Alexander, Ron “Metropolitan Diary: The Best Selections from the New York Times Column”, 2022,
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/nyregion/metropolitan-diary.html
“Metropolitan Diary,” is one of the most popular features of the Wednesday New York Times. Best Selections is a book made from a compilation of anecdotes by New Yorkers about New York that has been assembled by Alexander since 1977. The Metropolitan Diary finds its material on the streets, in the parks, and other seemingly random places around the city. The beauty of the diary is how it delivers hidden gems of the city.
The diary entries are sometimes light hearted, sometimes quirky and even at times quite touching. You can read such things as this conversation in the subway: “”Woman One: `Do you remember Kathy Coffee?’ Woman Two: `Sure I do!’ Woman One: `Well, she married a guy named Steven Potts and now her name is Kathy Coffee Potts!'”” The stories are refreshing and uplifting, relatable and charming. Sometimes they have a surprising twist at the end – all are real stories that New Yorkers have experienced and shared.
This column is relevant to my senior project because in my short interactions in my filmed interviews with New Yorkers, I am inspired by the light hearted, concise nature of the Metropolitan Diary. By being able to film some of the places mentioned, the New York we all experience, I am able to make a visual representation that extends beyond written word. The person is speaking rather than writing, but the love of New York and the way we feel when we talk about our city is the inspiration that the Metropolitan Diaries gives me.
Fortier, Alison “History Lover’s Guide to New York City, February 2016 https://www.amazon.com/History-Lovers-Guide-York-City
Alison Fortier writes that New York is a “city of superlatives”. It has the largest population, greatest wealth, broadest diversity and most elegant museums in the nation. The History of how all those came to be is even more interesting. Her book is like a tour of New York City that goes beyond a traditional guidebook that would be offered to visitors. Instead, visitors and residents are given a chance to walk back in time down the streets of the city. You can walk past where George Washington took his first oath of office at the steps of Federal Hall. You can go inside St. Paul’s Chapel. You can find the house that Alexander Hamilton died in. You can even eat in the Fraunces Tavern. From the Brooklyn Bridge to stunning skyscrapers, the city is full of rich history which Fortier allows us to celebrate through her book.
Fortier came to New York City when she was a teenager with her family in an apartment next to the famous Dakota Apartments. She fell in love with the city, and the attractions and the people. After moving to DC, Alison wrote the book about New York as if she was walking its streets, integrating her life into its life and to “revel in every facet”. In this book, Fortier traces the history and heritage of America’s largest metropolis.
This book is going to be relevant to my senior project because of the approach of loving NYC as if you are walking the streets. Just as I am doing. The love Fortier conveys with a touch of the teenager in her and the photography is similar to the way I am approaching my own “tour” of NYC through film. Overall, Fortier and I have the same goal: allowing people to appreciate the beautiful city even more.
Grey, Jacobie & Marsh Leonie, “The Short Film Pod”2019-2021 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-short-film-pod/id1459200399
“Filmmakers dream of watching their feature on the big screen but nobody gives airtime to the most crucial part of any filmmaker’s humble beginning: the honing of their craft through the ups and downs of short filmmaking.” The Short Film Pod was launched in 2019 and is hosted by Jacobie Gray and Leonie Marsh to make a fun and informative podcast that gives a behind the scene look at the world of film. Through interviewing award-winning filmmakers and various experts in the industry, Jacobie and Leonie shine a light on the process behind the process, provide a masterclass for their audience, and share what their experiences in the industry have taught them.
Jacobie Gray and Leonie Marsh are a writing, directing, and production team taking on the unpredictable and exciting world of film together. They’ve collaborated on two short films; The Beehive which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in 2017 and The Aquarium which premiered at Palm Springs International ShortFest in 2015.
This podcast is relevant to my senior project because I am learning about the power of short form films. Their podcasts enlighten and educate as they discuss the process and challenges of making short form films. I can study how they conduct interviews and apply those skills to how I conduct my interviews. They are women and this also comes up in their podcasts as they work in a primarily male dominated field, so listening to them feels empowering and motivational.
Levine, Eitan & Clemons, Drexton “NYC is Dead” 2021
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nyc-is-dead/id1559616891
Eitan Levine and Drexton Clemons are both comedians. They also are journalists and NYC-enthusiasts. Despite the title of their podcasts, they are on a quest to prove that NYC is not dead through interviews with the people keeping this city alive. There are 19 weekly podcasts in 2021 that interview a wide array of New Yorkers in different fields. At the time, the podcasts were highly relevant with “ Working out is Dead”, “Cuomo is Dead”, “ Comedy is Dead”, “Nightlife is Dead” and many more. They address the issues of the MTA, restaurants closing, dating becoming impossible to name a few with enthusiasm and humor interviewing prominent people to prove that we are not living in a city that died because of covid.
In the episode “Broadway is Dead” they interview Kevin McCollom, a Broadway producer, and Rob McClure who plays the leading role of Mrs.Doubtfire. The show was on hold after only 3 nights of previews but reopened recently. Kevin and Rob express that Broadway provides an experience that brings people together. The return of Broadway was a sign of the pulse of life returning and how much it means to New Yorkers.
This podcast series is relevant to my senior project as it carries the same essence of a belief in our beloved city. Through talking to people and recording their opinions, they are showing their love of NYC and encouraging others to express how this city is still able to make us happy.
Montgomery, Nick & Short, Josh “Command Edit” Podcast
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/command-edit/
This podcast is a mix of advice about life as a video editor, giving specific advice about editing and also finding a way to get a life away from editing. “Being an editor usually means constantly being busy whether it’s looking for work, finishing a job and looking for more work. And let’s not forget continuing to level up your skills. Then somewhere in there you need to remember to have a life.” Nick and Josh discuss ways to improve both your career and maintain a healthy balance with your lifestyle.
Nick teaches philosophy and linguistics–but he has a passion for tech and all the new supports and updates on software. The podcast is quite dry and specific but is humorous and half the podcast is getting to know about his life. Josh finds opportunities in creative digital media that provide a platform to utilize his skills and experience in video and audio production as well as an environment in which to learn and grow as a professional in the industry. Their conversations show enthusiasm for very specific knowledge.
This podcast is relevant to me for my senior project as the podcast discusses updates in software and technology. It’s helpful for specific insight when I don’t have time to do the extensive research they can, but they share what is practically applicable to editing work. Some episodes are less relevant to my work but they have some great tips and shortcuts that keep evolving.