On location: Modern Family filming at the South Bay Galleria
The ABC TV show “Modern Family” has filmed at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach multiple times. In 2009 the mall was the main backdrop for their pilot episode, ‘Bad Santa.’
On location: Pirates of the Caribbean in filming in King Harbor
A gang of pirates descended on the Redondo Beach King Harbor Marina in Mid-August 2006 for the filming of “The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” Leslie Page, the Property Manager at the Redondo harbor, spearheaded the operation. During filming Page had to shoo away paparazzi hanging from balconies and trees […]
Bob Meistrell: Scuba diving with the stars
“I do recall one pretty good lobster story where I ended up breathing through my ears,” Bob Meistrell said when asked about the Hollywood stars he taught to dive. Bob and twin brother Bill helped found Dive N’ Surf, the world’s oldest dive shop in 1953. SCUBA diving was in its infancy and “Sea Hunt,” […]
Off their Rockers: Pier Plaza Pranksters
When executive producer Kathleen Burns picks a victim to prank on the NBC Betty White television show “Off their Rockers,” she hopes the casualty will react in an entertaining way. It is the crew’s job to blend into the background and make sure the interactions they’re filming are genuine. “You take a gamble and a […]
Former double for Keanu Reeves does not believe in coincidence
Back in 1999, Chris Robbins was ready to hang up his cleats for good. He had finished his last football season at Clemson University in South Carolina, and without prospects in the NFL, Robbins accepted an assistant coaching job at a local high school. Then a phone call arrived. A casting coordinator, who had […]
Revenge: Turning Manhattan Beach into the Hamptons
When Production Designer Bruce Miller sets the stage for an episode of the ABC television show “Revenge,” he knows not to shoot any scenes with the Santa Monica Mountains in the background. “It’s hard to turn [the South Bay] into the Hamptons,” said Miller. “We use the beach and have to be careful not to […]
Dency Nelson takes his final bow
For the past 25 years, Dency Nelson has been the last person Hollywood royalty see before strutting on stage at the Academy Awards and this year, after over two decades of ushering stars to the stage, was his last. “I said, drink it in — I’m not going to be here next year,” said Nelson, […]
New expo in Manhattan Beach to celebrate green living
If Earth Day is a day of celebrating the earth, then the upcoming s.a.g.e expo is a weekend of “celebrating the business of being green.”
High School Surf League Director, John Joseph kicks out after 15 years
Scheduling conflicts at heart of bigger problem After 15 years as director of the South Bay High School Surf League, John Joseph resigned last month, the day prior to the league championships between Mira Costa and Peninsula. During his tenure, the number of participating schools grew from four to as many as 13 and the […]