|
*********** Entertainment Drive+ Forum 12-Aug-94 21:00
R1: Doug Fletcher: This is where Hirschfeld will be right?
Tom Collins [SL7]: Yep, in a few minutes
Dale [SL11]: RIGHT!
Doug Fletcher: :)
Dale [SL11]: Evening, Staci!
Dale [SL11]: Everyone ready for the conference, folks?
Tom Collins [SL7]: Hi Visitor
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Hi Visitor
- Visitor: How's it going. 1st time here.
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Fine thanks...welcome
Dale [SL11]: Visitor...you CAN have a name...what software are you using?
Tom Collins [SL7]: Welcome to eDrive!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Where are you from?
Dale [SL11]: To everyone..WELCOME!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: He'll be here any minute
Dale [SL11]: Jeffrey and Michael are with Mr. Hirschfeld...they will be
joining us shortly.
Evening, Toby!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: welcome
Toby | Hi. Is Al here?
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Soon...
| Where are you from, Toby?
Tom Collins [SL7]: Visitors, you can just use the "JOIN" button
| from the special menu, remember, there are no
| fees
Toby | Phila
tracking number
Dale [SL11]: Visitor, the "SL" designation is for Section Leaders.
- Visitor: My name's Bob. I'll enter a name asap. Still fairly new to
WinCim...
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Hi Richard
Tom Collins [SL7]: I think you two otta pick one person to talk
Dale [SL11]: Hi, Bob..WELCOME!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Hi Bob, that's okay, we were all
| new at one point!
Sigrid | Hi SK Chauncey; why does my whole name print when I set
| nickname for Sigrid?
Sigrid | Ok, Now...
Toby | So let's talk about Hirschfeld
Roger Dobrick: Hello
Dale [SL11]: Evening, Roger.
Dale [SL11]: OK, Tom....
Roger Dobrick: 'Evening everyone
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Where are you from, Sigrid and
| Roger?
Roger Dobrick: Milwaukee
Sigrid | From NW PA, SLs
Dale [SL11]: ANNOUNCEMENT, everyone....if I may?
Richard Richter: I'm rather new at this. I've been an admirer of
Hirschfeld's for many years. I've managed to buy a
| few and enjoyed them immensely
Dale [SL11]: (EXCUSE MY SHOUTING, FOLKS:
JEFFREY AND MICHAEL ARE USING THE WIRELESS MODEM.....
AND THEY'LL BE WITH US SHORTLY!
Jeffrey King: Good evening!
Jeffrey King: Welcome to a historic event!
Dale [SL11]: Jeffrey!!!
|
Jeffrey King: The first ever live cellular conference!
| We're using an IBM ThinkPad 750 with a Mobile
| Communications Module and thanks to technology from IBM and
NYNEX Mobile Communications, we're actually using CompuServe without
| a telephone line!
Dale [SL11]: NO TELEPHONE LINE?
Jeffrey King: Yes, Toby, we're in the studio of the one and only Al
| Hirschfeld. We're on 95th Street in New York City, on the 4th
floor studio of Mr. Hirschfeld
Dale [SL11]: Jeffrey...if I may: WELCOME, MR. HIRSCHFELD!
Sigrid | OK, Jeffrey, describe it!
Amanda | Hello.....
Dale [SL11]: (Hi, Amanda...come in!)
Jeffrey King: This is Michael Bolanos speaking, and it's an honor to
| bring you this incredible live coverage
| Mr. Hirschfeld is on my left, in his barber chair,
where he's been working for "about 70 years"
Marshall Goldberg: (His hair must be awfully short by now :)
Toby | Can I tell Al how much I love his work?
Jeffrey King: Mrs. Hirschfeld is on a couch behind me, and we've just
been speaking of Robert Koster, who;s father directed
| Mrs. Hirschfeld in cinema (The Ugly Girl) in Germany.
| Koster is a member of Entertainment Drive, and it's been
| many years since he's seen the former Dolly Haas.
| We've all been marveling at the technology of this event
Dale [SL11]: To say the least!! :) Good evening, Michael!
Toby | Will Al be answering questions?
Jeffrey King: And if we experience any technical problems please bear
| with us for this is a first ever time for online services and
| Entertainment Drive.
| And it is my greatest honor to introduce you to my hero
| and one of the greatest American artists, Al Hirschfeld!
Dale [SL11]: Michael...shall we explain the protocol?
Jeffrey King: AH: Thank you
| AH: (He said with his feet bleeding)
Dale [SL11]: (laughing)
| WELCOME, MR. HIRSCHFELD...
| speaking for everyone (if I may)
| this is a most delightful honor and privilege!
Jeffrey King: Dale, why don't you explain please?
Dale [SL11]: OK...Listen, please, folks:
| Here is how this will work:
| If you have a question for Mr. Hirschfeld,
| please type a question mark, like this: ?
| If you have a comment,
| please type an exclamation point:
| !
| I'll do my best to keep track of you,
| and call on you in turn...please give Michael time to
| relay your questions/comments to Mr. Hirschfeld,
| and then to respond and type the answer in.
| And....
| along with being a MOST REMARKABLE EVENT....
Toby | ?Do you have a favorite drawing of yours?
Dale [SL11]: we're all excited and doing the best we can...
Type your question mark, and wait for acknowledgement....
| and...when you have finished your question or comment,
| please type a slash: /// so we know you've finished.
| Michael, is everyone on your end ready?
Dale [SL11]: anyone got any questions about this?
Toby | About the procedure?
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Toby, there'll be a quiz tomorrow
|
Toby | Gee, this is hard. . .
Dale [SL11]: Yes, Toby.
SK Chauncey [SL19]: SO who is from the farthest away from New York?
Toby | So, who will recognize the ???
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Dale will
Toby | Philly
Marshall Goldberg: (in Berkeley, CA)
Toby | You probably win, Marshall
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Unless we've got an international
Dale [SL11]: <---Madison, Wisconsin
KT | ?
Dale [SL11]: KT, do you have a question?
KT | My son, Calen, (11 years old) wants to ask Mr. Hirshfeld how
| he got so good at drawing.
Dale [SL11]: HI, there, Calen...Mr. Hirschfeld is temporarily out of the
| room...
| (they're working with a new technology here)
Marshall Goldberg: I'd like to take a moment to marvel at the amazing
| cellular modem technology we're using right now.
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Yes, Marshall, it's really true!
Dale [SL11]: Marshall, are you in NYC?
KT | <<
Marshall Goldberg: Hey, why don't we just discuss Hirshfeld's art while
| we wait for him?
Dale [SL11]: good idea, Marshall!
Sigrid | Any other cartoonists here?
Dale [SL11]: OK, SK....thanks!
Marshall Goldberg: I used to count the Nina's in the Sunday Times for
years.
KT | no, Sigrid.... wish I could draw that good :)
Dale [SL11]: I was lucky enough to find a book he illustrated...
Marshall Goldberg: I remember doing it even when I was a kid.
Doug | Not a cartoonist, but a humor magazine publisher
Dale [SL11]: it's called "Call Them Irreplaceable"....
Sigrid | I'm a frustrated artist, too... my mother & grandparents were
| for real
Al Hirschfeld: Hello again!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: No message, they're back
Toby | Could we maybe just write out questions & if AH ever
| comes back on, they'll be here for him.
Dale [SL11]: HI!!
Sigrid | Doug, which magazine?
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Welcome back
Dale [SL11]: (laughing)
- Visitor: ALL RIIIGGHT!!!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: We're back to the original protocol
Doug | Journal of Nursing Jocularity
Marshall Goldberg: ?
Al Hirschfeld: We're trying our best to stay connected, let's get right
| to a
| question
Toby | ?
Al Hirschfeld: Thanks for your patience!
Dale [SL11]: Yes, Toby?
Toby | Does AH have a favorite drawing?
Al Hirschfeld: Jeffrey King has commanded "no one move"!
| Not really,
| I enjoyed drawing Carol Channing,
| but I don't know if I have any favorite, really...
- Visitor: ?
Al Hirschfeld: Seems to me the last drawing I've done is always my
| favorite
Dale [SL11]: Marshall...you had a question?
|
Al Hirschfeld: And if you ask what my last drawing was I'll tell you!
Marshall Goldberg: I've been a fan of yours for years and years. My
| question is about creating your caricatures. How do you figure
| out how to
| characterize someone? It looks like you just scribble out your
| cartoons, but I was wondering how long it takes. Do you have
| to
| draw someone several times until it looks the way you want?
Doug | ?
Al Hirschfeld: Well there are no rules for that
KT | ?
Al Hirschfeld: Sometimes it goes quickly
| An immediate reaction to capture the personality
| And sometimes it just produces a small ulcer.
Dale [SL11]: :)
Toby | ?
Dale [SL11]: Karen...you had question?
KT | My son Calen (age 11) wanted to know how you "got to be so good
| at art"."
Al Hirschfeld: Re finding a character feature...
| I don't know how that's done...
Dale [SL11]:
Al Hirschfeld: it;s always been a mystery to me
Sigrid | ?
| Do you find inspiration in the "arts scene" in NYC... like
| opera, etc.?
Al Hirschfeld: Hahahaha
| I wish I knew
Roger Dobrick: ?
Al Hirschfeld: I would like to inform Calen but I don't know what that
| answer is
| Yes, i do.
KT | thanks :) he just got his first set of 'intermediate' drawing
| tools...
| you got a fan :)
Al Hirschfeld: I've confined my drawings across many years to theatre
| and opera
Stephen Praissman: Hi
Al Hirschfeld: and all of the visual entertainments
Stephen Praissman: I'm Matt Praissman
Dale [SL11]: (hi, Stephen...oh..Hi, Matt)
Al Hirschfeld: Well, I wish him luck!
Stephen Praissman: ?
Dale [SL11]: Robert...you had a question?
Stephen Praissman: ?
Dale [SL11]: (on queue, Stephen...)
Al Hirschfeld: MB: Please let us know where you're writing from
- Visitor: This may be an odd question, but I'm trying to create a
| comic strip, and I'm waiting for "The INTERVIEW" when a
| potential publisher grills me. Do you have any tips for not
| ruining a interview?
Dale [SL11]: Robert?
- Visitor: ///
Dale [SL11]: (thank you...)
Al Hirschfeld: Ummmm
| No I don't.
| I always have ruined my own interviews
- Visitor: I told you it was od
Al Hirschfeld: so I would be the last one to advise anybody on how to
| carry a successful interview
Doug Gould [SL7]: ?
Al Hirschfeld: I've never tried a comic strip, so I couldn't advise you
on
| that either
- Visitor: !
Sigrid | ?
Al Hirschfeld: My favorite strip: Harriman's Krazy Kat
| Well Robert, so are my answers
|
Dale [SL11]: Mr. Hirschfeld...what is YOUR favorite caricature?
| (visitor...sigrid...on queue! thanks...)
Al Hirschfeld: Next question, please, and thanks Dale for your great help
| tonight
Dale [SL11]: :)
| Visitor...your question?
Al Hirschfeld: I just don't have a favorite...
| The most recent drawing was of PASSION, and that
| will appear in the New York Times on the 21st of August
Dale [SL11]: :)
| yup...got it
Al Hirschfeld: (MB: PASSION is Stephen Sondheim's Tony winning
| Broadway musical)
Dale [SL11]: Sigrid...you have a question?
| (er..."have")
Al Hirschfeld: I'd like to take this chance to thank Jeffrey King for
| doing
| an amazing job of putting this project together tonight,
| and a special thank you to David Leopold from the Margo
| Feiden Galleries, Hirschfeld's exclusive representatives.
Sigrid | How can someone locate a cartoonist for hire if they have a
| limited budget, for a one-time job? Are there copyright
| considerations?
Al Hirschfeld: Michelle Feiden has been amazingly foresighted in bringing
| Mr. Hirschfeld's work to the information superhighway, and
| you'll find many extraordinary works here on Entertainment
| Drive in Library 11
| Where are you from Sigrid?
SK Chauncey [SL19]: ?
Sigrid | NW PA
Al Hirschfeld: Mrs. Hirschfeld is talking about Mr. Hirschfeld's color
| work
alfonso gonzalez: 1
| ?
Al Hirschfeld: I prefer Black and White
Dale [SL11]: Roger...you have a question?
Al Hirschfeld: The color reproductions don't come out very well
Dale [SL11]: (didn't know you ever used color, Mr. H!)
Al Hirschfeld: To reproduce color properly should be printed
| on a slick, coated paper
alfonso gonzalez: ?
Dale [SL11]: Roger?
Tom Collins [SL7]: ?
Dale [SL11]: You have a question?
Al Hirschfeld: Well, I started out as a sculptor, and then I painted
Roger Dobrick: Yes. It's exciting to be "talking" to you! I have always
| loved your work, and my 11
Dale [SL11]: (thanks, Tom...you're on queue)
Roger Dobrick: year old daughter, Mariessa, who has a theatre bug, wants
| to know what you like the
| most about art and theatre?///
Al Hirschfeld: and sculpture...I've always drawn...I've always
| liked to draw, not academically but to translate
| my thoughts into a drawing
| sculpture is really a drawing that you fall over in the dark
| But essentially its a drawing
| And it took me many years
| to realize my limitations...I lived in parts of the world
| where the sun bleached out color
| leaving shadow and line
| it's not accidental that most of the great graphic
| drawings in the world are found in places where there
| are pyramids, deserts,
| Mexico
| India
| Indonesia
| Europe produces great painters
| because of rain, fog, gray...it enhances color
| but the sun bleaches it out and leaves pure line and that's
| what
| fascinates me and has absorbed my limited talents across
| the years
Dale [SL11]: <"limited talents"...oh NO, Mr. Hirschfeld!!!>
Toby | Is he gone again??
Dale [SL11]: Doug G....you have a question?
Doug Gould [SL7]: Can you tell us the inspiration that started you hiding
| Nina in
| your works ? I think it's neat ... and I'm curious ... and
| by the way, I really like your color works too
Al Hirschfeld: Roger
| Well, I like a well constructed play
| that holds my attention
| and I particularly like plays that have action in them
| Hello Doug
| Yes...Nina
| Thank you for the color reference
| The first Nina:
| I put her in on the day she was born
| to let the world know that she had arrived
| The drawing was "Are You With It"
| and it had a circus background
| and I facetiously put a couple posters in the background
| with circus freaks
| and I had one as a baby reading a book
| and the name under it was "Nina The Wonder Child"
| The following week I put her name in again, but just
| hid it in the drawing
| I kept this up for a couple of weeks
| and then I thought that the joke wore thin
| and I left it out
| and then, to my surprise, I was flooded with mail
Dale [SL11]: oh my!
Al Hirschfeld: informing me from my readers that they couldn't find the
| Ninas in the drawing!
| and so I found it easier to keep the name Nina in the
| drawings rather than answer all the mail!
Doug Gould [SL7]:
Al Hirschfeld: Whoopi Goldberg, when she was on Broadway, had
| 40 Ninas!
Dale [SL11]: WOW!
Berkeley Systems: (I'm glad a Goldberg set the record :)
Dale [SL11]: I think SK has the next question,
| Mr. Hirschfeld....
Al Hirschfeld: Hahahaha
| That's very funny
SK Chauncey [SL19]: As many people here, I grew up
| scouring the Sunday paper for
| Ninas.....
Al Hirschfeld: Mrs. Hirschfeld laughed too
SK Chauncey [SL19]: so thanks
Dale [SL11]: :)
SK Chauncey [SL19]: But my question is, what is the
| oddest reaction you've ever gotten
| to a drawing
Al Hirschfeld: Thank you, Sarah
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Uh, that's it ..///
| (the question)
Al Hirschfeld: I did a drawing for (thinking of the name of the
| play...Marty
| Gable was in it)
| "Reclining Nude" was the name of the play
Dale [SL11]: I can't help...
| ah...
Al Hirschfeld: So I did a drawing of a reclining nude!
SK Chauncey [SL19]:
Al Hirschfeld: The Times advertising department
| refused to print the drawing without a brassiere on her
| so I put it on her
Dale [SL11]: oh honest!!!
SK Chauncey [SL19]:
Al Hirschfeld: and it was picked up by other publications
| who printed it without the bra!
Dale [SL11]: What year was that, Mr. H?
Al Hirschfeld: Around 54
| Things have changed since then!
Dale [SL11]: that explains it!
| Alfonso...I believe your question is next?
Al Hirschfeld: I imagine if I made a drawing of a reclining nude with a
| bra
| on,
| they'd make me take it off!
Dale [SL11]: YES! (laughing)
Al Hirschfeld: I started drawing for the Times in 1925
Roger Dobrick: LOL
Al Hirschfeld: NYC in 25
| The theatre was lively then, before tv
| There used to be 5-6 openings in one night
| You had 1st 2nd 3rd string reviewers
| And the subway was a nickel
| Alfonso, where are you from?
Dale [SL11]: Mr. Hirschfeld...I believe he's gone...
| sorry about that!
| Tom...how about your question?
| (er..."your")
Tom Collins [SL7]: I'm sure this is a tough question..but..do you have
| any idea how many caricatures you've done over the years?
Al Hirschfeld: Hello Tom
Marshall Goldberg: ?
Dale [SL11]: and please...say where you're calling from, if you
| would...with your question! :)
Al Hirschfeld: No, I don't actually, but it's not too difficult to take a
| guess...
| I should think in the thousands
| Averaging 2 or 3 drawings a week since 1924
| 70 years
Tom Collins [SL7]: Wow...that's...
Bob Parker-CNN: I Just got here so I'm not sure what have been asked, but
| what has been your favorite subject (person) to draw? calling
| from
| Atlanta
Al Hirschfeld: The first drawing for publication
Tom Collins [SL7]: around 7,000
Al Hirschfeld: was of Sacha Guitry
Tom Collins [SL7]: (Unless my math is off, which it probably is)
Al Hirschfeld: I went to the theatre as a very young man with a friend of
| mine who was a press agent
| And during the performance I nervously drew upon the
| program
| and abstraction of Sacha Guitry
| My friend the press agent suggested that I do this drawing
| on a clean sheet of paper
| and that he would take it around to the papers
| to see if they could use it
| The following Sunday,
Dale [SL11]: >amazed!<
Al Hirschfeld: big as life on the front page of the Herald Tribune
| the drawing appeared.
Doug | ?
Al Hirschfeld: The week following, the Tribune phoned me and assigned
| me to do a drawing
| This continued
| for about a year or two
| and one day I received a telegram from the Times asking
| me to do a drawing of Harry Lauder
KT | ?
Al Hirschfeld: A Scotch comedian in one of his interminable farewell
| performances.
| The drawing appeared the following week,
| on Sunday, and again I received a telegram
| This insanity prevailed across a couple years
| I never saw anyone at the Times
| Never spoke to anyone
| I would do my drawing and deliver it to the only one I
| knew at the Times...the doorman.
Dale [SL11]: NO!
Al Hirschfeld: One day in the theatre, during intermission, a mutual
| friend
| introduced me to someone from the Drama Department of
| the Times.
| He told me, "You're the most mysterious man on the
| paper!."
| I told him I never tried to get past the doorman
| He said, "The next time you come down to the paper,
| come up to the drama department and meet the fellas!"
Jonathan Chau: hi
Dale [SL11]: (laughing)....
Al Hirschfeld: It was then that I met George Kaufman, who was the
| Editor
| Sam Zolotow, the columnist,
| and Brooks Atkinson, the drama critic
| Brooks and I became fast friends across a lifetime.
| It's a long windy explanation of absolutely no value to
| anyone.
| Hahahahahaha
Dale [SL11]: oh, no, Mr. H...this is fascinating!!!
| Toby...
Toby | I'm in Philadelphia. It's a thrill, Mr. H, to "speak" to you.
| When you begin a drawing, do you always start with the
| same feature(s), or does the starting point differ from one
| drawing to the next?///
Marshall Goldberg: It's absolutely fascinating...
Dale [SL11]: I think you're question is next?
Al Hirschfeld: Welcome Bob!
Dale [SL11]: (thanks, Toby)
Al Hirschfeld: MB: I'm explaining to Mr. and Mrs. Hirschfeld that
| CompuServe and CNN are now working together and are
| the only two global networks
Dale [SL11]: yes?
Al Hirschfeld: Mr. Hirschfeld said he doesn't have a favorite, but he
| enjoyed Chaplin, Zero Mostel, Carol Channing...
Bob Parker-CNN: who has been your favorite subject to draw? calling from
| Atlanta
Al Hirschfeld: and explosive actors
| Well, they've kind of invented themselves (comedians) and
| they're fun to abstract in line
| Toby, it differs.
| Each one is a separate problem.
| And each one has its own solution.
| There are no rules about this
| The mysteries of communication defy analysis
| It's a talent that we all possess
| Everyone recognizes a friend
| a block away
| in a snowstorm
| wearing a hat, an overcoat, back view, can't see whether
| he has a big or small nose,
| and yet you still recognize your friend from a great
| distance.
| Now, if you can explain how you do this, it would help me
| very much to explain how I do it in mine.
Dale [SL11]: (laughing)
Al Hirschfeld: I once did a drawing of Garry Moore, and I had no
| difficulty with it...
| I'd drawn him many times before...he appeared on TV in
| those days with Jimmy Durante
Dale [SL11]: If I may...
Al Hirschfeld: A girl who worked in the studio looked at the drawing
| and said, Buster Keaton.
| I thought, I'm in trouble
| (g)
Dale [SL11]: (laughing!)
Al Hirschfeld: I took the drawing down to show Dolly (my wife)
| and said, "Who is this?"
| And she said,
| Buster Keaton.
| Well, for the following week, I must have made 1000
| sketches, and finally I realized, I just don't know what this
| fella looks like anymore!
| And then again Mildred (the girl) looked at the sketches
| I was working on, and said, "Garry Moore!"
| And I showed it to my wife and she said "Garry Moore."
Dale [SL11]:
Al Hirschfeld: Then, some weeks later, I ran into Mr. Moore and told him
| this story
| And he said, that's very odd, as a young man,
| I did an amateur night and my act was Buster Keaton!
Dale [SL11]: oh wow....!
Al Hirschfeld: Very crazy because they don't look alike at all
| MB: We're amazed at that story
Dale [SL11]:
| Marshall...your question is next, I believe?
Marshall Goldberg: Mr. Hirschfeld, it's really amazing to get the
| opportunity to talk to you. You're truly a legend of American
| Theater. To me,
| theater means New York, Broadway, great music, and the
| Hirschfeld drawing in the Sunday times.
Dale [SL11]: (and Michael...please let us know if Mr. Hirschfeld's
| getting bored!)
Mike Bell: ?
Al Hirschfeld: Hahaha
Marshall Goldberg: How do you think that the institution of American
| Theater is changing?
Al Hirschfeld: How very nice!
Marshall Goldberg: I'd also like to mention...
Al Hirschfeld: Well, like all art forms, it changes.
| I find that the talent in the theatre today much superior to
| what it was formerly.
| And that's true in most of the visual entertainments and
| sports.
| When I was a young man, skating in Van Cordtland Park,
| if some old geezer that were buckled onto his show did a
| figure 8, people would stand around and applaud!
| Now, it is not uncommon to see teenagers who are
| absolutely prima ballerinas on skates
| and its true of all of the arts
| Roller Skating, swimming, basketball
| Football...records are being broken every year...it's
| fantastic
Dale [SL11]: :)
Al Hirschfeld: The only thing that hasn't improved is the creative end of
| everything.
| But technologically and physically there's no comparison.
| To the primitive accomplishments of the 20s and the 30s
Dale [SL11]: We'd have to agree!
Al Hirschfeld: Acting talent is the dame
| same
| I don't know why...it might be diet
|
| But there's been no progress creatively...it's about the
| same
| I don't believe in progress in art
| I don't think its possible
| I don't think there'll be any drawings that'll make the
| caves of Altamira obsolete
Dale [SL11]: Bob...you have a question?
Al Hirschfeld: I don't think anybody is going to write anything in
English
| that will make Shakespeare, Chaucer, Moore
| obsolete.
Dale [SL11]: (ooops...sorry )
Al Hirschfeld: A work of art is...a work of art
| They'll produce a genius as great as Da Vinci...but no
| greater.
| But in basketball...that's different.
| Bob?
| (MB: Sorry, that was "produce" a genius. It's so
| extraordinary to hear Mr. Hirschfeld that it's hard to listen
| and type!)
Dale [SL11]: (laughing) sure, Michael...
|
Bob Parker-CNN: People seem to always be talking about how Broadway is
| going to go under, with fewer plays, and higher ticket prices,
| what do you
| see for the future of "The Great White Way"?
Toby | ?
Al Hirschfeld: MB: We'd like to thank the Margo Feiden Galleries for
| helping to coordinate the appearance of Mr. Hirschfeld,
| and to IBM and NYNEX for this first ever opportunity to
| have a wireless cellular modem. This is the first time for
| this type of coverage, and we really appreciate having you
| with us.
| Well, as long as I can remember, The Theatre Has Been
| Dying.
| It's the fabulous invalid
Mike Bell: Very pleased to meet you Mr. Hirschfeld, I really like your
| work. Always have! I've read that when you do a drawing,
| you put your name within the drawing, usually somewhere
| easy to find, but you put another name within the drawing,
| hidden and hard to find, is this true? I've found what I
| thought was a name within several of your old(not to old)
| drawings. The name was Nina??
Al Hirschfeld: and I think an essential
| It will probably last as long as books will last.
Mike Bell: oops
Al Hirschfeld: Mr. Hirschfeld is having a caramel as we speak
| MB: He's been on them forever, I hear
Dale [SL11]: :)
Al Hirschfeld: Mike, where are you writing from?
Mike Bell: My mistake, out of place sorry.
Marshall Goldberg: ?
Dale [SL11]: (laughing)
| It's a problem, with no "audio"....
| I think it's "just plain DOUG's turn now...
| Doug? Your question?
Doug | From Mesa, Arizona . . . Back to an earlier question. What did
| you get
| paid for that first drawing of Guitry, if I may ask?
Al Hirschfeld: I think $35.00
Doug | wow!
Al Hirschfeld: Papers, with the exception of the Times,
| the press agents and the producers of the shows paid for
| the drawings
| and they paid by the column
| It was usually $7.50 or $10.00 per column
| I worked out a system for my drawings at the Brooklyn
| Eagle
Dale [SL11]: whew!
Al Hirschfeld: Where they gave me the width of the page...8 columns
| Though i would have the drawing about 8 in deep on the
| left side coming to a point at the other 8 columns
| like a pennant,
Doug | :)
Al Hirschfeld: and on the Right side on the same side I'd make a
| pennant
| so I would get 16 columns out of an 8 column drawing
| And I remember one of the press agents refusing to pay for
| the last 2 columns because there was nothing in there!
Dale [SL11]:
Al Hirschfeld: Let's take one or two more questions
Dale [SL11]: Mr. Hirschfeld...your "NOTHING" is worth more than a lot of
| things!
| KT is next...and then Mike Bell,
| who is very patient...
KT |
KT | nope.... thanks
Dale [SL11]: aaah...ok, thanks!
Al Hirschfeld: KT, just a minute while David Leopold, Hirschfeld's
| archivist comes back
Dale [SL11]: Mike Bell?
Al Hirschfeld: They're working on one now
KT | !! Great!
Dale [SL11]:
Al Hirschfeld: MB: Let's me just give a quick description of where we are
| We're on the 4th floor of Hirschfeld's townhouse on East
| 95th Street in New York City.
| I'm surrounded by magnificent work that spans 50 or more
| years...
Dale [SL11]:
Al Hirschfeld: One poster says, Remember it was an actor who killed
| Lincoln
Dale [SL11]:
Marshall Goldberg: ROFL!
Al Hirschfeld: There's a bulletin board with clippings, photos, and self
| portraits,
| and of course art supplies: from Crayola Classic Markers to
| Rich Art paints
Dale [SL11]: crayolas...
Al Hirschfeld: Many plans, and behind his desk TV Guide portraits of
| Sonny and Cher, Carol Burnett,
| also a poster of Anita Ellis
| A sign that says "You may smoke but please don't exhale"
Dale [SL11]: >making a note< That's GREAT!
Al Hirschfeld: Mr. Hirschfeld has the same desk he's used for 70 years,
| and a barber that he's been sitting in during this amazing
| interview.
Dale [SL11]: "Chair", Michael...Barber CHAIR....
Al Hirschfeld: I've had the honor of talking with many people, but the
| wisdom and wit of this man can't possibly be translated as
| effectively as I'd like.
Dale [SL11]: It comes through, Michael....even through this medium.
Al Hirschfeld: We both laughed, right
| His next assignment, he imagines, will be Showboat
Dale [SL11]: Michael....
| after our next questions...
Al Hirschfeld: Dale, one last question because it's getting late
| Not for Mr. Hirschfeld, but for me!
Dale [SL11]: OK...
| Mike Bell, you've not had a chance yet...
Mike Bell: Sorry for interruptions, From Charleston West Virginia,
| Pleased to meet you Mr. Hirschfeld, always liked your
| work. I've read you always sign your name so it can be
| found within your drawings, and you hide a name within
Dale [SL11]: (the others are repeat questions...that OK, guys?)
Mike Bell: them as well, I've found Nina, is this the name? Who is
| she? And Why hide her name? Just for fun, I would guess?
| Thanks, Dale and group :-)
Al Hirschfeld: Go ahead Mike
| Mike, we answered that question a little earlier
| Nina is Mr. Hirschfeld's daughter.
Mike Bell: Thank you, Pleased to see mr. Hirschfeld on line.
Al Hirschfeld: It's a great question, and great story, please take a look
| at
| the transcript which will be available in Library 11
| sometime soon.
Doug | Thanks Mr. Hirschfeld
Mike Bell: Looking forward to it. :)
Dale [SL11]: Mr. Hirschfeld....
Al Hirschfeld: Now, David Leopold can mention a little about the CD
| ROM project...
Dale [SL11]: may we please give you a STANDING OVATION???
| Oh...ok (grinning)
KT | [Giving all involved, and especially Mr. Hirschfeld, a
| "cyberspace
| standing "O"]
Al Hirschfeld: DL: We've just started working on a CD ROM of Mr.
| hirschfeld's work
SK Chauncey [SL19]:
Al Hirschfeld: That will be a completely interactive disc that will
| include
| over 200 of his drawings, film clips of some of the
| performers in his drawings
| It will include a drawing program that will allow you to take
| the inspiration that you get from his work and use it for
| your own
KT | What a terrific concept!
Doug | When?????????????????
Al Hirschfeld: There will also be a special function that will find the
| Ninas for you in the drawings in case you can't do it on
| your own.
Marshall Goldberg: (will it be a screen saver, too?)
SK Chauncey [SL19]:
Dale [SL11]: oh wow!
Al Hirschfeld: Everything about the CD ROM will be by Hirschfeld,
| including the interface.
Doug | PC or Mac
Al Hirschfeld: Mr. Hirschfeld, the Margo Feiden Galleries, and Jasmine
| hope to have it out by Christmastime.
Dale [SL11]:
Al Hirschfeld: It will be both PC and Mac.
Dale [SL11]: Mr. Hirschfeld...
| ready for that standing ovation?
Al Hirschfeld: Can you stand and type?
Marshall Goldberg: (clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap)
Doug | BRAVVVVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
KT | Yaaaaaaayyyy
Dale [SL11]: ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][
Al Hirschfeld: It's been a rewarding experience for me tonight
| And as I've always said,
KT | Huzzah, huzzah!
SK Chauncey [SL19]:
Al Hirschfeld: If you live long enough everything happens.
SK Chauncey [SL19]:
Dale [SL11]: (laughing
| May I please thank you personally,
Tom Collins [SL7]: :-)
Bob Parker-CNN: Great job Mr. Hirschfeld, and Michael
Dale [SL11]: Mr. Hirschfeld...
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Thank you so much!
Dale [SL11]: and also Michael and Jeffrey, of course....
Doug | Please stay around for a few more years!
Dale [SL11]: and all those other folks....
| This has been MOST amazing!!!
Marshall Goldberg: (Hang in there, your big break will come one of these
| days :)
Dale [SL11]: THANK YOU, MR. HIRSCHFELD...
| for every cartoon, and for every word.
Al Hirschfeld: It's creating authentic goose pimples
Dale [SL11]: (we call that "chicken skin"...and yeah, it IS)
| Also...thank you all for coming...
Al Hirschfeld: MB: It's been an amazing night here, and I'd like to thank
| you all for being here tonight
Dale [SL11]: we'd never be able to all get together like this anywhere
| else...
Al Hirschfeld: for this amazing night with Al Hirschfeld
Dale [SL11]: sorry, Michael
| ~~~\o/~~~ HOOORAY!
Al Hirschfeld: The Margo Feiden Galleries are at 699 Madison Avenue in
| New York, and the phone is (212) 677-5330. If you see a
| Hirschfeld in Library 11 and are interested, you may be
| able to obtain the original!
| Many thanks to Margo and Michelle Feiden.
Ray Miller: anyone here
Dale [SL11]: Thank you...I was going to ask...
| and is there somewhere we might drop a note to Mr. Hirschfeld,
| please?
Al Hirschfeld: Thanks again to IBM for this amazing ThinkPad 750 (hey,
| it even makes me type well!) with the Mobile
| Communications Module.
| Thanks to NYNEX Mobile Communications, we're had the
| first ever cellular conference!
KT | OVERDRIVE is next on this same channel! (Host)
Dale [SL11]: I thought you had a typist, Michael...you've done
| excellently!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: very cool technology!
Al Hirschfeld: To have this new technology with Mr. Hirschfeld, who's
| 91, has really been one of the most exciting events of this
| project.
Dale [SL11]:
| At the risk of sounding maudlin.....
- Visitor: why hello.
Bob | hi
Dale [SL11]: this is a privilege beyond anything I'd ever thought
| possible,
| and I'm 51!
Al Hirschfeld: David Leopold has a CompuServe account, and visits
| online...if you have a question we'll pass it along!
Dale [SL11]: Thank you!
Al Hirschfeld: Just post in the Theatre Section, and Dale, maybe you'd
| help pass them along?
Dale [SL11]: I certainly definitely WILL!
|
| ...oh, and Michael...
| may I announce that the log of this evening will be in the
| Library sometime soon?
Al Hirschfeld: Thank you Dale, and thanks to all of you.
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Thanks, all
Al Hirschfeld: Until next time, this is Michael Bolanos, and for Jeffrey
| King thanks and have a great night!
SK Chauncey [SL19]: Night all!
Dale [SL11]: Goodnight, everyone!
Tom Collins [SL7]: 'Nite!
|
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