I was Wrong About Laptop Hunter Sheila

She is an artist, and, on second consideration, Sheila certainly does look like a filmmaker.

Sheila Dvorak is star of Microsoft’s newest “Laptop Hunters” commercial, which is currently airing during U.S. prime time. I saw the ad last night, I believe during Fox’s “Fringe,” which I had previously recorded.

On Monday, I asked: “Did Laptop Hunter Sheila Find Treasure?” I also asserted that first Laptop Hunter Lauren fit more the part of artist than Sheila.

She wrote in comments: “You don’t have to look like an artist to be an artist. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2307936/” Well, there she is—on IMDB. Sheila looks every bit the filmmaker. She was associate producer for “Children of Invention” and directed short film “Vacation Bible Lemonade.” Whoops, it’s not smart to sing rap at vacation Bible camp.

Funny, Sheila’s IMDB popularity is down 11 percent this week. What? Does Hollywood’s Macintosh-obsessed artist social club spurn PC users? Maybe, maybe not. See, Sheila is in good company. Steven Spielberg is down 7 percent, Quentin Tarantino is down 22 percent and Loveleen Tandan, co-director of 2008 Best Picture “Slumdog Millionaire,” is down 9 percent. JJ Abrams is up 56%, but, d`oh. “Star Trek” opens today. By the way, Vacation Bible Lemonade popularity is up 13 percent.

I asked back in comments how Sheila liked her new laptop, the HP HDX 16t. In the commercial, Sheila picks the HP over a Mac and several Windows laptops, including a Toshiba model. I really wasn’t expecting a reply. But she did, correcting me again:

So far, so good. I have been able to work on my new screenplay in Final Draft, and I’m editing a video project using Adobe Premiere Elements. When I’ve finished a cut and it’s available online, your blog will be the first to know.

I had faulted the commercial for completely ignoring software as buying consideration, especially for a filmmaker. Hardware was the focus. I also questioned whether an entertainment laptop would be right fit for a filmmaker. Sheila has corrected me. Thanks, Sheila. I look forward to learning about that “finished cut.”

Full-length Vacation Bible Lemonade is available from IMDB. It’s clever. “Jesus Bo Beep, listen to me,” little Lucia sings. I love films that contrast cultures and lifestyles. Classic, from the camp administrator” “We’re trying to save souls here, not run a day care.”