The Butt Goes On

Wouldn't you know it..... just when I thought this "craze" in Hollywood was winding down, US Weekly publishes a mini article on the "Greek Butt". It started with Kelly Clarkson speaking out recently about her bout with bulimia and her love of food, which ensures that she will never be a waif-thin pop star. Kelly has Greek roots.... which I am aware of. But the US article also mentioned Maria Menounos and Jennifer Aniston.

Now I don't know a whole lot about Maria Menounos, but I do know that she apparently went through quite a Hollywood-style transformation and whipped her curvy body into shape. She definitely had a lot more booty when she first appeared in the press. As for Aniston, she blames her alleged ass on her "Greek roots". I'm not a huge Aniston supporter as she never seemed to be happy with being Greek and only mentions her heritage when she has a "flaw" people criticize her about.

Anyhow, don't want to end this post on a down note -- three cheers for Kelly Clarkson! Wish her 'peeps' had thought my project worthy enough to get her to participate. Believe me, I tried. Nice folks... but we Canadians and our projects just aren't enticing enough to the American pop culture world!

And while we're at it -- a friend called to my attention the so-called "HHD" (Hellenic Hip Disorder). Who came up with this term!? It's funny but also horrendous. Ladies, Mediterraneans have long been known for their healthy curves.... let's take the "Disorder" out of the equation and make it something like "Deity" or "Diva"....

I'm out.

I'm a Booty Researcher for Life!

Or so it seems. I suppose until something becomes more fascinating to me (good luck!) than the booty and body image, I will continue to dig around on the Net.

I came across this FABULOUS blog today.... woohooo!!!

http://celebodies.wordpress.com

I'm going to be visiting this one regularly!

Cheers,

Tatyana

What A Booty! - the promo

Ahhhh! I'm starting to freak out! Especially when I caught this promo currently airing on W Network. It's just days before this film premieres, and I have NO IDEA what the response will be like.... and if I'll even hear about the response (above and beyond the friends who hopefully will be honest with me). So this is an open invitation to COMMENT on the film -- here! Go for it! Especially if you have any sort of reaction to it whatsoever!

As for this promo -- I'm actually really glad that it didn't include any embarassing footage of me from the film... not spoiling any of the surprises whatsoever!

You just never know what you'll find!

One of my slight hesitations I had when I embarked on this project was the fact that the "ass" is a somewhat 'taboo' body part and definitely an area that is highly fetishized in porn.

I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone how the "research" phase went, when I googled "booty" and butt in it's other forms.... lots of questionable content.

Which is why I'm not surprised that I came across this title not so long ago.....

It's amazing JUST HOW MANY titles with reference to the 'tush' have been already taken by the adult video industry -- try brainstorming an original title that hasn't somehow been used in porn, I *challenge* you!

Anyhow, this is in no way meant to encourage you to visit porn sites... or to promote the adult porn industry.... just one of the many unforseen 'challenges' I encountered in creating this film.

It's a funny world we live in, full of 'surprises', that's for sure!

Musings on Making Documentary

This journey is winding down. It sure does feel like an eternity, considering I was expecting to have been done 2 months ago... but the "end" is in sight!

For a project that began as a fun look at a topic/body part...which then morphed into a very personal and revealing documentary... I can honestly say it's been one of the hardest experiences of my career and my life! And I've travelled through such a myriad of emotions!

The irony of making TV is that the entire "creation" process goes unbeknowst to the vast majority of the final audience... they only have access to the final product. Which has been part of my agenda for creating this blog.... to give everyone a taste of the journey behind the final film.

But whether or not you read about the "behind-the-scenes", I have noticed something particularly interesting in creating a documentary:

If Heart and Soul isn't put into the programming (which often translates into significant Sweat and Suffering during production), the programming may fail to engage the audience. So whether there is a blog to capture the production process or not, the final film, in most cases, will capture the energy, passion, and emotion that the filmmaker went through!

At this moment, I would say that a "P.O.V." (Point-Of-View) documentary is one best attempted by the strongest, most confident (or eccentric and attention-seeking) of filmmakers. Particularly if the POV is being commissioned by a network and not simply a labor of love.

I am none of the above "types" but I still put immense passion and soul into every project I undertake. And though criticism/collaboration is part of the playing field of creating TV... I've learned firsthand that it takes a strong will to pull through when your passion also is your personal story. Particularly when the filmmaker is sharing his/her inner turmoil and insecurities with an audience that may not sympathize or relate. But beyond that, it also takes a tough skin to not internalize comments from various players in the project...comments that are necessary to build a strong story but, inadvertently, also critique a person's personal perspective and ability to convey their innermost secrets.

One of the most dramatic realizations for me has been just how POWERFUL today's documentarians need to be. They need to be more than the behind-the-scenes storytellers of years gone by... they need to be "Micheal Moores". This presents an interesting comparison. In fact, when I began on this journey, I wanted my approach to be closer to that of Micheal Moore. And, somewhere along the way, I was coaxed into becoming, albeit with much resistance, a "Morgan Spurlock". You'll know what I mean when you see the film.

In a world that is seeking more "reality" (reality-TV or documentary), we're also demanding that compelling characters share the stories. While we're still loving the underdog story -- many of us won't stay tuned to watch an underdog tell a story -- unless he or she is also a Comedic Riot, borderline Nutcase, or a Sexpot.... etc., etc.

Looking back on what I've done and how exposed this particular facet of my life will be in the near future.... it's a scary, scary thing. And I say this not to beg people's sympathy or to go easy on me... but it's a huge realization I've just come to.

And one day in the future, I think I'll be able to look back and realize just what a huge personal accomplishment this has been for me.

For right now, I hope everyone likes the film!

Tatyana

Introducing "Booty Girl"!

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to "Booty Girl", born from the amazing talents of illustrator Leigh Young!

Our "Booty Girl" is a Modern Superheroine -- a sassy and sexy crusader bringing awareness and celebration to women's natural curves... and you will get to meet her in the upcoming premiere of "What A Booty!"

Yeah, Leigh! Props to our Canadian Talent! I feel so blessed to have discovered and connected with this young woman. :) I discovered her sassy, curvaceous pin-up-style illustrations online and had to connect with her! Check them out yourself at:

www.leighyoung.com

Confessions of a Relunctantly "Booty-full" Gal

We've just finished our "rough cut" -- which for those not in the biz, is the 'draft' of the film. After seeing the film as it stands and after having spent hours upon hours in the edit suite, working with my editor to pick the very best moments for this film, I am beginning to realize that I must now come to terms with what I've created. And also confess to the world a little-known fact about this film.

Here goes.... deep breath.....

This film is....

About ME.

Well, it's about many many other people as well, as you've seen from my blogs... but it's a lot more about me then I have been letting on and, honestly, more than I've let myself believe.

After reading/hearing this confession, those who know me will likely have one of two reactions:

- guys will likely say "no way! wicked! show it off, girl!"
- gals will most likely say "really? why? how.?", etc...

Of course, I'm generalizing. But my point is, I have never really openly talked about any supposed "preoccupation" with or "anxiety" over my booty. My body in general, at various moments in my life, yes... but not specifically my tushie.

When I first dreamt up this idea, over 2 yrs ago, I had been responding to the trend in society. Now that I think about it, I think I was more excited than most of my gal-pals over the Beyonce/JLo booty craze.... I probably just never stopped to think about why. In all honesty, I feel that I am closer to celebrities with 'that' body type than the other "icons" currently out there... so I decided to celebrate it.

But my goal was always to tell MY viewpoint through OTHER 'characters'.

As I begun my research and the shaping of my storylines -- and with significant coaxing from those in power, it became apparent that the story would be stronger if I put a personal spin on it all. Being the behind-the-scenes type, this resulted in far too much anxiety. What sane person, knowing how tv is actually created and manipulated to tell the story the producers want to tell, would openly offer herself up to such a sacrifice? Perhaps I'm not sane after all... this would explain a few things.... I kid, I kid!

I reveal all of this because I feel like I haven't been telling the whole truth about "What A Booty!" Yes, it's a celebration of the female booty. And yes, it's a story seen through my eyes... but it is also a film that has developed into a very personal journey.

I do not have (to my knowledge) a huge ass. Nor do I think I ever did. And I did not have any deep-routed anxiety about my butt based on any specific uncomfortable or traumatic childhood experience. If anything, I'm a little more endowed than most in the posterior department but not to the point where it has ever really limited my enjoyment in life. Or stuck out in extreme disproportion to the rest of me. I certainly used to get a lot more attention for my butt specifically in high school/early university days...perhaps because it might have been the most prominent/defining feature on my body. But these days, well let's just say, to my knowledge, I don't get cat-called mainly from 'behind' as I did in days past...

But, I DO suffer from warped body image and sense of body confidence on the whole.... I confess. And what woman DOESN'T, with the crap we're seeing in Hollywood and in the fashion world?

So, the BUTT in my film is not necessarily MY butt. And I feel it's important for me to say this because I feel sometimes like, in the words of a colleague, "a fraud". I would never have cast myself in this particular role... especially because I've never been drawn to the spotlight in FRONT of the camera... but I see how I can be the conduit and the link in bringing women with powerful perspectives and experiences together for a common goal.

The BUTT becomes a metaphor for any part of us that is exploited, deemed "desirable" or trendy, or that causes us anxiety because it doesn't measure up to society's warped ideals. I really hope this comes through in the film.

When I look back on this experience, I will certainly be shocked and amazed with what I have accomplished.... that goes without saying.

But what I hope for more than anything, is to be a storyteller that the audience can relate to. I've proven capable of engaging audiences with my stories and carefully sought-out characters. This is where my confidence lies. My greatest fear as I move forward (above and beyond proclaiming my inner-most thoughts and ideas to the entire country) is the possibility of failing to engage the audience with ME.

Booty-Loving Denim according to Tatyana

I bought a pair of jeans the other day.


Now before you tune out, remember, everything to do in my life these days is booty related in some way, shape or form. And finding jeans that fit my body type has always been a challenge. In fact, ever since my beloved Sevens got a lovely crotch rip from general wear-n-tear, I've made a promise to myself not to buy another pair of overpriced "premium" denim, until there was a fit and style that was close to perfect.


Fortunately, between then and now, there have been a few random pairs that have appeared in my life like little non-designer rays of light.... including my amazing documentary character-find "PZI denim" (when the heck is this line going to be offered in Canada!). But the reality is, for me to find jeans, I have to CONSTANTLY be on the look out. It is a lot more involved then walking into a jeans store, trying on a few pairs in a brand line that always works for me, and walking out a happy gal.


Since I'm on the subject, I will share my research on jeans for the 'bootyful' based on actual experience and not just word-of-mouth claims:


MY CURRENT JEANS ROSTER:

- SEVERAL pairs of PZI (www.pzijeans.com)

- Bedo jeans. A brand of mens and womens clothing, only available in Canada. I didn't even know they did denim. And I found one bootcut style that I snatched up that they no longer offer.


- a pair of Salt jeans that I snagged at Winners (I guess the US equivalent of this would be TJ MAXX), if I remember correctly. I've tried to find comparable Salt's again... and no such luck. Guess they don't make this fit anymore too.


- a pair of Diesels that I actually had to buy on EBAY when my first pair reached the end of it's life. It's a style called 'DAZE' that I have been complimented on many times but for God's sake, what the HECK happened to Diesel? Currently, all of their styles are stiff, lycra/stretch free, and really really narrow in the thigh.


- a pair from EXPRESS in the US. It's their new "premium denim" line... thank goodness "premium" to this company still means under $100! The style is 'DPD Boot Cut'


- I also am a big fan of Juicy Couture. Or more like I USED to be.... the pair I have DO fit but I'm not a fan of the ultra-low rise that they tend to use.


- A few others not worth mentioning...trouser styles from WINNERS again...


IN MEMORIAM:

I wanted to take a moment to remember the fallen jeans styles that have disappeared into my past but were well loved during their time with me:


- Goldsign 'Passion' jeans....they still make these but not in the uber-soft wash and relaxed cut that I fell in love with....


- Rock & Republic 'Roth' jeans (a gray-black slightly sheen wash, back when the line first came out and the 'R's would lie sideways on the pocket


Point being, I finally caved and bought the Citizens. They are a gorgeous wide leg, nice blue-black wash and they are a little too tight in the thigh, but overall, quite the find considering my track record thus far!


As I was digging around to find a pic to share with my readers that shows the full booty-hugging beauty of this style, this is what I found:

Cute girl, but hardly the best example of how these jeans particularly flatter a curvy figure... SIGH.


I'll have to do a shot myself at some point.


That's the latest....


T

Bootyful Liar

Ok, I'm speechless. The two sexiest and famously bootylicious women (well one a little less so but her hip gyrations are still something to behold) have teamed up to do a song and an equally steamy video -- "Beautiful Liar"

Yes, my ladies Beyonce and Shakira, in a duet! I wonder who the marketing genius was that paired these two together.... ?

Considering I've had a love/hate relationship with Beyonce, especially after her PR rep for House of Dereon was so abrasive and disgustingly rude to me back in the summer, and the fact that she lost a lot of weight "supposedly" for Dreamgirls.... I'm quite impressed. This video fully showcases the 'back' that made her famous... and apparently she's still got one! Ok, Beyonce, now keep it that way... you just don't look right when you're super thin.... one look at her hips in that form-fitting dress in the opening section, and you'll know what I'm talking about. And don't get me started on the 'humping the wall' sequence -- a bit raunchy but check out the CURVES!!!

Words to describe Beyonce and Shakira in this video:

Multicultural, sensual, deliciously curvy and vocally gifted.... there is not much substance to this video, but with BUTTS like that, quite frankly, WHO CARES??!?

This is what women should look like.....

That's all for now.

Too MUCH Cheek?

I've been wanting to post more regularly with awesome booty news and finds that I come across, but it just hasn't been possible lately with pressing edit deadlines and far less time to research and net surf.

Nevertheless, my friend Michelle at the office received a forward that led me to the following "Weird Booty News":

Ok, so I don't know if this is a legitimate trend in JAPAN.... and I don't have time to really hunt around to verify, so let me know if this is a hoax. Exposed thongs aside, there is an actually BRAZILIAN company that is designing what could be considered the ultimate booty-revealing denim jean:

http://www.sannas-shop.com/store/produtoen.php?id=100536

I didn't actually see anyone in Rio wearing these but good lord..... I'm not on board with this one!

Tatyana

A couple words to describe my current situation

Sixty-plus hours of raw footage must now become 46 minutes of television.

Enough said.

Now the hardest work begins.....

Last Travel Shoot!

Wow, I don't think I could follow up Brazil with anything more fascinating... and I didn't.
Ok, so I'm being a little bit unfair to South Carolina.... and yes I have mixed opinions of this part of the US, but with the amount of energy, stress and effort put into the whole Brazil experience, it really did feel like the grand finale....

Except I had one last trip to take. To visit a plastic surgeon who's become a leading expert on booty augmentation surgery. Yes, you heard it right.... booty augmentation. The procedure has been around for some time now, but now there are actually TWO types of augmentation a less booty-full woman can opt for! It's incredible, and it's growing in popularity, if you can believe it.

As usual, I wont go into too much detail here, because that will spoil the film, but the doctor's name is Dr. Roberts and he's based in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

After the Brazil trip, I've just been wiped. Not sure if I caught some sort of bug down there, but I've been exhausted every day.... plus trying to screen the footage has been majorly time consuming.... we have 60 plus hours of content! Thank goodness I'm working with an editor I trust!

Plus, we had already used up most of our travel budget, so in order for us to get to South Carolina we had to do a little Expedia-affordable-but-not-necessarily-the-most-convenient-way-to-travel-booking through Expedia. Basically, a direct flight to South Carolina is about 2.5 hours.... our total travel time to get there via Expedia was more like 7 hours... landing in Charlotte NC via La Guardia NYC... and then a 1.5 hour drive to Spartanburg.... fun times. I won't even get into the details of our flight back, except that I got home 12 hours after I left Spartanburg. Oh ya, and I saw Victoria Gotti in the La Guardia airport. :)

Small town South Carolina doesn't have much to offer me. Because we did a fair bit of driving, most of the shots are just highway ones... and boy, do they like to clutter their highways with signs.

You can barely see this one but it's advertising the local "Cracker Barrel" -- a Southern country-style eatery.... very unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Sort of one of those "gotta try it once" joints like the good old Waffle House....

This one is neat -- there literally are DOZENS of fireworks warehouses all along the I-85 in SC... something to do with more stringent laws in NC? Dunno, but I wonder how they all do enough business to stay open. Didn't realize there was a huge market for fireworks.

This is funny... I actually visited this store.... with a specific goal -- to find some "booty humor" t-shirts. I had asked around, and locals had told me that because we were in the bible belt, we'd be hard pressed to find anything along the lines of "Southern Booty' paraphernalia. So I gave this place a shot... but it was beyond weird. It was located just off the highway, and you had to show your ID through a slot before they would buzz you in. So sketchy! And the place was pretty hopping for 4PM on a weekday... Anyhow, didn't find what I was looking for. There wasn't a single novelty thing in the place... let's just say it was all merchandise with very specific practical uses... I'll leave it at that.

This one's great -- a Waffle House sign AND a McDonald's side-by-side.... blech. I couldn't find a Starbucks in town so I had to grab a coffee from McDonald's one morning.... and I still can't get over the fact that there is no milk to be found for coffee. It's cream or coffee whitener. I don't get it.

We did manage to get to Greenville for dinner one evening and that is one lovely, bustling little city.... and sadly I didn't take any pictures. I mention this only because I don't want people thinking South Carolina is only what I've managed to snap pics of....

For example, look at these pretty dogwood trees in bloom.

Ohh! The Gaffney Peach! It's a watertower that looks like a BOOTY! How perfect!

This is our hotel -- a layout that is all too common in the southern part of the US -- the windows to the rooms are hermetically sealed, the lobby always smells of grease from the daily breakfast buffet. This location through me for a loop though -- the whole pool in the middle of the lobby is a new one. How is that relaxing? Especially when you can see everything that's going on from the glass elevator? Anyhow, not the end of the world. We were only there for 2 nights.


We pulled off the shoot and were on our merry way again in what felt like a flash...

Just to give you an idea of how we travel -- take a look at this gear. We're talking 7 hard cases of equipment, our personal stuff and a Carnet (paperwork that makes life hell and requires constant visits to American and Canadian Customs Officers)... Basically, this means getting to the airport 3 hours before each scheduled flight, massive excess baggage fees, stress, and hard work. Welcome to the world of travelling film crews....

I need a vacation.

Extreme Temperatures....

This is more for my foreign readers and my Brazil colleagues....because us Torontonians are no strangers to the weather we face....

This photo was taken a mere day after I returned home from Brazil. Having never gone "South" for the winter, I don't think I've ever had tanned skin in this setting... notice how it stands out next to the snow!


Just a couple of days before, this was the setting.... I'm trying not to think about it too much because quite frankly it's going to make me depressed.

No surprise, my body was in a bit of shock with all of the extreme temperatures I've been exposing it to. But hey, at least I got a little taste of life South of the Equator, as opposed to none at all!

I think I'm dwelling because it's mid-Spring and it just snowed AGAIN! Enough already! I'm supposed to film one FINAL segment of streeters (man-on-the-street interviews) in Toronto but this weather sure is putting a damper on the plans... tushes are still in hiding!

It's all got to thaw soon.....

Goodbye to "Bunda"

I should explain... I had stumbled across the word "bunda" while researching Brazil online months ago. It sounded like a cute way to reference the butt, so I had been using it in Rio. Until my crew mentioned it was a rather crude word (cue Tatyana blushing!). Sort of like 'ass', I supposed. Though I still like the word, I was told that "bum bum" (pronounced boom-boom) is a more playful and accepted way of referencing the mighty tush.

I was right, I didn't sleep. I tossed and turned... my brain was on hyperdrive, and I couldn't stop replaying what had already happened and imagining how the last few hours would unfold...

But the sun was out again and I was ready to hit the beach!

We had a mini-crew with us this morning as we headed for Copacabana. This is the life, I tell you. While the entire city was back to business as usual for the first time in weeks, there were still a lot of locals at the beach. Lolo mentioned to me that it wasn't uncommon for people to grab the morning paper and start their day on the beach.... oh my god, how heavenly! I can only imagine the screenplays I'd write with Ipanema as my vista....

And this, my friends, is the reason that Brazil is so famous. It's all true what they say about the bronzed women and bootys.... I was so moved to take this snap... what a booty!

So I got myself together, pulled on a cute tanga (traditional beach cover-up) over my new Brazilian bikini (no, I didn't have the guts to buy a total thong bottom, but that's also an urban legend -- most women really wear a hybrid between a normal brief bottom and a thong) and tried to ignore the people interested in observing our activities....and there were plenty. This will be the last scene of the film, so I was feeling a bit anxious to make it good.... I guess we'll see when the final product is ready! But the water was sparkling with early morning sunlight.... the sky was endless azure and the sun really did melt a big chunk of my inhibitions away in moments....

The sun was hot, limiting how many takes we could pull off... and as a final treat, Mark and I jumped into the ocean with Lolo! It had been 5 years since I'd swam in the ocean... and the familiar salty feeling was amazing.

It was 10:30 in the morning. And yes, I did indulge in a caipirinha. The last authentic one I'd have, so I justified it.



Cheers to a job well done for the foreigners at Copacabana Beach!!

Bikinis and Sand-bootys

I woke up the next morning to be whisked off to a local mall by our Fixer. We visited a grocery store first for some fresh acai juice. Just peering around the produce section, I was in AWE at the fruit. Papayas the size of small watermelons, mangoes, cute, tiny South American bananas... and of course tons of passion fruit. How can one NOT be healthy with this much exotic fruit available and so cheaply?

Next, we ventured into the Rio Sul shopping centre. My efficient producer grabbed my hand and led me to a small handful of her favourite bikini shops (I couldn't get over how many there were -- far more than clothing stores for sure), told me we were running on a tight schedule today, and left me to try on and buy a Brazilian-style bikini. I've had stressful situations before, that's for sure. But this one was completely unexpected.... and incomparable to anything I had done. I have been working on this film in part because of my own body confidence issues.... and being in Brazil was supposed to boost my confidence, or at least that was the hope. But as I tried to select a bikini (they sell tops and bottoms separately, why isn't that the norm everywhere in the world?), in tiny little flourescently lit fitting rooms with barely enough room to look over my shoulder in the mirror at my butt in, and sales associates who were Brazilian-beauties with minimal English skills who kept checking in on me.... the anxiety returned. I had to think back to the day prior when I had seen women of all shapes and sizes on the beach in very tiny bikinis.... to rationalize why the bottoms were tiny little triangles.... I very nearly had a bit of a breakdown in the first store.... and then I had a moment... and just stopped being so hard on myself.

To their credit, bikinis might be mighty skimpy in Rio, but they are well-crafted like nothing I've ever seen before. Some that I picked up were almost too beautiful for just the beach -- embellishments, stones, ribbons, embroidery.... Not one to flash my goods on the beach, I ended up picking a very cute, simple style with a little bit of flair to remind me of Brazil... to hopefully wear with confidence... one day. :)

As I drooled over all of the amazing (and extremely affordable!) fashion in the windows, I cried a little inside because I knew I'd have no time to check them out. Maybe next time...

Oh, I never really mentioned our hotel. Work booked us into the Mercure Botafogo. It was the least pricey of the Mercure chain.... as it wasn't a "beachfront" property... but nice just the same. The coolest thing was how energy-efficient it was. Fans in the elevator wouldn't turn on unless sensors let them know someone had stepped into it. Same with the hallway lights.... and in order to get the lights, AC and tv working in the room, you had to put your room card in the slot! So as to prevent wastage of these things operating all day long....

The room was a suite, complete with a kitchen, and European style bathroom (no tub!). My only qualm was the army of teeny ants that took up residence with me. They were EVERYWHERE. And seemed to take a liking to my toiletries.... not fun. But all in all, I'd stay there again. Very affordable, safe location, and not too far from amenities.

Our crew met up and we drive out to the beach for our next shoot.

So I can't say there's ever really time for sightseeing on this production, unless it's THIS sort of sight-seeing....

These amazing sand sculptures are created by artists along Copacabana beach. Check them out -- maybe I've been sheltered, but I don't believe I've ever seen the female form sculpted from sand. How PERFECT for my film! (Thanks, Brad for the tip!)

Of course, for the traditionalists, there was this amazing castle/palace... Incredible!!

Of course, as we get ready to film a scene on the beach, the clouds start to roll in. Didn't even occur to me that it might rain mid-Summer in Rio. And, of course, the minute we had our gear set up for filming, the droplets started. We took shelter in the production van... and thankfully the rain sort of held off. But the beaches remained deserted, which was a bit of a 'bummer'.




My Brazilian "Booty Crew"! I have to hand it to the team... despite Lolo being the only one with English fluency, the gang was such a pleasure to work with. It was their light-hearted vibe that made this whirlwind trip so much more bearable! After only a couple of days, I was already starting to relax... which is a bizarre feeling during shooting. It's something intoxicating about the environment, the pace, the air, the people. You just can't continue your stress-case, fast-paced persona in Rio.

Last dinner in Rio. Ok, so we hadn't had enough of the meat or the ambiance. So we went for Brazilian steakhouse, AGAIN. And I continued my love-affair with caipirinhas....

They have a KEG of cachaca with complimentary shots as you walk into the restaurant.... I declined. Not on an empty stomach... I've learned this over the years....

The caipirinhas came afterwards, as you can see....

I love nothing more than the final meal after a block of shooting days.... it's become a bit of a tradition. I got to know the team a bit better, including our soundman's lovely assistant (and daughter!) Joanna and our PA (also filmmaker and Executive Producer in the Brazilian film scene) Tiago.

Despite my fatigue, I wanted to go out and samba the night away... But I was informed, after a non-stop party for the people of Rio for more than 2 weeks of Carnival, nothing was really open! Again, I remind my lovely readers that my travels really are about work! It was probably for the best, as we had decided to shoot one last and hopefully sun-shiney scene) early the next morning... to make up for the clouds today.

Only a few more hours left in Rio.... I wondered if I'd be able to sleep....

A Full Day in Brazil

We were going to be cramming a LOT into our 2 1/2 days, 3 nights trip to Rio de Janeiro...

The next morning, we headed up Corcovado to see Christ the Redeemer, the most famous landmark in Rio. There is a tram that goes to the top, but with our large crew, it was better to drive. I've never been chauffered so much in my life as I was on this trip. Rio drivers are NUTS as well....

You can see everyone in our crew van craning their heads to check out the latest traffic jam... which in this case, was the parking lot nightmare at the top of the mountain.

It was a pretty and quick drive up.... and the sun was hot as we climbed the remaining stairs to the statue.

I was told Cariocas like to spend the weekend walking up to the top, picnic-ing and then walking back down!

I had to fight my way through the throngs of people to check out the amazing view.



And my PA, Tiago, insisted I do the "classic pose"....

The breeze was amazing and I spent a long time just gazing out at the city and the ocean. We had the time to spare because Lolo was busy negotiating with the authorities.... apparently the landmark had recently come under the authority of the Catholic Church and film crews had to apply for permission, something that no one on our crew had been aware of. Ah, the challenges of filming "reality".

Once we got back, we headed to the Ipanema 'hippie' market to check out some local goods. As Mark grabbed a walking shot, you can see that our security man was never far behind...

And moments later, I fell in love! (those who know me will know that I'm being overdramatic). He was playing a traditional instrument common to Capoeira (I don't know what it's called). And he was stunning! I think it was the muscles that did it for me.... Anyhow, back on topic....


So THIS is what Brazilian men look like.....

Not bad, not bad at all... :)

I also got my first peek at the famous "Brazilian bikinis". Let's just say that they were VERY small, and I wasn't convinced that everyone did in fact wear them this small. But I was soon going to find out...

Next, we went to the famous Ipanema beach. It was Sunday and the last day before most people would be back to work after Carnival. So the beach was PACKED! And yes, there were tushies aplenty. It was an endless sea of booty! And really, there were booties of all sizes, but all fully on display in very small bikini bottoms. Just sitting on that crowded beach and watching how ininhibitedly the women carried on, I felt my own anxieties begin to dissipate. It was incredible.... This was a culture of women that new how to flaunt it's best "asset". Oh yes, and the men did too -- I don't think I saw a single male bum-bum in surfer shorts! What a delightful afternoon of eye candy!

(Mark, inspired by the booty on the beach)

Our crew set up camp on the beach. And I got to enjoy some coconut water straight out of the coconut and some fried cheese on a stick (curious beach-food, but definitely yummy!)

On Ipanema beach, when the sun sets, the beachgoers always clap. Just thinking about this gives me shivers! It's a beautiful guesture. And when I witnessed the beauty of the sun over the water, I couldn't help but join in.



It was absolutely breathtaking and inspiring.

But it was time to EAT.

We went to Porcao, a Brazillian steakhouse franchise, that put all other buffet I've ever had to shame. I've never consumed so much meat in my life. And it was such a social way to eat, too!

The skewers kept coming.... and soon enough I figured out that if I wanted more, I had to flip my little round card to:

And if I was full, to:

This evening marked two "firsts" in my lifetime -- My introduction to Brazillian steakhouse-style eating and my introduction to CAPIRINHAs.... More on these tasty little devils later...