Camp Hollywood (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Steve Markle

Writers:

David Julian Hirsh (writer)
Steve Markle (writer)

Release Date:

19 November 2004 (Canada)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A porn star, a bank robber and a Shakespearean actor are some of the subjects of Camp Hollywood, a feature...

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Actor | Hotel | Eccentric | Story

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Steve Markle	...	Himself, Comedian / Filmmaker
David Julian Hirsh	...	Himself, Actor
Brooke Nevin	...	Herself, Actress
Roy Dotrice	...	Himself, Actor
Polly Shannon	...	Herself, Actress
Saul Rubinek	...	Himself, Actor / Director
Ryan Belleville	...	Himself, Actor / Comedian
Maury Chaykin	...	Himself, Actor
Mark Margolis	...	Himself, Actor
Laura Jordan	...	Herself, Actress
Gary Indiana	...	Himself, Novelist
Malin Akerman	...	Herself, Actress
Brian Irwin	...	Himself, Singer / Songwriter
Daven Siltanen	...	Himself, Bank Robber / Actor
Harrold Themmen	...	Himself, Clarinetist

Runtime:

Canada:72 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hirsh/Markle

Inspired look at the struggles of making it in LA and being Canadian...

I just saw this documentary on Sundance channel. I worked on movies and TV for five years while living in LA in the 80's -- in production, grip, electric, effects, and even video assist (where I got to read the paper on set and not get in trouble.) I remember one grip's shirt that sums up the drive that I've felt in many of my co-workers, it read, "What I really want to do is direct." Natch… And then, there are the actors. Who doesn't know someone who has a dream of acting? Anyone who has spent more than a day in LA has met these dreamers in person. (Often they're the ones reading off the daily specials at tony and not-so-tony restaurants.) I have always loved the earthy soulful qualities of Canadians and Canada. I appreciate the balance they give to their crazy cowboy neighbor to the South. Compared to the posing and fronting that we hold forth as 'mericans, Canadians are so refreshingly upfront and human – generally speaking, of course.

With the insight from my unexpected yet unsurprisingly surreal production experience in LA, I laughed at a lot of the interviews, because I have met characters like this and love their authenticity and struggling bravado. Some of the fusion of subject and the movie making reminded me of another favorite documentary, Sherman's March. Especially the parts when the director is unapologetically and hopefully attracted to the super cute actresses in the Highland Gardens hotel where it was shot.

I felt like bringing the folks in the hotel a big basket of food and gift certificates to clothing stores because of their hopeful optimism amidst the constant ego crushing that is the business of trying to get gigs. I jumped online right after seeing this doc and even opened Word to get a word count and spell check to satisfy IMDb guidelines so I could give this winning work some love.