ARCHIVES #5 November/December 2006 Susan’s annual top ten “recommendations to add to your DW collection.” Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Time to prepare your wish list and shopping lists for the upcoming holidays. Again, here are my recommendations for your David Winters/David Winters-inspired collection. Enjoy. 1. West Side Story (Special Limited Edition)--Archives June 2003 Special Features on Disc 2 include West Side Memories: 1-hour retrospective documentary containing Natalie Wood's original vocal recordings and new interviews with the cast and crew, including Robert Wise, Stephen Sondheim, and Tony Mordente. Original film intermission music restored and remixed in 5.1 surround; and collectible scrapbook. And yes, it was on the list last year, and guess what; it will be on next year’s too. If you have to ask why……………….
2. ED SULLIVAN SHOW, (September 14, 1958) Featuring David Winters, Tony Mordente, Tucker Smith and the rest of the Broadway Jets performing Cool. Extra bonus: Jerome Robbins is in the audience that evening and is introduced. Others bonuses: The old Mercury commercials, Mickey Rooney, and my favorites, the pie-plate twirlers and the Czechoslovakian puppets. A true gem. Much love and thanks to jj and Gary from the WSS messageboard who guided me to this find. For your own journey, go to:
3. Thrashin: DVD with Radical Special Features. - Archives April 2003 Yes this is the fourth straight year in a row for this skatingboarding classic, but with good reason. Not only does this cult classic star skating legends Tony Hawke and Tony Alva, but this film also helped launched the careers of some of the behind the scene folks, including second unit director, Stacy Peralta and production designer, Catherine Hardwicke, and inspired the making of some awarding-win movies. Read on. “Best single camera moment since Thrashin’” Craig Stecyk, Co-founder, Zephyr Surf Shop and co-writer of Dogtown and Z-Boys. “……….on that on that skateboarding classic, Thrashin’” Director of Lords of Dogtown, explaining how she first met the skate pros that she used as consultants, cameramen, stunt doubles, etc on her hit film. 4. Riding Giants. Written and directed by David’s one time second unit director and camera man, Stacy Peralta this semiserious, often rollicking, multigenerational insider's look at the origins of surfing, the colorful and subversive birth of surf culture, and the mythology and lure of the big wave, was the first documentary to open the Sundance Film Festival and won the American Cinema Editors, for Best Edited Documentary Film. 5, Dogtown and Z-Boys . Written and directed by Stacey Peralta. A-Rab may have had the Jets and their turf, but Stacy Peralta had his Z-Boys and Dogtown, and this affectionate tribute to his guys and that era, takes a looks the passion and the hunger that eventually transformed the world of skateboarding from its former image as a land-bound pastime for surfers to its status today as an extreme and acrobatic sport in its own right. Starting from the California surf community of Dogtown, the film follows the evolution of modern skateboarding through it's 70's heyday, its decline during the 80's, and its eventual (and highly lucrative) return in the 90's. 6. Lords of Dogtown. Written by Stacy Peralta and directed by Catherine Hardwicke. These Thrashin’ alums again tell the story of the Z-Boys but this time with “skactors and skatresses” portraying the rowdy Stacy, Tony Alva, etc. Look for the fun cameo of Tony Hawk (whose first film appearance was in Thrashin’) as an astronaut.
7. Movin’ With Nancy – Archives March 2004 With Jessica reminding us that no one walks in her boots like Nancy Sinatra, I just had to add Nancy’s fabulous special to the list again. Granted she does not perform her career-making number, but who cares. Nancy was one of the two coolest chicks from that era and she never looked better than in this award winning television special. From the very first steps of Nancy's legendary boots, the audience is taken on a journey through '60s pop culture, with Emmy Award nominated choreography by David Winters. This gem features singing partner Lee Hazelwood, father, Frank, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.; trend-setting fashions, hit songs and scenic California locations. And forget the remote; you need to sit through the RC Mad Mad Colas Ads. I especially love the one featuring Dino, Desi, and Billy.
8. Hullabaloo: Volumes 5-8 –Archives February 2004 Okay, okay, I could not mention Nancy without mentioning the other cool chick: Lada Edmunds Jr. the girl in the cage on Hullabaloo. This show is special to me in that this is where I rediscovered David. All three available DVDs offer highlights from the vintage show that featured live performance of the most popular musical acts of that era, and some of the best modern dancing with choreography by David Winters--not to mention great shimmies in the cage from the another cool chick of that era, Lada Edmund Jr. But this volume offers a special treat with two dance numbers by David himself. He makes it looks so easy, with Donna McKechnie, no less.
9 . Alice Cooper: Welcome To My Nightmare. -Archives November 2002 David produced. David directed. David choreographed. David rocks. Case close. 10 . Codename Vengeance Future monthly feature Action-packed adventure story with Robert Ginty, the gorgeous Shannon Tweed and one of my favorites, the gorgeous James Ryan.
September/October 2006 Nurturing new talent: Allowing it to grow........and bloom!!! David’s body of work showcases his many talents, including acting, dancing, singing, directing, producing writing, and choreographing, and one not really mentioned before: appreciating and nurturing new talent. In a recurring series, some of the many newtalents will be featured, with David’s own recollection of their early years. We kick off the series with a look at two award-winning directors who not only got their start on the same project with David, but used that project as a springboard for another joint-project years later: Stacy Peralta and Catherine Hardwicke (Second Unit Director and Production Designer for respectively for Thrashin’).
Perhaps one of the reasons why the X-Games exist, Peralta is a director, as well as a former professional skateboarder team surfer and businessman. He is one of the original Z-Boys, and is well known in the skateboarding community as the one of the pioneers of the vert, or vertical, style of skateboarding, as an adaptation of typical surfing style. At the age of 19, Peralta became the highest-ranked professional skateboarder. Soon after, he joined with manufacturer George Powell to form the Powell-Peralta skate gear company which sponsored such up and coming stars as 13 year old Tony Hawk. In 1985, David was signed to direct the now skateboarding classic Thrashin (see Archive, Monthly Feature April 2003) and as every cool kid knows, anybody who was anybody in the skating community was in this either as actor (Tony Alva), stunt double (Steve Olson), or extra (Tony Hawke). David has fond memories of Peralta. “Stacy was this kid who was the owner of this skateboard company with his name on it.” David remembers. “We had shot a second unit sequence of the boys skating down and around Hollywood Blvd and when myself and Alan (Saks, producer and writer) looked at it we were not at all thrilled. So Stacy said ‘Just give me a camera, and a couple of crew guys and let me take a shot at it’. Alan and I looked at each other and thought ....’Why not?’ So Stacy went out on his own and shot the whole Hollywood Blvd. sequence hand held and it was great. Many of the shots he was on the board himself with the camera shooting as he was riding the skateboard.” David’s admiration and respect for Stacy’s work is not surprising as it is somewhat similar to his own: “In a way filming skateboarding is much like dancing and choreography. I love to get the cameras moving as well when I shoot my musical and dance numbers. Lots of directors just have the camera sitting still, instead of being an integral part of the movement and enhancing the movement by moving along with it, kind of like participating in it. It adds another dimension to the scene, like you are in the scene internally, instead of looking at it from afar. Stacy was very helpful in the film Thrashin’ as none of the other cameramen could ride a board and shoot off of it. This was a wonderful addition to the look and feel of the film in the skating sequences, and I think it is a big part of why this film has become a classic to all the kids who ride, then and today.” Stacy went onto become a second unit director on other films such as Gleaming the Cube He also began directing and producing the first skating demo videos for skaters such as Tony Hawk. The videos he directed for Powell-Peralta were partly responsible for the third skateboarding boom and are widely regarded as some of the best skateboarding videos ever made. Peralta's experience as an entrepreneur and skate demo filmmaker was adapted for video game, Tony Hawk’s Underground. In 1992, Peralta left Powell-Peralta to direct and produce for television full-time. His still-lingering love of the board manifested itself in the film, Dogtown and Z-Boys, an autobiographical documentary film depicting his early days as a skateboarder, and Riding Giants, a 2004 documentary of the history of modern big-wave surfing. Dogtown won an award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, and Riding Giants opened the festival in 2004 Peralta also wrote the screenplay for the dramatic retelling of his Dogtown days in the Lords of Dogtown (2005), And who did he choose to be the director to this near to his heart project: former Thrashin’ colleague Catherine Hardwicke. Catherine Hardwicke: Hardwicke stood out in a crowd even during her tenure at UCLA film school where she made an award-winning short, Puppy Does the Gumbo. Impressed by her talent and creativity, David gave her her first profession give job as Production Designer on Thrashin. “I remember Katherine being so very young and talented and ambitious and extremely professional,” David recalls. “I was totally impressed with her and blown away by her creativity. I knew she would go far in the industry. She was also very feminine which impressed me greatly.” Hardwicke went on to spent most of the 1990’s as a production designer, and art director working on such films as Tombstone, Tank Girl), 2 Days in the Valley, Three Kings, and Vanilla Sky; the later two films are notable for their original use of color-manipulation techniques to complement the narrative. She teamed up with 13-year-old actress and family friend Nikki Reed to write the screenplay for the coming-of-age drama Thirteen, marking Hardwicke's first directorial effort. The film debuted at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, and she took home the Director's Award. Hardwicke went on to direct Lords of Dogtown (2005), Peralta’s fictionalized account of his childhood and skateboarding culture, that what was originally captured in the documentary, Dogtown and Z-Boys .
Catherine’s creativity, her ability to capture the essence of youthful subjects and her feminine touch played a part in her landing her latest directing assignments: Nativity, New Line Cinema's look at the life of the Virgin Mary before the birth of Christ. The studio wants Hardwicke for her ability to tell the story of Mary's life from a strong female perspective. David is proud!
Summer 2006 So Many Film Festivals…………
A self-proclaimed citizen of the world, David is no stranger to the various film festivals of this planet. The glamorous Cannes Film Festival has been a constant second home for David for years, in fact he chose to use the actual festival as his setting for his horror classic, The Last Horror Film (see Archives, November 2002). But one particular film festival may just hold a special place in his heart: The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF). Not only has David made this lovely country his home in recent years, but he has been a very productive force in the development of the East/West film productions and market. At the 2002 BKKIFF David's film, Welcome 2 Ibiza, was an audience favorite, playing for standing room only crowds at three different screenings, a rare happening at any film festival. In the end, Welcome 2 Ibiza beat out 79 other films for the prestigious Audience Award for BestPicture. (See Current News and Archives April 2004).
Now in its fourth year, the 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) has become quite popular throughout the world of cinema. Over the years, the organizers have worked hard to bring an exciting schedule of world-class films, informative workshops and symposiums, special tributes, the Bangkok Film Market (BFM) and, of course, the spectacular special events for which Thailand has become so well known to the viewing public. This year was even more special because it was an extremely important year for both the festival and Thailand. The year, 2006 marks the 80th birthday of his Royal Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej , and the 60-year anniversary of his accession to the throne, making him the longest-reigning monarch in the world. Therefore, in addition to the festival itself, special celebrations and events were added to the line-up making the experience even more memorable.
The winners of the 4th Bangkok International Film Festival GoldenKinnaree Awards were announced at a gala black-tie dinner held at the Conrad Hotel in Bangkok attended by international dignitaries from around the world. HRH Princess Ubol Rattana presented the Kinnaree award to winners selected by an international jury of producers, actors and directors from the entertainment industry. She also presented French star Catherine Deneuve with the LifetimeAchievement Award. And another fabulous highlight was a screening of West Side Story with cast members Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno and David Winters appearing and answering questions. They were delighted to learn that m most of the audience gathered for their Q&A had already seen the groundbreaking classic, but like so many of us, are thrilled to see it again, especially on the big screen.
And in coming full circle, David has been asked to be a judge at the new Ibiza Film Festival, which may be screening West Side`Story as well. I think this event will take place sometime in 2007, possibly just after the Cannes Film Festival. So many film festivals, so little time. APRIL 2006 Happy Birthday David!!!!!!!! With love, admiration, and respect for you as a person and as an artist, I truly wish for you another productive and exciting year. Love Susan, your Jet Goddess. In an early email to me, regarding this site, David warned me that he was a typical Aries, which basically means, he is. 1. Adventurous and energetic
Our self-proclaimed Citizen of the World in Switzerland 2. Full of flair and originality
David’s choreography for the Grace Kelly Special included him skydiving 3. A courageous leader with a genuine concern for those he leads.
David with then California Governor (and now Mayor of Oakland), Jerry Brown 4. But Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, is a masculine sign ruled by the warrior planet Mars, whose motto must be Crash through, or crash!
While filming his award-winning Raquel special, David takes on the irate Mexican press 5. A cardinal (creative and inventive) sign, Aries, the Ram, governs leadership and initiative.
David with son, Jonathan, on the set of his latest movie, The King Maker 6. As someone compassionate, David has enhanced the lives of more than a few fans: Happy Birthday David! You are a true classic and have enriched my life...and all of our lives, through the great work you have done over the years. Watching you in WSS, on Hullabaloo/Shindig, and the many other projects you have been involved in, is awe inspiring. I have always been a fan, and I am honored to be your friend. Happy Birthday David...all the best, Mitch
Some of the beautiful Shindig dancers including Gina Trikonis (second row, left) and Maria Jimenez Henley (front row, right)
David and some of his Hullabaloo Dancers Here is wishing "one of the Jets" a fantastic birthday and may many more come your way! May your day be filled with much gladness. Kevin
The Jets! The Greatest!!! Hi David, "Anything's possible" is what comes to mind when I conjure up images of you and the other Jets in mid-air, mid-flight. A series of perfect moments captured. Movie roles aside, I find you special personally because of the generosity you extend in sharing your memories with us and your outspoken nature in general. It's a good way to be. Happy birthday and many more to come. - Dear David, All the best on your birthday,and wishing you great success with 'The Kingmaker'. Richard in England. Happy birthday to my favorite Jet! Thanks for sharing your memories of West Side Story with all of us. I will continue to share your work with my classes, and be honored to tell my students that I have spoken to you through email and on the internet. Have a great day!! - Ann All I can say, my dear Ram: You done good, buddy boy!
|
