Congratulations to our favorite show! The 67th Annual Peabody Awards were announced today and Project Runway took a prize in the "Entertainment" category. Click here for Mo Ryan's round-up of the winners.
Also, this week's BPR podcast will be with Sweet P. Please submit your questions for Sweet P to Team BPR.
Join us at the Philadelphia Film Festival on April 5th at 9:30 in the Prince Music Theater for the world premiere of "Eleven Minutes." This documentary follows Project Runway Season One winner Jay McCarroll as he prepared to debut his first solo presentation at Bryant Park in September 2006. This event is sure to sell out so do not delay in ordering your tickets by clicking here. You can watch the trailer for the movie below:
There will be a Q&A after the film and Jay McCarroll will be joined by filmmakers Michael Selditch and Rob Tate (who also created "Project Jay").
Blogging Project Runway hosts the Eleven Minutes Extravaganza, the after-party at the Fels Planetarium at the Franklin Institute. You won't want to miss pieces of Jay's collection or the "special performance from the Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret" as well as the music of DJ Psydde Delicious. Laura K and I will represent Team BPR, partner sponsors of the Philly Film Fest, and we look forward to meeting our readers and introducing them to Jay.
An encore showing has been added on Monday, April 7th at 5:00, also at the Prince. You can click here for tickets for that event. Click here for Festival 101 (example - no previews are shown so plan to be on time).
BPR had the opportunity to screen this film and we look forward to seeing it with its first audience. We hope that you will be able to join us.
Big News from the PR5 auditions in Chicago today - Oprah Winfrey has joined Tim and Uncle Nick on the judging panel! Here's Project Runway's Executive Producer Jane Lipsitz:
...we were contacted by the folks at Harpo Productions to let us know that Oprah was a big fan of the show and she wanted to stop by at the auditions to say hello. I suggested that she could sit on the panel, and she agreed!
Tim Gunn is beside himself:
I keep pinching myself every 5 minutes, 'I can't believe I'm sitting next to Oprah!'. Of course she epitomizes my mantra of quality, taste and style. It's a thrill to have her on board with our team.
Having Oprah affiliated with Project Runway brings a new dimension to the future of the show. What does this mean?
NEW YORK -- Bravo yesterday unveiled a new reality show that will pull the curtain back on the secretive process of creating reality shows while also pitting would-be producers against each other in a cut-throat competition to see whose reality show will ultimately be its own reality show on the television network known for Emmy-winners Project Runway and Top Chef.
"This is what America is going to talking about," spokesperson Jessica Koons said of the show, tentatively titled "Make Me a Bravo Producer," after its unveiling at an annual meeting of network and studio executives. "Nobody has ever shown the creative process of making reality television in such realistic detail. 'Make Me a Bravo Producer' will have all the highs, lows, alliances and betrayals that come with the making of a reality television series. It's not to be missed!"
The show pits 10 up-and-coming reality producers from all across Los Angeles in a week-by-week competition to see who can really become the creative genius behind America's next reality sensation. The competition, with Mark Burnett--the creator of "Survivor"--playing a mentor character similar to Tim Gunn, features both established producers and those looking for their first big break.
"I'm in it to win it," says Chad, with a provocative lift of his sunglasses, in the promo. "Him? Nobody needs to see Temptation Island III!" replies another, similar looking producer also named Chad. The two are later seen in a screaming match over a light brunch, and a cutaway to a shocked onlooker indicates that a mimosa might have been thrown.
"It's getting pretty nasty," another producer confesses on the verge of tears to the camera after a segment of his show, "America's Next Top Poet," is widely ridiculed by fellow contestants and guest judge Tila Tequila. "I just don't know if I can do this."
The contestants were housed in a "hooked-up" New York City loft which the spokesperson Koons implies was scene of various debauched behavior. "There was a hot tub incident that all of America will be talking about," she said without offering further detail, although she went on to say the loft also came fully equipped with Mac workstations, a DVD library that included a lost season of Survivor set in the South Side of Chicago, and the services of a man--known only as "LJ"--who could be reached at any time day or night to help producers facilitate the creative process.
Reality programming is increasingly seen as the future of television because it requires little in the way script production, thus doing away with the need for writers. Bravo, which has built its name on reality programming and re-runs of the West Wing, sees the genre expanding even beyond television, as it is currently in talks with the state of South Dakota for it to be the setting of "Celebrity Senate Showdown," where several movie stars from the 1980's will compete to take over the seat of ailing U.S. Senator Tim Johnson. When asked of the propriety of replacing elected officials with audience-selected members of the Brat Pack, Bravo spokespeople wouldn't comment directly.
Attention Chicago: Steven Rosengard will be at Erin Gallagher Jewelry on Saturday April 5th. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Click here to RSVP.
Click here for more advice to the hopefuls from Nick Verreos. Nick will be in Chicago tomorrow. Good luck everyone!
The New York Times announces the third annual "Sunday With The Magazine - Times Talks" on May 4th. Bravo's Lauren Zalaznick, Tim Gunn and Top Chef's Gail Simmons will be on the "What We Watch" forum. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
Up for auction is a custom-designed gown (and a hand-drawn t-shirt) generously donated by Season Four Designer, Elisa Jimenez. Click here to bid. Proceeds benefit Our Time Theater Company, a non-profit artistic home for people who stutter.
BPR asked Jillian Lewis her advice for Season Five hopefuls and this is her response:
I will be at the casting in Miami this week. I am really excited especially because I've never been there before. Charleston was amazing. What a beautiful city filled with so many beautiful, nice people.
Advice for season 5 hopefuls:
Bring your best work, represent it with pride and integrity. If the judges respond negatively, defend your point of view professionally and responsibly. If the judges respond positively, be humble and grateful. Keep in mind that it is about the designing but it is also a television show, so present yourself well, look your best and bring your personality. If you make it onto the show, prepare yourself with focus and stamina because it is NOT easy. Best of luck to season 5 hopefuls.
Los Angeles-based Field Reporters, Jonathan and Alitia Trimm provide BPR readers with a close look at the Season Five hopefuls and a great interview with Tim Gunn.
Thank you Jonathan and Alitia.
When we arrived at the W hotel in Westwood, there was already a line of about thirty designers standing ready to fill out paperwork and move up to the auditioning process. There was a great mix of men, women, and experience levels waiting in line. We approached a few of the designers to question their motivation for auditioning and to understand their design aesthetic.
Click here for the interview with Tim. Yes, he will declare that Christian Siriano is the new Marc Jacobs!
BPR Field Reporters Jonathan and Alitia Trimm were on hand for the Project Runway Season Five Auditions in Los Angeles. Please stay tuned for interviews with the hopefuls and with Tim Gunn.
Apparently "Underwear as Outerwear" is no longer an outdated trend. According to Nina Garcia..."Just a peek is totally chic." Will shoulderpads be next?
From the Season Five Auditions: Click here to watch Nick's interview with SUPERVISING producer Michael Rucker.
Scarlett interviews one of Project Runway Season 3's most beloved designers, Kayne Gillaspie. He talks about his Johnathan Kayne line for Wow Prom and Pageant and his Johnathan Kayne special ocassion shoe collection as well as revealing the celebrities he would like to dress and his favorite Season 4 challenge - can you guess?
Executive Producer of Project Runway - Rich Bye - offers his advice...
1. In choosing 3 looks, make sure they’re recent. The more current they are, the better. Also, the 3 looks should ideally express a consistent, compelling, and fresh point of view. We’d like to be able to see all 3 looks and be able to tell immediately they came from the same designer. Ditto for the portfolio.
2. Be confident and be passionate. Contrary to what some may think, the judges want you to succeed. They want to get excited and engaged but it’s hard to do when someone comes in the room and is unable to talk intelligently and passionately about their work. This is your chance, what do you have to lose? Be loose, be confident in yourself and “knock our socks off!”
3. You need to have a base-line level of technical skills to be able to compete on the show, ie: sewing... If you’re cast on the show, you WILL have to create something in a day, sometimes two, and you can’t be constantly struggling to figure out how to pull it off technically because it detracts from your ability to be creative from a design standpoint. We don’t want to put anyone is a position to fail so if your technical skills aren’t there, it’s difficult for us to move you forward.
4. We love potential. Even if you’ve just graduated from design school, if you have potential and are able to demonstrate it through the looks you bring in, it will intrigue us enough to roll the dice. Look at Christian Siriano, Daniel Vosovic, Nora Caliguri...
5. The quality of the designs you bring in the room is the most important thing but we love designers with great personal style and compelling life stories. Think about what you wear and how you present yourself to the judges. Remember, first impressions do count.
6. Have fun! Remember, as Andrae Gonzalo once said (quoting Nina Garcia): “lighten up, it’s only fashion.”
We're back with advice for the season five hopefuls!
First, from Tim Gunn:
The season five auditions are upon us! Incredible isn't it? I still feel as though Rami, and Jillian, and Christian were just battling it out on the runway at Bryant Park -- because they were!
Anyone coming to the auditions should: 1) follow the rules as posted on the bravotv.com website, 2) be confident about who they are as a designer and be equally confident that that message resonates in their work, 3) have IMPECCABLE examples of fabricated work, 4) be professional and responsible in their presentation, both personal and as a designer. At this first stage of the auditions, we are looking for talent, only. Personality assessments come later. Without the talent, who cares about the personality?
Individuals who presented at previous auditions (or didn't make it past the first screening) should be encouraged to try, again, providing that their presentation is different and/or enhanced.
Furthermore, we bought 120 individuals forward to "the next round" last season. 105 of those individuals were not on the show. Therefore, there are 105 people who already know that they were a close call. Please encourage any or all of them to return.
And I need to assert that with each successive season, my fellow judges and I are more informed about what individual characteristics are critical and what are impediments. That means that we bring an enhanced "lens" to this entire process. Consequently, someone who auditioned for season three, for example, and was moved forward in the process may not be as capable of competing for season five. But I try never to assume!
I don't know who will be joining me for the auditions. I fully expect a number of the designers from previous seasons to be there, as well as representatives from ELLE. And, of course, none of this can be achieved without the masterful organization and facilitation of the fabulous Magical Elves.
I look forward to seeing the BPR readers who brave the throngs! Wish us all luck!
Tim
Next, from Rami Kashou:
I would suggest the following: Be as prepared as possible! The whole idea is that you stand out "in a good way" :) Bring whatever you think will help the judges see something special about you and your work. Samples, portfolio, look book, model etc... Do not be afraid or intimidated.. just be ready to answer any question thrown at you. Above all Be yourself and give it your all!
Good luck to all of you and I will see you soon! Rami
From Christian Siriano:
I really want to wish season 5 the best of luck and i just hope it can bring as many great opportunities to them as project runway has given me! I loved almost every second and I am still loving it! But they need to bring it hard because they have big stilettos to fill!!! hugs and kisses christian
It looks like the rumors about Christian Siriano appearing on "Ugly Betty" are true... And it gets better - According to The Insider Online, Nina Garcia will also make an appearance!
Alison Kelly and Kit Pistol designs will be featured in the "Dress Right" Fashion Show tonight in Los Angeles. RSVP here.
Attention Boston: Jay McCarroll's documentary, Eleven Minutes will be featured at the Boston Indie Film Festival April 23 - 29th. More information to follow.
Click here for a story from Twincities.com about Tim Gunn's appearance last night. Looks like fun!
Attention Sacramento: Jack Mackenroth will be at the IMAGINE Fashion Show tomorrow night. Click here for more information.
