“Ready for Its Close Up, Mr. Demille”
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Hollywood Heritage is a non- profit organization dedicated to preservation of the historic built environment in Hollywood and to education about the early film industry and the role its pioneers played in shaping Summer 2012 www.hollywoodheritage.org Volume 31, Number 2 Hollywood’s history. The Barn “Ready For Its Close Up, Mr. DeMille” n 2011, with the upcoming centennial an- Hollywood Heritage $5,000 and Paramount cluded that there was some lead paint present niversaries of Paramount Pictures and the Pictures matched that and more, giving in a few locations. filming by Cecil B. DeMille of Hollywood’s $10,000. These two gifts resulted in available Michael Roy of Citadel recommended Ifirst full-length feature film, funding of $15,000 for the project. American Technologies Inc. (“ADT”) to do The Squaw Man, Hollywood Heritage recognized that the The project began with the engagement of the required lead abatement work. ADT, a Lasky-DeMille Barn (“Barn”), home of the Historic Resources Group (“HRG”) to con- firm that was also used by Paramount, gave a Hollywood Heritage Museum, was in need of a duct a paint study of the Barn to determine the discounted proposal to do the work. This in- face lift. An interior upgrade of the archive area Barn’s original colors. After gathering paint cluded a low level power wash of the building had recently been completed with a donation samples from the building and examining re- to prepare it for painting. A 40-foot “Knuckle from the Cecil B. DeMille Foundation, but search gathered by Hollywood Heritage, HRG Boom” was needed for the work, which was ac- there was more to be done. issued a report that concluded that the original complished in three days with a four-man crew photo by Mike Cahill Mike photo by and a supervisor. The boom was rented from Studio Services through Randy Sain. In addition to its grant, Paramount Pictures agreed to provide the material and labor to paint the Barn. The painting of the Barn took a four man Paramount team (Rick Guzman, Juan Hernandez, Lance Perez and Kevin Sater) four days including two days using a “Concord Boom” to reach the highest parts of the Barn. The yellow siding began to disappear as a light bluish green primer was applied followed by the final gray color. The green trim was applied to areas which were previously green or white in color. This resulted in a consistent green trim for the Barn’s windows and doors. The non-historic white columns on the deck were freshened up with a coat of white paint. Classic Projects of Hollywood replaced damaged planks and painted the entire west and north facing decks. Replacement went Hollywood Heritage established a budget studio color of the Barn was gray with a forest well until reaching the north-east corner of of $20,000 for repair and maintenance of the green trim. The study was conducted by Peyton the deck where significant dry rot was discov- exterior of the Barn, a scope of work which Hall, FAIA, and Robby Aranguren. Knowing ered under the surface. Classic Projects owner consisted of painting the entire structure, re- that the budget was tight, the company gener- Randy Van Ausdall agreed to repair the dry rot pairing and painting the west and north decks, ously discounted its fees, a pattern followed by area within his existing quote. This phase of and restoring the south-facing sign. Funding of most of the other contractors on the project. the project was completed in three days. $10,000 was requested from both the National The next step was to determine if any lead The south-facing Museum sign was restored. Trust for Historic Preservation Los Angeles was present in the paint that currently existed Using the existing sign, a new frame was du- County Preservation Fund (“National Trust”) on the Barn. At the suggestion of HRG, Cita- plicated by John Tucker, and on April 20th and Paramount Pictures. In a highly com- del Environmental Services Inc. (“Citadel”) petitive process, the National Trust awarded was engaged to conduct a study, which con- continued on page 5 President’s Message A New President's Vision Some of Our Famous Players by Bryan Cooper (Our Newest Board Members) s the new- 100+-year-old barn into the 21st century. You www.hollywoodheritage.org George Kiel Mr. Nettler has practiced his craft in Boston, ly-elected can try the QR Code on the back page of this He is George of Hollywood, if you believe Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York President of Newsletter. BOARD OF DIRECTORS his email address. Well, maybe, but he is cer- and currently in Los Angeles. He earned a BA AHollywood Heritage, I So in Los Angeles, where technology seems tainly Mr. Hollywood Heritage. His large in history at Boston University and a MA in ar- Bryan Cooper, President must say I am humbled to reign (sometimes over creativity!), Holly- presence and booming voice guides everything chitecture at UCLA. A member of the Ameri- and proud to be a part wood Heritage hopes to remain relevant and Richard Adkins, Vice President at the Barn, having served as volunteer Muse- can Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), of such a wonderful or- cutting edge, while still retaining our link to Alan H. Simon, Secretary um manager for the last four years. George Kiel Jonathan serves on the Board of Directors for ganization. The volun- the past. The museum committee is also busy Tracy Terhune, Treasurer recruits and trains our docents, orders Muse- the Los Angeles section of the American Plan- teer board, committee members and docents cooking up lots of great events for the Fall, um Store merchandise, guides visitors through ning Association (APA) as the Vice Director are certainly some of the most passionate and including a tribute to Paramount Studios in Hollywood’s history there and on his Saturday for Professional Development. He was recently dedicated people I have ever met. I only hope honor of its 100th birthday. Then on to 2013, Robert S. Birchard morning Boulevard Walking Tours. He has re- appointed as managing editor of Planetizen, I can do justice to our mission as we head into which of course coincides with the 100th an- turned to the Board after having been termed the country’s most-visited independent web- Bob Blue the latter part of the year. niversary of the first feature length film made out on his last tour of duty, when he also served site for urban planning news and commentary, Hollywood Heritage’s newest board members. L to R: Chris One of the things I’d like to accomplish in Hollywood, The Squaw Man, which began Claire Bradford as Treasurer. where he will oversee their on-line presence, Nichols, Beth Werling, George Kiel, and Jonathan Nettler. during my tenure is upping our attendance to shooting at the barn in 1913. Mr. Kiel’s interests are also deep into preser- their publications and education courses. the museum itself. While our Evenings @ The But we can’t continue our mission without Amy Condit vation of the historic Hollywood built envior- Along with his volunteer work for Hollywood and low of it and the layers of history being un- Barn are very popular, my wish is that more you. So if you haven’t become a member, please Denise DeCarlo nment. He is a vocal and active member of our Heritage, where he is a key member of our Pres- covered every day. visitors to Hollywood who are hoping to find join us. And if you’ve been a member in the Preservation Issues Committee, always keep- ervation Issues Committee, Mr. Nettler serves Beth Werling a real piece of movie history will come and ex- past, but haven’t renewed your membership, Dr. Meredith Drake Reitan ing an eye open for things on the Hollywood on the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council’s plore the myriad of artifacts and memorabilia there’s never been a more critical time to do Margot Gerber ground. Urban Design and Preservation Committee. Beth Werling is new to the Hollywood we have on display at the Lasky-DeMille Barn, it. Finally, I want Hollywood Heritage to feel Beyond his incalculable volunteer hours, All this, and a new father of twins. Heritage board, although not new to Holly- George Kiel which is, of course, a Hollywood artifact in it- as much like your home, as it is ours. So please starting in 2002, which he shrugs off as “sav- Chris Nichols wood Heritage. She has presented an historical self! don’t hesitate to come up and introduce your- Mary Mallory ing his life,” professionally George is a draper first Evening @ the Barn on Parallel Language One way we’ll try to attract new folks is by self to me... I would love to hear your feedback, in the motion picture and TV industry. He has Ask Chris, and he probably knows the answer Films, the Same, only Different. Beth has having a new, state-of-the-art QR Code as- good, bad or indifferent! Because it’s people Christy Johnson McAvoy decorated countless sets, creating everything to your questions about Los Angeles. His popu- served as an outside consultant on many issues signed to our website. A QR Code (abbreviated like you who ARE Hollywood Heritage. Jonathan Nettler from the draperies in period rooms, to elegant lar column in Los Angeles Magazine, where he regarding the Museum’s collection, as she is ex- from Quick Response Code) is the trademark table settings, to padded cells.