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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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Reuben Cannon came to L.A. with a one-way ticket, $500, and no connections. When he was down to $28, he got an entry-level job that was a foot in the door to work on films like The Color Purple, What’s Love Got to Do With It, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
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A visit to L.A.’s Academy Museum wouldn’t be complete without checking out the hand-written notes on casting director Marion Dougherty’s index cards — noting everything from Ice-T’s “kind, poetic quality” to the observation that a 20-something Sandra Bullock was “very well-adjusted.”
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If removed, some observers worry what comes next for Black political power in this city
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Noble Johnson was the first famous Black actor under the classic Hollywood studio system, but he reached his success playing characters of every race but his own. In order to play Black roles, he created a groundbreaking film company in L.A. that made some of the earliest Black produced films for Black audiences.
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A final report is in the works but we hear from participants in the city's first guaranteed income program about how it impacted them
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On Monday morning, construction officially began on the station that will connect the Crenshaw-LAX line to the airport's Automated People Mover.
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L.A. County sheriff's deputies fatally shot Kizzee last August. An autopsy found 16 bullet wounds, at least five from behind.
