Pulling out the Big Guns: Texas Film Hall of Fame 12

It has taken a full two weeks for me to sit down and process the experience of working on The Texas Film Hall of Fame.  Of course, some of that delay could be attributed to the fact that I was run over by the proverbial truck that is SXSW.  But aside from the constant shows, beverages and costume changes, I think what played a bigger part in this procrastination is the postpartum show-baby blues!  I often experience a big, gaping soul- hole after show completion.  After preparing and working NON STOP on a single production, to have it all be over in a single night, it’s easy to slip into an identity crisis for a minute- until all the OTHER projects that I’ve been shelving for 3 months start tugging on my shirtsleeves, and I snap out of it.

So, enough excuses!  Here’s what we did.

Celeste Quesada, Wonder Woman and Creative Director, invited Angel and I to again contribute our aesthetic flair and stylings for the 12th annual Texas Film Hall of Fame, but this time, instead of taking on the after party, we were asked to sit at the big kid table.  And by “sitting,” I mean creating the 54 centerpieces for the dinner tables and suites, as well as dressing 8 auction ladies, making 12 headpieces for auxiliary auction assistants, costuming Lady Luck, the diva of the night and her four attendants, creating an opening dance to kick off the awards show and costuming the dancers.  PHEW!  If I hadn’t been working alongside such a badass and talented (ALL female) crew, this would not have been quite as much fun…

Band rehearsal with Grupo Fantasma before the doors opened

These incredibly time- consuming centerpieces looked effortlessly elegant upon the tables.  Can’t say how many hours Angel spent making 500+ paper flowers out of Bingo mats… but in the end, I think it was worth it!

Meanwhile, backstage in the dressing room, we were busy wrangling 20 auction gals, 4 dancers, Lady Luck and her 4 attendants and a partridge in a pear tree.

The army of bouffant wigs were ready to go…

There I am brushing Miss Wendy Corn’s new ‘do.

My crazy talented friend, Johanna Esper, stepped in to lend a hand when we were in the makeup weeds.

Ashley Rae Hancock and Anna Fugate (AnnaLani) turned out beautiful, classic looks all night long.  We went with a 50s winged cat eye, with bold red lips.

Miss Drea DiPrete was our Lady Luck, whom we kept draping in more and more glamour!  This gal is not only one hell of a looker, but is also a genuine joy to work with.  And good thing, because the exquisite couture Kendra Scott jewelry probably weighed 50 lbs when we were done piling it on top of her slim frame!

This couture Kendra Scott necklace was over the top in just the right way.

We wanted to give Lady Luck the appearance of being larger than life.  These Isis Wings certainly helped us achieve that!

Lady Luck’s attendants decked out in Coco Coquette turbans and fringe!

The gorgeous Fiona and Johna en route to the Lady Luck hub.

A couple of our auction cuties; Wendy and Samantha, looking lovely as can be in our vintage bathing suits and custom wigs…

More Auction Lovelies!

Feathered plume headpieces galore!

Once we cleared the dressing room of all the auction ladies and Lady Luck, it was time to get the dancers glamified!  Here’s Lisa del Rosario having a mirror moment.

                              

I am so grateful to Ellen Stader, of RubyRico Productions for choreographing the eclectic mash-up.  This lady has it all; the looks, the moves, the legs, and the humor to keep everyone from losing their minds under pressure!

I’m also grateful to her crew; Debra McAdoo, Lisa Del Rosario and Stacey Breakall for executing the opening dance so flawlessly!   These ladies are serious pros (and babes).

“They call her Lady Luck…”

“I went to the Fortune Teller…”

A super big THANK YOU to Holly Henderson for these stage shots!  Also, many of the backstage pics came from her snapping away back there.  Photo credits also to John Leach and Devaki Knowles, of Fun Loving Photos.  Without you, I would have to rely on memory alone (I shudder to think).

‘Til next year!

xoxoCoco