Julie Andrews: Her Life

     

Birthdate and Place

In Walton-On-Thames, Surrey, England, Julia Elizabeth Wells was born on October 1st, 1935. Although she was conceived to the result of an affair, Julia was her parents pride and joy.

Family

Julia was surrounded by her father, Ted Wells, teacher of metalwork, and her mother Barbara Ward Wells. After the start of World War II and Barbara left Julia and Ted for another man, the two separated; causing Julia to be tossed between mother and father. Barbara Wells met Ted Andrews, and took their singing act to entertain soldiers in the ENSA. Julia’s name was later changed from Julia Wells to Julie Andrews, because her mother thought Julia Wells did not sound very attractive when she started her singing career. Julie met Tony Walton later, who she would soon marry in 1959, and unfortunately separated in 1967. With Tony, Julie gave birth to Emma Walton, now an author and actress. Two years after Tony and Julie’s separation, Julie met and later married Blake Edwards and adopted two children, Amelia and Joanna. Blake also had two children from a previous marriage, Jennifer and Geoffrey.

Childhood

Though she lived with her father and brother John briefly, she was sent to live with her mother and Ted Andrews to help start her artist training. Her family, when the war was at its prime and Ted Wells and Barbara were together, was very poor and was known to have lived in the “slums” of London. Barbara, Ted Wells, and Julia all moved later on after the war to the Old Meuse in West Grove, Hersham. Julie took most classes at Cone-Ripman School for Arts Education, sponsored by her step-father, Ted Andrews. Along with Cope-Ripman, Andrews also took classes in a local school known as Woodbrook. To improve her singing abilities, as well, her step-father persuaded Madame Lillian Styles-Allen to give her weekly and then later, daily singing lessons.

Hobbies

It comes to no surprise that one of Julie’s favorite hobbies was singing and working with her broadway cast members and shows such as, Aladdin, Cinderella, and My Fair Lady. She was able to find her niche in music with her teacher, Madame Lillian Styles-Allen. Julie also loved spending time with her father, Ted, and her siblings. They would take many walks through the parks of London and picnics. Many would say this woulkd be more of a chore, however, Julie loved to practice for hours on her soprano singing voice to prove to her teacher she could do the best of all students.

Anecdotes

Julie Andrews was always one to keep up on her craft. Not only did she work with her stepfather, who she wasn’t rather fond of, but also a half an hour on her own. It wasn’t until a while later, Ted Andrews arranged for his voice coach Lillian Styles-Allen to start coaching Julie. After Julie’s first time singing for Madame, her opinion of Julie was she may be too young for her type of teaching. However, Ted was pertinacious and convinced Allen to take on Julie as a full time student. Julie at first had lessons with Madame once a week. Her in the middle of the roomand Allen at the piano, practicing breathing and singing scales. Julie recalls Madame once telling her, “ Think of a beautiful string of pearls and each pearl is identical to the next. As your voice comes down, bring it up, and as you go up, bring it down”. Julie also remembers Madame’s emphasis on the ends of phrases. For example, if she were coming to the end of a word she would say, “ Follow it-see it disappearing in the distance.” Andrews says, “ For Madame, it was the foundation, technique that mattered the most.”

Around the age of eleven, Julie started Woodbrook Boarding School. It was one particular day, however, that Andrews remembers the most. She recalls one day at school being excused. Once she was home, her mother had revealed to her she would be singing in London that night. Julie’s mother and stepfather got into their car and innocently parked in front of the theater. Yet, when they were ready to depart the vehicle a doorman walked up to the window and said, “ Sorry, sir, you can’t park here. This spot is for the Queen’s car.” Julie then realized backstage she would be performing in front of Queen Elizabeth. She was given proper protocol for when her Majesty arrives backstage, to meet the entertainers including Julie. After the show was complete, all of the performers formed a line to meet the Queen of England. Julie recalls curtsying, the Queen said, “ You sang beautifully tonight.”

Career

Julie Andrews made her self known for her stage and screen appearances. In 1954, Andrews made her Broadway debut in the London musical, “ The Boy Friend”, when she was nineteen. In 1955, she played alongside Bing Crosby in the first television movie, High Tor. Later in 1956, she aquired the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. In 1957, Andrews was featured in the television movie, Cinderella on CBS in which she was nominated for an Emmy. June 1962, she then worked along Carol Burnett on the CBS Special, Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall. Mary Poppins began work in 1963 and come 1964 Julie won the Academy Award for Best Actress

and the 1965 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Musical. 1965 introduced The Sound of Music, another Andrews film. This movie was the highest grossing filmof the year and the biggest hit for Twentieth Century Fox. Andrews once again won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in her work in the film. 1966, Hawaii was filmed and became the highest grossing film of that year. After all of the years of successful films, Andrews was known as the most successful film star of that time. !982 marked the year Andrews played both Victoria Grant and Victor Grezhinski in the film Victor/Victoria. This film earned Julie a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and the Academy Award nomination. Julie Andrews’s most recent stellar performance was the 2001 Princess Diaries and its sequel Princess Diaries 2:The Royal Engagement alongside Anne Hathaway in 2004. Also, in 2004 she performed the voice of Queen Lillian in Shrek 2 and its sequels Shrek the Third in 2007 and lastly Shrek Forever After in 2010. January 2007, Andrews received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Screen Actor’s Guild. In 2011, Andrews received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

Reason for Fame

Is there really anything that Julie Andrews has not done for reason of fame. Well, with all of the theater performances and on-screen appearances, it is no wonder she is known still today as one of the most successful film stars of all time. It was Andrews stellar performance in Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins that gave her the rise of fame. Her performance in that movie in 1963, earned Julie an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe. Another famous movie Andrews is known for is The Sound of Music that was the highest grossing film of 1965. In the eighties, Andrews brought her name back to the screen with Victor/Victoria. Most recently, her 2001 Princess Diaries and Shrek has got her name in the viewers minds.

Older Age

Even at the age of seventy-seven, Julie Andrews is still on stage and screen and as graceful as ever. 2001 marked her career revival with The Princess Diaries and its sequel in 2004. Andrews in 2005-2008 served as Disneyland’s Ambassadorof the 18 month long 50th Anniversary known as the Happiest Homecoming on Earth. Recently, Andrews has appeared in Despicable Me and has guest appeared on Oprah to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of The Sound of Music. Although she may have lost her signature singing voice with her older age, still she puts her wisdom to the test in directing musicals and uses her famous speaking voice to voice characters in popular children’s films.

West Hills High School Choir : A Force To Be Reckon With

West Hills High School, located in the heart of Santee, is home to not only the WolfPack, but also to talent that soars above anything else. Choir is one way students participate in the Performing Arts program in the high school. In choir, many are able to be noticed and stand out in a positive way in an environment welcomed and appreciated by all.

Trophies won by the Honors and Beginning Choirs

Many people tend to have a misconception of what choir is, what they sing about, or what it entails.  Many tend to think it’s all classical music and theory music tests, however it really is a lot more fun than that. Between concerts, after school hour karaoke parties, and Disneyland trips, this class has everything a teenager is looking for. Our senior, Sydni Samson, and a member of West Hills High Honors Choir says, “ Choir is a great way for people of all different types to come together and bond like a family.” Although Samson is right about the “family-like” environment in the class, the choir also spends every school day and even after school on rehearsing for upcoming competitions and concerts. Currently, the choir is working on learning the song “You Can’t Stop the Beat”, from the musical Hairspray for the Spring Concert in June. The choir is also working on “La Lluvia”, “Veniki”, and “In My Life” by The Beatles for the upcoming two day competition in Disneyland, in which they will compete against other choirs in California.  This trip includes a morning of competing and singing the songs they have worked on for weeks, and then they will spend the day in Disneyland. That same night, Honors Choir will sit in the Awards Ceremony held in Disney’s California Adventures, and wait for their choir to receive the Overall Best Choir Award; just like the one they received two years ago. I asked West Hills senior and President of Honors Choir, Brandon Lisama, what he thinks about the upcoming trip, “ I think the trip will be really fun and I have high hopes that we will win again this year!” Choir is also planning multiple fundraisers. One of those up and coming is Music to Midnight. In this fundraiser, money will be raised to go towards the Disney trip by receiving sponsorships. For every hour the choir sings, they will receive ten dollars. Honors choir came up with multiple fundraisers to help provide the funds for Disney that others in the choir cannot afford such as,

• Singing at the Beach for tips

• Selling coffee and doughnuts during test days
• Open microphone night in Santee
• Recycling

           and many more!

Choir does entail hard work and dedication, however it isn’t like a normal class like PreCalculus or English. You meet new people and bond with them when you probably never would have outside of the class. You have different experiences and make memories singing fun songs and doing all you can to make it sound like some of the best choral groups around the nation.

Recently at the Freshman Orientation for the class of 2017, choir had 45-50 sign-ups for next year’s beginning choir, also known as, WolfPack Choir.

With all of the plans to be made and past successes, it comes to no surprise how many current students and incoming freshman want to join choir and become a part of the choral family.

Go WolfPack! But, more importantly, go WHHS Choir!

West Hills Store: Here and Now Catalog

Coraline : Crazy, Climactic, and Controversial

Coraline: Crazy, Climactic, and Controversial

      

           
Be careful what you wish for, especially if you are Coraline Jones, the new girl from Michigan who really just wants a little extra attention from her parents. Henry Selick creatively and successfully uses the children’s book Coraline, written by Neil Gaiman, to step us into the first 3D stop-motion animated film with perfect voices such as Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher.

      

            Coraline has just moved into the Pink Palace homes with her parents, also owned by Ms.Spink and Forcible and Mr. Bobinsky. After being notably neglected by her mother and father, Coraline decides to check out the new place, while also discovering a suspicious tiny door, which inside turns out to be the life she’s always dreamed of. This “Other World”, however, is home to her “Other Mother” and “Other Father”, who have buttons for eyes, as well as everyone else in this “magical” place. Despite the warnings from neighbors to enter this door, Coraline continues to return all to escape the bore of her parents. Unfortunately, after her last return to her real home, her parents are nowhere to be found, and kidnapped by Coraline’s  “Other Mother”. To get her parents back and get rid of this “Other World” forever, Coraline must uncover many secrets and undergo many obstacles to return to the real life that she originally took for granted.

      

            With a director and producer like Henry Selick and hundreds of special effects and makeup department assistants, it comes to no surprise this movie was nominated for an Oscar, won eight other awards for Best Picture of the Year, and twenty -four other nominations.

      

            One aspect of making Coraline, is the stop motion animation that was deeply taken into account while watching this movie. Stop motion is a technique in which an inanimate object, or a puppet, has the ability of looking as though it is moving on its own. Stop motion requires moving the object in small increments while taking pictures, creating the illusion of movement. Also, many images were printed as 3D to create the look of real life. The animation includes different facial expressions, real horsehair, and special puppets, to make the image realistic.  Another captivating piece of this movie, is the score. Composed by Bruno Coulais and performed by the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Choir of Nice, the score was able to take home the Annie Award in 2009 for Best Score in an Animated Feature.

          

             Although this movie had won many awards, and even nominated for an Oscar, it is known to be rather controversial. Many people are skeptic about believing this movie is children appropriate. WARNING: SPOILERS -With the suggested thought of cutting out Coraline’s eyes and replacing them for buttons, may be a little inappropriate for young children, seeing this is a “children’s film”.  Also, some of the scenes in the movie may be disturbing, such as the incident in which “Other Mother” pins “Other Wybie’s” mouth up, so he will always be smiling. Another example would be the frightening images in which “Other Mother” goes crazy, turning into a spider-type lady, and chasing Coraline, through the “Other World” realm. However, there aren’t any sexual innuendos or inappropriate stereotypes at all in this movie, so in my opinion, it’s all good, but know your viewer before watching this movie. 

      

       In my opinion, this movie deserved every award won and nominated for. The animation was spot on, the characters’ voices were perfect, and the music score for an animated film was astounding. Teri Hatcher’s sweet, yet creepy voice fits perfectly with the split personality of the "Other Mother". Also, Dakota Fanning’s voice has the innocence and longing that Coraline portrays. When I first saw the movie, my first impression was, that it was a weird film, but really, it’s just creative. Anyone who can come up with this creative storyline and put it into this colorful, magical, strange cinema, is Oscar winning to me.

     

     

      

Parenthood: The Premiere Bringing Families Back Together for TV Time




Cast of Parenthood

               Parenthood, the NBC primetime series produced by Jason Katims, which captured the hearts of families for over three seasons, starts its fourth, continuing to bring the family aspect to NBC. Zeke (Craig T. Nelson, Poltergeist and Coach) and Camille Braverman (Bonnie Bedelia, Die Hard) are the proud parents of four grown children, who have become successful, mature adults, with growing families of their own.  Adam Braverman, (Peter Krausse), has started his hectic, yet realistic and loving family, with Kristina (Monica Potter), and their three children Haddie, Max , and Nora. Next is Julia (Erika Christensen), the hardworking lawyer married to Joel (Sam Jaeger), the stay-at-home dad taking care of their children, Sydney and Victor, their newly adopted son. Next is Sarah, (Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls), an out-of-work woman living at her parent’s home, raising her two children, Amber and Drew on her own, while juggling her recent  engagement to her children’s former teacher, Mark (Jason Ritter).  Lastly, is Crosby (Dax Shepard), who in Season One met up with his former girlfriend, Jasmine (Joy Bryant) and his unexpected younger son, Jabbar.

                Previously on Parenthood, Crosby and Jasmine became engaged and married, while Julia and Joel adopted their son Victor, after the hectic previous adoption they went through. Crosby and Adam, who are currently business partners at a recording studio, made harsh decisions about their career together.  



Ray Romano, the new addition to the Parenthood cast

                It looks like another season of hardships for Sarah Braverman. While looking for another job that pays the bills for the time being, the discussion of the upcoming family portrait is discussed between her and Camille. Camille refuses to put Mark, Sarah’s fiancé, into the picture,  because of the previous girlfriend of Crosby, who ruined the opportunity for others.  Later on, when Sarah stops by the photography shop owned by Hank (Ray Romano), she notices the Help Wanted sign and tells a few white lies about her extensive photography experience, but while she does get the job, her truths come about and is fired from the job. Mark, later on, puts his foot down and insists to be in the picture, letting Camille and Zeke know he is a part of the family, even if it is currently not official.   

                And we are back for another season of chaotic with Adam. While the family prepares for one last week with Haddie before she goes off to college, everyone still must work around the craziness that is their family. Haddie who would love to spend some last minute quality time with friends,  is pressured by Adam and Kristina to spend her time with family. Throughout the entire episode, we notice  Haddie’s unhappiness about this family bonding, however when it comes to saying goodbye to her parents at the airport, Haddie comes to realize she is now on her own, leaving her crazy yet irreplaceable family behind, for now.

                Will Julia finally find her happiness? After her grueling previous adoption that ended up falling flat, Julia is granted with a miracle, a second child. However, the question still lingers, is having an adopted child worth stepping on eggshells for the rest of her life?

                And then there is Crosby.  Jabbar has started to pray and learn of his grandmother’s religious beliefs, but Crosby and Jasmine are a little undecided how they should inform Jabbar on the “God subject”.

                All in all, this premiere seems to have gone off smoothly. We are back to the story lines that pull at our heart strings and keep us guessing what will happen in the upcoming episode. I have always loved this show and the storylines the writers come up with and this premiere has definitely reiterated that feeling. I would expect to see more storylines that cause lots of drama for Adam and Kristina throughout the season with Haddie being gone and Max’s struggle with Asperger’s.  I would also expect a roller coaster of emotions from Crosby, Julia, and Sarah and their families. All three of their families have their own dilemmas and time will only heal those problems. I am looking forward to what happens next.

First Post

This is my first post in my senior blog!