The cover of ULM’s September issue with Community’s Joel McHale…
…more to come…
Author: Becca
Virgin America’s first flight to Toronto
I was lucky enough to go on a press flight celebrating Virgin America’s first flight to Toronto, Canada. The flight went from LAX to SFO with Governor Schwarzenegger, Sir Richard Branson and Drake. Then, they held a press conference at SFO with Mayor Gavin Newsom (It was a handsome-a-thon, yes). Next, everyone except Newsom and Schwarzenegger got back on board for the flight to Toronto. In Toronto, the plane was greeted with a red carpet event. I was lucky enough to get an interview with Branson at that time. He’s a great speaker.
We then went to the Thompson Toronto, which is a brand new hotel in downtown Toronto. It’s beautiful, modern and has amazing views from the roof pool. Virgin America went all out with a multi-level party which lasted late into the night.
On the return flight, I was bumped up to first class, and got to really soak in the beauty of that.
But the truth of it is Virgin America is amazing even from coach. With individual touch-screen televisions that allow you to watch television, chat with other people on the plane, play games or watch LIVE television (everyone watched the ESP vs PORTUGAL game live!), Virgin is far above any other airline. On top of that, the in-air wireless feature makes getting work done easier than ever. Some people were even SKYPEing in the air! How amazing!
They also announced their intent to fly to Mexico in the future, which would make vacation trips to Cancun so much more appealing.
Truly, Virgin America is the only way to fly…
Press release: My new job
University Link Magazine released this press release today:
University Link Magazine is Proud to Name Rebecca Ford as Their New Managing Editor
USC Alum Rebecca Ford will start her run as managing editor when University Link Magazine hits big this September with its much-anticipated Back-to-School Issue.
June 18, 2010 – North Hollywood, CA (June 18, 2010) – University Link Magazine (ULM), a monthly glossy magazine written by college students and exclusively designed for college students, reveals their new editor, Rebecca Ford, who will begin her reign for ULM’s second year as a successful print publication. The magazine, available by subscription only at http://www.ulmagazine.com, is glossy, 80-pages, and features prominent entertainment figures on the cover.
After the departure of its previous editor in May, University Link Magazine brought on Ford, who was recently an entertainment editor for the online guide, Metromix, where she was responsible for planning future stories that covered over sixty cities throughout the United States.
“After working for online publications, I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the ULM team and creating an inspiring and informative print publication for college students,” Ford said.
Prior to her stint at Metromix, Ford was a stringer for Deadline Hollywood Daily, a Hollywood industry website linked to the LA Weekly. Before moving to Los Angeles to receive her Master’s in Print Journalism from USC, Ford graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Visual Communication. Ford is already bringing innovative ideas to further improve University Link Magazine in its second year running.
Other publication credits include: Deadline Hollywood Daily, The Los Angeles Times: The Guide, Metromix, High Country News, The Cinema Source, New Mexico Independent, The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Magazine, Socal.com, Radar Online, Ms. Magazine, East West Magazine, Trazzler.com and The Honolulu Weekly.
The magazine will have a print run of 25,000 copies which will go to students who subscribed on the http://www.ulmagazine.com website or through a sales representative on campus. New subscribers can take advantage of the magazine’s reduced annual rate of $20 for 10 issues.
About University Link Magazine
University Link Magazine, publishing ten editions annually from its offices in North Hollywood, CA, was created with the mission of becoming the premiere magazine written by college students, for college students. It simultaneously creates unique opportunities for the next generation of great writers and journalists, while providing its college-age audience with the most compelling, entertaining, informative and thoughtful stories available in any medium. The magazine is owned and published by University Link, Inc. of Los Angeles. University Link Magazine, 6180 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 320, North Hollywood, CA 91606 USA. Phone: (877) 854-6501; Fax: 818-980-9021; Internet; http://www.ulmagazine.com; email: info@ulmagazine.com.
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See the press release
Work of Art recap: Turning garbage into gold
I’ve started doing recaps for a new website:
The second episode of Work of Art: The Next Great Artist had the contestants digging through trash, literally, to find their tools to create their art piece. Some artists succeeded with the challenge, while others stumbled. Who won this week’s challenge and who went home?
The episode started off with Nao reflecting on being in the bottom of the group on the last episode, while Miles revealed that stress and sleep deprivation are causing his OCD symptoms to return.
Simon de Pury and China Chow greeted the artists in the workroom, and Simon took them on a walk to reveal their next challenge. He knocks on a big red door, which opens to reveal…junk! Used electronics clutter the room, and it turns out that the artists must use at least one piece of junk in their sculpture. And yes, they must do a sculpture! Jon Kessler, a mixed-medium artist, will be the guest judge for this challenge. His advice for the artists is to be courageous!
See more here.
Q&A: ‘True Blood’ season three
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
If you thought season two of “True Blood” was dramatic, terrorizing and oh-so-sexy, you haven’t seen anything yet. The upcoming third season of the hottest vampire show in town (that’s right, we said it, so chew on that, “Twilight”) will be amped up to the next level. How? Werewolves, sexy new vampire vixens and a desperate hunt for a missing Bill Compton.
We spoke to some of the familiar Bon Temps residents and some new visitors to town about the upcoming season, and all the wonderfully delicious surprises in store. Go ahead, take a bite.
See the rest at Metromix…
Being a tourist in Santa Monica…
New on DVD: ‘Alice in Wonderland’
This week’s movie and TV DVD releases
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
Metromix DVD pick of the week:
“Alice in Wonderland”
Stars: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter
Tim Burton takes on the classic Lewis Carroll tale, combining live-action and CGI-animation to create a visually stunning world of floating cat heads and enlarged red queen heads. While the story is on the simple side, and Johnny Depp’s role as the Mad Hatter leaves something to be desired, the twisted, imaginative world that comes to life on screen will leave you wishing for your own trip down the rabbit hole.
…Read more at Metromix
Week in TV: The MTV Movie Awards and more…
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
At last year’s MTV Movie Awards, Brüno’s buttcheeks ended up in Eminem’s face and Kristen Stewart proved her endless clutziness by dropping her award on stage. We can bet that this year’s show will be even more ridiculous with the hilarious Aziz Ansari hosting (we’re praying for a Raaaaaaaandy-filled monologue).
Also, a slew of summer shows start this week, mostly of the self-improvement nature for fat families (“Losing It with Jillian”), crappy teenaged babydaddies (“Dad Camp”) and talentless chefs (“Hell’s Kitchen”).
…Go to Metromix to read more.
‘Glee’ goes Gaga with a Kiss
The little monsters have arrived.
The Lady Gaga episode tonight had a wonderful rendition of Bad Romance, funky costumes included. They ranged from the celestial costume she wore at the Grammys, to the bubble dress she wore on tour. Kurt (Chris Colfer) wore the huge silver heels.
The other men of the glee club took on a theatrical group of times past, “Kiss.” Also, Rachel (Lea Michelle) tried to bond with her reluctant mom (Idina Menzel).
Kurt’s story line was the most powerful of the night, with Finn and his mom moving into Kurt and his dad’s house. Kurt’s dad, played by Mike O’Malley, has an outstanding scene when he overhears Finn calling some of Kurt’s furniture “faggy.”
Since seeing “Glee” live, I have an ever deeper love for the cast because they’ve proven their talent on the live stage. I can only hope that the minor characters of the cast get ever more time in the spotlight, like Puck’s wonderful “Beth” number tonight.
I have a couple of issues: What is going on with Rachel’s mom? She concocted this whole plan to get Rachel to figure out who she was, and then she bails? But not before singing “Poker Face” in a duet…because she has such a good poker face? I know sometimes we just have to accept their explanations, but c’mon.
Also, does two songs a Gaga episode make? There were just as many Kiss songs. Should we call it the Kiss episode? I guess it’s just the “theatricality episode.”
Also, I miss Sue Sylvester. Where is she?
Here’s the behind the scenes from the Gaga episode:
New on DVD: ‘True Blood’
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
Metromix DVD pick of the week:
“True Blood: The Complete Second Season”
Stars: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley
The second season of HBO’s vampire-human love story includes everything from a killer maenad to a vampire-hating church camp and—why not?—a couple of orgies. As Sookie (Anna Paquin) and her blood-sucking lover, Bill (Stephen Moyer), set out to protect Bon Temps from a mysterious murderer, this dark, sexy drama with a ridiculously attractive cast continues to satisfy with every bloody drop. (See Metromix’s review.)
Extras: Audio commentary; “The Vampire Report” featurette; “Fellowship of the Sun: Reflections of Light” featurette;
Price: DVD: $59.99; Blu-ray: $79.98
See more at Metromix…
Rebecca M Ford 