Brian Cox and McCoy Tyner Shoots

In the past few days here in NYC, we’ve recorded Brian Cox, McCoy Tyner and Francisco Mela for Old School New School, our inspirational study on creativity and how young people can reach their full creative potential.

Brian proved a true delight, a gracious host, and was so animated and electric when he spoke I’ve no doubt his appearance in the movie will be a highlight.

With McCoy I’ve never laughed so much during a recorded conversation. He displays such a lively spirit, even though in his 70s, the child within him is still alive and vibrant. He’s such a playful, fun-loving soul.

Francisco was generous with his thoughts and equally as lively as McCoy. It’s going to be fun to edit these conversations.

A journalist joined us on the shoots as he is filing a feature story for City Paper and Urbanite. He observed the shoots, made a lot of notes, and at the end of the day we spent an hour in a nearby cafe interviewing about the movie over coffee. More details to come.

Many thanks to DP Chris Cassidy and videographer Fred Weil for capturing these three remarkable storytellers, and for giving as much as they did to make the shoot a terrific experience.

L-R: Fred Weil, Steven Fischer, Brian Cox, Chris Cassidy shooting Old School New School, New York City, June 2010.

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William Fraker

A friend of mine in Los Angeles just sent some somber news. William Fraker has passed away.

Mr. Fraker was the gifted cinematographer who shot Rosemary’s Baby, Bullitt, War Games, The Freshman and so many more.

I had the pleasure the pleasure of meeting and working with him a couple years ago. He appears in Old School New School and his appearance has repeatedly been a crowd pleaser at screenings. He was a gracious and pleasant and giving man, energized by life and had a smile that was infectious. My memories of our time together and our phone chats long after shooting will stay with me a very long time.

One of the earliest pictures I ever saw in theater was The Legend of the Lone Ranger. Fraker directed it and Christopher Lloyd appears as the nemesis. The movie had a profound affect on me and a life long fascination with the American West and, believe it or not, Native American culture. The movie also features one of the most remarkable stunts ever captured on camera. Going from memory here…. I think it was a scene in which a stagecoach is being robbed by bandits charging it on horseback. One rider jumps onto the four or six horses pulling the stage but then falls to the ground among their hooves. The stuntman, playing the bandit, basically lays on his back while the horses and stage continue riding over him at full speed.

At any rate, it was an incredible stunt.

You can see a clip from Mr. Fraker’s appearance in OSNS here.

Thank you for everything, Mr. Fraker.
~Steven

Steven Fischer with William Fraker shooting on location in Hollywood in 2008.