It’s a new years, and I’ve decided (with much encouragement from our attorney) to “get online”. There’s a thing called myspace.com, and if you go to myspace.com/bellahagen, you can keep up on my musings; which, if you’re reading this, you already do. But more importantly, you can get the word out there to your friends about our ongoing legal battle with OmniDazzle Television (petition can be signed at www.comeflywithmenude.org) about how they humilite artists.
Ready for the latest: unbeknownst to us, buried deep in the evil document we signed when we agreed to the Omni-Dazzle feature film about us, we are required — whenever mentioning the film on this site — to to direct you to their site, www.comeflywithmenude-movie.com.
I know if I just stopped talking about it, it would hurt less. But I can’t. I need to talk about it. For I hear that now they’re making additional “edits” (what I call “gross interpretations of the truth”).
After our triumphant return to performance art at the Turin Olympics, we’ve decided to reprise our stage show. This time in Hollywood. The thought of bringing our Art to Southern California, where it is so badly needed, was an opportunity even we couldn’t turn down. So we’re currently rehearsing, auditioning understudies, and counting down the days! It’s good to be back, creating again!
Breakthrough underground performance artists Dom Casual & Bella Hagen made an unannounced public appearance at the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin this past Sunday night. Crowds were stunned and gave an unprecedented 45 minute standing ovation.
No word yet on whether or not this means a return to the performance circuit for the legendary Mutual Muses. At last report, their annual holiday collaboration was cancelled when Bella went missing, citing “stress and exhaustion” over their legal battle with Omni Dazzle Television (www.omni-dazzle-tv.com). The duo starred as themselves in the biopic Come Fly With Me Nude (www.comeflywithmenude-movie.com), Omni Dazzle’s first foray into theatrical filmmaking.
Dom & Bella are protesting the network and all its merchandising, claiming they were “exploited”, “misrepresented”, and “made to look like complete imbeciles”. In retaliation, Omni Dazzle is suing the artists for libel and for failing to fulfill their obligation to promote the film. More information on the protest can be found at www.comeflywithmenude.org.
The Press kit for the my current project is now available as a ZIP archive (48MB) and independent HTML page.
Here’s the site specific version:
| File/Folder | Description | |
| Stills Stage | Still images from Award Winning 2004 SF Fringe Festival | |
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CFWMN_2.jpg | Dom & Bella in the “Howl” pose |
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CFWMNfellini_bw.jpg | Dom & Bella in their Fellini scene outfits (B&W) |
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CFWMNFosse.jpg | Dom & Bella do Fosse |
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CFWMNfringe_radio1.jpg | Dom & Bella cross road (al la Beatles) on way to Radio interview. |
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CFWMNDB2.jpg | Dom & Bella at Café Royale reading |
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CFWMNfellini.jpg | Dom & Bella in their Fellini scene outfits |
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CFWMNfringe_radio2.jpg | Dom & Bella await KPFA radio interview #1 |
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CFWMNfringe_radio3.jpg | Dom & Bella await radio interview #2 |
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CFWMNhark.jpg | Dom & Bella in the “Howl” pose (B&W) |
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CFWMNSkate_1.jpg | Chronicle photo of Dom & Bella “on ice” |
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CFWMNSONB.jpg | B&W of Dom & Bella candid |
| Stills Making Of | Still from behind the scenes on the film shoot | |
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CFWMNDiane directing.jpg |
Diane directs the “Best Guys Electronics” scene |
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CFWMNMark it boy.jpg |
Grant and Green bar scene is marked by AD Daniel Clifford |
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CFWMNAofC_set2.jpg | Behind the camera on the set of “The Art of Conversation” |
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CFWMNDaniella.jpg | Make-up and wardrobe goddess, Daniella Turner, touches up the Bella look |
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CFWMNdiane_bella.jpg | Diane as Bella marks the take |
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CFWMNDan1.jpg | Dan Gomes takes photos of Cassie Powell for “Bad Coke Talk starring Tatiana!” poster |
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CFWMNDK1.jpg | Diane Karaagienakos reviews photos from “Men of Leisure” shoot |
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CFWMNSleeping Dancer.jpg |
Boite Verte dancer (Stefan Smith Collins) naps between takes |
| Stills Film | Stills from the film | |
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BoitesLobbyCard.pdf | lobby card of Boite Verte Troupe |
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DomEtBella.pdf | lobby card of Dom, Bella, & Jack |
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squid_dance.jpg | Wide shot of Dom as Squid in 1-man show “I’m Using That Arm, Man” |
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CFWMNSlide.tif | Slide in the Basement of North Beach music store |
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CFWMNDom
_ Bella.tif |
Bella & Dom discuss performing together in Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store |
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CFWMNSparkle_Bella.tif | Sparkle admires Bella’s paining |
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CFWMNDBS.tif | Slide, Dom & Bella in Grant & Green Poetry Scene |
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CFWMNsquid.tif | Dom as 14 foot tall red squid in his one man show”I’m Using That Arm, Man” |
| Poster | Official poster art | |
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CFWMNPosterNoCredits.pdf | Poster with only the title, featuring Dom & Bella |
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CFWMNPosterWithCredits.pdf | Dom and Bella poster, with key credits and sponsor logos |
| Film Script Samples | Sample script pages with director Diane Karagienakos’ notes and doodgels. | |
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CFWMNscript1of5.jpg | |
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CFWMNscript2of5.jpg | |
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CFWMNscript3of5.jpg | |
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CFWMNscript4of5.jpg | |
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CFWMNscript5of5.jpg | |
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CFWMNdirectorHeadShot.jpg | Official headshot for Producer/Director Diane Karagienakos |
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CFWMNBios.pdf | Bios for key personel on the film project |
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CFWMNdescription.pdf | Full description of CFWMN |
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CFWMNtaglineLogline.pdf | Suggested Tag and Log lines |
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CFWMNsynopsis.pdf | Project synopsis |
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index.pdf & index.xls | PDF and Excel versions of this document |
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PressKit.zip | All the above documents in a ZIP archive |
Mon Cher Dom,
I regret having to deliver this news to you in such a public forum, but it would simply be too painful to say goodbye to everyone who has meant so much to me — including our understanders — individually. So all of them can read this as you read it, and then maybe you’ll be spared being inundated with inquiries.
But I must escape. The duress of this “Real World” dilemma which has overtaken our lives — this goddamn legal battle with Omni Dazzle, Mr. McMannan, and that fast-talking “indie film director” — has become too much for me. I need to be alone, alone with myself; alone to find myself. For I am lost. I have lost my art.
I’m so sorry I’ve let you without a choreographer for your brilliant holiday show. I’m so sorry I’ve left you without a muse. I’m so sorry this is all happening during the Holiday Season, your favorite time of year. I’m just… so sorry.
Au revoir,
Bella
Hey all you art lovers out there. At this time of the year I get giddy with holiday fever as you all do!!! Born into the Judeo-Christian faith and being reared on Christ’s Mass, (don’t leave the Christ out of Christmas!) I trim the tree, hang the stockings and have begun my soap sculpture carvings of the Nativity (a family tradition!). But having moved to the big city and becoming immersed in many cultures I celebrate Hannukah and Kwanzaa each year too. And I have started late this year in casting my Holidaze Happenings. Of course I will play Jesus but I am still casting the roles of Misty Mennorah and Kwanzaa Kenetia. It is a delightful holiday show that is a cross between Tony Orlando and Dawn meets Pink Lady and Jeff. Of course Bella will do the choreography this year. I couldn’t convince her to play Kwanzaa Kenetia again as she is busy with her paintings. Just wanted to send the shout out about THE cultural happening of the season. More soon!!
LOVE AND ART
dom
Dear Understanders,
First, thank you for your outpour of support during this, the bleakest period in our lives. Never did we think we’d find ourselves ensnared in a web of harsh letters from lawyers, threats from DISHONEST television executives, and accusations from some hotshot filmmaker. If it weren’t for our understanders, I can’t imagine finding any hope.
That said, even with all of your kind words — even with the inspiration of my muse Dom — I have no will to answer your many letters. I’m so sorry. The guilt I feel in disappointing you only compounds all of this misery.
Normally I can find inspiration in anything life hurls my way, be it joyous, heinous, or worst of all, banal. But not this time. I’m afraid any advice I might give at this point would only lead others down a very… I don’t know…. a very bad path. See what I mean! The best modifier I could come up with in that sentence was “bad”. This is what I’ve become.
I’m so sorry. I need solitude. I will be back, when the will to continue my journey in life — as an artist — returns. Until then, I suggest that if you really really need a muse, try Dom. I’m sure he won’t mind.
I’m so sorry.
Bella
This column is my opportunity to give to others the gift that I have been given: A Muse. Not everyone needs a muse all of the time. But if you find yourself in a situation where a little artistic direction would go a long way, I am here for you. You need not be an artist to receive the benefits of a muse. You need only be open to its power.
Thank you.
