One of them was for another girl named Annie, who had found me via some random iPhone Actor's App called ActorGenie that listed me as one of the top guys in LA. I had no idea. Awwwwesome.
Usually I like to take people out to my random locations for my photoshoots for natural-lighting purposes, but Annie was adamant that I come pick her up so we could do some shots at her boyfriend's house. In my mind I pictured myself trying to make it work in some squalid studio apartment in Studio City or something, but I agreed because she sounded nice, and I just didn't feel like arguing.
"Oh, by the way, my boyfriend is BretRatner."
Yes. Hollywood director BretRatner...who directed the Rush Hour movies, X-Men The Last Stand, Tower Heist...
He's no B-Lister.
The house is pretty awesome. After clearing the security gate, you drive up a steep driveway, and the house is like built into a hill. Hence its name, Hillhaven.
Here are some pics from his feature in Elle Decor.
Yes those are authentic Warhol Mao screens in the bedroom.
There was one in the bathroom also.
And there were gorgeous portraits that I think Brett had taken of various Hollywood icons scattered throughout the living room.
It definitely made me feel like I was driving a Toyota into a Bentley dealership. I mean, here I was shooting stupid headshots in the home of a guy who makes films that are watched by BILLIONS of people!
A humbling experience for sure...
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This window facing the pool and yard gave us some GREAT light.
And Annie was just the sweetest.
After shooting at the house for a bit we left to drive around town and to shoot at my various outdoor locations.
When we came home, there were some extra cars in the driveway.
"Is that Brett?" I asked.
"No, that's Russell's car."
"Russell..."
"Simmons. He's staying with us while he's in town."
"Oh cool." I replied, trying to play it cool like it's TOTALLY normal to have Russell frickin' Simmons as your houseguest.
So we hung out and had some drinks with Brett and his houseguests.
While Annie looked through my wedding pictures (so that I can hopefully shoot her eventual wedding), this other teenage girl who was there, Spencer (who I thought was Russell's daughter or something but apparently is not), was texting furiously and then said, "guys, Paris is coming over."
So I was like, "Paris Hilton?"
And she was like, "Haha, no! Jackson."
As in Michael Jackson's daughter.
It was all silly and surreal and yet normal at the same time.
We sat and chatted about...what else? Justin Bieber.
Turns out I have a lot in common with 14-year-olds!
I love LA!!!
