Interview:
Dan Feinstein, Candidate for California & Visual
Effects for Films Artist: 21st August
2003
We
interview Dan Feinstein, an everyday bloke, for a
movie man, who is looking to make California a better
place.
What's
your background?
I'm
a second generation Californian. I was born here,
went to public school here, went to state university
here. I've lived in bad neighborhoods and good, been
unemployed and had good jobs. I'm not a millionaire
or movie star, I'm just an average guy who understands
what life is like for the little guy.
Why
should you be considered for the top job in California?
Because
as a regular citizen, I don't owe anyone anything.
I haven't been bought and sold by special interests.
I'm not a career politician with a cynical view people
- I am one of the people. And like many Californians,
I have common sense solutions for fixing what's wrong
with our government. I feel a true citizen Governor
will benefit the state.
To
the uninitiated, what does "reform minded independent
Democrat" mean?
This
means I'm not a party line Democrat. I'm not a career
politician who has to follow what the party leaders
say. I'm in favor of reforming the institutionalized
corruption in the big political parties, so they'll
act in the best interests of the people, not in the
best interests of the money people.
What
do you stand for?
I'm
in favor of making cuts at the top first and implementing
common sense solutions for the problems facing our
state. I want to spur the growth of small businesses,
keep higher education affordable, reform K-12 (primary)
education, and ensure the long term prosperity of
our state.
What
don't you stand for?
Big
money interests who are enriching themselves to the
detriment of the majority of Californians.
Who
are your main supporters? - why?
It's
hard to determine who my supporters are. So far, it's
just friends and family. I realize I'm a lower tier
candidate who may not be able to get his message out
effectively. As such, I may have few supporters right
now. Despite that, I feel my ideas will eventually
filter up to the places of power. I may not win, but
my ideas, hopefully, will become part of the political
landscape.
Your
detractors? - why?
The
big time politicians don't like me. Dianne Feinstein
(senior Senator from California), who I share a last
name with, feels I'm in the same league with Larry
Flynt (porn publisher) and the adult film star. I
don't think she had seen my platform when she made
that statement though. Perhaps I can still change
her mind.
If
you got the job, what would the first things you would
do, from a practical and administrative perspective?
The
first thing I'd do would be to call all the former
California Governors for advice. I've already gotten
some words of wisdom from Jerry Brown (current Mayor
of Oakland and former Governor) regarding my campaign.
From an administrative perspective, I would begin
to cut the fat at the top. California has many commissions
- these are the bloated ticks of state government.
They are filled with people appointed by the Governor
as political pay back for campaign favors, etc. The
commissioners are highly paid and do nothing. I'd
go after them first.
Ok,
if you didn't get in, and one of the others did, do
you prefer Arnie, Abner or someone else? - why?
I
would love for another citizen candidate to get in.
I don't like any of the big name candidates. They
are all loathsome creatures in my opinion and will
be terrible for the state. I won't endorse any particular
citizen candidate, but there are at least thirty or
so I'd be okay with. There are so many bright, creative
and concerned people running - I hope the general
public takes some of them seriously.
When
your not running in political circles, what keeps
you busy?
Recently
I've started directing short films. My vocation is
working in visual effects for big budget Hollywood
films, where I'm a small cog in the machine. So in
my spare time, I enjoy being the main creative person
on small, personal films.
What
are you most well known for?
That's
a good question. I have no idea. I wish I knew.
What
would you like to be known for?
Ultimately,
I'd like to be known as a multi-faceted person who
was able to accomplish a lot in disparate fields.
Right now, I'm working on having a positive impact
on state policy.
What
are the highlights of your motion picture career?
I've
worked on the visual effects for a multitude of movies
including; The Haunting, Cast Away, Hollow Man, Cats
and Dogs, Evolution, Blade II, Men in Black II, The
Santa Clause II, Tears of the Sun, T3, Timeline and
right now I'm part of the effects crew on a picture
called Hidalgo. It comes out in the fall - it looks
good.
How
did you get a break in the movie business?
I
was working in video post production and learned enough
to land a job at a small visual effects company in
Berkeley called Tippett Studio. I've since moved on
to work at other facilities.
When
and why did you decide to run for California?
I
decided to run when I heard the politicians raised
the fees at the California State University system
25% and at the University of California system 30%.
This is the sheer folly, because it will kill the
goose that laid the golden egg; affordable, quality
higher education is the fuel of the state's great
economic prosperity. Of course raising the fees also
limits the potential of a generation of young people
who are on the lower ebbs of society.
Why
are so many politicians held in disdain?
Because
they're all about money and personal ambition. That
is exactly the reason why so many civic minded regular
citizens are running in this recall election - they're
sick of being led by cheap criminals in expensive
suits.
Is
your current effort a one off shot, or would you run
again in the future,if need be?
I
would consider running again, sure. But the unique
thing about the recall is the requirements for running
were lessened to let regular people in. A closed political
system was, for the first time, opened just a bit.
Who knows if we'll have this opportunity again.
What
do people who know you well say about Dan Feinstein?
I
don't know, they usually don't talk about me to me.
I wish I knew what they were saying, what have you
heard?
What
other media coverage have you attracted recently,
and in the past?
I've
been interviewed by some local media, talked to some
AP and LA Times reporters. And a journalist at the
Sac Bee, Steven Weintraub, said some nice things about
me. Mostly, the coverage I've gotten is about how
my last name is the same as Dianne Feinstein the senator.
Some assume I'm trying to trick people into thinking
I'm her. This, of course, is not my intent.
Has
the Sac Bee been fair and balanced to all the candidates?
Yes,
as far as I can tell.
What
motivates you?
This
is a good question. What drives me is remembering
the feeling of being a student at San Jose State University,
struggling to put myself through school and then being
hit with a 40% retroactive fee increase. I also remember
when I was laid off by a silicon valley company and
had to survive for six months looking for work. I've
been through some tough times. Thankfully, I was able
to make it and now I have a decent job and I'm doing
well. Because of my experiences, I want to ensure
public policy works to help, not hinder the ordinary
person.
What's
your motto?
"Don't
vote for the name, vote for the ideas." That's
more of a campaign slogan.
What's the best thing about
living in California?
There's
no one best thing about California - we have a great
natural environment, the nice weather, a lot of jobs,
a casual atmosphere. But having lived for a time in
New York City - which is great in a lot of ways too
- I realized how much fresh produce California has.
In other places, the produce is surprisingly bad.
You take it for granted when you're here, but it's
pretty rare everywhere else. No wonder people are
healthier here. This is making me hungry, I think
I'll eat a nectarine....
When
all the buzz has settled down, what will you do to
relax?
Relax?
What's that? I'll have to work a lot of overtime to
help pay for the $3500. filing fee. Only millionaires
get to relax.
What
else should we know about you?
Maybe
you know too much already. It was never about me personally,
it's really about my ideas - my solutions for the
state's problems.
...end.
Editors
note: An interesting, honest interview! wow. He may
not win, but he has our respect.
Links:
Dan
Feinstein for Governor official website
Dan
Feinstein profile - Los Angeles Times
Media
Man Australia, Greg Tingle, interviews Daniel Weintraub,
Columist, The Sacramento Bee
You
Are Too Far From Reality.com
Hundreds
may enter California governor's race - The Seattle
Times
Encyclopedia
of Fantastic Film and Television
Full
Circle Productions
Telling
big stories in panorama and depth David Kennerly's
formula -- right place, right time - SF Gate
Who
is Dan Feinstein? (courtesy
and full credit to Dan Feinstein for Governor official
website)
While
the name may sound familiar, the ideas probably dont.
Im not running on the name, Im running
on the idea that a real person with common sense should
run our government. The political personalities run
on their name and celebrity, but lack the sense of
what its like for the average person. The question
is, who can best understand the needs and concerns
of an average Californian: a millionaire, a career
politician or another person like yourself?
Some
have asked me, why do think you can be governor? You
have no experience in politics; you have no experience
in Sacramento. Maybe they should ask the professional
politicians about the latest farce of a budget. Ask
why these experienced leaders are laying
off teachers. And ask why the men with the perfect
political resumes let the lights go out all over the
state.
Maybe
its time for an honest citizen governor
one with less of this professional experience.
Let
me tell you where I do have experience. My experience
is being a second generation Californian; I was born
here, went to public school and State University here,
lived and worked in the northern and southern parts
of the state both good neighborhoods and bad.
Im not a millionaire businessman, professional
politician or a famous movie star. Im like you.
And like you, Im enraged at what the politicians,
cut off from the people, have done to our state.
Some
facts about me:
Birthplace:
Pomona, California
Age: 40
Degree: BA, San Jose State University
Occupation: Visual effects artist for the motion picture
industry
Volunteer
work:
In the 1980s, volunteered for various community and
educational video projects and helped provide community
training and greater access to media production. Presidents
Award from De Anza College for this work. Also award
from City of Cupertino.
In
the 1990s, worked with a student group challenging
fee hikes at the CSU system; lobbied elected officials,
helped design and carry out media campaigns and awareness
building activities. Worked with anti police brutality
group in San Jose. This lobbying and community advocacy
eventually led to the appointment of an independent
auditor to handle police brutality complaints for
the city.
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