I came to NYC in 88. I now work as a union cameraman on TV, commercials and films. Since that time, I reckon you get a new city every 7 years. Like lungs after you quit smoking. I’ve seen at least three different NYC’s since I came here. Post Koch/Dinkins World, Herr Gulliani’s Empire, and now Bloomyville. My mother used to live in the City in the 50′s and she warned me to make sure I have enough ties when I moved to the City, from her misty memory everyone wore then – not ironically.

When I came to the city, you could make rent in a week, find a studio on the Upper East Side for 450 or less; a full floor in Williamsburg for the same; and the “Deuce” gave you quite a show for a dollar. I tended bar or painted office buildings while trying to work my way up the film industry feeding chain. You could say, I came in the late wave of people wanting to break into the arts or entertainment during the 80′s. Yes, I know there seems to be some anti-creative types here, but NYC as far as anyone can remember has always been a home to artists emigrating from someplace else for well over 150 years. But this current era is different.

I have no idea how anyone moving to the City can afford it, even “below the line”. When I was getting established you worked, paid rent and had something left over for booze, broads, fun, and savings or invest in your work. Bringing a six pack to Julien’s on top of the old Palladium was pay well spent – and a perfect evening. Seeing David Rankowitz before he murdered his proto hipster roommate, with his pet rooster was part of the scenery. The City was a bit more rough and tumble and dressing in work gear was not an ironic statement. A Carhart kept your warm, not kewel.

So what’s my dilemma? I love the fact I no longer amble over crack whores on my doorstep; my street doesn’t smell like piss; or the fact that NYC is no longer Dodge City (Murder rate is more than 4x less than what it was when i moved in). The Guardian Angels went the way of the Savage Skulls. I just find it hard to relate to kids trying to “break in” while paying enormous sums in rent. Do you really have to break in with that kind of cheddar? Just buy the theater or put the movie on charge. Oh wait a minute that’s happening. So while I lament that high rents have definitely altered NYC’s creative landscape as many genuine artists are finding cheaper cities, what we have left are kids with big pockets and little originality. NYC’s art scene is really about gallery owners and wall street douches having openings and haggling over dead sharks in formaldehyde (the ultimate Hipster con job).

It’s been awhile since the city had a truly groundbreaking and original art and music scene, which is sad. Well over a hundred fifty years it was home to the country’s best artists, writers, dancers, entertainers, etc. Caleb, Molly and Meegan with their Fisher Price level of craft don’t cut it. Without setting the pace for the countries arts and entertainment, NYC loses something vital that it always had – it’s soul.

Done, ranting and reminiscing.