Summer of Screenings
The Cast of REWIND At the tail end of the summer my film “REWIND” was in full swing and playing at three different film festivals. The NY International Film Festival, Film Night in the Heights, and the HBO Latino Film Festival.
The HBO festival was the biggest one and our film seemed to be getting buzz from the start. We were in good company though; the other films on the bill were all amazing with great young directors. Over several nights our cast got together and watched our film on the big screen, it was an awesome experience. Do people still say awesome?
On the night of the final screening, I’m waiting for my friend who was in the cast to come down from Pennsylvania Land and we got to the theatre 10 min late, maybe 15, 20 min tops. We walk in and the box office is closed, however there are two older ladies perched on chairs against the wall. One of them looks at me swaggeringly and says:
“Can I help you?” “Yes I’m so sorry I’m late.” “Are you here for the film festival?” “Yes, may we still….” “Do you have a ticket sir?” “Yes…at the box office.” “Uh Oh, the box office is closed so if you don’t have a ticket…..”
Out of nowhere, Mr. Chinchilla, the founder of the festival passes by and sees me. He points at me and says, “Aren’t you in that film, Rewind?” He was kind enough to let us in, pretty cool. I can still see the chilling look the women gave me in my dreams. We ended up winning for Best Short Film at the 2007 HBO Latino Film Festival!!! Congratulations to the cast and crew of “REWIND”. SPEECH! SPEECH! “Well, I’d like to say that standing here on this cyber podium today, that I am very honored to have received this prestigious award. I would like to thank my mom, who has stuck by me, even the time I shaved off my own eyebrows because I thought it would come into style. I would also like to thank my father, for letting me live. In conclusion I would like to say that the war in Iraq is wrong and (MUSIC PLAYS) and Bush is a piece of…..(CUT OFF MY MIC)……………..Thank you.
Living in the Center of the World
I’ve been doing a lot of different types of jobs lately. Producer, Writer, Comedian, Actor, Extra, Promotional Person, Website Designer, Video Editor, Sound Editor, Audience Wrangler, Forklift Instructor, Motorcycle Pilot, Archer, Life Coach, and many more.
I love New York, there is always something different happening everyday. Where else can you find a job herding people to chairs while you watch the US Open on a jumbo size screen outside at Rockefeller Center, or carry a 40 pound television on your back while you take pictures of strangers. The last job I had was for NIKE, promoting their product throughout the city. They gave me this limited edition pair of Nike kicks that were based off the Transformers, killer! I was walking with my team around the village and I run into Mark Summers, from Double Dare, on Nickelodeon, come on people remember? Anyway he looked kinda old-er and was staring down at the floor as he walked but as soon as I said, “Hey Mark Summers”, he kicked into Double Dare mode and gave me a big HELLO! As a child one of my dreams was to get on that show and take the physical challenge.
One time I was talking on my cell phone not paying attention and nearly crashed into Matthew Broderick, hey he was doing the same thing and didn’t see me either. We both stopped suddenly and looked at each other as if to say, “oops” and walked our separate ways.
On my way to work the other day, I turn on 46th street and end up in a Brazilian Parade. There were so many people I could barely walk. They were waving flags, having food, and enjoying the floats as they passed by. I somehow end up behind the police barricade, on the street, in the middle of this parade. Now people are staring at me and some are cheering, so I just started turning and waving as I marched my way through to the next avenue. The funny part is this isn’t the first time I get stuck in a parade.
Only in New York…