Aug/101
Even the losers, get lucky sometimes….
There are so unknown rewards that taking risks offers you. This is just a quick blog post packed with a little punch of inspirational motivation. By taking risks, you open up so many doors for both professional and personal opportunities.
Everyday I am involved on one end of a new pitch, whether it is a new idea, new project or a new collaboration, I am learning something more in my industry of design and learning more and more of live and print media and the production industry.
But, not all of them stick. Just last week I lost out on a pitch that was pitched to me, but in the end they decided to go with a different theme. I was disappointed, but at the same time, knew from the start I wasn’t the right fit.
It’s easy to get excited with all these new opportunities. It’s great to be in the position to weigh the pros and cons and get involved with new people and new projects. Even if they don’t work out, I’m lucky to have learned something along the way.
Aug/103
Reality TV is somewhere close to Hollywood — Right?
Come one, Come all… Be a part of the big show!
By now, every Jimmy, Joe and Jane know someone who has auditioned for a reality tv show. What is our fascination with being on television? My first real memory of what can be considered "reality tv" was Battle of The Network Stars. I can tell you that was a special television night for me. I loved watching real-life Tootie, Gofer, The Fall Guy and Doc tug-of war with Adrian Zemed, Heather Lockler, the little guy from Fantasy Island and Nancy McKeon. I thought it was so cool that they were friends in real life. Yes, we can also thank Candid Camera and the Miss (fill in the blanks) Pageants of the 1980s, but these contests were unattainable to anyone not already on a television show, those who didn't own a cam corder or not of extreme beauty with the wish of "world peace."
What sells? Oh, that right, Sex, Sweat and Tears
Real World. Never in a million years would I ever even thinking of going on that. I knew people that wanted to be on it and since one time they were filming in Chicago, I knew many friends that sought out the sets to date the cast members. I could barely watch the show and I worked at MTV. It just seemed so uncomfortable to watch these awkward fights and hook-ups. Where was the strategy beyond getting camera time?
I have no Agent!
A friend forward the application for Design Star to me late October. It was during the time I was growing my business and taking every possible risk for getting my name out there for Stacey Cohen Interiors. I didn't think twice. I filled out the first form and heard back from the casting department within an hour. I was skewed in understanding how many people were trying out for the show. I had not known anyone to audition for a reality show, so my naiveness was to my advantage. I went through a few more preliminary emails and conversations and was told to hold tight for the final application.
My Film Crew and Best Boys
I found a film crew to shoot my audition video. I have been asked to be in front of the camera before, but never really thought to do anything about it. The director and crew were nothing short of amazing. We produced a kick-ass audition tape. I sent it in and within a week, I was called and congratulated by the casting department for making the final 60.
The GLAMOROUS life ---
I was flown to Los Angeles and sequestered to my room at a hotel adjacent to LAX. Rules were for us not to speak or make eye contact with anyone else out there. We were given meal vouchers and meal times. There were 20 people to each seating. Beyond sly glances to the people around me, I had no clue who was going to be there at the end of the week with me.
And then there were 20
By the third day, of the 20 people in my meal group, there were only 5. Each night, a bunch were sent packing with a hug and shattered dreams. The final 20 were called into a room for the stuff only we get to know. This is where the curtain begins to close on the viewers and the contestants start to get an understanding of the process. All you need to know at this point is we are in the top 20. We were told to go home, get our affairs in order and wait for the call. The call was to come in the next week and we had to be ready to go within two weeks.
When there were 12…
It seemed like we were extras on a set. The cameras were around filming us, but I wasn't sure what was really happening. I didn't understand that the more I spoke, the more air time I would get. I was nervous as heck. I was excited to design and show the viewers great ideas and inspire good design. I had no clue that the first challenge was to be the last individual challenge. The format had changed and design was second to show.
When there were 8…
I began to understand my role was to provide entertainment in addition to my design. I was not good at this. I had no control over what was bound to happen. I had worked so hard for the past decade and half to build a reputation as a serious designer and now I was gambling with my persona and I was not happy. It was different from anything I could have ever imagined. The pressure began to hit and I felt it all over. I wanted to go, even though I knew I was going to try to give it my all, I froze. My audition tape starts out referencing Marsh Brady's response to the camera's red light… This was life my life, imitating my art.
Watching the final 4…
I was so awkward for them last night. Rephrase: not for them, but for me. I couldn't have imagined all that attention with no control of the final edit. There was so much individual camera time seeking the story of the room and their designs.
The plot is always thicker…
I loved my involvement with the production teams. They all had ways of getting the story. The producers are story tellers. To learn that from the best was a ridiculous treat. We all went on the show with different stories to tell. I brought a different design element in each challenge to the viewers of HGTV, learned on-camera presence from Mark Burnett Productions and added another chapter to my script.
And, as far as the 60%….
That is a different show…. stay tuned for details
Aug/100
Dear Design Star Bloggers, I will miss you sooo much! K.I.T xoxo Stacey
RECIPIENT PLUS GUEST
For every project and client, there is a story and back-story. When I design, I merge my journalism and design degrees.
“Stacey's stories…. her stories are a hard sell, but she sells 'em.”
Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal http://thebrasspetal.blogspot.com/
MY PLUS ONE….
“Stacey says something about cutting it (the taxi) in half, and I think, Yes!! Bookends!!!”
http://ishouldbelaughing.blogspot.com
OH BOB, I wish you had been there to whisper that sweet something in my ear; that was just the team talk I was yearning for.
OPERATOR – There must be some confusion on the line.
NINA in an interview with Laura Fenton of Shelter Pop:
“How do you throw people under the bus and be competitive with people you're actually friends with? For example, Stacey and I shared a room, but on every episode, it looks like we're the worst of enemies in the challenges. Yes, sometimes we were, but every night we would still laugh our asses off. We were really good friends because it's two separate things.”
http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/07/26/design-star-nina-ferrer/
This excerpt is a perfect example of an episode of "THE NINA SHOW", from Interviewer Robin Callan of Room Fu, who seemed to be more on a Nina-witch hunt than finding out about my designs. At the time of the interview, Callan had not read my blog and asked questions about my designs that I addressed each Monday following the episode, yet she was on key to the thoughts and whereabouts of my dear friend Nina.
"Ummm, let me get this straight. You’re “good friends” and you have your little pajama parties together, you bond swapping stories about your childhood and have “quite a blast together,” then you turn around and go on national TV, calling her a “bully” and saying, “This is probably the best outcome of any elimination to date…she’s gone…you don’t know what a relief it is,” when the woman’s kicked off the show? The rhetoric sounds so contemptuous–even for a fellow competitor–if there’s any shred of fun or friendship there. I just don’t get it.”
Robin Callan, Room Fu’s blogging “design guru” http://roomfu.com/2010/07/hgtvs-design-star-season-5-stacey-cohen-interview/
Nina always proves my theories right. She serves the cool-aide to her friends then throws the one who drinks under the bus. This is not a surprise. It is a surprise that I don’t hold anything against her for it. It didn’t work when she tried it on me in Episode 5. Friends, it is a game and sometimes frenemies is a way to get through it.
“In a majority rules scenario, the judges send Nina packing. Did you see Stacey smirk? Cause she totally did.”
Shari Altman @ http://thestir.cafemom.com/
CHAIN LETTER (All blogged within the same day…)
“Elimination. My, My it is getting heated up there. At this point I want to press stop and rush to Chicago to give Stacey a hug… She had good taste. Not perfect when it comes to teamwork and competing, but someone you wanted around all the time because she is just overall rad. I'm sorry that you didn't see that.”
Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal
Comment:
A Chicago Blogger…
“I love this entry. I think this put a lot into perspective for someone like me who was so anti-Stacey this whole time. I suppose it's easy to sit back and judge an hour of competition and personalities when not given an opportunity to be on the inside.”
later that day…. after reading the roomfu interview
A Chicago Blogger…
“I still don’t get a sense for Stacey’s technique at all; I’m still really confused. Emily spoke really highly of Stacey in her recent blog, which gave me a nice idea of who she was as a person, but I still can’t figure out where her talent is hidden…??”
HERE’S IDEA, GOOGLE ME – or even easier:
http://www.staceycoheninteriors.com/
S.W.A.K.
“I know that you guys didn't get to know her, but (Stacey) was snarky as hell.”
Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal
FUTURE PEN PALS
http://www.designblahg.com/contributors/
Have you seen their blog???? http://www.designblahg.com/
P.S.
“fact: sweater dresses make my butt throw up diarrhea.” Jenny http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/
P.S.S.
This was the first blog I found and can’t thank Jenny @ MFAMB enough for putting it all into perspective so early on.
Jul/105
I’m going to start taking the bus
CUT TO:
Stacey wipes her eyes
BILL:
Stacey, your on
STACEY:
(Fresh faced, no tears in sight)
Hi, I’m Stacey and I want to welcome you to the new Trump Tower in Jersey City. Known for details and opulence, this building also boosts breath-taking views of the Manhattan skyline.
(Pan skyline view)
The property is geared to the young working professional that not only enjoys time in the city, but also wants the amenities a home out side of the city can offer.
For a fun twist, we brought in some pop art accessories to tie the potential buyer back to the city.
You can see the lacquered “TAXI TAXI” coffee table tray, because you know, shouting it once is never enough.
Where, a second play on hailing a cab can be seen in the “Sunday Taxi in the Dome.”
I doubt I am the only one that can’t seem to find a cab on a Sunday.
As we move through the space to the bedroom, we enter a space free of clutter to compliment the low profile bed.
While I know you would love to sleep in, it’s off to work in the city, so the drapes let just enough light in to show its morning.
Is something how it went; although it was never shown. Actually, come to think of it, none of my hosting videos were aired. Yet, I had been in elimination twice. Oh, that’s right. I was never in the bottom two.
Up until this episode I was pretty quiet, kept to my self, focused on my challenge’s story. I joked that my brochure had read “Design competition” and that the reality portion was out of my hands. This was my first experience in front of the camera, until now, I had only worked sets behind the scenes. I watched last night’s episode with wide eyes. I knew the moments I unraveled. Honestly, that is part of design. I have cried every year in design school, in front of teachers, peers and review panels- and now, national television.
Jul/100
“Like a shared team jersey”
When the teams were split, I was immediately deflated. The any bits of fun or energy I had left in me, just went up in flames. To avoid the heat, I kept low to the ground, just like the Captain instructed.
You are only as strong as your team. I felt confident in my elimination explanation. My signature element was inspired by the fireman’s poll. I took the brass element into the room and highlighted the chair rail. I found a brass lamp that resembled a bell and wanted to personalize the space with their engine number 5.
Jul/101
Starting here….
Blossoming… I wanted to create a space in the studio apartment for growth and inspiration. I took a personal connection to my “starter” flower. The alcove studio we were designing was exactly like mine when I went to Parsons in New York. I knew the space and knew what was needed.
Carnations are such a well-known flower for not being so well regarded. People always turn their nose to them. They are used and discarded by the dozen on floats, snarled at in bouquets and swapped out for roses in corsages. Yet, they are really pretty, full of texture, last long and are easy to keep.
Instead of thinking of them in a loser fashion, I found myself inspired by the hope and innocence they represented. The hope of homecoming – winning the game or getting asked to the dance by the guy of your dreams. I took that hope and innocence to college graduation and getting a job in the city. Sure, you probably had roommates the first few years, but the first time you get your own apartment, the first time your means justify living on your own, odds are it is a studio. This is now another new beginning, another milestone. And the story continues from there. Each new personal adventure is a new start.
Being part of the bouquet. Let it be said right now, I could work everyday with Emily and Casey and have the best time. When we turned and left the flower market, the three of us had linked arms like twelve year olds. I think the producers had to remind us that we were, in fact, in competition with one another. Emily is funny and in her word, “snarky” and Casey is such a goof ball. Emily taught me how to sew the pillows on a sewing machine and I made the padded headboard for Casey’s “blue and dreamy” bedroom.
I was very aware of the heat I took for having Dan help me with the wall in Episode 3, so I made sure I was able to purchase my desk and chair while we were out shopping.
Like the homecoming queen…. Again, I had drawn the last number to pick my flower and took the challenge of the carnation in stride. In fact, I loved this challenge. I loved the desk with no handles, the knock off Ghost chair, the handles I found at the lumber store and the accessories that adorned the desk. I loved my story that I created. I loved the confused looks some of my teammates gave me when I told them my story. I loved making pillows on the sewing machine and working with Emily and Casey. BUT, what I loved the most was the sparkle in Vern’s eyes when he said, “Stacey, we were so inspired on how you took a flower, like the carnation, and found a wonderful story behind it.”
