Post a Comment on: Richard Alvarez -- Filmmaker, Renaissance Man

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Comments: 15

Gayle said...

THAT is COOL. Don't miss the link to American Jouster. It was amazing, too.

6/15/2010

Barb said...

I'd like to know what he always wanted to be when he grew up?!

6/18/2010

Donna De for said...

What a great post, Dee. I loved the video and can easily imagine you wearing the pretty blue gown.

6/18/2010

RadiantShari said...

Very neat video. I never understood all that went into those gowns! It'll be a lot of fun dressing up and wearing one. :)

6/18/2010

Mocha with Linda said...

I love the name with the play on "waisted"! It's always amazed me how much stuff they wore. And how tight they laced those corsets. Between that and the Southern heat, it's no wonder they swooned all the time! Of course, what I really want to know is how they managed to go to the bathroom in all that "get-up" (as my dad would call it!). And they had privys - there isn't a whole lot of room in an outhouse! LOL

6/18/2010

Richard said...

Barbara asked "What I always wanted to be" - when I grew up. For the most part, I wanted to be an astronaut. They were my heroes as a child. I put pictures and clippings of the astronauts on my wall. I joined the Civil Air Patrol when I was 13, and spent my teen years focusing on getting into the Air Force so I could BECOME an astronaut.(This was before the shuttle program and civilian astronauts). The Viet Nam war changed my mind, and my 'hobbies' of photography and theater started to become my main interests. The rest is in the resume'. (Though I did learn to fly, and enjoyed flying sailplanes)

6/19/2010

Barbara said...

Wow, that is quite the career change! What is one project (or type of project) you'd like to do that you haven't yet?

6/19/2010

Richard said...

While I've written and produced many short films, commercials and documentaries, getting one of my feature screenplays produced is my next goal. I've won awards and optioned two scripts - but seeing them through to completion is a real task. I tell people writing a screenplay is like being an architect. It's not enough to design a wonderful structure, you have to convince someone to spend a LARGE amount of money on building it.

6/20/2010

Deeanne Gist said...

Great questions, Barb!

An astronaut! Wow. I had no idea!

Linda with Mocha--I'm pretty sure these ladies didn't go to the outhouse. They used a chamber pot. It would have been much more manageable and they wouldn't have risked getting their gowns dirty in that nasty outhouse. :)

6/20/2010

Barb said...

So that will be, like, the pinnacle of your career when that happens? Though you've had a pretty fascinating one already! You mentioned your wife. Does she work with you all the time?

6/21/2010

Richard said...

I don't think of seeing one of my screenplays produced as 'the pinnacle'. I see it as 'the next step'. After that, another one. After that, DIRECTING one of my scripts. I see myself as a storyteller, whether its on the page, the stage or the screen. So hopefully I'll go on doing that for the rest of my life. My wife and I have worked together on numerous projects over the years. We also enjoy pursuing our own interests. It makes for an interesting mix of creativity.

6/21/2010

Katybug said...

Fascinating, Dee & Richard! Great interview, and I enjoyed the video. Very eyeopening!!! WOW...I can't imagine going to your Biltmore get-away without a buddy to help dress! Will you be wearing the wig as well?

6/21/2010

Deeanne Gist said...

I won't be wearing the wig at the Getaway because I'll be wearing a Day Dress--which will require a hat. I just don't think I can handle both a hat AND a wig!

I'll be wearing the ball gown (that you see in the video) and the wig at RomCon in Denver next month. http://www.romconinc.com

6/21/2010

Julia said...

Thanks for the great video, Deeanne! It sure brought back memories (good, bad, and interesting!). Many (many) years ago, I was privileged to know Richard as a fellow worker at the TX Renaissance Festival (ever hear from Scotty?). Rick, do you still get down to TX RenFest? Deeanne, here's a tip for those "privy moments". First, you have to have a friend with you (I think this is why women first began "going" in groups!). When you get there, look for a handicapped stall--you'll need the extra space. Reach down your sides and grab the lowest hoop you can, then "walk" your fingers down, gathering the hoops, while rotating them down in front, up in back. This is where drawers/bloomers lose their practicality, because you have to manage to get them down--or be VERY close friends with your helper! Anyway, your friend opens the door for you, stands guard, and may have to help you get said drawers back up. Remember to sit straight down! If you try to bend at the waist...well, it doesn't work. Be sure to practice as much as possible, because sitting in hoops is an art unto itself! Oh, and have a wonderful, wonderful time.

6/23/2010

Richard said...

I visited TRF last October, as a matter of fact! It was great to see a lot of old friends. Although shocking how much we've all aged! I keep in touch with Scotty on FB as well. The internet is the world's longest running High School Reunion.

6/23/2010

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