LC
Loy Carlos
Host
Finding Sandler
Jan 30, 201342 visitors
David Seth Cohen
Cohost
DC
Stage· 161 messages
Jan 30, 2013
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:01 AM
David, I assume we're live now, correct?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:05 AM
yo
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David Seth Cohen · 12:05 AM
what's up Loy?
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:05 AM
Whew.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:06 AM
sorry was having technical difficulties being that I'm social media slow ;)
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:06 AM
First. Let me thank you for coming to tawk tonight and congratulate you on reaching and surpassing your goal.
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:07 AM
When did you find out that you passed your kickstarter goal?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:07 AM
my pleasure - this should be fun! Thank you and a big thank you to everyone who has supported Finding Sandler up to this point! Campaign isn't over yet - we have 3 more days!
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David Seth Cohen · 12:09 AM
It's extremely exciting though I must say! I'm really proud of what we've accomplished but again it wouldn't be without all the people who pitched in to help us out!
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David Seth Cohen · 12:10 AM
This morning when I woke up I saw that we were a few hundred away from our goal and I knew it was going to happen!
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Loy Carlos · 12:11 AM
Before we get into Finding Sandler itself, for those who may not understand the Kickstarter process, can you tell me a little bit about that? How does it help a project like yours?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:13 AM
Sure, I'd be happy to...basically, Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects, not just movies but anything! So basically people or companies go on their in the hopes that the public will take to their project and want to help!
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David Seth Cohen · 12:13 AM
The thing about Kickstarter though is it's all or none - meaning if you don't reach your goal, you get nothing
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Loy Carlos · 12:15 AM
Ah. So interest is key. WIth Finding Sandler, how much of the production was already completed before you decided to use the platform, to help build interest for funding purposes?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:15 AM
from what i've heard only a little over 30 percent of projects actually get funded on kickstarter so that certainly makes me feel honored that we have and prior to the end of our campaign
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David Seth Cohen · 12:16 AM
Well, I had the dream about Finding Adam Sandler in the summer of 2006. We started shooting in November I believe and it's basically been on and off since then. Since Finding Sandler is a documentary, not a narrative, it's all real life!
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David Seth Cohen · 12:17 AM
It's been a crazy ride!
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Loy Carlos · 12:19 AM
That's a six- yearl long commitment! So I guess we should start from the beginning. Can you give us a short storyline on Finding Sandler?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:19 AM
I actually didn't even know about Kickstarter until a few months ago. Jeff Waxman, the Executive Producer of our film (The Fighter, Mirror Mirror, Immortals) brought me to a production company in the city
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David Seth Cohen · 12:20 AM
They convinced me to do the Kickstarter campaign so we could raise funds to complete the film properly...and i must say, it turned out to be an excellent idea!
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David Seth Cohen · 12:20 AM
Finding Sandler is about my quest to have a drink with Adam Sandler - a drink that I passed up back in 1998 while working on the movie Big Daddy.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:21 AM
Basically it follows my life through the whole journey.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:23 AM
There are a lot of ups and downs throughout the whole film and I think anyone who has a dream of doing something they love or someone who has had that "What if" moment will really enjoy it!
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Loy Carlos · 12:24 AM
You know this is coming, and I'm sure you've heard this before. What do you say to people when they ask about the missed opportunity: "What were you thinking????"
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David Seth Cohen · 12:25 AM
Hahaha! Yes, anyone I tell gives me that look, you know like WTF is wrong with you dude! Truth is, I made the right decision.
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Loy Carlos · 12:26 AM
So tell me why in retrospect you believe it was the right decision all along.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:27 AM
Back in 1998 I didn't have a cell phone. My boss asked me to do 3 things before I was to go home. Deliver clothing to Sandler's apartment and drop it with the doorman. Drop off a girl named Autumn who was another PA in my dept.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:27 AM
And to take the car back to the studio then go home. When i went into Sandler's building, Autumn was waiting in the car. I went to give the clothes to the doorman but he told me to bring them up to Adam.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:28 AM
I went up to his apartment thinking nothing of it - i mean who was I to him..just a pa/gofer dude. When I go to his door and I knocked, he started yelling at me through the door
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David Seth Cohen · 12:29 AM
He was like "Who is it! What do you want!"- you know totally Sandler-ish and I was like it's Dave, I'm just a PA here to deliver your clothes that you wanted for The Waterboy premier.
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:31 AM
Were you nervous at all at meeting one of your idols?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:32 AM
His assistant Jonathan Laughrin (who's also in his movies) was behind him and knew me from bs-ing at breakfast and said "David just come in and check out the balcony
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David Seth Cohen · 12:32 AM
So I went in, checked out the balcony which wrapped around the whole apartment and then I said I really have to get going and left.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:33 AM
Well, Adam would always say hi to me on set. He was a nice guy and I had actually been to his apartment once before with my boss and he was really friendly to me but this time it was alone. So yeah, I was a little nervous but more because he's someone
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David Seth Cohen · 12:34 AM
I really respect in the industry. He writes his own films for the most part, produces them, and acts in them..which is what I aspire to do myself.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:35 AM
I'm not the type of person to get star struck.. I mean celebrities are just people like you and me - just with a lot more money and people helping them out!
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:35 AM
At such a defining moment in your life, you made a decision to do the opposite of what people would expect you to do. The question is why.
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Loy Carlos · 12:36 AM
I know you had responsibilities and you wanted to leave up to those. But this was big, this was your career, your dream. Why throw it out for Autumn????
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Loy Carlos · 12:37 AM
One drink, maybe. Let her wait and come up?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:37 AM
Well, as I said, I had no cell phone and Autumn was in the car waiting. As a gentleman I couldn't leave her alone and stranded in the middle of Manhattan plus I thought my boss would kill me if I stayed because EVERYONE is protective of Adam Sandler
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:38 AM
So in a way, YOU were protecting Adam Sandler, too?
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Loy Carlos · 12:38 AM
By respecting his privacy.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:38 AM
If I had a cell phone, I'd have called or her texted her to come up and of course she would have..looking back I could have said to Adam, I'll be right back I'm going to get Autumn but I was also scared my boss would get pissed at me and I didn't want
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David Seth Cohen · 12:38 AM
to lose my job
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David Seth Cohen · 12:39 AM
No, I wasn't protecting Adam. I was just making sure I didn't get fired the next morning :)
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David Seth Cohen · 12:40 AM
The funny thing is though...if I did have that drink, we probably wouldn't be TAWKING about this now. So Karma has come through I guess since I did the right thing.
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Loy Carlos · 12:42 AM
Indeed, it has. I also think there's something to the idea that David Seth Cohen could possibly be a "good boy"???
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David Seth Cohen · 12:42 AM
Yes, I certainly have my moments :)
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David Seth Cohen · 12:42 AM
You know there have been a few articles/blogs written about the film and I called my parents the other day and said - At least I'm not in the news for being a douche bag
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Loy Carlos · 12:43 AM
Thank God for that. Ha ha. Let's talk a little about your background. You're from Plainview???
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:43 AM
New York that is. I keep forgetting this is global.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:44 AM
Yes, actually I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Plainview but spent almost every weekend in Brooklyn over by my Grandparents.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:45 AM
★ Spotlighted from Michael Hauptman
“Interesting concept...If you could hit the rewind button to one moment in your life what would it be??”
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David Seth Cohen · 12:46 AM
I went to college at Towson University in Maryland. When I got back, moved home then went to Europe for a month to travel and when I came back moved out to Miami for 3 months to work on my second feature film called "In The Shadows"
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David Seth Cohen · 12:47 AM
After that, it was back to NY and I haven't left since.
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Loy Carlos · 12:47 AM
Okay, so let's take what Michael brought up for a moment. How about that question. Is there something else you might have changed in your life had you the chance?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:49 AM
You know I was interviewed the other day by http://spotonli.com (which btw, we are on the front page) and they asked me that question too.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:49 AM
I don't know that there is anything I'd actually change...I mean of course sometimes you get upset about things and say stuff you don't mean but other than that...not really anything I can think of.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:50 AM
Nothing as grand as passing up a drink with my hero, Adam Sandler.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:51 AM
★ Spotlighted from Jordan Sudy
“I totally freeze up in front of celebs”
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David Seth Cohen · 12:52 AM
★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian
“David, what's the best thing you have gotten out of this whole process as a filmmaker??”
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David Seth Cohen · 12:53 AM
Well Blake, when I first started making Finding Sandler, I was Dave the Dreamer and now, I consider myself Dave The Filmmaker.
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:54 AM
Why is that? You've made other films before, right?
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David Seth Cohen · 12:54 AM
I've learned so much on this journey it'd take weeks to tell you all of it but what I can tell you is, you can't make a film by yourself. You need a team of people because without that team, you are nothing. I'm lucky to have a great team behind me.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:56 AM
Yes Loy, I made a short film called The Delivery which was in The Long Island International Film Expo years back and a few other short films but nothing feature film length or documentary.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:56 AM
When I started f
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David Seth Cohen · 12:56 AM
Finding Sandler, I was actually working as a Senior Producer for Channel 29-Telecare TV on Long Island
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David Seth Cohen · 12:57 AM
A Jewish guy working at a Catholic TV Station..imagine that right!
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:57 AM
Let's go back to Jordan's point and your point for a second about collaborations. One might say that the Adam Sandler persona then is a product of many people, then. not just Adam Sandler. So did that make him more accessible in your mind?
LC
Loy Carlos · 12:58 AM
The person versus the celebrity.
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David Seth Cohen · 12:59 AM
Well, the thing is Loy, I never actually got to know Adam Sandler the person which is really why I've regretted not having the drink with him
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David Seth Cohen · 1:00 AM
Warren Buffett
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Loy Carlos · 1:00 AM
Do you think you would have a different perspective now if you had a drink with him versus if you had it then?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:01 AM
Well now I'm older, wiser and in a different place then I was back then. In 1998 I was 22 and fresh out of college. Who knows what I would have said! Now, yes, I think it'd be totally different.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:02 AM
What do you think you would talk about now if you had a beer with Adam? (Or Alan as your grandmother called him)
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David Seth Cohen · 1:05 AM
Haha! Love my Grandma - she really is a superstar isn't she! If i were to speak with Adam now, I'd ask him how he got his start in the business, for advice, and even to read a script that I'm developing that he and I are made to be in together.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:06 AM
I'd also bring up stuff we learned about him when we visited his hometown - Manchester, New Hampshire
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David Seth Cohen · 1:06 AM
and plenty of other things as well.
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Loy Carlos · 1:09 AM
But this is really about pursuing your dream and the lost opportunities, correct?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:09 AM
My plan was though to make it more than just a drink for him. I wanted to make it the coolest drink he'd ever have so I asked Billy Joel to come and play the piano, Emeril Lagasse to cook appetizers and Mick Foley to body slam me in front of Adam
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David Seth Cohen · 1:09 AM
for entertainment!
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Loy Carlos · 1:10 AM
Ha ha
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Loy Carlos · 1:10 AM
I know Mick Foley said he would body slam you. But he would have done that anyway.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:10 AM
Yes Loy. The film is about going after your dreams at all costs and doing whatever it takes to make them come true. It's never too late to do what you want to do, to be who you want to be, and I think the film shows that and I hope it inspires others
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David Seth Cohen · 1:10 AM
to make that bold move to change their life!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:11 AM
Yeah, as Mick told me... I can certainly have my way with you!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:12 AM
The funny thing is, prior to asking Mick if he'd body slam me in front of Sandler, I asked him if he'd body slam Sandler if he won't have the drink.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:12 AM
Pursuing a dream is never easy. What was the hardest thing for you to deal with in making Finding Sandler?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:12 AM
His reply was absolutely brilliant but you're going to have to wait to see the movie to hear it :)
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:14 AM
Can't wait for that! I wonder how much he donated in Kickstarter? ha ha
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David Seth Cohen · 1:14 AM
is not an easy task!
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Loy Carlos · 1:15 AM
At any point did you ever feel like, "I don't know if there is a point in all of this?"
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David Seth Cohen · 1:16 AM
haha - Mick Foley didn't donate. I did post on his facebook wall though and tweet at him. No response though unfortunately but I know he's busy doing a lot so I don't have any hard feelings. He seemed like a really good dude.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:17 AM
Well...there are a lot of times in life that things just don't go your way and you feel down but the good part about life is that there are always people to bring you up. Specifically the guys in the film who came along the long road with me.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:18 AM
you can check out a video clip of them here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/findingsandler/finding-sandler/posts
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David Seth Cohen · 1:19 AM
but Loy to be quite honest, I'm really not the type of guy who gives up on things. My Mom always says I'm relentless...and I guess she's right cause I'm still making this film 6 years later...
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David Seth Cohen · 1:20 AM
Personally, I don't like to take NO for an answer and I'm usually pretty good at turning it into a YES.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:21 AM
Speaking of video clips. We noticed a few things in your Cribs video. For one, you are amazingly organized. Is that reflective of your work? I'm assuming you didn't stage your crib for the video, of course. Ha ha
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David Seth Cohen · 1:24 AM
Oh man! You dug that up! Haha too funny! Good job researching Loy! You come prepared. No, I didn't stage anything. I keep my place neat. I'm an organized person for the most part. I think that's half the battle with projects you work on too.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:24 AM
if you can keep things organized and know what you have, everything becomes easier.
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Loy Carlos · 1:25 AM
But life isn't easily organized. Your grandmother for instance had to evacuate and live at your place for a while after Hurricane Sandy. How is she? And how was that?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:28 AM
Yes, very true Loy. You know sometimes life throws you a curveball but you still have to hit the ball out of the park. My Grandmother was stuck in Long Beach, NY during Hurricane Sandy. Once I was able to get my car out I drove out there to get her.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:29 AM
She had no power, heat or running water for 2 days when I finally got there and Long Beach was completely devastated. We had to carry her out of her apartment in her wheel chair with only a flashlight down 3 flights of stairs but in doing so,
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David Seth Cohen · 1:30 AM
we were organized. Her and her aide lived with me for 3 weeks but to be quite honest...I didn't mind. I love my grandmother and would do anything for her so not having privacy for a few weeks wasn't a big deal.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:31 AM
It was certainly a tight living space being that I have two bedrooms and one bathroom, but you do what you do to get by in times like that and if she had to stay w/ me forever, well then so be it.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:32 AM
Now, she's back at home and she's doing well! She was actually the first person I called this morning when I found out we reached our goal! It was so great to hear the tone her voice change to total elation!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:33 AM
I'm cool with celebs when I meet them....then I freak out later about it...lol.
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Loy Carlos · 1:35 AM
I know my reaction is varied with celebrities, and it's mostly about people I admire that freak me out. Is there anyone else that would "freak" you out if if you met them, Dave?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:36 AM
Well, I'm really not one to be "freaked out" by another person but there are certainly some people I'd really love to meet.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:37 AM
I was lucky enough on my journey to meet one of my favorite musicians - Billy Joel
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David Seth Cohen · 1:37 AM
that was always a dream of mine
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David Seth Cohen · 1:38 AM
that was really cool and he was a good sport with me.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:38 AM
Met him a couple of times. Really nice guy, shorter than I imagined.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:38 AM
How about filmmaker? Anyone you really admire?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:38 AM
I'm short too - I just look gigantic on film for some reason.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:38 AM
Big personality. Ha ha
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David Seth Cohen · 1:40 AM
yes, of course. Directors: Spielberg, Scorsese, Ron Howard, Rob Reiner to name a few
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Loy Carlos · 1:42 AM
What's a film you wish you had made?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:43 AM
Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy and Robin Williams to name a few.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:43 AM
meaning a film that was out in theaters?
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:43 AM
Yes.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:43 AM
wow, that's a tough one! to be in or to just produce?
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:44 AM
Both I guess.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:44 AM
That's easy! ROCKY!
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Loy Carlos · 1:44 AM
To be in????
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David Seth Cohen · 1:45 AM
A true underdog story and I really admire Stallone for not selling it.
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:45 AM
Ha ha
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David Seth Cohen · 1:45 AM
He was going to be in the film at all costs and it ended up with him getting an academy award!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:45 AM
and making him one of the biggest stars in the world
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:45 AM
True. That is an iconic film.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:45 AM
Oh hells yeah! Give me boxing gloves - here i come apollo creed!
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:46 AM
David....whats your next few steps after your Kickstarter campaign ends?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:47 AM
Well Josh that's a good question. The plan is to start going through all of the footage we've shot over the years and then to see what else we need to shoot.
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David Seth Cohen · 1:47 AM
Once we have everything we need, we are going to begin cutting the film and when we have a final cut - show it to studios
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David Seth Cohen · 1:49 AM
Hopefully one of them takes it on and distributes it and then BAM - My dream comes true!
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:50 AM
And we're all invited to the red carpet premiere, right>
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:50 AM
Ha ha
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:50 AM
After Finding Sandler, what does David Seth Cohen want to film next?
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David Seth Cohen · 1:52 AM
They have to ask my Grandma - she'll need a date!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:53 AM
After Finding Sandler the plan is to make more movies but narrative scripted films. The whole real life thing is a killer! I don't know how Michael Moore does it!
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:53 AM
We'll ask Blake Ian if he's free. Ha ha. By the way, any clue as to which one of Blake Ian's songs is in the film?
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:54 AM
I personally am smitted with The Road. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0pdXqsiTn0
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Loy Carlos · 1:54 AM
smitten
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Loy Carlos · 1:56 AM
I can see how real life would be difficult. But look at it this way, your life is a whole big movie!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:56 AM
Blake Ian is actually one of my favorite musicians. I love his songs and the lyrics have real meaning to them. I agree, The Road is fantastic as is Cold Outside, Road of Diamonds, Play the King, A Little More (btw, I produced that video with him)
LC
Loy Carlos · 1:57 AM
Yes! I saw that video. And we actually mentioned it in this month's feature of the magazine. http://www.classiquesmodernes.com/#!the-arts/cni9 (brazenly plugging)
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David Seth Cohen · 1:58 AM
In the Finding Help clip - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/findingsandler/finding-sandler/posts we used two of Blake's songs. Come Home and Bitter Honey
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David Seth Cohen · 1:58 AM
but I can tell you a song that will definitely make the film is All The Walls!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:59 AM
i don't know if he's released it yet but it's fantastic and is perfect for my film because it's about following your dreams and not giving up!
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David Seth Cohen · 1:59 AM
"Keep on dreaming...Keep your head above the ground!"
LC
Loy Carlos · 2:01 AM
I heard a preview and I agree, it is fantastic. Anyway, one last thing before we go. So now that you've reached your goal, does that mean your female admirers can no longer donate $1,000 for a shirtless prepared dinner by le Chef Cohen???
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David Seth Cohen · 2:01 AM
Oh very cool! I'm so glad the video got featured. It was so much fun to make! I believe we had 100 extra's for it at one point in the downtown. Actually Loy, I bet you can't find me in the video...I make a cameo :)
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David Seth Cohen · 2:03 AM
Hahaha! If anyone wants to continue to donate to Finding Sandler when our Kickstarter campaign (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/findingsandler/finding-sandler) ends on Feb 2, they still can. Just write us at www.facebook.com/findingsandler
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David Seth Cohen · 2:05 AM
Also, we are in talks now about throwing a party in NYC to raise some more funds towards the end of the month so people can come to that and maybe even have a drink with me :) Then lastly, we are going to launch our website sometime really soon
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David Seth Cohen · 2:05 AM
and if they want, they will always be able to donate there.
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Loy Carlos · 2:06 AM
Where is the best way to keep track of FInding Sandler, Should they just go to www.findingsandler.com???
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David Seth Cohen · 2:06 AM
As for the shirtless thing - if they donate 1k, I don't see why I wouldn't do it...the show must go on Loy!
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David Seth Cohen · 5:49 AM
Before we go, I just want to give a few shout-outs to the people who have really helped me through this Kickstarter campaign
LC
Loy Carlos · 5:49 AM
Ha ha. Well, we eagerly await the opening. Just hearing how far your journey has come from the time you met Adam till now makes us glad that you didn't have that drink, otherwise there wouldn't be a story to tell!
LC
Loy Carlos · 5:49 AM
Well put. Ha ha.
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David Seth Cohen · 5:49 AM
yes, www.findingsandler.com or on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Finding-Sandler/136985042286?fref=ts and www.facebook.com/findingsandler