The folks over at the World of Wonder (WoW)production company never cease to amaze LAist with their entertaining documentaries. Anyone paid to probe the minds of Tammy Faye Bakker, Linda Lovelace or showbiz parents at the bidding of WOW principals and directors, Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato, must be super-fascinating in their own right. At least, that's what we told ourselves when we selected WOW employees, Steven Corfe and Moye Ishimoto, as two of the coolest Angelenos under 30.
Known around the office as the "Bullshit Twins," according to the company’s blog, called the The WoW Report, Moye (24) and Steven (26) must have vivid social lives and fertile imaginations after constant exposure to the shenanigans that must take place in the Wow production offices on a daily basis ( at least as depicted on the company's ever present office Webcam).
You both work at World of Wonder, which seems like an atypical Hollywood production company. Tell us about it — what's it like there?
As crazy as it seems like from our blog, The WoW Report (www.worldofwonder.net). We have trannies (transsexuals AND transvestites), drag queens, cheerleaders, club kids, furries, porn stars, fallen but loveable televangelists (okay, only one and that's Tammy Faye) and the occasional straight boy wandering around, documenting everything into reality television!
You think we're lying...but it really is like that. WOW provides the best (and most extreme) in reality TV and documentary right inside its office, and I often find myself remembering that the rest of the city (or
industry) isn't like this. What, interviewing a tranny with a thick Southern accent over the phone about the best places to get a margarita in LA isn't normal for you?
When did you decide you wanted to work in the film industry?
MOYE: Growing up in LA, where your own family and classmates' families are involved somehow in entertainment...it just seemed normal. I would probably be a migrant farmer right now, if I grew up in a migrant farmer family. I just follow the crowd.
STEVEN: I actually did grow up in a small farming community in England, so Hollywood was less inevitable, more the ultimate escape. I knew from a very early age that I wanted to work in film.
So is it true — do you really want to direct?
MOYE: I think this question is for Steven, because directing is the last thing I'd want to do. I'm too nice (MOST TIMES) and I would hate bossing people around (SOME TIMES).
STEVEN: Please! Moye would love to direct. She's practically Hitchcockian in controlling lunch plans. But you're right, I do want to direct.
What is the best thing about the neighborhoods where you live?
MOYE: Los Feliz/Silverlake is like a trashy-less Hollywood. The quiet streets, the less traffic, the pretty houses and yes, even the hipsters who walk around with shaggy haircuts and mismatched clothes.
STEVEN: It's also great to live near Griffith Park, be able to walk up Vermont Avenue, and drink in seedier, less sceney bars.
What's surprised you the most about Los Angeles (Steven)? And Moye, what did you miss most about LA when you lived on the East Coast?
STEVEN: How early everyone goes to bed compared to the UK. I read about a Satanic High Mass happening in Silverlake on 6.6.06, but being LA, it happened at 9 PM so everyone could be home by midnight.
MOYE: The entire city — if that's even possible. Just even calling a whole, wide city your home, and knowing almost every nook and cranny — yet still being able to discover new treasures in neighborhoods, driving short cuts, restaurants and people-watching.
About going out: Moye, where do you like to go for Korean food? And Steven, where do you like to go out for a drink and a dance?
MOYE: Oh, there are two. If you want the upscale-not-so-Korean-Korean food, Woo Lae Oak on La Cienaga is great. But if you want the so-Korean-it's-Korean food, I like Chosun Galbi on Olympic. But the best, of course, is home-cooked Korean food...which, alas, I do not have access to. *Tear*
STEVEN: Akbar on Sunset and Fountain. I live very close, if that's any excuse.
What is/are your favorite book(s)/CD(s)/movie(s)/TV show(s) about LA?
MOYE: Clueless. I'm sorry, I know, it's shameful, but there's no better movie to describe high school in LA. Especially in the private school world. I probably know that whole movie off by heart. Way harsh, Tai!
STEVEN: Mulholland Drive. It's such a great expression of all the broken dreams in this city. And if you didn't like it, you probably didn't understand it. I'm happy to sit down and explain.
What is the "center" of LA to you?
STEVEN: I think Hollywood, on balance.
MOYE: I've heard some people use the term "AWOL": anywhere west of Lincoln. For me, it's AEOWLA: anywhere east of West LA. Seriously. Don't ask me to drive out in horrible traffic to go anywhere in Westwood, Brentwood or Santa Monica. That also includes the Valley. Like, gross.
It's 9:30 PM on a Thursday. Where are you, and where are you going?
MOYE: Oh no, the inevitable hidden question of "Do you have a social life?" and my answer would be "no" but disguised as "Most probably eating a slice of cake on the outside patio at Alcove." There's no better way to spend a summer night than outside...eating a yummy piece of cake. I swear!
STEVEN: Thursday is NetFlix night. Unashamedly anti-social!
If you could make one thing be different in LA for your 30th birthday, what would you change?
MOYE: That the 405 would be completely free of bumper-to-bumper traffic. Not that I ever drive on it, but I just feel so bad for all the commuters who have to take it!
STEVEN: I'd hope for downtown to have gained a bustling city vibe. I'd love to go there more often.
Where do you want to be when the Big One hits?
MOYE: Sleeping. I slept straight through the last Big One back in '94, and I hope it happens to me again!
STEVEN: Wide awake. I've never felt a big quake so I want to RIDE this town when it happens!
