Look To The Stars News: Dustin Lance Black

Milk Screenwriter To Be Honored By Charity

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, film and television producer Dustin Lance Black will be honored at a special gala event in Hollywood this weekend.

Best known for being the screenwriter of Milk, starring Sean Penn, Dustin Lance Black will receive the honor at the New Technicolor Building Plaza at Sunset Gower Studios on Saturday, June 13, in an event that promises to feature a festive cocktail party and silent auction. Proceeds from the event will go to LifeWorks, an organization that offers mentoring opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth ages 14-24.

Look To The Stars had the pleasure of talking to the writer earlier this year about the inspiration behind Milk and his charity work: "I thought there is so much of [Milk] that is inspiring to today’s generation, not just the gay and lesbian generation but also to say to all the groups of people who are very different, we can come together and when we can work together accepting each others differences, and if we fight for each others civil rights we can win all of our civil rights. That is a message I think should be out there. That not only inspires gay kids but racial and religious minorities. If a kid out there can go and see ‘Milk’ and be like “Yeah I’m really different and that’s really fabulous”, then I think we’ve done our job’."

To find out more info about Saturday’s gala – which will be attended by TR Knight – click here.

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" Screenwriter

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Rachel Zeskind

Look To The Stars’ Celebrity Ambassador recently had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with one of Hollywood’s finest writers at the 2009 Writers Guild Awards, the deeply passionate and talented writer of ‘Milk’, Dustin Lance Black. Not only did his script earn him recognition for its humanitarian message from his peers at the Writers Guild Awards, but also an Oscar for best original screenplay.

In speaking to Dustin about what inspired him so deeply about the story of Harvey Milk, he unfolded his heart and invited me in for a refreshingly honest look.

Dustin hailed from Texas where he was raised by a devote Mormon, military family. For Dustin, this conservative upbringing pulled at his mind and soul in heart wrenching ways, since he knew from a very young age that he was gay. In his family and their community it was taught that gays were evil sinful people that were going to hell, people that deserved no love or union with God.

As Dustin told me about this now, as a strong and confident young man, it was difficult to think of the inner turmoil it must have caused him. Self-doubt, loathing, fear, and secrecy – feelings that many children and adults experience due to a wide variety of reasons and experiences – must have riddled his youth.

Dustin’s inner strength is admirable. It must have taken him a long time to overcome these inner thoughts and allow himself to grow into the man and artist that he is today, using these experiences to bring depth, substance and humanity to his work. Just as any other human being facing an obstacle imposed by those around him, Dustin had the choice to stand up and fight to be true to himself or to crumble.

After moving to California and having success as a Hollywood writer, Dustin turned back to the story that inspired his own dreams and spent years traveling, researching, and writing the film "Milk’. Not only is ‘Milk’ a powerful film, but so is Dustin’s passion and clear outspoken message regarding gay marriage and gay rights. Although the bright and powerful light of Harvey Milk’s life was taken, his impact on gay rights and human rights has had a great and permanent effect. With ‘Milk’, Dustin has lit the torch, fueled by the passion of Harvey Milk, and is now carrying it forward demanding that these issues are not gay issues or religious issues but issues of basic human rights, the rights that say all men are created equal.

Whenever you examine a piece of art closely enough, the artist’s soul is always exposed. In the film ‘Milk’ there is a small role of a young man who calls Harvey Milk at a time of desperation as he seeks comfort, guidance and understanding. After speaking to Dustin, I feel that that character is a direct reflection of Dustin himself. Hearing Dustin tell of his personal dark time – where just hearing of a gay man who wasn’t hiding in the closet but in fact was respected in his community, involved in politics and dedicated to changing the perception and treatment of the gay community – changed everything for Dustin, giving him a new found hope and inspiration.

Dustin said ‘I was doing theater, and the theater director told a group of us the story of an out gay man, and an out gay man who was a hero. And I had never heard of an out gay man period, much less one who was beloved by a city. It was the story of Harvey Milk. It was the moment that I think I started growing again, that I started to blossom again and do all the things that other teenage boys were doing, which was to dream, to hope, to aspire. And without that story, without Harvey, I don’t think any of that would have happened’.

Not only are Dustin’s recent acclaim and achievements a huge win for continuing movement in the basic human rights afforded to the gay and lesbian citizens, but also it is an enormous banner waving in Hollywood for the recognition of true art, films of substance. Ones that deliver meaningful, eye opening, life changing messages.

When asked if he had a goal and hope to have had the movie reach out and touch, move and impact even just one life as Harvey’s story had done for him, Dustin said, ‘Yeah, yes, that’s right, I did. I thought there is so much of his story that is inspiring to today’s generation, not just the gay and lesbian generation but also to say to all the groups of people who are very different, we can come together and when we can work together accepting each others differences, and if we fight for each others civil rights we can win all of our civil rights. That is a message I think should be out there. That not only inspires gay kids but racial and religious minorities. If a kid out there can go and see ‘Milk’ and be like “Yeah I’m really different and that’s really fabulous”, then I think we’ve done our job’.

Dustin poured himself and his experiences into the film ‘Milk,’ but I feel it is a safe prediction that he will raise the bar for filmmakers and audiences everywhere to expect and demand depth and meaning and artistic genius on the big screen from here on out.

After he delivered a powerful acceptance speech defining human rights, respect and unity as a people at the Writers Guild Awards, deeply moved and with tears in my eyes I grabbed Dustin’s elbow gently and begged him to make that speech again and again in every public and televised opportunity, because, as I told him ‘This must be heard, this must be told’, over and over until there is change and our constitution is honored.

LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ lead host, Michelle Vink was on hand as a host of Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference Fundraiser on Oscar night. Read her story below:

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

Those were the words from Harvey Milk from the Oscar-winning movie, Milk. Despite the uncertain state of the economy and the lack of faith we keep hearing about on the news, there was an overwhelming resurgence of hopeful optimism at the Oscars this year. Winning storylines like Slumdog Millionaire and Milk captured that very essence.

A new type of Oscar party

I recall reading that Slumdog director Danny Boyle placed the money to be paid to the 3 lead child actors in a trust until they complete grade school, and that the production company set up a driver to take the kids to school every day until they are 16 years old. When the movie was nominated for an Oscar alongside all the Milk nominations, I knew it would be a good year.

Soon after that I learned of a new type of Oscar party that Leeza Gibbons was coordinating, called A Night to Make A Difference. The timing was impeccable, and before I knew it I was invited to help host the event.

Michelle with Leeza and co-host, Russell.

Celebrity organisers with special causes

Leeza wanted to “take the global stage of Oscar Night and use it to put the focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.” With a team of volunteers and a production team fueled with the same passion, Leeza did just that. Helped by Olivia Newton-John, music legend David Foster, and several co-hosts, the team created “A Party with a Purpose.” This monumental event not only benefited Leeza Gibbons’ Memory Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, but also raised awareness for philanthropy and inspired a feeling of hope. This inaugural event was streamed live here on LooktotheStars.org, and on other sites including Variety.com , LeezaGibbonsOscarEvent.com, Glam.com and ExtraTV.com.

With the aid of Jessica Biel and her Make The Difference Network, an opportunity was created for viewers to donate to the cause or just open the door for people to get involved in a charity that is close to their own hearts. Check out MTDN.com for more information on Jessica’s charity.

Jessica Biel – photo by Levi Walker

An all-star cast of celebrity givers

Celebrities who came out to support this event and celebrate Hollywood’s big heart included Laila Ali (who uses her celebrity to get kids excited about physical fitness), Mel B., Jessica Biel, Wilson Cruz, Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk, Paris Hilton, Slash & Perla Hudson (who donated a guitar to the auction), Kym Johnson, Mario Lopez, Melissa Gilbert, Jane Seymour & James Keach, Cindy Margolis, Terrell Owens, Holly Robinson-Peete, Suzanne Somers, Dee Wallace, Forest & Keisha Whitaker and many, many others. I was honored to interview Wilson Cruz (He’s Just Not That Into You) immediately following Dustin Lance Black’s win for Milk and I was moved by his passionate desire for change.

Michelle talks to Teri Hatcher during the event.

A responsibility to help

Rex Lee said of using his celebrity status for good, “For whatever reason, people out in the world pay attention to us, and if I say I support Olivia Newton John and building a new cancer center out in Australia, people listen. There is a responsibily in that.”

Michael Buble expressed his feelings on helping others, too, saying, “I think most people hopefully have compassion and empathy. We’ve been blessed, and we should help.”

Michael Buble and Paris Hilton – photo by Levi Walker

Manuela Testolini, founder of In A Perfect World, talked about giving back, saying, “It’s mutually beneficial. The thing that unites us despite our circumstances is the desire to create better world.”

Making a difference with makeovers

Another special touch to the event was the five women that were “hired” as extras from the LA Women’s Shelter. Celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves supervised red carpet makeovers for these women, providing hair, makeup and wardrobe. Shoes were donated by Jessica Simpson. The women were given life coaching lessons and a boost of confidence to help them show others that change is possible, that we can always reinvent ourselves (just like Madonna), and that there is always room for a second chance.

“Help other people”

While on the red carpet, Jane Seymour said, “It’s not just the Oscars, but giving back and helping other people. It’s about what you can do to help other people right now. The more we help other people, the better it will be for all of us. My mum always used to say to me, ‘When life is tough, go out and help other people’ […] Every single person on this planet can make a difference – it’s just an act of kindness.”

David Foster and Jane Seymour – photo by Levi Walker

So despite what we have been hearing on the news, it looks like there are a few of us out there that still believe in hope. Thank you, Leeza — it truly was a party with a purpose.

Look To The Stars News: Dustin Lance Black

Milk Screenwriter To Be Honored By Charity

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" Screenwriter

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

A new type of Oscar party

Celebrity organisers with special causes

An all-star cast of celebrity givers

A responsibility to help

Making a difference with makeovers

“Help other people”

Related past articles