Got a really funny, original, high-concept movie script you’re anxious to get produced? Top independent film producer, Lionsgate, has teamed up with the Massify website to find a hilarious comedy feature. Massify is an online network where filmmakers, actors, directors, and writers can connect.  

They’re some specific requirements like the comedy has to be male driven. That surprised me, when films geared toward the female audience are exploding at the Box Office and making a ton of money these days. Deadline to pitch your script concept is March 8, 2010. If you don’t have a script ready to go, there are opportunities to direct or be a part of the cast or crew on this project as well.

For details click here.

The Mega Millions jackpot has now super-sized to $112 million and could be bigger than that on draw day, Tuesday, March 2, 2010. The winning numbers from last Friday’s game, 4, 14, 29, 54, 56 and the Mega ball was 40. One ticket, sold in California, had the five winning numbers but not the Mega ball. That ticket is worth a cool $247,572. This huge lottery is played in 35 states. It’s the largest multi-state lottery in North America, according to the California Lottery website.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 176 million! Yeah I know, the odds are ridiculously long. Still, someone is going to win that jackpot, eventually. All it takes is one very lucky ticket.

Rain is falling in Burbank this morning as a serious storm moves through the Southland today. Already the burn areas in the nearby foothills have received 1-2 inches of rain and that has caused mud and debris to start to flow. Around 243 homes in the risky areas of La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta were ordered evacuated and some roads closed by late yesterday as the storm approached. Despite the danger, some of those residents refused to leave and decided to stay hunkered down in their homes.

The first band of rain from the storm has pretty much rolled through, but another is headed our way with the potential to create some major problems. More on the evacuations and the road closures here.

Official White House Photo/Chuck Kennedy — President Obama makes a point to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) during the Bipartisan Health Reform meeting at Blair House on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

First Ladies meet & chat

Official White House Photo/ Samantha Appleton — First Lady Michelle Obama chats with Mrs. Margarita Zavala de Calderon, the First Lady of Mexico, in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Banner on Burbank Boulevard in Burbank

The colorful street light banners in Burbank got slammed in yesterday’s Burbank Leader newspaper and on its website by columnist Richard Tafilaw who called them, “lame-o.”  I disagree big time for a few reasons. The banners are high above the street and not a real distraction for either motorists or pedestrians.

Photo: Banner on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank

The banners contribute a nice festive touch to streets and boulevards.

Photo: Banners on Burbank Boulevard in Burbank

Some of the banners carry messages like “Better than ever” and ”Cooler than ever.” Sure it’s promotion, but it’s done simply and tastefully. These banners have received praise from some of the merchants who own businesses on the streets and boulevards where they’re installed.  

I have seen these banners in various sections of our Media City and find them to be a pleasant addition. So the banners get a thumbs-up from me. 

Singer Sade Adu is a remarkable talent. After a 10 year hiatus, the British singer pops back on the music scene with “Soldier of Love.” The album debuted at number one on Billboard’s top 200 albums chart last week and remained there for a second consecutive week. In 25 years, this is only the singer’s sixth album. Apparently Sade, the name of the band and lead singer, believes in quality over quantity. In the group’s bio, the singer, who is a songwriter as well, says,“I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I’m not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand.”

After the release of “Soldier of Love” People Magazine is quoted as saying, “Sade remains the voice of comfort to the wounded heart.” I’ve heard the lead album track and it’s wonderful. “Soldier of Love,” the single, is moody, haunting, captivating and oh, so, Sade. Reviews, photos, and comments about this album and Sade on Amazon. More on the Sade website.

The Black Eyed Peas

Also local music stars, The Black Eyed Peas made history today. The Peas became the first group in 19 years to have three hits from one album go to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The single ”Imma Be” moved up two places to number one.

“Imma Be” is from the group’s hit album “The E.N.D.” which debuted at number one on the Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, last June. ”The E.N.D.” landed at number three this week after selling 65,000 copies. The album has sold two million in the U.S. so far.  

Meanwhile, the Peas are playing the first leg of their “The E.N.D. World Tour,” which is on the East Coast right now. The tour dates in Los Angeles are March 29 and 30 at Staples Center. More on the tour on the group’s website.

Burbank has not escaped the bumps and bruises of the brutal recession, but yesterday it got some good news from one of the top financial agencies. Standard and Poor’s upgraded Burbank’s credit rating to “AAA,” the highest grade possible.  

S&P credited the Media City with a strong local economy, steady tax base, low debt, high reserve balance, and attractive location in the Southland as reasons for the rate hike, according to a press release on the city’s website.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — East Olive Avenue in Burbank

“The City is pleased that the strength of Burbank’s finances has been recognized at a time when all cities and businesses are struggling with the consequences of a severe recession,” says City Manager Mike Flad in that press release. “Burbank has been more resilient due to the foresight of the current and previous City Councils who have built a strong and diversified economic base and adhered to sound financial policies.”

The higher the bond rating the lower the cost of borrowing for the city, which means “savings of taxpayer dollars,” and that is truly good news for residents.

Nevertheless on other fronts, things are not as glowing for Burbank. At last night’s city council meeting, the list of closed session issues before council members included several legal cases such as, Christopher Lee Dunn vs Burbank Police Department alleging wrongful termination due to discrimination, Omar Rodriguez vs Burbank Police Department, an alleged case of employment discrimination, infliction of emotional distress, and other related causes of action, William Taylor vs City of Burbank, alleged employment discrimination, and Angelo Dahlia vs City of Burbank, a case of alleged civil rights violations.

The entire list of closed session items appeared in Tuesday night’s city council agenda. Clearly, some problems that plagued Burbank in 2009 are not solved, and still deserve serious and transparent attention from city officials.