Tuesday, June 23

Movie review: ‘The Disaster Artist’

James Franco should teach a UCLA course on the art of impersonating Tommy Wiseau. In “The Disaster Artist,” Franco co-stars for the first time alongside his younger brother, Dave Franco, to re-enact the filmmaking process behind the infamous film “The Room.” Based on actor Greg Sestero’s book “The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made,” James Franco’s film explains the reasons behind the unintentionally comedic details of the cult classic and shows how success can come from unexpected places. Read more...

Photo: (Courtesy of A24)


Professor directs radio plays about problems low-income families face

Several audience members at “Pang!,” a series of three live radio plays, sit around a kitchen table onstage instead of in their seats. Before, during and after the show, the play’s director sits down at the table and encourages the audience members to discuss food insecurity, housing issues and other core themes of the play. Read more...

Photo: Actors Donna Simone Johnson, Christopher Rivas and Natalie Camunas play all of the parts in “Pang!”, a series of live radio plays directed by UCLA professor Dan Froot. The show is based on the real experiences of three families across the United States who have dealt with food insecurity, discrimination toward immigrants, the foreclosure crisis and gun violence. (Courtesy of Dan Froot)


UCLA alumnus develops simulator game where dads date dads

When given the choice between seven eligible bachelors only one question remains – who’s your daddy? In the visual novel-style game “Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator,” users play as a personalized dad character intent on romantically pursuing other eligible dads in his new neighborhood. Read more...

Photo: (Claire Sun/Daily Bruin, Angela Song/Daily Bruin)


Professor’s sculptural video installation to illuminate Philadelphia

Jennifer Steinkamp was, like Benjamin Franklin, intrigued by electricity. For her latest art piece, Steinkamp, a design media arts professor, created a sculptural video installation, titled “Winter Fountains,” which will be illuminated sunset to midnight from Thursday to March 18 as a part of the centennial celebration of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Read more...

Photo: (Rachel Bai/Daily Bruin)


Alumna explores new forms of comedy after stand-up success in New York

Blair Socci’s comedy career began in the shower of her New York City apartment. Blair Socci, a UCLA alumna and former Daily Bruin staffer, said she became interested in stand-up comedy when her ex-boyfriend brought her to his show. Read more...

Photo: Alumna Blair Socci got her start in comedy by performing five-minute stand-up comedy sets in New York City about red meat and her tomboy childhood. She also runs her own podcast titled “How To Be A Beefy Woman,” which airs every Thursday. (Courtesy of Phil Provencio)


Student runs dance studio for children, balances work and play

Holly Haworth celebrated Halloween by leading seven children in twists and claps to “Monster Mash” in front of their parents.   Haworth, a third-year philosophy student, balances being a full-time student with running her own dance studio for small children and middle schoolers. Read more...

Photo: Holly Haworth, a third-year philosophy student, leads her own dance class for young children and middle schoolers. While teaching the class, Haworth said she tries to balance fun with strong dance techniques. (Habeba Mostafa/Daily Bruin)


Theater student casts actors for original screenplay

Ava Lalezarzadeh received 192 applications for eight open roles in her first film. Lalezarzadeh, a second-year theater student, and her casting director Emily Abbott, a third-year English student, turned away more than 150 people during their casting auditions for Lalezarzadeh’s original film “Pool Man.” The short film follows the story of a pool cleaner named John whose 5-year-old son is kidnapped, causing John to turn to religion. Read more...

Photo: Tanya Raisa, the actress who plays the character Joanne in the film “Pool Man,” poses next to Ava Lalezarzadeh, the writer and director, Grace Hawkins, the assistant director and Emily Abbott, the casting director (left to right). (Isa Saalabi/Daily Bruin)