These were words I
had waited a long time to hear. Since I was a child, my dream
was to head for Hollywood. It did not become a reality until
1997. The first visit was just a very quick 'drive through'
and not what I class as a true visit.
Then
in 1998 I had the privilege of going for a week to see the
filming of Doctor Quinn. That was remarkable. To see the cast
and crew working at making a terrific show was amazing. I
always knew that acting comprised exciting seconds,
interspersed with hours of boredom. When I saw how long it
takes to shoot a few seconds of film, I had a great respect
for the actors and the finished product. In fact the film I
saw being made was the final episode of the series, and in
many ways it did not turn out as I had expected from watching
it. On this visit I was able to meet and talk with Jane
Seymour and especially Joe Lando, my number one favorite actor. I found him to be charming, friendly, and drop dead
gorgeous. He was the one who lit up the set when he arrived,
and he was the one whom most of the fans had come to see.
Every camera was focused on him most of the time. Because I
was so absorbed in watching this film being made, I did not
want to take the time to visit Hollywood, so I stayed in the
Agora Hills. But I felt as if I was 'in Hollywood' anyway....
Finally in 1998 I was able to
actually stay in the Hollywood Hills, thanks to a friends
uncle, and really live the Hollywood experience. Again the
high spot was being able to go and see the filming of the
Doctor Quinn movie,in the Agora Hills, only this time I
had a pass to be on the set, not just an onlooker, and that
was amazing. on the set However, my trips back and forth to the
ranch were wonderful, seeing the sights of Hollywood, walking
in the hills and on the Boulevards. It amazed me the amount
of shops selling pictures of every conceivable actor. One
dream I had always had was seeing Grauman's Chinese Theatre,
and it was not a disappointment. Of course I was wondering if
I would see anyone 'famous' when we were out and about. As a
child I really believed everyone in Hollywood was famous, and
just walking down the road you could see the likes of Clark
Gable, Cary Grant etc., As an adult I realized it would not
be like that, and especially today, with journalists being
what they are. But, taking a walk in Runyon Canyon, I did see
Corbin Bernsen and Amanda Pays, so I felt like a little dream
of mine had finally come true. Of course I would have loved
to have seen someone like Mel Gibson, but that was not to be.
And anyway,I saw Joe and I saw lots of him, so I was totally
satisfied.
One thing I had not realized
was that the Hollywood Hills is a beautiful place. Many
varietes of plant life, trees, flowers, and the views from
the top of the hills were spectacular. Nothing like I had
imagined Hollywood to be. I spent some time just walking
round, looking at the houses. Of course, a trip to Beverley
Hills was a must,as was Rodeo Drive, and Bel Air. It was
nice, for a moment, to imagine living in those kinds of
houses. I found that there was an 'energy' there that
surprised me. It was'Oscar' week when I was there, and it was
really neat to sit in the house, in the Hills, and watch the
ceremony, picking apart the nominations, dresses, speeches
etc., while toasting those we thought should have won. What
was intriguing to me though was living with an actor, who was
able to give some 'insight' into this world of entertainment.
Leaving Burbank was quite sad, as I truly thought Hollywood
was a specal place, and I don't know if I will have the
chance to go again. But...oh....there is definitely magic in
that name....
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