Getting Back On Track: Renée Zellweger

It is an odd thing when an actor rises to superstardom, then takes a downward turn. This downward turn is not just about acting roles, it is also equally about the publics perceptions of them. Last year I wrote about this in connection with Jude Law. Today, focus I on Renée Zellweger.

Let me start by saying that Renée Zellweger is a favorite actress of mine. That is why I am writing about her. Even though some of my comments may seem critical, they are written not to bring her down, but to help her up.



When Renée first hit Hollywood, she had small supporting parts in some great movies like 'Dazed and Confused', 'Empire Records' and 'Reality Bites'. She made enough of an impact to stand out to critics and audiences alike. Renée really hit big with movie goers with her performance in 1996' 'Jerry Maguire'. Her role as Tom Cruise's girlfriend made her a star and in some ways was the time she was most appealing to movie audiences.

Since then Renée has been in some of my favorite movies. I loved the first 'Bridget Jones Diary'. I pull the DVD out every year or two at Christmas or when down and it, and her performance always make me feel just a bit better. She amazed me in 'Chicago', and broke my heart in 'White Oleander'. She also impressed me in a movie she does not get a lot of credit for 'One True Thing'. 'One True Thing' may get dismissed by some as in some ways it was no better than the average movie of the week about cancer. But what made the movie so great to me was not Meryl Streep it was Renée and how she dealt with the complex relationship she had with each of her performances. So real, she sometimes came across as cold, but so real she did not just blow me away with her performance, but I could relate completely to who she was in that family and how being with them, while important was also so painful.

Renée was awarded for her acting abilities for 2003's 'Cold Mountain' A movie I never really loved. To be honest this was not my favorite Renée performances. Maybe the Oscar voters felt after passing her over for Chicago and Bridget she deserved a nod.

Since 'Cold Mountain' however Renée has struggled. She has struggled not just with roles and movie successes, but also with how the public perceives her. In what seems like an instant she went from Hollywood Princess to Hollywood oddity.





The Problems:
Expectations:
After Oscar noms three years in a row you, the public, your Representatives may have been expecting more from you than you could deliver. As state, you won the Oscar for 'Cold Mountain' but this was one of my least favorite performance of yours. I felt it over the top and hammy. If I could choose you would have won the Oscar for Bridget or Chicago.



Your WEIGHT!

I hate those who focus on the appearance or weight of an actress, but Renée, your too skinny! I crushed over you in Jerry Maguire (As a matter of fact, it was your role in Jerry that most straight men point to as when they crushed over you, but not another role since....) You looked great in Bridget, but your body in Chicago was off putting. People commented on seeing your breast bone. It was more than just 'She is skinny', It was actually distracting and a bit shocking.



Your Love Life:
In talk shows and in articles, somehow you come across as a little lost girl looking for a daddy. This is highlighted by who you choose to attend awards shows with. Your brief marriage to Kenny did not help the matter. People don't idolize someone who appears to be needy. Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, they may all have men, some have had many, but they all come across like they don't need one. Maybe they are as needy as you, or maybe they just know what the public wants in a idol or heroine. Strength. Right now you present as weak. Time to change that!





Getting Back On Track: The Solutions!


Ensure you have appealing Co-stars:

When on screen without an appealing and well known co-star, your movies tend to fizzle. As talented as you are, the public does not yet see you as an actress who can command an entire movie. Your biggest critical hits like Chicago, Bridget Jones and Cold Mountain all had likable co-stars many who were box office hits. Until your back on track you should not be the lead in a feature film as any more disappointments will make it harder to get back on track. Your Bridget Jones co-star Colin Firth is always a good bet! Colin has a HUGE fan base and is a talented actor, but seems to have chosen not to take lead roles, but instead great supporting roles. This has led to his continued success.




Stop Appearing on Talk Shows and The Red Carpet!!!

When people used to talk about Renée Zellweger they would discuss her roles. Lately what has stood out to audiences more are your public appearances. When you first started on the talk show circuit you came across as sweet and unaffected by Hollywood. This was great and won you fans! But....as the years went on, your movie success grew, Oscar noms and your salary grew, your presentation in public never seemed to match these changes. It is a bit freaky! What was once sweet is now a bit frightening and creates the impression you are either on some sort of drug, or extremely fake. Of course this is not the case, but it is how you come across.

The same thing applies to the Red Carpet. Not sure why, but when walking the red carpet you almost appear like a Stepford wife or wax figure. Any realness which the public grows to love in your movies gets wiped away by the oddity of your public presentation. In addition, get a 'real' date for these shows if you do go. Take your mother, take your brother, take a friend. It does not have to be a man. You are either seen completely alone or with some studio executive. Makes you look distant.


Time For Supporting Roles Only:
Yes, you have the talent to be the lead, but until you fix a couple of problems you should stick to supporting roles. Further, your not as effective in dramas. Not yet anyway. Critics in mass pointed out how you were not right for your role in 'Appaloosa'. 'Miss Potter' was a good movie, but the public never bit.

SLOW DOWN!!!

It is difficult when you are nominated for Academy Awards three years in a row. People expect great things! Don't let the pressure get to you. Look for smaller roles, like in 'White Oleander' Let the co-stars, who is directing and what the part is, take greater importance than how big the role is. I can see why 'New In Town' looked like a good idea, but you need to back up and look for roles to showcase what first grabbed the public to begin with.

With three movies to be released in the next year, 'My One and Only', 'My Own Love Song' and 'Case 39', we will see how Renée is seen a year from. My hope is she reduces her public appearances and keeps the focus on her work.

Off Track?

Back in 2009 I began a series of posts about actors whose movie careers seemed to be on the skids. The series, Getting Back On Track, did not last long, just a few posts featuring Jude Law and Renée Zellweger. My list of regular features was starting to get very long and I questioned whether this theme fit the focus of the blog. I decided to drop it as a regular feature, but can't help but think of the 'off track' metaphor lately when looking at the career of actress Melissa McCarthy.

Below: With Bradley Cooper

Now some of you might be thinking I'm crazy! McCarthy is in many ways at the height of her career, a CBS sit-com, major motion pictures, hosting SNL, awards and acclaim, but somehow it feels she is also about to skid off the tracks. I was first introduced to McCarthy on one of my all time favorite shows Gilmore Girls.

GG gave most of it's supporting cast small moments to shine, but the show was focused so squarely on the relationships between the Gilmore mother/daughter combo, McCarthy, like the rest of the supporting cast, often got sadly pushed to the sidelines. The one thing that I loved about McCarthy's character Sookie was how normal she was. In the first season she was written a little goofy and clumsy, but once the writers got it out of their system, Sookie was just a regular quirky member of Stars Hollow. She was the chef at the Inn, Lorelai's best friend, wife and mother. I don't remember Sookie ever being the 'dumb' one, the wack job and especially never the 'fat' one.

Below: With Gilmore Girls co-stars Kelly Bishop and Keiko Agena

Since Bridesmaides however, McCarthy seems to have dove head first into being the 'one'. On Mike & Molly, although her character is many great things, she began as the 'fat' one. In movies she seems to always be cast as the big, crazy, goofy, silly or nutty one. Instead of building a career playing interesting character parts or supporting roles, McCarthy went straight to star and the roles have sadly not equaled her amazing talent. Whenever a successful television actress jumps into movies, (think Jennifer Aniston, Katherine Heigl) rarely do they find roles that allows them to shine as they did on television. This is because these women seem to believe the hype that they are now stars, instead of putting faith into to the fact viewers grew to love them because of their skill at creating an incredible character on the television show they had left.

Mike & Molly

Melissa McCarthy may not physically have left her television show, yet, but emotionally, she already seems long gone. It has been painfully clear her energy is no longer in the show. She looks tired, her voice strained from constant work, and her acting shows a lack of energy and care about the character that helped her achieve her fame. The show still works, even with McCarthy often absent, both physically and emotionally, because her co-stars work overtime making up for the lack of energy from their lead actress. Is McCarthy's career on the skids, nah, is it at risk, oh yeah. If McCarthy doesn't stop playing goofball sidekicks in movies, audiences are going to tire quickly. How To Fix It: Focus on the television show that won you an EMMY and slow down on the movie roles. Your next film role should be a small one, a character part in a drama to show your more than just the (insert goofy adjective here) one.

Over His Head: Kedori by AANE Photography

'I told Kedori that I wanted to do a shoot in a forest with a lot of ferns. He had the perfect place in mind...'

AANE Photography

I love it when artists and models that I have profiled separately come together to create incredible, and in this case breathtaking imagery. I first profiled Kedori back in 2014 in a series of posts, (HERE:) highlighting some of my favorite shots of the Sydney Australia based physique model. I love Kedori's confidence and strength in front of the camera, not to mention his incredible body that he masterfully poses so well.

Last winter, I had the privilege of also introducing FH readers to the work of Mike from AANE Photography. I loved the Pennsylvania photographer's erotically raw edge and his incredible imagery produced along with his partner, and photo retoucher, THOM Graphophoton. FH was fortunate to join him virtually on his photographic travels, shooting models throughout various cities in the US, in South Africa and earlier this year got a sneak peak from his trip to Australia with is images of Simon.

Many of Mike's excursions were due to his work, but Australia would prove to be his penultimate trip with his job. The Australia shoot also proved a challenge for not only Mike, but Kedori as well. When I first saw the images I was over taken by the tranquillity and beauty of the Australian landscape, the water,forest and foliage. In many ways the images felt like a beautiful dream, our Eve-less Adam, Kedori, in his very own sensuous garden of Eden.

Turns out, that Eden wasn't exactly a picnic for model and photographer to get to. Mike was pushed physically to the limits getting to, and back from the location. Kedori was also challenged, maybe more mentally that physically. Although as you can see, still in incredible shape, personal circumstances had Kedori struggling to motivate himself to the gym on a regular basis.

'I had been following several models for a couple of years, and I emailed them on the off chance they might be available. I heard back from two and scheduled a shoot for that weekend. At the last minute I decided to also email Kedori. To my surprise, he was available, and willing to work with me.'

Mike

'I think the shoot, and this feature. might be the kick in the pants that I need to get me back on track and having the body back where I want it. Those elusive bottom abs gotta come back :)'

Kedori

'We went to the Royal National Park south of Sydney. After getting a map and paying the entrance fee, we headed for a waterfall he had heard about before. We parked at the head of a trail, which indicated the waterfall was 1 km away. I figured, 1 km is nothing. So I eagerly jumped at the chance. It was a hot summer day down under, and it became clear rather soon that I had gotten in over my head. The 1 km trail was all down hill leading to a small river. Half way down, we stopped and took some shots around the trees and brush.'

Mike

'We continued to the bottom, but could not shoot at the waterfall, because it was very occupied. It was a shame, since the waterfall was beautiful. We walked up stream and found a somewhat secluded area where Kedori could get in the water. The angle of the sun and the clarify of the water gave me some amazing shots. It was beautiful and teasing. We shot a few more images among some tall grass, and then headed back up to the car, 1 km up hill.'

Mike

'It was a really fun shoot to be involved in. Though, being a physique model I love studio lights, as you can angle them just right to show of definition it was great to get outside and do a location shoot.'

Kedori

'Mike was great to work with. I am not sure if he mentioned to you that we had to do a bit of a hike to get where we ended up shooting.... the nice thing was it was all down hill to get there.... but of course uphill to get out. Plus, it was a beautiful sunny, and hot day. Poor Mike...'

Kedori

'At several points I thought I was not going to make it. I neglected to bring water, a hat, or even sun block. Kedori thankfully brought bug repellent. Australia has the worst black flies on earth. When we finally got to the top, I was exhausted, dehydrated, and apologizing profusely to Kedori for taking so long. I had him snap a picture of me as a reminder to always go to a shoot prepared. On the way back we stopped at a gas station and I purchased a 1 1/2 liter bottle of water, which I downed in nearly one long gulp.'

Mike

'I still chat with Kedori on Skype. He has plans to come to the East Coast this year, so I hope to work with him again. I don't know if I will ever get down under again. I have a new job, with no travel. I am adjusting to domestic life. But I will always think back fondly on my trips down under, and especially those where I shared special moments capturing beautiful images.'

Mike

The Kedori Experience:

Kedori on ModelMayhem

AANE Photography on tumblr

AANE Photography on ModelMayhem

Favorite Actor In Need of Getting His Career Back On Track: Jude Law

I was a big Jude Law fan, but lately...not so much. Lets look at what happened, and how we might get his career back on track!.




The Beginning
Jude Law began acting on British television in the late 80's. Throughout the early 90's, Law began developing a following appearing in other projects on British tv and movies. In 1997 the gay community took notice of Law for his role in Wilde. His walk across the room naked, with the near perfect ass caused a flurry of screen caps to be posted all over the net. Law went on to other movies, taking both leading roles and smaller character parts in interesting projects such as Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, The Wisdom of Crocodiles and Gattaca. These roles in smaller, critically acclaimed projects created a name for Law in Hollywood. During this time, his fan base continued to be heavily populated by gay men due to not only the parts he chose, but also his amazing looks and willingness to shed his clothes in many of his projects. There is always a bit of a mystery about actors from the UK. Even though in the UK they may be on daytime soaps or tv shows, to us in North America they hold a mystery and many are able to move from tv to major motion pictures just by crossing the Atlantic.

On Track: Scott Kost by Prairie Visions Photography

When ever I interview a model, I am always interested in what brought them to modeling and what they might be hoping it may lead to. I find the answers to these questions fascinating and find they can sometimes add a layer of depth an interesting to my enjoyment of image or shoot. That was certainly the case with 24 year old Scott Kost.

Many models have worked for years to build a career in the public eye. Acting, music and even working in the fitness industry require building and connecting with an audience. Modeling for many has been a great way to begin connecting with others and getting their name, and face out there. Other models, I would go so far as to say more than half, never had modeling as an ambition, nor at any point in their lives planned on standing and posing in front of a camera, let alone doing it naked.

Some do it for artist reasons, the simple joy of being a part within something creative. Others say they simply do it for the enjoyment, something fun to do on the weekends or their down time. For others, it is like other jobs, a way to make a bit of extra cash. 2012 was not the greatest year for Scott. The Lincoln, Nebraska model need to find something to focus on, distance himself from the place had been and try, well fight, to get himself back on a positive track. He also need to start making some cash. What Scott chose to focus on, was a ad from Prairie Visions Photography looking for local models.

I have been covering the work of Prairie Visions many years on the blog. Kendal's images are always inspire me. The Nebraska photographer believes the human body is an art form that deserves exploration and expression. Kendal blends sensuality and athleticism within his work and although incredibly creative, I also love that Kendal often keeps a bit of an unfinished, beautifully raw feel to his images. Although Kendal has shot some incredibly hot men, one of his greatest skills is working with amateur models, someone not used to being in front of the camera. Through the shooting process, it is fascinating to watch them find, then be able to express a side of themselves they had not known they possessed.

Kendal gets a ton of model applications every week. Some have potential, but not all are what he is looking for. He could tell that Scott had a great build, and some interesting ink, but wasn't sure how his face would photograph. Kendal had Scott come in for a test shoot to get a closer look (first image on the left below). But he still wasn't sure about his face...

'Then I realized it's all about the hair! He had his combed forward, which isn't a flattering look for him. I showed him how he could use some styling gel to spike it up. Then we were on a roll! Just a little slick stuff and he went form dork to mega-hunk!'

Prairie Visions Photography

As you can see, with only a slight change, Scott's transformation is incredible. The confidence is clear, and grew with each subsequent shoot. Scott completed his certification to be a personal trainer a couple months ago and is currently looking for a gym to work at. He has been working out hard and Kendal has encouraged him to compete in a body competition, not only as a pay off for all his hard work, but also the credibility it would add for his work as a trainer.

Although Scott began modeling to make some extra money, he didn't think he would enjoy the experience as much as he has. Currently, he is looking to expand his portfolio, and comfort level in front of the camera, both digital, and video. He and Kendal have a few ideas up their sleeve, some which sound pretty exciting and I promise to share when completed.

Prairie Visions Photography

Prairie Visions Photography on Model Mayhem

Scott Kost on Model Mayhem