The Essence and Spirit of Notable Filmmaker & Storyteller, Richard Newman

Life happens when you’re making other plans….

Paul Strauch, a friend of mine, and a celebrated longboard surfer in the 1960s, called me one morning, and told me to expect a call from Filmmaker, Richard Newman in a day or so.

He said that Richard lives in Pacific Grove, CA., and is the Filmmaker and Director of “Addicted to Joy,” an historical documentary film about the evolution of  Surfing and Surf Culture.  

Well,  a couple days later, Richard did call. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk about, so I just listened.

His words were  full of joy, and appreciation, as he told me about his interviews with the remarkable men and women that pioneered Surfing’s Colorful Heritage.

He said, “They were honest, passionate, and shared their heartfelt feelings with me about surfing’s history in Hawaii and California.”

The legendary surfer and shaper, Billy Hamilton, (Laird Hamilton’s father), told me, “Back then, we were looked at as bums. 

 We were just too free – we had a license to fly, and that we did.”  And celebrated Australian surfer and shaper, Wayne Lynch, emphasized, “We should honor that culture, and honor that history.”

Joyce Hoffman was surfing with the boys, when the girls were sitting on the beach. She said, “I wanted to be the best that I could be.” Well, she was, and

is often regarded as the first female international surfing star, and was one of the first inductees into the International Surfing Hall of Fame.

Gerry Lopez, AKA,  “Mr. Pipeline said, “For me, it was always about the wave. You need to respect the energy in the wave. If you disrespect the wave, you get spanked – hard and quickly!”

Richard was very convincing, and insisted that he should drive down to Newport Beach so he could show me his film, and see what I thought.

I gave in and said, “Let’s do it,” so we agreed upon a day and time to meet, get better acquainted, and watch his new documentary film. And that, we did.

Before we go any further, I want to take you back several years, and tell you a few stories about this fascinating and energetic young man….

The year was 1979, and the beginning of the digital revolution, so it was a good time for Richard to apply all of his skills as an image creator,

editor, and musician with his new job as an Assistant Engineer at the ‘Hit Factory’ in New York City. His title of Assistant Engineer, was misleading

because, he said, I was really a “Gofer.” But that “Gofer” would often work 100 to 120 hours a week. Obviously, that was time well spent, because he

learned how to skillfully reproduce and manipulate the equalization and electronic effects of sound.   The aptitude, and techniques

of the Sound Engineer are essential to capturing the sounds and the mood of a memorable melody.

The talent and artistry that Richard acquired and honed at the “The Hit Factory” provided him with skills that he would utilize throughout his career.

He said, “You learn, and take away something valuable from every job you’ve ever had. Think about words like ‘responsibility,’  ‘taking direction,’ 

‘good communication,’ ‘a new skill,’ ‘a positive attitude,’ and ‘confidence.’

When you look back on all the different paying or non-paying jobs you’ve had during your life, you’ll appreciate what I’m talking about.

And by the way,  that job Richard refers to as a glorified ‘Gofer,’ at ‘The Hit Factory,’ Well, that job provided an opportunity for him to work with luminaries

like John Lennon, Keith Richard, Mick Jagger, Hall & Oates, and many other celebrities. Not bad for a ‘Gofer,’ excuse me, I meant, Sound Engineer.

Gerry Lopez, AKA,  “Mr. Pipeline said, “For me, it was always about the wave. You need to respect the energy in the wave. If you disrespect the wave, you get spanked – hard and quickly!”

Richard was very convincing, and insisted that he should drive down to Newport Beach so he could show me his film, and see what I thought.

I gave in and said, “Let’s do it,” so we agreed upon a day and time to meet, get better acquainted, and watch his new documentary film. And that, we did.

All the Big Stars are in Hollywood, so Richard goes West to find Fame and Fortune. OK, maybe just a good job….

Richard’s finding his footing in Los Angeles, and fortunately found an interesting opportunity at Canyon Recorders, a company that supplied consultation

and equipment to film and recording studios.  His skills as a Technical Consultant led to some very exciting opportunities. Opportunities like,

the 51st Academy Awards, providing his technical skills for Barbara Streisand’s new album, “Yentl,” the soundtrack for the film of the same name, which was 

produced by Streisand, the genius of Marilyn and Alan Bergman, and arranged and conducted by multiple Academy Award winner, Michael LeGrand.

Way to go, Richard!

Over the next 20 years, Richard produced and directed 4 full length videos, including the documentation of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, 

and surrounding cleanup.  

He was thrilled when he was asked to provide his sound engineering skills for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA.  He’s also proud of the 

work that he did with Rod Dresser and the Ansel Adams Trust in Carmel, CA. 

And in 2010, he released “Big Sur,” along with the noted National Geographic photographer, Eddie Soloway.  

It seems to me that Richard made the right decision to move to Los Angeles. 

Learn more about Addicted To Joy

The year was 2013, and it was time to Produce and Direct Films, Music Videos, and other Projects Independently….

Richard Newman is a “Storyteller,” a “Raconteur.” And he was ready now, to combine his skills as an Image Creator, Author, Editor,  Musician, and

Storyteller, to develop and share the stories that he loves.  A year later in 2014, a series of events presented Richard with an opportunity to tell an historical

and captivating story. A story that needed to be told, and is an indispensable asset of American Culture. A story about the evolution and preservation of 

surfing and surf culture, dating back to the 12th Century Polynesians – A story for all cultures and every generation, and is titled “Addicted to Joy.”

For the last 3 years, Richard and I have collaborated on a remake of  “Addicted to Joy,” and the response has been very rewarding.

You might say that we are ‘mentoring’ the history of surfing and surf culture.

Richard Newman is a principled, sensitive, and genuine artist.

And not a bad guy to hang with.