INSIDE SCOOP

-- Compiled by Daily Pilot staff

It looked like the film was burning at the opening night of the Newport

Beach Film Festival. The festival trailer, which ran before “Sunset

Boulevard” started. It featured computer animation, which simulated the

look of the film getting caught in the projector and melting.

The effect was extremely realistic -- so much so that Paramount Studios

legend A.C. Lyles, who had obtained an immaculate new print of “Sunset

Boulevard” especially for the festival, made a beeline for the projection

booth.

Lyles wanted to replace the projectionist before his own precious print

went up in “smoke.”

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

Things must be quiet at Costa Mesa City Hall.

On Friday, the Daily Pilot received a manila envelope from the Office of

the City Council -- the kind, which is normally stuffed with

announcements for upcoming events and meetings.

This time it was completely empty.

TOP BANANA: THE SEQUEL

Costa Mesa resident Michael Curran thought he had it good back at the

opening ceremonies for the Newport Beach Film Festival. Clad in a

body-sized banana costume as part of his job advertising Jamba Juice,

Curran was the center of attention.

But such small-time fame paled compared to his glory at the festival’s

closing ceremonies. When the award presenters asked for the envelope of

winning films, the top banana once again captured the spotlight. Curran

brought the envelope up to the stage in his banana suit, smiling happily.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

A series of parenting workshops dealing with conflict resolution were

scheduled to begin at Newport Harbor High School last week.

But up until the night before, the workshops’ organizers could not agree

on who would be conducting the seminars or if they should be canceled

altogether.