Ten Awesome People: The final count

On June 30th,  2014, I started the Ten Awesome People I'd Like to buy Lunch For Project. I sent notes (mostly on paper, but some email) to ten people whose work has touched my life. I wanted to send them thank you notes and an offer to buy them lunch as a token of my extreme. :)


I sent notes to:

1. President and First Lady Obama
2.  Kenneth Branagh, writer, actor, director, producer
3. Pam Grier, actress
4. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves
5. Gala Darling, blogger, Radical Self Love guru
6. Andy Serkis, actor, known for his motion capture work
7. Fran Walsh, co-writer and producer of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies
8. Robert Shaye, the founder of New Line Cinema
9. Mel Brooks, comedian, actor, director
10. Gloria Steinem, activist, feminist

Of the ten, I got fabulous rejections from Mel Brooks,  Gloria Steinem, and President Obama. I got Robert Shaye's address wrong, so that envelope came back.

As of now, I'm celebrating my courage to try this ambitious project. I'm not following up on the other letters yet. Someday I will, and I will keep you informed.

So don't be afraid of reaching out to people. At worst, you might get a lovely rejection note. :)

Lunch with 10 Awesome People: The first response!

Mel and his late wife, Anne Bancroft

I just got the most awesome rejection letter from... *drum roll* ...Mel Brooks and his assistant, Shelby Van Vliet.

I'm thrilled that someone actually read my letter and I got a response. 

Poor Mel is too busy to write me personally, but he thanked me for my kind words and kinder invitation.

Mel! Take a vacation now and again!

Ten Awesome People: The Lunch Project with Kenneth Branagh

The third person on my Lunch Project is the ridiculously talented Kenneth Branagh.

I first saw him in his version of Henry V, released in 1989. I have always loved Shakespeare, but this version was something completely mind blowing! Fast, passionate, relentless - at no point did he let the weight of the "Shakespeare Mystique" drag down the pace. I have been a fan ever since (not rabid, because I'm not crazy that way).

I want to pick his writer and director brain. I'm fascinated with pace and brilliant characterization. I want to know what he's learned about storytelling in his years of work.

What is your favorite Kenneth Branagh work?

10 Awesome People: The Lunch Project with Mel Brooks

I sent my second letter in my Lunch Project to the awesome Mel Brooks!

Who wouldn't want to have a meal with this ground breaking comic? He references such crimes as the Inquisition, the Holocaust, race relations, and fraud with grace, flair, and incredible comedic timing.

I re-watched Blazing Saddles last month - my first time since I was in my early twenties. What a brilliant satire! And of course, he pokes fun at movies that take themselves too seriously.

Wish me good luck! I hope he accepts my invitation.

Lunch with 10 Awesome People

Here's my list of 10 Awesome People

1. President and First Lady Obama
2.  Kenneth Branagh, writer, actor, director, producer
3. Pam Grier, actress
4. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves
5. Gala Darling, blogger, Radical Self Love guru
6. Andy Serkis, actor, known for his motion capture work
7. Fran Walsh, co-writer and producer of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies
8. Robert Shaye, the founder of New Line Cinema
9. Mel Brooks, comedian, actor, director
10. Gloria Steinem, activist, feminist

Now that I've found addresses for them all, I need to figure out how to get to their various locales! And when! After all, it's not a real invitation to lunch if I don't include an actual date.

These awesome people range from LA to New Zealand to New York to London.  Looks like I have some fun traveling ahead. :)

Ah, scheduling. The hardest part of any endeavor.

Ten people I'd like to buy lunch for before I die

Aren't they the coolest couple ever?

Writers love writing games. They keep your brain fresh, fun, and stimulated. The other day, I played the 10 People I'd Like to buy Lunch for Before I Die.

I also learned that if you write down what you want to do, you are 42% more likely to actually do it.

I want to pick his writer's brain.

Therefore! Here are my 10 People.

1. President and First Lady Obama
2.  Kenneth Branagh, writer, actor, director, producer
3. Pam Grier, actress
4. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves
5. Gala Darling, blogger, Radical Self Love guru
6. Andy Serkis, actor, known for his motion capture work
7. Fran Walsh, co-writer and producer of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies
8. Robert Shaye, the founder of New Line Cinema
9. Mel Brooks, comedian, actor, director
10. Gloria Steinem, activist, feminist

So, hey, you awesome people! Let me know if I can buy you a yummy lunch! I promise we will have a fun conversation. :)

Why is she NOT in every movie ever made??

Robert Shaye

Clarissa Pinkola Estes