"What Does It Mean To Be An Empowered Woman?" Interview Series: Stephanie Farr by Victoria Geil

What does it mean to be an empowered female? In the last post of this series I spoke with casting director Donna Morong. Our third interviewee is Stephanie Farr, an artist, photographer, and founder of Project Reflect, an artistic initiative with a poignant message about mainstream media’s effect on children and morality.

Farr worked all over the globe in commercial photography, a career that opened her eyes to the systematic and pandemic commercial exploitation of people, especially children. Moved by her firsthand experiences and witnessing the objectification of women in media, Farr created Project Reflect, an interactive art installation challenging the viewer to reexamine information they digest daily—information that shapes them, yet is rarely questioned. When I caught up with Farr, she told me how she shifted her career to be a full-time artist spreading the message of empathy over exploitation.

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The True Rockstar of Coachella: Interview with Visual Artist Bryant Place by Victoria Geil

CyberPatrolUnit (who's real name is Bryant Place) is a 29-year-old visual artist and art engineer. Place has worked on some of the most innovative and groundbreaking light and visual shows over the past decade, including projects for Kanye WestHans Zimmer, Skrillex, and The Black Eyed Peas. This will be his sixth consecutive year bringing innovation to Coachella through several art installations, VJ sets, and programming. His main piece at the 2014 music festival is called#LIGHTWEAVER, a 45-foot, 24 kinetic light sculpture. We got a chance to speak with Place during Coachella about his long history with the festival and his plans for the future.

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BABECHELLA Report: Discoveries at Coachella by Victoria Geil

WE 3 BABES made it back alive to Los Angeles out of the desert.  We survived a sandstorm, several marriage proposals, and midnight hikes out of the venue.  We had a marvelous time, so marvelous that I’m finding myself tempted to reappear for Weekend 2 ;D

PRO TIPS must haves: tissue, hand sanitizer, SPF and a scarf (to sit on the ground with and also to cover your face for the dusty walk home).  Leave your headdresses and light toys at home.  Get your kicks painted at the Lacoste party.  Dress comfortably.  HYDRATE.  Put away your phone to save battery – you can’t even refresh your instagram anyway.

If you suffer from FOMO anxiety, just know that there is at least 21 other epic things happening ALL AT THE SAME TIME and there’s nothing you can do about it except to enjoy yourself.  Just know what scene you’re going for – fashion, business, celebrities,  partying, pool hopping, or you know, for the music.  But don’t fret, wherever you go the people watching is guaranteed to be fascinating, the new friends will be fun and you’ll have a ball!

Here’s what I enjoyed (musically) the most from weekend 1…

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BABECHELLA: Coachella 2014 Mixes for GottaDanceDirty by Victoria Geil

It takes a babe to blog us into festival season, sometimes.  Actress, model and music video muse, Victoria Geil, has this weekend covered for ya.  The anxious excitement of the drive out to this magical world on the barren edge of nothingness… the total and unapologetic poolside maxing as the sunshine and liquors flow… the punctuated moments of elation… the epic naps that tie it all together.

It’s all here, ladies and gentlemen: this is Coachella, as told by a babe.  If you’re a babe, you’ll love this.  If you love babes, you’ll need this.

This three mixtape series is conveniently tailored for use from the moment you begin your pilgrimage to the desert, to the moment you return to your respective basecamps upon the fateful completion of that final Sunday set.

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"What Does it Mean to be an Empowered Woman?" Interview Series: Donna Morong by Victoria Geil

What does it mean to be an empowered female? Last month I interviewed Dr. Caroline Heldman, PhD as the first in a series of blog posts at Verily exploring this layered and complex question. Our second interviewee is Donna Morong.

Donna Morong is a highly respected film casting director in both Los Angeles and New York. With over 25 years experience, 15 as a top executive at the Walt Disney Company’s film division, she has discovered and helped launch such stars as Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Jennifer Garner, Rachel McAdams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Chris Pine. She continues to cast feature films while she teaches and co-runs the Aquila Morong Studio with fellow casting director Deborah Aquila.

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"What Does it Mean to be an Empowered Woman?" Interview Series: Dr. Caroline Heldman by Victoria Geil

What does it mean to be an empowered female? This question has gnawed at me for years as I navigate the modeling and acting industries where I’m repeatedly told that being a sexy commodity “is just how it is.” But is it?

What exactly does an empowered female look like in our modern culture? Join us for a series of blog posts at Verily exploring this layered and complex question with women from all different fields and backgrounds. Our first interviewee is Dr. Caroline Heldman, PhD.

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8 Life Lessons Learned from Pimples and Peels by Victoria Geil

For the past year I’ve been battling severe acne. I am not 16, even though I play characters that age in TV and movies. I am currently recouping from my second medical grade chemical peel in attempt to remove deep acne scars and lingering breakouts so that I can get back to work....

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