The photo wall at CultureBrain Academy underwent a fitting face lift for CreativeMornings Los Angeles's February lecture last Friday. The blue-sky-and-hot-air-balloon backdrop (created for January's theme: Childhood) was replaced with images of winged sushi in honor of Rock of Ages creator/producer and Jiro Dreams of Sushi producer, Matt Weaver.
Weaver, a natural-born storyteller who spoke masterfully to this month's theme: Rebel, captivated the audience with tales of a colorful childhood in 1970's NYC (where he was raised by a gay, movie studio marketing whiz, father....and possibly the world's first mannie), and subsequent adolescence in Los Angeles (where he landed a job on the Disney lot at age 13).
Weaver continued to cut his teeth working for the likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg before going on to sell dozens of his own movies and eventually developing the musical, Rock of Ages, which has been nominated for 5 Tony Awards, adapted into a Hollywood film, and is currently the 31st longest running show on Broadway.
Weaver made clear that his path to success was not an easy one, but a winning combination of "passion and naivety" ultimately paid off... and paved the way for subsequent success stories including his role as producer of the critically acclaimed Documentary film Jiro Dreams of Sushi (hence the fitting photo wall backdrop).
The talk a was super-inspiring, insightful and peppered with far more humor judge for Miss Fire Island) and fun facts than this mere recap could ever relay - suffice it to say that we expect to see more "rebel" behavior from Weaver as he continues to produce entertaining, culture-rich content.
Enjoy these movie trailers from Rock of Ages, Jiro Dreams of Sushi and Surfwise, Weaver's fascinating 2008 documentary about the 11-member, 70's surf-chasing Paskowitz family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLrx_QSd44E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aGPniFvS0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USxhXb5VC5E
Thanks to Jon Setzen from CreativeMornings Los Angeles for partnering with Maker City LA and CultureBrain Academy once again! ... and to Little Branch Foods, Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Boxed Water for keeping us sustained, caffeinated and hydrated.