Nebraskans Hone in on Hollywood
The Croisette will get a taste of Midwestern American sensibilities this year when Omaha native Alexander Payne screens his latest pic, “Nebraska,” in competition. And back in Los Angeles, members of 21-year-old networking group the Nebraska Coast Connection, will be rooting for their homegrown hero to take home the fest’s top prize.
Founded in 1992 by Cornhusker State native and producer Todd Nelson, NCC provides an opportunity for (mostly) Nebraska transplants working in Hollywood to rub elbows with other industry professionals. The monthly salons began in June 1995 and take place every second Monday at the Culver Hotel in Culver City, Calif.; more specifically, in the former office of Harry Culver — yep, also a Nebraska native.
“The fact that Harry’s office serves as our home, for me, is one of the coolest things,” Nelson says.
On average, the monthly meetings host 30-50 people, though that number can quadruple when notable guests like Payne are scheduled to attend. Nelson boasts that the group’s mailing list is just over 1,000.
Payne has been a strong supporter of the group over the years: The Oscar-winning director, who attended meetings even before making it big, last showed up in 2010, when he screened his rarely-seen thesis film, “The Passion of Martin.” Nelson says he is working with Payne and Paramount to host a screening of Nebraska sometime before the film’s Nov. 22 Stateside release.
Others who have attended NCC events include Marg Helgenberger; Dean Zanuck, the grandson of Nebraska native, Darryl F. Zanuck; Chris Klein; and Suzanne Lloyd, the granddaughter of Nebraskan Harold Lloyd, whose 1923 silent classic, Safety Last, also will screen as part of Cannes Classics’ Cinema de la Plage lineup.
HOMETOWN HERO Pictured: Alexander Payne, left, is a supporter of the Nebraska Coast Connection, which Todd Nelson started in 1992.
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