Our Best Advice

EVENTS – Oscars 2011

Saturday, February 26th, 2011 | Our Best Advice | Comments Off

Colin Firth with Helena Bonham Carter starring in The Kings Speech

We love movies. I consider the Entertainment Industry of Music, Film, Arts and Sciences, a hugely important key to current peace efforts worldwide. Without a doubt films of cultural diversity contribute to freedom as recent events in the middle east vividly show, and the world watches and roots for the outcome to be liberation.

ISA staffing has been involved with The Academy Awards since our beginnings. From the 1960′s we’ve watched as other domestic help agencies come and go or are sold into ‘new management’. We’ve watched changes that people still argue as the world watches Oscars with intrigue and awe. One billion people are projected to see the awards, while we proudly serve clients in The Entertainment Industry who made those films possible. My mother’s and my memory goes back to times of Oscars past, before current award trends (like whether to wear your hair as if you just rolled out of bed, or coiffed in a retro inspired style). Millions excitedly tune into this event hedging bets on who will win, tracking it by the hour (tweet).

Toy Story 3 teaser poster came out two years before the movie was released

The Job market in the film business is strongly affected by new companies emerging to enter the competition (notwithstanding indie films being stronger then ever), like Pixar had its impact on Oscar. Easy to forget that this small animation film company (when it first arrived on the scene) is relatively new. Toy Story 3 (up for best picture) is loved by millions worldwide, with many ‘boys’ now adults remembering their own childhood seeing it with their children, without a dry eye in the house during certain heart wrenching scenes even a decade after number 2 was launched, and despite many within the industry initially doubting that it would (still) find an audience. It did, to rousing success. I love animation and watched it with wonderment as any kid would express. I remember old school toons that new gens may not know about (their creators were some of our most favorite clients!) For me it’s about art, and that means original vision.

Hailee Steinfeld photo: Jeff Lipskey, courtesy Parade Magazine

Without the vision of a Walt Disney, no Pixar would be possible, and when I see a Harry Potter, I recall that Peter Pan and his friends came first, flying around in animation. Wow! I’m not trying to cover the Oscar nominations (there are too many too good), just observing how we continue to transform, our-selves. Watching the remarkable talents of newcomer Hailee Steinfeld reminds us of Shirley Temple movies. More remakes of classics with happy endings, no matter how mean or unfair things become. Which brings us back to the middle east and how movies and music influences everyone. Oscar reminds us that happy endings do happen and vintage glamour never ages, so watch those films and don’t give up hope for better times ahead. Or use that famous British ‘stiff upper lip’, as this promises to be a British Oscar year. The Kings Speech is in the running with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush bringing stellar performances we can all learn from: anyone, can overcome and transform, even a King. Bets are updated after BAFTA because it often follows the same wins at OSCARS, as unexpected surprise upsets bring more arguments. The cycle continues of ‘who should have won but didn’t’..

Jennifer Lopez at Oscars 2010

We watch as our clients are nominated and we gladly see them become awarded winners for best producers, actors, directors, writers, etc., while we work tirelessly providing support staff for Oscars night and related events, before and after this iconic show, with Chefs, Party Staff, Chauffeurs, Event Planners, Organizers, and more.

During tuff times, movies do better because many who are out of work escape to films (as they’ve done in decades past including during WWII). We become reassured and feel new hope that things will eventually turn out just right for us all. Dreams are made in Hollywood, and Hollywood borrows peoples dreams in real life to make its stories. People in the film industry are uniquely prepared for a life “on stage”, at all times conscious of their audience. They’re gifted artists who are assisted by some of our other clients helping them win these awards that everyone wants, which translates to huge profits and more. The perks are famous and the headiness strong as audiences participate in starry eyed anticipation.

Halle Berry at the Oscars 2002

Behind the scenes lobbying are heads of studios & production companies, agents, business managers, lawyers, publicists, and more as the PR campaigns continue annually to bring in new winners. I remember some of the impact on fashion and politics that Oscars brought in the past.

Who could forget Marlon Brando’s famous none appearance in 1973, when a young native Indian woman (Sasheen Littlefeather), took the podium on his behalf (for Best Actor in Godfather), only to refuse his Oscar as a protest of how native people were portrayed in films. Many in the audience were angry and booed, while others saw it as a powerful watershed event.

Did it change things? Yes, too slowly. There are still way too few women on the production end of things and the cultural bias continues to rage on. So much room for improvement, that some go to extremes in reaction to work still left to be done. But there is also the positive to acknowledge and those who brought them about.

Barbra Streisand at Oscars 1969

How about the time Barbara Streisand walked on stage in a bell-bottom pants suit designer Scassi thought would be a novel modern design. It was a daring change. Isn’t it amazing to contemplate that women were solely allowed to only wear gowns (for decades!) unless you were Jean Harlow, who could show up in a negligee and call it a gown (and we still love that look today).

Ms. Streisand’s outfit was made of sheer black tulle covered sequins. That famous look showed transparent under bright lights and the world got an unexpected view when she stepped up to get best actress trophy for Funny Girl. She was the most photographed that evening not only for her Oscar, but for her fashion daring.

We love Audrey Hepburn and her fashion flair forever (the indelible Sabrina and Breakfast At Tiffany’s), but it was Streisand who set the trend for Cher’s famous costumes Bob Mackie designed afterwards, taking it yet to another level. Reminds you of Madonna and Lady Gaga as younger gens clearly got the message of how to outdo Cher, while she continues to entertain and is ever ready to reinvent herself along the way (as she taught them). What these wonderful performers have in common is not only the remarkable hard work ethic and discipline, but also a terrific sense of business. In classic fairy tale mode of rags to riches they took their burning desire initiative (there was no fairy godmother), through unwavering resolve of making their own dreams come true.

Cher wearing a Bob Mackie outfit

the ever present sneakers at awards shows

Nicole Kidman in red walking the red

Tags: animation, Audrey Hepburn, BAFTA, Barbra Streisand, chauffeurs, CHEFS, Colin Firth, Disney, Disney Studios, domestic help staffing, Event Planners, events, Helena Bonham-Carter, Jennifer Lopez, luxury events, Nicole Kidman, Oscar gowns, Oscars 2011, Party Staff, Party staffing, The Academy Awards, The Academy Awards 2011, The Kings Speech, Toy Story 3, Vanity Fair Magazine, Walt Disney

MOTHERS DAY – 2010

Thursday, May 6th, 2010 | Our Best Advice | No Comments

Audrey Hepburn with son Luca

We place Top Nannies with some of the most Famous Mothers in the world, who care for children while moms are actively engaged in demanding careers. Nannies often become second mothers to these kids, yet few people know that many of the great ladies of screen and stage considered children the most important part of their lives. Four-legged companions are part of the family sometimes becoming equally famous, like Asta in The Thin Man series, a perfect gift for Mothers Day.

Many of the women we’ve placed on jobs over the years also had demanding careers with motherhood, a tough challenge. My mother Dora had to do it with four kids. She was always the center of our lives, keeping us together as a family with unwavering dedication.

mother Michelle Obama with her famous Family

Two famous mothers who had top household staff were Audrey Hepburn (with two sons she raised away from the spot light), and Grace Kelly, who also raised her children abroad. Hepburn’s son Sean wrote a book memorializing his mother that your Mom might enjoy. She remains an icon inspiring women of all ages and one of the most loved actresses in the world. Books are my favorite gifts.

First Lady Michelle Obama is very close with her mother, Marian Robinson, whom she considers the “rock” central to their family’s world. With a staff of 24 taking care of the First Lady in The White House and her public service role, she still remains hands on with her famous girls. Her story would also make a great gift. Read it In Her Own words.

GRACE by Robert Lacey

Princess Grace had the dream of little girls to become a princess come true, with a life devotedly followed by fans worldwide. Despite the tragedy that entered their world her grown children remain a resilient group, carrying on the legacy she left behind. The book Grace also makes a great gift. Or you might prefer the life of a Queen like Cleopatra, who married at 18 for her Country as the “daughter of great Kings” and took over the throne of two kingdoms, holding women spellbound with her story for centuries. Any of these are perfect to put on a tray for Breakfast In Bed, followed by a great family outing for you mother. Or you could spring for a Kindle (with a hot pink cover) to download those wonderful free e-books. Don’t forget chocolate! Try delicious tasty vegan chocolate truffles from Nicobella.

All of us at ISA are so very grateful to have my Mother, Dora Renet, in our lives. She’s everyone’s favorite “Mom”, and undeniably the Greatest Mother In The Universe! It would take more then one book to fill with decades of remarkable stories and the stellar qualities she embodies, and the tremendous respect, appreciation, and admiration our clients hold for her. There is nobody who comes close to Dora, or the legendary contribution she’s made to the domestic help staffing field. We love her more then words can express!

Send us your TIPS or give someone Our Best Advice. ISA shares your heartfelt appreciation towards celebrating all mothers everywhere, and wish you a Happy Mothers Day too!

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Tags: Audrey Hepburn, childcare, Cleopatra, Clients, dogs, Famous Mothers, Gifts, Grace Kelley, Holidays, household staff, housekeeper-childcare, housekeeper-nannies, ISA staffing jobs, Jobs, MOTHERS DAY, Nannies, nanny care, Nanny Jobs, s, The Thin Man, Top Nannies