XBOX Ad

Hello and happy summer to you! I am magnificent this summer and hope you are as well. I was recently fortunate enough to shoot a print advertisement for XBOX. The new XBOX game "You're in the Movies" will hit stores this fall/winter 2008. The shoot took place on a mini sound stage set in Pasadena. We shot against a white background and were dressed in fun and bright colors. I realize what a gift it is to be greeted by a make up department. Lola, an adorable and talented make-up artist with a hip sense of style applied, powdered and blended glorious make-up on my face! She had some really cool tips, products and make up containers!

[Melissa and Lola]

Let me just say...still photography shoots are FUN! There's awesome food, cool music and hip energy. My first shot was a group shot with some other talent. We squeezed onto a sofa and it will appear that we are playing the new XBOX game. I laughed the ENTIRE time because we were all so into a game that we were 'pretending' to play! Smiling, reacting, talking, and XBOXing as the flash bulbs went pop, pop, pop as the photographer captured our image.



For the next shot I changed into leggings and a tank. I had to backbend off a table, lift a leg up into stag position and hold the pose. Hard! I was flipped upside down in silhouette hanging and praying! I even had a spotter which made me giggle because he was upside down which I found hilarious! There will be iconic poses from famous movies on the front cover. This image will serve as the "Flash Dance' pose. The next shot slated was quintessential Marilyn Monroe pose with her skirt blowing up. There was a large fan brought in- a fan people! The fan turned on and woosh- my skirt poofed up and I was almost blown away by the rush of air! The things we do to create an illusion! After that Weber, the photographer, said I could do anything so...we had fun for the last portion of the picture taking. I danced, cat walked, laughed, did an array of poses and NEVER stood still!

[The "Back Bend" Table!]

Buy the XBOX game "You're In the Movies" in stores soon (Markets: Europe Asia Africa.) I will post more XBOX info as it becomes available.

Thanks to Dina, Steff, Weber, Kelly and every one at China, Ayzenberg and Microsoft. I had a great time and look forward to seeing the finished product!

'My Time With Dali' Performance Reading

[Allan Rich & Melissa Strom-Hayworth Theatre]

I had the opportunity to play Monica in the My Time With Dali reading. The screenplay is written by the great Allan Rich. Allan is one of the greatest American character actors who has worked on Broadway, film and television. People recognize him from his roles in the films Amistad, Quiz Show and Serpico. During the McCarthy era Allan was blacklisted and became an expert in selling modern art and opened the Allan Rich Gallery on Madison Avenue. My Time With Dali is based on Allan's real life experiences with the surrealist painter Salvidor Dali in 1970.

[Allan Rich & Salvidor Dali- St. Regis 1970]

I was honored to be a part of this reading because Allan became my personal walking and talking acting and artist encyclopedia. Allan paints pictures by telling the most vivid stories about the Great Depression, the McCarthy Era, old Broadway, his experiences on film sets and his love for acting, teaching, modern art and Wall Street. I enjoyed listening to him recall his experiences about Salvidor Dali in the 1970's. He is generous, knowledgeable and experienced in many avenues- a true Renaissance man. Please click on the title of this blog to learn more about Allan Rich.

[Allan Rich & Melissa Strom- Hayworth Theatre]

In the reading I played the character "Monica" based on Allan's lovely wife Elaine. I really enjoyed rehearsing, reading and performing this story. The script is entertaining, witty and jumps off the page. The reading was held at the Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles' Historic Wilshire District. The beautiful building used to be a movie theatre and dance studio and has that "old hollywood" vibe.

Thank you Bernie, Allan, David and Dal for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a fun read. I had a blast. The best to all of you!