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My meeting with Alanis Morissette
I’ll do another inside Hollywood story for those interested. Haven’t talked about meeting Alanis Morissette. I was a huge fan of her album, “Jagged Little Pill” when it came out in 1995 when I was 22 years old. Alanis is one year younger than me and her angst and raw intense directness in her songs were relatable to me as it’s how I am on a regular basis. In 1995, I went to see her show three times in that same year.
The first concert I saw her was a free ticket to go with a friend of mine in the music industry. I didn’t want to go, but was convinced that I need to give her a chance. I hadn’t heard much about her. This was about a month before she would explode astronomically and Jagged Little Pill would become one of the biggest selling albums by a female artist of all time. I’m glad I went to that concert, because I left the show a fan and went to go buy the Jagged Little Pill album afterwards.
Flash forward many years later to 1999, I’m now deeply established in the film industry and working on Warner Bros. “The Perfect Storm”. I had rose up in the industry pretty fast since Michelle Pfeiffer hired me.
I get a call from one of the Assistant Director’s who says, “Alanis Morissette is coming to see you at 12:30.” Her boyfriend at the time was one of the actors in the movie and she was going to visit him.
Someone once pointed out that I don’t seem to get star struck. I said, “I’m trained not to. I’m a professional. I can admire someone’s work without fainting on the floor.” They asked if I’ve ever got star struck though. I thought for a minute and said, “Actually yeah. Alanis Morissette. I’m a huge fan and was especially when I met her. She was larger than life in the 1990’s, so when I heard she was coming to see me I didn’t want to shout out, ‘Hey! I’m a huge fan, I saw you three times in concert in 1995!’”
I was in my Warner Bros. office and Alanis was 45 minutes late. I looked around for her wondering if she got lost. I was expecting a woman in tight leather with an entourage of people as that’s how she was dressed when I saw her on stage. I went out into the hall intersection epicenter in the building and the lights were out for some reason.
There was a woman who seemed afraid to move. She was shorter than me standing in the corner almost hugging the wall not moving as if someone had cornered a wild animal. She had on jean shorts, a t-shirt and her hair was tied to the side. I said, “Alanis. There you are. I’m Kevin. I’ve been expecting you.” She immediately formed this huge gigantic smile opened wide with a friendly shy chuckle relieved, “Oh good. Hi Kevin.” She moved away from the wall and followed me to my office and sat down. We had friendly banter for about a half hour. In between our talk, I got to business and explained how ‘The Perfect Storm” is a closed set. No publicity, no talking about it, no nothing, etc. I gave her the rundown of what was being shot. Then I said, “In order for me to know that you understand all this, you’re going to need to sign this contract.”
She started to read the contract as her face studied it with seriousness. I waited for her to go off in upset, but then half way through reading it she smiled and mumbled, “Oh okay.” Then she signed it. She was extremely sweet, personable, charming, humble and spiritual. This was during the days when her 2nd album which was more spiritual leaning was out and she had done the India sabbatical.
I handed her a name tag with her name on it and said, “Here put this on so they let you in.” Alanis’ face grew scared and fearful. I quickly realized, “Wait a minute this is Alanis Morissette. She doesn’t want her name advertised across her chest.” I quickly said, “I’m sorry, you don’t have to put it on, but hang on to it in case any of the officers stop you.” She smiled and nodded, “Okay.”
I walked over to Jennifer, my bubbly, fun assistant with the mini-skirt and nails and said, “Can you take this beautiful young lady to the set please?” Jennifer exclaimed barely looking at her, “Of course!”, then on the phone, “I’ll call you back.”
Another half hour passed and Jennifer came back to find me sitting on one of the Producer’s couches with him. Jennifer sits down with a smile, “Kevin. Who was that?” I said, “Who do you think it was?” She says, “Was that Alanis Morissette?” I nodded with a yes. She cried out, “Oh nooo!”
The Producer said, “Uh-oh what did you say?” Jennifer explains, “We were in the golf cart driving through the lot to the sound stage and Alanis was boasting over Kevin and how great he was and she felt this energetic connection and stuff. Then Alanis says, “And that was really great of him to explain what was going on the way he did. I understand as I have the same problem.” Jennifer continues, “So I was thinking sarcastically, ‘um okay and well what do you do?’, but I looked over instead to get a good look at the woman and that’s when I realized, ‘oh shit!’. I almost hit a tree. I didn’t recognize her at first!” I said, “I know she was dressed down.”
I then asked, “Did they give her any trouble?” Jennifer said, “Well when we got there, I was walking up to the stage door and two officers moved into blockade it.” I said, “Oh fuck, I should’ve called them.” Jennifer continued, “But then Alanis quickly pulled out the name tag and flashed it and they parted the way for her to enter.” I said, “Okay good.” As it stands, I have every single CD that Alanis has put out to date.
“And I’m here to remind you of the mess you left when you went away.”
Empowerment, inspirational and self-help books by Kevin Hunter
are available in paperback and kindle wherever books are sold.
My Mark Wahlberg story – What He’s Really Like
For those Hollywood fans who love to read or hear about what it’s like working on a movie set or with well known talent. Here’s my Mark Wahlberg story. I haven’t shared any of these stories until recently. This was after discovering how many wanted to know what it’s like or how someone was like. Before I became an author, I started out in the film business. Click here or on the photo to read some of my behind the scenes tidbits on working with Mark Wahlberg on “The Perfect Storm” back in 1999.
Click photo to read some of my behind the scenes tidbits on working with Mark Wahlberg on “The Perfect Storm” back in 1999.
Empowerment, inspirational and self-help books by Kevin Hunter
are available in paperback and kindle wherever books are sold.
The content in the books, “Warrior of Light” and “Empowering Spirit Wisdom” is
available in the Warrior of Light series of mini-books:
I first met George Clooney when Michelle Pfeiffer hired him for her film, “One Fine Day”
I first met George Clooney when (my friend and former boss), Michelle (Pfeiffer) hired him for her film “One Fine Day” back in 1996. She is serious and disciplined on the set, while George would come steamrolling in with practical jokes and disrupting everything into a childlike-fun frenzy.
Three years later I worked with George again for a year on “The Perfect Storm”. That was when our connection exploded which is inevitable when you’re with someone five days a week for a year. At that point he was an even bigger star in films than the 3 years prior. He only continued to grow into producing and directing territory as well as other activities over the years. He enjoyed his drink after work on occasion. I once asked him, “How is that you can get up at the crack of dawn everyday to come here after drinking into the night?” He threw on his signature charming smile and leaned in and said, “The water hits me and it wakes me up.” During that film shoot, he was assaulted by water all day and that was his drinking cure apparently.
George is an awesome human being. He’s always fun loving, warm and incredibly generous. He’s always checking in with you to make sure you’re doing great. He’s very protective and cares beyond most I’ve encountered.
Here’s an example. Many years ago, George was at a restaurant dining and on his way out he ran into one of his male assistants who works at his company. This male assistant is gay and was on a date with another guy. George chatted the couple up like he does and then continued on his way out leaving the restaurant. When the two guys were finished with their date, they asked for the check. The waiter said the bill was already paid. It was paid by George. This is an example of his giving nature and what it’s like to know him.
“I receive tons of questions on how I got a job in the Entertainment business and stayed there. There are a couple of chapters in my book, “Reaching for the Warrior Within” that touches on my trek in the Entertainment Industry and how I got in at that early age of 23.”
Learn how to connect with your own Spirit team in Heaven by fine tuning your body and soul.
All books are available in paperback and kindle wherever books are sold.
“Warrior of Light: Messages from my Guides and Angels” –
Paperback. Kindle.
“Empowering Spirit Wisdom: A Warrior of Light’s Guide on Love, Career and the Spirit World“ Paperback. Kindle.
The content in the “Warrior of Light” and “Empowering Spirit Wisdom” is available in the Warrior of Light series of mini-books:
Kevin Hunter 