Last week I went to the
Spectrum to see “Elysium.” I know, not
very indie but I liked the director’s first film, “District 9.” Anyway, as I left the theater a man I did not
know greeted me. He walked up and asked
if I was the host of the program on PBS that shows local short films? I was surprised but said yes and we shook
hands.
I’m not complaining here, but
the whole television hosting deal is really, really surreal, especially now
that I have a different day job besides working at WMHT. If you could imagine working as a carpenter
for 51 weeks a years and for one week you are a chef. That is kind of the feeling I have. During that one week (actually three shooting
days) I stand in front of hot lights and a green screen and do my best to read
the teleprompter (*SPOILER). It’s all
very Twilight Zone with some Truman Show mixed in.
So, when someone comes up to
me actually saying they saw me on the television it is always surprising. Usually I hear second hand from my wife or
mother that so and so saw me. The gentleman at the Spectrum said he liked the
variety of films shown and inquired if the series was broadcast outside the
Capital Region. We spoke for a few seconds
and he was on his way, leaving me under the basking glow of neon marquee,
thinking people are watching! They’re
really watching!
GULP.
