Columns / Short Stories Shep was always writing. . .
1996
Remembrance of Things Past Age of Videography
by:
Jean Shepherd
Videography, a magazine for the professional video production industry, was founded in April 1976, and in the 1996 commemorative issue featured possibly the last short story published by Shep called "Remebrance of Things Past"
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Brian McKernan commissioned and edited what he believes may be the last published article written by Jean Shepherd. He was the editor of Videography from 1987 to 1999.
Here's his story:
Videography, a magazine for the professional video production industry, had been founded in April 1976, and in 1996 I convinced my boss, Paul Gallo (President of what was then known as Miller Freeman PSN, a trade publisher of such titles as Pro Sound News, EQ, Television Broadcast, and Videography, among others) that we should publish a special commemorative book to mark the magazine's twentieth anniversary.
Paul not only gave me the green light, he enthusiastically increased the budget so we could publish a high-class edition.
Delighted with the opportunity, I asked select writer friends to create chapters on various topics appropriate to their areas of expertise (immersive entertainment, education, video history, etc.).
One writer I didn't know, but had idolized ever since discovering him on my tiny Panasonic transistor radio one cold winter night in the Bronx in 1965 was Jean Shepherd. Fast forward 31 years, and I recalled reading somewhere that he was retired and living on Sanibel Island FL. I called directory assistance for that area, but found no listing for him. Then I got the bright idea to ask for a number for Leigh Brown, and BINGO! I found them. I spoke to Ms. Brown by phone (she couldn't have been nicer), made my request, and she asked me to send a letter for Shep reiterating my request.
A couple of weeks later, there it was, in the mail: a type-written essay titled "Remembrance of Things Past," written by Shep himself and autographed to me at its conclusion! I treasure it to this day. Needless to say, it was published in "The Age of Videography" I even drew a cartoon to accompany the essay, which I feel, is one of Shep's best. I suspect it may also be his last published work. If anyone knows for certain -- one way or the other--please contact me at: brian.mckernan2@verizon.net
Additional Comments:
Videography, a magazine for the professional video production industry, was founded in April 1976, and in the 1996 commemorative issue featured possibly the last short story published by Shep called "Remebrance of Things Past"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian McKernan commissioned and edited what he believes may be the last published article written by Jean Shepherd. He was the editor of Videography from 1987 to 1999.
Here's his story:
Videography, a magazine for the professional video production industry, had been founded in April 1976, and in 1996 I convinced my boss, Paul Gallo (President of what was then known as Miller Freeman PSN, a trade publisher of such titles as Pro Sound News, EQ, Television Broadcast, and Videography, among others) that we should publish a special commemorative book to mark the magazine's twentieth anniversary.
Paul not only gave me the green light, he enthusiastically increased the budget so we could publish a high-class edition.
Delighted with the opportunity, I asked select writer friends to create chapters on various topics appropriate to their areas of expertise (immersive entertainment, education, video history, etc.).
One writer I didn't know, but had idolized ever since discovering him on my tiny Panasonic transistor radio one cold winter night in the Bronx in 1965 was Jean Shepherd. Fast forward 31 years, and I recalled reading somewhere that he was retired and living on Sanibel Island FL. I called directory assistance for that area, but found no listing for him. Then I got the bright idea to ask for a number for Leigh Brown, and BINGO! I found them. I spoke to Ms. Brown by phone (she couldn't have been nicer), made my request, and she asked me to send a letter for Shep reiterating my request.
A couple of weeks later, there it was, in the mail: a type-written essay titled "Remembrance of Things Past," written by Shep himself and autographed to me at its conclusion! I treasure it to this day. Needless to say, it was published in "The Age of Videography" I even drew a cartoon to accompany the essay, which I feel, is one of Shep's best. I suspect it may also be his last published work. If anyone knows for certain -- one way or the other--please contact me at: brian.mckernan2@verizon.net
Copyright: 1996 Miller Freeman PSN, Inc
JEAN SHEPHERD is a multitalented author and performer whose career spans radio, television, magazines, books, personal appearances, and motion pictures. A native of Indiana, he moved to New York as a founding writer of The Village Voice and later gained a reputation as a gifted monologist during his many years on WOR radio. He also appeared off-Broadway, in one-man shows, and in single performances as a stand-up humorist. His TV series Shepherd's Pie and Jean Shepherd's America were widely syndicated on PBS, as were the movies made from his original full-length screenplays The Phantom of the Open Hearth, The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters, and The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski. He also wrote the screenplay for, and appears in, Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss, an original Disney Channel movie. His theatrical feature A Christmas Story has become a perennially favorite holiday film. Shepherd is also the author of six books and the winner of numerous awards for his print, theater, and television work.
