Won’t You Be My “Forever Young” Neighbor?
Exactly one-month from today, on Saturday, October 2, I'm releasing a brand-new LP, "Forever Young."
It's a collection of songs I loved growing up that I hope my three-month-old daughter, Maggie, will love someday too. Of course, I'm counting on you and your family enjoying it as well!
The record features many of my dearest friends lending their voices, guitars and keys. It is our intention to donate proceeds to The Fred Rogers Center and The Campaign For A Commercial-Free Childhood. Though neither is affiliated with the project ...
Mister Rogers, Jeff Tweedy & Me
It's been quite the few weeks around here. As more than one person has said, "You delivered two babies in two weeks!" Of course, while I couldn't be much prouder of "Mister Rogers & Me," the film doesn't hold a candle to Maggie.
Nonetheless, the film's premiere has played a roll in my three-week paternity leave. I snuck away to the Nantucket Film Festival last week where the film was met with a wonderfully warm response. One viewer commented, "Within minutes of the film starting, my goose bumps (not to mention tears) suggested that I ...
“Mister Rogers & Me” Update
In the event you haven't checked in on my other website, "Mister Rogers & Me," lately, there's a quite a bit going on. For starters, we've relaunched it.
Of course, the site's relaunch was timed to coincide with today's publication of the Nantucket Film Festival schedule.
"Mister Rogers & Me" has two official screenings: Friday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Nantucket High School, and again Saturday, June 20 at 6 p.m. at Coffin School.
It fairly overwhelming but completely exciting to see our film in the NFF Ticket Guide alongside ...
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
I stepped into Times Square at 12:33 tonight, some sixteen hours after first stepping foot in the office. The sidewalk was slick.
"Huh," I thought. "Weather."
This afternoon, I stood outside MTV video Music Awards rehearsals at Radio City Music Hall as one of our crews interviewed the Creative Director in a cramped, curbside mobile office.
I looked up from 49th Street to Rolling Stone Magazine's offices, and though back to a fall day in 1995 when I watched VMA arrivals there as a young intern. It never would have dawned on me then ...
I Heart Pop Candy Because Pop Candy Hearts Mister Rogers (And R.E.M.!)
In December, I travelled to Washington, D.C., to cover President Obama's Inauguration for MTV News. I was managing the operation, for the most part, but broke ranks one afternoon to interview one of my artistic heroes, Shepard Fairey.
USA Today's Pop Candy Blog linked to the resulting article. So I sent its editor, Whitney Matheson, a thank you email. We talked about our mutual love of R.E.M., and agreed to grab beers sometime, then got sucked up into the cycle of our respective lives.
Fast forward to two week ago. I sent Whitney ...
“Mister Rogers & Me” Needs Your Help
I often wonder whether Chris and I should have had a business plan or, heck, any plan before diving into the making of our independent documentary, "Mister Rogers & Me," back in June 2006. Especially now, day one of a month-long fundraising campaign to finish the film.
We've been making slow but steady progress for a few months now, enlisting the advice and editing expertise of "American Hardcore" director, Slamdance Film Festival co-founder and pal Paul Rachman who cut our 2:30:00 run time to 1:15:00. It's far more compelling and ...
Walter Cronkite (1916–2009)
In the fall if 1989, I sat deep within the blue light of Conestoga High School's dusty, off-white library single-finger typing my Northwestern University application into one of the school's ten, well-worn IBM PCs.
I don't remember much about the assignment, or my thesis, or even what made me think I should be a journalism student there to begin with (neither a) "I like to write" b) "I like Chicago" nor c) "My brother wanted to go there but didn't get in" seemed like reasonable responses), I only remember one thing: Twenty years later, I ...
Stay Tuned
Well, that didn't take long. Or did it?
Two weeks ago, my brother handed off a hard drive loaded with "Mister Rogers & Me" footage, and taught me how Avid Editing 101.
After a fifteen-day period that included ten of travel (and one marathon), I sat down in front of the computer to get started.
You'll recall that I first met Mister Rogers in September, 2001. Principle photography for our little, DIY documentary began in June, 2006. We've been steadily chipping away ever since, including weekend shoots in Washington, DC, Durham, ...
Hey, Whatever Happened To That Documentary?
What's going on with Wagner Bros. Pictures, LLC's still-forthcoming documentary, "Mister Rogers & Me?"
I'm glad you asked. Or, I'm glad my pen pal Magnus did.
"When I inquired about the documentary a few months ago it was on hold," he writes. "I don't know what the progress is, or what's holding it up, but I just wanted to encourage you to keep at it. I know you are extremely busy with all your other endeavors, but this project is as important now as it ever was. Keep at it! You were chosen to remind people of the deep and ...
Remembering The Crash Site
"Mister Rogers Talks To Parents About Divorce" premiered on Sunday February 15, 1981, just as my parents' marriage was falling apart.
Unfortunately, it took twenty-five years to learn of the show's existence, and until this afternoon to see it myself for the very first time.
All I knew of Susan Stamberg's relationship to Fred Rogers when I walked into NPR's Washington, DC, studios way back in November, 2006, was that the two had taped some television specials together in the '80s. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered the topic of ...
