Um, that's FRIAR CP now

It is with the deepest humility and the greatest pride that I tell you I have been accepted into the New York City's 105 year-old Friars Club.

After screening my film THE WHOLE TRUTH at the maiden Friars Club International Comedy Film Festival in October, a Friar who loved our film checked out my background and decided I was on of "them."

Before becoming a full time filmmaker, I was a journalist for TV, radio and newspapers - including positions as news director, columnist, commentator, reporter, photographer and editor.

I've also acted in the theater, worked as an acting coach, sung professionally, have done stand up comedy (years ago - I'd share some of my material, but since his assassination, Lincoln jokes just don't sell ...), MC'd many shows and even did a turn as a celebrity auctioneer here and there.

I produced, wrote and directed some 19 short films using all formats (film/video) while I was an acting coach.

Oh yeah, and I yodel.

I have actively supported what Friars have stood for over the years - the freedom to laugh at ourselves and others, particularly those who would try to manipulate or control us. Come to think of it, I was elected class clown when I graduated from high school. This was NOT considered a good thing at the time.

Potential members have to be nominated by two Friars, who must write a short essay about the perspective member's qualifications, character and why s/he would make a good Friar. We nominees then submit an essay as well as personal and professional information plus personal and business references to be vetted by the organization. If approved, we are interviewed individually by a Friar in person at the Friars Club in NYC.

Walking through the Club (a six story building with its own restaurant, gym, meeting rooms of all sizes and some rooms with full bars) is an emotional journey for anyone associated with show business.

Each room is rife with a history that feels personal because so many members are well known - many the most famous performers of the past century including George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, and just about any movie star you could name. "Behind the scenes" stars that make it all happen are also members - including producers, agents, publicists, athletes, entertainment attorneys, directors, writers and composers.

A familiar large photo of Lucille Ball oversees the Lucille Ball Room; there's also the Ed Sullivan Room, the George Burns Room, the Frank Sinatra Dining Room and many more.

Although I spent several hours in the building with my primary sponsor, I didn't want to take the time away from our conversation to take the hundreds of photos I saw in my head.



















I did catch a couple snapshots - one of this hallway near the entryway. I'll shoot the whole place next time I'm there and of course post them here for you to peruse.

My interview was conducted in the Billy Crystal Room by one of the more distinguished members (not sure he'd agree - but it's true); a producer of Curb Your Enthusiasm and successful producer/executive producer for stage, TV and films.

He's watching my feature film THE WHOLE TRUTH and reading one of my books, THE 100% SOLUTION, for background. I'm currently rewriting my problem-solving book with a new title for re-release.

Among the dozens of things we chatted about, we agreed that no matter where we are in the industry's food chain, what makes a Friar is the devotion, discipline, work ethic and passion for our art, craft, work and personal achievements, as well as a generous heart - the desire and willingness to help others.

The Friars motto is Latin for "above all, brotherhood." Which of course is gender inclusive since they voted to admit women several decades ago. In fact, the Club is all-inclusive.

Members come to the smoke-free Club to have a place to relax, work out, hold a meeting, have a drink, dinner, lunch, teach a class. No cash is ever on hand at the club. Whatever is purchased is put on the member's number and the member pays that bill periodically. Friars are friendly and welcoming, knowing that only Friars and their guests are allowed in.

Many long-timers have memorable stories about "back in the day."

The staff is equally as friendly; I met folks who have worked there more than 30 years. I hope someone writes a book about the Friars Club - the place has seen it all.

While there are many senior members - among the most respected in the business, a number of distinguished younger members are also involved.

After our discussion, my interviewer met with the membership committee, sharing his opinion about my nomination and the experience of our conversation.

The membership committee voted to forward my nomination to the full board of directors; the board then voted to make me a member and here I am. - looking forward to traveling to NYC more often, having fun with other members, making the most of my opportunities, offering whatever I can.

It's strange, but for one of the few times in my life, I felt completely at home at the Friars Club them moment I entered. If you're familiar with my background, you know I moved 17 times by the time I was 17 (military brat, me), so it's been difficult over the years to feel genuinely at home anywhere. But at the first film festival reception in October (just two months ago!), I felt I - uncharacteristically - belonged.

When my sponsor approached me a couple days later about wanting to nominate me, I nearly burst into tears.

Needless to say, I was pretty verklempt when I received my official welcoming letters yesterday.

We're checking the membership roster (there are 1,500 Friars) and so far *believe* I am the only Friar living in the Pacific Northwest.

Happy Birthday to me!

While I have a full day of celebrating planned on The Big Day - Sunday: a 90-minute massage, attending the play 39 Steps matinee(British-hilarious), topped off with a sumptuous dinner.

Until then I'll just bask in the quotes about THE WHOLE TRUTH written by Paul Ginsberg, who attended the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival screening.

He's a long-time FBI consultant/professional expert witness. After 1,700 trials, this is what he has to say about our film:

"This is hysterical, and the funniest part is ..... a lot of it is true ! ! !"

"The Whole Truth is definitely a scream. Over the years I've seen lots of it in real courtrooms."

"I think 'Send in the Clowns' was written after watching some of my 1,700 trials. The Whole Truth is a tribute to the judges, clerks and court reporters. They will love it.'

"After 35 years of trials, I have seen much of this movie in real life. This is great, and should be required viewing for all lawyers. Funny."

"Order in the court ? No way. This is much more fun."

"The verdict is in - her hands." That is, Angela's hands - portrayed by Elisabeth Röhm in the film.

After reviews like Paul's, we may well be back in the Big Apple for more screenings soon!

N-Y-C!

Briefly:

Landed at LaGuardia airport last night about 10pm and wow - the place was empty.

Shockingly so. The taxi driver said it's been this way for a while and it's a concern since September is usually a bustling time in the Big Apple.

ONLY take cars marked TAXI, btw, from the airport. The other, unmarked cars, who call themselves taxis (the hotel clerk called them notorious "black car taxis") charge exceedingly inflated rates. The polite drivers approach you inside the airport, ask if you need a taxi, when you say yes, they grab your bag and lead you to their cars - taking advantage of newbies who don't know about these things. When they arrive at your destination, they hit you with an enormous charge.

I found you can refuse to pay that amount, btw, because there is no meter. The driver may not be happy, but there's nothing they can do about it.

Or ... so I heard...

My hotel room at the Wellington is just right - perfect location near all the venues, not to little and not too large, full of history - and not cheap but not inflated rates, either.

It's warm and humid - my hair doesn't fare well in high humidity. I've walked everywhere, so Little Orphan Annie and I have something in common, now, and it's not the red dress.

I checked in for all my credentials and badges at the Friars Club and my goodness. Talk about history. More than a century of show business and comedy history; almost all men of course. But the photos and the name-dropping rooms (Billy Crystal Bar) leave me in wonder of all the souls and talent who have wandered the halls and rooms.

The Friars were pleased to discover, after our film was selected, that our own Elisabeth Röhm is a member!

Other filmmakers showed up to register, and we all have that, "Been there, done that" look of anyone who's done a comedy (it's such a subjective thing-we've all taken our hits along with the praise!).

I'm also dropping screeners of THE WHOLE TRUTH off to distributors who have requested them, with the placard we're handing out to New Yorkers and tourists. I find myself talking about the film with individuals more than passing out the placards. The folks who stop are genuinely interested in a screwball comedy that isn't the "vapid" (their words, not mine!) version we get from Hollywood these days, but a modernized throwback to the days of Carole Lombard, Lucille Ball and Rosiland Russell.

Being New Yorkers, they all remember Elisabeth from the five years she was on Law and Order.

Interestingly, everyone I've met is quite familiar with the Friars Club, but no one has heard of its maiden Friars Club Comedy Film Festival that starts tonight, so this should help get the word out - at least a little.

ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE NOW FROM THE WEBSITE.

Speaking of tonight, I'm looking forward to seeing the Coen Brothers' new film and meeting them in person - there's a private reception for them starting at 6pm, followed by the screening of A SERIOUS MAN, then another more open reception for them and the film afterward.

Tomorrow there's a special luncheon for comedy filmmakers; Saturday afternoon a luncheon for screenwriters and Saturday night a party for feature film makers (as opposed to the shorts folks who have their own party tomorrow night). Ah, the perks of being a writer-director-producer. I get to go to all the lunches, dinners and receptions. I love networking!

Sunday night there's a closing party and awards ceremony, which should be interesting since they've not let us know of the type of awards that will be presented. So we don't know if we're up for any of them, or if they're pre-judged, or if we just get a gold star for being selected in this historic maiden festival.

New Poster!

Here's the new poster for THE WHOLE TRUTH - it includes the laurels for both the Seattle International Film Festival as well as the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival - at which we'll be featured this coming Saturday at 3pm in the Paley Center for Media in NYC.

Click on it to get the full blast!

I'll be handing out placards with information to folks in New York City about the film and its screening on one side and the poster photo on the other - joined by John Fugelsang and possibly 2nd assistant director Jessica Hong!

We'll have 2,000 to pass out in several strategic places to advertise the screening and the film itself. With any luck, we'll be meeting with some key distributors as well.

I got my flight information today from the Friars - leaving tomorrow - Wednesday; returning from all the festivities and screening Monday.

It's going to be so much fun - hanging out with Fugelsang for two full days! Plus the luncheons and receptions and other appreciative activities they've planned for the filmmakers. The Friars Club is doing it right - but that's the reason they're establishing this film festival - they believe great comedies have been overlooked and dissed far too long by major awards selections.

New turns in life

This past week I seemed to have turned a couple corners that are going to influence the next several chapters in my life's book, and they are more exciting than I could have hoped.

An international distributor called; his company enthusiastically loves THE WHOLE TRUTH. He was effusive in his praise of Elisabeth Röhm's performance ("She was hy-sterical!").

He's now checking with his company's owners to put an offer together. We may or may not accept the proposal his company presents us, but I tell you, his unbridled excitement about our film was incredibly touching and inspiring.

He said his company just closed a deal picking up another comedy - one with a who's who of American comedy cast - about which he was very pleased.

He loves the contrast between that totally commercial comedy and ours, which is a whole lotta fun, but admittedly different from anything out there.

L-R Elisabeth Röhm, Pisay Pao, Sean Patrick Flanery

Here's what Uwe Lützen, a former marketer of English language films in Europe, had to say after seeing the film:

"It's an uncommon comedy. I had a lot of fun. I was thrilled to see a U.S comedy so extreme (well you’re the country that invented political correctness, right ;-), really edgy… and I can see why people can love or hate it. it’s just not what you can expect nowadays from a common comedy – or a festival film… it’s bolder and riskier."

I'm off to New York City and the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival next Wednesday, where there will be numerous special activities (dinners, entertainment programs, parties) in the Big Apple throughout the four days for those of us who have films in the fest, all of which I'm looking forward to, and will be making reports about each right here. If it won't be too awkward, I'm taking my camera (it's big) to record these snippets of history.

L-R: Elisabeth Röhm, Danielle Barnum.

Thankfully, I have help making it all happen the way it "should," that is, in a way for which I've done all my homework and am properly prepared. I'm familiarizing myself with the other filmmakers and films as well as getting help (big time!) for my wardrobe and make-up. That's the cool part of being an indie writer/director. We don't have to be haute couture and everyone expects us to be poor.

Meanwhile, I've met someone whose filmmaking insights, work ethic, professionalism, knowledge, thoughtfulness and artistic acumen are a perfect match for mine. Wow. Taking it one step at a time, this could be the beginning of a superb, ground-breaking, exciting, phenomenal and perhaps even more importantly, totally fun creative relationship.

Before I leave, in addition to taking care of my writing and producing tasks, I'm attending the Wynonna (Judd) concert, visiting the Western Washington State Fair, taking care of rescued horses, working with vocal coach Nedra Gaskill (rehearsing for the Christmas recital) and taking care of any other surprises that come my way.

It's all about balance, isn't it?

The Friars Club loves THE WHOLE TRUTH!!

The Friars Club in New York City has been the pinnacle of comedy some 100 years; they believe that great comedy films have been overlooked far too long for major awards consideration, so they're out to change that.

With the world premiere of the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival.

I was called this morning and we are officially in it! You have no idea what a feather in our cap this is for THE WHOLE TRUTH - these folks *know* comedy!

They positively loved the film - the version they saw was the first cut (the Seattle International Film Festival version) so they'll love the current, second cut even more! They listed a number of details they particularly liked and appreciated about the film, which meant a lot to me.

It was especially terrific that they called to tell me - so often festivals just email filmmakers.

The film opening the festival premieres the new Coen Brothers comedy, A SERIOUS MAN.

More information as it becomes available, but the festival takes place Thursday, September 24-Sunday September 27, which gives us little time to prepare, get our new posters made up including the FCCFF laurels to take with us, and figure out what to wear.

Oh-and right after I hung up with the Friars Club reps, a distributor called me! He was happy to hear about our selection for the Friars Club Festival - and I told him about our next film THE LONELY GOATHERD, whose tag line he found very promising: "All Harry Lochman ever wanted was a wife and kids. He got half his wish."

September 8, 2009, has turned out to be memorable!