Every year, Vanity Fair magazine commissions a Hollywood issue. It’s always glossy, knee deep in celebrity faces and shot by the best photographers in the business. This year, it’s the renowned Bruce Weber who does the honours in his definitive tribute to the town.
Editor Graydon Carter wanted to do something different for the 19th cover, and so brought in Weber to film and shoot his ‘Adventures in Hollywood’. More than 75 different stars were photographed for the issue, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Amy Adams, Liam Hemsworth, Selena Gomez, Jonah Hill……(the list goes on.)
It’s Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone who make the cover, which sees the two men flank Emma’s blonde impish charm whilst Affleck hugs a bears head and Cooper sits in a gorilla costume. Expanding into an additional three pages, the other stars to make the cover gatefold include the delicious Eddie Redmayne, Kerry Washington and Olivia Wilde.
The theme of the shoot showcases Weber’s ‘wild’ wit, with scenes featuring tiger cubs, cheerleaders with Tai the elephant, Redmayne dancing with bears and Alicia Vikander, Olivia Munn and Alessandra Ambrosia shimmying at a pool party at the Paramour Mansion.
Weber convened the shoots at various historic Hollywood locations—including back lots, soundstages, the Beverly Hills Hotel, Musso & Frank Grill and the old Marion Davies estate. He even shipped selected LPs and a portable record player to provide the right musical accompaniment for the assorted cast of Hollywood characters.
Having spent decades shooting and watching the movie business, Weber manages to bring out the intimacy to these images that shows that Hollywood isn’t just about glamour. This year’s portfolio is a celebration of the friendships that thrive among the people who call it home.
Images courtesy of Vanity Fair’s March 2013 issue. Out on all good newstands now.
LMNH x
