Actors struggle with limited paths to break into feature films in Hollywood. Buzz Lightyear got his foot in the door working as an extra, playing a stormtrooper in The Phantom Menace. Woody’s first on-camera gig was “Saddle Soars,” a :30 second commercial for a medicated ointment. But now, another avenue — the short film — is getting more exposure and respect, leading to more opportunities for filmmakers. This Oscar weekend I emceed the Shorts Awards at the Soho House in West Hollywood.  Shorts International honored John Lasseter with the Lifetime Achievement award, and recognized the Oscar nominees in all three short film categories: animation, live action and documentary.   We also handed out a few short film visionary awards to Melissa Leo and voice-over actress June Foray best known for playing Rocky the Squirrel and Cindy Lou Who. Hopefully the press coverage, which included the Washington Post, ABC News, and the  Hollywood trades will help more short films find the funding for production.

While sitting at this table 70 years ago at the Eagle and Child pub in Oxford, England, C.S. Lewis encouraged a reluctant young writer to publish the work he shared with the small group of friends, The Inklings.  

That young writer was J.R.R. Tolkien and the unfinished story he shared was “Lord of the Rings.”   I’m guessing Lewis had no idea the film trilogy would go on to earn 30 Oscar nominations and $2.9 billion worldwide at the box office — he probably just thought it was a neat story.

We’re studying The Inklings at Wedgwood Circle,  a group committed advancing the good, true and beautiful in arts and entertainment.  I emceed our conference at Shutters in Santa Monica, where we got a peak into some behind-the-scenes stories:  Sean Astin on making Tolkien’s film (and The Goonies), Michael Flaherty of Walden Media on the Chronicles of Narnia, and Kiel Murray & Phil Lorin on Cars and their short film Kilo.

It inspired me to work harder to try to create more of the good, true, beautiful and ridiculous.

To be fair, it wasn’t a “thousand” stars, but more like two or three.  And, it didn’t happen all in one evening, but was spread out over almost a fortnight.  The celeb-fest kicked off when I had lunch with Spider-Man creator Stan Lee in Santa Monica.  He was attending a small storytelling conference in Santa Monica, where I was speaking on a panel about comedy film. 

The following Thursday back in NYC, I went with Daily Show producer Ian Berger to Carnegie Hall to see Ricky Gervais, as part of the New York Comedy Festival.   We went backstage after the show, and had the opportunity to critique Ricky’s act, and a few episodes of “The Office.”  Also met Todd Barry and Janeane Garofalo, who is a lot less political in person.  We hit the After Party at the Empire Hotel Rooftop bar.   I don’t think I’ve stayed out that late since senior prom.

Photo: the WSJ gang Rhona Seymour, Melissa Magdits, Nancy McDonald and Ian Berger. 

Then, Friday night, my wife and I attended the NYC premier of THAT EVENING SUN.  Hal Holbrook and Ray McKinnon were at the theater for a Q&A.   On Saturday night, I saw the film for the fourth time, and had drinks after with Scott Teems and Carrie Preston.