Last Summer at Coney Island
Coney Island is known throughout the world as the birthplace of the hot dog, the roller coaster and - broadly speaking - popular culture. But Coney Island is not what it used to be and the area has lingered for years as a specter of its former magnificence.
Now, after years of false starts, change is coming to Coney Island. Come Hell or high water, the city of New York is determined to revitalize the once glorious, world capitol of amusements. Meanwhile, a private developer with dubious motives has been purchasing every square foot of land he can get his hands on. The neighborhood's residents, along with the amusement community and the millions who cherish Coney Island's legacy are left wondering what will happen next. Seaside salvation or Brooklyn boondoggle? History will decide but this film is the first draft. Last Summer at Coney Island juxtaposes images of the past and present with interviews and observed scenes featuring many of the key players in this transformation.
Producer/Director/DP/Editor
JL ARONSON is the founder of Creative Arson, a documentary production
outfit specializing in work for non-profits and arts organizations. His
own films include "Punk Rock/ Heavy Metal Karaoke," "Up on the Roof,"
and "Danielson: a Family Movie," for which he won numerous film festival
awards. JL first got involved in Coney Island professionally in 2001 as
video producer for the 1st annual Siren Music Festival, a post he has
held ever since. He subsequently directed a TV commercial for Astroland
Amusement Park in 2003 and after that, the sand was in his shoes.
Associate Producer
As Promotions Director for the Village Voice, JEN GAPAY was the co-founder of the Siren Music Festival, which is how she and JL met. After leaving the Voice in 2003, Jen founded Thirsty Girl Productions, a leading promoter of burlesque and eclectic nightlife events throughout New York City and beyond. Along with Angie Pontani (aka Miss Cyclone), she is the co-Executive Producer of the New York International Burlesque Festival.
Soundtrack
Much of the film’s music is by Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter KAKI KING. In 2009, Rolling Stone added Ms. King to their list of “Guitar Gods”— the first time the magazine has given such a distinction to a female musician. In 2006, Kaki contributed guitar work to Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack for the film, “Into The Wild,” for which she shared a Golden Globe nomination.
Additional Music
ALEX DEMAMMOS does it again. Find him at www.alexdemammos.com
FOR INQUIRIES, CONTACT CREATIVEARSON AT GMAIL DOT COM
This film was supported in part by grants from the Puffin Foundation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered through the Brooklyn Arts Council regrant program.
No upcoming screenings scheduled at this time
Watch the hour-long cut on these PBS stations:
WNET/ THIRTEEN - NYC - Sunday, May 15, 2011NJN - New Jersey - Tuesday, May 21, 2011
WLIW/21 - Brooklyn + Long Island - Tuesday, May 28, 2011
KQED - San Francisco - Saturday, July 23, 2011
WNMU - Michigan - Thursday, August 4, 2011 - 8pm
KUHT - Houston, TX - Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - 9pm
KLRU - Austin, TX - Sunday, September 25, 2011 - 9pm
NOTE: All stations are airing the program multiple times. Check your local listings.
More stations to be announced!
