Pastel Party

Pastel Party, a new web series created by Dean Adams Curtis, shares stories from the lives
of a group of friends and artists who live on a Pacific Ocean adjacent sidewalk street in
Southern California's canal city of Venice, circa 1989.

Pastel Party - Episode 1

Pastel Party - Episode 2

Pastel Party - Episode 3

Pastel Party - Episode 4

Pastel Party - Episode 5

Pastel Party - Episode 6

Pastel Party - Episode 7

Pastel Party - Episode 8

Dean's Political Period



















Director Dean Adams Curtis meets with production manager Sophie Ali, then Sophie teaches actress Katie Chin how to create a "lined script", the historical documentation of what happened on set that is used by motion picture editors to understand what takes/shots to put together. Then, after last minute tweaks, the shooting of Pastel Party gets underway.

Editor Paul Benz talks about how he got started in his editing career at the top, with Oliver Stone's team. A debate takes place between the artist friends about whether the "manform" they all helped Laura/Anneke create is really art. Things begin to heat up after the pastel party when Chris/Dean shares with Laura/Anneke stories behind his fantasy artworks.

When Chris/Dean closes the door to the neighborhood, he and Laura/Anneke get to kissing and some rolling around. Later, as they cuddle, a call comes in from a woman Chris is involved with. Note that a piece of Dean's artwork after the credits won this clip a YouTube age-restriction. There is a piece of Dean's artwork such as this one offered after each episode.

A missing scene between Anneke and Kate in the bathroom is seen. That leads to rehearsals and prep for more production. Then, Curtis allows actor/actress input into a scripted scene about theology and the production is delayed by differences of prespective about how to complete the scene. Sound guy Konrad Gatien takes over videography as the dispute continues.

Production Manager Sophie Ali says "This shot is CU (close-up) Chris." We take a look back at Dean's teen activist years seeing 8mm D.C. demonstration footage he shot in the 6th grade, listening to his 8th grade contest-winning speech advising protest for what one believes in. He notes his time in a racially-charged high school then shares his steps on the disco floor.

Talk behind-the-scenes during Pastel Party production continues with editor Paul Benz sharing that after finishing on "JFK" he will next be helping with the editing on Oliver Stone's next film "The Doors." Dean Adams Curtis offers a look at his goddesses period with guest Nikki Schieler and entourage. Then he runs some 16mm footage of he and his Chilean girlfriend Paola.

Dean showers and fantasizes. There follows a tonguebath, then Dean takes the pastel party to the walkstreet in front of his studio, donating all his stubs of chalk to his neighbors or whomever walks by. Some of the cast of MTV's "Real World" (what they called "Unreal World") shooting across the walkstreet from the studio join in the creative fun and share the art therapy.

Anneke Lucas and Janine Arbelaez run through dress rehearsal prior to cameras rolling. Then Dave gets in a joke that halts the process with laughter. Afterward, we take a step into Dean's next artistic exploration, his political phase, uniting his earlier activism, his pre-pastel "employee democracy" activism, and the fact that he has turned 35, eligible to pursue a life goal.

"On the day I turned 35 I announced my candidacy to be the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States," notes Dean. "One question has since sprung from everyone's lips, 'Why?'" Dean's book answers that question utilizing journal entries from his campaign. He takes readers on a road trip filled with interpersonal experiences and public policy.