Stage 32 Meetups : Astoria, Queens, NY - Meet Up? by Ashley Byrne

Ashley Byrne

Astoria, Queens, NY - Meet Up?

Hello my fellow Astorians! I'm looking to connect with some creatives in the Astoria area. I know there are a lot of you out there... Please reply here if you are interested and I will set something up! It'd be great to meet up in the Astoria Kaufman Arts District area. Looking forward to meeting you!

Frank Farel

I'm in Astoria and I'm game. Might even be able to offer meeting space in the area for such a group.

Melanie Laiken

Sounds good to me. Let me know!

Raimonds Jurus Jakovics

I'm all for connecting with stage32 members in Astoria.

Jordan Yanco

Everyone in this thread should connect. Let's set a concrete date/time and make this happen!

Frank Farel

Hello, Folks, Sorry for a late followup on this, Melanie, I think I could get some meeting space at the Long Island City TV company I'm associated with, depending on dates and times. That would mean a conference room or a studio space. Some people prefer to do these sort of get-togethers in more social settings. Let me know what you have in mind. Personally, I'm seeking collaborators of every stripe for my own projects and looking to spread the word about our studio facility and services. Let me now, Frank

Ashley Byrne

Great! How does Thursday, December 3rd work? Let's say 6pm. Frank, I think it would be great to use that space later on (thanks for offering it!) however, for the first time, how do you all feel about just having it be a social get together over drinks? I was thinking The Astor Room attached to Astoria Kaufman (to keep with tradition and inspiration) and they actually have a good happy hour from 5-7 (two for one drinks). Please RSVP or propose a new time and space. I'm totally open to suggestions. I can change the date and time, however, I figured picking a time first was best. Talk soon!

Frank Farel

The 3rd is fine for me, except that it's a Wednesday, not Thursday --so let's figure out which. Either one will work.

Raimonds Jurus Jakovics

Wednesday the 3rd or Thursday the 4th is fine with me. The Astor Room sounds good.

David Timber

I would be interested in meeting up. I am not from Astoria, but I do visit the area often. I am a big fan of Astoria and its history with the film industry. Kaufman Astoria Studios, Museum of the Moving Image, the culture, fantastic.

Ashley Byrne

Oops, I totally meant Wednesday the 3rd; my bad! If that works? So this Wednesday December 3rd at The Astor Room at 6pm. See you there! I'll try and get there a little early to get a table.

Frank Farel

Okay, Ashley - I'll make plans to be there Wednesday the 3rd at 6 looking somewhat like my picture

Raimonds Jurus Jakovics

All right, Dec 3 at 6. See everyone then

Melanie Laiken

Frank, that sounds great. As for the 3rd at Astor Lounge, i'll be there.

Ashley Byrne

Sounds wonderful. Looking forward to it! See everyone tomorrow. I'll let the bartender know where we are sitting so if you walk in and don't think you recognize anyone just ask the bartender and I'm sure they will be able to point you to where we are. Thanks everyone!

Ashley Byrne

UPDATE: Hello everyone! I am so sorry but I got called into covering a show tonight for work last minute and I will not be able to make the meet up tonight. However, you don't need me there to still meet and connect and network. Can anyone get there a little early to check in with the bartender and be the point of contact? I would still love to connect with all of you so I hope this first meeting is a success and that I can meet for the next one. I will send messages to everyone who said they would attend tonight just to check in an exchange info for next time. Let me know how it goes!

Raimonds Jurus Jakovics

I'll still be there.

Frank Farel

As will I.

Jordan Yanco

Had great conversation and collaboration last night. Can't wait for the next one!

Ashley Byrne

Fantastic! I'm glad to hear it. Did you talk about how often you would like to meet? When should we plan the next one?

Raimonds Jurus Jakovics

I'm open to meeting monthly, or bi-weekly. But for me Sunday is best.

Ashley Byrne

Weekends work best for me, too. How about we plan to meet up in the beginning of Jan after all of the craziness of the holidays subsides?

Frank Farel

Early January is fine. Evenings or weekends. I much enjoyed meeting Jordan and Raimonds and hope we'll soon be joined by others.

Greg Paul

Count me in. Keep me posted about potential dates to meet. Hope to c u all soon.

Frank Farel

Happy New Year to all in this group. Holidays being over, I hope we're all ready to get together. Ashley began things and I am leave it to her to suggest a date and time, but I'm certainly still interested.

Raimonds Jurus Jakovics

I'm ready.

Frank Farel

So... based on the overall lack of response... I can only assume this was another waste of time and effort for people like myself who are sincerely seeking new collaborators and actually looking to DO something. A few of us made an effort, but not even the initiator of this group could be bothered to follow through with what was started. Sad.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Frank, don't be sad. I am new to both Stage32 and to screenwriting. While I might seem like an appendage at this point, I become progressively productive at learning craft when I have others to encourage (browbeat?) me. I'm looking forward to any hint this call for paper may resurrect.

Peter Lawton

Hey, is this meet up group still happening? I would like to join.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Peter, as would I. Does this require a producer or a director?

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Frank, don't give up hope. I'm game.

Frank Farel

Hello, Peter & Lawrence, Thanks for the unexpected response three months later. I'm still game myself. Even if it's just to talk and compare notes and aspirations. Care to chat?

Lawrence R. Kotkin

absolutely...What is the protocol here?

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Ashley, I'm feeling as if we've cut you out of the process. Stay with us, please! This is, after all, your fault.

Peter Lawton

I'm new to Stage32, I've been making short films for a few years now. Looking to connect with screenwriters and filmmakers. Im in the Rego Park area, so heading to Astoria to meet up is totally cool with me.

Ashley Byrne

Lawrence, thank you so much for your consideration. I am still interested. After I planned the original meet up (and I was unfortunately unable to attend) I thought the people who made the meet up would continue the group and plan the next meeting and I would join in. Since I was not there, I did not know when would work for everyone. I did not know people were waiting on me to plan the next date. For that, I apologize. Frank, I missed your comment from three months ago saying you were waiting for me and there seems to have been some miscommunication. If we are all still interested in continuing this, then I am game. However, I will ask that all back-handed comments be left at the door. You can't have successful collaboration with negativity. For those still interested, how does next week sound? Sometime in Astoria at 7pm. I'm thinking either Tuesday or Thursday.

Peter Lawton

I can definitely do Thursday. Should we bring stuff we are working on?

Ashley Byrne

I think that sounds great, Peter! Any suggestions of where to meet up?

Peter Lawton

Any good place by Kaufman Studios? I've only been by there a couple of times, so I'm not familiar with the names of places over there.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

This sounds great...as I'm coming toward the city, it should work for me. I don't know my way around LICity much anymore. My last sojourn through the area, Silvercup was still handing out samples of those little loaves of bread to little kids on tours. Okay, so I'm old. Sue me.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

A note.... which Thursday are we discussing? This week, April 23rd? or May 1? Should we be conference calling this decision? I'll go anywhere, but I was hoping for a LITTLE heads-up to make a couple of arrangements. I could do this Thursday, but I need to make that decision today.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

I even have a story outline to beat up.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Do we have a venue?

Jordan Yanco

Hey everyone, we could try the Astor Room again, or I'm always open to other Astoria spots as well. May 1st works better for me personally, but I'm always willing to support any and all opportunities for collaboration and making projects. I also completely agree with Ashley as far as leaving negativity at the door. We're all here to get things done and collaboration and creativity are the missing ingredients. Let's do this! How does May 1st evening sound for everyone?

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Works for me. Time? and um I guess I can google Astor Room.

Ashley Byrne

I was thinking next Thursday, April 30th. I know the Astor Room was used last time so we can try there again but I think the feedback was a more informal environment. Frank, if you are still interested, you mentioned possibly having a meeting space to offer such a group; is that still available? I wish this thing had a poll so I could ask if Thursday, April 30th works for everyone... I guess just post your RSVP here. Just bring something you are working on or what you hope to get out of the meet up. Looking forward to it!

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Oops.. my bad. I thought May 1 was on Thursday. April 30 is good for me. And a venue that is not a restaurant of middle eastern of any kind (that includes Turkish, Israeli ..and I don't care that they have great salads, Syrian, Lebanese, umm Persian, Egyptian, et al). Or May 1...whatever.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Sorry to be a pest about the middle eastern food thing. If that's a desire of the crowd, I can suck it up; I'm a big boy.

Jordan Yanco

Well Astoria has all kinds of restaurants, even "Applebee's" and Panera. Doesn't have to be ethnic at all. Again, I only lean towards 5/1 since I'm teaching an Accent Workshop from 6:30-7:30 on 4/30. However that isn't to say I can either show up a bit later, or do another evening altogether. Is it just the there of us so far, or are there other interested parties on this thread? Speak now, or hold your piece until after 4/30! (or 5/1)

Lawrence R. Kotkin

I"m down with 5/1 if need be. I'm flexible...okay, I can't touch my toes, but I can bend a schedule with the best of them.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Anyone confirming?

Jordan Yanco

Well we also still need a venue. Are you ok with one of those sit-down places near the movie theater? Panera, Applebee's Pizzeria Uno, as long as we can hear each other

Ashley Byrne

5/1 is fine with me if that works better for everyone! 5/1 it is. How about we meet at Sunswick, at 7pm then? http://sunswick3535bar.com/ . It is right down from Astoria Kaufman but not in the "chain bubble".

Lawrence R. Kotkin

I'm good.. sit down, stand up.. whatever.. so is it 5/1? right.. Suns wick..and Ashley, thanks for the link.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

I looked.. now I'm hungry.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

This is wild...I was looking for more paper for my printer and found a...are you ready? A Sony video camera. I wonder if it still works.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Uh oh.. it uses tapes.. Is this a terminal problem to get into the computer?

Lawrence R. Kotkin

So, is it a go for Sunswiick at 7pm on Friday? Or will I be showing up for a Melvin Udall-style dinner?

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Do we have a consensus? Does 5/1 at 7pm work at Sunswick? Or should I be moving on? I just want to know if I should be showing up and who will be wearing the pink carnation.

Ashley Byrne

Hey everyone! Just to let you know: The meet up on Friday, 5/1 at 7pm will be rescheduled do to low attendance. We are looking to reschedule for sometime next week. As soon as we have a date and time we will let you know.

Alexander Torres

hello im interested in attending a meetup,plz reply with any info

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Alexander, as we have yet to create this group...that is, we haven't yet met, I'm sure you're quite welcome to just show up. Kind of like what I'm doing: tonight is SUPPOSED to be at 7pm at Sunswick, a beer bar/restaurant in Astoria. I'll do my best to keep you in the loop unless you first hear from Ashley or Jordan (filling out our current convention).

Jordan Yanco

I'll be at Sunswick Astoria 7pm. Might try to wear a bright red NJ Devils hat so I'm easily recognizable when the Rangers Game is on

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Whew....i don't have any soccer hats, so I'll have to settle for a NY Mets hat... If my wife saw me wearing that, she'd eviscerate me. With a dull butterknife.

Lawrence R. Kotkin

Forget the hat, I'm going with balding surrounded by a surrey with a white fringe.

Peter Lawton

Has there been any meetups yet?

Other topics in Stage 32 Meetups:

register for stage 32 Register / Log In