THE BUSINESS MEETING - Brian DiLeo

I met my friend Brian DiLeo for a business meeting in late January. He was hiring me to make a video for an exciting new product that he's helping to launch. You will not believe what this thing is. Read on.

Brian and I met 15 years ago at a film production company called 30fps. I did a lot of freelance edit work for them on TV commercials and shows. My time there was typical, summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds, pretty standard really. Brian made himself indispensable because of his wide range of abilities in all phases of TV work. He and I have always shared a similar artistic viewpoint and philosophical approach to this unique business. In the years since, we've secured work for each other and remained friends. He now specializes in developing brands and marketing strategies for a wide range of new products.

So truth be told, this "business meeting" was more a social lunch than a formal work event. (Just don't tell my accountant when I'm tallying up expenses.)

We met at the enchanting Panera Bread in Commack.

As we were in line to order, I realized that it would be a perfect opportunity to have tea! I asked Brian if he would be OK being part of my tea blog and he happily agreed! He loves tea too!

I have been to Panera Bread probably 100 times. I even have a Panera Bread card. But never had I ordered tea! (I'm really such an idiot, I know) But guess what? Brian had! So he suggested a few types. We settled on the Orange Ginger Mint. Strangely, they just give you the bag and a cup. I really didn't understand what to do. This was self-serve tea? What the hell is going on here? Where was the hot water? (That's the other ingredient for you tea novices). Oh wait a minute. It's right next to the register.

So I filled it up with hot water and started walking over the the table that Brian had gotten for us. Did anyone else notice that the tea bag formed a heart? Was this supposed to happen? Maybe it's karma for the earlier confusion about the water. (This would be something to study.) But just then, I noticed that my fingers were starting to burn. OUCH! How could they not include those cup condom things? I had to hold it like this:

That was until Brian pointed me over to the Panera Bread tea station! Check this out:

An area devoted to tea! Lemons, covers, honey, sugar, napkins, milk. How blind I had been! I'd passed this little treasure trove of beverage accoutrements on every previous visit to Panera. Well no more, darn-it. I grabbed a tea sleeve and went on my way. (Apologies for the arm that's in this photograph. It belonged to an attractive young woman. At least, I think she was attractive. I was too mesmerized by the tea station to notice her looks.)

Brian had ordered a sandwich.

I had French Onion soup. This a a shot of me from the soup's perspective.

We spent most of the time discussing the video I'd be making for his interesting new product. Guarantee you haven't seen anything quite like it. (could I tease this more?)

Anyway, once the "business talk" was done. I asked him my three questions.

QUESTION 1:

We met at 30fps fifteen years ago. What's the major differences working in film production back then from the way it is today?

BRIAN:

The major difference back then? There was money in it. I remember going to the Ritz Carlton in Cancun as a PA (production assistant) for a job. I was ordering cappuccinos and chocolate croissants from room service every day. Like, who the hell was I? Now, companies want you to take $500 for a 10 minute, polished film-ready piece.

QUESTION 2:

You have this wonderful new product that I'd like all my readers to learn about. Can you describe what this product is and where it's going to be?

BRIAN:

It's a sensual male massager and I'd like to get it into CVS. We'll probably just start placing it on the shelves guerilla style. We foresee there to be a major desire for it. It's a male masturbation product. As they say, 90% of men are doing it and the other 10% are lying.

Here he is holding the prototype. (no label on it yet) In order to learn about the product, Brian gave me this one to demo. As of this blog posting, I have been too afraid to try it out. Much like Luke Skywalker entering the strange Dark Side cave in the Dagobah system (Empire Strikes Back), my private parts are fearful of this endeavor. My lightsaber needs a lightsaber, I guess. I might have to start a different type of blog if I ever try it out.

QUESTION 3:

We played football together years ago against a team of guys from the production department. After knowing me solely as a video wizard, were you surprised at how dominant an athlete I was as well?

BRIAN:

I'm not going to lie to you. It did surprise me, because most of the guys in the post production world were the ones who weren't quite as coordinated. But when I saw you at quarterback, I saw that special quality that all the great athletes have. And when you threw that 80 yard bomb to me that I caught in full stride, leaving Mike Indjeian completely baffled in the dust, it really set the tone for the fact that us post production guys were not pussies. And it's these guys in production who think that they're tough and they're working hard every day in the rain and the elements....you know what? We ate their lunch.

EVAN:

The feeling is mutual. Never again would I feel like a post production nerd when there are guys like Brian DiLeo and myself out there on the GRIDIRON....KICKING ASS!!!!

BRIAN:

What a great day.

That was indeed a great day, Brian. As was this one, where we shared tea. Thanks again!

If you're interested in learning more about Brian's new product, send me a private message.

See you next time!