L.B. native set to begin filming mob caper
Several big names already signed on for ‘Numba One’
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
With an arsenal of big names already signed on, former Long Branch resident Michael Attardi is hoping to secure a few more before his new movie, “Numba One,” starts filming in October.
Michael Attardi (l) and Federico Castelluccio at a recent film festival in New York City. Michael Attardi (l) and Federico Castelluccio at a recent film festival in New York City. Attardi, who lives in Florida and Middletown, said he has commitments from Paul Sorvino, Peter Greene, Wayne Newton and Federico Castelluccio and is in negotiations with other well-known actors.
Attardi said the movie centers around a mafia-driven insurance scam set in New York and Miami and will be appropriate for families to view.
“It’s a mob-comedy caper, but it is something that you’ll be able to take your kids to,” he said. “It’s not like ‘The Sopranos.’ It’s a lot of slapstick stuff. There is no bad language. We are trying to make this a fun, family film.
Attardi, who founded Dream Balloon Animation Studio, an Orlando-based film and animation studio, explained that the title of the movie stems from his New Jersey roots.
“Coming from the New Jersey area, no one ever says ‘number,’” he said. “So we decided to call this ‘Numba One.’ ”
Attardi said that he and Castelluccio, who played hit man Furio Giunta on “The Sopranos,” met at a Manhattan film festival and immediately hit it off.
“We had a lot in common and have a similar Italian family background,” he said. “One thing led to another and we decided we would get involved with trying to make a film.”
Attardi said that they were on a road trip to another film festival when he decided to pitch the idea of the movie to Castelluccio.
“I just started telling him different situations of the movie and he’s laughing and I’m laughing, so at the end of the day I decided to print the script,” he said.
Castelluccio, who will serve as a producer and lead actor, said he was instantly intrigued by the storyline in the movie.
“It was the longest ride ever, but he started explaining this film and I was crying, I was laughing so hard,” he said. “It is the type of comedy you’d see in ‘Get Shorty’ and ‘My Cousin Vinny.’ ”
“When he finally wrote the script, I read it, I liked it; there were a couple of notes here and there for some adjustments. I think the script now is at a shooting point, and everyone who’s read it pretty much agrees that we could go right into production with it.”
Before shooting can start, Attardi has to secure some locales, which he said may include different places in Florida, New York City and along the New Jersey coastline.
Attardi, who graduated from Long Branch High School, said one spot he has in mind is Atlantic Highlands for a scene with a ferry involved.
He also said that many of the stories in the movie came from tales that were passed on to him as a child.
“It comes from a few stories that were told to me by my dad back when I was a kid,” he said. “He told me this story about these two twin brothers that were trying to do this insurance scam, and I just thought it was funny.”
Attardi said one of the challenges in the independent film world is securing financing.
“Financing for an independent movie is one of the hardest things to try to accomplish,” he said. “A lot of former investors got hurt by a lot of independent filmmakers.
“One thing we are adamant about is we want all our t’s crossed and i’s dotted and have all the deals in place,” he added. “We want to shoot, film and distribute ready to go.”
Attardi said that his production team meets with investors to try to educate them in ways that independent movies can be lucrative.
He also said that he would like to find three or four more actors to fill roles before shooting starts the second week in October.
He expects shooting to be take between 25 and 30 days, followed by three months of post-production.
Attardi said the plan is to enter the movie into the Tribeca Film Festival next spring.
Castelluccio said that a lot of the same people involved in “Numba One” would like to work together in the future.
“It is almost like a repertory company that has a lot of the same actors in different roles and projects,” he said.
“These are people that I like to work with and I think we get along really well. These are people that you will see working with us in other films.”
For more information on the movie, visit www.numbaonemovie.com.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Lifeguards near finish line of beach season
Lifeguards near finish line of beach season
Despite Earl, summer 2010 brings calmer seas and fewer rescues
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Tommy Lyons, of Rumson, catches a wave last week in the rough surf caused by a tropical storm. ERIC SUCAR staff Tommy Lyons, of Rumson, catches a wave last week in the rough surf caused by a tropical storm. ERIC SUCAR staff LONG BRANCH — At this time last year lifeguard supervisor Michael “Spike” Fowler at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park talked about having to make a record-breaking number of rescues.
However, Fowler said last week that the number of rescues Monmouth County Park System lifeguards have had to make has gone significantly down this summer.
“They are down significantly from last year because we had a period of extraordinary calm water through May, June, July and most of August,” he said.
Fowler said last summer that the lifeguards were forced to make multiple rescues a day during the weeks leading up to the end of summer.
He said this year the last few days heading into Labor Day is when the water started to get rough.
“Just recently we’ve had our first influx of bad surf,” Fowler said. “Actually, it’s been good until several days ago with the onset of the storm, [hurricanes] Danielle first and Earl behind it.”
Fowler said that his staff takes precautions every day when going off duty to ensure the public is aware that there are no lifeguards on duty.
“One of our protocols is to remove all the bathers when lifeguards go off duty at 5 p.m,” he said. “There is no mistake that lifeguards are off duty and have left the area.
“Our benches are tipped down, bathers are removed from the water and we vacate the beach,” he added. “We post signage at the entrance of the park and the beach location that there are no lifeguards.”
Fowler, who will close out his 47th year as a lifeguard, gave some reasons why people choose to swim on beaches after hours.
“We always say swim near a lifeguard; that’s basic common sense,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a spell this summer of extraordinary hot weather.
“People that work during the day are motivated to come down at the end of the day and cool off,” he added.
Fowler also said economics play into the decision.
“Another unfortunate thing is some people who are economically disadvantaged can’t really afford the daily admission fees and they want to take advantage of the free admission,” he said.
Fowler also identified the conditions where swimmers tend to get themselves in trouble.
“They get caught in these developing rip currents, usually when it is mid-tide between high and low tide,” he said. “These rip currents come up and people get caught in them and we end up rescuing them.”
He also said that the lifeguards are trained in identifying when a problem may arise.
“Our protocols are we end up identifying the location of the rip currents, identify people that are swimming in the rip currents and then identify people having difficulty coming to shore,” Fowler said. “We don’t want to react to a rescue, we want to plan a rescue as we see it set up.”
Although Fowler said rescues are down at the county level, he said beach attendance has been record breaking in 2010.
He credited hot and dry weather as the main reasons for the high attendance.
He also said the county was prepared for any rain or wind from last weekend’s Hurricane Earl, which was downgraded to a Category 1.
“I’m expecting to have red flags on tomorrow [Sept. 3] and Saturday with the possible clearing on Sunday, although it is a little early to tell,” he said. “Usually, the residual effects of these storms last for several days. As a result, as soon as the storm is out of our area, the water does not automatically calm down.”
The county will keep lifeguards on duty on weekends until Sept. 19 but stops charging for beach access Sept. 6.
Fowler said that local residents tend to cherish beach days in September.
“September has been oftentimes the most beautiful month of all, especially for area residents when beaches tend to be less crowded,” he said. “All of us enjoy the slightly cooler weather, the blue skies and oftentimes the very calm and warm water that September brings.”
Fowler also credited the county lifeguards for winning the lifeguard tournament for the 10th time in the last 11 years.
Fowler’s 47 years as a lifeguard have prompted him to write a book, along with co-authors Bernard and Edward Olsen, titled “Lifeguards of the Jersey Shore,” detailing the history of lifeguarding in New Jersey.
Despite Earl, summer 2010 brings calmer seas and fewer rescues
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Tommy Lyons, of Rumson, catches a wave last week in the rough surf caused by a tropical storm. ERIC SUCAR staff Tommy Lyons, of Rumson, catches a wave last week in the rough surf caused by a tropical storm. ERIC SUCAR staff LONG BRANCH — At this time last year lifeguard supervisor Michael “Spike” Fowler at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park talked about having to make a record-breaking number of rescues.
However, Fowler said last week that the number of rescues Monmouth County Park System lifeguards have had to make has gone significantly down this summer.
“They are down significantly from last year because we had a period of extraordinary calm water through May, June, July and most of August,” he said.
Fowler said last summer that the lifeguards were forced to make multiple rescues a day during the weeks leading up to the end of summer.
He said this year the last few days heading into Labor Day is when the water started to get rough.
“Just recently we’ve had our first influx of bad surf,” Fowler said. “Actually, it’s been good until several days ago with the onset of the storm, [hurricanes] Danielle first and Earl behind it.”
Fowler said that his staff takes precautions every day when going off duty to ensure the public is aware that there are no lifeguards on duty.
“One of our protocols is to remove all the bathers when lifeguards go off duty at 5 p.m,” he said. “There is no mistake that lifeguards are off duty and have left the area.
“Our benches are tipped down, bathers are removed from the water and we vacate the beach,” he added. “We post signage at the entrance of the park and the beach location that there are no lifeguards.”
Fowler, who will close out his 47th year as a lifeguard, gave some reasons why people choose to swim on beaches after hours.
“We always say swim near a lifeguard; that’s basic common sense,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a spell this summer of extraordinary hot weather.
“People that work during the day are motivated to come down at the end of the day and cool off,” he added.
Fowler also said economics play into the decision.
“Another unfortunate thing is some people who are economically disadvantaged can’t really afford the daily admission fees and they want to take advantage of the free admission,” he said.
Fowler also identified the conditions where swimmers tend to get themselves in trouble.
“They get caught in these developing rip currents, usually when it is mid-tide between high and low tide,” he said. “These rip currents come up and people get caught in them and we end up rescuing them.”
He also said that the lifeguards are trained in identifying when a problem may arise.
“Our protocols are we end up identifying the location of the rip currents, identify people that are swimming in the rip currents and then identify people having difficulty coming to shore,” Fowler said. “We don’t want to react to a rescue, we want to plan a rescue as we see it set up.”
Although Fowler said rescues are down at the county level, he said beach attendance has been record breaking in 2010.
He credited hot and dry weather as the main reasons for the high attendance.
He also said the county was prepared for any rain or wind from last weekend’s Hurricane Earl, which was downgraded to a Category 1.
“I’m expecting to have red flags on tomorrow [Sept. 3] and Saturday with the possible clearing on Sunday, although it is a little early to tell,” he said. “Usually, the residual effects of these storms last for several days. As a result, as soon as the storm is out of our area, the water does not automatically calm down.”
The county will keep lifeguards on duty on weekends until Sept. 19 but stops charging for beach access Sept. 6.
Fowler said that local residents tend to cherish beach days in September.
“September has been oftentimes the most beautiful month of all, especially for area residents when beaches tend to be less crowded,” he said. “All of us enjoy the slightly cooler weather, the blue skies and oftentimes the very calm and warm water that September brings.”
Fowler also credited the county lifeguards for winning the lifeguard tournament for the 10th time in the last 11 years.
Fowler’s 47 years as a lifeguard have prompted him to write a book, along with co-authors Bernard and Edward Olsen, titled “Lifeguards of the Jersey Shore,” detailing the history of lifeguarding in New Jersey.
L.B. beaches produce record revenues
L.B. beaches produce record revenues
Ideal summer weather also increases beach expenses
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
For the second straight summer, Long Branch beaches generated record figures in revenues, with estimates close to $1.3 million.
Rough surf caused by a tropical storm sprays bathers on a sweltering Sept. 1 afternoon. Story and photo page 6 and at gmnews.com. ERIC SUCAR staff Rough surf caused by a tropical storm sprays bathers on a sweltering Sept. 1 afternoon. Story and photo page 6 and at gmnews.com. ERIC SUCAR staff Long Branch Director of Recreation and Human Services Carl Jennings said at a Sept. 1 special City Council meeting that the town is a good weekend away from coming away with $1.3 million in beach revenues.
That success has come at a cost, as the meeting was called to approve $50,000 in emergency appropriations for the beach operation.
“That increased revenue came at a cost — that because of rough surfs and huge amounts of crowds they had to put [on] additional staffing, and that put a burden on the salaries for the beach operation,” said Long Branch Director of Finance Ronald Mehlhorn Sr. “This is purely ticket attendants and lifeguards.”
Bathers, like those enjoying the surf on Sept. 1, flocked to the Long Branch oceanfront this summer, boosting beach revenues to an all-time high. ERIC SUCAR staff Bathers, like those enjoying the surf on Sept. 1, flocked to the Long Branch oceanfront this summer, boosting beach revenues to an all-time high. ERIC SUCAR staff Mehlhorn said that last year the revenues from the beaches came in just below $1 million and the city did not have to seek emergency appropriations last summer.
Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. explained that the money would be used for total salaries that went over budget.
“It’s not that there are more employees, but normally we have a week or 10 days of rain and we didn’t have that this year,” he said. “They go home and we don’t pay them.
“We’d pay half the lifeguards and none of the ticket takers because you keep at least two lifeguards on,” he added.
Woolley also said that rough surf has forced the city to keep lifeguards on later in the evening.
“This year we didn’t get any rain plus [because of] the rough surf conditions, we kept them late,” he said.
“If you notice, all the problems [in neighboring municipalities] have occurred later at night. We have some people patrolling on until 7 p.m.”
Jennings credited a good stretch of weather and people rediscovering Long Branch as major reasons for the increased beach traffic.
Woolley said that one reason for the increased revenues is a larger population coming via the train station.
“We have a lot of people coming down from the train this year as well,” he said. “They increased rates and they dropped services and still you get your beach passes included in your train fare.
“So we get the beach fare from [NJ] Transit and I think we might be double what we were on that,” he added. “Why drive, why get in that bumper-to-bumper [traffic] on the parkway?
“Even if it’s $20 round trip, take the train. Morris Avenue on a Saturday or Sunday, you need a crossing guard down there.”
Jennings also noted the diversity he has seen on the beach.
“There are so many different languages around Pier Village and the beachfront,” he said. “People are just coming from everywhere.
“I’m not just talking about Spanish, I’m talking about Western European, Ukrainian, Russian, you name it,” he added. “We also have a large amount of Staten Islanders coming down.”
One resident was concerned that the resolution might lead to other changes on the beach.
“I hope this resolution isn’t used as a vehicle to rescind beach access for free for kids 17 and under over the coming winter,” Vincent LePore said. “I firmly believe the kids should be on the beach for free, and I also believe that any taxpayer in this city should have access for their entire family to the beaches for free.”
Jennings said the city has no intention of rescinding the ordinance allowing children 17 and under free beach access.
Jennings also said that the city was prepared to handle any weather related to Hurricane Earl, which was expected to impact the Jersey coastline last weekend.
“I’ll leave that up to my beach manager [Dan George],” Jennings said. “He knows what to look for and what to do as far as moving equipment, as far as moving bodies.
“I’m going to be meeting with him tomorrow [Sept. 2] to work out our strategies.”
Even though the revenues came in higher than last year, Mehlhorn has said previously that state regulations don’t allow the municipality to turn much of a profit from beach fees.
“You are not allowed to make a profit overall, over a couple of years,” he said earlier this year. “At some point you might be able to make a little bit more than what you spend, but it’s averaged out over a couple of years.
“If you are making a profit, you would have to adjust the fees,” he added. “You’re not allowed to make a profit off the beach: it has to break even or a loss.”
Jennings estimated that salaries from the beach cost the city around $370,000. Some of the other beach expenses come from the police and public works.
Jennings also said that rough waters have forced the lifeguards to make more rescues than in years past.
Long Branch has 15 beaches: Seaview Avenue, Great Lawn, Madison Avenue, Laird Street, Chelsea Avenue, Melrose Terrace, Morris Avenue, Pavilion Avenue, North Bath Avenue, South Bath Avenue, Matilda Terrace, Cottage Place, West End, Brighton Avenue and New Court.
A daily beach badge in Long Branch is $5; the seasonal badge is $35. The beach season for Long Branch is from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Ideal summer weather also increases beach expenses
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
For the second straight summer, Long Branch beaches generated record figures in revenues, with estimates close to $1.3 million.
Rough surf caused by a tropical storm sprays bathers on a sweltering Sept. 1 afternoon. Story and photo page 6 and at gmnews.com. ERIC SUCAR staff Rough surf caused by a tropical storm sprays bathers on a sweltering Sept. 1 afternoon. Story and photo page 6 and at gmnews.com. ERIC SUCAR staff Long Branch Director of Recreation and Human Services Carl Jennings said at a Sept. 1 special City Council meeting that the town is a good weekend away from coming away with $1.3 million in beach revenues.
That success has come at a cost, as the meeting was called to approve $50,000 in emergency appropriations for the beach operation.
“That increased revenue came at a cost — that because of rough surfs and huge amounts of crowds they had to put [on] additional staffing, and that put a burden on the salaries for the beach operation,” said Long Branch Director of Finance Ronald Mehlhorn Sr. “This is purely ticket attendants and lifeguards.”
Bathers, like those enjoying the surf on Sept. 1, flocked to the Long Branch oceanfront this summer, boosting beach revenues to an all-time high. ERIC SUCAR staff Bathers, like those enjoying the surf on Sept. 1, flocked to the Long Branch oceanfront this summer, boosting beach revenues to an all-time high. ERIC SUCAR staff Mehlhorn said that last year the revenues from the beaches came in just below $1 million and the city did not have to seek emergency appropriations last summer.
Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. explained that the money would be used for total salaries that went over budget.
“It’s not that there are more employees, but normally we have a week or 10 days of rain and we didn’t have that this year,” he said. “They go home and we don’t pay them.
“We’d pay half the lifeguards and none of the ticket takers because you keep at least two lifeguards on,” he added.
Woolley also said that rough surf has forced the city to keep lifeguards on later in the evening.
“This year we didn’t get any rain plus [because of] the rough surf conditions, we kept them late,” he said.
“If you notice, all the problems [in neighboring municipalities] have occurred later at night. We have some people patrolling on until 7 p.m.”
Jennings credited a good stretch of weather and people rediscovering Long Branch as major reasons for the increased beach traffic.
Woolley said that one reason for the increased revenues is a larger population coming via the train station.
“We have a lot of people coming down from the train this year as well,” he said. “They increased rates and they dropped services and still you get your beach passes included in your train fare.
“So we get the beach fare from [NJ] Transit and I think we might be double what we were on that,” he added. “Why drive, why get in that bumper-to-bumper [traffic] on the parkway?
“Even if it’s $20 round trip, take the train. Morris Avenue on a Saturday or Sunday, you need a crossing guard down there.”
Jennings also noted the diversity he has seen on the beach.
“There are so many different languages around Pier Village and the beachfront,” he said. “People are just coming from everywhere.
“I’m not just talking about Spanish, I’m talking about Western European, Ukrainian, Russian, you name it,” he added. “We also have a large amount of Staten Islanders coming down.”
One resident was concerned that the resolution might lead to other changes on the beach.
“I hope this resolution isn’t used as a vehicle to rescind beach access for free for kids 17 and under over the coming winter,” Vincent LePore said. “I firmly believe the kids should be on the beach for free, and I also believe that any taxpayer in this city should have access for their entire family to the beaches for free.”
Jennings said the city has no intention of rescinding the ordinance allowing children 17 and under free beach access.
Jennings also said that the city was prepared to handle any weather related to Hurricane Earl, which was expected to impact the Jersey coastline last weekend.
“I’ll leave that up to my beach manager [Dan George],” Jennings said. “He knows what to look for and what to do as far as moving equipment, as far as moving bodies.
“I’m going to be meeting with him tomorrow [Sept. 2] to work out our strategies.”
Even though the revenues came in higher than last year, Mehlhorn has said previously that state regulations don’t allow the municipality to turn much of a profit from beach fees.
“You are not allowed to make a profit overall, over a couple of years,” he said earlier this year. “At some point you might be able to make a little bit more than what you spend, but it’s averaged out over a couple of years.
“If you are making a profit, you would have to adjust the fees,” he added. “You’re not allowed to make a profit off the beach: it has to break even or a loss.”
Jennings estimated that salaries from the beach cost the city around $370,000. Some of the other beach expenses come from the police and public works.
Jennings also said that rough waters have forced the lifeguards to make more rescues than in years past.
Long Branch has 15 beaches: Seaview Avenue, Great Lawn, Madison Avenue, Laird Street, Chelsea Avenue, Melrose Terrace, Morris Avenue, Pavilion Avenue, North Bath Avenue, South Bath Avenue, Matilda Terrace, Cottage Place, West End, Brighton Avenue and New Court.
A daily beach badge in Long Branch is $5; the seasonal badge is $35. The beach season for Long Branch is from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)