Jean was sitting out on a sidewalk on Pico with her German friend, Marlis, when I met her. I love supporting neighborhood stores so I agreed with her advice that "it's the little guys what [sic] need ya" - though as the landlord I wonder if Ralph's (a big grocery chain) made her a big enough offer if she'd still be singing that tune. Maybe I'm just giving her a hard time since she gave me one when I told her I was looking for advice. Seeing me outside in the middle of a day on a Thursday, she asked, "Why aren't you working?" A valid question. Why aren't I working? But in my defense, I was taking my "little brother" out to lunch. Volunteer work is still work, right?
Her husband, Harry died 11 years ago and the two of them probably owned that building for at least 30-40 years. I interviewed her friend, Marlis, as well but instead of offering advice she went on a slightly erratic, very difficult to follow, rant about sleazy landlords and the old generation. What I did gather from the interview is that Marlis is married to Morry, who now stays at home most days. Although not really advice it wouldn't be fair of me to withhold such gems as, "Morry shtupped every married broad in this area." So, enjoy the added bonus footage.
Since I'm editing with the really simple software that came with the Flip camera, it doesn't always cut together so well. The first line of Jean's gets cut out. She asks me, "What are you taking my picture for?" I tried to fix it but it's taking up way too much time. And, shouldn't you people be reading some of this, anyway?
Jean's Advice:
Marlis tells us about her husband, Morry:
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
UrbanDaddy.com
It's a really great feeling to find that people are loving the work you do. I've been getting really nice emails, as well as mentions in blogs and websites. Apparently a lot of girls I know get daily emails from urbandaddy.com, as quite a few forwarded me this article from them. So... thanks UrbanDaddy.
Old School
Why, When They Were Your Age...
There comes a time in every life when you need a little wisdom from somebody who's been there.
And when you have time to get it over an afternoon of chess with your grandfather, great, but in a pinch…you just need it now, and you need it online.
Thankfully, you can now turn to a quaintly revolutionary new LA-based website called, simply, Life Advice From Old People.
The site was created by a roving Fairfax District reporter by the name of Seth Menachem, who turns on his camera whenever he crosses paths with a sage elder who doesn't mind sharing a bit of wisdom with him—and with you—even if it means missing Matlock.
In the parking lot of Whole Foods, he chats up an old Russian mathematician, who's happy to talk about the statistical probability of happiness.
At a backyard barbecue, he gleans pointers from a former Dating Game exec who met his wife in the contestant pool. (Well played, sir. Well played indeed.)
And in Jon Voight's car, he finds Jon Voight—who pontificates upon charity, traffic lights and, most important, how to do battle with a seriously pissed-off Transformer.
Well, okay, maybe not that last one.
Read more: http://www.urbandaddy.com/la/leisure/6498/Life_Advice_From_Old_People_Why_When_They_Were_Your_Age_Los_Angeles_LA_Website
Old School
Why, When They Were Your Age...
There comes a time in every life when you need a little wisdom from somebody who's been there.
And when you have time to get it over an afternoon of chess with your grandfather, great, but in a pinch…you just need it now, and you need it online.
Thankfully, you can now turn to a quaintly revolutionary new LA-based website called, simply, Life Advice From Old People.
The site was created by a roving Fairfax District reporter by the name of Seth Menachem, who turns on his camera whenever he crosses paths with a sage elder who doesn't mind sharing a bit of wisdom with him—and with you—even if it means missing Matlock.
In the parking lot of Whole Foods, he chats up an old Russian mathematician, who's happy to talk about the statistical probability of happiness.
At a backyard barbecue, he gleans pointers from a former Dating Game exec who met his wife in the contestant pool. (Well played, sir. Well played indeed.)
And in Jon Voight's car, he finds Jon Voight—who pontificates upon charity, traffic lights and, most important, how to do battle with a seriously pissed-off Transformer.
Well, okay, maybe not that last one.
Read more: http://www.urbandaddy.com/la/leisure/6498/Life_Advice_From_Old_People_Why_When_They_Were_Your_Age_Los_Angeles_LA_Website
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
CBS News
I was contacted by CBS News in LA as they wanted to do a story on the blog. I was excited that they love what I'm doing and my only reservation was that I might come off a bit dorky - like a lonely man who films old people to fill the void in his life. I'm not lonely - I'm just filling the void. Randy Paige was the reporter - a guy who seemed to sincerely like what I was doing with the blog. A friend pulled the video from the CBS site so I could put it on the blog but it's out of sync. I'll post it here anyway, along with a link to see the in sync one on their site.
With Randy Paige:
In the CBS News van:
The link to the video on the CBS Site: (click HERE).
With Randy Paige:
In the CBS News van:
The link to the video on the CBS Site: (click HERE).
Monday, August 17, 2009
The TV Director
It's typical for me that one of my most horribly shot and lit interviews should be of a guy who has won 5 Daytime Emmys (three for directing). Barry and his wife have been good friends of my wife's parents for 35 years. The son of an Indiana junkyard owner, his father's business became very successful during WWII because of the need for metals. But Barry wasn't interested in the junk business. Or at least not that kind of junk. He had his eye on entertainment and so he moved out West.
Although Barry says he missed out on directing movies, he knows TV directing has been very good to him and his family. He met his wife while producing The Dating Game where she was a contestant. They fell in love and had a daughter, now a successful theatrical agent. He's directed American Bandstand, New Years Rockin' Eve, Sunday Morning Shootout, and a ton of talk shows (The Wayne Brady Show, The Tony Danza Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, etc.) He still directs the Chabad Telethon - a fundraiser for a Hasidic Jewish sect which uses the money to help their charities - as well as red carpet specials for the American Music Awards and the Golden Globes.
Although directing reality TV may have put him in a figurative and literal box, it has afforded him the luxury to be able to retire whenever he'd like (he wouldn't like) and to be able to fund his own independent film if he ever chooses to direct one. I get the feeling he'd rather just kvetch about it.
Barry Glazer, TV Director.
Although Barry says he missed out on directing movies, he knows TV directing has been very good to him and his family. He met his wife while producing The Dating Game where she was a contestant. They fell in love and had a daughter, now a successful theatrical agent. He's directed American Bandstand, New Years Rockin' Eve, Sunday Morning Shootout, and a ton of talk shows (The Wayne Brady Show, The Tony Danza Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, etc.) He still directs the Chabad Telethon - a fundraiser for a Hasidic Jewish sect which uses the money to help their charities - as well as red carpet specials for the American Music Awards and the Golden Globes.
Although directing reality TV may have put him in a figurative and literal box, it has afforded him the luxury to be able to retire whenever he'd like (he wouldn't like) and to be able to fund his own independent film if he ever chooses to direct one. I get the feeling he'd rather just kvetch about it.
Barry Glazer, TV Director.
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