are most likely those who create the movies...
those who write the stories...
those who direct the actors and actresses...
and place the cameras, lighting and design the sets...
The Auteurs, The Authors of Movies are my Movie Stars
Although I couldn’t argue having a quiet romantic evening with
Katherine Ross, Sean Young, or even Daryl Hannah’s characters
Perhaps like when I was choosing a college to attend,
I hadn't yet decided on my "chosen" profession or
skill involved in making movies
I haven't even been actively pursuing a career in
the movies after a few times as a Camera Assistant, an Electric
and a Film Grip. Although a friend's ex-girlfriend
came to visit in NYC this past Xmas, she works for
FOX Films out in Los Angeles and we've somehow stayed
in touch over the years. But I hate Los Angeles.
Love NYC. Was out seeing some friends play with their
band at a club last year, and afterwards a young couple
approached me asking about my degree at UT since they
also had gotten degrees with the same Film department.
The young lady asked me what was my favorite class,
and as soon as I mentioned the class titled "The American Dream",
we all raised our arms and talked about how great that class and
professor Ramirez was.
The fact that I have these
photos and notes on links at the bottom of my emails,
and have been recontacted by people with similar
interests brings back a lot of youthful memories.
I do remember another professor telling our class of Narrative
Strategies that to be a filmmaker, one should practice the art of
writing. And to write, write, write, write, and write.
I understood, but I've never taken that to heart fully.
I did write a short screenplay for a short story from a
science-fiction magazine that I was intrigued by when in school.
That was fun, a lot of work, I never did anything with it but had
sent it to the friend's ex out in L.A. several years ago
when I first heard she was working for a major Film company.
Sunday night watched "Homeland Security" on
regular broadcast. I was skeptical, but stuck with
it after it started, since it looked well-produced, well-acted,
adventurous, and because it was a true storyline that touched
everyone, especially those of us in NYC. Was the first time
I felt I could sit and watch a drama on the subject of that
time from a somewhat objective view.
I was hooked into it and am today glad I took the chance
at watching the made for TV drama based on real lifeevents.
Additional notes I remember:
Farah Fawcett was rumoredly also an alumnus of U. of Texas
Richard Linklater also a U.Texas alum who worked on an oil rig
in the Gulf of Mexico to make money to finanace
his debut filmmaking career with "Slacker"
(and the money apparently is good for guys who go
down to help with the rigs)
In NYC I worked at S.I.R. Studios providing backline musical
gear and P.A. equipment for numerous broadcast shows in NYC.
David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Saturday Night Live, the Grammy
Awards at Radio City Music Hall, etc...
I briefly met the singer Bjork
once backstage at Saturday Night Live eating snacks at the
guest's buffet. We didn't talk, but she smiled really
thankfully when I let her cut in front of me.
Another legendary Movie Star, I rode in a loading dock elevator
with Joe Pesci while I was delivering a keyboard up to Elton
John's hotel suite in Manhattan. Mr. Pesci and I were riding
up above the tenth floor, but we first were stopped by another
resident at the first floor. The new resident had been out
jogging, was out of breath and sweaty, and rides up only one
more floor. As soon as the elevator doors closed - so Mr. Pesci,
his party of people and myself could continue up to our intended
destinations higher up - out of Mr. Pesci's mouth blurts a comment
about the excercising passenger who interrupted our ride for one
measly floor. I wanted to bust out laughing, but kept a sense
of my own decorum. Inside my mind I was thinking how cool
that was to hear Joe Pesci speak of words and a tone that only
he is known for, at least in the cinematic world. Made my year.
