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Monica Bushman
What I cover
If it’s related to arts, culture and entertainment in L.A., I’m interested! I'm also a producer for the LAist podcast Imperfect Paradise, which dives deep into L.A. stories with LAist reporters.
My background
I’ve worked on LAist podcasts including Nobody Knows Anything, How To LA, The Academy Museum Podcast (seasons 1 and 2), Retake and Hollywood the Sequel. I got my start at LAist on the broadcast side, as a producer on Take Two, The Frame and newscasts. Before coming to LAist, I was a fill-in producer for NPR shows like Talk of the Nation and Morning Edition. I got my start in public radio producing radio documentaries for America Abroad Media.
My goals
I want to pull back the curtain on the creative processes of super-talented people who work in film, TV, comedy, music, theater, literature and visual art — and share interesting L.A. stories that hopefully include some element of fun.
Best way to contact me
I would love to hear from you if you have any questions about LAist's arts and entertainment coverage or if you have any tips on things we should check out! You can reach me at mbushman@laist.com.
Stories by Monica Bushman
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The local plaintiffs who challenged Prop. 8 explain how the Reiners helped restore marriage equality in the state.
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"You greenlight what's familiar to you, you greenlight what you believe the industry wants. That silences a whole lot of voices.”
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Challenges included composing themes for new Na’vi clans, designing new instruments and keeping the recording in L.A.
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Film programmers offer their top picks for movies to help you get in the holiday spirit, start a debate over what makes a Christmas movie or avoid the holidays altogether.
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How Bel-Air found its own voice while respecting its Fresh Prince roots and put LA more front and center than the original series was able to.
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Bryan Fuller's feature directorial debut Dust Bunny shares common themes with his TV work — like elements of dark humor and queerness.
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The anonymous feminist collective known for calling out museums for discrimination has an exhibition at the Getty. That doesn’t mean they’re sparing the museum from their critiques.
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Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts play divorce lawyers at an all-female L.A. firm in All's Fair. The show has gotten bad reviews, but actual L.A. divorce attorneys had more generous assessments.
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OutfestNEXT is a four-day screening series of films by, for and about the LGBTQ community.
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Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle came out this summer in Japan (and this September in the U.S.) and is now the highest-grossing anime movie of all time.
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Despite massive box office success, animated films haven’t fully shaken off the perception that they’re just for kids or not ‘real’ cinema. Animation Is Film is on a mission to change that.
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The musician visited L.A. to announce his first solo album and reflected on his three decades coming to the city.
