Video Chat with Jan

[dfisk]

I'm starting a new video chat series with audio professionals, and this is my first one. Thanks to Jan McLaughlin for taking the time out of her busy day to sit down with me via video chat. 

 

[Jeff Wexler]

Wonderful! Thank you so much, Dave, for doing this! You and Jan covered a lot of ground and it was all so easy going and casual but with lots of insight into many of the issues we have all faced in our lives in our chosen line of work.

[Rachel Cameron]

These are going to be great. Thanks Dave. What a great first installment. Keep this up.

[Christian Spaeth]

A nice chat! Thanks Dave and Jan!

[dfisk]

Here's a short clip from the full video about her time on The Sopranos:

 

[Tom Visser]

Interesting to hear about "Jimmy's" habits on set.  I had a mutual friend with James, and would hang out with him and his close family some summer days down at the shore.  Eventually I helped him with a few things at his Village apartment after his split.  He was actually quite introverted, which I found surprising, I didn't think there were too many introverted actors. But while my buddy, a large personality, large and loud Italian (not saying that's a common stereotype I hold - but you know, that was him) would be the life of the party at the card table, a few times James and I quietly sat away from the party and just look on, sipped our drinks, with quiet conversations.  I really value those times, not just because he was a star, but because we had things in common.  His concerns with his son Michael were some of the same concerns that I had given my own separation from my son, as I had a falling out with his mother - entirely my fault, but regardless, that commonality helped me a little and gain perspective and partially straighten out my act.  My time with James was brief and we were of different worlds, but at the time of his passing I felt like I had lost a friend, even if not really a friend I knew, but someone that I had not yet fully met.  Full sidetrack of the thread, sorry Dave and Jan, but just watching the video rekindled some good and bad memories.

[FLIPSTER]

Thanks Dave. Learn some stuff I didn't know about Jan.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jan McL]

On 7/1/2017 at 0:51 AM, Tom Visser said:

Interesting to hear about "Jimmy's" habits on set.  I had a mutual friend with James, and would hang out with him and his close family some summer days down at the shore.  Eventually I helped him with a few things at his Village apartment after his split.  He was actually quite introverted, which I found surprising, I didn't think there were too many introverted actors. But while my buddy, a large personality, large and loud Italian (not saying that's a common stereotype I hold - but you know, that was him) would be the life of the party at the card table, a few times James and I quietly sat away from the party and just look on, sipped our drinks, with quiet conversations.  I really value those times, not just because he was a star, but because we had things in common.  His concerns with his son Michael were some of the same concerns that I had given my own separation from my son, as I had a falling out with his mother - entirely my fault, but regardless, that commonality helped me a little and gain perspective and partially straighten out my act.  My time with James was brief and we were of different worlds, but at the time of his passing I felt like I had lost a friend, even if not really a friend I knew, but someone that I had not yet fully met.  Full sidetrack of the thread, sorry Dave and Jan, but just watching the video rekindled some good and bad memories.

Yeah, he was more introverted than you would think. The kind of shared experience you describe is always memorable and moving. Glad you found brotherhood with him. He was an empath for sure.

Another memory: soon after the breakup there was a marked increase in press attention / attendance. Michael was still an infant and Jimmy came out into the parking lot where we were setting up, his beautiful boy in his arms. He addressed the paparazzi in calm, measured tones asking them to please be respectful of his son and his family. The love in his voice... They all sort of melted away.

[dfisk]

Here's Jan talking about her start in production sound. I found this very interesting. 

 

[Hollandaudio]

cool

[Rob Stalder]

Really nice conversation. Thank you both for sharing this.

[Chrisboom]

Any mixer that can crowbar the word "cunt-hair" into a interview gets my vote.

Call me if you ever work in LA.