The Jacob Burns screening was apparently a big success. A sold out crowd we’re told! Meg Griffin was in attendance and did a well-received Q & A about her radio career, hosted by WFUV’s Rita Houston who also appears in the film. Below are some pics that were posted on social media:
From left to right: Rita Houston, Meg Griffin, Karen Goodman – Jacob Burns Programmer
Q & A with Rita Houston and Meg Griffin. Photos c-2015 Gayle Miller
I Am What I Play will screen as part of the Jacob Burns Center’s “Sounds of Summer” Music Documentary series on August 18th at 7:30 pm. The Jacob Burns center is a really cool film/cultural arts center, located about 30 minutes north of New York City.
This screening will be extra special because Meg Griffin will be in attendance, doing a Q & A after the film with Rita Houston, a legendary DJ herself who hosts and programs at WFUV in New York. Rita also appears in the film.
It should be a great night!
For tickets and more information, click here:
https://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/films/buy-tickets?date=1439870400
Every film needs a trailer and we’re excited to share it with you now. Here’s a first look at I Am What I Play.
Be sure and follow the film:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Am-What-I-Play/297875140261718
Twitter: https://twitter.com/radiodjmovie
Over at the I Am What I Play Facebook page, we have been posting screen shots from the film on a regular basis. If you’re on Facebook, be sure and like the page for updates on the movie. We will continue to update this blog but the Facebook page has more up to the minute action:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Am-What-I-Play/297875140261718
Having said that, here are a few screen shots from the film:
Charles Laquidara in a 1970’s TV commercial for his morning radio show, The Big Mattress.
Meg Griffin in the WNEW studios in New York City, late 1970’s.
David Marsden being inducted into the Canadian Music and Radio Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2011.
Newspaper ad for Pat O’Day’s radio show in the late 60’s.
Larry Gifford is a U.S. radio guru/consultant and he hosts a podcast about radio called Radio Stuff. I joined him on the podcast recently to talk about the film. Click on the link below to listen. The interview starts at the 13:00 minute mark:
http://radiostuff.podomatic.com/entry/2014-06-19T15_04_35-07_00
In addition to reading this blog, the best way to keep up-to-date on the film is to join us on Facebook and like the page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Am-What-I-Play/297875140261718
In February, we completed two test screenings of the film. Intimate locations – the screening room of a post-production facility. About 15 people in attendance each night. I served wine. I know it’s rock radio so an Australian Merlot doesn’t immediately come to mind but I’m just trying to add a touch of class to the proceedings. (Editor note: I even took a picture of the wine and glasses but my picture upload is not cooperating!).
Needless to say, it was a thrill to sit and watch the finished product with a live audience. Now I knew almost everyone at both screenings but it was still a nice mix of a few radio/voice over types, a few old friends, a couple of people who worked on the film and even a couple of strangers who have nothing to do with radio, TV or film. The feedback was universally positive – people really seemed to love the film. And I do have friends and colleagues who can dish out the constructive criticism when it’s warranted.
In this case, it was mostly constructive praise. Criticism was mainly of the “tweaking” variety. I gave them all a questionnaire to fill out at the end. Some comments:
“You meted out the story telling with each character in such a way as to make the point on that portion and move on to the next. I thought your timing was excellent. ”
” Well produced!! Very interesting subject matter, a great range of music, and visually compelling. ”
“The best film about radio I’ve ever seen.”
I was looking for any obvious holes or segments that didn’t work or make sense. There was very little of that so here we go: I have begun the outreach to broadcasters and distributors. Another journey has begun. I am trying to avoid the pounding the pavement on the film festival circuit, though Friday was the deadline for submitting to the Toronto International Film Festival and I dropped it off in person. Updates to follow!
Matthew Lasar has a nice piece on the Radio Survivor website about the film. Have a look:
http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2014/01/30/i-am-what-i-play-documenting-the-rock-dj/
It was a productive five days in Manhattan this July where we spent a day with the great Meg Griffin at Sirius XM radio studios. Meg is our 4th and final DJ in the film and is just a great pick for the flick! She started her radio career in the early 70’s in Briarcliff Manor, New York alongside some guy named Howard Stern. Within a couple of years, she was at New York City’s legendary WNEW and her career just took off from there.
In our interview with her, we heard great stories about the 1970’s New York punk and new wave scene, the beginnings of MTV, her long-standing friendship with the aforementioned Mr Stern and of course her take on the evolution of rock radio, including her current work with Sirius XM. Meg is great on camera and we can’t wait for people to hear/watch her story.
We also talked to Sirius XM CEO (and former CEO of CBS) Mel Karmazin, as well as Rita Houston at the very cool WFUV in The Bronx and Allan Pepper, the owner of the legendary Bottom Line night club. All have long and deep connections to Meg and have great respect for her work and musical knowledge.
We of course took in a little of New York City too: drinks in the village, great Mexican food in Soho, a photo exhibit opening on Central Park West and half price wine between 8-10 pm every night in the bar of our hotel, The Shoreham. The city that never sleeps indeed. Or at least only turns in early before film interview days!
On to editing we go. Don’t touch that dial! (sorry – couldn’t resist a lame, dated phrase there)
Meg Griffin, with our Production Manager, David Jermyn. Sirius XM Studios, New York City. July 8, 2012.
We decided there was something noticeably missing from our documentary – the perspective of a female DJ. Though there were only a handful of women active in rock radio in a major market during the 60’s and 70’s , we have found one who definitely qualifies. Meg “Megless” Griffin did the free form thing at legendary New York City station WNEW during its glory years and she went on to spin tunes at WPIX, K-ROCK and now still plays what she wants on three different Sirius satellite radio channels.
She was hired as one of the first VJ’s on MTV but quit one week in because they wanted her to give up radio. She has been honored by the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. Her close friendship with Howard Stern has lasted almost 40 years since they both began their careers in White Plains, New York. In short, we think she has some stories to tell and can’t wait to sit down with her in The Big Apple in early July. Stay tuned!
