjoyed watching the PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES. The Parisians added unique features, such as having 6,800 Olympians from 205 countries floating 3.7 miles down the River Seine on 85 boats instead of having the traditional opening ceremony in a stadium. They made the entire city of Paris the Olympic stadium by having the five Olympic rings mounted on the Eiffel Tower.  

 

I watched numerous events rooting for the U.S. Team. They did great, collecting a staggering 125 medals, including 40 golds.

 

The lavish closing ceremony provided a fitting end to the more than two weeks of competition.

 

Then, there was the handoff of the Games to Los Angeles. The Olympic flag was handed off to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who passed it on to U.S. gymnastics legend Simone Biles, who looks up as a spotlight suddenly flashes to the top of the Stade de France where Tom Cruise is standing. In true Hollywood style, Cruise rappelled down into the stadium, Biles handed him the flag, and he sped away on a motorcycle. On the stadium's electronic screens, you see Cruise getting onto an airplane that drops him off at the Hollywood sign. From there, the screens show sweeping shots of the SoCal landscape, the flag arriving on the beach in Long Beach (??? Not LA) where the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre were waiting for it. That sets the tone for the City of Angels Olympics four years from now.

 

I live in Burbank, on the other side of that Hollywood sign and I can only hope LA can safely pull off the next Olympics. It is currently a City in the throes of change. Not for the better. Crime and homelessness are totally out of control. Hopefully, four years from now, the City will be a fantastic Olympic host, with a little Hollywood throw-in.

 

* * * *

 

If you are new to my posts and find this one interesting, you can read my prior posts, learn about my novels, and learn more about me on my website at www.richardvrupp.com. You can also sign up in the RUPP'S NOTES section to get my posts directly.

 

For those of you who have not read my novels, they are available on Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Richard-V.-Rupp/author/B001KJ5XB6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1724250468&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

 

Until next month.

 

Cheers, 

 

Richard V. Rupp, Author

Website – www.richardvrupp.com

Email – rupprisk@gmail.com

Copyright@2024 by Richard V. Rupp