Well… I’m not at all sure that I “oughta be,” but as it happens, I am this week. Usually, I’m pretty busy on the other side of the camera, attempting to capture all that is happening …
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Well… I’m not at all sure that I “oughta be,” but as it happens, I am this week. Usually, I’m pretty busy on the other side of the camera, attempting to capture all that is happening throughout the Upper Delaware region, but for the past few days, I’ve been in front of the cameras, actively participating in the events that I attended and for much of those days, the subject of social networking while others took the photos, posting them online for all the world to see.
While these snapshots make it appear that I’m happy to be in the pictures, in reality I was angst-ridden the entire time, since I’m never happy with the way I look and uncomfortable in front of the lens. Even back in the day when I was actively appearing in film and television, I squirmed when forced to observe myself on camera. I plan to remain in the background for the rest of the year, preferring instead to continue asking you all to “smile for the camera!” as the Wonder Dog and I traverse the Catskills searching for “Kodak Moments.” While I’m on the subject of my dog, who is photographed constantly while representing the award-winning River Reporter: even she became a bit camera-shy over the weekend. Flashbulbs popped in her adorable face non-stop, making it appear that she was the star of the show, which couldn’t be farther (further?) from the truth—but don’t tell her; she’s even more sensitive than I am.
In last week’s column, I referred to the upcoming “Country Cares for St. Jude Radiothon,” sponsored by the folks at Thunder 102. In the past few years Thunder 102 has come to be considered the most popular country station (www.thunder102.com) in New York State, reaching tens of thousands every day, resulting in the most successful St. Jude fundraiser to date. Dharma and I put in more than 15 hours on-air in an effort to raise funds and awareness in the fight against childhood cancer. Along with the staff and scores of volunteers, we raised more than $75,000. Of course, none of this would have been possible without you, so once again, the pictures aren’t entirely accurate, and the success of the event has very little to do with me. The fight never ends, even when we go off the air, and you can still contribute to this worthy cause by visiting the website and clicking on the St. Jude logo. (Also see item on page 6.)
“You oughta be in pictures,” the old song lyrics claim. “You’re wonderful to see. You oughta be in pictures, oh what a hit you would be.” It’s unlikely that I was a big hit, but the fifth annual Big Eddy Film Festival sure was! Over the course of three days, more than 20 films were screened at the beautiful Art Deco Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg, NY. As discussed in last week’s edition, I took part in the first-ever “Big Eddy Challenge,” which required that I see nine films over 12 hours. I wasn’t sure that I would stay awake, since I was still groggy from the fundraiser, but the films were (IMHO) incredibly good, and I had no trouble paying attention to all of them. Some films were funny, others (“Have a Baby” and “Visit 57”) more serious in tone, while the retrospective—“Paper Moon”—recalled the Great Depression (story of my life!) and illustrated how incredibly successful films are made.
In that vein, those fortunate enough to secure a seat for the sneak peek of “Bleed for This” left the theatre marveling at the movie, which is already receiving Oscar buzz. It is written and directed by local resident Ben Younger, Martin Scorsese is an executive producer, and it is edited by another local, Zac Stuart-Pontier, who was on hand to take part in a free panel discussion titled “The Art of Editing.” In between films, the dog and I chatted and posed with luminaries on the red carpet, while DVAA social media correspondent Bizzy Coy (www.art salliancesite.org) snapped pics, recorded snippets of my humble opinion and tweeted her thoughts (and mine) on how I was holding up.
“Your voice would thrill a nation,” the old ditty states, “Your face would be adored. You’d make a great sensation, with wealth and fame your reward.” Uh huh. It happens that I did play Norman Benzer, the oboe-playing nerd on the television series “Fame” in the old days (1982-85), and Big Eddy producer Tina Spangler and Bizzy did their best to capitalize on my dubious “fame,” but it was the filmmakers and those behind the scenes who stole the show at the festival, as it should be.
Even though there was a picture of me in the program, it has not escaped my attention that “You Oughta be in Pictures” is also the title of a 1940 short film starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, which is a more accurate description of how I appear in the dozens of pictures that have emerged on social media in connection to my participation at the festival (www.bigeddyfilmfestival.com). And although Bizzy and Tina did an amazing job making me look good, I’m afraid that they had their work cut out for them. I’ve taken several feature-length naps since then and have caught up on my sleep, but not anxious for any further (farther?) close-ups in the near future. Next time we meet, it will be you who oughta be in pictures.
For more photos of the Big Eddy Film Festival, visit our Facebook page and tag your friends.
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