Interview with Sivan Gavish, American blogger and author

Sivan Gavish was raised in California, but moved to Las Vegas, NV with her family when she was 9 years old. Sivan has lived in Las Vegas ever since. Sivan graduated from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a degree in Journalism and Media Studies and a minor in theater in 2015.

After college, Sivan interned with the Fox 5 MORE show in Las Vegas and was awarded the Tony and Linda Bonnici Scholarship Fund for Broadcasting.

Sivan is now a blogger and her blog on the internet is called The Olive Brunette. This blog is devoted to aspects of life in Las Vegas, covering fashion, food, tourism, lifestyle and more besides. Sivan is active on social media and has over 2,200 followers on Instagram and is well-known on the Las Vegas social scene.

What some people may not know however is that Sivan is also a published author. Her book entitled "Las Vegas Cocktails: Over 100 Recipes Inspired by Sin City" is stocked in Hardback by Barnes & Noble and Waterstones, among other reputable bookstores. To have a book published is a significant achievement for anybody and even more so for Sivan, given that she is only 27.

I was curious to find out more about what drives Sivan's love for Las Vegas and asked her these questions.

Photo Credits x 3: Bethany Paige

RC:

What makes Las Vegas special, compared to other cities in the US?

SG:

Las Vegas is magical to me. I love that I can be anywhere in this city and see the mountains - there is a good mix of city and suburban life. The best part about Las Vegas is that most people that visit don't realize that there is more to life here than just the Strip. I love watching eyes light up as they visit other parts of the valley and see the beautiful mountains as well as the homes that surround the famous hotels.

RC:

What do you like most about Las Vegas?

SG:

I love that I live in a place people from around the world travel to. I live in a place that is on people's bucket lists. That's pretty flippen cool. Every time I walk the Strip or eat at one of the hotels, I am humbled knowing that this is my home.

RC:

What do you dislike about Las Vegas?

SG:

It gets so hot in the summertime! For those that don't know, Las Vegas is a desert, so we can sometimes reach 120 degrees. It is brutal.

RC:

What made you choose a career as a blogger about Las Vegas?

SG:

I have had the privilege to travel to many parts of the world and each time I travel I'm asked what living in Las Vegas is like. Someone even asked me what hotel I live in. Not judging that question, I just thought it was funny that people are not really familiar with this city and the fact that there is more to life than just the Strip. It was that moment that made me decide to write about this city and have everyone see what I see as a local.

RC:

Las Vegas is famous as being the "Entertainment Capital of the World". Which celebrity do you think is most responsible for earning the city this accolade?

SG:

Oh, that's a tough question! There have been many celebrities here in Vegas. The first person that comes to mind is Celine Dion. She had a 16-year residency at the Colosseum at Caesars. It was unbelievable.

RC:

Which Las Vegas based celebrity would you most like to interview for your blog and why?

SG:

Celine Dion! She has so much grace and such a beautiful presence. I have so many questions for her!

RC:

What advice would you give to a foreigner, who has never visited Las Vegas before and has now chosen it as a destination for an upcoming holiday?

SG:

Welcome! Prepare to see slot machines everywhere you go, from the airport to the gas stations and supermarkets. Enjoy the Strip, but also take in the sites around you. Visit Red Rock, Hoover Dam, and Mt. Charleston. If you're visiting in the summer, please be mindful and drink LOTS of water.

RC:

What do you miss most about Las Vegas when you are away?

SG:

The mountains!

RC:

What do you hope you will be doing in 5 years?

SG:

I will still be blogging! I have not even scratched the surface of what I want to write about and take pictures of. There is so much to cover! I would also like to incorporate more video so that readers can have a better visual of this city.

RC:

You write in your blog that Las Vegas is "The Capital of Second Chances". Why do you feel this way?

SG:

We are an oasis in the middle of the desert. People come here from all over the world to fulfill a dream and get a second chance.

The website address for Sivan's blog The Olive Brunette is www.theolivebrunette.com. Go, check it out!

The world is your oyster, Sivan.

Many thanks.

Romer Cherubim

Freelance Journalist and Blogger

UK

   

       

Interview with Deanna Rashell, American actress and director

Deanna Rashell was born in Vallejo, CA. She was a bit of a tomboy in her youth, but decided to embrace her feminine side. She began acting much later in life.

This award-winning actress did not take the standard route into this profession. Instead of putting the focus of her attention on finding acting jobs only in Los Angeles, Deanna branched out. She has had acting roles in LA, New Orleans and now lives and works in Atlanta, GA. Deanna's acting highlights include playing Scott Bakula's wife, Shirley MacLaine's daughter-in-law and starring in two scenes with Christopher Plummer in the comedy-drama film Elsa & Fred (2014), guest starring in the CBS TV series NCIS: New Orleans EP #214, again appearing alongside Scott Bakula, and acting in the film Sunset Strip Crime (2015), for which she was awarded Best Actress. Deanna also directed Sunset Strip Crime, which was released by her company Outlook Productions.

Deanna can also be seen playing a Secret Agent in the TV mini-series Government Lies (2012 - 2018). She has just finished playing the co-lead role in the SAG feature film The Contrast, which is in post-production. Deanna is currently playing multiple characters in a web series she created, called The Granny Diaries. She does most of the camera work, writes the episodes and edits them. She is also slated to star in and produce a Sci-Fi TV pilot called Soul Wars in fall 2020 and has another strong supporting role in a feature film called Heir of the Witch, which films in NC in the summer of 2020.

Deanna plays both comedic and dramatic parts equally well. Whether she is playing a glamorous wife, a secret agent, a hippy chick or even a granny, Deanna always brings her 'A' game to any acting role she takes on. Aside from her obvious acting talent, Deanna has diversified to offer her services to budding filmmakers, keen to bring their own stories to life on the internet. In this regard, Outlook Productions is willing to deal with all pre production and production work, associated with these projects and will advise on post production. Deanna is therefore keen to give back to the profession, which has already given her so much.

               
               

                                                           

I asked Deanna these questions during a break in filming.

RC:

How is filming progressing with The Granny Diaries?       

DR:   
I just wrapped one of my favourites. It's called Corona Quarantine Pranks. This was actually tough to create, but I knew I had to. I, like many others, was feeling down and unhappy with the whole shutdown situation and after a few days, I knew I had to bring some laughter to the world and create some art! An idea just came to me, so I wrote the script and started filming. I didn't even study the lines. I picked up the script and went straight to doing the takes. I didn't do many takes either. It ended up being really funny and  dynamic! I have another one I'm almost done writing. I may shoot that this week! 

RC:   
What has been your favorite acting assignment?

DR:   
I would say the ones with the big stars, but actually the role with The Contrast because I was in so many scenes and had a lot of unique dialogue. It was challenging and then midway through the shoot, they fired the director and we basically reshot everything and my character went from overly bubbly and shallow to dark, deceitful and shallow.  

RC:   
As an actress, which genre do you prefer - comedy or drama?
DR:  

Oh man, I prefer to do action and comedy! I do love drama, but only when I play a strong bad ass character. Those are fun or a really bad guy! I'm a great bad guy ☺. But comedy is awesome, I have a lot of energy and can just go go go when I'm on set.

RC:   
Is there any acting job you would refuse to take?
DR:
Yes, anything that really conflicts with my core beliefs or something that promotes something I am totally against. I would have to read the whole script though to be sure there was actually a conflict. Sometimes you can play the character that you hate but the overall message you love, so I would advise any actor to read the story before turning down a role.


RC:   
You have acted with Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer and Scott Bakula. Is there anything specific you have learnt from any or all of them, which has helped to hone your skills as an actress?
DR: 
I would say Scott was super friendly and just a regular down to earth guy. He cared about me as an actress and made sure I got the camera time I needed. I was actually going through a tough time on that set because my kitty cat was at home dying. It was so sad really but I kept upbeat, didn't tell anyone about what I was going through, so his kindness really helped me to stay focused. 


RC:  
What is the best acting advice you have ever received?
DR:    
Let it go, forget it, after an audition, don't beat yourself up, inspect it quickly, find out how you could improve it then forget about it, "next".

RC:    
What is the worst acting advice you have ever received?

DR:
This will be unpopular but I am not a fan of substitutions. I don't want to picture my mom dying or my partner having an affair or some other awful thing happening to someone I know just to reach an emotional state. I don't feel it's healthy for the actor's "real life".

RC:    
I understand that you would like to secure an acting role in the UK or Ireland. If you manage to do so, which British-born actor would you want as your leading man?

DR:
Oh Lord, I have no idea ☺. Hopefully someone that is skilled, has a great attitude and good breath ☺. Off the top of my head, I'd go for the gold and choose Sam Heughan from Outlander!

RC:    
What do you hope you will be doing in 5 years?

DR:   
I'd like to be working as a series regular on a network show and team up with some other creatives and be working on our own projects for theatrical or network release.

RC:   
If you had to choose, would you opt for wealth or happiness?

DR:
I want both. I wouldn't choose one over the other. I don't need to be a billionaire, but money can certainly make life more enjoyable and if you are not happy then what's the point!

Deanna's latest project The Granny Diaries can be seen on Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/GrannyDiariesTV/. Otherwise, you are welcome to watch it on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGhxEjKEzqzupO2SXS1oWVTJBS6yOizA.

If you would like to see more of Deanna's work as an actress/producer, please check out her personal website www.deannarashell.com. Alternatively, you can visit Deanna's business website www.outlookproductions.net for a closer look at her accomplishments as a director.

Thanks, Deanna.

Romer Cherubim
Freelance journalist and Blogger
UK