Let’s face it, this winter sucked…plain and simple. Brutal weather, miserable commutes, and lest we forget another ‘Storm of the Century’. It’s enough to make a fella abscond with his 5-year old to greener (and sunnier) pastures. As a matter of fact, it was exactly enough. So with my NY stint for ‘Deadbeat’ recently wrapped, I took advantage of the timing and set off for Phillies’ Spring Training with my little man. Carpe diem, right. As it turned out, it wasn’t any harder for Chase & I to trade the frozen tundra of the Northeast Corridor for the sunlit palms of Clearwater than it was for the Fightin’s to trade J-Ro11 to the Dodgers! Not that I’m totally on board with the latter decision, mind you.
Energized by the high-temps and crystal clear conditions, we took in the pre-season opener at Brighthouse Field against the dreaded Bomber’s from the Bronx. And even though the game ended in a tie, which is allowable in Grapefruit League play, we still enjoyed front row seats behind home plate, fed our faces with hot dogs and pretzels (as any self respecting fans should), and finally departed late in the day, armed with plenty of spring-themed souvenirs for our favorite girls back home.
Now having finally taken the trip myself, I’d encourage any fellow baseball enthusiasts out there, whether parent or perpetual bachelor, to make the trek at some point if possible. They say that there’s nothing as inspiring as spring baseball, and it’s true. But unfortunately, it’s the October baseball that will be depressing for Phillies phans this season. Nevertheless, we’ll all still dare to dream, and come playoff time it will be up to the finicky baseball gods to dictate the fate of the mighty Fightin’s!
And because this getaway has me reminiscing already, here’s a quick throwback ad for the Phillies Majestic Clubhouse Store, shot in 2010. It features a mini version of Chase, as well as several friends and family cameos, all of whom were happy to lend a hand…for the free Phillies swag, of course. I managed and coordinated the spot, with Sue Redmond @ Rubberband Producing. Watching it still brings back a wave of nostalgia…and little man still has the Chase Utley blanket. We ‘share’ it, of course.
So at least once annually, when life affords me that much needed holiday sponsored hibernation, I make damn sure to treat myself to a solid dose of ‘Scrooged’. Joining the elite ranks of cult Yuletide classics like ‘Elf’ and ‘Christmas Vacation’, ‘Scrooged’ is far and away the most irreverent reinvention of the original Dickens narrative.
This year’s respite was no exception, witnessing a healthy portion ‘Murray-ment’. So now, as I venture back out in to the great unknown that is 2015, at least I’ll have the sardonic wit and sensibilities of Frank Cross fresh in mind. Caveat collegae…
It’s been one heck of a crazy year, and one which maintained a rather frenetic pace. As 2013 winds down, I’m looking forward to nothing more than a recuperative stint in a pop-culture induced vegetative state. OK, maybe with a sprinkle of 2014 strategizing thrown in for good measure.
And no holiday sponsored vegging would ever be complete without a hefty dose of beef, & cheese…and ‘Elf’. Since released, this instant classic has become a staple in any self-respecting household, and has no doubt carved out a perpetual place on anyone’s ‘Best of’ holiday films list.
Having personally worked with Will Ferrell many years ago, as a (literally and metaphorically) hungry production assistant on the set of SNL, I can attest first hand that the man is a comedic genius. He might suffer from multiple personality disorder, and sure he wreaks vicarious havoc by keeping the crew in a constant state of hysterics, but the man is a consummate professional…and hands down one of my all time favorites both on screen and off.
So this holiday season, I encourage you to grab a 2-liter of Coke, a bottle of syrup, and unwind with a good ol’ fashioned Buddy the Elf singalong. Your ‘throne’ awaits, so go elf yourself…make ‘Elf’ your new favorite!
OK, so to recap the summer thus far, I’ve basically been hanging out on a 100+ acre farm in the middle of Doylestown, PA, from the 18th-Century. My ‘office’ is a tool shed, that I think was roughly constructed circa 1720, give or take…with WiFi, naturally, though it’s likely that was an add-on along the way. I’ve got a bunch of coworkers just across the gravel driveway, in a farm house that was once the estate of a colonial governor. And my good buddy Crenshaw, Production Designer extraordinaire, is just a stone’s throw away (no pun intended) in his barn down the road. AKA his ‘scenic shop’, of course. If all of this sounds like I’m suffering from heat exhaustion, fear not! While it is indeed mighty hot ’round these here parts, I’m actually on board as the UPM for the supernatural indie ‘Remorse’, currently calling the Penrose Estate in Horsham Twp it’s home…away from home.
The thriller, starring femme fatale Katrina Law (of ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Legend of the Seeker’ fame) and leading lady Lili Bordan (from TV’s ‘Battlestar Galactica’), has been snuggly nestled amongst the fields, flowers, and fowl in this perpetual landmark for its month long stint of principal photography. Director Quinn Saunders, a veteran TV Director, and Film Professor at Cal State, fell in love with the site instantly, and decided it to be the perfect backdrop for this eerie feature film foray. To be honest, I’m not a super fan of being here once the lights go dark, but would be remiss if I didn’t cop to the fact that the place makes a pretty perfect setting for a spooky movie. Bring on the spirits…no, not THOSE spirits, the ones for the wrap party 😉
So with a new year will come a new tradition, and a way to have a little fun at life’s expense. And, if I’m being completely honest, it will serve as a way to make updating this blog feel a little less daunting during those busier times when it’s tougher to make it a priority. After all, I know that the half dozen or so of you out there that stumbled on to this site get antsy when I haven’t updated for a while 😉
At any rate, I’ve always been one to take notice to the little oddities and laughable moments in life, so I thought I’d start to share some of those (woefully random, admittedly) images here. To that end, and to kick off the new year and help wind down the holiday season, here’s one that I stumbled upon while in a mall department store shopping for decorations last month…apparently, this particular store didn’t carry those pesky ‘blubs’! Hmmmmmm…….
It’s just about this time each year that I grow a tad nostalgic, with Halloween just around the corner, as I recall with fond memory the horror film ‘Of Darkness’ that I produced with my brother back in 2006. The film was met with admirable success during its festival tour, screening at horror-con fav’s like the NYC Horror Film Festival and H.P. Lovecraft Festival, and later went on to secure distribution through FEARnet. I love a good horror flick anyway, so to have been a part of creating something that has endured in cult horror circles is great.
The film can be purchased on amazon, and is also available for instant download for just a few measly bucks. But if you really want to immerse yourself into full-on ‘Darkness’, plunk down the cash for the DVD, and enjoy a bevy of goodies; like the far-too-serious behind the scenes snippet that I cut together. Fond memories…
In honor of Irish-induced celebratory efforts this month, here’s a short list of witticisms courtesy of the Coen Brother’s penned “Miller Crossing” protagonist Tom Reagan…played by the Irish Isle’s very own Gabriel Byrne in one of my favorite roles of his:
“Tell Leo he’s not God on the throne, he’s just a cheap political boss with more hair tonic than brains.”
“All in all not a bad guy – if looks, brains, and personality don’t count.”
“If I’d known we were gonna cast our feelings into words, Id’ve memorized the Song of Solomon.”
“Sister, when I’ve raised hell, you’ll know it!”
“Is there a point…or are you just brushin’ up on your small talk?”
“You don’t hold elected office in this town. You run it because people think you do. They stop thinking it you stop running it.”
“My chin’s hanging out right next to yours. I’d worry a lot less if I thought you were worrying enough.”
“You can’t hijack me, Tic-tac, we’re on the same side now. Or didn’t you get that far in school?”
‘Let me have your attention for a moment! So you’re talking about what? You’re talking about…bitching about that sale you shot, some son of a bitch that doesn’t want to buy, somebody that doesn’t want what you’re selling, some broad you’re trying to screw and so forth. Let’s talk about something important. I’m here from downtown. I’m here from Mitch and Murray. And I’m here on a mission of mercy.
The good news is — you’re fired. The bad news is you’ve got, all you got, just one week to regain your jobs, starting tonight. Starting with tonights sit. Oh, have I got your attention now? Good. ‘Cause we’re adding a little something to this months sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anyone want to see second prize? Second prize’s a set of steak knives. Third prize is you’re fired. You get the picture? You’re laughing now? You got leads. Mitch and Murray paid good money. Get their names to sell them! You can’t close the leads you’re given, you can’t close s#@!, you ARE s#@!, hit the bricks pal and beat it ’cause you are going out! Only one thing counts in this life! Get them to sign on the line which is dotted!
A-B-C. A-always, B-be, C-closing. Always be closing! Always…be closing!! A-I-D-A. Attention, interest, decision, action. Attention — do I have your attention? Interest — are you interested? I know you are because it’s f#!@ or walk. You close or you hit the bricks! Decision — have you made your decision for Christ?!! And action. A-I-D-A; get out there!! You got the prospects comin’ in; you think they came in to get out of the rain? Guy doesn’t walk on the lot unless he wants to buy. Sitting out there waiting to give you their money! Are you gonna take it? Are you man enough to take it?
You don’t like it — leave. I can go out there tonight with the materials you got, make myself fifteen thousand dollars! Tonight! In two hours! Can you? Can you? Go and do likewise! A-I-D-A!! Get mad! You sons of bitches! Get mad!! You know what it takes to sell real estate? It takes brass balls to sell real estate. Go and do likewise, gents. The money’s out there, you pick it up, it’s yours. You don’t–I have no sympathy for you. You wanna go out on those sits tonight and close, close, it’s yours. If not you’re going to be shining my shoes.’ – Blake, “Glengarry Glen Ross”; 1992
It seems like each and every year we’re inundated with holiday centric films for a plethora of seasons. Halloween and Christmas are two of the most notable by far, but for some reason there’s typically little by way of cinematic celebrations in honor of Thanksgiving! While we’ve got a pigskin classic or two, and the fanfare that goes along with the Macy’s T-Day Parade extravaganza, there are seldom films released that set the specific likes of ‘Turkey Day’ in their crosshairs. With that in mind, it’s worth celebrating two classics that have stood the test of time.
“Home For The Holidays”; (1995) – With fun performances from Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr, this comedic examination of family hits ‘home’ on a variety of cords. Relatable to anyone who’s ever dreaded a visit with relatives, this film is worthy of an annual review in honor of an under-rated holiday. Notable support from the likes of Dylan McDermott & Claire Danes help round out the effort.
“Pieces of April”; (2003) – On the opposite end of the budgetary spectrum (from the studio-driven ‘Holidays’), this indie darling stars Katie Holmes in one of her best roles. In a pre-Mrs. Tom Cruise effort, Holmes delivers a cutting performance as a 20-something New Yorker hell bent on hosting a self-sustained Thanksgiving for her dysfunctional family. A tad darker than the aforementioned “Home for the Holidays”, ‘Pieces’ still delivers a brutally honest homage to this under-appreciated holiday.
“I don’t want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don’t want to do that.” – Lloyd Dobler, “Say Anything”; 1989
"Paul is the gold standard for producers. No task is too tough, no deadline impossible. Every time I've hired him, the job has been done right - on time, and on budget!"
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Ray Carballada CEO, AmpiFLY
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"I needed someone I could trust to run a large job for my company, while I was out of the country. If not for Paul, I wouldn't have been able to handle the job...simple as that. He made me look good, and I know I can trust him with my clients, and my reputation."
Mark Gambol Owner, MG Pictures
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I've served as Production Counsel on several pictures with Paul, and have always found him to be exceptionally hard-working and professional. He is a diligent problem-solver, detail oriented, and has a tremendous work ethic.
