OSNS on L.A. Talk Radio

From the folks at L.A. Talk Radio:

Welcome to the latest edition of Don’t Get Left In The Dust

“Finding Your Voice, Security vs Risk, and Success In The Arts” are the 3 central themes of the 2 two-time Emmy Award nominee Steven Fischer’s new documentary. Don’t Get Left In The Dust” spotlights “Old School, New School.” “The film explores the nature of creativity and features a range of artistic heavyweights including actor Brian Cox, jazz legend McCoy Tyner and six-time Oscar nominated cinematographer William Fraker.” If your life is in transition and you are still asking the question “what is my mission,” creativity is an important element to tap into to find that answer. Listen to this great discussion with Steven on the importance of finding value in your life and your art. Click here. DON’T MISS IT!!!!

Allen Moore Next Subject in Old School New School

Cinematographer Allen Moore is set to appear in Old School New School. Allen is one of Ken Burns’ cinematographers. His gorgeous photography can be seen on such Burns classic as The Civil War,The Congress, Baseball, and National Parks.

Allen’s independent documentaries are highly engaging. They include: The Shepherds of Berneray; Food On Hand and Black Water.

Steven Fischer on Real Talk Radio

So I’m driving along the highway yesterday afternoon preparing for Los Angeles, making my calls to “the coast” (or as Michael Dorsey would argue to his agent, “This is a coast too, George. New York is a coast.”), when I place a call to media mogulette Gigi Iam. Gigi is the producer and host of The Gigi Iam Show for Time Warner cable. I’ve appeared on her show about two or three times promoting various projects. She has always been a wonderful supporter.

She has a radio version of the show, and as we talked on the phone Gigi mentioned that I should come on sometime and chat about Old School, New School. Great! Then she said, “How about tonight?”

Well, what started out as, “just call in and we’ll just chat for a couple minutes” ended up going half an hour! Take a Listen.

Thanks, Gigi!

P.S.: The beautiful music that opens is a piece from Michael Zampi from his album The Appalachian Trail Reflections of Beauty.

Ben Jones Shoot

Shot the Ben Jones conversation yesterday at Ben’s home. Went really well. Many of us know Ben as the beloved, if not crazy, Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985). But Ben’s life includes so much more. He is a former congressman, representing Georgia for two terms in the late 80s, early 90s. He’s a published author and musician, and an all around down-to-earth, fun-loving, sweet natured guy. His wit and candor made for great video. Editing his footage into the doc will be a lot of fun!

The crew was lead by Director of Photography Phil Rosensteel and camera operator Jack Reybold. Gregg Landry from BlueRock Productions shot documentary footage of the day. 

Once again I send a big THANK YOU to he wonderful Wendy Revel for making this introduction. Ben was truly generous with his time, giving more than any of us ever expected. Ben truly gave of himself and spent quite a bit of time after the shoot hanging out  and having fun!

 

(L-R) DP Phil Rosensteel, Ben Jones, Steven Fischer, Jack Reybold. (photo: Gregg Landry)

Gregg Landry Bought me Dinner.

Tongiht was a guest speaker at the premiere screening of Gregg Landry’s doc on the restoration of The Basillica. Screening took place in the crypt of the Basillica! Cool. It was private and intimate. I spoke about the struggles a storytellers goes though in finding the story whena doc is made on something that unfolds before us in real time, as it happened with Gregg as he followed the action of the restoration over three years. I mentioned how appropriate it was that Gregg got this job making this movie, because all that the Basillica represents Gregg holds dear to his heart and personal values. That made his movie as much a product of love as it was a product of labor.

Funny moment before the screening. I arrived downtown early in hopes of grabbing a quick dinner. Walking along Charles Street I stepped into a restaurant at random and sat at the bar, not even looking at who I was sitting next to. (Is that a bad sentence or what?) A voice called my name. I looked. I’d sat right next to Gregg Landry! He had the same idea, apparently. What a great surprise to see him and a friend of his from the Basillica. He insisted on paying. Far be it from me to turn down a free meal. Thanks, Gregg!

William Fraker again, Crazy Cooter Ben Jones, John Bailey

Talked with Ben Jones today. First time in a long time. He’s over a break from promoting his book “Redneck Boy in the Promise Land, Confessions of Crazy Cooter”. He invited me up to his place Sunday (I need to return his DVD – “The Power of Myth”, Bill Moyer’s interview with Joseph Campbell was such a huge influence on Old SChool, New School. Such an inspiration. 

Got an email from DP John Bailey. He invited me to join him in NYC early next month to continue talking about his participation in Old School, New SChool.

Also about 80 pages into Mike Zampi’s manuscript. (He’s asked me to write the forward. An honor!) It’s a self help book on being positive and using that power to move forward in life, and accomplish your dreams. Read the first 58 pages yesterday. I was flying through it. 

Producing effects heavy educational video at ADG Creative (casting 9 parts), not a lot by most standards, but big enough given the small crew. While doing this I’m also prepping a training video with 12 roles to cast for a tech company.

Watching a bunch of William Fraker’s movies these days. Conversations with these people are not about their careers, and they’re not interviews at all, but I figure it would be good to fine tune my knowledge of their work just the same. Booked my flight to Los Angeles today. But am talking a break to rewatch Louis Malle’s Place de la Republique! Amazing!

Louis Malle rules!

More and More. Agnes is turning into a story directly about finding the perfect lover and less about exploration of fantasies. But she’s so inactive in life and so wrapped up in her own excessive fantasies, how can the story be about true romance?

Louis Malle’s docs are incredible! “Vive Le Tour”, “Humain, Trop Humain”, “Place de la Republique” — a real treat! Humain, Trop Humain is so sad… people working in that factory seem so trapped to me. Place de la Republique is extraordinary! So simple: just hit the street and start interviewing man on the street style, only he did it covertly. Amazing how people, total strangers, open up about the most personal things.

Louis Malle, William Fraker, Los Angeles

A good day. Heard from William Fraker in Los Angeles. He’s happy to appear in Old School, New School! He said my work is “terrific”. Such praise indeed coming from a 6-time Oscar nominee.So now I can narrow my trip to Nov 5 -10. CAlled John Bailey, trying to schedule him for an on-camera conversation as well, plus a WHOLE LOT of meetings with potential supporters. 

Got some more footage of the editors a online.tv that I thought they could use. (a list of early stuff: old interviews, early acting jobs, early directing jobs) 

Much to do to prepare for Los Angeles. Very exciting that the conversaiton with Fraker is happening! Talked also to Ben Jones’ wife. Getting hold of him is near impossible! I’m told he’s still interested in being in Old School, New School. Meanwhile, a proposal for angel investors is with Greg Simmons at UMBC to review. He’s nice enough to look it over and offer suggestions.

These just in: “Vive Le Tour”,  ”Humain, Trop Humain”, “Place de la Republique”  – documentaries by Louis Malle. Can’t wait to dive into them!

Gregg Landry and BlueRock Productions

Gregg Landry at BlueRock Productions called today. He is premiering his documentary on The Basillica next month in Baltimore and asked if I would be a keynote speaker. Of course! How could I deny such a good friend. Gregg’s been working on this movie for three years. It follows the restoration of The Basillica in Baltimore.

Gregg’s been such an important  part of Old School, New School … whether he realizes it or not. Once again, he’s opened up BlueRock to support in production and post production. He’s a great friend.

Romane Bohringer, Felafel, Albert Maysles

Heard from the office of Albert Maysles, the legendary documentary filmmaker. I’d been in touch with them for quite some time now. Apparently, Maysles cannot appear in Old School, New School at this time but is intrigued and wants to keep in touch about it. That’s promising.

Watched “He Died with a Felafel in His Hand”. Quirky Australian movie. Only watched because Romane Bohringer is in it… enjoy her work very much! First saw her in L’Accompagnatrice in the early 1990s. Such magnatism.