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Sandwich Confessionals

Posted in Subway, Subway 2013 with tags Subway Fresh Artists Featured Filmmakers, NYU, Tisch, film students on 3/19/2013 12:06:55 PM by Maria



Find out what happens when sandwich ingredients stop being polite and start getting fresh. Sandwich Confessionals.

Meet the talented NYU filmmakers behind "Sandwich Confessionals," one of 2013's Subway Fresh Artists Filmmakers Series:

Jennifer Suhr (Writer / Director)
Jennifer Cho Suhr received her B.A. from Yale in American Studies and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration. As an MFA candidate at NYU, she has written and directed short films, music videos and was one of the creators of the TV pilot, American Viral. She also was a recipient of the Tisch School of the Arts Fellowship. Her last film, Saeng-il (Birthday), received the Audience Award at the Gen Art Film Festival 2011. Her thesis, a short entitled Out There, received the Spike Lee Film Production Grant. She is currently developing her first feature film.

Colin Whitlow (Producer)
Born and raised in rural Virginia Colin received his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in Studio Art and English Literature. He then moved to San Francisco where he worked at YouTube before joining NYU’s selective MBA/MFA dual degree program in 2010. He has spent the last three years producing numerous short films, commercials and a TV pilot while intensively studying business and filmmaking. He plans to work in the media industry in New York upon completion of the program in May.

Geoff Mansfield (Producer)
Originally from Hong Kong, Geoff worked in production in New York on shows like 30 Rock and Flight of the Conchords for a few years before getting his dual-MBA/MFA at NYU. There, he was a Bernie Brillstein Scholar and produced numerous shorts and a TV pilot, American Viral, starring Michael Showalter. Prior to this, Geoff rode a bicycle across the States.


Episode 1: Best friends Cucumber and B. Peppers try to get into the exclusive Subway Club.

Cast:
Hamface - Willie Teacher
Cucumber - Tim Hoffman
Peppers - James Manzello
Turkey - Shawn Dugas
Bacon - AnnaRose King
Chicken - Kenny Santucci
Meatballs - Thomas Patrick

Episode 2: The ingredients of BMT Breakfast Melt are forced to go through sandwich therapy.

Cast:
BF Ham - Rick Younger
JT Tomato - Larry Wendorf
EE Muffin - Jonathan Tindle
Miss Egg White - Cristina Duran
Spicy Pepperoni - Natasha Williams
Cheese - Luke Guldan


Crew:
Director - Jen Suhr
Producer - Colin Whitlow
Producer - Geoff Mansfield
Assistant Director - Abu Bakr Shawky
Director of Photography - Kirsten Tan
1st Assistant Camera - Armaan Virani
2nd Assistant Camera – Klark Chaudry
2nd Camera Operator - Chananun Chotrungroj
DIT - Daniel Shaw
Gaffer - Tony Sur
Key Grip - Zack Schamberg
G&E - Cory Lonas, Fernando Martinez
Sound Mixer - Dimitri Kouri
Boom Operator - Tarek Fouda
Production Designer - Ioannis Sochorakis
Art Director - Gabriela Bruno
Art Assistants - Blake Lyons, Raymond Wei, Aarica North
Costume Designer - Lara de Brujin
Costume Intern - Kim Goings
Hair and Makeup - Kate Tsang
Makeup Assistant - Amanda Bujak
Editor - Sarah-Violet Bliss
Sound Mixer - Michael Curtes
Composer - Michael Curtes
Casting director - Lauren Charkow


Herman

Posted in Herman, Subway, Subway 2013 with tags Herman, Subway on 3/8/2013 12:13:20 PM by Chris Donahue


Meet the team behind the SUBWAY® Fresh Artists Series "Herman":

Josh Eiserike - Producer
Josh Eiserike is a writer/cartoonist living in Los Angeles. He has written for the hit HUB animated series “G.I. Joe: Renegades” and MAD Magazine. His feature script “Booty Seekers,” a teen comedy set in pirate times was named a 2012 quarter finalist in the Nicholl Fellowship, sponsored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He is currently finishing his MFA in film production from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in writing and producing.

Josh’s first comic book “Class of ‘99” won an Ignatz Award (the Independent Spirit Award of the comic book world). Aintitcoolnews.com called his subsequent comic, amen-behaving-badly comedy titled “Assholes,” “A damn funny book.” His first graphic novel “Anyone But Virginia,” about a superhero who returns home to plan her high school reunion (and reconnect with friends and family), is currently distributed by Alterna Comics. Josh has also produced and written various short films, including“Volcano Girl,” based on “Anyone But Virginia.” He also produced USC thesis film"The Films of Avi Krum," starring Adam Herschman ("Accepted") and Dan Rather("CBS Evening News").
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Josh worked as a reporter in the Washington, D.C. area for the Washington City Paper, The Examiner and the News and Messenger. Josh covered everything from Congress to rock music to video arcades to comic books. His reporting and editorial cartoons received awards from various press associations and the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists. He has also completed internships at Marvel Comics in New York and, in Los Angeles, at the management production company Aligned Entertainment and at Robert Zemeckis' production company ImageMovers.

Christian Contreras - Writer/Director
Christian Contreras is the director and co-writer of the Subway Fresh Artists web series, “Herman.”

Christian is originally from El Paso, TX where his love for cinema was cultivated by the rich Mexican culture of a border town community. He holds a BA in Electronic Media with a minor in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso. In 2008, Christian won the national ‘Kennedy Center ACTF Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design’ for his work in his school’s production of Jose Rivera’s “Cloud Tectonics.”

Shortly after, Christian moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his passion for film and lighting. He is currently finishing his MFA in Film and TV Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts where he focused his studies in cinematography and discovered his love for writing and directing.

Coming off his experience on “Herman,” Christian is revisiting his craze for puppets in his graduate thesis film, “Para Ellos,” a story about two children who journey across the U.S./Mexico border in search for their father; he is co-directing “Para Ellos” along with “Herman” producer, Victoria De La Torre. Christian hopes to continue making films that focus on the stories and experiences of the Mexican-American culture while pursuing a career in family entertainment.

Victoria De La Torre - Writer/Producer
Victoria De La Torre is a producer and co-writer of the SUBWAY Fresh Artists web-series ‘HERMAN’. This California native is a current MFA candidate at the USC School of Cinematic Arts Production Program. She received her BA in Communications fromCalifornia State University of San Bernardino where she had the opportunity of interning at Robert Greenwald Productions.

During her time at USC she has been a twice recipient of the Rodolfo Montes Memorial Scholarship and was also awarded the John Huston Directing Scholarship (2010-2011) for her USC film titled ‘THE DAY BEFORE’. Although Victoria aspires to write and direct she had the great fortune to discover a love for Production Design. Over the course of her USC studies she has designed and set decorated over 20 projects; including in- class exercises, music videos, advanced shorts and thesis films.

One of her best experiences by far is working on the ‘HERMAN’ SUBWAY web-series alongside her classmates and friends.

Victoria is most inspired by her family and culture and is currently working on her thesis film with ‘HERMAN’ director and co-writer Christian Contreras. She loves everything about the production process.



‘HERMAN’ - Episode #1


Herman arrives to Hollywood and is presented with the ‘roll’ of a lifetime.

Directed by Christian Contreras
Written by Christian Contreras & Victoria De La Torre
Produced by Victoria De La Torre & Josh Eiserike

PRINCIPLE CAST:

Herman - Voice and Puppetry by Danny Montooth
Mona - Voice by Amanda Troop | Puppetry by Amber Reeder & Alison Mork
Carlos - Voice and Puppetry by Kevin Carlson
Jacob - Voice by Adam Silver | Puppetry by Amber Reeder
Leroy - Voice by Dustin Jacobs | Puppetry by Erwin Bayan
Cindy - Lisa Martel
Wayne Lasso - Tim Moran

Casting Director - Eric Scott Cooper
Casting Assistant - Renee Dorian
Assistant Director - Christian Edsall
Commercial Director - Scott Vance
Telenovela Female - Romina Peniche
Telenovela Male - Eric Marinho

PRODUCTION CREW:
Puppets by Russ Walko
Puppet Wrangler - Baxley Andresen
Cinematography by Will Jobe
First Assistant Camera - Ruben Contreras
Second Assistant Camera - Chelsea Pettit, Jennifer Anise
Camera PA - Michael Schoenfeld
Additional First Assistant Camera - Dima Otvertchenko
Gaffer - Derek Deems
Best Boy Electric - Patrick Wark
Key Grip - Eitan Almagor
Grips/Electricians - Joshua Redmond, Kyle Hargis, Kevin Kerr, Will Mill, Xing-Mai Deng, Juan Jose Vazquez, Mitchell Brown, Kwaku "Nti" Aning

Production Design by Prerna Chawla
Art Director - Amanda Leigh Smith
Set Dresser Lead - Denise Kelley
Set Dressers - Taylor Sommers, Josef Franden
Props Crafts - Maya Levy, Erin O. Donnell
Set Builders - Julian Taylor, Edson Palacios, Josef Franden
Set Customer - Rahel Grunder

Edited by Michael La Breche

Music by Jackson Greenberg
Additional Music by Lance Michael Treviño
Music Mixer and Recordist - Marcello Dubaz
Conductor - Jackson Greenberg
Musicians - Matthew McConnell [Trumpet], Sean Sumwalt [Saxophone], Duncan Thum [Guitar], Jackson Greenberg [Drums], Lance Michael Treviño [Piano]

Supervising Sound Designer - Kimberly Patrick
Production Sound by Ashley Maria & Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Sound Re-Recording Mixer – Kimberly Patrick
Additional Boom Operator - Andrew Peat, Jose Rodriguez-Robles

Costumes by Sasha Williams
Make Up by Tayler Berez

Visual Effects by
Burak N. Kurt
Graphics Design and Animation - Lindsay Morrison
Graphics Photographer - Will Jobe, Christian Contreras, Michael La Breche
Color by Chainsaw

First Assistant Director - Leslie Marchand
Second Assistant Director - Quetzalli Cervantes-Goitia
Script Supervisor - Joshua Gannon
Production Assistants – Audrey Lee, Ardrian Newell, Armin Nasseri, Damon Smith, Juan Jose Vazquez, Randy Overland, Xing-Mai Deng

Casting by Amanda Lenker



‘HERMAN’ - Episode #2

With the help of his friends, Herman ‘butters’ up for his Hollywood debut. But does he go too far?

Directed by Christian Contreras
Written by Christian Contreras & Victoria De La Torre
Produced by Victoria De La Torre & Josh Eiserike

PRINCIPLE CAST:
Herman - Voice and Puppetry by Danny Montooth
Mona - Voice by Amanda Troop | Puppetry by Amber Reeder & Alison Mork
Carlos - Voice and Puppetry by Kevin Carlson
Jacob - Voice by Adam Silver | Puppetry by Amber Reeder
Leroy - Voice by Dustin Jacobs | Puppetry by Erwin Bayan
Cindy - Lisa Martel
Wayne Lasso - Tim Moran

Casting Director - Eric Scott Cooper
Casting Assistant - Renee Dorian
Assistant Director - Christian Edsall
Commercial Director - Scott Vance
Telenovela Female - Romina Peniche
Telenovela Male - Eric Marinho

PRODUCTION CREW:
Puppets by Russ Walko
Puppet Wrangler - Baxley Andresen
Cinematography by Will Jobe
First Assistant Camera - Ruben Contreras
Second Assistant Camera - Chelsea Pettit, Jennifer Anise
Camera PA - Michael Schoenfeld
Additional First Assistant Camera - Dima Otvertchenko
Gaffer - Derek Deems
Best Boy Electric - Patrick Wark
Key Grip - Eitan Almagor
Grips/Electricians - Joshua Redmond, Kyle Hargis, Kevin Kerr, Will Mill, Xing-Mai Deng, Juan Jose Vazquez, Mitchell Brown, Kwaku "Nti" Aning

Production Design by Prerna Chawla
Art Director - Amanda Leigh Smith
Set Dresser Lead - Denise Kelley
Set Dressers - Taylor Sommers, Josef Franden
Props Crafts - Maya Levy, Erin O. Donnell
Set Builders - Julian Taylor, Edson Palacios, Josef Franden
Set Customer - Rahel Grunder

Edited by Michael La Breche

Music by Jackson Greenberg
Additional Music by Lance Michael Treviño
Music Mixer and Recordist - Marcello Dubaz
Conductor - Jackson Greenberg
Musicians - Matthew McConnell [Trumpet], Sean Sumwalt [Saxophone], Duncan Thum [Guitar], Jackson Greenberg [Drums], Lance Michael Treviño [Piano]

Supervising Sound Designer - Kimberly Patrick
Production Sound by Ashley Maria & Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Sound Re-Recording Mixer – Kimberly Patrick
Additional Boom Operator - Andrew Peat, Jose Rodriguez-Robles

Costumes by Sasha Williams
Make Up by Tayler Berez

Visual Effects by Burak N. Kurt
Graphics Design and Animation - Lindsay Morrison
Graphics Photographer - Will Jobe, Christian Contreras, Michael La Breche
Color by Chainsaw

First Assistant Director - Leslie Marchand
Second Assistant Director - Quetzalli Cervantes-Goitia
Script Supervisor - Joshua Gannon
Production Assistants – Audrey Lee, Ardrian Newell, Armin Nasseri, Damon Smith, Juan Jose Vazquez, Randy Overland, Xing-Mai Deng

Casting by Amanda Lenker



‘HERMAN’ - Episode #3

With the pressures of stardom upon him, Herman ‘kneads’ to decide if Hollywood is worth the sacrifice.

Directed by Christian Contreras
Written by Christian Contreras & Victoria De La Torre
Produced by Victoria De La Torre & Josh Eiserike

PRINCIPLE CAST:
Herman - Voice and Puppetry by Danny Montooth
Mona - Voice by Amanda Troop | Puppetry by Amber Reeder & Alison Mork
Carlos - Voice and Puppetry by Kevin Carlson
Jacob - Voice by Adam Silver | Puppetry by Amber Reeder
Leroy - Voice by Dustin Jacobs | Puppetry by Erwin Bayan
Cindy - Lisa Martel
Wayne Lasso - Tim Moran

Casting Director - Eric Scott Cooper
Casting Assistant - Renee Dorian
Assistant Director - Christian Edsall
Commercial Director - Scott Vance
Telenovela Female - Romina Peniche
Telenovela Male - Eric Marinho

PRODUCTION CREW:
Puppets by Russ Walko
Puppet Wrangler - Baxley Andresen
Cinematography by Will Jobe
First Assistant Camera - Ruben Contreras
Second Assistant Camera - Chelsea Pettit, Jennifer Anise
Camera PA - Michael Schoenfeld
Additional First Assistant Camera - Dima Otvertchenko
Gaffer - Derek Deems
Best Boy Electric - Patrick Wark
Key Grip - Eitan Almagor
Grips/Electricians - Joshua Redmond, Kyle Hargis, Kevin Kerr, Will Mill, Xing-Mai Deng, Juan Jose Vazquez, Mitchell Brown, Kwaku "Nti" Aning

Production Design by Prerna Chawla
Art Director - Amanda Leigh Smith
Set Dresser Lead - Denise Kelley
Set Dressers - Taylor Sommers, Josef Franden
Props Crafts - Maya Levy, Erin O. Donnell
Set Builders - Julian Taylor, Edson Palacios, Josef Franden
Set Customer - Rahel Grunder

Edited by Michael La Breche

Music by Jackson Greenberg
Additional Music by Lance Michael Treviño
Music Mixer and Recordist - Marcello Dubaz
Conductor - Jackson Greenberg
Musicians - Matthew McConnell [Trumpet], Sean Sumwalt [Saxophone], Duncan Thum [Guitar], Jackson Greenberg [Drums], Lance Michael Treviño [Piano]

Supervising Sound Designer - Kimberly Patrick
Production Sound by Ashley Maria & Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Sound Re-Recording Mixer – Kimberly Patrick
Additional Boom Operator - Andrew Peat, Jose Rodriguez-Robles

Costumes by
Sasha Williams
Make Up by Tayler Berez

Visual Effects by Burak N. Kurt
Graphics Design and Animation - Lindsay Morrison
Graphics Photographer - Will Jobe, Christian Contreras, Michael La Breche
Color by Chainsaw

First Assistant Director - Leslie Marchand
Second Assistant Director - Quetzalli Cervantes-Goitia
Script Supervisor - Joshua Gannon
Production Assistants – Audrey Lee, Ardrian Newell, Armin Nasseri, Damon Smith, Juan Jose Vazquez, Randy Overland, Xing-Mai Deng


Casting by Amanda Lenker


Subway Fresh Artist Filmmaker Series

Posted in Subway, Subway 2013 with tags subway, fresh artist, filmmaker series, bite night, herman, minnie on 3/1/2013 12:00:00 PM by Chris Donahue

Subway Fresh Artist Filmmaker Series

Hey, we've got three new shows coming at you from the Subway Fresh Artist Filmmaker Series! Meet the first of our student filmmakers! They're three teams of students from USC. Please learn a little about them and meet all of the people who helped make their series come to life!





Bite Night:

Magee Clegg Bio
Magee Clegg is a Director/Producer pursuing an MFA at The USC School of CinematicArts. He began his career as a filmmaker when he traveled to India to direct a documentary about rural to urban migration titled A Box with a View. Shortly after India, Magee became a Fulbright Scholar in the Philippines where he spent one year directing Filipino Rice Policy, a documentary which explores the corrupt politics surrounding rice importation in the Philippines. While living in Manila Magee also directed music videos for Filipino rock groups as well as an HIV Awareness PSA that aired nationally on MTV ASIA. Magee has screened his work in India, Philippines,Macau, and at many festivals throughout the United States including the academy awards, qualifying Chicago International Children's Film Festival. He loves to tell stories about coming of age, family, and young love. Magee is currently developing his first narrative feature film, which follows a man from the US on a journey to Philippines to meet his father for the first time. Magee is honored to be a Subway Fresh Artist and looks forward to directing more branded content in the future.

Jenny Koreny Bio
Jenny Koreny has been on the forefront of producing digital media and web content since2006. Before starting the Cinema Production MFA program at USC, Koreny produced and edited video & multimedia content for Tower Records, consulted on the development of start-up social networks, and worked as a freelance graphic designer. During her time at USC she interned for Warner Brother's Marketing Department on the campaigns for Argo, Gangster Squad, The Campaign, and The Great Gatsby. At the Sundance Institute she was one of two interns who worked for the Sundance Documentary Fund, the team of eight screens over 700 films and reviews proposal submissions from documentarians around the world. She is currently interning for the producers of the Emmy award-winning TV show Mad Men. She is currently developing a feature documentary that follows the experiences of female entrepreneurs and VC's, and is developing an application called "Flixie," a start up venture that helps users find content across streaming services.

John Berardo Bio
A native of Norman, Oklahoma. John ventured to California to begin his career as a director after winning a 2005 student Emmy for technical achievement. Before starting the Cinema Production MFA program at USC, John received a BA from UCLA in Theatre directing and playwriting with a minor in Film, Television, and Digital Media. At UCLA he directed such plays as A Streetcar Named Desire and Arthur Miller’s controversial After the Fall. This summer John directed his thesis film, The Furies of War, which is to debut spring of 2013. During his time at USC, John has directed, written, and produced numerous short films and commercials for CBS, Disney,Vimeo, and MTV. He recently wrapped short films (Glass People) for David Hoberman and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and (Strings) produced by James Franco. John is currently developing a feature based on a short horror film he directed (Dembanger) which has received film festival success and won first prize in Vimeo’s Cabin in the Woods Short Horror Festival.

Episode One
CAST
Casey – Kelly Washington
Ian – Tyler Peterson
Carla – Gabriela Lopez
Coach – Jason E Kelley
Mr. Fowler – James Sharpe
Asst Scout – Jordan Pina
Young Officer – Brock Jones
Sherriff Blake – Jack Harding
Principle Quinn – Deborah Berman
Runner #3 (Judy) – Jill Renner
Announcer Magee Clegg
Mascot – Jordan Pina

Runners:
Taylor Cox
Shannon Knepp
Sarah Quon
Isabella Scholss

Subway Patrons:
Joel Clark
Molly McSherry
Fans in the Stands
Keisuke Akizawa
Sam Bader
John Branno
Brady Clegg
Haley Coleman
George Efremidze
Ivy Francis
David Gerhardt
Tony Hsieh
Sarah Henzler
Peter Holt
Liz Kernion
Sonia Nam
Erin O’Donnell
Francesca Reale
Marissa Ripalda
Rosalie Ripalda
Melissa Serres
Sara Simons
Joanna Yemi

CREW
Producers
John Berardo
Jenny Koreny

Director - Magee Clegg
Written By – John Berardo
AD - Jose Vazquez
2nd AD - Lanie Siegel
2nd 2nd AD - Joel Clark
Production Manager - Sam Bader
2nd Production Manager - Jane Stupp - O’Neill
Script Supervisor - Samantha Christopher
On Set Photography - Vatch Karagozian
Stunt Coordinator - David Thompson

Production Assistants –
Aaron Adkins
Tony Hsieh
Austin Kolodney
Angela Ortner
Tracy Smith
Ellis Trespalacios
Anna Zlokovic

Accountant – Reba Molock
Casting by Kevin Mockrin, CSA & Karina Walters, CSA
Director of Photography - Jonathan Pope
1st AC - Ted Endres
2nd AC - Jeanna Kim
Steadycam - Brian Freesh
Gaffer- Tim Smith
BBE- Inga Mitinyan
Key Grip- Sarah Fox
BBG - Mario P Colli
Grip/Dolly Grip - Shawn Elmore
Grip - Chris King & Kyle Keeland
On Set Sound Mixer - Zheng Jia & Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Boom Op - Chris Maynard
Production Designer - Joe Haugen
Art Director - Erin O’Donnell
Set Decorator - Tanya Salas Platt
Costume Designer - Kristina Fenske
Costume Asst - Brianna Quick
Costume PA - Francesca Reale
Chief Hair/Makeup - Yusuke Tateishi
Hair/Makeup - Cara Liedlich
Editor - Rejh Cabrera
Post Supervisor - Jordan Ledy
VFX Supervisor - Gregory Jones
DIT - Gabriel Renfro
Colorist - Jerimiah Morey
Sound Designer - Zheng Jia
Mixer - Zheng Jia
Music Composer - Giona Ostinelli


EPISODE 2
CAST
Casey – Kelly Washington
Ian – Tyler Peterson
Coach – Jason E. Kelley
Sherriff Blake – Jack Harding
Mr. Fowler – James Sharpe
Young Officer – Brock Jones
Principle Quinn – Deborah Berman
Judy #3 - – Jill Renner

Extras in the cut high school steps scene:
Reporters
Amy Jorgensen
Jenny Koreny

Cameraman:
Mario P Colli
Kyle Keeland
Tim Smith

High School Kids:
John Berardo
Kristina Fenske
Angela Ortner
Francesca Reale
Tanya Salas Platt
Lanie Siegel
Tracy Smith

Mascot:
Jose Vasquez

CREW
Producers
John Berardo
Jenny Koreny

Director - Magee Clegg
Written By – John Berardo
AD - Jose Vazquez
2nd AD - Lanie Siegel
2nd 2nd AD - Joel Clark
Production Manager - Sam Bader
2nd Production Manager - Jane Stupp - O’Neill
Script Supervisor - Samantha Christopher
On Set Photography - Vatch Karagozian

Production Assistants –
Aaron Adkins
Tony Hsieh
Austin Kolodney
Angela Ortner
Tracy Smith
Ellis Trespalacios
Anna Zlokovic

Accountant – Reba Molock
Casting by Kevin Mockrin, CSA & Karina Walters, CSA
Director of Photography - Jonathan Pope
1st AC - Ted Endres
2nd AC - Jeanna Kim
Steadycam - Brian Freesh
Gaffer- Tim Smith
BBE- Inga Mitinyan
Key Grip- Sarah Fox
BBG - Mario P Colli
Grip/Dolly Grip - Shawn Elmore
Grip - Chris King & Kyle Keeland
On Set Sound Mixer - Zheng Jia & Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Boom Op - Chris Maynard
Production Designer - Joe Haugen
Art Director - Erin O’Donnell
Set Decorator - Tanya Salas Platt
Costume Designer - Kristina Fenske
Costume PA - Francesca Reale
Chief Hair/Makeup - Yusuke Tateishi
Hair/Makeup - Cara Liedlich
SFX Makeup – Yusuke Tateishi
SFX Makeup Asst - Ken Bunprosert
Editor - Rejh Cabrera
Post Supervisor - Jordan Ledy
VFX Supervisor - Gregory Jones
DIT - Gabriel Renfro
Colorist - Jerimiah Morey
Sound Designer - Zheng Jia
Mixer - Zheng Jia
Music Composer - Giona Ostinelli

EPISODE 3
CAST
Casey – Kelly Washington
Ian – Tyler Peterson
Carla – Gabriela Lopez
Coach – Jason E. Kelley
Mr Fowler – James Sharpe
Asst Scout - Jordan Pina
Sheriff Blake – Jack Harding
Young Officer – Brock Jones
Judy #3 – Jill Renner
Mascot Jordan Pina

Runners
Taylor Cox
Shannon Knepp
Sarah Quon
Isabella Scholss

Extras in Subway
Kim Nance
Mollie McSherry

Fans
Keisuke Akizawa
Tai Arrant
Sam Bader
James Berardo
John Branno
Joel Clark
Brady Clegg
Haley Coleman
George Efremidze
Ivy Francis
David Gerhardt
Tony Hsieh
Sarah Henzler
Peter Holt
Liz Kernion
Jenny Koreny
Karl Kwaitkowski
Laura LaMonaco
Sonia Nam
Erin O’Donnell
Francesca Reale
Marissa Ripalda
Rosalie Ripalda
Melissa Serres
Sara Simons
Alina Vergara-Hegi
Joanna Yemi

CREW
Producers
John Berardo
Jenny Koreny

Director - Magee Clegg
Written By – John Berardo
AD - Jose Vazquez
2nd AD - Lanie Siegel
2nd 2nd AD - Joel Clark
Production Manager - Sam Bader
2nd Production Manager - Jane Stupp - O’Neill
Script Supervisor - Samantha Christopher
On Set Photography - Vatch Karagozian
Stunt Coordinator - David Thompson

Production Assistants –
Aaron Adkins
Tony Hsieh
Austin Kolodney
Angela Ortner
Tracy Smith
Ellis Trespalacios
Anna Zlokovic

Accountant – Reba Molock
Casting by Kevin Mockrin, CSA & Karina Walters, CSA
Director of Photography - Jonathan Pope
1st AC - Ted Endres
2nd AC - Jeanna Kim
Steadycam - Brian Freesh
Gaffer- Tim Smith
BBE- Inga Mitinyan
Key Grip- Sarah Fox
BBG - Mario P Colli
Grip/Dolly Grip - Shawn Elmore
Grip - Chris King & Kyle Keeland
On Set Sound Mixer - Zheng Jia & Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Boom Op - Chris Maynard
Production Designer - Joe Haugen
Art Director - Erin O’Donnell
Set Decorator - Tanya Salas Platt
Costume Designer - Kristina Fenske
Costume Asst - Brianna Quick
Costume PA - Francesca Reale
Chief Hair/Makeup - Yusuke Tateishi
Hair/Makeup - Cara Liedlich
SFX Makeup – Yusuke Tateishi
SFX Makeup Asst - Ken Bunprosert
Editor - Rejh Cabrera
Post Supervisor - Jordan Ledy
VFX Supervisor - Gregory Jones
DIT - Gabriel Renfro
Colorist - Jerimiah Morey
Sound Designer - Zheng Jia
Mixer - Zheng Jia
Music Composer - Giona Ostinelli







Herman:


Josh Eiserike Bio
Josh Eiserike is a writer/cartoonist living in Los Angeles. He has written for the hit HUB animated series “G.I. Joe: Renegades” and MAD Magazine. His feature script “Booty Seekers,” a teen comedy set in pirate times was named a 2012 quarter finalist in the Nicholl Fellowship, sponsored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He is currently finishing his MFA in film production from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in writing and producing.

Josh’s first comic book “Class of ‘99” won an Ignatz Award (the Independent Spirit Award of the comic book world). Aintitcoolnews.com called his subsequent comic, amen-behaving-badly comedy titled “Assholes,” “A damn funny book.” His first graphic novel “Anyone But Virginia,” about a superhero who returns home to plan her high school reunion (and reconnect with friends and family), is currently distributed by Alterna Comics. Josh has also produced and written various short films, including“Volcano Girl,” based on “Anyone But Virginia.” He also produced USC thesis film"The Films of Avi Krum," starring Adam Herschman ("Accepted") and Dan Rather("CBS Evening News").
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Josh worked as a reporter in the Washington, D.C. area for the Washington City Paper, The Examiner and the News and Messenger. Josh covered everything from Congress to rock music to video arcades to comic books. His reporting and editorial cartoons received awards from various press associations and the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists. He has also completed internships at Marvel Comics in New York and, in Los Angeles, at the management production company Aligned Entertainment and at Robert Zemeckis' production company ImageMovers.

Christian Contreras Bio
Christian Contreras is the director and co-writer of the Subway Fresh Artists web series, “Herman.”

Christian is originally from El Paso, TX where his love for cinema was cultivated by the rich Mexican culture of a border town community. He holds a BA in Electronic Media with a minor in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso. In 2008, Christian won the national ‘Kennedy Center ACTF Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design’ for his work in his school’s production of Jose Rivera’s “Cloud Tectonics.”

Shortly after, Christian moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his passion for film and lighting. He is currently finishing his MFA in Film and TV Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts where he focused his studies in cinematography and discovered his love for writing and directing.

Coming off his experience on “Herman,” Christian is revisiting his craze for puppets in his graduate thesis film, “Para Ellos,” a story about two children who journey across the U.S./Mexico border in search for their father; he is co-directing “Para Ellos” along with “Herman” producer, Victoria De La Torre. Christian hopes to continue making films that focus on the stories and experiences of the Mexican-American culture while pursuing a career in family entertainment.

Victoria De La Torre Bio
Victoria De La Torre is a producer and co-writer of the SUBWAY Fresh Artists web-series ‘HERMAN’. This California native is a current MFA candidate at the USC School of Cinematic Arts Production Program. She received her BA in Communications fromCalifornia State University of San Bernardino where she had the opportunity of interning at Robert Greenwald Productions.

During her time at USC she has been a twice recipient of the Rodolfo Montes Memorial Scholarship and was also awarded the John Huston Directing Scholarship (2010-2011) for her USC film titled ‘THE DAY BEFORE’. Although Victoria aspires to write and direct she had the great fortune to discover a love for Production Design. Over the course of her USC studies she has designed and set decorated over 20 projects; including in- class exercises, music videos, advanced shorts and thesis films.

One of her best experiences by far is working on the ‘HERMAN’ SUBWAY web-series alongside her classmates and friends.

Victoria is most inspired by her family and culture and is currently working on her thesis film with ‘HERMAN’ director and co-writer Christian Contreras. She loves everything about the production process.

‘HERMAN’ - Episode #1
Herman arrives to Hollywood and lands the ‘roll’ of a lifetime.
Directed by
Christian Contreras
Written by
Christian Contreras and Victoria De La Torre
Produced by
Victoria De La Torre & Josh Eiserike

CAST:
Herman
Voice: Danny Montooth
Puppeteer: Danny Montooth

Mona
Voice: Amanda Troop
Puppeteer: Amber Reeder and Alison Mork

Carlos
Voice: Kevin Carlson
Puppeteer: Kevin Carlson

Jacob
Voice: Adam Silver
Puppeteer: Amber Reeder

Leroy
Voice: Dustin Jacobs
Puppeteer: Edwin Bayan

Cindy
Lisa Martel

Casting Director
Eric Scott Cooper

Casting Assistant
Renee Dorian

Telenovela Female
Romina Peniche

Telenovela Male
Eric Marinho

PRINCIPLE CREW:
Director of Photography
Will Jobe

Puppets by
Russ Walko

Music by
Jackson Greenberg

Production Designer
Prerna Chawla
Editor
Michael La Breche
Supervising Sound Designer
Kim Patrick
Production Sound
Ashley Maria
Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Costume Designer
Sasha Williams
Visual Effects
Burak N. Kurt
First Assistant Director
Leslie Marchand

‘HERMAN’ - Episode #2
With the help of his friends, Herman ‘butters’ up for his Hollywood debut.But does he go too far?Directed by
Christian Contreras
Written by
Christian Contreras and Victoria De La Torre
Produced by
Victoria De La Torre & Josh Eiserike
CAST:
Herman
Voice: Danny Montooth
Puppeteer: Danny Montooth
Mona
Voice: Amanda Troop
Puppeteer: Amber Reeder and Alison Mork
Carlos
Voice: Kevin Carlson
Puppeteer: Kevin Carlson
Jacob
Voice: Adam Silver
Puppeteer: Amber Reeder
Leroy
Voice: Dustin Jacobs
Puppeteer: Edwin Bayan
PRINCIPLE CREW:
Director of Photography
Will Jobe
Puppets by
Russ Walko
Music by
Jackson Greenberg
Production Designer
Prerna Chawla
Editor
Michael La Breche
Supervising Sound Designer
Kim Patrick
Production Sound
Ashley Maria
Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Costume Designer
Sasha Williams
Visual Effects
Burak N. Kurt
First Assistant Director
Leslie Marchand

‘HERMAN’ - Episode #3
With the pressures of stardom upon him, Herman ‘kneads’ to decide if Hollywood is worth the sacrifice.
Directed by
Christian Contreras
Written by
Christian Contreras and Victoria De La Torre
Produced by
Victoria De La Torre & Josh Eiserike
CAST:
Herman
Voice: Danny Montooth
Puppeteer: Danny Montooth
Mona
Voice: Amanda Troop
Puppeteer: Amber Reeder and Alison Mork
Carlos
Voice: Kevin Carlson
Puppeteer: Kevin Carlson
Jacob
Voice: Adam Silver
Puppeteer: Amber Reeder
Leroy
Voice: Dustin Jacobs
Puppeteer: Edwin Bayan
Wayne Lasso
Tim Moran
Assistant Director
Christian Edsall
Commercial Director
Scott Vance
PRINCIPLE CREW:
Director of Photography
Will Jobe
Puppets by
Russ Walko
Music by
Jackson Greenberg
Production Designer
Prerna Chawla
Editor
Michael La Breche
Supervising Sound Designer
Kim Patrick
Production Sound
Ashley Maria
Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Costume Designer
Sasha Williams
Visual Effects
Burak N. Kurt
First Assistant Director
Leslie Marchand






Minnie:


Annabel W. Seymour Bio
Annabel was born and raised in New York City, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 2009. She spent most of her time at Dartmouth performing with the improv comedy troupe, “The Dog Day Players”, and studying French poetry for her thesis in Comparative Literature. Annabel returned to New York after college to work at BreakThru Films, where she worked for Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg on their documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. In 2010, Annabel moved to Los Angeles to pursue her MFA in Film Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she has co-produced a short documentary called Bingo Night, wrote and produced a graduate thesis, The Furies of War, and wrote a comedy feature about flight attendants, entitled Layover. While at USC, she has also worked as an intern the Montecito Picture Company (Up in the Air, I Love You Man, Old School) and as a set PA on the Rob Reiner film, The Magic of Belle Isle. She currently works as a development intern at Broadway Video (SNL, 30 Rock, Portlandia), and as a PA on several web shorts for Broadway Video’s digital venture, Above Average. She will be graduating from USC in May of 2013, and hopes to pursue a career in comedy writing and development.

Patricia Pham Bio
Patricia is the youngest daughter of Vietnamese immigrants who somehow managed tosettle in Southwest Missouri. She grew up in libraries and beauty salons, fascinated withthe ideas of truth, illusion, and identity, concepts that continue to inspire her creativework today. Throughout her childhood to present-day, Patricia has remained active invarious areas of performance and storytelling including theater, dance, music,photography, journalism, and independent filmmaking. She earned her B.A. in MassCommunication from Missouri Southern State University, where, as a producer, director,and writer, she received multiple media and journalism awards at state and nationallevels. Some of her many interests include pop culture, technology, criminology, andphotographing everything she eats. She is currently pursuing her MFA in FilmProduction at the University of Southern California where she has produced a variety ofwork including dramatic and comedic shorts, documentaries, and animated films. Shehopes to continue producing work that makes you say, "Whoa."

Conor Fetting-Smith - Director / Writer - Thoroughly Melted Minnie
Conor is a graduate student at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts specializing in writing, directing and producing. His films have screened at Lincoln Center, Outfest, The Boston International Film Festival, and the United Nations Film Festival, among others. He’s the recipient of the USC Lambda Alumni Association Scholarship in Cinematic Arts, and an advanced student at The Groundlings Theater, where he performs sketch comedy and improv. Prior to USC, Conor began his film career at Miramax Films and IFP in New York City. He’s a graduate ofthe University of Pennsylvania and a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Conor will receive his MFA from USC in May 2013. He’s currently at work on his first feature screenplay Teach, and set to direct a web series this Spring called Butch & Belly Take the Rap about two gay best friends determined to become famous rap stars.

CREDITS: EPISODE 1 “Frozen”
After a dastardly trick left her frozen for 57 years, actress Minnie Mugaloo is back, fully thawed, and ready for her big break!
CAST
Minnie Mugaloo: Lizzie Redner
Durell: Barry Brewer
Katie: Aimee Lynn Chadwick
Gus: Justin Cone
William: Christopher May
Director: Conor Fetting-Smith
Writers: Conor Fetting-Smith and Annabel Seymour
Producers: Annabel Seymour and Patricia Pham
1st AD: Amanda Overton
2nd AD: Amy Reedy
2nd 2nd AD: Natalie Grover
Unit Production Manager: Tamara Shogaolu
Director of Photography: Alex Parker
1st AC: Dana Hill
Gaffer: Alejandro Martinez
Key Grip: Bryan Mendoza
Best Boy Electric: Mike Silva, Sean McDaniel
Best Boy Grip: Bryan Parry
G&E: Brigitte Bartholdi, Rachel Xu
PA: Reema Ramamurthy
Sound Mixer: Sahand Nikoukar
Boom Operator: Kristin Fione
Hair & Makeup: Denisse Avilla
Costume Designer: Silvanne Park
Costume Assistant: Samar Nattagh
Production Designer: Evelyn Ellias
Art Director: Lauren Meyer
Props Master: Adam Ruben
Script Supervisor: Alexandra Jensen
Composer: John Carey
Editor: Faroukh Virrani
Sound Editor: Sahand Nikoukar, Eric Marshall

CREDITS: EPISODE 2 “Thawed”
While the American Frozen Corn Company desperately searches for Minnie Mugaloo, she trains for the upcoming talent show with the help of her new Subway friends.
Minnie Mugaloo: Lizzie Redner
Durell: Barry Brewer
Katie: Aimee Lynn Chadwick
Gus: Justin Cone
William: Christopher May
Margarita: Cyrina Fiallo
Bernard: Victor Campos
Director: Conor Fetting-Smith
Writers: Conor Fetting-Smith and Annabel Seymour
Producers: Annabel Seymour and Patricia Pham
1st AD: Amanda Overton
2nd AD: Amy Reedy
2nd 2nd AD: Natalie Grover
Unit Production Manager: Tamara Shogaolu
Director of Photography: Alex Parker
1st AC: Dana Hill
Gaffer: Alejandro Martinez
Key Grip: Bryan Mendoza
Best Boy Electric: Mike Silva, Sean McDaniel
Best Boy Grip: Bryan Parry
G&E: Brigitte Bartholdi, Rachel Xu
PA: Reema Ramamurthy
Sound Mixer: Sahand Nikoukar
Boom Operator: Kristin Fione
Hair & Makeup: Denisse Avilla
Costume Designer: Silvanne Park
Costume Assistant: Samar Nattagh
Production Designer: Evelyn Ellias
Art Director: Lauren Meyer
Props Master: Adam Ruben
Script Supervisor: Alexandra Jensen
Composer: John Carey
Editor: Faroukh Virrani
Sound Editor: Sahand Nikoukar, Eric Marshall

CREDITS: EPISODE 3 “Fresh!”
Minnie Mugaloo hopes to catch her next big break at the Shooting Stars talent show, but will the American Frozen Corn Company foil her plans?
Minnie Mugaloo: Lizzie Redner
Durell: Barry Brewer
Katie: Aimee Lynn Chadwick
Gus: Justin Cone
Margarita: Cyrina Fiallo
Bernard: Victor Campos
Jamie (didgeridoo player): Desi Stein
Scott (belly dancer): Travis Hammer?Madame Monqueef: Jimmy Fowlie
Drama Teacher: Jason Boegh
Bonnie: Bonnie Shipston
Francine: Carol Mack
Chester Pindergrass: Stewart Skelton
Director: Conor Fetting-Smith
Writers: Conor Fetting-Smith and Annabel Seymour
Producers: Annabel Seymour and Patricia Pham
1st AD: Amanda Overton
2nd AD: Amy Reedy
2nd 2nd AD: Natalie Grover
Unit Production Manager: Tamara Shogaolu
Director of Photography: Alex Parker
1st AC: Zack Haskell
2nd AC: Dana Hill
Gaffer: Alejandro Martinez
Key Grip: Bryan Mendoza
Best Boy Electric: Mike Silva, Sean McDaniel
G&E: Brigitte Bartholdi, Rachel Xu, Diana Chao, Bryan Parry
PA: Reema Ramamurthy
Sound Mixer: Sahand Nikoukar
Boom Operator: Kristin Fione
Hair & Makeup: Denisse Avilla
Costume Designer: Silvanne Park
Costume Assistant: Samar Nattagh
Production Designer: Evelyn Ellias
Art Director: Lauren Meyer
Props Master: Adam Ruben
Script Supervisor: Alexandra Jensen
Stunt Coordinator: Dustin Courtney
Choreographer: Jimmie Fowlie
Composer: John Carey
Editor: Faroukh Virrani
Sound Editor: Sahand Nikoukar, Eric Marshall


Going LIVE from LA



Tonight's the night web television's best are honored by the Streamy Awards.

We hit the red carpet with all the web couture we got.

Grace Helbig, Michelle Vargas, and Virginia Reiff bring you My Damn Channel coverage on our home page and our new www.MyDamnChannel.tumblr.com.

And My Damn Channel goes LIVE for the first time ever. The ceremony starts at 5:30p PST. 

Look for David Wain, Illeana Douglas, Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar, Sparhusen, Todd Spahr, Rob Mailhouse, Justine Bateman, Douglas NINJA Sarine, and all our fellow nominees and nerds.

My Damn Channel BIG announcements coming from here at the Streamys too on what's new.


R.I.P LeRoi Moore

Posted with tags LeRoi Moore, Dave Matthews Band on 8/20/2008 4:33:36 AM by Rob Barnett


from Dave's website:

08/19/2008

We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.


FAREWELL TO DANNY

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Bruce Springsteen, Danny Federici on 4/25/2008 6:08:00 AM by Rob Barnett

This eulogy was delivered by Bruce Springsteen at Danny's funeral on April 21 in Red Bank, New Jersey:

FAREWELL TO DANNY



Let me start with the stories.

Back in the days of miracles, the frontier days when "Mad Dog" Lopez and his temper struck fear into the band, small club owners, innocent civilians and all women, children and small animals.

Back in the days when you could still sign your life away on the hood of a parked car in New York City.

Back shortly after a young red-headed accordionist struck gold on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour and he and his mama were sent to Switzerland to show them how it's really done.

Back before beach bums were featured on the cover of Time magazine.

I'm talking about back when the E Street Band was a communist organization! My pal, quiet, shy Dan Federici, was a one-man creator of some of the hairiest circumstances of our 40 year career... And that wasn't easy to do. He had "Mad Dog" Lopez to compete with.... Danny just outlasted him.

Maybe it was the "police riot" in Middletown, New Jersey. A show we were doing to raise bail money for "Mad Log" Lopez who was in jail in Richmond, Virginia, for having an altercation with police officers who we'd aggravated by playing too long. Danny allegedly knocked over our huge Marshall stacks on some of Middletown's finest who had rushed the stage because we broke the law by...playing too long.

As I stood there watching, several police oficers crawled out from underneath the speaker cabinets and rushed away to seek medical attention. Another nice young officer stood in front of me onstage waving his nightstick, poking and calling me nasty names. I looked over to see Danny with a beefy police officer pulling on one arm while Flo Federici, his first wife, pulled on the other, assisting her man in resisting arrest.

A kid leapt from the audience onto the stage, momentarily distracting the beefy officer with the insults of the day. Forever thereafter, "Phantom" Dan Federici slipped into the crowd and disappeared.

A warrant out for his arrest and one month on the lam later, he still hadn't been brought to justice. We hid him in various places but now we had a problem. We had a show coming at Monmouth College. We needed the money and we had to do the gig. We tried a replacement but it didn't work out. So Danny, to all of our admiration, stepped up and said he'd risk his freedom, take the chance and play.

Show night. 2,000 screaming fans in the Monmouth College gym. We had it worked out so Danny would not appear onstage until the moment we started playing. We figured the police who were there to arrest him wouldn't do so onstage during the show and risk starting another riot.

Let me set the scene for you. Danny is hiding, hunkered down in the backseat of a car in the parking lot. At five minutes to eight, our scheduled start time, I go out to whisk him in. I tap on the window.

"Danny, come on, it's time."

I hear back, "I'm not going."

Me: "What do you mean you're not going?"

Danny: "The cops are on the roof of the gym. I've seen them and they're going to nail me the minute I step out of this car."

As I open the door, I realize that Danny has been smoking a little something and had grown rather paranoid. I said, "Dan, there are no cops on the roof."

He says, "Yes, I saw them, I tell you. I'm not coming in."

So I used a procedure I'd call on often over the next forty years in dealing with my old pal's concerns. I threatened him...and cajoled. Finally, out he came. Across the parking lot and into the gym we swept for a rapturous concert during which we laughted like thieves at our excellent dodge of the local cops.

At the end of the evening, during the last song, I pulled the entire crowd up onto the stage and Danny slipped into the audience and out the front door. Once again, "Phantom" Dan had made his exit. (I still get the occasional card from the old Chief of Police of Middletown wishing us well. Our histories are forever intertwined.) And that, my friends, was only the beginning.

There was the time Danny quit the band during a rough period at Max's Kansas City, explaining to me that he was leaving to fix televisions. I asked him to think about that and come back later.

Or Danny, in the band rental car, bouncing off several parked cars after a night of entertainment, smashing out the windshield with his head but saved from severe injury by the huge hard cowboy hat he bought in Texas on our last Western swing.

Or Danny, leaving a large marijuana plant on the front seat of his car in a tow away zone. The car was promptly towed. He said, "Bruce, I'm going to go down and report that it was stolen." I said, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Down he went and straight into the slammer without passing go.

Or Danny, the only member of the E Street Band to be physically thrown out of the Stone Pony. Considering all the money we made them, that wasn't easy to do.

Or Danny receiving and surviving a "cautionary assault" from an enraged but restrained "Big Man" Clarence Clemons while they were living together and Danny finally drove the "Big Man" over the big top.

Or Danny assisting me in removing my foot from his stereo speaker after being the only band member ever to drive me into a violent rage.

And through it all, Danny played his beautiful, soulful B3 organ for me and our love grew. And continued to grow. Life is funny like that. He was my homeboy, and great, and for that you make considerations... And he was much more tolerant of my failures than I was of his.

When Danny wasn't causing chaos, he was a sweet, talented, unassuming, unpretentious good-hearted guy who simply had an unchecked ability to make good fortune and things in general go fabulously wrong.

But beyond all of that, he also had a mountain of the right stuff. He had the heart and soul of an engineer. He learned to fly. He was always up on the latest technology and would explain it to you patiently and in enormous detail. He was always "souping" something up, his car, his stereo, his B3. When Patti joined the band, he was the most welcoming, thoughtful, kindest friend to the first woman entering our "boys club."

He loved his kids, always bragging about Jason, Harley, and Madison, and he loved his wife Maya for the new things she brought into his life.

And then there was his artistry. He was the most intuitive player I've ever seen. His style was slippery and fluid, drawn to the spaces the other musicians in the E Street Band left. He wasn't an assertive player, he was a complementary player. A true accompanist. He naturally supplied the glue that bound the band's sound together. In doing so, he created for himself a very specific style. When you hear Dan Federici, you don't hear a blanket of sound, you hear a riff, packed with energy, flying above everything else for a few moments and then gone back in the track. "Phantom" Dan Federici. Now you hear him, now you don't.

Offstage, Danny couldn't recite a lyric or a chord progression for one of my songs. Onstage, his ears opened up. He listened, he felt, he played, finding the perfect hole and placement for a chord or a flurry of notes. This style created a tremendous feeling of spontaneity in our ensemble playing.

In the studio, if I wanted to loosen up the track we were recording, I'd put Danny on it and not tell him what to play. I'd just set him loose. He brought with him the sound of the carnival, the amusements, the boardwalk, the beach, the geography of our youth and the heart and soul of the birthplace of the E Street Band.

Then we grew up. Very slowly. We stood together through a lot of trials and tribulations. Danny's response to a mistake onstage, hard times, catastrophic events was usually a shrug and a smile. Sort of an "I am but one man in a raging sea, but I'm still afloat. And we're all still here."

I watched Danny fight and conquer some tough addictions. I watched him struggle to put his life together and in the last decade when the band reunited, thrive on sitting in his seat behind that big B3, filled with life and, yes, a new maturity, passion for his job, his family and his home in the brother and sisterhood of our band.

Finally, I watched him fight his cancer without complaint and with great courage and spirit. When I asked him how things looked, he just said, "what are you going to do? I'm looking forward to tomorrow." Danny, the sunny side up fatalist. He never gave up right to the end.

A few weeks back we ended up onstage in Indianapolis for what would be the last time. Before we went on I asked him what he wanted to play and he said, "Sandy." He wanted to strap on the accordion and revisit the boardwalk of our youth during the summer nights when we'd walk along the boards with all the time in the world.

So what if we just smashed into three parked cars, it's a beautiful night! So what if we're on the lam from the entire Middletown police department, let's go take a swim! He wanted to play once more the song that is of course about the end of something wonderful and the beginning of something unknown and new.

Let's go back to the days of miracles. Pete Townshend said, "a rock and roll band is a crazy thing. You meet some people when you're a kid and unlike any other occupation in the whole world, you're stuck with them your whole life no matter who they are or what crazy things they do."

If we didn't play together, the E Street Band at this point would probably not know one another. We wouldn't be in this room together. But we do... We do play together. And every night at 8 p.m., we walk out on stage together and that, my friends, is a place where miracles occur...old and new miracles. And those you are with, in the presence of miracles, you never forget. Life does not separate you. Death does not separate you. Those you are with who create miracles for you, like Danny did for me every night, you are honored to be amongst.

Of course we all grow up and we know "it's only rock and roll"...but it's not. After a lifetime of watching a man perform his miracle for you, night after night, it feels an awful lot like love.

So today, making another one of his mysterious exits, we say farewell to Danny, "Phantom" Dan, Federici. Father, husband, my brother, my friend, my mystery, my thorn, my rose, my keyboard player, my miracle man and lifelong member in good standing of the house rockin', pants droppin', earth shockin', hard rockin', booty shakin', love makin', heart breakin', soul cryin'... and, yes, death defyin' legendary E Street Band.

(video tribute to Danny at www.BruceSpringsteen.net)


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