NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW with hosts Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz TUNE IN/WATCH Monday April 11^th 8 PM  “TOUGH GUYS WHO ACHIEVE’ with very special guests:  16 time Emmy Award winner/ director GLENN HOLSTEN and ROBERT COZMO CONSULMAGNO, Marine, Bipolar Advocate, World Ranked Jiu Jitsu Fighter. 

Show Note: We are thrilled to bring these fascinating, dynamic, accomplished guests to NJ Discover for an hour of introspection, motivation, drive and achievement. A very special hour especially for young and old viewers and everyone in between.

  TUNE IN:  www.njdiscover.com  Monday April 11^th  8PM

THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  EVERY NIGHT 9 pm Beginning April 18th

INTRODUCING GLENN HOLSTEN:

Glenn Holsten is an award-winning director who creates compelling documentary story experiences for screens of all sizes – from the IMAX to the iPhone.

His latest documentary, Hollywood Beauty Salon, portrays life at an intimate beauty parlor inside of the Germantown Recovery Community, a non-profit mental health program in Philadelphia, where staff and clients alike are in the process of recovery. By gathering together to get their hair done, share stories, and support one another, they find a way to rebuild their lives.  Hollywood Beauty Salon will have a theatrical release in New York City and Philadelphia in June 2016.

The Barefoot Artist, about global artist Lily Yeh, was filmed on four continents and had its theatrical premiere in New York and Los Angeles in December, 2014 and is currently available on Netflix. His most recent national broadcast on PBS, The Barnes Collection, follows Dr. Albert Barnes’ remarkable rise from Philadelphia’s working-class neighborhood to the top of the modern art world. SEE, a film that he created in collaboration with painters Bo Bartlett and Betsy Eby premiered at the Camden Film Festival in 2013.

He directed an eight-part series titled Women In Chemistry, about pioneering women chemists for the Chemical Heritage Foundation. Women In Chemistry appeared on public television as a one-hour television special, as will Scientists You Must Know, a documentary about the people behind the discoveries that changed our world.

Other long-form documentary directing credits include OC87: The Obsessive-Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie, (theatrical release, 2012, Netflix); Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists, 1958-1968, (OVATION, 2010); Saint of 9/11, about Father Mychal Judge, the beloved chaplain to the NYC Fire Dept. (Tribeca Film Festival, IFC theatrical release, 2006, Netflix); Gay Pioneers (PBS, 2005); JIM IN BOLD, which harnesses the power of young voices to reveal the challenges and triumphs of being young and gay in America; Thomas Eakins: Scenes from Modern Life (PBS, 2001), a lyrical examination of America through the eyes of the 19th century painter; and HOUSE, a 30-minute film about The Korman Residence in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania that was famed Philadelphia architect Louis I. Kahn’s final residential commission.

He was commissioned by both The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Pew Charitable Trusts to create a series of moving portraits about artists and their work processes.  Glenn is a recipient of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts, an Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts, and a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship. He has been awarded silver and gold awards from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for innovative television production. He has been honored with sixteen Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.  A collection of his work was exhibited in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s 20th Century Video Gallery.

Glenn has directed films in China, Portugal, Kenya, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, Poland, Bosnia and the Republic of Georgia. In 2000, he traveled to Mongolia, where he conducted a workshop for television professionals that explored creative methods for storytelling on television.

Glenn graduated from The University of Pennsylvania in 1984 with a B.A. in English.

LINKS:  LATEST FILM:  http://hollywoodbeautysalonmovie.com/      HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY SALON portrays life at an intimate beauty parlor inside of the Germantown Recovery Community, a non-profit mental health facility in Northwest Philadelphia, where staff and clients alike are in the process of recovery. By gathering together to get their hair done, share stories, and support one another, they find a way to rebuild their lives. The documentary-which was work-shopped at the Salon over the course of four years-is also part of the recovery process, and the subjects of the film played an active part in shaping their own narratives and determining their unique individual styles.

http://www.barefootartistmovie.com/     THE BAREFOOT ARTIST

A visually stunning and deeply emotional film, THE BAREFOOT ARTIST chronicles the long and colorful life of Lily Yeh, a Philadelphia-based artist who has committed herself to creating community-based art projects in some of the world’s most troubled areas. The film explores two sides of Lily’s life that are connected parts of the same journey: her international ventures helping to heal weakened spirits in communities around the world, and a personal journey within to repair her own fractured family.

GLENN HOLSTEN:  IMDB    http://bit.ly/1Ybkcv2

INTRODUCING  ROBERT COZMO CONSULMAGNO

I’ve written often about ‘Cozmo’ since I met him last summer down the Jersey shore. It was, as they say instant chemistry. I’ll include links to NJ Discover articles and videos we’ve done with Cozmo; tantamount to a totally fascinating personality and a nice guy who fights. Glenn Holsten, also our guest on the show, did an award winning documentary on Cozmo, filmed in his hometown of Jersey City.  ‘OC 87 Recovery Diaries’ Robert Consulmagno  “The Good Fight”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMdOk8EgXtc

NJ Discover Video with Cozmo:  http://bit.ly/200iCO4

In a composite nutshell; this is the stuff they also make full length movies about. I wonder who’ll play Cozmo? He was born over 40 years ago in Jersey.  ” My biological father committed suicide by hanging himself. I’ve seen my first step father beat my mother. They were together for many years but never married but he also forced himself on her. He even threw a TV stand at his own mother; the product of a violent environment. I’ve seen him beat a guy over a parking spot. My first stepfather shot my second stepfather with a 22. Later the same day, he drove up to Mooanchie, New Jersey and killed himself inside of a Pontiac Bonneville with the same weapon. My first stepfather was the guy when my mother yelled, “Dad wants you,” I started crying. I didn’t know what was going to happen. That’s where my problems dealing with people and authority figures came from. That’s all I knew, how to survive.”

To escape, Cozmo enlisted in the Marines, honorably discharged five years later, but with severe PTSD and diagnosed bipolar disorder. He has notably become a dynamic spokesperson on his life’s mission to end the stigma of bipolar. Travelling and exploring America some years ago, with a permanent disability, he was approached in the locker room at his local gym in Florida and was asked if he evere thought about studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Testament to his drive and perseverance, he went on to become a world ranked, purple belt Jiu Jitsu fighter, channeling all that energy.

READ NJ DISCOVER INTERIEW WITH COZMO: http://bit.ly/1L7tDdr

COZMO CONTACT INFO AND PLEASE CONTACT HIM:

supercrazycozmo(Twitter)

Website  http://www.supercrazycozmo.com

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/supercrazycozmo

TUNE IN:  www.njdiscover.com  Monday April 11th  8PM          THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  EVERY NIGHT 9 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Beginning April 18th

 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS                        

WINDMILL RESTAURANTS  

http://www.windmillhotdogs.com/home

NEOS ZOE WELLNESS CENTER  

Cranford, New Jersey 

http://www.neoszoe.com/

THE FOOD BANK OF MONMOUTH & OCEAN COUNTIES

http://www.foodbankmoc.org/about-us/

Did you know that 1 out of 10 people living in Monmouth and Ocean Counties receive food from the FoodBank? In addition to food, we provide services that help to solve hunger.   It takes community support to build food secure communities. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the 131,000 men, women and children who struggle with hunger.

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW: “A NIGHT IN THE ART GALLERY”; TUNE IN & MEET 3 UNIQUE JERSEY ARTISTS; KORTEZ ROBINSON, MARIA SAVARESE, SHEILA GRABARSKY; MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH 8PM with Hosts TARA-JEAN VITALE & CALVIN SCHWARTZ

TUNE IN MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH  8PM;    www.njdiscover.com

THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  EVERY NIGHT 9 pm Beginning Feb 15th

Art is always on our minds. Hosts Tara-Jean, Calvin and friends were together at an art party in Asbury Park this summer. They created art and knew it was time to delve and explore. Recent trips to Rutgers Zimmerli Museum, Monmouth Museum, Princeton Art Museum, MOMA and art galleries of Central Jersey solidified the motivation and content for February’s show.  The artists appearing represent a broad panoply of art, background, arrival, courage and commitment; fascinating stories and its way more than just art. Maybe a little Hollywood thrown in, shaken not stirred.

Also check You Tube for our last show on “Adoption” with special guests playwright/ singer/ songwriter Zara Phillips and Broadway actress & documentarian Nam Holtz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoEio5gn6aI

TUNE IN MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH  8PM;    www.njdiscover.com

MEET THE ARTIST GUESTS: 

KORTEZ ROBINSON:

Kortez, a fine artist residing in Freehold, New Jersey, uses mixed media collage, acrylic, watercolor and works on paper, wood and found objects. The art of Kortez is one of a kind as he is able to find inspiration and unconventional medium upon which to use as canvas. The subject matter of his work comes through vividly. Vibrant colors and provocative topics such as race, politics, social commentary and pop culture break through his art with bright colors and vibrant deliberate lines. Exhibiting a strong hand and intentional shapes, Kortez makes his point through bright colors and bold lines.  His art is currently being show at Vonda’s Kitchen  and Duke’s Southern Table in Newark NJ. Palette Arts space and At The Table in Asbury Park NJ.  In his residing home town Kortez has art at The Freehold Art Gallery and a restaurant called Uncle Ralston’s Home Style Cooking also has a few of Kortez’ paintings.

Esotericurbanism is the title and description for some of the art created by Kortez.  The journey is an ongoing exploration into visual art via mixed media collage, drawing, painting, sculpture, print making and photography.

      http://www.esotericurbanism.com

MARIA SAVARESE: 

Mixed Media Artist, Maria Savarese  has been creating since she was a young girl.  She started with weaving potholders and painting trinkets for her mother, and now weaves beautiful silver and copper pendants and is a professional potter.  Maria also paints and creates wall art out of found objects, has been in juried art shows and has had her work presented in galleries in PA, NY and NJ.

Maria works year round at Yellow Duck Preparatory School and runs the Ceramics/Pottery and Jewelry Programs at Country Roads Day Camp in Manalapan.  She also gives private and group lessons in her studio at home.  You can find her on Facebook on her Art Page, Mia Art, and on her website,

                                 www.MiaArtOnline.com.

She specializes in creative paintings and art that have deep personal and emotional meanings. She bridges the gap between self-taught and professionally driven skill that has taken her on a journey starting from early childhood, to college, and diving into her own creativity with professional pottery, lessons, fine art, and crafts.

Maria is many things, a potter, fine artist, crochet enthusiast, to durable and functional artist. From teaching classes to one on one art fun, Maria is much more than just an artist sitting in a studio. She loves people, loves engaging with art, and loves teaching and working with children and young adults. From pottery to learning how to mix paint, have fun with art, and create masterpieces, Maria teaches with a level of whimsy that keeps her students coming back for more.

SHEILA GRABARSKY:   

Sheila is a seasoned, classically trained, national award-winning artist with biographies in numerous Who’s Who’s. She has worked and exhibited across the U.S. for over 25 years in corporate, educational, commercial, and healthcare venues as well as museums and online.  Her work is in numerous private / public collections. She is currently showing works in a Hollywood film to be released this year, American Pastoral, based on Philip Roth’s novel of the same name starring Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Connelly. Sheila also recently published a back cover testimonial for a book of poetry entitled Leaves of Absence by Sally Brown Deskins.

“Color creation is very exciting. As a small child I painted a yellow watercolor sun into a blue sky and was thrilled to have accidentally created green, which hadn’t been there before! I remain awestruck, still, at color creation.”

Classically trained at Syracuse University, Sheila’s work evolved from expressionistic portraits into gestural abstraction.” I do not have a preconceived notion as I approach my easel. I work in multicolored, multi-textured layers. Lately I’ve been adhering dried skins of acrylic residue off my palette, as I find them incredibly beautiful and inspiring. Watching as forms literally present themselves as foreground is an amazing experience, always requiring hours of concentrated studio time. I am fascinated by the discovery and the mystery of harnessing chaos into a cohesive composition.

                         http://Grabarskystudio.com

TUNE IN MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH  8PM;    www.njdiscover.com

                                                                                THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  EVERY NIGHT 9 pm Beginning Feb 15th

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

WINDMILL RESTAURANTS  http://www.windmillhotdogs.com/home

          NEOS ZOE WELLNESS CENTER  http://www.neoszoe.com/      

   THE FOOD BANK OF MONMOUTH & OCEAN COUNTIES

http://www.foodbankmoc.org/about-us/

Did you know that 1 out of 10 people living in Monmouth and Ocean Counties receive food from the FoodBank? In addition to food, we provide services that help to solve hunger.   It takes community support to build food secure communities. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the 131,000 men, women and children who struggle with hunger.

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW  DEC  7TH 2015   8-9pm  TUNE IN/WATCH    “ADOPTION, REALITY, INSPIRATION & CREATIVITY”  with Special GUESTS, singer/songwriter, playwright, author Zara Phillips, and actress, producer, director, Nam Holtz with your HOSTS  Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz

bY Calvin Schwartz   11-30-15

TUNE IN, LISTEN, WATCH LIVE OR ON YOU TUBE AFTER SHOW:  www.njdiscover.com

THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  

HOW THIS SHOW EVOLVED:  We like to share with our audience how a particular show came to be (evolved). Cut to two years ago. NJ Discover Live was on the road shooting our Holiday Show on location in Belmar, New Jersey at the ocean front home  of Richard Hoynes.  There were seven invited guests to be interviewed that night, a few weeks before Christmas. As it turned out, all the guests had music in common except of course the hosts, Tara-Jean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz (not necessarily musically inclined, but love music and can dance and are music journalists.)

In the hour before the live broadcast, the conversation drifted in many different directions. Then someone mentioned adoption; their children were adopted. As if a game of people dominoes was being played while the exigencies of the universe descended on Rich Hoynes’ living room, replete with cameras and sound recording equipment; one by one, the guests mentioned their involvement with adoption. Zara Phillips was a musical guest that night; she is an adoptee. I added how adoption fulfilled my life’s journey.  This resounding purposeful synchronicity bound all of us to thinking someday we would do a show about adoption. And here we are. But we wanted to look at this subject in a different way, with a twist, so to speak, shaken but not stirred. Our guests for the December 7^th show are so wondrously amazingly creative, talented, motivated and adopted.

Calvin Schwartz   11-30-15

Montclair’s Zara Phillips named Congressional Angel in Adoption

Solo play ‘Beneath my Father’s Sky’
returns to NYC stage next month

 MONTCLAIR, NJ (October 20, 2015) — Author, musician, filmmaker and advocate for adoptee rights, Zara Phillips was invited to Washington, D.C., this month to receive a Congressional Angel in Adoption Award for her tireless work to bring awareness to adoption issues and to assist adoptees in coping with an unresolved past. Phillips returns from the nation’s capital just in time to gear up for her November 5, 2015 return to the New York City stage with her one-woman show, Beneath My Father’s Sky, which debuted in 2013, directed by actor Eric Roberts and wife, Eliza.

Nominated as an Angel in Adoption by U.S. Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), Phillips was cited for her multi-faceted efforts to shed light on adoption: memoir, documentary film, theatre, public speaker and presenter of workshops around the country that empower adopted teens to process their feelings through storytelling and music.

The timing of Phillips’ return to the stage is apropos as November is National Adoption Month. In the critically acclaimed production, theatre-goers join Phillips’ journey to find her birth father and experience the myriad emotions and realities that follow. The play, which won the 2013 Festival Award for Best Direction, has been performed by Phillips in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Montclair.

Zara noted, “For many adoptees, not knowing who their birth parents are takes an enormous and emotional energy toll. The restlessness of not knowing the past can make focusing on the present and future incredibly challenging. It is my hope to fuel awareness with my story.”

A presenter for the American Adoption Congress, Phillips, who was born and raised in England, travels the United States and United Kingdom offering workshops and presentations on various adoption-related topics. Phillips wrote, directed and starred in Roots Unknown, named best documentary short at the Garden State Film Festival. Phillips’ memoir, Mother Me: An Adopted Woman’s Journey to Motherhood, has been touted as “bravely illuminating” the lifelong impact of adoption on each member of the adoption triad. Phillips’ music career includes work with Live-Aid founder Bob Geldof and other rock bands, as well as collaboration with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and adoptee Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC.

 Beneath My Father’s Sky was staged on November 5th at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York City.

For more information about Zara and her work, log on to www.adoptionunmasked.com.

A LOOK AT MEGGIN “NAM” HOLTZ:

MEGGIN “NAM” HOLTZ is a Korean adoptee working as an actress and producer in NYC.  Nam graduated cum laude from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in dance.  She spent the first year after graduation on scholarship at the Merce Cunningham dance studio in NYC and making coffee and frappacinos while working at “Starbucks.”  During this busy time, she was cast on Broadway in “The King & I!”

After her Broadway debut, she was cast in “The King & I” in London’s West End, where she had the good fortune of performing in the beautiful London Palladium Theatre.

Nam has sung the music of Queen in “We Will Rock You” at Las Vegas’ Paris, and toured across the USA in productions of “Miss Saigon” and “Flower Drum Song.”

Now, Nam is producing a documentary film called “Found in Korea,” about adoption, her personal search for her birth family, and issues surrounding adoption. Trailer and website: www.foundinkorea.com            Donations towards post-production costs are graciously accepted.

Growing up in a transracial family has lead Nam to discover that many complex adoption issues are underrepresented in the media, and outdated by law.  She has recently been invited to speak on the “Flip the Script” panel at the American Adoption Congress Conference in Denver, taking place in March of 2016.

Her poem “Who Cut my Umbilical Cord?” is currently published in the recently released “Flip the Script” Adult Adoptee Anthology (available on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Script-Adoptee-Anthology–YA/dp/1517686741/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447211893&sr=1-1&keywords=flip+the+script).

Nam has traveled extensively, and her friends and family will vouch that she has a hearty appetite for humor, the truth… and yummy food.  Nam also loves animals, learning, good music and the beach

TUNE IN, LISTEN, WATCH LIVE OR ON YOU TUBE AFTER SHOW:  www.njdiscover.com

SPONSOR:  NJ Discover Live Radio/TV is proud to announce our Sponsor : WindMill Restaurants  www.windmillhotdogs.com

CONTACT INFO :

ZARA PHILLIPS:   www.adoptionunmasked.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zaraphillips/?fref=ts

MEGGIN NAM HOLTZ  http://namholtz.com

foundinkorea.com        Facebook: ttps://www.facebook.com/nam.holtz.9?fref=ts

TARA-JEAN VITALE:   https://www.facebook.com/TaraJeanVitale?fref=ts

CALVIN SCHWARTZ:   www.vichywater.net     Cerebral Writer: https://www.facebook.com/Calvin-Schwartz-Cerebral-Writer-258272024192114/?fref=ts

A VERY SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: MONDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 5^TH NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW with hosts Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz with Our Guests, Actors & Director from the film “Who’s Jenna…?”  Tune In  at 8PM or Watch on YOU TUBE TV or Long Branch Cablevision     bY Calvin Schwartz
 

THE FACTS:  Monday Oct 5^th 8 to 9 PM at  http://www.njdiscover.com/wp1/  OR  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmwbkYuCVU&feature=youtu.be

for the live radio broadcast of NJDiscover Live. Immediately following show is on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmwbkYuCVU&feature=youtu.be   for the YOU TUBE TV broadcast.  The show airs all month on Long Branch Cable TV Channel 20 (LBCTV20), which airs on the Comcast digital TV network.

beginning October 12th every night 9PM

THE GUESTS:  Actors from the NJ based romantic comedy, “Who’s Jenna…?”  Garry Pastore, Lenny Venito, Michael Tota, Bill Sorvino, & Joseph D’Onofrio AND Director Thomas Baldinger.  The hour show explores Indie films, the careers of the actors and director, life & improv on the set of “Who’s Jenna…?”

LINKS TO CHECK OUT: Production Company:   www.624-Productions.com   IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4317858/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk2

Laura Madsen, publicist:   http://www.theladyinredblog.com/

SPONSOR:  NJ Discover Live Radio/TV is proud to announce our new Sponsor : WindMill Restaurants  www.windmillhotdogs.com

HOW THIS SHOW EVOLVED:  Back in August, I was invited by Publicist Laura Madsen to spend time on the set of “Who’s Jenna…?” for an article on NJ Discover.com.  It was the perfect follow up to do our LIVE show.  Here is a reprint of the article:

SPOTLIGHT: ON THE NEW JERSEY SET OF FILMING “WHO’S JENNA…..?”   And A CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR TOM BALDINGER   bY Calvin Schwartz    September 9th 2015

Hooray for social media, networking and circles of commonality. For the last several years, Laura Madsen, publicist and innovative writer/blogger at  http://www.theladyinredblog.com/  and I have travelled in similar circles of commonality( as I call it). Our energies and passions emanate from Jersey life and the arts. If you’ve read my musings over the past few years, I’ve postulated that Jersey has become the pop culture capital of America and Laura is always at the epicenter. For verification of the postulate, just look at ‘The Soprano’s’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’, “Jersey Boy’s’, ‘Jersey Shore’, ‘Jersey Housewives’, ‘Garden State’, and ‘Jersey Girl’.  Laura and I never had the opportunity for the sharing of notes and synchronicities; we never met formally.

A few weeks ago, Laura contacted me via Facebook and asked if I’d like to cover the filming of a feature film, “Who’s Jenna…..?” which is a comedy  written by award winning producer, director Tom Baldinger from 624 Productions, LLC, a New Jersey based company. Laura hinted that the film title had something to do with an adult film star but that’s all she said. My response to her was immediate and decisive; “I’d love to hang around the set and do some absorbing and interviewing for NJ Discover.”

The next decision for me was where to surface for the best absorption opportunity. The filming was taking place at the Lakewood Country Club for an on-location golf scene or the following day at Verve Restaurant in Somerville.  I surmised that it’s best not to hang around a hot golf course as Jersey was in heat wave, so I opted for the cool basement confines of Verve for the shooting of a dinner scene. And I’d get a chance to hang a bit with actor Garry Pastore; I’ve been a fan for years.

Time constraints of being on set and getting a few minutes to chat (at the break) with director Tom Baldinger made me formulate a direction I wanted to take with this coverage. I’m quick to admit that my experience of being on sets is somewhat limited although I was on set back in the 90’s with Meryl Streep, William Hurt and Renee Zellweger and wound up in the Christmas scene in ‘One True Thing.’ My focus for “Who’s Jenna….?”  was the art of detail and precision in the film making process.

Laura’s phone messaging last  Wednesday morning got me to Verve’s rear parking lot(on foot), through a rear kitchen door, down a steep stairway, through a narrow hallway to a basement dining room, filled with tables and patrons (all actors).  I never asked if this was an active part of the restaurant or just the basement set for a very funny scene. Seated at a large table, with cameras aimed, were actors Garry Pastore, Lenny Venito, Vic Dibitetto (also a very funny comedian whom I saw recently at Count Basie Theater at a Frank Sinatra Birthday Party), and Bill Sorvino, playing the lead role of Jonathan Burke. Next, Laura introduced me to the film director, Tom Baldinger; first and lasting impressions were that of an affable, intense, creative, focused force in the universe. It’s funny how fast you can “size” people. Waiters started bringing steaming plates of pasta, meat balls, chicken and foot long sausage in front of the seated actors; it was 10 AM.  Someone yelled, “Get the Dunkin Donuts coffee cup off the table.” Actor Michael Tota introduced himself. He and I have been part of central Jersey concentric circles; we never met live, but knew of each other.

Readers can go to the film website for more plot/story information. http://www.624-productions.com/#!whos-jenna/c6h0n

The basement area was relatively small; an additional eight tables or so had ‘diners’ (actors) to make for a perfectly realistic restaurant set; the table next had a woman and her young daughter. The small room size and 90 degree outdoor heat made the set challenging.  I watched the crew fill the four actors’ wine glasses half-way with grape juice.  The wine glasses would be an interesting focus for me; the exact level of the juice in the glass was maintained for the next 94 minutes (multiple takes) that I watched from the rear side behind the cameras where Laura and I were positioned. As they were ready to shoot the scene, I heard “Quiet on the set.”  I smiled. This was real.

I won’t give much away but the scene was hysterically funny as the four actors ate (pretended to eat as the sausage maintained its great length throughout), drank, conversed and laughed. I love watching eyes of the actors moving from person to person; just that small detail embraced me. Watching my friend Garry Pastore talk/act/move his eyes/laugh and then greet Michael Tota’s character when he walked over was  perfectly real. There was a poignant albeit funny story going on.  Director Tom Baldinger meticulously instructed Michael Tota how to grab himself while talking and then look at Vic Dibetto’s character. It had to be the same grab in every take. The repartee with Lenny, Bill and Garry was priceless. I’d love to use their words the next time I go to my primary care physician and see how it’s received. I savored every minute of absorption.

Something else I noticed; about the crew; a special esprit de corps. They were a well-oiled machine, anticipating, performing, and functioning like the offensive backfield of a local college football team. They loved what they were doing and with whom; their director. I like to observe those elements. The body heat generated in the basement’s close quarters moved me to Main Street in Somerville for an hour until I caught up with director Tom Baldinger just before lunch.

I mentioned to Tom that I have a relatively undiscerning eye when it comes to matters of film making but I’m a HUGE movie fan going to back to 1939 vintage. Tom was engaging and thrilled to be chatting. Once I flipped on my reporter’s recorder, he started. “For me it’s very important that what’s said-dialogue is not just dialogue-there’s a purpose to why people say certain things. That’s why when I write my scripts, I try to be very careful with the words that are said. I try to make sure that the voices are separate from each other-that the characters are separate.  There is a voice in each one of them. When you are on set, everything has to have a place because I’ve seen tons of movies-big budget films; sometimes the detail is not there. For me there are a lot of people watching movies who will not like a movie because there is something wrong-a missing detail-or if dialogue doesn’t match up correctly-or characters not really synching together. That’s very important to me.”

I mentioned, “Translates down to your crew. I was watching them measure grape juice in a glass to make sure it was exact level.”  “It’s all about continuity. How many times have you seen a movie where the glass is half-full and in the next shot- it’s the same conversation- the glass is either empty or not there. I was watching a movie last night-‘Mission Impossible 3’ and saw where all the extras were and I have to give a lot of credit to J.J. Abrams. A lot of time you’ll see movies with extras. They are in the shot then they are not there. My crew; I have to be honest with you. The meticulous and tight atmosphere really comes from them because I think they see me as a visionary. I’ve built this and I’m not trying to sound egotistical but I’ve built this company and in some ways they look at me as their leader and so they are on the ride. They want-they feel this is going to be successful. They want to be on the same boat. I’ve always set goals and reached my goals. I think that’s why everybody on this crew wants to do everything perfectly because they want to take this next step into this industry.”

Taking it further I added, “I’ve watched a melding of you all there.” Tom said, “Yes.” “I was so impressed with the detail. When Michael comes over to Garry at the table, you tell him exactly what to grab and do.”  Tom added, “Yes, when we shoot the reverse, we need to see him grab himself and that action-when we’re in post, you see Vic’s reaction. It makes my editor’s job so much easier. And when you are sitting around the post, you are not saying we forgot that or look at that.”

The night before I heard interesting news about Apple and the film business; “Your work as an Indie film maker has an interesting future. Apple announced yesterday it may give money to Indies.” “I hope so. I heard a little about that. I work on Wall Street and I’ve been out of work mode for the last week or two. My father who actually works for Bloomberg said you have to check this out. When I get a moment, I’ll read about it; very interesting.”

I thought Apple wants to do what Netflix is doing. Tom was quick to comment. “That is where the market seems to be going; where the industry is going and I’m going to quote a famous actor hearing him talk about Indie films. Alec Baldwin was on Howard Stern show a few weeks ago. He was talking about how film has changed over past 20 or 30 years; that now big budget movies are all technical, special effects, CGI. Not that the big budget films don’t get into the story or content but they are more Marvel and super heroes. I love those movies and I’m there with the popcorn, but the Indie industry-that’s where you get down into characters, stories and dialogues and really get into it. What the Indie film industry has done-it has born the writer-director and sometimes that’s good-sometimes bad because studios say we only have $250,000 to spend. We can’t spend another $100,000 for a director, so let’s make the writer the director. That’s a bad choice but when you have a good script and a good writer who can be a director, studios need to take that into consideration. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime-all that stuff; it’s really starting to blow up. Quite frankly, ‘House of Cards;’ I said to my wife last year that they don’t have to win an Emmy; just be being nominated, Netflix was doing cartwheels down the hallway because they knew all of a sudden they got something and now everybody else is trying to do it.”

I asked Tom about quality. “Quality is better. I mean we’re shooting with a red camera where some of those shows you see with bigger name people are shooting with the same equipment. We’re trying to bring high quality products with lower budgets and eventually, hopefully somebody like Apple will say I like your product and I want to put more money into it and give us an opportunity to do even more.”

Tom smiled, took a deep inhalation and was ready to go on talking. It was I who suggested that he eat lunch but that down the road a spell, he should come on NJ Discover Live Radio/TV show with the cast and Laura Madsen and continue our chat. After a firm hand-shake cementing the deal and a photo-op of course, I was on the road again, heading to Yurcak Field on Rutgers campus with NJ Discover broadcasting the television coverage of the Skye Blue FC Professional Women’s Soccer match against Kansas City. A bunch of questions suddenly popped into consciousness on Route 287 to ask Tom and the cast. It would wait until October 5th for NJ Discover’s Live Show with them. We move fast here in Central Jersey.

NOW ON YOU TUBE: NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW  with special guests comedian Mike Marino (running for President)  and Super Bowl Champion Tim Wright with hosts Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz  7-28-15

LINK TO YOU TUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFgxms5LZNk&feature=share

Yes, it was a really great show with the lightning fast funny comments from NJ Bad Boy of Comedy Mike Marino who is running for President and the introspection and insights from Tim Wright, a 3^rd year NFL player who had his Super Bowl ring prominently displayed. Both guests have Jersey shore roots. Mike              (   mikemarino.net   ) also talks about his upcoming big concert in Asbury Park at the Paramount Theater on August 15^th and Tim Wright (    www. THEWRIGHTWAY ACADEMY.ORG   )  talks about his Wright Way Academy and Friday Night Lights camp for kids teaching them athletics, academics and life and of course NFL experiences.

There’s even a monologue about bio- magnetism and integrative medicine and the institution of moving and downsizing.  It’s a very special hour.

And now we’re also pleased to announce that the show also can be seen on Long Branch Community Television Channel 20 (LBCTV20) the entire month of August.

LINK TO YOU TUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFgxms5LZNk&feature=share

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO SHOW with Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz May 18th 8 PM “LIVING TO 150”

Agreed, the theme of our show on May 18th is a little dramatic and ‘out there.’ But there is so much information, technology and practicality in the world of longevity, that we’d like to begin our own discussions. I have my pet theories, emananting from my sophomore year at Rutgers in 1965 studying pharmacology, about deciding not to age traditionally. I think being open-minded and exploring the universe and learning is part of the process of longevity. I also know we’ve got to be our own advocates for everything concerning our bodies. Our guests for this first show  were carefully considered for what they contribute to the healthful and aging process. Of course, if our show went on for 12 hours, we’d barely scratch the proverbial surface. But every journey begins with a first step. I’m always amazed (I’ll be a little cryptic now) at the depth, diversity and breadth of people pursuing the knowledge and care of our guests.    Calvin Schwartz

TUNE IN for Internet Radio Broadcast at https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g   on: MAY 18TH at 8PM

WE’RE BACK. BETTER THAN EVER. NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO with your hosts TaraJean Vitale and Cal Schwartz. And what better way to get off to a resounding, healthful opening night than to present our new segment “Living to 150” with very special guests, Dr. Luis Garcia, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, American Biomagnetism and Dr. Lauren Laurino,ND, affectionately known as “Dr. Ren, America’s Holistic Sweetheart” Dr. Ren is a Board Certified, Award Winning Naturopath.

TUNE IN for Internet Radio Broadcast at https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g on: MAY 18TH at 8PM

The video re-broadcast will be available on YouTube   after May 18th    https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g

For more guest info: Dr. Luis Garcia: http://www.usbiomag.com/aboutus/
Dr. Lauren Laurino: http://laurenlaurino.com/

                                        PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF BIOMAGNETISM

Biomagnetism results Dr. Luis Garcia

Patient A: Fungus on index finger for over 20 years…After having treating it with creams, oils, oral medications, etc, it never improved.  After 1 session of BIomagnetism, it disappeared.

Patient B: Excessive dryness, scaling, itchyness on right hand for over 8 months.  After 1 Biomanetism therapy and 3 weeks later, right hand returned to normality.  It was most likely a fungus issue.

Patient C: Unknown pink itchy rash slowly appeared and grew in size in this patients leg for about 3 months.  After 1 Biomagnetism therapy, 4 weeks later it disappeared and only left a slight scar on the skin.  Almost a year has past and leg remains clear of any rash.

Join Calvin and Tara-Jean on a radio journey through New Jersey with their stylistic stream of consciousness. They’ll be talking about great towns, people, resident talent and almost anything else blowing in the Garden State wind. Their unique brand of Talk Show is part of NJ Discover, a New Jersey based production company which proudly serves the entire state with positive informative programming.

I.  Premiere – July 2013 NJ Discover Radio Talk Show with Cal & TaraJean   Episode I

II.  August 5th, 2013 Radio Show:

III.  NJ DISCOVER RADIO SHOW:  LIVE Monday Aug 19th 8 pm.  Hosts:Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz  SPECIAL GUEST: MIKE MARINO ‘NJ’s Bad Boy of Comedy’  

 IV.  NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO SHOW: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH from 8 TO 9 PM FEATURING Hosts TARA-JEAN VITALE AND CALVIN SCHWARTZ with Special Guest DANNY COLEMAN (Rock on Radio)

IV. NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO SHOW: Monday September 23rd from 8 to 9 PM featuring PSYCHIC JANE DOHERTY.

V.  MONDAY OCT 7 NJ DISCOVER RADIO SHOW LIVE 8 to 9 pm with special guests Michele Frantzeskos and Nancy Vazquez, writers, producers and directors of the riveting movie ‘The Right to Live’ (a film about ABUSE). tune in with Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin at:

VI. MONDAY NOVEMBER 11 NJ DISCOVER RADIO SHOW LIVE 8PM TO PM with special guests Dr. Sketchy and model Missy Heather.

VII. MONDAY DECEMBER 2ND FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAY RADIO SHOW LIVE 8PM TO 9PM with Richard Hoynes, Zara Phillips, Tommy Pipes McDonnell, George Meyer, Pamela Moore and Jobonanno. LIVE at the JERSEY SHORE!

VIII. Special Edition Tuesday! LIVE RADIO SHOW: TUESDAY DECEMBER 10TH 8 PM: With Special Guests and Live Music including Nick Clemons, JT Bowen, Jo Bonanno: Highlighting upcoming January 11th “Big Man’s West Reunion Show” in Point Pleasant Beach. It’s ALL about CLARENCE CLEMONS!! Don’t miss this LIVE SHOW with hosts TaraJean Vitale and Cal Schwartz

IX. NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO: TUES JAN 14TH 8PM: VERY SPECIAL GUEST: CARL ‘TINKER’ WEST: UCLA, Engineer, Surfboard shaper designer, Ancient surfer, Musician, Promoter, Audio Engineer, Bruce Springsteen’s first manager, Food connoisseur, Award winning (Newport Boat Show) wooden boat restoration, Sailor, Global warming assessor, Incandescent spirit and Quintessential conversationalist. SO THERE IS A LOT TO TALK ABOUT with hosts Tara-Jean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz.

www.spreaker.com

STAY TUNED FOR MORE!

AND NOW ALSO LIVE AT: Hamilton Radio website!