2004 - 03/2004 Meeting

Page Created: 09/25/10. Last Updated: 10/28/10. Last Google Group Page Update: 11/24/09.

JOEL GREENGRASS

Video: LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND DOUGLAS ADAMS

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHJLNrDzYm0

MEETING SUMMARY:

Meeting Date: March 13, 2004.

Meeting Site: Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Official Attendance: 36.

Meeting Program: Talk by Documentary Film Maker.

Notes:

Meeting Memories:

Newsletter Account:

The March meeting of the Science Fiction Association of Bergen County was held in the Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Filmmaker Joesl Greengrass spoke to the group on Saturday, March 13, 2004.

Considering the number of people who eventually showed up, turnout was surprisingly light for both of our pre meeting groups. Todd Ehrenfels led a discussion of the works of YA writer Lloyd Alexander while our Anime Associates viewed R.O.R. -- READ OR DIE.

Mr Greengrass has produced a documentary about science fiction writer Douglas Adams, the author of THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY and other books. He became acquainted with Mr Adams while producing a series of short business films targeting middle managers. The films featured talks by celebrities on topics like public speaking. Mr Greengrass shot many more hours of footage featuring Mr Adams than was required for these management films. Shortly before the death of the author, our guest was approached about making a documentary about Mr Adams by the writer's agent.

The documentary became LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND DOUGLAS ADAMS, which is available in VHS through the official Douglas Adams website http://www.douglasadams.com.

The first part of the program consisted of Mr Greengrass screening the 90 minute documentary. We then took a break and resumed with questions and answers.

Writer Neil Gaiman did the voice over on the documentary which included film of both Mr Adams and the many people who knew him. The author knew people from many walks of life.

As would be expected, many of these people were from the literary world: editors, authors, and an assortment of people connected with producing the stories in book, theater, radio, and other formats. The one constant refrain from this group was that Mr Adams considered deadlines to be only mild suggestions.

A second group included a stellar collection of acting and music celebrities. John Cleese blurbed the front of the video and Terry Jones reminisced inside. His many friends in the rock music scene included Peter Gabriel, members of Procol Harum, Pink Floyd and other bands. They would jam together at his parties.

Adams was also involved in several conservation projects, including the Save the Rhinos effort and LAST CHANCE TO SEE which focused on nearly extinct species. He especially loved Africa, and travelled all over the continent to lend his assistance to local efforts.

One gets the feeling that Mr Adams loved life very much, and that life returned the affection. Everyone who appeared on the video smiled as they recollected the good times they shared. The stories they recounted felt like they came spontaneously from the heart and not planned in advance.

As always, we thank the many people who contributed to making the meeting a success. In particular we thank Todd Ehrenfels for help with the set up, Charles Garofalo for the usual refreshments, Pamela Webber for kitchen duty, Taras Wolansky for supplying the anime even though he could not be at the meeting, and Robert Yeager for contributing extra goodies. Thanks also to everyone else who assisted and is not specifically recognized above.