The power won’t come on. It's the night before our first temp mix on Psycho, we're on deadline, and our computer won’t boot up. All of our audio, the dialogue and FX are on this machine. All of it. The entire movie. And this cut is scheduled to be screened to the Universal executives after the temp mix. FUCK!

I will die, but not retire. - Michael Palin

It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since I left Will Vinton Productions.

I’m still going strong. I think. I’ve survived some major health issues and feel pretty good when I get up in the morning.

I have published three more books and will be bringing out two more in 2025, along with another film.

I did a six week US tour in 2017, and continue to work, picture editing and sound design on some amazing independent films. I have made more short films to go along with my books and I have more in the pipeline.

What our cinematography instructor had told us earlier was… “If you ever really blow the power out wherever you’re shooting, the first thing you need to do is hide all of your gear.

Richard and I broke down all of our equipment and got everything into the cases. We ran all of the gear out the back way to the parking lot and put it into my car. I covered everything up with a dark blanket, then drove the car two blocks away and parked it under a tree.

The last few times we went to a game together and there was a lull in the action, instead of being able to have a beer and talk, we were bombarded by “entertainment”. Games, give-a-ways, lucky numbers, and really loud music and announcers. We couldn’t have a conversation because of the sheer volume of everything that was going on, and our attention was constantly being diverted away from the actual game.

As you can imagine it takes a while to get used to talking to a room full of people as muted hardcore porn plays on the giant monitors in the back of the conference room. Which of course I’m facing.

In my pocket was enough money to get to my first stop, Boulder, Colorado. If I didn't make money there the tour was over. I literally didn't have enough money to get me to my next stop, or to get back home.

Gary’s gift was being able to illustrate in words what it was like at a particular time in his life. He invited us into his world, a world that no longer exists as time moves forward. He made his past come to life and showed us where so many of his influences originated. He passed on July 21st.

I was such a nerd that I formed a book club in the fifth grade with a few other kids. We would meet on Saturdays to talk about books. Did I mention I was in the FIFTH GRADE!

People laugh when I tell them I prefer doing readings in bars, or places where my films are being shown or I’m teaching workshops. That’s because at those venues the money for my books, DVDs, and merchandise goes directly to me. One hundred percent.

He was one of my biggest fans and supporters coming to all of my local screenings. He appeared in some of my films as well as a PSA I shot once for the Parks Department. He was very proud when people would recognize him at the grocery store from that PSA.

I shared a cutting room with Dick Oswald. Dick had started his career at Universal and had cut sound on the original Psycho and The Birds.

“What was the stabbing sound they used in the shower scene?”

I stupidly thought I could knock this out in a month. Once I started, I realized I couldn’t half-ass any of the stories. I need to do it right and make each one of them able to stand on their own!

On June 18, 1974 I purchased a 1970 Toyota Land Cruiser after seeing an ad in the newspaper. I was seventeen and had just graduated high school. I paid $1700 cash and he gave me all of the other pieces he had for the car including the old fiberglass roof.

The elevator suddenly stopped in the middle of its ascent. As the sun beat down I realized there was a baby among us. Then I realized the baby needed its diaper changed. Badly.

The sound and the visuals work so well together in this film. I love the sound effects and the musical score is right on the money.

Get up Grandpa. Grandpa get up!
Every morning at 6 am my bedroom door opens. There is a three foot tall silhouette, standing in the doorway.

I tell people I’m an old punk. I believe in DIY. Life is short. I don’t have time to wait on others.

Rereading Robert Kennedy’s introduction so many years later I am reminded of how I felt as a kid. I really did think all things were possible.
In my own writing I tell stories of people that some refer to as “losers”. Those who have had a rough time and probably aren’t ever going to be “successful”. But how do we define success?

It is a film that a lot of people may not like or as Chris stated, this film “as an example of a movie that immediately makes you question, “What the hell is going on here?”.

For over 40 years I've loved what I do. I’ve worked with amazing people (and some schmucks) on great films, and have traveled more than I ever thought possible. With a valid passport in hand I can still pack a bag and be out the door in ten minutes. (Okay maybe 15 minutes...)