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
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Fate Awaits at Central Casting
NEW YORK, NY – Feb. 18, 2010 – When it’s cold, down in the 20s, pretty much everybody wears a hat to keep their head warm. But it gives me a case of hat hair that makes me look like I have a bad comb-over.
Today I needed to look my best. It was showtime! I braved the elements sans head covering. An ersatz form of immortality was at stake: appearing in the background in movies and tv shows.
I went down to Central Casting to register as a background actor.
They’re up on the 24th floor of an office building on Sixth Avenue. I walked into a conference room where a small knot of about 14 other hopefuls were filling out paperwork. It was eerily quiet. No wisecracks. (Hard for me to keep quiet. But I was good.) Most were young, in their 20s and 30s. Most were well dressed. One guy was wearing leather and had piercings and tattoos. (He’ll probably get more work!) We went one at a time and had a picture snapped. Then a young fellow explained the system to us.
For the past 80 years, Central Casting has served Hollywood (but not New York) with bit actors, those guys and gals standing in the background behind the principal actors. No, they aren’t just ordinary people on the street because ordinary people would stop and gawk at the camera. Also, with multiple takes, the background would be constantly changing. In one shot, you’d see the lady in the pink cap picking through the post cards at an outdoor display. And in the next shot, she’d be gone. Then in the next shot, she’d be back again!
They’re called “background actors” and the pay is atrocious. Non-union, it’s $85 for a day running 10 to 12 hours.
You could do better at Wendys.
Union is slightly better, $140 plus overtime.
But in either case, you get the opportunity to schmooze with other actors, find out how the system works, get some tips on a good head-shot photographer or some inside info on who’s hiring.
Maybe even get upgraded to a “principal”. That’s gotta be in the backs of everybody’s mind. It certainly is in mine! On a show like “Law & Order”, a principal starts at $1,051 a day. If you speak under 5 lines (“Under 5”), you get $464. “They went thataway”. And if you look like a doctor, as I do, I could stretch out “congenital aneurysm of the sub-arachnoid” into a three-minute read.
Central Casting is quite new in New York, only four years. But there are a ton of TV shows being shot here: all three Law & Orders, Gossip Girl, White Collar. The Jimmy Fallon show sometimes uses background actors. 30 Rock. Blind Side.
There’s an odd quirk in union requirements. If a show is shot on videotape, it’s AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). But if it’s on film, it’s under the jurisdiction of a different union - SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild). Actually, I am a member of both. But I am waaaaaay behind in my dues. Like about $3,000 worth. So unless something changes, I’m going to work as a non –union actor.
The opportunities for non-union work are quite limited. All the network TV series are union. But with background actors, it’s a bit different. On TV shows, only the first 25 have to be union. And with movies, the first 85. So if there’s a sprinkling of people walking behind Sam Waterston on “Law & Order”, they’d all be SAG members. (It’s shot on film.) But if there was a big crowd, 25 of them would have to be union and the rest non-union.
Because of the cold weather, they’re not shooting a lot of exteriors. But in a month or so, that will change.
Now that I’m properly registered, had my picture snapped, paid a $25 photo fee, I’m in the running.
Fate awaits.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Today I needed to look my best. It was showtime! I braved the elements sans head covering. An ersatz form of immortality was at stake: appearing in the background in movies and tv shows.
I went down to Central Casting to register as a background actor.
They’re up on the 24th floor of an office building on Sixth Avenue. I walked into a conference room where a small knot of about 14 other hopefuls were filling out paperwork. It was eerily quiet. No wisecracks. (Hard for me to keep quiet. But I was good.) Most were young, in their 20s and 30s. Most were well dressed. One guy was wearing leather and had piercings and tattoos. (He’ll probably get more work!) We went one at a time and had a picture snapped. Then a young fellow explained the system to us.
For the past 80 years, Central Casting has served Hollywood (but not New York) with bit actors, those guys and gals standing in the background behind the principal actors. No, they aren’t just ordinary people on the street because ordinary people would stop and gawk at the camera. Also, with multiple takes, the background would be constantly changing. In one shot, you’d see the lady in the pink cap picking through the post cards at an outdoor display. And in the next shot, she’d be gone. Then in the next shot, she’d be back again!
They’re called “background actors” and the pay is atrocious. Non-union, it’s $85 for a day running 10 to 12 hours.
You could do better at Wendys.
Union is slightly better, $140 plus overtime.
But in either case, you get the opportunity to schmooze with other actors, find out how the system works, get some tips on a good head-shot photographer or some inside info on who’s hiring.
Maybe even get upgraded to a “principal”. That’s gotta be in the backs of everybody’s mind. It certainly is in mine! On a show like “Law & Order”, a principal starts at $1,051 a day. If you speak under 5 lines (“Under 5”), you get $464. “They went thataway”. And if you look like a doctor, as I do, I could stretch out “congenital aneurysm of the sub-arachnoid” into a three-minute read.
Central Casting is quite new in New York, only four years. But there are a ton of TV shows being shot here: all three Law & Orders, Gossip Girl, White Collar. The Jimmy Fallon show sometimes uses background actors. 30 Rock. Blind Side.
There’s an odd quirk in union requirements. If a show is shot on videotape, it’s AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). But if it’s on film, it’s under the jurisdiction of a different union - SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild). Actually, I am a member of both. But I am waaaaaay behind in my dues. Like about $3,000 worth. So unless something changes, I’m going to work as a non –union actor.
The opportunities for non-union work are quite limited. All the network TV series are union. But with background actors, it’s a bit different. On TV shows, only the first 25 have to be union. And with movies, the first 85. So if there’s a sprinkling of people walking behind Sam Waterston on “Law & Order”, they’d all be SAG members. (It’s shot on film.) But if there was a big crowd, 25 of them would have to be union and the rest non-union.
Because of the cold weather, they’re not shooting a lot of exteriors. But in a month or so, that will change.
Now that I’m properly registered, had my picture snapped, paid a $25 photo fee, I’m in the running.
Fate awaits.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
From Paris with Love - Waste of Time
"From Paris with Love" was a typical action movie of the same genre as the Bourne series. Non-stop shooting and blowing stuff up but minimal story. Something to do on a snowy evening.
I like John Travolta. But I wish I’d read a review beforehand. Maybe I was seduced by the movie ads on TV. (Little did I know that I’d seen the best parts of the film in those 30 seconds.)
It’s either a heist movie. Or a buddy movie. Or a counterterrorism movie. Or a love movie. Or a shoot-‘em-up movie. But it wasn’t very good. The best thing I can say about it is that I didn't have to leave to go to the bathroom. It did contain enough content to keep me in my movie seat.
The thing that fooled me was that I liked the last Travolta movie I saw: “Taking of Pelham One Two Three”. And it looked like Travolta was playing a similarly hard-boiled character.
It was a fantasy. About as filling as chewing gum.
Stay home. Have a cup of hot soup. Be with someone you love.
Copyright James C. Lewis 2010
I like John Travolta. But I wish I’d read a review beforehand. Maybe I was seduced by the movie ads on TV. (Little did I know that I’d seen the best parts of the film in those 30 seconds.)
It’s either a heist movie. Or a buddy movie. Or a counterterrorism movie. Or a love movie. Or a shoot-‘em-up movie. But it wasn’t very good. The best thing I can say about it is that I didn't have to leave to go to the bathroom. It did contain enough content to keep me in my movie seat.
The thing that fooled me was that I liked the last Travolta movie I saw: “Taking of Pelham One Two Three”. And it looked like Travolta was playing a similarly hard-boiled character.
It was a fantasy. About as filling as chewing gum.
Stay home. Have a cup of hot soup. Be with someone you love.
Copyright James C. Lewis 2010
The Big Blizzard -- NOT!
Feb. 10, 2010 – Forecasting snow is always tricky. When I was a TV weatherman, none of us got it right better than half the time.
It’s not so hard forecasting precip; you know, something wet falling out of the sky. But snow is such an intricate combination; it’s really hard to say if it’s going to happen.
So it happened in New York City today. But not nearly with the severity that they forecast. I was up at 4:30 this morning and all the TV guys were betting big money that it was not only going to snow but it was going to be a blizzard. With whiteouts. And accumulations of 9 to 12 inches. They were so certain, all the schools shut down. And that’s pretty rare for here.
Well, it did snow heavily. And the wind was very gusty. But from what I could see in midtown Manhattan, it was far short of the white death. Lots of flights were canceled because they couldn’t see the ground. I took the Staten Island ferry to get some snow shots. Wrong! I got shots of a gray wall. Great.
(A friend had told me to go to Central Park instead. I didn't. But next time I may listen to her.)
So it was a whiteout if you were flying but far from dangerous to the average New Yorker. Traffic flowed. People walked across the streets. Mainly what I noticed was there weren’t many people out and about because so many businesses had taken the day off.
As it is, it’s 8 at night, the gutters are full of salty dirty slush and I’m glad I didn’t wear my expensive dress shoes.
But on the positive side, I did get a nice shot of the snow as it fell this morning. I was standing in front of Macy’s at Herald Square about 8 o’clock. It was a really exceptional shot. So I got busy trying to sell it to publications.
I got the email addresses of a handful of photo editors. New York Times, Salon magazine, Associated Press, New York Magazine. About a dozen altogether. Nobody bit. But I did get an encouraging nibble, a note from the photo editor at New York Magazine. “We’re going to pass. Nice image, though.”
Now wasn’t that nice? She didn’t have to do that. And I just might give them another opportunity if I come up with a good image or two in the future.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
It’s not so hard forecasting precip; you know, something wet falling out of the sky. But snow is such an intricate combination; it’s really hard to say if it’s going to happen.
So it happened in New York City today. But not nearly with the severity that they forecast. I was up at 4:30 this morning and all the TV guys were betting big money that it was not only going to snow but it was going to be a blizzard. With whiteouts. And accumulations of 9 to 12 inches. They were so certain, all the schools shut down. And that’s pretty rare for here.
Well, it did snow heavily. And the wind was very gusty. But from what I could see in midtown Manhattan, it was far short of the white death. Lots of flights were canceled because they couldn’t see the ground. I took the Staten Island ferry to get some snow shots. Wrong! I got shots of a gray wall. Great.
(A friend had told me to go to Central Park instead. I didn't. But next time I may listen to her.)
So it was a whiteout if you were flying but far from dangerous to the average New Yorker. Traffic flowed. People walked across the streets. Mainly what I noticed was there weren’t many people out and about because so many businesses had taken the day off.
As it is, it’s 8 at night, the gutters are full of salty dirty slush and I’m glad I didn’t wear my expensive dress shoes.
But on the positive side, I did get a nice shot of the snow as it fell this morning. I was standing in front of Macy’s at Herald Square about 8 o’clock. It was a really exceptional shot. So I got busy trying to sell it to publications.
I got the email addresses of a handful of photo editors. New York Times, Salon magazine, Associated Press, New York Magazine. About a dozen altogether. Nobody bit. But I did get an encouraging nibble, a note from the photo editor at New York Magazine. “We’re going to pass. Nice image, though.”
Now wasn’t that nice? She didn’t have to do that. And I just might give them another opportunity if I come up with a good image or two in the future.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Why Didn't I Think of That Sooner?!!
NEW YORK, NY - Feb. 6, 2010 - Outside New York City, there are very few well-paying radio jobs. In each market the size of Nashville (others would be St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Sacramento), there's probably only one or two people making any money. Everybody else is scraping along money-wise. Probably around $30,000 to $40,000.
Well this is New York City! And radio is alive and well here. And not only traditional over-the-air radio. This is the digital age and there's a lot of activity.
I hadn't seriously considered it until I had a telephone chat with a longtime media friend from Channel 4 in Nashville who now works in TV out on Long Island. During our conversation, some major light bulbs came on.
He asked how my job hunt was going with the cable TV news networks. I said it wasn't. Hadn't gotten any response from applying online to their HR departments.
Then one of us, I forget who, said, "What about doing radio work for the financial news networks?"
Well yes! What about radio indeed. I began my broadcasting life in radio in Oklahoma and always loved it. And if age is a factor, no one knows how old you really are. He mentioned that one of the big financial media companies (the one founded by New York City's current mayor) had a big radio presence.
I did not know their radio presence was that big. It's huge!
Then I asked, I wonder about Newsweek. Or the New York Times. Or CNBC. Or NPR.
Turns out there are at least 20 financial shows on either radio or satellite or podcasts. And every one of them has anchors and writers and interviewers. Just happens that's what I do. And I do it very well!
That was mid-afternoon Friday. Within the next 30 minutes, I did some creative Googling and got the names of the decision-makers at two of the radio networks and quickly fired off e-mails. "What does it get to show up on your radar?" I asked, after pointing out my 15-plus years in media.
I immediately got answers back. I mean within 5 minutes! "Send your resume and voice demo to me."
You better believe I did exactly that!
I'm assuming that fewer people are vying for the radio jobs because (a) they're young and don't know what radio is, or (b) they don't know how to do radio, or (c) they're going after the high-glitz TV jobs.
Or maybe (d) like me they didn't think of it.
For whatever reason, I'm now a man on a mission! I'll be firing off more letters on Monday to the remaining 18 that I haven't contacted yet.
And it was only during my conversation with my friend that it all came into focus.
It just underscores the value of supportive friends. Why surround yourself with naysayers who say you're too old or there's a job freeze or media companies are laying people off?
Pshaw! Don't listen to that nonsense. Full speed ahead!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Well this is New York City! And radio is alive and well here. And not only traditional over-the-air radio. This is the digital age and there's a lot of activity.
I hadn't seriously considered it until I had a telephone chat with a longtime media friend from Channel 4 in Nashville who now works in TV out on Long Island. During our conversation, some major light bulbs came on.
He asked how my job hunt was going with the cable TV news networks. I said it wasn't. Hadn't gotten any response from applying online to their HR departments.
Then one of us, I forget who, said, "What about doing radio work for the financial news networks?"
Well yes! What about radio indeed. I began my broadcasting life in radio in Oklahoma and always loved it. And if age is a factor, no one knows how old you really are. He mentioned that one of the big financial media companies (the one founded by New York City's current mayor) had a big radio presence.
I did not know their radio presence was that big. It's huge!
Then I asked, I wonder about Newsweek. Or the New York Times. Or CNBC. Or NPR.
Turns out there are at least 20 financial shows on either radio or satellite or podcasts. And every one of them has anchors and writers and interviewers. Just happens that's what I do. And I do it very well!
That was mid-afternoon Friday. Within the next 30 minutes, I did some creative Googling and got the names of the decision-makers at two of the radio networks and quickly fired off e-mails. "What does it get to show up on your radar?" I asked, after pointing out my 15-plus years in media.
I immediately got answers back. I mean within 5 minutes! "Send your resume and voice demo to me."
You better believe I did exactly that!
I'm assuming that fewer people are vying for the radio jobs because (a) they're young and don't know what radio is, or (b) they don't know how to do radio, or (c) they're going after the high-glitz TV jobs.
Or maybe (d) like me they didn't think of it.
For whatever reason, I'm now a man on a mission! I'll be firing off more letters on Monday to the remaining 18 that I haven't contacted yet.
And it was only during my conversation with my friend that it all came into focus.
It just underscores the value of supportive friends. Why surround yourself with naysayers who say you're too old or there's a job freeze or media companies are laying people off?
Pshaw! Don't listen to that nonsense. Full speed ahead!
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
Friday, February 5, 2010
Gotham Recap
NEW YORK, NY - Feb. 5, 2010 -- Ants have a better view.
From my apartment to my office is not quite far enough to take a bus. But it's a bit of a hike in icy weather. Generally I've been walking. It's almost a mile.
You see the darndest things when you walk. Even more than when you take a bicycle. Down on the ground, it's more like how an ant sees things, one small detail at a time. It's different. And I'm getting my stamina back so I can enjoy long brisk walks.
The Gothic church on 10th Avenue, standing alone among empty blocks. Why build a church there? And the answer is that at one time it was a residential area.
I let my eyes linger on details. Architecture. Cars. People. People's interactions with each other. I leave early enough that I don't have to zip along at warp speed. I can smell the roses. (Well, more accurately, the exhaust fumes. But you get my meaning.)
More than anything, I love the ethnic variety here. I've been going out with a Korean woman. Interesting cultural clash there. From Okie cracker to Asian reserve.
My office is just a block from the biggest camera store in town, B&H. And it's mainly run by Hassidic Jews.
And a walk down any street or a short bus ride will bring you within earshot of people from all over the world. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what country they're from. My accuracy is pretty good if they're from a European country. I know most of those accents. But South African versus Australian is difficult. And the Asian languages totally baffle me.
I've considered doing lots of things that are media related and one that has come to mind is public relations. Actually, I have no interest in it although I know the drill and could do it well. But I really feel for those PR guys at Toyota who are basically apologists for their employer's screw-ups. First they lied about the stuck accelerator pedals, blaming the drivers as being inept. Now they admit it. And they have to be the bearer of more bad news now that there are other problems in the Toyota world.
The Toyota story yet to be done is what happened internally? Toyota had a stellar worldwide reputation for safety. But they have had one stumble after another which says to me that they were not stumbles at all. They were out-and-out systemic failures. And the challenge before its president Eiji Toyoda (豊田英二) is to allegorically replace an airplane wing while it is in the air. They don't have the luxury of shutting down the company and fixing what's wrong. Wonder if the bean-counters said, "Go ahead and cut some corners. Probably no one will notice. And we'll make a boatload more money."
On a personal note, I've reconnected with Andrew and Loretta, longtime friends that Lois and I had back 20-odd years ago. What a rewarding feeling! I called up last week to announce that I'm back and Loretta immediately said, "When are you coming to dinner?" And that was immediately followed by, "Are you seeing anyone?" (It was through her that I met the nice Korean lady.)
Andrew is throwing a Super Bowl party and I'm going. Yes, I know, the earth may shift on its axis after my years of protestation about sports. But it's not really a sporting event. It's a sociological phenomenon.
And I'm letting myself enjoy some of the free things that I somehow missed out on when I lived here. Barnes&Noble has some spectacular free events, mainly their authors promoting their books. They speak candidly about why they wrote what they did and open the floor to questions.
Speeches and lectures at the TV Academy has reconnected me with some colleagues from days gone by.
Some of the experimental theatre that I attend is a little rough but it's a different take on things and I enjoy getting shaken up.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
From my apartment to my office is not quite far enough to take a bus. But it's a bit of a hike in icy weather. Generally I've been walking. It's almost a mile.
You see the darndest things when you walk. Even more than when you take a bicycle. Down on the ground, it's more like how an ant sees things, one small detail at a time. It's different. And I'm getting my stamina back so I can enjoy long brisk walks.
The Gothic church on 10th Avenue, standing alone among empty blocks. Why build a church there? And the answer is that at one time it was a residential area.
I let my eyes linger on details. Architecture. Cars. People. People's interactions with each other. I leave early enough that I don't have to zip along at warp speed. I can smell the roses. (Well, more accurately, the exhaust fumes. But you get my meaning.)
More than anything, I love the ethnic variety here. I've been going out with a Korean woman. Interesting cultural clash there. From Okie cracker to Asian reserve.
My office is just a block from the biggest camera store in town, B&H. And it's mainly run by Hassidic Jews.
And a walk down any street or a short bus ride will bring you within earshot of people from all over the world. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what country they're from. My accuracy is pretty good if they're from a European country. I know most of those accents. But South African versus Australian is difficult. And the Asian languages totally baffle me.
I've considered doing lots of things that are media related and one that has come to mind is public relations. Actually, I have no interest in it although I know the drill and could do it well. But I really feel for those PR guys at Toyota who are basically apologists for their employer's screw-ups. First they lied about the stuck accelerator pedals, blaming the drivers as being inept. Now they admit it. And they have to be the bearer of more bad news now that there are other problems in the Toyota world.
The Toyota story yet to be done is what happened internally? Toyota had a stellar worldwide reputation for safety. But they have had one stumble after another which says to me that they were not stumbles at all. They were out-and-out systemic failures. And the challenge before its president Eiji Toyoda (豊田英二) is to allegorically replace an airplane wing while it is in the air. They don't have the luxury of shutting down the company and fixing what's wrong. Wonder if the bean-counters said, "Go ahead and cut some corners. Probably no one will notice. And we'll make a boatload more money."
On a personal note, I've reconnected with Andrew and Loretta, longtime friends that Lois and I had back 20-odd years ago. What a rewarding feeling! I called up last week to announce that I'm back and Loretta immediately said, "When are you coming to dinner?" And that was immediately followed by, "Are you seeing anyone?" (It was through her that I met the nice Korean lady.)
Andrew is throwing a Super Bowl party and I'm going. Yes, I know, the earth may shift on its axis after my years of protestation about sports. But it's not really a sporting event. It's a sociological phenomenon.
And I'm letting myself enjoy some of the free things that I somehow missed out on when I lived here. Barnes&Noble has some spectacular free events, mainly their authors promoting their books. They speak candidly about why they wrote what they did and open the floor to questions.
Speeches and lectures at the TV Academy has reconnected me with some colleagues from days gone by.
Some of the experimental theatre that I attend is a little rough but it's a different take on things and I enjoy getting shaken up.
Copyright 2010 James C. Lewis
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