Read-TV: "Candyland": HAPPY BIRTHDAY ... to one of the main reasons "Candyland" exists!

DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: As a writer, my characters are always a composite of people I know mixed with quirks, habits, and/or traits from my hopefully-fertile imagination. So PLEASE NOTE: the actors and artists depicted on this page have no connection with "Candyland" - and in no way are any characters within this written series meant to depict any person or performer in real life; any artists depicted here only a "dream cast" of talent I could visually see playing them, once the series hits TV. All characters appearing in "Candyland" are fictitious; any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Friday, June 12, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ... to one of the main reasons "Candyland" exists!

The original inspiration for "Candyland" - the story of what (and who) it takes to survive in Hollywood (and if it's even worth the trip to get there) - started with three people. Or more accurately, three characters: Candace Gray, Oscar Yamada, and Hunter West. Had they not bloomed fully into my mind, thanks to the actors that inspired them, NOTHING you see on this page would exist today.

From the beginning I've always had a soft spot for Oscar (those of you reading the series will soon find out why, I think), and just wanted to give a shout out to KEVIN WU, who from day one inspired this reserved yet passionate, devoted and self-sacrificing assistant to - quite possibly - the biggest bitch in Los Angeles. From the days of watching KevJumba videos left and right on YouTube, to reality television and the budding of an acting career, you have to love Kevin's energy, positive spirit, and often hilarious sense of humor.

So Happy 25th, KevJumba, and God Bless for all the laughter and inspiration!

1 comment:

MandyJune 13, 2015 at 5:04 AM
Funny you should say that because I love Oscar too and missed him in Ep 9! The great strength of this series is the way you put the spotlight on three or four characters at most per episode, so we spend time with each one and get a real feel for them. I hate it when writers zip around to loads of characters - so confusing! Look at Oscar's face - how cute is he! I LOVE the dark side and light side in him. Every character is totally believable and has their own "voice". You KNOW I love Neo and his photo fully justifies the image I had in mind. I love being able to refer to the blog to check out who's playing who. Can't wait for the next episode *hint*!
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SUPPORT LGBT ARTISTS!

"Candyland" is free for anyone to enjoy, but it doesn't happen by itself; turning out an episode of the saga of Candace & Company every week for nine months is beyond rewarding, though also serious work as more characters come aboard, the plot thickens, and I strive to share this private, behind-the-scenes world with you every week.

So if you like what you read and want to help ensure "Candyland" gets to its Christmas Day finale, please show your support for this LGBT writer and the characters you're growing to love by clicking "DONATE" above, so you can continue to enjoy what I hope will be the best television series you may ever read. Our goal, to cover operating costs through December, is just $3,500 - so if you like the series and support gay artists and want to help get this on Showtime, make your voice heard today and know that YOU were a part of our success!

What is "Candyland"?

WHAT IS "CANDYLAND"? "Candyland is a unique writing experiment - a "TV series for readers" that delivers a new episode every week for 36 weeks, much like your favorite television show,(only with a much longer season) - but in narrative format, like a novel, for those more used to reading that style.

The central character, hovering over all the proceedings, is Hollywood talent agent Candace Gray, owner of The Gray Group, a woman who in just three years has become one of the most powerful players in the entertainment industry, even if not always by the most ethical means. She also owns Candyland, an exclusive, members-only nightclub-playground for the rich and famous, where if you're not "in" you don't have a prayer of getting in ... but even inside the walls of Candyland itself a much grittier, even sinister club resides, whom few know about. A club with an even more exclusive membership roster consisting of those who have it all ... yet desire to go even beyond that.

But the real story of "Candyland" involves those who orbit Candace and her world; the talented, attractive, young, sometimes desperate people who flock by the thousands to Los Angeles every year, full of big dreams and bigger hopes. THEYare the kind of actors I grew to respect and admire while I lived in Los Angeles - those who struggle and starve and go without food or warm clothes in the hopes that one day they'll be noticed. It's their stories I hope to tell, via the characters who lie within these episodes, and I only hope you enjoy the ride. Or, if nothing else, will afterward understand a little better all the wild, incredible, sometimes even horrific things that can happen, long before your now-favorite actor found his or her way to the red carpet.

Don - Creator/Writer - "Candyland"