My New Gig

While movies are fun, they tend not to be as profitable as one would hope (especially when they're indies and only making the festival rounds). Let's just say I was looking for something to do on the side to make more money. Which leads me to my newest endeavor, I'm the new Font Coordinator for the Philadelphia 76ers/Comcast Sportsnet. Now, while it is a high paying, high end job, I haven't given up film and fully expect 'Enlightenment' to make it's (casually) scheduled production timeline. So no worries there to those that are keeping tabs on that.

Anyway, we did our first Sixers broadcast last night and it was amazing. I arrived at the Wachovia Center at 12pm, met up with my cousin Jon (who happens to Vice President) and he showed me around the complex and the executive offices. Right off the back, I'm further along the chain then most of the people at CSN, which is awesome (I'm going to love messing with interns). Anywho.. I got to the production room around 1:30 and we never looked back. I work right along with the director and producer for the Sixers (Shawn and J.R.), the announce crew (Dei Lynum, Marc Zumoff and Bob Salmi) and 2 others on my panel (Beth that runs the scoreboard and Frank who runs the Duet machine). Since I'm still learning the position I'm being trained for, I worked with a guy named Steve who introduced me to the different player and stat codes.

I caught on pretty fast and called most of the stat/player graphics that you saw last night (if you watched the game). Funny note, I made a big deal about Lou Williams and how I thought Marc and Bob should reference his summer league stats (he avg'd 25 ppg), but they figured they'd make this game more about the rookies and new team acquisitions. Well, at the end of the day, Lou ended up with 33 points, so I felt pretty smart afterward (which doesn't happen often). I really like this job, and while I don't know if it's going to be very long-term (however, the salary may change my mind about that), I'm really enjoying it so far and figure to have a lot of fun with it while I do it (and I may do the Phillies too).

Hasta mypajamas,
Jay

My First Post

Where to start? I was using myspace for blogging, but after getting 200 friend requests a day from spammers asking me to subscribe to their live sex webcam shows and making tons of comments telling me that "size matters" (I'm sure it does matter, but it doesn't really need to be plastered all over my webpage), I decided it was time to bid farewell to Tom and Myspace. Anyway, I digress, no more myspace bashing, I just don't have the time or patience to sift through all that stuff. I guess I'll just let loose on what I've been up to lately..

As most of you know, I took a hiatus from the film world this summer (other than a small role in one scene for M. Night's "The Happening", but who could pass that up?). It was good to get away for a while, I think I've had some of the best ideas I've ever had during that time, so it really was beneficial. Right now, I'm frantic as hell planning out production for my latest project, currently titled "Enlightenment". This is the most ambitious indie project I've ever helmed on my own. I'm incredibly excited by how much buzz we've received already and the types of people and organizations looking to be a part of it. I'm not going to name anything or anyone, as nothing has been made official yet. However, I promise when things are announced, you will all recognize why I'm as excited as I am.

In other news, the Eagles have been really AWFUL in their first 2 games this season. I must be the only level headed Philadelphian left, because the entire city is about to explode.. or implode, or whatever cities do when they're really perturbed. We've been through so much with Donovan, I can't believe people are really willing to give up on him so early in the season. Am I the only one that remembers what it was like during the Ray Rhodes era without him? What it felt like to expect 4-12 seasons ever year? This city has gone crazy, but I think most people thought we had a long time ago.

I had to goto a funeral recently. Fortunately for me, it wasn't someone I knew very well, but you still feel the sense of loss for everyone around you and overall it was depressing. One book I read a few months ago described death like birth, as a miracle: So why do funerals tend to be so bleak and dreary, when it really should be about coming together to celebrate the life of whoever had passed? One day, I want to goto a funeral where everyone is clapping and waving their arms in the air to "We Didn't State the Fire", but alas, that day has yet to come.

I've gotta get going, I hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks for checking out my first post on my new blog.

Buon giorno,
Jay.