Terminal Bar Celebrates its 10th year on YouTube March 1st, 2013

Terminal Bar

Terminal Bar

This film pulsates the reality of what it was like in this area of New York City, before it became Disneyland…when you had to be tough to walk these streets.

It’s a bit rough around the edges for younger audiences. This 2003 Sundance Jury Prize winner for short film explores the customers who frequented the Terminal Bar – a down-&- out watering hole in Times Square across the street from the Port Authority. Sheldon Nadelman, the bartender, shot over 1,500 black and white portraits during his ten year stint there from 1972-1982. The bar was owned by Murray Goldman, Sheldon’s father-in-law. This film also uses a technique that brings to life Sheldon’s still photos with the collaboration of narrative & an original scored music from Stefan Nadelman. The result is a textural journey of electrifying images and sound. I was proud to be part of the narration and character portrayal that I hope lends this film some authenticity and enjoyment.

For more information visit:

http://www.touristpictures.com/termin…
For the followup Terminal Bar vignettes, see:
Porters, Bouncers, and Bartenders: http://youtu.be/USDCEyHt7rI
Pimps and Prostitutes: http://youtu.be/AdyZ9LOXmZA
The Garbage Can: http://youtu.be/w5_BRQ3gITI
Directed and Animated by Stefan Nadelman
Narration by Tom Clifford
Music by Dick Zved, Michael Reid, Steve Rossiter
By: +Tom Clifford, VoiceOver & Creative Services 

Yes you Can

Well, it just goes to show you, when you’re closed down creatively it ain’t gonna happen. Thing is, sometimes you can’t see that wall. Happy to say that with the right people behind you, you can shake-off the negative influences preventing you from being creative and think inside the ‘B-O-X’ again.
My agent in Texas actually noticed that something had come over me. They had a Big-Ass soda client asking for an audition that on the surface didn’t seem to have that much to wonder about it. Specs for the read were of the typical garden variety; voice should be personable…maybe with a wink here & there.  Ahhh, but there was one startling wrinkle as they say, the spot was a :60 and there was 290 words of copy. I was initially resistant and asked my agent to convey to the client a consideration to edit out some words.
They wondered why I was counting words, whereas I would normally use them as a guide or key to develop the character. They were right…I was creatively shut down.
Okay, shake off the negative, forget for a second the spot defies the normal standard of 140 words per minute. Now, what sort of character could gobble-up all those words without it sounding like fast-talker John Moschitta, from the classic Amex spots. Chris Tucker-ish maybe? OR a Dennis Leary-ish rat-a-tat-tat patter could work. Hummm. Laid down a few passes of possible characters. Sure enough, had something that sounded right and came in at :60. Actually :60.2 seconds.   Love not Like
Morale of the story – try and limit the negative influences…but, more important, catch what they’ve done to you early on.  And they don’t need to be editorialized to anyone. You wind up, perpetuating and reliving them.  And, you’re still thinking like them. It’s rubbed off. That negative, no-can-do mind set. For me, the next time I make an excuse or try and rationalize that it Can’t be Done, I’m gonna S-T-O-P the presses, Shake-Off yesterday and start coming around to the good life.