Dear Scouting NY reader, About a decade ago, I was hired to work on my first movie. Yep, that’s me on set in my very first job in locations, and though I look quite elated to be wearing that ridiculous hardhat, I was actually feeling extremely scared when this picture was taken, for one simple…
This week, I’m taking a break from the usual Scouting NY fare to introduce you to an extremely talented and as-yet unrecognized artist named Andrew Carr (who also happens to be my brother). An artist in formal training since early childhood, Andrew has spent the last decade building up his portfolio, producing literally thousands of…
Last February, camera assistant Sarah Jones was tragically hit by a train and killed while working on the set of director Randall Miller’s film Midnight Rider in Georgia. Despite the fact that Miller had expressly been denied permission to use the train trestle by the tracks’ owners, he went ahead with the shoot regardless. Earlier…
When you first enter Hudson University’s idyllic campus, you’d never know you’re in one of the deadliest and most dangerous places in New York City. You might instead find yourself admiring the gorgeous architecture, which oddly seems to change style at every turn… …from the red brick Romanesque Revival-style administration building… …to the Gothic Revival…
This past December, as I was driving over the Triboro Bridge toward Brooklyn, I was suddenly hit with that old familiar Triboro fragrance, best described as “week-old beef with broccoli.” To me, catching that whiff just after going through the tolls is usually the first olfactory sign I’ve arrived in New York City. I posted…
So I know this an unusual request, but I’m wondering if anyone can help me track down a Chinatown brothel. Er, let me explain. Way back in 2004, I’d just graduated from college and was scouring Craiglist for apartments when I came across a cheap room for rent in Chinatown – just $700 or so…
Just received word that the Tabernacle of Prayer church will be offering a rare tour of the unbelievable Valencia movie palace (read my full post here) THIS SATURDAY, September 27th, at 11am. My advice? YOU SHOULD GO! Tours are by appointment only – contact Sister Forbes at 718-657-4210 ext. 20 to sign up and for…
It’s time to have a little talk about Duane Reade. For the longest time, something has been nagging me about the prices at Duane Reade. It’s almost like everything is more expensive than it should be, but not too expensive that you’ll really take the time to think about shopping somewhere else. Then, a few…
While researching my recent article on Dead Horse Bay, I happened to come across a NY Times article on 101 things to love about New York City. Normally, I don’t pay any attention to Best Of lists, but this one caught my eye because it was written in 1976. I think it’s the oldest one…
To date, Scouting NY has done full then-and-now movie comparisons of Ghostbusters, Taxi Driver, Rosemary’s Baby, Annie Hall, The Godfather, North by Northwest, The Apartment, The Warriors, Pickup on South Street and Eyes Wide Shut (sort of!). I open it up to the floor: what movie would you like to see covered next? Leave your…