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| Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 | | 4:18 pm |
Sean Connery's Pistol is a Rat Killer.
Do you like the look of that powerful gun Bond is holding? It's Walther all right. But not a PPK. It's a Walther competition pellet gun. Photographer David Hurn had a studio in London. When Sean Connery and the Dr. No art director arrived, the art director realized that he had forgotten the Walther PPK for the shot. How he could have forgotten that important prop is another story. But by chance, photographer Hurn had a Walther LP Mode3l 53 4.5 caliber competition level air pellet pistol. He used it to kill rats that were over-populating his basement. So the new 007, Sean Connery, posed with that airgun. They figured that they would photographically shorten the barrel during the retouching stage. It some shots that were released it was, in other shots it wasn't. That famous shot of James Bond was created because of the photographer's battle with rats. No rats, no iconic 007 photograph. When something doesn't go right, like the art director forgetting that important prop, improvise, adapt and overcome. It might turn out better than your original plan. How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle - Kindle Read the first 30 pages free on amazon: http://amzn.to/ABtqyeAlso on itunes: http://itun.es/isB5XC342 pages updated for 2012. Read the Table of Contents. Every subject you need to upgrade your life quickly. | | Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 | | 9:33 pm |
Daniel Craig Mocked, But Could Have Anwered
Every James Bond fan remembers when it was announced that Daniel Craig would replace Pierce Brosnan as 007. One group of fans were quick to show their dislike Bo Craig by setting up a web site called; "Craig is not Bond". The media caught on to this and reported the fan's displeasure of Craig as the new 007. For Craig's first press conference as the new 007, he rode a Royal Marine high-speed powerboat up the river Thames to the interview location. The press mocked him for wearing a life jacket saying, "It was a very un-Bond thing to do." Craig's only response was, "It scared the Bleep out of me." That's when Craig's image as a macho man came into question. Photos appeared in the press showing Craig in the powerboat with a caption that read; "The daring new 007 arrives scared and in a life jacket." Five years later Craig explained: "I got down to the river to the military speedboat and there was this marine giving me a life jacket. I was like 'Do I have to wear this?' and he was like, 'Yeah, you're not getting on this boat without one'." If Craig had been thinking on his feet for that first press conference, he could have said, "Of course James Bond would have worn a life jacket. He would never take an unneeded risk that could jeopardize his mission. If Bond is momentarily stunned and falls into the water and drowns because he didn't wear a life jacket, the mission would fail and lives would be lost. In fact, the marine in my boat is wearing a life jacket too." So the lesson learned for you James Bond Lifestyle agents is to never take an unneeded risk just for the sake of appearing macho. You'll notice in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, Bond is wearing his seat belt. Amazon Kindle's: Live the James Bond Lifestyle - http://amzn.to/zRroY9 Read the first 30 pages free via 'Look inside'. | | Thursday, February 16th, 2012 | | 2:05 am |
| | Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 | | 12:47 am |
007 Lifestyle Agents Meet in Las Vegas with 50 Stars
James Bond Lifestyle Agents informal Meet & Greet Nov. 19th during the Hollywood Vegas show. 007 George Lazenby, Bond Girl Lana Wood, and 52 other stars will be there. Held Saturday, Nov. 19th 10- 5 at Harrah's Casino on the Las Vegas strip. Right next to Casino Royal. Click this link to see the stars and get details: http://www.hsvegas.com/photos.htmlLet me know if you're going. How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle - KINDLE Expanded 2012 342 Page Version is now available. James Bond Lifestyle KINDLE http://amzn.to/wZ661f Gift it to a friend that's having trouble making his dream happen. | | Friday, September 2nd, 2011 | | 10:27 pm |
Limitless Movie Can Make You Great
This movie can make you Limitless. This article contains many spoilers about Limitless. See the movie first, then come back to this article. Our hero Eddie gets access to 100% of his brain by using a smart pill called NTZ. He tells us via narration,"Everything I'd ever read, seen, and heard was now organized and available." Us in the real world can't access that much brain power, but with Google Search, smart phones, and some clarity of mind on our part, we can have tons of information ready to use, if only we make the decision to do so. "All fear and shyness was now gone," Eddie tells us. Yes, those are success blocks. But we don't need a pill to rid ourselves of those blocks. Classes, books, hypnosis, or just diving into where we have to go, can start eliminating fears. After hooking up with higher caliber friends (His useless relationships are "better forgotten and put away in mothballs", he says.) and going to Puerto Valletta, Eddie says,"Mere lounging wasn't enough." Yes, being a 'lounger' will not move us closer to what we really want. And in that scene Eddie says it: "Suddenly I knew what I needed to do. But it would take money to get there." Ah money. Here's where we lose a lot of people. My success teacher Dr. Paul Mastrodakus once said: "I can announce a seminar that says this coffee pot is God and I'll get 100% sign up. But any seminar that has 'money' as the subject, people just don't seem to want." I wonder why? Maybe getting money sounds like work. But money, that symbol of energy, is a must in the real world to accomplish our goals and live our dreams. With increased brain power, Eddie apologizes to his ex-girlfriend saying, "My power for self sbotage wasn't boundless after all." He then asks her, "Why did you stay with me for so long?" When she asks when his book is coming out, he replies, "Next year," and then immediately asks her about her job. It seems our hero has got off of his own problems and is now giving out interest to other people. In the beginning of the film, when Eddie is standing on the ledge of the building ready to jump, he talks about "Wanting to make an impact on the world, instead of the pavement." When explaining his book in the bar, Eddie mentions a 'utopian society'. So we can guess that his final goal might be helping the world. When Eddie is accused of having 'delusions of grandeur' he retorts with, "I have an actual recipe for grandeur." Ah, a plan. Definite plans get definite results. Indefinite plans do not get 'indefinite results', they get NO results. Eddie says, "I was clear. I knew what I needed to do, and how to do it." Notice the first thing that Eddie does once he's on NTZ. He cleans up his 'base of operations, his apartment. Where have you heard this before? Okay yes, actually he first smooths over his bad relationship with the landlord's wife and helps her write her law class paper. Eddie is a giver. Next as the 'enhanced Eddie', he gets a hair cut, new clothes, exercises, and starts learning things like languages. Yes, sounds like the rules of living the James Bond Lifestyle. And then he finishes his novel in four days. This is possible without NTZ if you type 5 pages an hour,16 hours a day, for four days = 320 page book. Yes, all this can be done without the NTZ.. It just might take a little longer to reach the success level that we want. Eddie says, "There are moments in your life when you cross a bridge and know that your old life is over." This can scare some of us as it gets us out of our comfort zone to accept a change, even a positive change. But if a new life means, not having to run to the bank in 100 degree weather, because my car is broken, to make a $20 deposit to cover my over due electric bill, then I'll take that new life. And while a high level of success is necessary to express our true selves, Eddie cautions us with, "We are all wired to over reach. Look at history, all the countries that ruled the world. No one stopped and said, 'We've got France, Poland, a big Swiss bank account. Let's not invade Russia in the winter. Let's go home, pop a beer, and live on the interest.'" Yes, better not fulfill the 'Peter Principle and rise to our level of our incompetence. We see that Eddie can access classic literature when he compares Robert DeNiro's energy customers to "Oliver Twist begging for his bowl of gruel." Not bad to have an understanding of a few classics under your belt. DeNiro makes a good point about earning your power by experience. He tells Eddie: "Your super intellect is a gift from God, but you didn't earn it because you're careless with your power, flashing it around like a trust fund child. You never had to earn it year by year. You don't know how to assess your competition because you never had to compete." Finally Eddie overcomes his challenges to get where he wants to go, the US senate. His next step will be the presidency where he can do the most good. However, the now evil and manipulative DeNiro wants to control Eddie so Eddie can pass laws to benefit DeNiro's various companies. But now Eddie has learned to compete and gets rid of DeNiro with verbal strategy. Eddie won't be corrupted. Leaving the theater, after watching Limitless, I heard a patron remark, "I wish I had that pill." To me it sounded like, "I'm not going to even try to 'enhance' myself' like Eddie. I want a free ride." In fact, even on NTZ Eddie worked hard, studied, exercised, worked on his finances, upgraded his appearance, and more. Things anyone can do without NTZ. To me, real NTZ is water, as 90% of the human brain is made of it. Just Google 'benefits of water' and see the 10 things water does for humans and how much more we should be drinking. In fact, it's Eddie's 'baptism' in water, after he dives into the ocean, where he realizes his real purpose in life, which seems to unfold as: Improve himself to the point of being able to serve others and make a positive difference in the world. Finally like all success that we accept as ours, Eddie's success in now internalized and natural. When he speaks to a waiter in chinese, his girlfriend looks at him in awe. Eddie turns to her, sees her expression and says, "What?" END - Written in 45 minutes, without NTZ. | | Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 | | 8:17 pm |
| | 4:29 am |
Good Japan News 12:30 PT
Workers at Japan nuclear plant have connected power cables to all six reactors. If officials can get the power turned on, get the replacement pumps working and get enough seawater into the reactors, it would only take a day to bring the temperatures back to a safe, cooling stage. | | Monday, March 21st, 2011 | | 5:19 pm |
Japan's good news.
Japan's atomic situation MUCH IMPROVED. Danger is near over. Details in 90 minutes. | | Saturday, March 19th, 2011 | | 9:28 pm |
Godzilla's True Story
The first Godzilla was an $800,000 movie. The largest of any Japanese movie budget at the time. It was very serious and a meaphor for the destruction and suffering of the people after Hiroshima and the fire bombing that occurred just 10 years before. Thusly you see a lot of temple praying scenes. The name of the monster was 'Gojira'. Go= gorilla. Kujira = whale. So, gorilla whale = Gojira. But hard to pronounce for Americans. A USA producer bought it, hired Raymond Burr for only 4 days, filmed perfectly matching scenes in Hollywood, and changed the name to Godzilla. Raymond Burr was not in the movie, but top actors from Japan including the leader of 'The Seven Samurai'. Now you can get the double DVD with the original Japanese version with English sub-titles, or the US version with Burr in it and in english. Later Burr appeared in 'Godzilla 1990'. When you watch it again and realize that all the Burr scenes were done later you will be impressed with how he is cut into the movie. He's often just observing events with Japanese extras behind him to match the scenes that were already taken. But it fits because he plays a reporter. In the hospital where he is injured and talking to the nurse. It was originally the nurse talking to a Japanese actor. Burr was flawlessly inserted. And this was before CGS. Fooled me, even as an adult. For the US version of 'Godzilla', James Hong (Chinatown) and Samee Tong (Bachelor Father) did seven voices each on it, along with one actress. The original version had a strong anti-nuclear message, but was watered down in the US version, not because of politics, but because of story pace. The US version was 79 minutes, while the original was 105 minutes. Because of the extensive special effects, 'Gojira' was the first movie in Japan to use story boards, based on Walt Disney's use of them for '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' a year earlier. Both versions on DVD have informative commentaries. The final radio broadcast in the film is, "People of the world, Godzilla is dead. Give us strength to re-build our beloved country.' | | Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 | | 3:47 pm |
| | Saturday, February 26th, 2011 | | 6:46 pm |
| | Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 | | 1:34 am |
| | Saturday, February 19th, 2011 | | 9:33 pm |
James Bond Lifestyle Lecture on Radio Archieved
"How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle" on Blog Talk Radio. Listen anytime. After 15 second commercial comes 40 seconds of music, then Coach Lilisa introduces me. Then I talk for 50 minutes about How to Live like James Bond. 1- Why live James Bond's lifestyle? 2- Who am I to teach you. 3- The 21 Rules of the James Bond Lifestyle. 4 - Bond Symbols to Change Your Life. Click here for part one: http://on.fb.me/gDo02iClick here for part two: http://bit.ly/hA02RS1- Bond and his Cash 2- Q Branch 3- Programing Your Subconsious for Success 4- Your Appearance | | Thursday, February 17th, 2011 | | 11:41 pm |
Every New Business is Attacked. Every Party Crashed.
Anytime you plant, build, or create something, like a garden, it will be attacked from without (birds) or within (insects). This is not bad. This is the law of nature. And of human nature. Understanding this should not make you negative or distrustful of people. It's just a natural law. Give a party and there will be party crashers. It's inevitable. And the larger the energy you create the larger the attack. Just ask any lottery winner. They'll tell you how their winnings we're attacked. Just like Norman Mailer wrote in 'Tough Guys Don't Dance', "Why does everyone think my money is there to make rage on, as if it weren't part of me, like a precious organ?" This makes one wonder if the old adage, "Blood is thicker than water," was thought up by undeserving relatives. The attacks from outside your garden, like birds and weather, are understandable. But the attacks that come from within, the people that you pay to take care of your garden, always come as surprises. I've produced movies, that sometimes took two years just to find the financing. Then I hire extras, pay them well, treat them well, and at the end of the day, they steal props and anything they can get their hands on, such as a $300 pair of daggers that the leading lady used which had to be re-ordered from Hong Kong. At first I felt the victim. Now I understand that all gardens are attacked. And now I have the prop van locked up with a guard on it. Why did they steal from my garden? Why did they step on my flowers? The answer is simple. It's the law of nature. So protect the garden that you are now planning, especially once it starts growing prosperous. | | Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 | | 8:25 pm |
| | Sunday, October 10th, 2010 | | 5:42 pm |
Dean Martin's Nickel Breakfast
When singers Dean Martin and Sonny King had little money, they would go to a restaurant that served 2 donuts, coffee, and orange juice for a nickel. Sonny stayed outside while Dean ate one donut, half the coffee and juice. Then Sonny would go in and say, "Hey Dean, you've got an important call." Dean would say, "Okay. Why don't you finish my breakfast." which Sonny did. After doing this several times, the manager caught on and said, "You guys don't have to do this. Come in together and I'll serve you both for a nickel. Years later, Dean and Sonny searched for the manager and gave him $25,000 each. | | Thursday, October 7th, 2010 | | 6:44 pm |
When friends ask you for money. Here's what Frank Sinatra learned.
In 1952 Frank Sinatra was down on his luck and singing to small Audiences at Skinny D'Amato's club in. He planned to go to Africa to visit his wife Ava Gardner who was there filming the movie "Magambo" with Clark Gable. She had sent him the airfare, but Sinatra was broke. Seated at a lounge table with Joe DiMaggio and Skinny D'Amato, Frank asked the baseball great for a thousand dollar loan so that he could buy Ava a gift. DiMaggio refused. When Sinatra was absent, DiMaggio said to D'Amato, "I never loan money to a has been." D'Amato asked DiMaggio to loan it to him. Fiquring the powerful nightclub owner was good for it, DiMaggio gave D'Amato a thousand dollars. Later D'Amato secretly gave it to Sinatra. Not loaned, gave. On top of that, D'Amato bought Sinatra a solid gold watch saying, "This is to remind you that you'll be back on top again. And bigger than before." When Sinatra became the most powerful man in Hollywood a few years later, he never forgot his loyal friend and performed every year at the 500 Club for free. This story has a lot of different things in it to examine. If you happen to be down on your luck now, or have a close friend That is in a slump, you can see: 1 - The importance of a loyal friend. 2 - The power of a new watch. (Whether you buy it or receive it as a gift). 3 - The power of good words to a friend that needs encouragement. 4 - The beginnings of Joe DiMaggio's well earned reputation as a cheapskate. 5 - The paying back of help received in difficult times. Whether you're up or down, you help a friend or not, you're cheap or giving, you are always relating with people. And you are always either building or destroying a career, friendship, or reputation. | | Thursday, September 30th, 2010 | | 5:26 pm |
What do I do after film school?
What Do I Do After Film School? I get this question a lot and have a serious opinion about it: The most important thing is to always keep your shingle hanging out, saying "I am a freelance director." Never say, "Ah I gave that up." Even if you have other jobs, never tear up your business card. Keep contact with all active filmmakers from college. Work on their films. It's a business of showing up. Show up to shoots, in any capacity. Show up enough and do a good job, and be an ambassador of good will, and you have a good chance on being invited to work on other films. And remember, be courteous and respectful to everyone. The extra or stunt man of today's shoot could be the producer of tomorrow's shoot. It happened to me. One of my swords women fighters from Weapons of Death hired me to do a travelogue in Phuket, Thailand. And actress Barbara Leigh who I hired for a role in Rock Star Rising hired me to direct her new audio-book The King, McQueen, and the Love Machine. My life changed when I realized that I was not only in the feature film business, but in the COMUNICATION business. Just like the the USA train companys that thought they were only in the train business and didn't invest in trucks and airplanes in the 40's and '50s. They were left behind. So be a sound man, an extra, an actor, a novelist, a speaker, a film teacher, (but don't get stuck in a dead end job). Be those as a freelance. But not a stunt man. It's too dangerous. Yes, you will direct, but be in the communication business. Also you must start to develop your own projects that you feel passionate about. You never know when someone with money will ask you if you have a project. You should be able to instantly give him or her a script and budget and location plan and schedule. Keep watching your favorite films over on DVD. Keep reading books by directors and watching DVD bonus programs and listening to commentary tracks. This is an incredible teaching device that will help program your subconscious to keep you on the right track. If you are truly in it for the long run, then join and activly maintain social web sites such as quarterlife.com for artists. They have a great artist 'photo show' application on your main page where you can display your writing, art photos, and films. It's 100% for artists, filmmakers, and performers. As of this writing there's about 4,000 mostly young artists showing their films, writing, graphics, and art, as well as connecting and sharing information. Start networking with them as the ones that continue, will be coming out strong. Another important web site for your future and for possible quick results is linkedin.com That site is 100% business, with many serious clubs for script writers, directors, and movie finance. Use the drop down window to search for 'groups'. Input the words, 'movies, 'financing', 'screenplay', and so on. It's a free site, no need to upgrade. All the fortune 500 companies and Hollywood studios are there. You know, all that 'non artist' but 100% neccesary business. You do not post photos or your art, just one little photo of yourself, but you connect to people, and have your page of past work. Yeah, a little stuffy but totally neccessary if you want to build for the long run, because to be a long run artist takes continued business links. So get on that site and build contacts for the future. But always remember, it's not myspace or facebook, so put on your business hat when you go there To repeat, work on everyone's film. Yes, some will not appreciate your help, some will not pay you what they promised, but others will. You must have some kind of short film or video to show someone when you get an opportunity. I've directed six features (did post on many more) and still want to do more. That's why I did Rock Star Rising as an audio-book with famous actors. Maybe a producer who is a fan of those actors will see it and ask for a script, which I have waiting. But more than that, I'm still taking action on it, by getting it to producers via my agent. Beware, age 26. That's when all my movie friends gave up. Four years after college. Their wives, girlfriends, or even parents said, "Well, you gave it a shot, now you have to get a real job." Yes, get freelance jobs. I always worked and at night I screened my first feature to buyers and future investors. Always work, but work freelance to be available for other film jobs. Most of all , repeating, stay in touch with every active filmmaker in your group and the ones you meet on the internet. And make a contribution, whether it's passing on your used DVDs, helping to write a project, or whatever. You have to ask, ask the right people, have something to give, and keep asking other people. If your interested in directing for the creative expression and lifestyle, or to do that one great story you have in your heart, you'll stay in it. However if you only have the dream of fame fortune and money, it's hard to stay motivated and will you'll seek other paths for that. And the best part is that you can't even imagine the surprises that come when you follow your dreams. I have too many personal examples to list here, but it's amazing what comes and how it comes. And when you're getting paid for what you love to do, you'll know that the price of perserverence was well worth it. James Bond Lifestyle Seminar page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/dkI9qj | | Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 | | 7:28 pm |
Directing The Fly actor, David Hedison. "Help meeee."
"Is it true that the 'early bird gets the worm'?" David Hedison said as he passed me setting up my products table. "Sure it is," I answered. "But who wants worms?" David laughed as he continued on to his table were, for the next two days, he would sign autographs at the 2002 SpyFest show on the Queen Mary ship. That's how we met. Later in the day as I was talking with him he asked where there was water, and I told him I'd get some for him. I returned with a couple of bottles of Avian while he was signing a photo for a fan and said, "Here you go, David. I had them laced with rum." "Rum? Why not brandy?" "Because rum is what you wanted to have your milk laced with rum when you played The Fly," I replied. "Oh, yeah. Now I remember." However, David wasn't at SpyFest in the capacity of The Fly. He was there because he played the role of 'Felix Leiter' in two Bond movies. Live and Let Die, and Licence to Kill. Most people know David Hedison from his TV show Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea where he commanded the futuristic submarine The Seaview along with Richard Basehart. He got his start in theater, then did his first movie, The Enemy Below with Robert Mitchem, about a World War 2 subchaser battling wits with a German U-boat commanded by Curt Jurgens, who would later show up in the Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. Five years later I hired David to play one of the leads in my audio-book McKnight's Memory along with Frank Sinatra Jr, Robert Culp, and Nancy Kwan. David did a great job and was fun to work with. As I gave all the actors the option of adding any dialogue or changing it to suit them, David came up with some great additional dialogue and phrases. During breaks I was always asking David about The Fly and his dinosaur adventure movie The Lost World, both of which I loved. But it wasn't until I was listening to the final trial CDs of my self-help course How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle that it suddenly hit me: David was in two Bond movies. Why hadn't I thought about that? Wow, was I so Fly and Lost World crazy that I forget he was also Felix Leiter. Hell, where had I first met him anyway? SpyFest, no less. He would be great to do an introduction on my Bond Lifestyle course. He could give his success ideas and stories before I started speaking. I approached David about it and told him, that on the CD, after he told the SpyFest story of how we met, including the 'laced with rum' story, he could use as much time as he wanted to talk about his phylosophy and his stories of the challenges he faced getting into the movie business. I gave him the paper book version of my Bond Lifestyle course to see if it was in keeping with his phylosopy, so he would know what he was representing. After reading it David said yes, and wrote up the intro that ending up being twelve minutes long. People that heard it were facinated by his emotional talk. As for me, I never get tired of listening to it. Then came the big co-incidence about six months later. Edd Byrnes of 77 Sunset Strip fame, as well as Grease, where he played the DJ Vince Fontaine, decided to make an audio-book My Casino Caper. I got the job directing it. Since David Hedison was a close personal friend of Edd's and was involved in the big hassell Edd got into when he won three million dollars in Vegas. So David came in to record how he helped Edd escape the criminal that was stalking Edd for his money. When the projects were finished my agent and producer Larry Metzger told David we had copies of all the projects as well as some coffee cups with the front covers of the audio-books printed on them, to give him. David invited both of us to stop by his house with the goods. He invited us into his beautiful home on top of the Hollywood hills, way on top. David said, "I got this while working on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." And the good part is that I was able to keep working and keep it." Yeah, that says it for me, too. Keep working and keep the lifestyle you want. At his front door saying good-bye, I thanked David again for working on the projects. He replied, "It was my pleasure. I sure like listening to those audio when I drive around. And thanks for the work." I still remember him waving good-bye at the front of his home, and hope to be working with him again soon on my next project. I'll find a role for him in it, for sure. | | Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 | | 5:02 pm |
Reuniting West Side Story's Chakiris & Tamblyn for 'Rock Star Rising'
I approached Russ Tamblyn first to play the main character of my audio-book Rock Star Rising. I'd been a fan of his, even before West Side Story. His character is the would be writer who goes in search of "Shane" a dead rock star (played by James Darren). Of course, everyone discovered George Chakiris in West Side Story in which he received the academy award for Best Supporting Actor. Rita Moreno says of George, "There are only two elegant dancers I can think of, Fred Astair and George." My agent submitted the script for the project to Russ and after reading it, he said yes right away. He even volunteered to get a copy of the script to George Chakiris to play the part of a Puerto Rican gangster. It was an unplanned dream to possibly have both leaders of "The Jets" and "The Sharks" in my project. If I could pull it off, not only would he be perfect for the part, I'd be making movie history by putting these two actors together for the first time since they both got stabbed and killed below that highway, so many years ago. A sort of resurrection for Riff and Bernardo. Russ got the script to George and, after a weeks wait, he told my agent he would do it. Out of the blue, I got a call from George saying that he would like to make some changes to the script and wondered how I felt about it. I told him that the overall story was of more concern to me than each individual word, so it would be fine. He asked if we could meet at the Four Seasons lounge in Beverly Hills. I got there early and checked the place out. When George arrived he looked just like Bernardo and still definitely in shape as he trains at a gym daily and still does dance exercises. I warmed him up talking about the fact the we were both Greek decedents. His parents coming from Greece, both sets of my grandparents coming from Greece. We talked about some of his movies like Diamond Head. He said he was still friends with James Darren from that movie. I didn't know then that James Darren would end up in the project, and not through George. Then we went to work on the script. Basically, his changes were more of the editing nature. Condensing longer speeches into more concise dialogue between him and Russ' character. At one point, George started to act out his dialogue and from the corner of my eye I notice people turning and looking at him and then me. Normally, being a shy person, this would have bothered me, but being it was academy award winning George Chakiris that I was working with, I didn't bother me at all. Two hours later, and after some more movie talk, both George and I were satisfied with his dialogue. I scheduled Russ for four hours of recording starting with George and continuing throughout the day with other actors coming in and out, sometimes having as many a four actors in the recording booth. Russ and George had met on their own before the recording day, to go over their lines and make some changes to make the words more suitable to their ears. At the recording studio, Russ and George sat facing each other, and did all there twenty or so scenes together. We would record each scene one by one talking a break between them to analyze and prepare for the next one. We first ran the scene where Russ' Puerto Rican girlfriend introduces him to her brother, so it was a three mike set up and we got it in one take, with the actress sounding like Rozie Perez. Then she took a break and Russ and George continued with scenes they had to do alone. It was great to hear the two of them set up what they would say before the start of each scene. After two hours, their scenes together were done. Next George had to do his remaining scenes with the actress playing the part of his sister. When George finished all his scenes, I had Russ back in the booth continuing on with his scenes. I was happy to see that, even though finished, George sat in the back on a sofa with his "sister" and talked and enjoyed the atmosphere. Finally during a break, George said his farewells. I shook my hand and said, "It was a pleasure working with you." I replied, "I'll always remember The Four Seasons. It was very productive." After George left Russ turned to me and said, "You know Paul, these days, George hardly does anything. But after meeting you, he decided to do this." I replied, "I'm really happy about that." It turned out that George had not been 100% sure about doing the project until after our first meeting. At the time, none of us knew about the other name actors that would join this project. Rod Taylor did the narration. Then Robert Culp, recording with James Darren and Kevin McCarthy, played characters in the story. Now as I write this with a photo of Riff and Bernardo knife fighting on my pc table both signed by Russ and George, I still can't believe that I have their performances permantently recorded in Rock Star Rising. A dream come true. |
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