Local filmmakers Nancy Gerstman and Emily Russo of Zeitgeist Films sat down with Premiere Senior Editor and NYC Metblogs pal Jenni Miller to talk about their experiences in the film industry and the 20th anniversary of their company. I tagged along to photograph the two for the article and was interested to hear what they had to say about women in the film business and bringing great films that mix the political with the artistic to the public. From the article:

Zeitgeist Films, an independent film company known for delivering intelligent arthouse cinema to US audiences, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a retrospective of its award-winning films at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The company’s co-Presidents, Nancy Gerstman and Emily Russo, sat down with Premiere in their Soho office to discuss entrepreneurship, creating a girl’s club within a male-dominated industry, and acquiring the documentary, Trouble the Water.

It’s an interesting article and outlook from two women who followed their passion for making great films (and kept the company local - their offices are in SoHo). You can also see the retrospective Zeitgeist: The Films of Our Time at the Museum of Modern Art, but hurry - the retrospective ends next Wednesday, July 23.

It’s time once again for Lincoln Center’s for Midsummer Night Swing until July 26, 2008. The outdoor dance party features theme nights — including swing, salsa, disco, funk, and more. Like “Dancing with the Stars” but this is under the stars! Each evening begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 PM for dancers of all levels of experience. The live music begins at 7:30 PM.

Midsummer Night Swing events take place on Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center (Columbus Avenue between 62nd and 65th Streets). Most tickets for individual events are $15 (price includes dance lessons) and admission for Kids’ Day events is $5.
Click here to buy tickets or see schedule online or call 212-751-6500.

Thieves in NYC are blatant assholes. Especially thieves who steal bikes or bike parts. Today while I was working, my bike nestled down on the loading dock with all the other bikes, someone stole my rear wheel. Thank you asshole, you gave me a good reason to walk a lot of blocks to a bike store to get a makeshift wheel. I say makeshift because what was taken from me wasn’t an ordinary rear wheel. It was a special hub that makes a bike with vertical dropouts (see half way down the page for illustration) convert to a fixed gear or singlespeed using an off center ‘eccentric’ axle. It’s the White Industries ENO hub. It was mated to an anodized red rim. It was part of a wheelset I had for about 7 years. I have been riding with it in NYC for the last 4. Moral here is don’t underestimate the asshole thief who knows his bike parts. The thief had to use an allen wrench to remove the wheel. Tomorrow when I park my bike on the same loading dock I am going to post a sign on my bike that reads:

Yet another excuse to live “the city”, and it’s also just right across the bridge.

Today, Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park, 4-8pm, Corner of Plymouth & Main Streets, Dumbo, Brooklyn

There’s plenty of cool shit going down (including Graffiti Research Lab from Vienna) - tomorrow (10th July, 2008) at Alphabeta Shop on 70 Greenpoint Ave. (BROOKLYN) - 6PM - 1AM. One night only, that means - ONLY TOMORROW.

Be there, or be square.  :)

More info:
http://overspraymag.com/blog/?p=443

NYC has it’s own distinct protest group that brings along with them a giant blow up rat. They stand outside a particular location, often a business, to make the public aware of something they find rather awful. In this case I was in Union Sq. by the Kids ‘r’ Us. They were handing out fliers for the company removing asbestos on the building. The leaflet they were handing out was touting the removal company was more interested in lining their pockets than doing safe or environmentally responsible work.

I don’t know enough about this organization to say much more. I recall that somehow non union labor has something to do with it. This is not the first time I have seen the Rat Squad.

Have you seen the Rat Squad?

I travel a lot, and when I fly into LaGuardia I usually book a car service to pick me up rather than wait in the taxi lines, which can be quite long, especially in the evenings or when there is bad weather. I usually use LimoRes (formerly Crown Limo), despite the bad service I’ve had from them before, but after the last few trips in which they attempted to charge me a waiting charge when they shouldn’t have, I’m shopping for a new car service to use, or suggestions on how to avoid rip-offs from supposedly legitimate car service companies in New York City.

Last night, we arrived from Toronto on AA flight #1084. Originally scheduled to land at 7:15, we encountered a 2-hour delay both on the ground in YYZ and in the air circling over La Guardia. We did not land until 9:11 PM and I was out of the terminal and on the phone with LimoRes at 9:18 to inform them I was ready to be picked up. This is well within the 45-minute grace period for international flights that LimoRes publishes on its website, which states that they check the time of arrival with the airline and dispatch the cars accordingly. We entered the vehicle at 9:27 PM, still well within the grace period. However, upon arrival at my apartment at 9:45, still within the grace period and only 34 minutes after we landed, the driver presented me with my bill, with a $16 charge for 16 minutes of waiting time included. The problem? LimoRes told the driver that we arrived at 8:40 PM. Read more

Last week I went to the free concert put on by the New York Philharmonic in Central Park. There were approximately 60,000 people there according to the conductor’s announcement. I arrived just after 7pm to the great lawn filled with throngs of happy people spending the wonderful evening with their loved ones and picnic baskets. I maneuvered my way to my friends about 3/4 of the way back from the stage and partook in the mass quantities of food and drink. Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Hendrix were among the composers who’s music graced our ears. Wait, what? Hendrix? As in Jimi Hendrix? Yup, that’s right, they finished the evening with Purple Haze (which by the way, is about one of Hendrix’s favorite bars, NOT marijuana). My favorite was Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, mainly for sentimental reason as I used to flop around on the living room floor when I was 7 when the cannons would fire. I would highly recommend heading out to one of this summer’s free concerts. A list can be found here of the next few shows, including another on July 15th in Central Park at 8pm!

I come from a long line [well, two generations long] of Mets fans. And it isn’t because I live in Queens either. I was raised in Brooklyn, and then Long Island. My dad was born in Brooklyn. Even his dad was born in Brooklyn. My dad is still sitting shiva for the Dodgers moving to LA! Therefore, in my family, you wouldn’t be caught dead rooting for the Yankees!

But yesterday, I was ready to burn my orange and blue and wear pinstripes. Okay, I’m not running a benefit for Willie Randolph! You can’t even equate his firing to layoffs at United or Starbuck’s or even Bear Stearns. Besides Willie’s money, I’m sure he’ll get snatched up as fast as the Dodgers nabbed Joe Torre.

And I’m not questioning whether he needed to go. Maybe Willie’s time was up. But do you have to fly the guy to California, let him qvell over his winning team, and then fire him at midnight after he reaches his hotel room? Beyond tacky. I never thought anyone could make the Steinbrenners look like nice guys, but this did just that!

Shame on you, Mets Management!! photo credit:Kjetil Ree/Wikimedia Commons

I want to thank those of you that have reached out to help. Sadly, my friend’s father is STILL missing.
So…. I ask you again to keep your eyes out. I’m back in town so you can either contact my friend (info below) or send me a message here if you see anything.

Thank you!

~~~~~~

For those of you that will be around the city for the rest of the weekend, I need your help.

A dear friend called this morning telling me that her Father - who has severe Alzheimer’s - went missing. He’s not carrying any money or any form of identification. I am including all the details - including what to do if you see him. I am heading out of town for the next few days and won’t have access to email so PLEASE contact the family if you have any info that will help.

Thank you!!!!

Enrique Picart (goes by Kique, Rick and Enrique) missing since 9:30AM Saturday June 14, 2008. He has Severe Alzheimer’s Disease and has not taken his medication since Friday night. Last seen on 5th Ave and 72nd street walking south. He’s wearing a Kelly Green polo shirt (almost black) with grey slacks and brown loafers, no socks. Stands at 5′11′, 150 lbs. Has a black mole on his right cheek. General says ‘Palay vous Francais?’ and ‘I’m in the army, from the army.’ PLEASE contact Vivian Picart 212-534-5529 or the 25th Police Precinct 212-860-6511. Thank you.