CThru.com Presents Tony Ward

Marketing Widgets-Michael Jackson Movie Release

…..Ed Simmons for a long time now has been the point man for Tony Ward Studio when shooting in Los Angeles. Assistant to TW on the set in LA, accomplished photographer in his own right and blogger, writes about the pending opening of LA LIVE and Michael Jackson’s last rehearsal tapes. Photographs of Ed courtesy, Stephanievovas.com ……..

Ed Simmons Lights Up

There has never been anything like this. The only thing I can think of that come’s close is six big screens, at the Sidewalk Cafe in Venice, all tuned together, to the Andy Griffith Show. It’s a coin toss as to which has more social content. Wait a minute, its not even close; Andy Griffith gets it hands down.?p?
Well, there is still hope for the world. I saw a Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Truck out making deliveries. There are still clubs like the Troubadour. These theaters, at LA LIVE will open in a big way. When have you heard of a movie theater complex with a grand opening covered by World Media? People are flying in from over seas, standing in line for days, to buy movie tickets. Has to be a first!

I am, and always will be, a fan of talent. As I see it, (doubtful that I will), the movie “THIS IS IT”, is about a whole lotta nothing. Videotapes of rehearsals for a concert tour, that never was. As the foundation for a documentary, about a successful Michael Jackson tour with such a demanding schedule is an important part to laying down the story. But there is no story here. This is about wringing out one more pound of flesh.

I had spent no time at LA LIVE prior to going to work in construction at the theaters. It had always been no mans land around there. Any media coverage of the area, up until now, had always been of civil unrest issues or a Laker championship victory celebration. Lot’s of coworkers in construction parked down there, while working on the towers of LA back in the eighties.

I went down looking for work once a couple years back, after returning to Los Angeles from Philly. I ran into my old boss, Jose, from the Cathedral project in Central Los Angeles. He couldn’t put me on; he had just thinned out his crew. After wrapping up work on the theaters, I thought I’d spend a little time around lunch, to see what kind of traffic moved through.

This is a sports and entertainment complex on a grand scale. Dozens of eateries line the open courtyards. I guess they got a no competition clause in their lease. The only coffee to be had is Starbucks. I was getting a little sugar and cream in my coffee during my break, when this sweet young thing came up beside me, to fix her tea. I gave her a little more room, excused my self for spreading out so much at the small counter. I’m at about that age, when young women, see me as someone sweet, fatherly, somewhat harmless. I really have fun with it.
I don’t kid myself, I’m still breathing! She said I was fine, I thanked her; I told her she was fine as well!!!

There are a lot of condominiums surrounding this complex. Not enough people making real money though to fill them up. I thought I’d find lots of people out and about at lunch, after all, about 72 degrees, clear, crisp, autumn air, any other city, this would have drawn them out for sure. I’ve heard this place has been coined the “Times Square of the Left Coast.”

I don’t think I counted more than twenty people at any given time, moving through the courtyards. That must be all wishful thinking. Maybe when the Ritz Carlton wraps up construction, all the pieces will be in place. Now here’s a crazy thought; how about an Organic Pharmacy Super Store, complete with an Old School Soda Fountain, that would sure draw some people in?

Seriously, the problem here is there is no money! More people need good jobs for something on this scale to work and trickle down doesn’t work anymore. It was only a couple of days after Michael Jackson died that work began when promoters developed their new widget. Across the news, word of rehearsal video surfaced. Suddenly, a movie that would be ready for a late October release became the latest MJ headline.

Some big deals had to be cut, timing was paramount. These folks were in court before the poor man was even in the ground! The date for the movie release wasn’t just pulled out of a hat. I worked in construction on the theaters at LA LIVE in the beginning of September. In a little more than a week on the job, I had it all figured out. There is nothing personal in business. I guess this is what makes it all OK. At the end of September it was announced, the Michael Jackson movie, a compilation of rehearsal videos that was posthumously titled, “THIS IS IT” would premiere in all fourteen new theaters, being built at LA LIVE. It is clear to me that the promoters were all over this financial opportunity. The spin was well crafted.

The public was told the rehearsals were video taped. How the world lost a tremendous talent and that the comeback of Michael Jackson would have been triumphant. We all now would have the chance to see the concert that was never to be.

Ed Blogs Yeeha.Org/Art

Sex In Cars

….As she began the five hour drive heading East along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Cortney called the studio from her car. She informed the studio assistant that she had just left Pittsburg and would be arriving on schedule for her 3:00 PM photo shoot. She also mentioned she was the proud owner of a seventy something Cadillac, a gift from her latest, very generous sugar daddy.

As the assistant described to TW the exaltation that was expressed about the purchase of the car, he thought perhaps it would be wise to produce pictures of Cortney around the car since she loved it so much.

The assistants got the garage of the studio prepared for her arrival. The lead assistant headed to the prop room to pull backdrops for the shot knowing that TW wanted to create an atmosphere that evoked the mood of sex, since Cortney was known to exude sexual energy when performing before the camera. Cortney like many of us, discovered the joys of sex during those youthful years, in the back seat of a car. Some would argue, auto erotica fueled the drive in movie theater business during it’s heyday……

Backseat Entrance

…..The studio gets a lot of inquiries from aspiring models. Recently a call came in from Prinzzess Sahara, the twenty two year old native Floridian beauty who is making waves in adult modeling and the adult entertainment night life. She left a message with an assistant that she would be soon traveling to Los Angeles for photo shoots and was wondering if we could arrange to photograph her while she was in Hollywood. She didn’t realize that although we produce shoots in LA from time to time, we are an East Coast based operation. Philadelphia is ground zero.

We called her back and explained that we had no immediate plans to travel West and suggested that if she were on tour on the East Coast, we could easily accommodate her request. Coincidentally, she was scheduled to perform at the nationally renowned, Al’s Diamond Cabaret in Reading, Pennsylvania for three consecutive nights upon her return from Los Angeles. The studio went in to full production mode and arranged to photograph the young Prinzzess at her hotel room in between acts…….

Prinzzess on Tour

Joe Mammana

…..When the call came in to the studio to arrange for a portrait sitting with Joe Mammana, it seemed as though the urban egg farmer was sitting on top of the world. Owner of Yardley Farms, a successful egg-processing business that apparently was handed down from his Sicilian father. Joe enjoyed the comforts of wealth and an extravagant lifestyle. There was the flashy Joe, the Ferrari, the trophy girlfriends, the beautiful clothes.

There was another side to Joe that lay dormant, a 20 year criminal history, which included convictions for aggravated assault, theft, forgery and dealing steroids. Around the time this picture was taken, Joe seemed to have turned his misfortunes around by finding solace in philanthropic pursuits. Mammana became active in Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Crime Commission, and offered more than one million in reward money for leads to solving serious crimes.

Earlier this year Mr. Mammana’s dark side resurfaced as he was arrested, prosecuted and is presently serving an eight year sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and tax evasion. Mr. Mammana’s inner demons for now have won a perpetual inner battle……

At Home With Becky Lewis

…..When you enter her home even on the brightest of days it’s dark. The first thing you notice are the black walls. Ms. Lewis chose black because it has a calming effect on her. Perhaps a way to escape the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia’s, Port Richmond neighborhood. She didn’t grow up in the city however, and that’s where her story get’s more interesting.

Becky grew up in the suburbs of Wilmington, Delaware, which she asserts she hated as a child. Her father an emergency room physician. Her mother a registered nurse. She absolutely adores her parents. Good schools, private schools at that, can do great things for the mind of a child. The education opened up many doors to Becky’s inherent creativity. She left the nest early however, just eighteen. College was not in the cards, a yearning for life in a bigger city, she moved to the city of brotherly love.

Fascinated by tattoo’s at an early age, the arrival in to the big city provided her access to Philadelphia’s sizable tattoo culture. Ms. Lewis has become one of the icons of that culture. You’ll be seeing and hearing more about Ms. Lewis soon……

The Love of Tattoo

Guest Blogger Diana Desiderio, in her own words, provides us with a glimpse in to the sporting world of women who wrestle…….

Diana Desiderio Seated

“It’s very hard to believe that it has been almost five years since I hit the ring. Growing up in Philadelphia presented a fairly tough upbringing. So why not take the beating with the guts and the glory? In my early 20’s, I was offered an opportunity to train with a lot of well known names on the Indy circuit. Being a native of South Philly, a lot of the greats that you see today came out of Water and Ritner Streets, where the old ECW venue still remains. Without thinking twice, I fell into training three times a week and doing shows every week for next to peanuts all for the love of the labor involved in the sport.

Ringside

When your involved in what is traditionally considered a “mans sport”, you got to take it like a man. Eventually, I worked for a pay-per-view women’s federation, a completely different world opened up to me there, more glitz and glamour. As my ring savy progressed, I was getting noticed more and more, even on the streets, it was a good feeling. So I contacted a friend of mine who is the producer for the Howard Stern Show. At that time, I was part of the infamous tag team called “Hells Belles”, including the illustrious Annie Social. We were on a roll.

We both worked very hard to try and make in an industry that is very hard for women to be taken seriously, for the skills we possess in the ring.

Unfortunately, during a match, I was badly injured and was forced to resign from my love of taking hard hits. It has been my honor and privilege to have fought with the best of them. It’s even greater to have stories to tell the grand kids.”

Hells Belles

The Art Of Tanning

….The studio is pleased to announce that we have been commissioned by Sonya Bright to produce a series of pictures of Ms. Bright, as part of an advertising and promotional campaign to launch a series of tanning salons under her ownership. Stay tuned for the latest collaboration between TWS and the new tanning salon owner. We are in production and on location today and can not wait to show you the results……….!

Lovers Kiss

…..Guest blogger, Atomic Bombshell weigh’s in on the Art of the Kiss……….

Movie Kiss

If Helen of Troy’s face could launch a thousand ships, kissing can definitely inspire timeless, artistic creations. You will always remember your best and worst kisses. I think this is because a kiss can leave an imprint on your soul. So much passion and longing can be felt with a single kiss. An ultimate chemistry of connection and sensory, that you share with another person. While there are some people who are not natural born kissers, if you feel strongly about the person you are with and you are open to experience, take your tie and discover kissing together. After all, we all hate those kisses that leave our faces chaffed! Some of the best stories and paintings were inspired by the beauty of the kiss. I wish everyone would take their time and explore the sensual Art of the Kiss!

All The Right Stuff

……Whenever I am traveling to LA to produce new work, I always call my friend Miles Long to see who’s in town that needs a new set of pictures. Miles works almost exclusively in the adult film industry and knows all the key players in Hollywood. He checked around and got back to me with a recommendation to photograph Ashlynn Brooke, a rising star in the adult entertainment business. Miles and I have worked together on various projects over the years, so I trusted his recommendation to set some time aside to work with the promising young talent.

Ashlynn arrived at my suite at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood along with her makeup artist, a Mexican born beauty by the name of Rosalinda Macias. I highly recommend the Sunset Marquis. The rooms are large, with a view of an indoor court yard and a pool. The service is excellent and just a stones throw from Sunset Strip. Not a bad place to hang out after the shoot.

Ashlynn was a joy to work with. She had a comfort with her body that made photographing her automatic. Originally from a small town in Oklahoma, Ashlynn adapted quite quickly to her new vocation and lifestyle and has developed a reputation for her ability to take care of business on the set……

Street Musician, Philadelphia, 1994

……Every time I think about the life and work of Harvey Finkle, he reminds me of the good fortune he has had in his life. A beautiful life partner, close knit family and a passion for something that each day brings him great joy. That passion, to our benefit are his photographs. Following a long tradition of documentary photography, Harvey Finkle is the Mother Theresa of passionate photography. He began to excel at his lifes work in his early years, receiving a Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1961. From there, his education lead him to picture making which helped him define his social causes.

On Thursday, October 15th, 2009 The Constitution Center of Philadelphia will recognize his legacy. A press release has just arrived at the studio from Bread & Roses Community Fund of Philadelphia. Tickets are available at the door. You don’t want to miss this event!

Tent City, Philadelphia 1995

Tribute

The Bread & Roses Community Fund will be honoring social documentarian, Harvey Finkle, at its annual event on 10-15-09 at the National Constitution Center. Harvey is a still photographer, whose interests are social, political and cultural. His career has centered on photographing marginalized and disenfranchised people, including low income and homeless families, refugees and immigrants, the disabled and the Deaf, as well as groups working for economic justice, peace and human rights. The tribute will exhibit 75 photos reflecting the groups and people that he has photographed. His work can be seen on his website, harveyfinkle.com

www.HarveyFinkle.com