ABOUT US

"The Origin of Banzai! Entertainment"
My journaling about the beginning of "Dog Nights" goes back to prejournal days, so forgive me if the details are not completely accurate as I have to rely solely on memory.

The story of Banzai! Entertainment came from DB Cooper a man I met in 1998 while flying to the SXSW film festival in Austin. We struck up a conversation on the plane and he asked me why I was going to Austin. I discussed my love for film and my desire to one day be behind the scenes coordinating the production of a feature length narrative (and that I had started a small company to do just this). At this point he told me his love for movies. We talked about movies and why we liked them, what made them work, and why we kept going back. DB was as crazy, and wild as any person I've met. Sharing stories with the whole plane. At one point he stood up and made an announcement to the other passengers on the plane.

"Anyone who has the oldest penny in their wallet or purse I will give $1000.00" At first the stewardesses where completely dumbstruck. After a few minutes they got on the intercom and assisted DB in collecting pennies from all over the plane. They announced each lowest year as it came up. I was in awe of how this man energized the whole plane. After a minute I pulled my wallet out and fingered through my change. 1957! I was the earliest. Just like Bingo. My stand lasted for about 45 seconds. Then, I think, 1952 showed up and my hopes were lost. When it became clear that 52 wasn't going to get beat DB opened his wallet and counted out 10 crisp 100 bills and handed them over. My memory says it was a beautiful young undergrad who bested me, though in reality I don't have a clue.

After handing over the money DB did one other amazing thing. He got all of the passengers to do the wave from front to back of the airplane. We all laughed an talked the remaining 45 minutes of the flight. I have met only one other person who is as bold as DB-he's a friend of mine Danny Rosin.
When we shook hands goodbye in the concourse we exchanged Business Cards and promised to stay in touch.

A week after the festival I was back home doing real world stuff when I received a letter with my name typed out on it from an old type writer. Enclosed I found a check for $75,000 written out to my company "Banzai! Entertainment" and a short typed note.

Donald,

I am writing to let you know that early last week that DB, my husband of 30
years, died in a freak accident while touring the inside of a sugar factory.
He spoke of having met you and the dreams you shared with him. I must say DB
was never a dreamer. There were never any barriers in his life to
accomplishing the things he wanted to…his dreams were reality. One of his
dreams was to give his special gift of doing to those who dreamed. He was
what many people dreamed to be. Prior to his death he had written the
enclosed check out to you. Taped to the check were two fortune cookie
fortunes which I've enclosed. I do not know what he intended to convey to
you. He was a mystery to many people who met him and I think he died in the
gallant fashion in which he lived.

Sincerely,

Linda Cooper

Enclosed was a check for $75,000 and two fortunes.

"Where fortune takes you" luck number (879)

and the other

"what do women want." Lucky number 6362

In dirty hand writing was "Le Mort Artur".

-DW

What is Banzai!
I don't really know what banzai means any more. At first I thought it was a Japanese war cry which roughly translated into "may you live 10,000 years!" My partner in arms believes that is some sort of strange Japanese mating and betting ritual between old men. When I look it up on the web it says it's a
Japanese war cry or cry of celebration…you can email Erik directly and ask him where he got all that other crazy stuff.*

Literally, banzai means ten thousand years (of life). People cry out banzai in happy occasions to express their happiness. Or they shout banzai wishing long life of the people who are being congratulated. The following are a couple examples of how people banzai in Japan:

· I'm so happy! Banzai!!
· Yes, I passed the exam! Banzai!!
· Let's banzai together three times to celebrate Mr. Morioka's 60th birthday! Banzai! Banzai! Banzaaaaai! -DW

*I got this definition from a website for a British TV show (http://www.banzaitv.com/), and I think they made it up. But I like the idea that Banzai! is a game of chance to combat some sort of ancient Boredom.