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Claire Kay Hernandez

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On The Scene: House of the Dragon World Premiere

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On July 27th I attended the highly anticipated World Premiere of HBO’s House of the Dragon at the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum. The cast was glowing with excitement as they walked the carpet taking pictures.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen. The world of Game of Thrones is vast and rich with detail. This new series does an excellent job at capturing a specific moment in Targaryen history. A cohesive theme that actors and crew members touched on was that the House of the Dragon is a family drama.

“I wanted to make sure we stayed faithful to the original show,” Miguel Sapochnik (Director/Showrunner) says during our interview. “But that we seeded the opportunity to grow and evolve out of the original show,” Sapochnik goes on to say. Composer Ramin Djawadi adds “I was really excited to get back into that world. I worked on the original for years and when they sent me the first episode, seeing the visuals I immediately got excited.”

Actors of the series spoke to me about what they learned about themselves in their craft while filming. You can watch my full interview with both the cast and crew here.

The premiere screening was followed by an after party above the theater. Series themed cocktails were served along with appetizers and a large graze board. Attendees enjoyed music and mingled with the House of Dragons cast.

House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBOMax starting August 21st 2022.

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EntertainmentEventsThe LatestTV

On The Scene: ‘Bridge and Tunnel’ Season Two Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On Saturday, June 18th I attended the season two premiere of ‘BRIDGE AND TUNNEL’ at Tribeca Film Festival.

The exclusive screening included the first four episodes of the season. It was  followed by a conversation with writer, director, and executive producer Edward Burns. Cast members Sam Vartholomeos, Caitlin Stasey, Gigi Zumbado, JanLuis Castellanos, Isabella Farrell, and Brian Muller were also in attendance. 

Before the screening I had the opportunity to chat with Sam Vartholomeos. Sam expressed his excitement for season two and the challenges his character was going to have to face and overcome. As an actor, he learned a lot about himself during the filming process which he was happy to speak on.

After the screening, Edward Burns and the cast joined together on stage for a Q&A. Each cast member had an opportunity to speak on their beginnings as an actor. For most, this moment on stage was a full circle moment. Many reflected on their start as actors and how difficult it was at times. Being where they are now being able to look back at the start of the journey is a blessing.

It was evident in the Q&A that the show was a labor of love. Many of the crew members were also in the audience. Edward Burns invited them to stand and get recognition for their hard work.

Watch Bridge and Tunnel Season 2 on Youtube TV!

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Fashion & BeautyLifestyleThe Latest

On the Scene: Richie Shazam’s Directorial Debut ‘Savitree’

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On June 16th I attended the world premiere of Savitree, Richie Shazam’s new short film at Tribeca Film Festival. Shazam’s directorial debut honoring the Converse Pride campaign, celebrated Found Family.

Found Family, the people met on the journey to Pride who surround us with love, support and acceptance.  For Richie, at the age of 18 that was life long friends Briana Andalore and Julia Fox. She felt an instant connection to Fox whom she said was the life of the party. They both gave each other the strength to live life unapologetically themselves despite the odds stacking against them.

Shazam’s film explores what it means to live outside your body. Often using the subway as a point of escape, Shazam found herself spending hours upon hours riding anywhere in the city. This helped her feel free, when her home life was otherwise in shambles.

The screening was followed by a Q&A moderated by Shazam’s good friend Julia Fox. The two of them on stage were full of life and wanted to share as many stories as they could about life when they first met. For the two of them, it was a full circle moment being on stage. Shazam could not emphasize enough how important this film was for her but also for her friends whom she lost throughout the journey. It is important for her to not only tell her story but the story of those no longer here.

After the Q&A there was a huge party in celebration of the screening. Attendees dressed beautifully and were treated to an open bar and bite size snacks. The DJ was playing the best music including everything from Bad Bunny to Britney Spears. Richie and her friends took in the moment for all of its glory.

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EventsThe Latest

On the Scene: STORYTELLERS – Cynthia Erivo and André De Shields

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On Sunday June 12th I attended Tribeca’s Storyteller Speaker Series with Cynthia Erivo and André De Shields. Broadway has once again opened its doors to live audiences. Cynthia Erivo and André De Shields sat down to discuss the forthcoming documentary entitled Back to Broadway (TIME Studios) from director Jamila Ephron.

Moderated by Zach Stafford, the duo went in depth on what it means to be an artist and to make it in a city such as New York. Before the talk, I had an opportunity to speak with Cynthia on the red carpet. In our short time together, she encouraged young artists to keep creating, keep chatting with others and to have patience. She emphasized the importance of going out there and doing “it.”

She cited the opportunities young people have now that the world is opening up. Before her “big break” she found herself taking any opportunity to practice her craft. Wherever it made sense, she was there.

I also had the immense privilege to speak with André De Shields. A living legend, I asked De Shields how does he stay inspired. “Inspiration is my most important tool.” De Shields proclaims. “Very early in life, I realized what was going to satisfy my soul, and that was to tell stories.” Both De Shields and Erivo have an undeniable captivating presence about them.

It was an overall inspiring and empowering talk. Erivo brought light to the reality of overpriced ticketing on Broadway, and how that is negatively impacting the audiences that are able to come witness live theater. Some of the more notable words of advice De Shields offered included “You cannot take another man’s path to your home.” As well as “Life is a potluck dinner, bring your best dish.”

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FilmThe Latest

On the Scene: VENGEANCE Tribeca World Premiere

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On Sunday June 12th I attended the premiere of “Vengeance.” A BJ Novak directorial debut, featuring   an ensemble cast including Issa Rae, Ashton Kutcher, Boyd Holbrook, J. Smith-Cameron, and Dove Cameron.

Vengeance is a darkly comic thriller following a journalist who travels from New York City to West Texas to investigate the mysterious death of a young woman. On the red carpet, I got to speak with Issa Rae. For Issa Rae, at this point in her career the most important thing for her is to do stuff with intention. She doesn’t want to keep busy for the sake of saying she’s doing something.

In the film, she provided comedic relief and overall guidance to BJ Novak’s character. While navigating how to tell his story, Novak’s character relied heavily on Issa for insight on how to tell a compelling true crime tale.

I also had the opportunity to speak with the wonderful J Smith Cameron. In our conversation she talks about coming from a theater background, which helps her prepare for her character by starting with the script. Her character is sweet but sassy, and definitely a protective mama bear.

Last but not least I had the pleasure of speaking with legendary producer Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions. Coming from a traditional horror film background, Vengeance is a different direction for Blum. During our chat he spoke about the difficulty with filming right before the start of the pandemic. When the pandemic hit they had to pause the production and pick back up again when regulations started to loosen. This posed it’s own challenges but overall they were able to overcome.

After the screening members of the cast approached the stage and did a Q&A Panel. Many members of the cast gave praise to BJ Novak. They were thrilled to be a part of the project. Ashton Kutcher spoke on the relevance of drug addiction, especially in the wake of the pandemic. As well as the increase of overdoses this last year.

The audience responded well to the film. Laughing along during the comedic parts, and remaining engaged as the plot began to turn and knew elements were revealed. BJ Novak himself was glowing with gratitude. It was evident he was proud of his work and excited to watch it on screen for the first time with a live audience.

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LifestyleThe Latest

On The Scene: The Oval at La Devozione

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

The Oval is La Deovzione’s 30-seat fine dining chef’s counter. The Gala Dinner included a 7-course tasting menu, paired with wine and cocktails.  Each dish in the seven-course tasting menu is based on classic Italian recipes, reimagined by Giuseppe and Executive Chef Alessio Rossetti in modern and experimental ways.

The meal itself took you on a tour of Italy. With fresh ingredients, each dish set itself apart from the next. Everything down from the presentation of the meals was a work of art. Chef Alessio and his team carefully crafted each detail on the plate presented in front of you. As the meal progressed the meals got slightly heavier and more nuanced. With an increase in flavor profiles, my tastebuds were overwhelmed with delicious pasta dishes cooked perfectly each time.

The dishes are presented with custom-made tableware and flatware, and Zalto glassware, all designed to augment the dining experience. While enjoying your meal, you are front row watching the chef work his magic in the kitchen. Each dish was served to us immediately after being put on the plate. The pasta itself was cooked al dente every time.

Chef Rossetti’s spring menu is focused on acidity and bitterness, with ingredients sourced from the top regions of production in Italy at the height of their seasonality, like bergamot and chili peppers from Calabria, and tomatoes from a region of Campania known as Quisisana.

My favorite dish of the entire night had to be the Sogno Rosa. An eliche gigantia spiral shaped pasta similar to tortiglioni cooked in salted water then creamed in an anchovy base served in a wine glass with beetroot cream, whipped goat cheese, toasted almonds, and capers. The wine glass is then swirled tableside by the server. It was a beautiful rose pink color and tasted delicious. I had never had pasta served to me in a wine glass before, nor did I think beetroot and whipped goat cheese would ever go together.

We ended the meal with a beautiful raspberry tarte. It was a short crust pastry base filled with a lemon curd, covered with raspberries, drizzled in a raspberry sauce and garnished with small meringues. It was the perfect end for the most amazing journey we had been on the entire night.

Overall, the meal was fantastic. The atmosphere of the Oval was sleek and sexy. I had never experienced a full on pasta bar before, so this was an absolute treat to experience. The staff, manager, and owners were all there happy to have us as their guests to showcase the amazing food they’ve been working on for months. To see all of their hardwork come to fruition was a sight to see.

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MusicThe Latest

On The Scene: ‘Storytellers’ Pharrell Williams with Minya Oh

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

Pharrell Williams is a visionary within the music, art, fashion, and design space. On Friday June 10th, I attended his talk with Minya Oh at Tribeca Film Festival. Sponsored by Indeed and Co-Hosted by Black House, Pharrell participated in a 60 minute talk.

Before the talk, I was able to chat with Jane Rosenthal, Founder/CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, Co-Founder of Tribeca Film Festival on the red carpet. Rosenthal touched on the future of Tribeca Festival within the growing Web3 Space. She also expressed her gratitude for how far the film festival has come since its beginning in 2001.

Minya Oh is a Brooklyn-based journalist, radio host, cultural commentator, and podcaster. She has covered hip hop music and culture for over a decade. Good friends with Pharrell, the two had great banter on stage. Minya gave praise to Pharrell for all of his contributions to music the last two decades.

Pharrell spoke on the importance of authenticity, being a forward thinker, and his admiration for this next generation of creative people. He commented on the spiritual warfare taking place on humankind as a whole. He encouraged audience members to stay true to their opinions and the story they feel so inclined to tell in their heart.

Pharrell encouraged those in the audience to find the thing in their life they feel the most passionate about. Something that they would do for free everyday if they were able to. Once you’ve found that thing, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

He expressed the joy he feels in helping other artists tap into a different part of themselves they otherwise hadn’t considered looking at. Pharrell teased new music in the works. He ended the talk asking audience members to stand up and cheer for themselves. Overall, he uplifted the crowd with his words and his energy. Rather than self-indulge in praise he encouraged others to root and bet on themselves.

 

Pharrell also recently announced a new interactive multi-sensorial experience “Nature’s Escape,” touring the nation this summer in partnership with STEM, a new collection of pest control products, for families to enjoy together.

 

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EntertainmentFilmUncategorized

On The Scene: ‘Good Girl Jane’ World Premiere and After Party at Tribeca Film Festival 2022

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On Saturday, June 11, 2022 I attended the World Premiere of Good Girl Jane at the Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Sarah Elizabeth Mintz, Good Girl Jane is a drug-fueled love story inspired by true events. Jane (Rain Spencer), a lonely teen, struggles to find intimacy in her broken home. She sinks deeper into feelings of isolation until a raucous group of misfits throws her a lifeline.

At the red carpet premiere I had the pleasure of speaking with cinematographer Jake Saner. Saner, spoke on the challenges he faced in getting the shots he envisioned in his head. But being able to roll with the punches and adapt to the current environment that he had in front of him was essential.

On the talent side, I got to speak with actress Rain Spencer, Patrick Gibson, and Diego Chiat.  All of them were ecstatic to be at Tribeca, being recognized for their talents on screen. Being so young in their career and already being at Tribeca Film Festival is a fantastic accomplishment. They handled the excitement with grace and humility.

The after party was hosted at The Flower Shop. Notable attendees included actor Thomas Doherty, a scottish actor known for his roles as Sean Matthews on the Disney Channel musical series The Lodge, Harry Hook in the Descendants film franchise, and Max Wolfe in the HBO Max reboot of Gossip Girl.

The after party was filled with hot appetizers, an open bar, a pool table, and a photo booth with a geo-tag for the movie. The entire cast and crew celebrated the night away.

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EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

On The Scene: ‘Roving Woman’ Tribeca 2022 Premiere and After Party

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

On Monday, June 13th I attended the in-person premiere screening of “Roving Woman” at the Tribeca Film Festival.  Directed by Michal Chmielewski, “Roving Woman” is a gorgeously shot film that showcases a woman’s life-changing journey across the American southwest.

A break-up leaves Sara (Lena Góra) reeling and directionless, standing alone on her ex’s doorstep in a ballgown. Following her impulses, she starts to drive through the desert and makes unexpected connections along the way.

The film stars Lena Góra, John Hawkes, Chris Hanley, Brian McGuire, Ed Mattiuzzi, Crystal Rivers, and Bear Badeaux.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the director, Michal Chmielewski. In that conversation he expressed his excitement for being in New York, what this moment meant to him and the different forms of media he consumed to stay inspired while creating this film.

I also spoke with co-writer, producer, and star of the film Lena Góra. She was immensely grateful for this moment at Tribeca. Being surrounded by her wonderful friends, cast, and crew was a surreal moment. She expressed the challenges faced in the making of this film during the middle of a pandemic. Being producer on the film, she had a lot on her plate and worked hard on staying present. Overall, her hard work and dedication paid off.

The film itself was so beautiful to experience. The shots moved together with ease, transporting us into the world of the story. The characters had great chemistry on screen which made their roles believable.

After the screening I attended the after party at The River in Chinatown. The cast was full of life! The intimate speakeasy was bustling as the filmmakers celebrated a successful premiere.

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MusicThe Latest

On The Scene: Tribeca Festival’s Screening for Of Monsters and Men’s ‘TÍU’

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

I attended the Tribeca Film Festival screening for Of Monster’s and Men’s documentary “TÍU” on June 9th at Spring Studios. Following the screening, the band performed some of their songs from the documentary. They were incredibly talented. The hypnotic synchronicity as they played in tune with each other filled the room.

The documentary, directed by their friend Dean DeBlois showcases the iconic landscapes of Iceland with the sonic imagery of the band.When their world tour was cut short due to the pandemic – they decided to perform their new songs together in special locations around Iceland.

Just one day after the screening, the band released their TÍU EP featuring new song “This Happiness.” 

Overall the film was beautifully shot. Each song was intimate and told a bigger story that translated beautifully on screen. There were many moments that felt as if  you were in the room with them while they were having these personal and witty conversations. The camera seemed to not be there.

Audience members celebrated the band with a standing ovation at the end of their performance. The immense gratitude from the band was electric. Witnessing live music once again has been one of the best parts about the world opening up again. It was a treat to witness the bands struggle and triumph within the film as they itch to play music for an audience once again.

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