. . . As Does Dream Project About a Homeless Woman

Lars Eighner’s movie isn’t the only one focusing on a homeless protagonist. Angela de Joseph, a Los Angeles City College film student and former TV fashion reporter, has made a 20-minute film about a homeless woman who finds a beauty make-over coupon in the garbage, and she’s garnered the attention of Oprah Winfrey, producer Kathleen Kennedy and KCET-TV.

Titled “It’s in the Bag,” the film is De Joseph’s ‘90s twist on being down and out in Beverly Hills, which she hopes to screen at the Directors Guild next month. “It’s in the Bag” focuses on a homeless woman who tries to redeem a coupon at a ritzy Beverly Hills salon. She and those around her are transformed spiritually--and, in her case, physically.

“I wanted to make a film about women, using women, because I think women are some of the most underappreciated talent in Hollywood,” De Joseph says.

After stints as an editor (at Essence) and in public relations in Chicago, De Joseph became a reporter on KABC-TV’s “AM Los Angeles.” The show’s beauty make-overs gave her the idea.

With only $7,000 of her own to work with, De Joseph turned to groups like Cinewomen for help. “I was looking for volunteers, people to work for free, honestly,” she says. But the pros who volunteered were used to the best equipment, and she had to come up with enough money to accommodate three days of shooting.

De Joseph was undaunted and finally approached both Winfrey and Kennedy for help after unanticipated costs surfaced. Both women confirmed their contributions, but declined to disclose the amount.

The film stars Iona Morris of ABC’s “Where I Live” and CBS’ “As the World Turns.”

De Joseph and Shirley Gibson, who runs the Good Shepherd shelter in Silver Lake, are the focus of a KCET documentary, “Making Lives Over,” airing Feb. 23, in which beauty make-overs are done on women at the shelter.