Filmmaker PJ Bracco of Red Hook Films

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Andrea Tarr
NJ Filmmaker PJ Bracco of Red Hook Films

NJ Filmmaker PJ Bracco of Red Hook Films

Part 2 of my series on NJ filmmakers featured PB Bracco of Red Hook Films, who I had the pleasure of meeting during the Garden State Film Festival in April. It was during the festival that I realized I wanted to do a series on filmmakers. I asked PJ (and also Andrew Lilley from part 1 in this series) how it felt to be in a room filled with strangers while they watched your film. PJ said “naked.” I was in the audience to watch his music video We’re in for a Long Night, and I can honestly say that I fully understand that feeling of putting yourself out there and hoping others respond positively to your insanely hard work. This is the struggle that all artists face when they go public with their projects, and I have been in this position myself. Hey, it’s one thing for your mother to say your stuff is good, but when total strangers applaud loudly and spend money on your art — that’s a feeling that can’t be beat!! Clearly PJ is a man of diverse talents and he’s been honing his craft for many years. He had the good fortune to be part of an artistic family who encouraged him along the way, which is a common theme for most of the artists I had interviewed on Jersey Coastal Live. Remember that PJ is also an accomplished musician and plays with the Red Bank Blues Band. Seriously. What doesn’t he do?

We mentioned the 1989 movie The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover — let’s just call this film a very black comedy, but definitely worth checking out. I watched it as part of a dinner and a movie night in a restaurant in Asbury Park. Really. If you know the movie, you’ll understand why this is so crazy.

To find out more about PJ Bracco, check his website for Red Hook Films.
Check out the Red Bank Blues Band also and be sure to catch a gig and say hi to PJ.

To listen to the complete interview with Filmmaker PJ Bracco click here.

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Andrew Lillley: NJ Filmmaker of Loose Gravel Films

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Andrea Tarr

New-Homer-poster-11x17-RGBIf you listened to this interview with filmmaker Andrew Lilley, you must have enjoyed it as much as I did. I’m a huge baseball fan. Yes, I love the Yankees, but I’m much more interested in the actual game and the history of America as seen through the eyes of baseball. Ken Burn’s series on baseball is one of my absolute favorites. But Andrew is really onto something with his debut film, “I’ll Knock a Homer For You: The Timeless Story of Johnny Sylvester and Babe Ruth.” It was a series of firsts for him — fist time attending a film festival; first time entering a film; first time winner of Home Grown Documentary Feature award. Seriously. If you’re a baseball fan and love a good human interest story, you’ll enjoy every minute of this movie. Andrew was luckier than most film school graduates who spend time wondering what to focus on for their first movie. He had a piece of living history right within his family — Johnny Sylvester — and he and his production team have done Johnny proud. If you’re not familiar with the story, Google it. So what’s next for this filmmaker? Distribution of his film is the main goal so audiences everywhere can enjoy this classic tale of Johnny and The Babe.

For more information on Andrew Lilley from Loose Gravel Films, check out his web site at www.loosegravelfilms.com.

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Deedee Montanaro & Laura Johnson of Strumberry Pie

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Andrea Tarr
Strumberry Pie

Strumberry Pie

Pie is always a good thing, right? And Strumberry Pie is especially good. Laura Johnson and Deedee Montanaro are two ladies who came together over Rock n Roll Karaoke in Red Bank and decided to rock on as an acoustic duo. Like many other musicians I have had the fortune to speak with, both ladies had music going on in their families since they were kids. In Laura’s case, her parents were singers and her grandmother was a musician. No surprise Laura has been singing since forever. Deedee started learning guitar in 4th grade from a Texas hippie who had an orange lava lamp. By the way, I had an orange lava lamp! Just saying.

So these two rocking ladies formed Strumberry Pie (ya gotta love that name, right?!) in 2012, but they have been part of the Jersey Shore music scene for a while. I love how this area is an incubator for musical talent; just one of the many benefits of life at the Jersey Shore. Laura and Deedee are now writing some original songs for an upcoming CD, but don’t wait for that. Be sure to catch them locally at one of their gigs or as part of the Hen House. Find them on Facebook under Strumberry Pie and see for yourself why Pie is the new cake.

Strumberry Pie is part of a showcase performance to benefit NJ Sharing Network for tissue and organ donation in NJ. They’ll perform at Hook’s Bar in Seaside Heights on May 4 from 1-6pm. Have some Pie and support an important organization.

To listen to the interview with Strumberry Pie, click on the link at the top of this post or click here.

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Life Coach Jenn A Nocera Talks About Body Adornment

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Andrea Tarr

tat for blogLove them or hate them, but body adornments are here to stay! In the words of the immortal writer Jack London, “Show me a man with a tattoo, and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past.” OK, I’m certain this also applies to women, but during Jack’s time women were not typically getting inked. The fact is there are just so many inked people out there (including me), and it’s approx a $1.65 billion industry. Special thanks today to our guest caller who was very candid about having 12 piercings — 3 on one eyebrow and the rest on her ears. She said that most of her piercing were done to mark a specific event, and this is a very common thing for people to do. Many choose to commemorate special events, whether happy or sad, with either a tattoo or a piercing. When my mom passed away a few years ago, I decided to honor her with the Hebrew symbol for life and a small heart — “love of life.” And when one of my best friends died after battling lung cancer, her daughter and I got matching tattoos in honor of her mom, my very dear friend. I have been judged harshly by some people, but most “get it” and realize it’s just my unique sense of self-expression. Body adornment comes in many forms, and humans around the world have always felt the need to express their individuality. You may not embrace ink or piercings, but please be wise enough not to judge the content of someone’s character by what you see on the outside (YOU would never do that, right?). Thanks to Life Coach Jenn A. Nocera of Formula for Excellence for making me aware of the vajazzler! If anyone reading this has been vajazzled, I’d really like to hear about your experience. Oh yeah :)

To listen to the entire interview, please click on the link at the top of this post or click here.

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WEST END — First Film by Joe Basile Premieres at GSFF in Paramount Theater

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Andrea Tarr
Joe Basile, Actor, Writer, Director, & Producer of West End

Joe Basile, Actor, Writer, Director, & Producer of West End

It’s perfectly understandable, Joe — you’re entitled to feel like Frank Sinatra opening at the Paramount! Because your Jersey Shore crime drama, West End, is going to premiere at the Paramount in Asbury Park, and there is no better venue than that for your movie. Joe Basile has plenty of reason to be excited, and I’m sharing that excitement with him since I’ve been feeling this is “my” movie too. Joe is an Actor, Writer, Director, and Producer and West End is his first film which will be screened at the Garden State Film Festival on April 6. You should also know that Joe is the only guest I’ve ever had who was set on fire. This is Joe’s third time with me, so please dive into my Jersey Coastal Live archives and check out his other interviews for some excellent insight into what it takes to produce a movie. It apparently takes a village and then some.

West End has a stellar cast of characters including Neal Bledsoe, Joe Nieves, Peter Onorati, Eric Roberts, Melissa Archer, Lou Martini, Jr., and several more. But I think what might steal the show and tug at your heart is the much-loved Jersey Shore locations filmed in their pre-Sandy glory. The Casino Pier in Seaside is a most impressive backdrop and never looked better than in this movie. Thanks to Joe for preserving some of our favorite locations on film. I’m excited for Joe and I’m excited for me too. My personal thanks to Joe for the amazing opportunity to be on set with the cast and crew and do what I love — take pictures.

West End will be screened on Saturday, April 6 at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park. Get your tickets now from the Garden State Film Festival.

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JCL 2nd Anniversary with Gary Kilmer of Asbury Park HS

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Andrea Tarr
Gary KIlmer

Gary Kilmer, Teacher of Theater and Dance at Asbury Park High School

Tradition! My tradition is to have Gary Kilmer, Teacher of Theater and Dace at Asbury Park High School, as my anniversary guest for as long as I continue doing Jersey Coastal Live. I’ve already done 92 shows — even I can’t believe it!! How long will I continue? Many more years I hope; and there is certainly no shortage of interesting people at the Jersey Shore who I’d like to have as my guest.

You gotta love Gary. If you listened to the show (you did listen, right?), you can understand why he was Teacher of the Year for Monmouth County. He cares about the kids, and his theater and dance programs have inspired them beyond their dreams. That’s what a great teacher does. Think back to you own school days; my favorite teachers were the ones who made their class exciting and provided me with a reason to be there and remain fully engaged in the subject. Some of you may know that I’m a teacher as well, but I have only taught adults (you think the kids are tough??!!). If just one person in my class was inspired,  I felt like a million bucks. I’m guessing that’s how Gary feels on a regular basis.

The show must go on, and the upcoming musical at ASPH is Once on This Island. Come out and support these hard-working kids and let them know that you know they are making a difference in their community. Let’s see if we can shatter last year’s attendance records! And don’t forget to say hello to Gary and congratulate him on his Teacher of the Year award. What a great guy!

Once on This Island
Asbury Park High School
Sunset Ave, Asbury Park
April 18, 19, 20 — Tickets $5.00 for adults at the door

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Diane Raver — Executive Director of Garden State Film Festival

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Andrea Tarr
Diane Raver, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Garden State Film Festival

Diane Raver, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Garden State Film Festival

The Shore Must Go On! That’s the theme of the April 4th benefit for the Garden State Film Festival. So bring your favorite hometown hero, EMT, fireman, police officer, or anyone else who was instrumental in making a difference during Superstorm Sandy, to the Grand Arcade in Asbury Park for a festive night of gratitude and appreciation. I’ll be there with my camera if you want a photo.

I’ve been involved with the GSFF for only a few years, and the experience has been wonderful. Since I’m a film lover, this has been a unique opportunity to meet film makers from around the world and also from right here in NJ. As Diane Raver, Executive Director of the GSFF indicated, there are multiple opportunities to get up close and personal with those who are involved in the film industry. And then there are those after parties. And panel discussions. You should experience everything the festival has to offer — right here in Asbury Park. This is an international event that is taking place in our Jersey Shore backyard!

Naturally, I have my eye in one film in particular — West End — which was written and directed by Joe Basile. This Jersey Shore crime drama (what else?) is being screened on Saturday night at the Paramount, and since this is the first movie that I’ve worked on, I’m very anxious to see the finished product. And I really want to see my name on the list of credits too!!

The Garden State Film Festival will be held in Asbury Park on April 4-7. For complete information on the festival, film listings, and panel discussions  click here.

To listen to the interview with Diane Raver, click on the link at the top of this post or click here.

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Mayor Ed Johnson of Asbury Park — Helping to Restore the Shore!

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Andrea Tarr
Mayor Ed Johnson of Asbury Park, NJ

Mayor Ed Johnson of Asbury Park, NJ

I love Asbury Park. So many of my childhood memories are tied to this city by the sea, and here I am as an adult, fortunate to be living so close by to all it has to offer. Of course there have been some changes. Well many changes actually. I can vividly recall the glory days of the boardwalk when I was a kid and the thriving business district on Cookman Avenue where my family often shopped. Family friends owned The Hamilton, a very beat-up hotel on Seventh Ave. The police were regular visitors on weekends during the summer, and as a kid I never understood why they made such frequent appearances at our vacation spot. My brothers and I considered this one of the coolest reasons to stay at The Hamilton. My parents not so much. But more changes were in store, and as years passed, Asbury Park came to be more like a ghost town with a deserted boardwalk and a non-existent business district. More times passed and slowly things began to change for the better with residential renovations paving the way for new businesses to come back to town. There’s always more to be done, but today AP is a proud city with positive forward momentum.

Superstorm Sandy in October of 2013 was a blow to AP and many other Jersey Coastal towns, and the rebuilding effort is under way. Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson has been serving this city in some capacity for the past 15 years and will be leaving office this coming June. His legacy? He cared, put all his heart into his efforts, and did what he felt was best for his hometown. You’ll be able to catch him on the beach this summer, since he’s already gotten his 2013 beach pass. Or find out where local favorite Southside Johnny has a gig. Chances are pretty good Mayor Johnson will be there too!

To listen to the complete interview with Mayor Ed Johnson, click on the link at the top of this post or click here.

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Jenn A. Nocera — Lance Armstrong & Other Notorious Liars

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Andrea Tarr

 

Life Coach Jenn A. Nocera of Formula for Excellence

Life Coach Jenn A. Nocera of Formula for Excellence

Just think of what Seinfeld character George Costanza told Jerry before he had to take a lie detector test: “If you believe it, it’s not a lie.” Remember the late hotelier Leona Helmsley? In a 1990 interview with Playboy, she said, “I’m a very firm believer that a liar is a cheat and a thief and a crook. I don’t like liars. I never lie. I always told my own child, If you murder somebody, tell me. I’ll help you hide the body. But don’t you lie to me.” Hmmm. Sounds like her Mother of the Year audition. We know lying is wrong and the consequences can be harsh and far reaching as in the case of Lance Armstrong. Humans lie for a variety of reasons such as saving face, avoiding confrontations, and to get what they want. Celebrities, politicians, bankers, presidents, and regular folks like most of us — we all have the capability to stretch the truth or even fabricate an entirely new reality to suit our needs. In fact, research has shown that highly creative people have the best capacity to lie, due in part to their rich imaginations. Well this highly creative person (me, that is) believes in using her powers for good and not evil. Hey, if we all had noses like Pinocchio, liars wouldn’t stand a chance. Since that is an unlikely scenario (thankfully so), we have to trust and hope for the best. I want to believe that most of my interactions with people are based in honestly, but I was also one of those people who believed in Lance Armstrong. I’ll never be a total cynic, but like so many others, the abundance of liars has made me extra cautious in my dealings with people. And seriously, if my pants make me look fat, please have the decency to tell me before I leave the house!

To listen to the complete interview with Life Coach Jenn A. Nocera of Formula for Excellence, click on the link at the top of this post or click here.

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Carlos M. Rodriguez, Executive Director, The FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Andrea Tarr

Carlos M. RodriguezIf you go to bed tonight feeling full and satisfied from your dinner, consider yourself fortunate and realize that one in 10 folks in Monmouth and Ocean Counties are reliant on the FoodBank. Imagine how extraordinary it would be to put this organization out of business! But the need is great and continually growing, so this won’t happen anytime soon. As Executive Director of The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Carlos Rodriguez has the daunting task of attempting to alleviate the chronic hunger problems for a growing number of people in this section of NJ. You may already understand that the people most vulnerable to being hungry are the working poor, children, senior citizens, and the disabled. As Carlos said during the interview, you’d be surprised to see just who is using the FoodBank services these days in this tough economy.

Ho do we eliminate or reduce chronic hunger? It’s no small task, but The FoodBank has a number of programs in place including the Culinary Kitchen, Kids Cafe, and the Backback program — and many more. Just know that hunger is a serious problem for kids and adults in our own area and throughout the US. There is a free income tax service available through the FoodBank, and additional information is on their website. Maybe you don’t need this service, but maybe you know someone who does. For detailed information on The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties click here.

To listen to the interview with Carlos M. Rodriguez, the Executive Director, click here or click on the link at the top of this post.

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