I WANT MY MTV...BUT NOT IN MIAMI!!!

I wasn't going to post about the VMA's, but by popular demand.....

MTV VMA's
Miami, Florida
1:30p check-in/5:45p arrivals
August 28, 2005

First off, there were a ton on NY shooters down in Miami. It was almost like a premiere in Manhattan. And I must give a shout out to all the Cali shooters out there. Good to see ya'll!

Why Miami? Why!

It's like working in a bowl of hot soup. Not fun. Not healthy.

Here are some tips for any shooters who may visit Miami for the first time:

* Any party in Miami doesn't start until at least 10pm...or 2 hours after the time on the tip sheet.

*Going from an air-conditioned hotel/store into a paparazzi street situation will result in a foggy lens, camera, mirror, and glasses. This in turn produces less that desirable photographic results.

*Whatever party you are covering, the better one is down the road.

*Pack lite, dress lite.

*100 iso 250/f11

Now for the actual awards:

The MTV PR REALLY needs to relax when it comes to dealing with the press. No water/refreshments were provided while we waited. And they were pretty rude about the matter, "It's not my job to provide water". Um..do they realize this is Miami, in August, 90+ degrees and high humidity? All the photogs were staged in the pressroom for 3+ hours. When everyone lines up to go out to the arrivals area, we waited for another 40 minutes standing around.
When we were finally released to the arrivals, we were told to basically run to our positions, "Arrivals start in 4 minutes..LET'S Go!” Are they so inept as to believe that 80+ photographers would be able to file into their spots, in and orderly fashion, in less than four minutes? Seriously now.
Hey, at least they provided coolers with water by the arrivals area. But security was so lax, that the back riser was flooded with fans, workers and other non-essential personnel.
Arrivals were a lot better than last year. Tons of room to shoot and cooperative talent.

The press room could have been run a bit better also.
High speed internet lines were provided on tables behind the photo riser. There were no clear announcements made as talent was brought into the room. This in turn resulted in a rather comical 'Mad Dash' from the tables to the riser. This happened every time someone was brought into the room.

I would like to get some feedback about your experiences. I want to send MTV a letter about what could make this event better. Feel free to post or e-mail me your thought.

ADVICE FOR FUTURE EVENTS:

High Speed Wi-Fi or hard lines to seats on photo riser.
Bare minimum- provide water for press PRIOR to the event

VMA Hangover!

Sorry I haven't updated recently. Just got back from Miami and the MTV VMA's. It was like shooting in NY with all the shooter that were down there!
I'll post my views about that whole debacle later.........after some sleep!

Photographers On Prowl To Get Shots Of Stars

MTV Video Music Awards brings celebrities and a swarm of celebrity photographers


For the celebrity-driven photographers -- or paparazzi (as they are loathe to be called) -- the VMAs are the Holy Grail of Miami's celebrity season. Photo ops are endless, stretching across cities, nightclubs, restaurants, mansions and yachts.


While MTV has issued credentials to 70 photographers for the awards, an untold number of photographers without credentials will come on their own. ''Let's put it this way: New York and L.A. will be ghost towns this weekend'.

Read the rest HERE.

Our Secret Need for Paparazzi Revealed!

In trying to determine whose version of the truth is correct — the Hollywood publicist or the paparazzi person — I'm stumped. Why would either of them fudge? Probably just a case of two honest brokers seeing things differently.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Photographer claims paparazzi did not cause Scarlett Johansson's car accident

Latest: Scarlett Johansson's claims of getting caught up in a traffic accident while trying to escape the paparazzi have been challenged by a photographer who witnessed the crash.

Just hours after her Friday (19 August 05) accident, reports emerged that the Lost In Translation beauty was driving into the entrance of California's Disneyland, when she swerved to get away from pursuing photographers and hit another vehicle.

But Jfx Images photographer Mario Toruno, who was pursuing the actress at the time, questions whether she was even aware of photographers tailing her before the accident, because they kept a low profile, using cars in front of them as cover.

Toruno, who saw the accident unfold as he sat at stoplights nearby, says, "When she was driving in to the parking lot, she was going very, very slow - maybe about 15 miles per hour - and she started veering to the left.

"It was almost like when you drop something on the car floor and you try to pick it up. Or she could've been busy talking with the two friends she had in her car. I couldn't see what was going on inside of the car, but from the outside I could see that she wasn't at all being chased when she hit the other lady's car.

"The parking lot is confusing because it's very busy, so maybe she was unsure of whether she wanted to turn left or right.

"I'm guessing that because she veered to the left, she was unable to see the other car - the only other vehicle at the parking lot entrance at that time - from her blindside. That's when she slowly slammed into the other car.

"The nearest cars to them at the time of the accident were at least 40 yards away, and none of them contained paparazzi. It was just regular oncoming traffic. I know, because there was another set of photographers that with the traffic at the stoplights.

"I'm sure Disneyland has video cameras at its entrance to prove that this is what happened.

"To be honest, we'd have been happier snapping pictures of Scarlett on the rides with her friends. We never in a million years thought we'd end up taking shots of a road accident, and obviously that's not what we set out to do. We were as surprised as everyone else, because everything was in such a slow motion when the cars hit each other."

© World Entertainment News Network. All Rights Reserved

It's Real: Canon's EOS 5D Full Frame DSLR

Canon USA has today unveiled its new EOS 5D digital SLR, confirming rumors that have been swirling for a couple of weeks now.

Here's a link to the specs:
Imaging Resource.

It’s the Mexicans. Untrained Mexicans.

It's the new kids in the frame who are giving snappers a bad name


“YOU KNOW what the problem is, don’t you?” said my friend, as he sat in his blacked-out SUV on Rodeo Drive. “It’s the Mexicans. Untrained Mexicans. They have no idea what they’re doing. And they’re giving the Brits a bad name.”

The story, of course, is all too familiar — immigrant workers sneaking into California and working twice as hard for half the cash. The difference, however, is that my friend works in a highly specialised field. It is a sensitive, high-profile business with a strict code of ethics.

Yes, that’s right: he is a paparazzo.

Read the rest HERE.

Alicia Silverstone Chased By Paparazzi

Actress Alicia Silverstone was chased by a group of paparazzi in an airport and forced to hide in a cardboard box to escape.

Alicia, 29, confessed she was terrified by the paparazzi, who, after they saw her, started to shout “fat girl”. Angry and hurt, Alicia started to run and hide in a container, where she laid low until the crowd had disappeared.

The beautiful actress said: "I was walking through LA airport and saw a group of photographers. They suddenly gave chase, screaming, 'Hey, Fat Girl!

'I just had to escape. I ended up hiding in a box."

Alicia Silverstone earned the heartless nickname after she dressed in a tight PVC cat suit which showed off her curves as Bat Girl in movie 'Batman'.

JOHANSSON PAPARAZZI CHASE ENDS IN CAR SMASH

SCARLETT JOHANSSON's trip to California theme park Disneyland ended in disaster yesterday afternoon (19AUG05), when her Mercedes hit another car as the paparazzi chased her.

According to eyewitnesses, the Lost In Translation beauty was driving near the tourist attraction's entrance with two pals, when she swerved to get away from pursuing photographers and hit another vehicle containing a woman and her two young daughters.

An onlooker says, "The front of Scarlett's Mercedes damaged the side of the other car pretty badly.

"Scarlett looked really shaken up and when both cars pulled over in a safe spot, she apologised profusely to the other woman. After that, they spent around 40 minutes on their phones, sorting out all of their insurance and legal paperwork."

A Mercedes representative arrived soon afterwards with a new car for the actress to drive home.

Johansson's publicist MARCEL PARISEAU states, "The fender bender was induced by the paparazzi, who chased her for 45 minutes."

In June (05), fellow Hollywood actress LINDSEY LOHAN was left with minor injuries after photographer GALO RAMIREZ allegedly drove into her car deliberately. Ramirez was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The case is pending.

And just last week (ends12AUG05), REESE WITHERSPOON got the disappointing news that a group of paparazzi who "besieged" her in April (05) will not face criminal charges of false imprisonment.

Here's the link to the photos on WENN.

DUFF Gives It Up

Hilary Duff
Today Show Concert
August 18, 2005
7am press call


Photo pit was extended to accommodate the photogs (25+), and there was enough room for everyone to work. Well...almost everyone.

There's a new shooter that constantly moves around in the pit before and during the performance. The press pen isn't conducive to roaming. Photogs have bags and gear on the ground... because there's now where else to put it. Walking around the pen with 300/2.8 lenses and extra cameras strewn throughtout the area is begging for trouble. She exchanged words with Dennis, but she was in the wrong. No matter how much you may want to shoot everything, respect for your peers and their gear is just as important. There's just not enough room. Period.

That being said, Hilary was great to us. She came right over to the front of the pit while she performed, posed, waved, smiled...a real PRO!

On A Serious Note....

For your info.... Paul S. (Mr. #1 on the list) is in the hospital with a toe infection. It could be serious...as in a possible amputation. I spoke to him today, he's in good spirits but he's still waiting to find out what's going to happen.

And he gave me a great quote, "I knew something was going wrong, but I had to wait until the premiere's were over and it slowed down." Crazy S.O.B.! Give Em' Hell!

Paparazzi Battle Ends In A Draw

PAPARAZZI punch-up between two photographers clamouring for a shot of Hollywood star Owen Wilson has ended with both agreeing to drop apprehended violence order applications against the other.
Celebrity snapper Jamie Fawcett and his camera-toting counterpart Pierre Smithdorf were involved in a scuffle outside the Bondi Icebergs club earlier this month while trying to capture Wedding Crashers star Wilson taking a dip, writes court reporter Brad Clifton.

While the accounts of the two men differ as to who was to blame, witnesses said push came to shove with at least one of the snappers ending up on the ground.

Yesterday, the pair arrived at North Sydney Local Court with the intention of seeking AVOs against each other. But, after half an hour, they left the courthouse having agreed not to proceed with their applications.

Fawcett – without making any admissions of wrongdoing – gave a written undertaking that he would not threaten, harass or intimidate his rival and would "conduct myself appropriately at all times when in the company of Mr Pierre Smithdorf".

In return, Smithdorf agreed to drop his AVO action. Both men, however, were keen to blame the other for the fracas.

"While I was taking photographs of Owen Wilson he has come up and pushed his lens and camera into my face," Fawcett said yesterday. "I have had words with him and a scuffle has broken out and I have defended myself."

Smithdorf alleged he was the victim of an "unprovoked, violent attack".

Hilary Duff is on the Today Show THURSDAY, AUGUST 18.
Get your requests into Suzanne ASAP. She's expecting a large, packed pit.
You have been warned!

Hard Rock Opening's A Smash

Hard Rock Cafe Times Sq opening
August 12, 2005

This is one of those events that definitely looked better on paper that the actual photo-op.

Let's get Steven Van Zandt, Brian Wilson and 100 people to smash guitars simultaneously to celebrate the opening of the new Hard Rock. Could be an interesting shoot, right?

Well, they put all the press across the street for the op. Then bring Zandt in the back of an armored car (45 minutes late), and when he get out it causes everyone to break rank and run across the street to get the photo. Now everyone has to run back across for the 'smash' op, which is now half in shade and half in bright sunlight.

After the smash, we were promised a photo-op with the main talent staging another 'smash' shot, but havoc ensues and Wilson runs into the restaurant and doesn't pose. Zandt poses a break shot for us , but the two would have been better.

And as a side note, we were told there would be refreshments inside for the press (and we could use some in this 90+ degrees heat). We went in but they said the soda fountains didn't work. (and this is a new restaurant, right?) Talk about a blow off!

A Paparazzi Payday On VF’s Dime

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Work Together Like Brothers

Four Brothers Premiere
Clearview Chelsea West theater
6pm arrivals/ August 9, 2005

Long arrival area in the shape of an 'L'. The photographers ran only 2 rows deep, probably because there was another premiere going on uptown at the same time. The entire arrivals area was tented.

Everything at this premiere ran VERY smoothly. PR stopped all the talent (although the rug got a little crowded at times), and the celebs were also co-operative. Wahlberg was actually dressed nice (no jeans, baseball cap), and we had a surprise guest... Linsey Lohan! We haven't had a top notch surprise like that in a long time... AND SHE POSED! They even gave us the cast shot, and various two shots all along the rug.

If a had to say something negative about the event , it would be Mitch's behavior. He was yelling 'FRONT PAGE' for the entire event. The problem with this is that it caused the talent to constantly look away from the rest of the arrival line. Even Brian let Mitch know exactly how he felt about his actions (It went something like, "You #@%#$@*^^%).

This is becoming a problem with Mitch and I think it reflects badly on the entire press line. Now pardon me if I'm not very PC with my following statements, but I think they should set up a "SPECIAL' area just for him, bring him in on the short bus, and allow him to work. I don't want to deny the guy working privileges, but I do think he needs professional supervision...(aside from the baseball bat to the cranium everyone would love to provide to him).

Reese Witherspoon Says Photogs Have Rights

From UPI

Actress Reese Witherspoon says paparazzi have to do their jobs, but not when it creates danger for their subjects.
"There are moments when illegal things happen and action has to be taken," the actress told the TV celebrity news program "Extra." "Sometimes people are put in dangerous situations. I mean I can imagine, I've been in a few myself, so it's frightening sometimes.
"I do think the paparazzi have rights," she said. "The first amendment is a very important part of our country -- our freedom -- but illegal behavior is not acceptable."
Witherspoon said she and her husband, Ryan Phillipe, and their two children have made life changes to avoid intrusive photographers.
"It has certainly changed some aspects of my life," she said. "There are places I don't go. I had to move out of my house and move into a different place.

Constant Gardner A Sweet Bouquet

The Constant Gardner premiere
Lowes Lincoln Sq.
August 8, 2005

The press pit was set up in a new way for this theater. Photo area ran from a few feet in the street by the curb to the theater. Also, barricades were set up behind the pit creating a dead zone where no one was allowed to stand (It was nice not worrying about fans behind us). Those extra few feet at the beginning of the carpet made all the difference, allowing for only two rows of shooters, as opposed to 3+ rows that normally happens at this theater.

That being said, all the talent posed, security did their job and everyone (somewhat) peacefully co-existed. And yes....it was still sweltering.

Paparazzi's Ruthless New Recruits

This much the stars and the photographers can agree on: the streets of Los Angeles have become a battleground on a scale that may even horrify Britain's paparazzi.

Emboldened by the sudden willingness of law-enforcement officials to take complaints seriously, celebrities and their lawyers paint a picture of paparazzi as criminals, stalkers and provocateurs at the wheel, using their vehicles as weapons, if necessary, to catch a celebrity looking ugly, angry or upset. To the paparazzi, however, this portrayal is utter nonsense, at best the result of stars seeing something happening in their rear-view mirrors and falling to understand it.

Read the entire article HERE.

Photographer Shot at Britney Spears' Home

MALIBU, Calif. - A photographer was shot in the leg with a pellet gun outside Britney Spears' home Saturday evening, authorities said.

It was unclear who fired the plastic pellet as the photographer was staking out an event at the pop singer's Malibu home, Sheriff's Department Lt. Steve Smith said. He said firefighters bandaged the man's leg and he went to a hospital.

"It could've been somebody driving by, walking by, we have no idea where it came from," Smith said.

The photographer, identified as Brad Diaz, was about 200 yards from the home and outside Spears' long driveway when he was hit, Smith said.

A message left with Spears' publicist was not immediately returned Saturday night.

Sheriff to Probe Pellet Attack

Spears 'had nothing to do with' paparazzi shooting- Reuters

JESSICA SIMPSON Sighting On 42nd Street!!!

This comes to us from a heat exausted LotsaPaparrazza.
Keep on keepin' on...

"JESSICA SIMPSON sighting on 42nd Street near Times Square and Mickey D's!!!"

I missed Jessica Simpson pretty much everytime she was around NYC over the last 2 weeks or so.

But today (8/5), I made up for it ten-fold!!

While strolling across West 42nd Street between 7th &
8th Avenues, I ran into Jessica Simpson posing up a
storm in front of Madame Tussaud's. And what a
delight she was!! WHAT..A..PRO!!

Wearing her Daisy Duke shorts and standing right in
front of that General Lee car, she seemed unphased by
the swelting heat. She never broke a sweat. In fact,
she never moved. She held THAT pose F.O.R.E.V.E.R.!

Though she remained silent and would not sign any
autographs, Jessica graciously posed with any and
everyone who waited in line to meet her. She even
embraced the American flag the whole time.
WHAT..A..TROOPER!!

Fans waited patiently to hug Jessica, kiss her, pose
and take photos with her...and I even saw a creepy guy
grope her. And yet, she seemed ok with it all...even
the groping! Didn't flinch an inch!

I got great shots from all angles, as I'm sure all the
other photogs did. The PR was great too, making sure
that no fans (or anybody else for that matter) got in
the way of photographers. No obstructions whatsoever! WOW--OH--WOWWEE--WOW!! I wish it could be like that all the time.

Finally, I was amazed at how Jessica was able to hold
that smile so perfectly. Such composure!! She never
ever changed her expression--NOT EVEN ONCE!...she
remained exceptionally focused throughout. Kudos to
her!

Though, if you want my honest opinion -- my only
complaint -- I thought her smile was just a little too wax-y'ish. You know what I mean?

much luv, LP

{DISCLAIMER: The preceding missive was written during
a fit of heat exhaustion induced humor, and in no way represents the opinions or views of this blogsite or its blogmaster. Didn't harm any animals either! nyeh!!}

Country Gals Heat Up Morning Shows

Jessica Simpson/ Good Morning America/ 7am check-in
Faith Hill/ Today Show/7am check-in
August 5, 2005

Jessica performed in Byrant Park as part of GMA's concert series. Wearing 'daisy duke' shorts and cowboy boots, she sang 2 songs to the largest GMA crowd ever (about 3/4 of the lawn was covered with fans).
GMA provides a long riser with tons of room and high above the hands and signs of the crowd. Unfortunately, the photo riser is placed too far back for a good shot. You need at least a 400mm with and extender to be in the game. It's a shame too, because last year we were up front, just to the side of the stage. 40+ photogs on the riser.


Faith performed 3 songs on the Today Show on Rockefeller Center Plaza. As usual, photo pit placed stage right, about a 30ft throw, with about 20 shooters and one video crew.

Simpson In The City Sauna

Letterman Arrivals:
Ed Sullivan Theater
August 4, 2005

Working in this NYC summer heat is like working in a hot bowl of soup.
That being said, 35+ photographers waited diligently in this heat for arrivals/departures of Jessica Simpson. Show tapes at 4:30pm, she arrived at 3pm.

Mrs. Simpson comes out of her Pathfinder in a GREAT white dress, hair done up, dressed to the nines.... and proceeds to enter the stage door, holding her bodyguards hand, and never look towards the press area. WTF? All she needed to do was turn for a split second and we could have got the shot. Waiting in this heat, packed tight in the pit and to get that as a photo op.... This was not a good sign.
Nick Lachey arrives and runs into the theater. Strike 2.
Vince Vaughn arrives and runs into the theater. Strike 3.

But... when Jessica exits around 5:45pm, she's in an all white pants and blazer outfit and she comes right over to the photo pit! Actually, she was almost too close. A lot of people were over glassed expecting a run n' gun. She posed up a storm, smiled, waved and blew kisses. Good stuff.
Although Nick and Jessica wouldn't pose together, we had plenty of good shots.


GREAT MOMENT:
As Jessica's band exited the theater, they stood right in front of the photo pit. We were waiting for Jessica to exit, and they blocked our line of sight.
Paul from Getty asked them nicely to move "because we're trying to work"
The band members proceeded to laugh at this request and one guy went as far as to say "I'll give you a round house to the head"
Without missing a beat, Paul responds "Let me see your knuckles, they look as smooth as a baby's bottom. When you knuckles look banged up like these (Paul shows him is hand), then I know your a fighter".
The only response the band member could give was flipping the bird to Paul thru the tinted window of their van...as Paul stood their blowing kisses towards him.
Absolutely Priceless!!!

Stars Learn To Manage The Annoying Paparazzi

From the Gannett News Service

On one side, superstars say they can't leave their homes without being chased by paparazzi clamoring for that money shot. On the other, photographers say the well-compensated celebrities are fair game. The two couldn't be further apart, yet they have to coexist.

Read the article HERE.