Because of our car trouble and tight schedule we missed our interview in Chicago. We’re going to have to reschedule for later in the month. Everybody’s feeling a bit melancholy and exhausted. We had a so-so breakfast at Denny’s this morning and drove to Jody’s childhood home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania to drop him off before the rest of us drove back to the city. At Jody’s house everyone perked up and we settled in for a few Budweisers and some quality time with Jody’s folks. It afforded us a rare look into the man, the myth, the legend, Jody Lee Lipes: Professional Cinematographer.

Jody’s parents are great. Their house is sprinkled with many tributes to their professional cinematographer son.

Jody is very famous in rural Pennsylvania. He’s constantly on the cover of “Bucks Fever” for various exploits.

This is a very rare photo, never before seen on the internet, of Jody’s twin sister Judy Lee Lipes.

This is where Jody learned to love light, in his childhood backyard.

We couldn’t have asked for a better end to our journey across America with Food & Wine Magazine and American Express.

xoHenry

Had a great 4th of July in Malibu. Jody and Henry flew their beautiful girlfriends out for the occasion.  Now we’re back to work. We interviewed chef Nancy Silverton at her restaurant Osteria on Melrose Place where they filmed the famous TV show “Melrose Place”. We thought about making a shot-for-shot remake of their famous intro, but didn’t have time.

The smog was particularly heavy because of the fires in Northern California.

Henry & Jeff actually aren’t that crazy about LA. Next stop: Philly!

xoSM

In August 2006 I traveled to New Orleans for a week to work with two of my best friends, Gabe Nussbaum and Elizabeth Wood, on their documentary about a group of kids in the first school to re-open post Katrina. This weekend the film premiered and won the Audience Choice “New Orleans Rebirth” Award at the International Human Rights Film Festival! Jody and I went down to shoot a follow-up (and possible new ending) at the premiere.

Our visit conveniently coincided with the New Orleans Pirate Film Festival. Overheard conversation:

Local : Eat a d*ck, get out of our f*cking town!

Pirate: Shut your mouth.

-Henry