Q&A with Producer of LOCKDOWN: Bob Messinger

Bob Messinger’s film, LOCKDOWN: The emotional impact of Covid-19 and Quarantine, premieres Wednesday on the REEL Recovery Film Channel. Click here to register for FREE TICKETS. Bob Messinger has studied screenwriting under some of the brightest writers in both New York and L.A. His scripts have placed in competitions such as Francis Ford Coppola’s 2006 American Zoetrope Contest (Semi-Finalist), the 2012 ENDAS International Screenwriting Expo (Best Script), the 2011 Garden State Film Festival competition (Finalist), and eleven of his scripts have been winners in the Indie Gathering International Screenwriting Competition (2012-2020). His first production, “Dongmei” may be seen on Amazon Prime and “Over the Line” is currently finishing its festival run. Bob was inducted into the Indie Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I grew up in suburban Philadelphia

Q.  From what school or teacher did you learn the most?
A. Vinnie LaBarbera was my journalism advisor in college. I learned the importance of ethical storytelling from him.

Q.  If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?
A.  I’d probably split it between St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and NAMI.

Q. Do you have any children?
A. Yes, one daughter with bipolar disorder.

Q. Have you started any new projects because of the quarantine?
A. I have written several new scripts, and I produced my documentary “LOCKDOWN: The Emotional Impact of COVID–19 and Quarantine” entirely while in quarantine.

Q. If you ever retire would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop or penthouse?
A. The ocean, without a doubt, but a quiet lake would be my second choice. Both are great for creativity.

Q. What is your favorite hotel or resort?
A. I love to relax on Delaware’s beaches.

Q. What is your biggest or littlest pet peeve?
A. Hate when people whistle or have phone conversations on public transportation.

Q. Who has had the biggest influence on you throughout your life?
A. In my personal life, my friend Albert, who died of AIDS when he was in his early thirties, and who was the epitome of tolerance.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be? (choose 4 if you think one might be too drunk or stoned to attend.)
A. Tennessee Williams, Franz Kafka, Hermann Hesse.

Q. What books are you reading now?
A. Fear

Q. What is your FAVORITE Radio show, news show, podcast?
A. I miss the old “Prairie Home Companion” radio show.

Q. What is your FAVORITE APP?
A. I think GPS is the most-amazing app invented!

Q. Are you bingeing on any TV series? If so which ones.?
A. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?
A. Casablanca

Q. Who is your FAVORITE Director?
A. Quentin Tarantino

Q. What is your FAVORITE Band/composer/musical artist?
A. Bruce Springsteen

Q. What is your FAVORITE City?
A. Paris

Q. What is your FAVORITE Museum?
A. The Louvre

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. Don’t expect something from anyone who is unable to give it.

Q. What is the best piece of advice YOU’VE given?
A. Don’t expect something from anyone who is unable to give it.

Q. What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
A. Opened a business right before the Great Recession of 2008.

Q. What is your biggest regret?
A. Opening a business right before the Great Recession of 2008.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?
A. No.

Q. What is the proudest moment in your life?
A. Winning my first screenwriting award.

Q. What is your favorite Weekly News Bulletin?
A. CBS Sunday Morning.