Camp Hollywood

I recently had the opportunity to see Stephen Markle's documentary Camp Hollywood. The film chronicles life at Hollywood's infamous Highland Gardens motel and the (mostly) Canadian actors who flock there every year for pilot season. The film was fantastic! For aspiring actors, the film is a great tool; an opportunity to learn more about the Hollywood casting process while avoiding the inevitable pilot season debt hangover. On another level, the film deals with the difficult question that all aspiring artists must ask themselves; when does the pursuit of "the dream" become a destructive exercise? This theme is explored through a series of touching and candid interviews with long time residents of The Highlands who lay bare some of their deepest regrets and fears. All in all a solid film; well laid out, nicely shot, and the music is great too.

Steve Markle from Toronto tries his hand at stand up in Hollywood. He joins other Canadians to stay at the dated Highland Gardens Hotel at the bottom of the Hollywood Hills opposite a park full of homeless drug addicts. Steve has saved up enough money for a 60 day stay. The place has a storied legendary history and a wondrous mix of performers hoping for their big break. It's pilot season. Steve's two months would turn into a year and a half.

There is hot model Laura Jordan trying to break in as an actress. Brian Irwin is an alcoholic struggling musician. There is veteran British actor Roy Dotrice with his wife. David Julian Hirsh had a TV show two years ago. Limo driver Clim is still trying after 30 years. Maury Chaykin and Mark Margolis are experienced working actors who serve as mentors. Brooke Nevin had success in Toronto and is looking for bigger things in America. Harrold Themmen is a clarinetist with a storied career. Marilyn impersonator Dena on Hollywood Blvd gets pregnant. One could catch Malin Akerman before her fame or recognize Ryan Belleville from a random TV show. Polly Shannon talks about the casting couch. There are girls doing a porno. Dave is sure of his acting skills, and talks about his history of robberies and prisons. Leo is the graveyard shift manager. There is the Japanese Spice Girls. Gary Indiana is a socially-awkward gay and celebrated writer. Monty is making a no budget indie with a volunteer crew. Saul Rubinek comes over to make his own movie.

This indie delivers a compelling slice of the world. These are dreamers and portray the Hollywood dream better than anything on TV. It might actually be better now than when it was first released. Some of these people have gained real fame. In fact, Malin Akerman is seen hanging around in several scenes and she is central in one of the expositions. Yet we're never told her name. Her exposition of the odds facing these young people are even more compelling because she ended up as the one who actually made it the furthest. There are sections where Steve is concentrating on less compelling people. There are a lot of characters. Each one does have a tale to tell and I would love a section stating where these people are ten years later.

It's probably one of the realest looks at life in Hollywood. I watched this years ago and I still think about it today. It really leaves an effect on you and opens your eyes about the struggles of trying to make it in Hollywood whether it's as an actor, comedian, musician, etc. The director did a great job and I enjoyed the variety of different characters. I found this to be a very interesting watch and I would definitely recommend watching it.

The Highland Gardens Hotel (Formerly the Landmark Hotel) is a quiet 2 star hotel where artists and D-list celebrities reside as they work on their craft. Famous for Canadians migrants to Hollywood.

A Canadian stand up comedian Steve Markle) resided there in 2004 for half a year and documented the residents of the hotel whom have formed a Bohemian ecosystem community of support. Most of the actors eventually become successful years later. Author Gary Indiana resided there and his work "Do Everything in the Dark" debuted on the documentary.

Dave Stiltanen (Dave the bank robber), became a addictions cousellor life coach.

Mark Magolis (the bomber on Scarface, becomes Hector Salamanca of Breaking Bad-Better Call Saul). Brooke stars on many shows, Call Me Fitz, etc, British dude stars on Game of Thrones his last role, among other....

Janis Joplin infamously had her fatal overdose and her room is a pilgrimage site for thaostourist fans of the Folk hippy musician.

With so much fluff on TV about the rich and famous of Tinseltown, Camp Hollywood is a real eye-opener. The documentary shows the highs and lows of actors, writers, directors and musicians living at a fleabag hotel in Hollywood while struggling to break into show business.

I loved this movie. The filmmaker, a struggling comic, has captured exceptionally honest and revealing moments with the colorful characters staying at this hotel - some who have been living there for years. Residents of the hotel include a bank robber turned actor, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator and a clarinetist who has retired to the hotel to drink himself to death. There are also recognizable faces like actors Saul Rubinek and Maury Chaykin.

Camp Hollywood is a Canadian documentary - I saw it in Toronto and am not sure if it's distributed in the U.S. or elsewhere - but if you can find a copy I highly recommend it. It's funny as well as heartbreaking and poignant.