In Maryland, I went to a conservative High School and joined the chorus. This was a real culture shock. I always loved music and had played the Trumpet at Culver.
Immediately, after graduating High School in Maryland, I moved back to California and re-joined the New Generation. There I worked with Rick (Mr. R) at Daylin Inc. until mid winter 1970. Because my parents no longer lived in California, it was difficult for me to get (cheaply) into a California college. I finally figured it out. I was going to have to leave California, the New Generation and move back to Maryland to go to College.
I drove across country just in time to enroll in the University of Maryland where I became a music major. I studied theory, conducting, voice, all the instruments and all of the normal stuff. I was having a blast!
About 2 1/2 years into my program, I became interested in television and radio. I started hanging around the RTVF (Radio Television and Film) department that was downstairs from the music department. One summer, a couple of other guys and I started a "Pirate Radio Station" called WOCR in Ocean City Maryland. I was sure I wanted to go into radio. After the FCC shut us down I decided to try my hand in television and film. I kept up my music program, sang at various churches around Washington D.C. Basically I paid the bills by singing and as a substitute Assistant Director at the CBS affiliate in Washington D.C., WTOP.
During my stint at the University of Maryland Television Department, I became the Chief Engineer of the Department. There I met my wife of 21 years, Rhonda Gunner, who was an RTVF major.
I sang for my senior recital, mostly opera, and was just about finished with my music program when I had to make a major decision. Take a full time, great paying job in television at the PBS Network in Washington D.C. or attempt to make a living as a musician. I took the job at PBS. I was always interested in technology and was a self-taught electronic engineer. I had taken a several engineering courses at the University and since I had always been an electronic hobbyist I had the skills and became a television engineer.
I worked at PBS for about three years. In 1979 a friend of mine announced that he was moving to Marina del Rey to work on STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE. That sounded really cool.
"Marina del Rey", I said, "that's MY old stomping ground!"
I never liked living in Maryland. It was cold; it was hot and there wasn't that much to do. I told my friend that if they had any other jobs when he got there, to give me a call.
Two weeks later, HE DID!
That day I went home and told Rhonda that I thought we should sell everything and move to California so I could take a 6-week job on a movie. To my surprise, she said, "OK with me!" She didn't like living in that area either. We were both ready for an adventure and a change.
Three weeks later, we packed up, sold everything and moved to Woodland Hills. STAR TREK was a blast and I ended up working on picture after picture doing visual effects. Within a few years I had worked on BLADERUNNER, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and BRAINSTORM. I loved this stuff and best of all; I was back in California.
In 1982, my wife, who was working in television at NBC-Burbank, and I were again ready for adventure and a change. We started our own Visual Effects Company. It was really hard work. The company was called VIFX / Video Image and we worked on over 200 movies over a period of close to 14 years. I worked as a Visual Effects Supervisor, and Rhonda was the company Executive Producer and CEO.
By 1996, the place had grown to over 120 employees. We had a huge 40,000 square foot facility in Marina del Rey and were getting great projects. My first big opening title credit as Visual Effects Supervisor was on THE RELIC.
It was originally at my company, VIFX, that I got the idea for the New Generation Web Page. I thought I would be there forever, so why not. I had access to the Internet and I knew how to program the stuff.
In July of 1996, we accepted an offer from 20th Century Fox to buy the entire company. At first we thought we would stay on, but working for a big corporation did not really suit us. We both resigned within 6 months.
Immediately after I went to work as Visual Effects Supervisor on OUT TO SEA, HOME ALONE 3 and then as Director of Photography on SPHERE. For the last several months, Rhonda and I have been writing a new business plan for a new digital production company. We hope to produce our own visual effects films in the near future. The truth is, we are not so sure we really want to start another company. The next few months will tell.
Every year between Christmas and New Years, Rhonda and I go to Aspen to ski. This will be our 10th year.
Rhonda and I love to travel and we have seen most of the world. France, Spain and Morocco have been our favorite places. Of course a trip to Hawaii now and then is never disappointing.
I love Skiing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, writing, computers, electronics, movies and still mess around with music on my midi system when ever possible.
My mother and father also moved back to Culver City and live in the house that I grew up in. They are both well and I enjoy seeing them regularly. I was particularly moved by David Werthe's email when his father passed away this year. I received it on my own father's 81st birthday.
I have lived in Pacific Palisades now for 13 years and plan on never leaving Southern California again. I really love the film business and this area.
I am really looking forward to the 30th reunion. I feel lucky to have some time now to get the New Generation Web Page together. It has been fun working with Diane Silberstein, Robyn Rothstein, Stacy Young (Blair), Shelley Armstrong (Foreman) and Mr. R (Mr. R) on all of this stuff.
After all these years it gives me great joy to stay in touch with so may of my dear friends from the New Generation.
I wish you all the best of luck in whatever you desire and enjoy and hope to see you at the reunion.