©2025  All Rights Reserved. All Intellectual Property Rights Will Be Enforced.

It also helps that I have the good fortune of working alongside the best Writer/Producers, Graphic Artists, Editors, Creative Directors and Executives in the business. Things can get a bit crazy down on the 2nd Floor but these folks always get it done and are a constant source of inspiration. This really is the best gig I’ve ever had.

I have been with Hallmark for about 20 years - which is also about how long I have lived in LA. It really does seem like yesterday that I came in for an interview and somehow got talked my way into the gig as a freelancer. I’m originally from a small town called Springfield In New Jersey. It’s about 20 miles away from NYC but somehow I always knew I’d end up working there. Springfield was a lovely place but I had other plans.

My first job in the business was at a large Studio/Editing Facility in NYC called National Video Center. National was located on 42nd& 10th. This area is called “Hell’s Kitchen” and back then, that part of NYC earned every bit of its nickname. It was not for the faint hearted. You’ll have to wait for my book to come out to learn about those adventures. Believe me, I have seen things. 

National Video was a big deal in its day and was the home to MTV among others way back when. My first job at National? They made me a street messenger. This consisted of schlepping edit material and things to and from Client’s offices everywhere in the 5 Boroughs. The job quickly taught me several valuable lesson: how to deal with clients, how to navigate the streets of NYC, how to make minimum wage work for me and how to not end up as a headline in the next day’s newspapers. When I wasn’t on streets, I made my bones doing janitorial work in the building. This really is a glamor industry.

I quickly moved up to overnight video dubbing which meant i got to work late nights in Hell’s Kitchen. What can I say? I had a strong survival instinct and used to be able to run fast. I became an Assistant Editor but pivoted to the creative side of life. I talked my way into getting hired by some of the clients who booked time there. What can I say? It’s a gift. 

Once I got into the Creative side of life, there was no looking back. I did time at USA Network, SyFy, Discovery, The Style Channel (the less said about that - the better )and a bunch of others. Along the way, I Wrote/ Produced and Directed for Howard Stern for 5 years and for comedian Gilbert Gottfried for 10. I kept my mother shielded from most of this. I might have had to resign as her son.

And then, because I’m either a hopeless romantic or just plain hopeless, I moved to LA without a single job prospect. Not the wisest move….but I’m here typing about it so it seems to have worked out. In any event, I look at my time at Hallmark as a way of paying penance for a lifetime of questionable decisions. At some point I’m sure I’ll get my wings.

Now to the Lightning Round:

Notable Hallmark Projects I’ve Worked On For Hallmark   

(in no particular order)
A Biltmore Christmas, The Chicken Sisters, The Good Witch,Countdown To Christmas Light Switch Spots, Countdown To Christmas Stunt Spots, Hallmark Christmas Experience Spots, Umpteen TCA/Upfront/Publicity Spots and more projects for more Departments than I can remember or name.

Unique Aspects Of My Job
One of the things I really do like about my position at Hallmark is the fact that I get to interact with many different departments.Creative Services by its nature created projects for Ad Sales, Affiliates, Marketing, Programming, Development, Hallmark Corporate, etc. As I result, I have reason to interact with folks from many of these departments. This gives me a chance to say hello and I often develop a more personal relationship with people I might not normally get to know. I see it as a Win-Win for everyone. To date, I still haven’t had to write or produce any kind of project for James the Barista… but hope springs eternal. It could happen.

Favorite Foods?

Everything.What can I actually eat? Anything that doesn’t have Gluten. Yeah, I’m one of those!  Just ask anyone on the 2nd Floor. I’m nobody’s favorite dinner partner. However, in my defense, I’m Gluten Intolerant against my will so i’m not a pain by choice. Have no fear, your baked goods are safe around me.

Favorite Movies?

The Godfathers 1 & 2 but never 3, Casablanca, The Big Sleep and Most things Film Noir, Fast Times At Ridgemont High and, of course Hallmark Movies.

Favorite Inspirational Quote?

I should probably say something from Marcus Aurelius but I’m really not that deep.. but…so Iet’s just go with anything from ‘When Calls The Heart’.

Favorite Time Period Before Adulting?

Spent years working at Record Stores, dressing badly, seeing shows at seedy clubs in NYC and playing bass in Punk Bands. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I had a better chance of putting a part in my hair than I did making a living in music so I’d better find something else to.Still….should the world demand that my bands ‘The Scabs’ and/or ‘Suave Elbows’ get back together some big money and a world tour…I think we could make it happen .Might need a few extra days to pull some of the original members out of the formaldehyde before we could get things going.

Unusual Creative Detour? 

Wrote a children’s book “The Bug Barians®” with Illustrations by my incredibly talented wife, JoAnn. It’s the story of a group of Viking Insects and oh, the adventures they find. The book was a huge hit and world-wide phenomenon with the 6 people who actually purchased it and the 87 others I gave free copies to .Best part is, nobody asked for a refund .Still, i’m pretty proud of the work and we’re still waiting for the Animation offers to come pouring in. Yes. We’re very patient people.

Things I Won’t Do?

Any activity that begins with the letters “S,” “P”, & “E’ and ends with “Lunking”. 

Things I Did Do?

Eloped to Las Vegas to get married. I even got the afore mentioned JoAnn to come with me. I believe she still has questions.

Things That Aren’t Pizza? 

Deep Dish and anything with Pineapple on it.

Guilty Pleasures?

A recently discovered appreciation for Malbec Wines.But…. I’m not picky in case anyone is wondering. They can even be in a box or have a screw top. I’m easy.  However, if you show up with a bottle 2 Buck Chuck - we can’t be friends. Sorry. I may have low standards but they still are standards.

How Is It I’ve Stayed At Hallmark So Long?                                         I’m not asking. I’m just happy my security card still works when I drive up in the mornings. I guess some folks still like me hanging around. Also….Hallmark has never asked me to be a street messenger - so I guess I’m coming up in the world.