(Author’s note: since I didn’t have access to some 50 Residents in the proper skin and costumes, I’m asking you to suspend disbelief on my photos, and supplement things with your own imagination. Either road, here’s a short Christmas story from the 48th Century, and my character Ariel Sherman. HG)
Ariel glanced around her at the four dozen-plus gold and silver people surrounding her. As usual, The Land of Fantasy had put on a phenomenal production of its current revue show, and everyone looked satisfied with things, no matter the changes in the script for the evening. Of course, for cyborg memories, “changes in the script” were rather small beer. It was the human pride in their craft that shone here, pride in performing in a once-a-year show to the satisfaction of both themselves and a demanding audience.
There was still a final act to go before they rang down the curtain for the next four weeks, for the show’s annual break. This would not be the usual finale, though, with its famous nudity; not on this night. For this was Day 357 on the Limlight Standard Calendar. There were children in the audience tonight, and the entire performance was much more family-oriented. Especially for tonight’s finale, the one element of this special show which had not changed from year to year. To Ariel’s demanding eye, everyone looked happy, prepared, and confident. She nodded happily back to them, said, “Alright, people; let’s do it,” and got back words and signs of agreement. “Go, Dalton,” she whispered to her organic stage manager, who grinned back, tapped at his tablet, and gave the needed orders. Recorded music began playing; the “small” curtain in front of Ariel opened thirty seconds later, and Lady Ariel Sherman entered at stage center, sweeping through the curtains in a massive ball gown of white satin.
She dropped into a stage-depth curtsey as the audience cheered and applauded and the rest of the cast and company entered behind her. Each of the feature acts took their own bows, then arranged themselves behind their star artiste. The audience quieted at last, and Ariel said into the amplification field, “Thank you all so much for coming tonight to The Land of Fantasy! It’s always our joy and pleasure to perform for you, but doubly so on special nights, such as this.”
I’m taking a pause in Oscar Fashion Photo Contest work to check out the bar at the Rose Theatre. Lots of wood and chandeliers, nice atmosphere, and plenty of beer. Stop in sometime and have a glass.
While I’m refreshing myself, here’s a quick update on the OFPC. As of today, we officially have enough in this year’s group pool to make a full contest — eight Residents are in with photos. But there’s still plenty of room for more, and just over a month for the Oscar Fashion Photo Contest to run, so you should get your glam on and start shooting photos. Remember, you can submit as many times as you like, but only the most recent one will be considered in the judging, or the one you designate in the end. Read the full rules, and ask questions if you’re uncertain! And, of course, submit your contest entry photo to the OFPC group on Flickr.
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This year’s featured red carpet actress was a name to conjure with in the 1990s; then a combination of a career slump, personal difficulties and a conviction for shoplifting almost derailed her. The woman is back, though, strong as ever, with her own show on Netflix, and still catching attention on the red carpet when she appears.
Let’s take a look at Winona Laura Horowitz — better known as Winona Ryder.
Born in Winona, Minnesota, Ryder began auditioning around 1985, did her first film (Lucas) in 1986, and broke out in 1988 — before she had graduated high school — with three films: Beetlejuice, 1969 and Heathers. The last film became one of Ryder’s signature films, the black comedy of “teenage angst with a body count” placing her in a generation’s mind. She appeared at the 1989 Academy Awards in a black velvet midi, on the arm of her Heathers co-star, Christian Slater.
Black seems to be Winona’s signature color; she’s worn it more often to the red carpet than any other color in my memory. For instance, in 1990, Ryder came to the Oscars in this lovely strapless sheath, accented only with a bracelet and earrings ….
… and appeared in 1997 in this frock, which is actually my least favorite of what I’ve seen her in. (This also illustrates Ryder’s taste for vintage.)
In the same year, though, Winona showed she could also rock color, at the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award for Martin Scorsese. This is one of my favorites ….
… as is this look from 1994 (which is, I believe, at an after-party).
Finally, come forward to the 2017 Golden Globes, with Ryder the adult star of Stranger Things. The old standby black once more — but Winona Ryder makes it shine.
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Next update in two weeks or so, then our own appearance after that. Get shooting, folks! And, to help you along, here’s some inspiration: a 2017 Harper’s Bazaar slideshow of the great Oscar looks of all time to their date.
Second Life® with Harper, Conan, Jem, Diana and Morgan
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