Greetings everyone! Thanks for checking out my blog “The Outsiders Guide to the Inside of Hollywood”. Today’s blog is dedicated to one of my favorite actresses Jennifer Lawrence, who turned 35 today. My history with Jen was short but definitely sweet.

My first time seeing Jlaw was in Debra Granik’s 2010 film “Winters Bone”. The film tells the story of a poverty-stricken teenage girl named Ree Dolly in the rural Ozarks of Missouri who is trying to find her missing father. Jen earned several awards and nominations for their performances including, for Best Actress Lawrence’s breakthrough role as Ree Dolly in this movie also earned her several Best Breakthrough Performance awards. At the 68th Golden Globe Awards ceremony, Winter’s Bone earned one nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. It received four nominations—including Best Actress—at the 83rd Academy Awards, but failed to win. The 20 year old, was the second-youngest person ever nominated for Best Actress by the academy at that time. Her performance was near perfect. It was easy to see that she would go on to do amazing work.

The next film I saw of hers, was one of my favorite independent films of 2011. Jennifer co stared in “Like Crazy” directed by Drake Doremus starring Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence. Her next 2 film would change her life forever. First she put on Jennifer Lawrence starred as Mystique in the film X-Men: First Class, which premiered on May 25, 2011.

After that was the movie that made her a mega star, “The Hunger Games” is a film encompassing a series of science fiction dystopian adventure films based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. In a future North America called Panem, the wealthy Capitol controls 12 districts. As punishment for a past rebellion, each district must send two teenage “tributes” to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. The first movie follows Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers to take her younger sister Primrose’s place as a tribute from District 12. She is forced to compete alongside Peeta Mellark, another tribute from District 12. She would go on and film 3 more films in the saga.

My favorite Jennifer Lawrence, film is the one that won her an Oscar.  “Silver Linings Playbook”, received numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. She won the Best Actress Oscar for “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) She also won Golden Globes for American Hustle and Joy.

28th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival

My first time photographing Jennifer, was at the 28th Annual Santa Barbara International Festival. Jennifer was being honored for her work in  “Silver Linings Playbook”.Jennifer arrived wearing  a Stella McCartney blue jumpsuit. She immediately headed for her fans who were waiting for a couple hours for the chance to get an autograph and picture of the Oscar nominated actress. She walked quickly down the carpet after spending more time with videographers. She looked absolutely stunning and it was worth the trip just to see her.

After the carpet we headed into the Arlington theatre once again. Like the other nights Jennifer, sat just a few feet away from me. She was sitting with some girl friends and in front of the award presenter her director in “Silver Linings Playbook” David O. Russell. The festival’s executive director Roger Durling, introduced her described her work as “filled with electric energy and vitality,”. He then called her a star is doing her a disservice. She’s a supernova!”. Unfortunately for Roger he was also the moderator. In one of the most embracing and painful things I’ve seen Roger spoke about Jennifer getting her start in theatre. A shocked actress, told him she never did theatre. At this point the interview felt like a uncomfortable blind date. Roger looked embraced and there was a weird feeling for the rest of the interview. Jennifer did talk about how she never imagined this kind of life. She had pictured herself as a Soccer Mom. The actress admitted that she never prepares herself before filming. She doesn’t read her lines in advance or familiarize herself with shooting schedules. She also shared her  stage fight and feeling uncomfortable on the Red carpet and in interviews.

After the interview was over David O. Russell her director in “Silver Linings Playbook” gave a speech and presented her with the award. This also didn’t go smoothly. I’m guessing that no one told her that she was supose to give an aceptance speech. After getting the award she seemed confused where to go or what to do. She “Thank you Santa Barbara!” and rushed off the stage.

© Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography

© Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

My next time photographing Jen, was one my favorite premieres I ever covered. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, released in 2014, directed by Francis Lawrence. It is the third installment in The Hunger Games film series and the first of a two-part adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel, Mockingjay. The story ended the Saga and closed a chapter in the career of Jennifer. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” carpet was at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 17, 2014, in Los Angeles. All the stars from the film walked the carpet.

© Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography

On October 19, 2019, Jennifer married Cooke Maroney, in a private ceremony in Rhode Island The couple had been dating since May 2018, got engaged in February 2019, and have two children, a son named Cy born in February 2022 and another child born in March 2025. After taking some time off she returned to the big screen in in two 2021 movies: “Don’t Look Up,” a satirical disaster film, and “Causeway, a drama about a soldier returning home from war”. She then did what I think will be a cult classic “No Hard Feelings” for Nexflix where she appeared naked in a hilarious scene.

Jennifer Lawrence has several upcoming projects, most notably the psychological drama “Die My Love” where she plays a new mother struggling with postpartum depression. She is also set to star in and produce “The Wives,” a film in pre-production. Additionally, she will star in a currently untitled biopic about talent agent Sue Mengers.

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