dsoderblog

A life story is a challenge to put into a Cliff Notes short hand version, but here is a brief outline or list of highlights.

I am a film maker living in my native town San Diego. I was born here in 1956 and grew up in San Marcos, National City, but mostly in Bonita. I attended Lincoln Acres Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary, Bonita Vista Jr. and Senior High School, and Abraxas Experimental School.

My interest in architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, and photography began at age 14. As soon as I could drive I was all over California and Arizona photographing Wright structures.

At age 16 I bought a 16mm projector at a school auction. I began showing films I borrowed from the public library. Of special interest to me was Silent Film, particularly Chaplin–whose autograph I received after writing a letter. I simply addressed the envelope “Charles Chaplin, Vevay Switzerland” and got a reply!

I transferred from Southwestern College to UCLA in 1981 where I graduated in June of 1984 with a degree in Motion Picture and Television. My film work includes a short documentary I produced Nights At The Nuart. I was a production assistant on the music video with Al Yankovic I Lost on Jeapardy. And I was on the production crew of ABC Sports coverage of Race Across America, 1986. I also worked on Baja Oklahoma starring Peter Coyote.

I worked as a film projectionist both in San Diego and Los Angeles. The booths I operated in San Diego included the College Theatre, the Ken Cinema, and at the Cove Theatre in La Jolla with Spencer Wilson.

In Los Angeles I worked as a member of the Landmark Theatre Projectionists Guild at the Vista Theatre in East Hollywood, the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, and was head projectionist at the Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles. As a member of Projectionist Union Local 150 I worked at numerous theatres and drive-ins throughout Los Angeles County including the Village, the Bruin, the National, the Orpheum, the Winnetka Drive In, and Santa Fe Springs Twin Cinemas. I was head projectionist at the Pickwick Drive-In in Burbank. (Those who’ve seen Grease may recall the drive-in scene. That’s the Pickwick).

I moved back to San Diego in 1989 to be closer to my Mom after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I resided in Pacific Beach for a number of years in the Dickey Residence designed by renown architect Sim Bruce Richards, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. Two skills I developed here were gardening and surfing. I’m a better gardener than surfer.

Then I became a home owner and property manager in 1996. I restored a small 1927 Normal Heights cottage where I currently live. By some unexplainable mystifying fate I completed all phases of the project myself. The plumbing, electrical, carpentry, plastering, concrete, roofing, and flooring. Looking back I still don’t comprehend the inexplicable achievement by untrained hands. All I can say is the Home Improvement shows on television make it look easier than it really is.

I also own and manage a duplex consisting of upper and lower units. Each are two bedroom apartments.

Vocationally my years in San Diego after leaving Los Angeles were primarily spent as an audio visual technician for cooperate meetings. Through this connection I also had photography and video production assignments. I produced a number of slide shows and sales videos for Loews Coronado Bay Resort and their cooperate clients.

From roughly the same period came my work as principal photographer for Robert Mealing’s publication Blend Magazine, a coffee house journal.

Amongst the mix was a video I produced called The Sandcastle, a start to finish montage depicting elaborate large scale sand castle building.

In 1998 I left the Audio Visual trade to care for my ailing father. I worked at Robinsons May which afforded a very flexible schedule and was close to home for emergencies. I was quite successful at selling men’s clothing!

In 2005, I left Robinsons May devoting full time to my restoration project and managing my rentals.

In the spring of 2006 I began writing this blog, developing a small web site, and began seeking  photography and video assignments.  Some of my video work can be seen on You Tube

I’m also involved in community service and volunteer work. I have particular interest or participation in the National Trust for Historic Preservation (especially the restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House, Los Angeles), Save Our Heritage Organisation (mid century modern focus group), and Friends of Normal Heights Canyons.

Here is the link to my website:

http://www.dsoderberg.net