New York, NY – March 18, 2010 – Spring. What a wonderful time of transition. I look out the kitchen window into the back yard and the wood on the deck is visible for the first time since Christmas. Well, that may be a slight exaggeration. But it’s nice to see spring really here. My memory is still sharp from when it was 22 degrees and the wind was howling about 60 miles an hour. It’s going to be 70 today.
Shazam!
Inching closer and closer to a permanent withdrawal from Nashville. I still have a few possessions there. I just got approval from Medicare to have an “eye lift” because my vision in my right eye is affected. I could fly down to Nashville and get the surgery done and dispose of things while I’m at it. Or I could get it done here.
I now have a New York State driver’s license. Talked things over with my friend Lizzie last night, longtime young friend of Lois and me. I’m halfway inclined to just walk away from the “stuff”. I did something like that when I was 30 and moved off to Europe for an extended period. I’m not thinking of doing Europe again. But New York City is getting more and more my home.
Oddly, I do not actually sleep in NYC. I’m here across the river in Elizabeth, NJ. And while it extends my day and enables me to walk a couple extra miles each day (to and from the Elizabeth train station), living here with Dixie and Richard is actually quite nice.
Work-wise, I feel closer and closer to success as a commercial actor. That’s where I’m placing my focus. Not photography, although I still shoot a little. Not writing, although I do still write some. But I came here with a three-pronged approach and wasn’t sure which would be “the one”.
I’ve now made the discovery: performing is "the one". I got interviewed by a modeling agency yesterday. They’ll be sending me out on print jobs.
The other day, a fellow actor told me that from an early age, he just wanted to be noticed. And now he’s quite successful from making commercials. His saying that resonated in me in a powerful way: I also like to be noticed. Always have. I started in radio at age 15. And television a couple years later.
His saying that just underscored something in me. It gave me permission to be who I am: a performer. I like being noticed. That personality trait was hard-wired by the Manufacturer.
Quite empowering.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Gotham Glimpses
New York, NY -- March 8, 2010 -- The young woman rushed past me to be first through the revolving door at the entry to our building across from Penn Station. The heels on her shoes clicked quickly and briskly as she walked over to the elevators. I ambled along behind her. We got on the same elevator. We even got off at the same floor. At the same time! Am I missing something? Should I be rushing along to get someplace when I can arrive at the same time if I take my time? Maybe I am doing something wrong? Maybe if I rushed more, I'd be . . . what? Rushed?
* * *
Those earbuds on the man sitting on the train this morning were so loud that I could hear them clearly, even 10 feet away! Even above the din of the New Jersey Transit commuter train! Wonder what he's missing? Is God trying to download a poem to him but the line is busy? When I was a feature reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, I got some of my best story ideas in the morning while I was in the bathroom shaving.
I'm reminded of Neil Postman's book Entertaining Ourselves to Death. Maybe we are.
* * *
Those earbuds on the man sitting on the train this morning were so loud that I could hear them clearly, even 10 feet away! Even above the din of the New Jersey Transit commuter train! Wonder what he's missing? Is God trying to download a poem to him but the line is busy? When I was a feature reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, I got some of my best story ideas in the morning while I was in the bathroom shaving.
I'm reminded of Neil Postman's book Entertaining Ourselves to Death. Maybe we are.
Movie Times
New York, NY -- March 8, 2010 -- Professor Richard Brown at NYU is a world-class movie expert. But I think I know more about marketing.
Pretty presumptuous.
Richard and I go back 20-plus years when I took his class "Movies 101". Unfortunately his wife has taken a dislike to me because of my divorce from Louise. Twenty-five years ago! But I still go to his class. He's a really smart guy and I like him.
This weekend my sister Dixie and I went together to see two screenings: "Green Zone" with Matt Damon, directed by Paul Greengrass, the dynamic team that brought us the "Borne" series. This one is set in the aftermath of the war in Iraq. A chancey subject. Not at all a popular theme. Damon plays an army chief warrant officer whose men risk their lives to check out reported sites of weapons of mass destruction.
But there ain't done. And Damon is ticked!
Greengrass could have pulled it off if he'd offset it with enough action-adventure scenes. And there were plenty. But not enough. The political rhetoric was laid on waaaay too thick.
About midway through, I leaned over to Dixie and said, "This has taken on a political screed." And so it had. But when it wasn't lecturing us, it was pretty entertaining. I am reminded by the late Sam Goldwyn's famous statement, "If you want to send a message, call Western Union." So I boldly (and probably naively) predict a lukewarm box office. And it's a pity because it has a pretty good cast. In addition to Damon, there's Greg Kinnear as a Pentagon policy whore telling Damon to hush up about not finding any WMDs. And Brendan Gleeson as the CIA Station Chief who tells Damon sotto voce, Of course there's no WMDs! We already looked.
See? It had the promise of being a highly relevant, money-making movie. But Greengrass lost sight of one thing: it has to be entertaining. And it wasn't.
"City Island" is another film on which Richard and I differed. (And no, it's not just so I can get even with his wife.) It's a comedy, altogether different from "Green Zone". But similarly I think it has limited commercial promise.
It's a comedy that just isn't very funny.
It also has the promise of success: Julianna Margulies and Andy Garcia. They're both great. It was set on a little-known actual small island on Long Island Sound. It's a comedy of errors that eventually comes to a resolution and the stripper daughter reconciles with her family and the unknown child from another coupling is accepted into the family 20-odd years later and Garcia's wife realizes he isn't running around on her at all but he's secretly taking acting classes. There now! You now know the whole plot. Hahaha. Very funny. Save yourself the $9.50 plus popcorn and Coke.
At the Sunday morning screening, the director-screenwriter Raymond DeFelitta joined the 250 attendees for a discussion with Richard.
I didn't say a word!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Pretty presumptuous.
Richard and I go back 20-plus years when I took his class "Movies 101". Unfortunately his wife has taken a dislike to me because of my divorce from Louise. Twenty-five years ago! But I still go to his class. He's a really smart guy and I like him.
This weekend my sister Dixie and I went together to see two screenings: "Green Zone" with Matt Damon, directed by Paul Greengrass, the dynamic team that brought us the "Borne" series. This one is set in the aftermath of the war in Iraq. A chancey subject. Not at all a popular theme. Damon plays an army chief warrant officer whose men risk their lives to check out reported sites of weapons of mass destruction.
But there ain't done. And Damon is ticked!
Greengrass could have pulled it off if he'd offset it with enough action-adventure scenes. And there were plenty. But not enough. The political rhetoric was laid on waaaay too thick.
About midway through, I leaned over to Dixie and said, "This has taken on a political screed." And so it had. But when it wasn't lecturing us, it was pretty entertaining. I am reminded by the late Sam Goldwyn's famous statement, "If you want to send a message, call Western Union." So I boldly (and probably naively) predict a lukewarm box office. And it's a pity because it has a pretty good cast. In addition to Damon, there's Greg Kinnear as a Pentagon policy whore telling Damon to hush up about not finding any WMDs. And Brendan Gleeson as the CIA Station Chief who tells Damon sotto voce, Of course there's no WMDs! We already looked.
See? It had the promise of being a highly relevant, money-making movie. But Greengrass lost sight of one thing: it has to be entertaining. And it wasn't.
"City Island" is another film on which Richard and I differed. (And no, it's not just so I can get even with his wife.) It's a comedy, altogether different from "Green Zone". But similarly I think it has limited commercial promise.
It's a comedy that just isn't very funny.
It also has the promise of success: Julianna Margulies and Andy Garcia. They're both great. It was set on a little-known actual small island on Long Island Sound. It's a comedy of errors that eventually comes to a resolution and the stripper daughter reconciles with her family and the unknown child from another coupling is accepted into the family 20-odd years later and Garcia's wife realizes he isn't running around on her at all but he's secretly taking acting classes. There now! You now know the whole plot. Hahaha. Very funny. Save yourself the $9.50 plus popcorn and Coke.
At the Sunday morning screening, the director-screenwriter Raymond DeFelitta joined the 250 attendees for a discussion with Richard.
I didn't say a word!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Getting to Know You -- Again
NEW YORK, NY – Feb. 28, 2010 – If you live near your siblings and see them all the time then this is no big deal.
I’m getting re-acquainted with my sister! Oh we’ve chatted amiably on the phone over the years. Or met at funerals. But living in the same house with her and her husband is a rich treat. Since she and I are only four years apart, we share memories of people and things that no living person shares. Not anymore, anyway. Relatives, places we lived, Pepsi Colas we enjoyed with the grandmother we both liked.
“I never cared for that grandmother.”
“Oh you didn’t either? I thought it was just me!”
But the connection goes way deeper than words. Maybe even something spiritual. Not sure exactly what it is. But it’s something that many of us Americans have cut out of our lives with the advent of interstate highways and long-distance relationships and family members living across the country from each other. There’s definitely another layer of familiarity when you’re living in the same house, breathing the same air.
I think about the families 100 years ago. Most of them lived in the same town their entire lives. Families stayed near each other, for good or ill. They helped out when the kids were sick. Or someone got laid off from work.
And it’s also fun to see the family resemblances in the children and grandchildren. You’ll see shape of the eyes that look familiar. Or a gesture.
Yeah, family can be extremely rewarding.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
I’m getting re-acquainted with my sister! Oh we’ve chatted amiably on the phone over the years. Or met at funerals. But living in the same house with her and her husband is a rich treat. Since she and I are only four years apart, we share memories of people and things that no living person shares. Not anymore, anyway. Relatives, places we lived, Pepsi Colas we enjoyed with the grandmother we both liked.
“I never cared for that grandmother.”
“Oh you didn’t either? I thought it was just me!”
But the connection goes way deeper than words. Maybe even something spiritual. Not sure exactly what it is. But it’s something that many of us Americans have cut out of our lives with the advent of interstate highways and long-distance relationships and family members living across the country from each other. There’s definitely another layer of familiarity when you’re living in the same house, breathing the same air.
I think about the families 100 years ago. Most of them lived in the same town their entire lives. Families stayed near each other, for good or ill. They helped out when the kids were sick. Or someone got laid off from work.
And it’s also fun to see the family resemblances in the children and grandchildren. You’ll see shape of the eyes that look familiar. Or a gesture.
Yeah, family can be extremely rewarding.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Getting Back on the Horse -- a Little Pricey!
New York, NY – Feb. 24, 2010 – The price of admission to work in New York City media is very high.
Back when I was a TV weatherman in Nashville, I realized that what I did wasn’t really all that hard. And many people could do it.
On a good day.
If they were in a good mood.
And there was plenty of time to prepare.
But what about those days when you’re bored? Or your mom is sick? Or severe weather just plopped down out of the sky? Can you still be Mister Charming? Mister Informing? Mister Take-Cover-Now-because-the-House-Is-about-to-Blow-Away?
Yes I could. And yes I did. But the main thing that set me apart from the people who were not on air was that I was on the air. And they weren’t.
Working in major American media is a lot like that. If you’re not in New York or L.A., the chances of getting cast in a TV series or a national TV spot are nearly nil.
Ya gotta be where the fish are biting! But getting here ain’t cheap.
Transporting yourself isn’t all that difficult or expensive. I drove my Mazda pick-up up here from Nashville. Stayed overnight in Richmond, Virginia. Gas and all it cost me around $200. But once I got here, the expenses start mounting up.
Rent is obscene. $3,000 a month at least.
Or buying a place? Fuggedaboutit! A 900-square-foot apartment in a halfway decent area runs over $800,000. Yes, I know. It’s expensive. But I’m not complaining. If I wasn’t willing to pay the admission price, I would have stood at home.
Then there’s photos. To be considered a serious player, there’s a particular style and format of photography in a head shot. It looks quite simple and effortless. But it’s not. I could shoot my own with a remote shutter release and it wouldn’t cost me anything.
But to get the fine-tuning that says “pro”? Well, it’ll cost you. Around 600 bucks. One of the best in The City is Tess Steinkolk . Basic price is $695 plus $95 for a hair stylist. I’ll comb my own hair. And if I pay her in cash, I save $100. So we’re talking $595. I’m seeing her on Friday.
Voice recording. Just did that this morning. $200 for a half-hour session. But the guy really knew his stuff and helped me turn out a very professional-sounding demo. Once again, those fine points winnow out the serious players from the wannabees. (I call them “feather merchants”. Thank you, Max Schulman.)
And finally, union membership. Fortunately, that's not something I have to worry about right now. I owe several thousand dollars in back dues and would have to pony up before working on a union job.
BUT . . .
I don't have to do it right now. I'll worry about it when I get a role that requires it. Otherwise, never mind!
And there’s the matter of a little commercial coaching on how to audition for commercials. Once again, honing down the rough edges in order to present a professional sheen.
So how much is all that? Not counting housing, it could come to a few thousand. Add housing and you’re looking at a sizeable investment. And that’s exactly what it is. An investment. With no guarantee of payoff. But the payoff could be considerable. Back in 1987 when I was on the Travel Channel here in New York, I was making $1,000 a day. I wouldn’t sneeze at that even now.
If you’re a performer of any sort -- actor, disc jockey, voiceover artist –- you have to be where the work is. It’s a little bit like playing roulette. It’s expensive. But you could make a lot of money.
But ya gotta be here. And I am!
Copyright James C. Lewis 2010
Back when I was a TV weatherman in Nashville, I realized that what I did wasn’t really all that hard. And many people could do it.
On a good day.
If they were in a good mood.
And there was plenty of time to prepare.
But what about those days when you’re bored? Or your mom is sick? Or severe weather just plopped down out of the sky? Can you still be Mister Charming? Mister Informing? Mister Take-Cover-Now-because-the-House-Is-about-to-Blow-Away?
Yes I could. And yes I did. But the main thing that set me apart from the people who were not on air was that I was on the air. And they weren’t.
Working in major American media is a lot like that. If you’re not in New York or L.A., the chances of getting cast in a TV series or a national TV spot are nearly nil.
Ya gotta be where the fish are biting! But getting here ain’t cheap.
Transporting yourself isn’t all that difficult or expensive. I drove my Mazda pick-up up here from Nashville. Stayed overnight in Richmond, Virginia. Gas and all it cost me around $200. But once I got here, the expenses start mounting up.
Rent is obscene. $3,000 a month at least.
Or buying a place? Fuggedaboutit! A 900-square-foot apartment in a halfway decent area runs over $800,000. Yes, I know. It’s expensive. But I’m not complaining. If I wasn’t willing to pay the admission price, I would have stood at home.
Then there’s photos. To be considered a serious player, there’s a particular style and format of photography in a head shot. It looks quite simple and effortless. But it’s not. I could shoot my own with a remote shutter release and it wouldn’t cost me anything.
But to get the fine-tuning that says “pro”? Well, it’ll cost you. Around 600 bucks. One of the best in The City is Tess Steinkolk . Basic price is $695 plus $95 for a hair stylist. I’ll comb my own hair. And if I pay her in cash, I save $100. So we’re talking $595. I’m seeing her on Friday.
Voice recording. Just did that this morning. $200 for a half-hour session. But the guy really knew his stuff and helped me turn out a very professional-sounding demo. Once again, those fine points winnow out the serious players from the wannabees. (I call them “feather merchants”. Thank you, Max Schulman.)
And finally, union membership. Fortunately, that's not something I have to worry about right now. I owe several thousand dollars in back dues and would have to pony up before working on a union job.
BUT . . .
I don't have to do it right now. I'll worry about it when I get a role that requires it. Otherwise, never mind!
And there’s the matter of a little commercial coaching on how to audition for commercials. Once again, honing down the rough edges in order to present a professional sheen.
So how much is all that? Not counting housing, it could come to a few thousand. Add housing and you’re looking at a sizeable investment. And that’s exactly what it is. An investment. With no guarantee of payoff. But the payoff could be considerable. Back in 1987 when I was on the Travel Channel here in New York, I was making $1,000 a day. I wouldn’t sneeze at that even now.
If you’re a performer of any sort -- actor, disc jockey, voiceover artist –- you have to be where the work is. It’s a little bit like playing roulette. It’s expensive. But you could make a lot of money.
But ya gotta be here. And I am!
Copyright James C. Lewis 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Home Alone
Elizabeth, NJ – Feb. 23, 2010 – Ah bliss! Rainy day. Nothing pressing. Up early for breakfast but decided to slip back under the covers and listen to Don Imus on the bedside radio and doze a little.
And so I did.
Then it got to be 11 A.M. and “Topper Takes a Trip” was on Turner Classic Movies.
That did it! Definitely a day to take a day off. It’s actually been a long time since I had a true day of rest. And so now, at 2:44 in the afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), I am still in my pajamas. Hair askew. Dixie left a couple of hours ago so it’s just me and Cyrus, their arthritic dog about the size of a VW bus. He’s curled up behind me, keeping me company. Dogs do tend to be social creatures.
I just got the most wonderful news! My friend Andrew is a stockbroker and he explained some financial matters that I did not understand and I was kind of sweating. Isn’t it refreshing that there are people around with expertise? I guess that’s why some people are reporters and some are stockbrokers.
My whole purpose in coming to New York was to plug in to media work, especially commercials and TV series. For the past 10 years, I’ve been wondering if I’ve “got the stuff”. Back in my 30s when I lived here, there were a whole bunch of guys my age trying to do the same thing. But this is now. Plus I’ve had a ton of experience in appearing on television. So I’m going to get caught up on my union dues – several thousand dollars worth! – have a professional head shot made and get some coaching from a successful commercial actor.
And then hit the streets. I mean, that’s why I’m here!
An explanation about Elizabeth, NJ. My sister Dixie and her husband Richard have lived in Elizabeth for many years, running a Christian outreach organization. They have very graciously allowed me to live here in their very large home. I have set a departure date of the end of July. I’ll sleep in the upstairs bedroom, pick up after myself, clean off the crumbs from the kitchen counter.
Very generous of them. And it’s delightful to re-establish the intimacy and spontaneity that you can only experience when you’re living under the same roof with people. Chatting over coffee in the morning. A quick conversation in passing during the evening. You establish an emotional and social texture. She and I haven’t lived under the same roof since I was in high school and she was in junior high.
Way cool!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
And so I did.
Then it got to be 11 A.M. and “Topper Takes a Trip” was on Turner Classic Movies.
That did it! Definitely a day to take a day off. It’s actually been a long time since I had a true day of rest. And so now, at 2:44 in the afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), I am still in my pajamas. Hair askew. Dixie left a couple of hours ago so it’s just me and Cyrus, their arthritic dog about the size of a VW bus. He’s curled up behind me, keeping me company. Dogs do tend to be social creatures.
I just got the most wonderful news! My friend Andrew is a stockbroker and he explained some financial matters that I did not understand and I was kind of sweating. Isn’t it refreshing that there are people around with expertise? I guess that’s why some people are reporters and some are stockbrokers.
My whole purpose in coming to New York was to plug in to media work, especially commercials and TV series. For the past 10 years, I’ve been wondering if I’ve “got the stuff”. Back in my 30s when I lived here, there were a whole bunch of guys my age trying to do the same thing. But this is now. Plus I’ve had a ton of experience in appearing on television. So I’m going to get caught up on my union dues – several thousand dollars worth! – have a professional head shot made and get some coaching from a successful commercial actor.
And then hit the streets. I mean, that’s why I’m here!
An explanation about Elizabeth, NJ. My sister Dixie and her husband Richard have lived in Elizabeth for many years, running a Christian outreach organization. They have very graciously allowed me to live here in their very large home. I have set a departure date of the end of July. I’ll sleep in the upstairs bedroom, pick up after myself, clean off the crumbs from the kitchen counter.
Very generous of them. And it’s delightful to re-establish the intimacy and spontaneity that you can only experience when you’re living under the same roof with people. Chatting over coffee in the morning. A quick conversation in passing during the evening. You establish an emotional and social texture. She and I haven’t lived under the same roof since I was in high school and she was in junior high.
Way cool!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Friday, February 19, 2010
New York Women
[Editor Advisory: The writer today is commenting on women, a subject which appears to be offensive to some of his churchy friends. For those gentle readers requiring parental guidance, such guidance is advised.]
NEW YORK, NY – Feb. 19, 2010 – I love New York Women. They are among the factors which set New York City apart. And they are among the things which drew me to la Grande Pomme.
You could even make a case for evaluating a city by its women. Certainly Barcelona women had a certain look: hooded eyes when you saw them on the streets, demanding behind closed doors.
And French women, well fuggedabout it! They’re distinctively, how shall I put it? French!
Russian women I can spot 50 meters away. Don’t ask me how I do it. I can just tell. A couple of months ago down on Wall Street, I spotted a woman standing on the corner and said “Hello” in Russian. And she responded.
But New York Women. Well, if you ever knew my late wife Lois, she was the epitome of New York Women. Kind and loving but as intense as a 100,000 volt power line. She born in New Jersey but that was only an accident of birth. Clearly she was a New York Woman.
Women with that kind of moxie, I think they could part the sea. Perhaps it was an oversight in Moses’ Red Sea incident that there was actually a New York Woman at his side who was the éminence grise.
The MTA buses give a perfect vantage point for women-watching. Along the very back of the bus sits a row of 6 seats, all raised about 6 inches higher than the rest. And there’s a huge window affording a close-up view of women on the sidewalk. They walk along in the morning, their brows furrowed, looking neither right nor left, their attention focused like a laser beam. (Actually their intention focused like a laser beam.) They are on their way to, well, I can’t tell. But whatever it is, it must be important.
And you can bet your bippy they’ll get there!
None of this description is to diminish their femininity. That’s very clearly there. And once you get to know one of these laser-beam-focused women, they can be quite kind.
But I will say this about New York women – and I’ve married three of them – they’re great to partner up with. You want to go someplace? Or do something? Once you’re in alignment, walls fall down, rocks split, seas part.
Just don‘t trifle with them!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
NEW YORK, NY – Feb. 19, 2010 – I love New York Women. They are among the factors which set New York City apart. And they are among the things which drew me to la Grande Pomme.
You could even make a case for evaluating a city by its women. Certainly Barcelona women had a certain look: hooded eyes when you saw them on the streets, demanding behind closed doors.
And French women, well fuggedabout it! They’re distinctively, how shall I put it? French!
Russian women I can spot 50 meters away. Don’t ask me how I do it. I can just tell. A couple of months ago down on Wall Street, I spotted a woman standing on the corner and said “Hello” in Russian. And she responded.
But New York Women. Well, if you ever knew my late wife Lois, she was the epitome of New York Women. Kind and loving but as intense as a 100,000 volt power line. She born in New Jersey but that was only an accident of birth. Clearly she was a New York Woman.
Women with that kind of moxie, I think they could part the sea. Perhaps it was an oversight in Moses’ Red Sea incident that there was actually a New York Woman at his side who was the éminence grise.
The MTA buses give a perfect vantage point for women-watching. Along the very back of the bus sits a row of 6 seats, all raised about 6 inches higher than the rest. And there’s a huge window affording a close-up view of women on the sidewalk. They walk along in the morning, their brows furrowed, looking neither right nor left, their attention focused like a laser beam. (Actually their intention focused like a laser beam.) They are on their way to, well, I can’t tell. But whatever it is, it must be important.
And you can bet your bippy they’ll get there!
None of this description is to diminish their femininity. That’s very clearly there. And once you get to know one of these laser-beam-focused women, they can be quite kind.
But I will say this about New York women – and I’ve married three of them – they’re great to partner up with. You want to go someplace? Or do something? Once you’re in alignment, walls fall down, rocks split, seas part.
Just don‘t trifle with them!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
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