When
it comes to Hollywood - if you're not on the list,
your ass ain't getting in. And when it comes to
networking in LA with the industry's elite, The
Shark is one person you definitely need to know.
Publicity Whore sat down with the lady who has everyone
in town talking to find out what it takes to turn
LA into your own little promotional playground!
P.W.:
OK, so what's the deal with the name
"The Shark" that you are known by in Hollywood
circles? How did you get it?
The
Shark: The nickname took hold years ago.
I was a rather hyper child who could not sit still
to the point an exasperated teacher finally lamented
to my parents: "Your child is like a shark
- unable to sit still - as if death will ensue if
she quits moving." My parents didn't want
their 6 year-old being called a shark, so my Dad
nicknamed me "monkey" as if THAT was more
appropriate. But I totally preferred being a shark
to a monkey. And as I grew older, the nickname shark
happily took hold again. Not because I was still
hyper, but because I perpetually moved from place
to place - having over a dozen homes in a three
year period.
"The Shark...early years!!!"
P.W.:
You've quickly built
a reputation as one of LA's top promoters. What
do you do that seems to separate you from other
promoters and makes your events such a hit?
The
Shark: I don't discriminate. I sleep with
ALL my VIP guests. Sometimes twice. Even the butt-ugly
ones! Seriously ... That's a tough question. I think
what differentiates me from other promoters is that
my focus is 100% entertainment industry. My events
are not just parties, they're networking opportunites
for the film, music and television industry. Deals
happen and dreams become a reality. Not every single
time, but with enough frequency that people are
clamoring to "add their industry ass!"
to Shark's list.
P.W:
Do you think LA is all it's cracked
up to be, or totally overrated hype?
The
Shark: I totally dig LA, but I've found
happiness and fulfillment wherever I've lived. You're
either an optimist who loves life or you're a surly
bastard who thinks life has dealt you a dirty deck.
And what's not to love about LA? We have the world's
greatest weather and the world's highest concentration
of talented people who are pursuing their dreams.
What more do you need?
"L.A...home of the
greatest degenerates in the U.S.A!!"
P.W:
What advice can you offer to a promoter
just starting out to grow their business the 'smart'
way? What things should they avoid doing at all
costs?
The
Shark: Blow everyone on your list - even
the butt-ugly ones. Okay not everyone - just the
guys. My #1 advice would be to treat people as you
wish to be treated. If I'm on a guest list, I expect
to be treated as a guest. Not as cattle. Not as
a number. And not as another 20 buck cover charge.
I also highly recommend focusing your events so
that the objective is clear and rewarding those
guests who support your events by inviting them
to cool "secret parties" as I do.
P.W:
I understand you have directed segments
of the show 'Hip Hop Nation'. Have you been involved
with the NBC show from the start or is this a recent
project you've taken on?
The
Shark: I've been segment producing, directing
and/or shooting NBC's Hip Hop Nation for a few months
and I love it. In 2003, I aim to parlay this gig
into producing some live hip hop events which Hip
Hop Nation can cover. Being the quintessential Publicity
Whore, I'm sure YOU can imagine the publicity potential!
P.W:
Did you really produce a film called
"Sex Lies and Ravioli" and is it like
the Steve Soderbergh film, but with a kinky food
fetish twist?
The
Shark: I did, in fact, write, direct and
produce the short entitled "Sex Lies and Ravioli."
And all I can say is that upon viewing the film,
you'll never look at your Oral Genie toothbrush
the same way.
P.W:
If you weren't a promoter what would
you be doing? Are you planning on expanding into
any other cities in the near future?
The
Shark: I'd have more time to devote to
my creative projects and would spend my nights writing
comedy screenplays and keeping the dream alive.
As for expansion plans, I'd like to stay focused
on the LA entertainment industry and ultimately
produce a major Swifty Lasar style Oscar bash.
"The #1 Crappy award
show!!"
P.W:
What books are you currently reading?
What is one everyone should?
The
Shark: I'm reading Louise Hay's "You
Can Heal Your Life" which is very inspirational.
Everyone should read this book - along with Dr.
Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who" whose theme
is "everyone matters, no matter how small."
P.W:
Considering
you went to NYU for film studies, what would you
say is the main difference between the East Coast
and West Coast entertainment scenes? Which do you
prefer?
The
Shark: I love them
both - but the East Coast totally rules when it
comes to craft services - oh, how I miss the fine
and tasty international foods of NYC! And, as a
rule, NYC is decidedly more "indie-friendly"
and less studio-box-office-star power oriented than
LA - i.e. people seem more driven by their hearts
and minds than their wallets on the East Coast.
P.W.:
What is the most significant
event in American History and why?
The Shark: My birth. Because, without
it, I would not be here to answer these questions,
promote cool LA industry events, or make "Sex,
Lies, and Ravioli II." My birth aside, I PRAY
that by the time this is published, I can say that
the most significant event in American History is
the abolition of terrorism.
P.W:
What's one city that everyone should visit before
they die?
The
Shark: Mykanos, Greece at sunset. It's
breathtaking and its immense beauty puts your whole
world into perspective. They should also visit LA
and get their industry asses to my parties!
P.W:
What events and clubs have you have
worked with recently and are currently promoting
now?
The
Shark: The D.A.S.K. New Year's Eve black
tie at The Beverly Hills Hilton ....The StoneCutter
movie release party at Joya of Beverly Hills ...
our "Industry Gold" series of networking
events ... And a Hip Hop music showcase that's slated
for early 2003.
"Home of the greatest
transvestites in L.A!"
P.W:
How important are beautiful women
when it comes to building a 'scene' in the Hollywood
community? What do you do to keep the ratio in check?
The
Shark: Beautiful women are only important
if they'll sleep with me and NOT call me monkey.
Okay ... seriously? Beautiful women are great! They're
the icing on the cake of any good party. But they're
not the cake. The cake is that group of loyal supporters
who rsvp and actually show up. The cake is the group
that gets invited to those cool "secret parties"
I mentioned.
P.W.:
Where do you see this all headed
and what will you be doing in 5 years? And for the
fellas, are you single or what?
The
Shark: In five years, I've gotta have a
pad in Malibu and will do what it takes to achieve
this objective as long as it's legal, ethical, and
fun - and I still get to sleep with everyone. In
a perfect world, I'll also be madly in love with
my soul mate and sleeping with him as well and life
will be one great big glorious Mykanos sunset.
P.W:
Any shout outs you
wanna give?
The
Shark: I'd like to thank my Mom for supporting
my industry ass and my Dad for dropping my monkey
nickname when I hit 30.
"Yo, dog dis some
wacky shit!!"
P.W:
If people want to learn more about
Planet Shark Productions & your events where
can they look to find out about it?
The Shark: www.planetsharkproductions.com
within our "industry insider forum"
P.W:
And lastly, what do you think of
those irreverant, handsome devils over at Publicity
Whore Magazine?
The
Shark: I want their industry ass! Yea baby.
P.W.:
Ahhh, now that's sweet.
WANNA
GET ON THE SHARK'S GUEST LIST, THEN EMAIL HER AND
LET HER KNOW: theshark@publicitywhore.com
