Eyes On LA: Hat Stories

Currently running at Pasadena Playhouse, Regina Taylor's CROWNS is a soul-stirring musical that pays tribute to African American women and their Sunday hats. Each hat collects stories of life affirming markers cupped under each brim, rites of passage ranging from weddings to funerals to baptisms. CROWNS explores the lives of the "hat queens," six women in the South whose stories of love, loss, identity and sisterhood are woven into the hats that crown their heads and the songs that speak their truth. It is a reflection on where we come from and the women who helped to raise us. It is recognition of what is passed down.

Now it's your turn. We are looking for your favorite hat stories. Who is your favorite hat queen? What stories did your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, mentor or neighbor pass on to you through stories about their hats? These can be real stories conducted through interviews or hat stories that inspired your imagination. How have stories from the past affected your present and future?

All Los Angeles, CA area residents over the age of 18 who are legal residents of the United States or D.C. are welcome to submit their cell phone shorts. Cell phone shorts are films shot entirely on cell phones lasting between 5 and 10 minutes in length. Your films will be viewed and voted on by your peers and the Cell Short Takes online community.

HOW TO ENTER

To enter the Cell Short Takes Contest you should submit (via mail):
1. A completed and signed entry form (for each entrant);
2. A signed Voluntary Participation and Contestant Release (for each entrant);
3. A copy of your film on DVD;
4. A brief biography about yourself (or for each entrant); and
5. Film stills on CD or DVD.

All submissions should be mailed to (postmarked for receipt by Friday, August 14th 2009):
Regina Taylor
P.O. Box 801867
Santa Clarita CA 91380

You must also upload your film to the contest website at www.cellshorttakes.com. All details and forms are available for download at www.cellshorttakes.com by clicking on "Download Forms Here" link!