What I Did Over Spring Break

by Alan Fine

4/20/01

Previously, this website has come to you from a place as far from Hastings as you could get while still remaining in this country (except maybe Hawaii or with the Martins in Alaska). Not anymore though, for my wife, Teri, and I have moved from Los Angeles to literally 7/10 of a mile from where I lived when we all went to high school together and the water in Sugar Pond was only dangerous to drink.

THE IDEA

It all began I suppose when Teri told me with each trip to Hastings how much she liked it. To me, Hastings was always someplace from which to escape, but to Teri, an accomplished artist looking forward to becoming part of the NY gallery scene, Hastings was -- and is -- a magical place. (She hated L.A. anyway.) Since artists and writers have alway gravitated to Hastings, I guess she was captured by its spell, a spell which peaked during our 25th reunion last August. (See the new article just sent by both Amy Farber and Jeff Feinstein for more on this feeling.)

Now mind you, as of this last March, almost two months ago, I still had no intention of relocating. After all, I felt all my creative efforts were about to pay off yet again.

Yeah... Right...

THE CATALYSTS

Initially in Hollywood, I made some money as a stand up comedian and actor (was on "The Dating Game," "Cheers," the CBS soap opera "Capitol," Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories," a film called "Mugsy's Girls" with Ruth Gordon and some commercials). Then I sold five screen and teleplays and was starting to produce and possibly direct, especially for the fledgling entertainment medium called "the Internet." (I had developed the world's first fully interactive sitcom, where you could play a character in the show.)

Suddenly, the bottom seemed like it was going to fall out. "Dotcoms" were closing and I was to be on strike for television and screen writing with my union, the Writers' Guild. (Note: By the end of the summer, the strike was averted, thank goodness.)

CUT TO:

DREAMWORKS, SKG (Steven Spielberg's company)

I have been on DreamWork's radar since 1999 when between projects I took a short term consulting job. Last year, I moved over to Speilberg's entertainment website, POP.com, as a multimedia comedy producer. That company folded as part of the "dotcom" downturn, just prior to our 25th reunion and before I could produce anything.

At the begining of this year, I heard DreamWorks was looking for someone to consult in Manhattan. Aware of my creative endeavors and that I had refused full time employement before, DreamWorks was surprised when I offered myself for the job if the package was right. And the package HAD to be right because I really do want to continue writing, composing (click here for samples), and performing.

Well, when the package WAS right, and as other cosmic indications said "go for it," it started to seem stupid NOT relocate and take the job. For example, my old BMW died, so I gave it to charity. My poor Grandfather actually DID die 10 days after our reunion (I turned around and flew back to New York for the funeral), so our search for a place to stay ended with his seventh floor condo with a panaramic view of the Hudson. (I have posted some some pictures here.) The complex is just inches over the Hastings boarder and down the hill off of North Broadway, next to the Lenoir State Nature Preserve (I didn't even know it was there).

My Dad was caring for my grandfather, so he lives in a condo two floors below. When he downsized, my brother bought from him our old house at 14 Crossbar Road, which as I said is exactly 7/10 of a mile away from David Lane where we now live. A step-sister of mine moved onto Warren Street and has two daughters going to Hastings Middle school. So now every Friday night, my sister, Shari (class of '83), comes in from the city to join my father, step-mom, brother Larry (class of '79), and his wife and two daughters, my local step-sister and her two daughters for what is called "Family Night."

This is when I most miss L.A.

LOOKING BACK

Literally the last thing I did in Los Angeles was attend the Writers Guild gala Oscar party with Teri in late March. Next thing I knew I was taking the train to Grand Central.

So I'm still a "best-screenplay-voting" member of the Writers Guild and a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I still have projects pending, and I'm consulting for DreamWorks. Although I tried to conquer Hollywood, I now feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, having learned a moral or two: "simply making a living at showbiz in Los Angeles was a feat," "there's no place like home" and "don't piss off the flying monkeys."

Nice to be back,

Alan

PS. Finished my first full-length play which I intend to direct. Readings have been received well by the Manhattan Theater community (Neighborhood Playhouse at 340 East 54th Street in Manhattan.

The play is called "Fountain of Youth," and is a "dramedy" about a negligent father who reunites with his estranged son when he learns the son has amnesia. The father then seizes the opportunity to reinvent their past relationship. All is fine until the son remembers what a bullshitting shithead his father was…

Anyone interested in reading the script (and helping with comments), please let me know and I will email a copy in any format.

I'm also directing a series of documentaries in Boston on global climate change. A number of internationally recognized scientists were invited to speak with high school students and the interaction will be packaged into 4 one-hour episodes to be used by schools and the Museum of Science in Boston. Rita Chang (Class of '74) is the executive producer.

And finally, Teri and I have moved from that first coop apartment. It is now a rental property for us, as will be our current larger coop as we new look to buy a new house.

af