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Still ahead, lots of great conversation in the second hour.
We're here with you until 11.
And I thought, what better way to have a just a, we're talking all things entertainment.
And I think we're going to talk about how entertainment informs.
the wider public, you know, how how we how we turn maybe to whether it's comedians, artists, creators, what they are doing to impact our basic experience in this world.
But I wanted to bring on a friend and someone who's in the world of entertainment in the world of performance writer, director, actor, comedian, host of Nightlight here on Civic Media.
Mr. Pete Schwabba is our guest this morning.
Good morning, Pete.
How are you doing today?
Good morning, Greg.
How are you?
I'm doing great.
Thanks.
Great.
Excellent.
Wonderful.
Now you are the host of Nightlight.
It's on from five to eight every every Monday through Friday here on the Civic Media Network.
And it's like what you guys talk about.
It's like we talk about a lot of things going on and an entertainment.
But I think the great thing I love about it is that it's not just like entertainment tonight where it's a surfacing view of it.
You're talking to directors, writers, actors, producers, authors.
And you are almost all of those things yourself.
You are a performer.
You are a writer and you know What is like what is your history in that like it was far as like project you worked on while you're here in Wisconsin again I know you've talked about this before but I want people to get to know who you are.
So a little
history
on mr. Peach Waba
Yeah, I started doing stand-up comedy when I was 20 years old.
I was at the Paul University became a touring comedian and
Back then, you know, you're a comedian too.
I'm sure you know what this is like, Greg.
But back then, it was during a comedy boom.
And I started working probably before I was ready.
It was the early 90s.
And there was all kinds of TV shows to be on.
And my bar was not like to be famous or whatever.
I just wanted to be on Evening at the Improv.
I don't know if
you remember that show yet.
Oh, yeah.
I remember sitting in our family room in Marinette, Wisconsin, and they used to do these little vignettes outside the club in between sets.
And one, it was Rick Overton, Robin Williams, and a couple other guys hanging out talking, and they would film that for like a minute.
And they're laughing, and it's out on Melrose Street.
And I was like, man, how great would that be just to be one of those guys?
I started doing stand-up comedy and had a pretty good run.
I was only a comedian for like eight years, but got on TV a bunch and toured and it was I had a ball in my 20s and It got to be on evening at the improv.
It was one of the last shows that they recorded Pete Schwab cancel
evening at the improv
Welcome to the circling the drain episode of evening at the improv.
It was like there was like 16 people in the audience.
Oh
It wasn't even at Melrose.
It was like at the Santa Monica Improv and Twiggy was the host.
So that was kind of cool.
But like, it was just, it was bad.
But anyway, that was my goal.
I did it and it was really fun.
And then I segued into writing and got lucky and sold some stuff and only one of, you know, they were movie scripts and only one got made called a guy thing.
So I don't know if the others will ever get made or not, but
you know,
it was, it was interesting.
And then I've done some hosting.
After about 14 years in LA my wife and I just decided you know I was working on this show called sports soup and it was a blast I got to sit in a room with like these other funny people and watch sports and write jokes and it lasted for I think a little over two years and when that cancelled we're like you know I can write movies from Wisconsin my kids are you know still in grade school and my wife and I have this situation where both of our parents lived in Marinette
because we're both transplants and we met, you know, after college and that and we're like, let's do it.
You know, we love going back there at Christmas in the summer.
So we just kind of rolled the dice and went to Marinette, Wisconsin.
And since I've been here, I'm still writing and occasionally doing stand up, trying to put projects together and working at civic media with you, dude.
And it's awesome.
What is it like to be in LA from Marinette, meet somebody, a woman and you're like,
I'm from Marinette and she says me too.
What happens in that moment?
What kind of spark goes off?
You're like, I at the very least need to get to know you better because that is in LA almost an impossible gamble.
Okay, so I hope I didn't mislead you, Greg.
My wife was a transplant from Marinette.
She lived in Marinette, not LA.
Oh,
yeah.
Sorry.
Yeah.
No, I
love story is destroyed.
So
the odds are like slim to none.
But you know, everyone I met in LA was great wherever they were.
There's a lot of transplants and there's a lot of people from Wisconsin out there and
Illinois.
So
it was fun.
It was a blast.
I remember hearing somebody a friend of mine who lives out there and she said, Yeah, all your friends who move here, they always end up getting
I'm like, why is that because you guys have a work ethic that they a lot of people here in California do not have.
You
have a
very Midwestern wake up.
Get the work done.
You're done with work, but like it's we don't see it as a it's not a negotiation and we don't think well, I showed up.
Should I get paid?
No, you got to actually do something.
So
I thought
that was very interesting and a very big pat on the back for Wisconsin.
But speaking about film, it's still a few weeks away.
The Oscars are coming up.
Are you the type of person who you want to watch at least the major Oscar films before viewing the awards ceremonies?
Or are you just like, I'll watch the ones I like and we'll go from there.
But how invested are you in the Oscars as a thing?
You know, it's interesting.
I would say about 10 years ago, Greg, I really got into the Oscars.
Really?
Yeah, because, I mean, I've always watched, I've gone to parties and stuff like that.
It was like the Super Bowl.
It's fun to watch with a group, you talk during the commercials, and it's a fun event.
But I like it now, whether I'm at a party or not, just because I've really, like, I've been in show business my whole adult life, but I really see the importance now of it even more in awards shows and people go, oh, awards.
Yeah, I know, it's hard to pick the best film, but I think anything that celebrates
the entertainment industry.
I've become a huge entertainment industry geek and I think it's so important and it brings people together much like sports and that's why I wanted to do a show like Nightlight because movies bring us together, TV shows, music, comedy.
It's all a collective experience and so yeah, I've really gotten into it.
I try to see all the films that are at least nominated for Best Picture and I really get into it.
we'll talk about Beck's best picture in a moment, but I want to ask a question based on what you just said.
So what is something, you know, when we look at the awards ceremonies, we see glitz glamour, we see cynicism towards the process itself.
When it comes to the entertainment industry, and I'll keep it to like TV and movies, what are the things that you feel should be celebrated more that we as regular folk don't see that would, you know, be exciting?
You know that's interesting I would say the craft and the art of it more than the celebrity angle of it or you know I think like whereas reality TV is all about the players who are these people there's no I mean there's a loose plots that they're basically written but writers don't get credit it's all producers trying to do this I want people I would love to see people get more invested in story
and the art and craft of TV or filmmaking or what it takes to make great music like when you think about someone who I know people who have written great songs but when you go into a recording studio and you see what a producer can do
To to the composition of it and to the arrangement of a song and take it to the next level like I don't think people really know what goes into that You know when it comes to sports for example We see these training videos and behind the scenes and all that I would love to see more of that for entertainment because frankly You know and I've you've got kids Greg when we put our kids in school.
It's well the lessons of sports Do all this and you know
The same stuff happens when you're in a play or a band.
You
work together and it's it's striving toward a goal.
So I would love to see that kind of more of a deep dive into the arts.
First of all, a point of order.
I do not have children.
Oh, I'm a dog and she's lovely.
But no, no, I think I thought your dog was one.
I'm sorry, Greg.
She's my daughter.
I mean, but I understand the point you're making because I have friends who have kids and I understand what they go through.
I listen to what they go through on a daily basis.
you know, I think, you know, if you listen to maybe the right interviews or the right podcast, you can get an understanding to that because you listen to directors and producers and actors and writers talk about these films that come out.
And yeah, you may, you know, you may see the Super Bowl commercial in February and you may go see the movie in June.
And then it's over for them for you.
But
it's been a full time gig pursuing the creation of this project.
And I think something you speak to Pete.
That's very important to talk about is the fraternity, the family of it all to surround yourself with people who can help foster the idea who can offer and to.
the idea of foster a. Add suggestions really make it a community of putting out that best.
Piece of art possible.
I think that's something that yeah, I think you're right.
I don't think people truly understand.
They see high price dresses.
They see awards.
They see big, you know, like they made $20 million on this movie, but a lot of these folks are like, Yeah, I also spend.
I think you're right.
I think you're absolutely right.
And I want to come back after the break.
I want to talk about what you've been involved with as far as projects.
Recently, things you want to create things you've created.
You're trying to get off the ground because you are still you are a writer.
You are producer.
You're trying to get your projects out there and also with.
I don't know the official term, but there is now the ability to get tax credits here in Wisconsin to make movies in Wisconsin, and I think that will change the landscape for artists here in the state.
But we're going to talk more about that with Pete when we come back really quick before we go to the break.
Uh, as far as best pictures.
Who do you think is the front runner?
Who do you want to win?
Or maybe it's like who do you want to win?
Who do you know will win?
Boy that's a great question.
I and I've we've talked about this quite a bit on nightlight.
I think My favorite film was one battle after another.
I
thought
it had everything.
I love it I loved sinners too.
I liked one battle a little more I kind of want sinners to win the Oscar because Did you see it?
I've not seen centers yet.
I have to put myself in a place to do that because it's a scary movie and I'm a weighty cat
There are some moments where you jump, but it's got everything music costumes acting script.
It's different It's it's just one of those movies that you smell like you could see
you
could put yourself in the world And I don't think so I would love it if that one best picture because
I
think it's very deserving, but honestly I
there's so many good films this year and one battle after another is outstanding.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's I've got to say, I'm going to see before the Oscars.
It's just when it comes to movies that are ticking up towards three hours.
I'm like, all right, I got to make sure I have a Sunday afternoon.
I've got nothing else to do.
Put my phone down.
Pay attention because I think that's important to the arts.
As you said, this is a piece of art and I don't want to sit there scrolling on my phone going.
Oh, there's guns now.
Okay, cool.
Leonardo DiCaprio.
Oh, I gotta make
a phone
call.
I'll be right back.
Pause it.
I gotta go to the bathroom.
Come back.
You know, I like, for those films, I feel like you need to give attention.
and I'm going to do that before the Oscars.
But we're going to talk more about the Oscars, more about Pete Schwab's projects with Pete Schwab.
He's the host of Nightlight here on Civic Media 5 to 8 every Monday through Friday.
Be part of the conversation.
What do you think about the Oscars?
What do you think about Hollywood?
What do you think about entertainment?
Who do you go for your information?
Is it comedians and why is that maybe a problem?
But more coming up after the break.
Don't go anywhere.
Stay tuned.
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close.
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Welcome, welcome back to Civic Media, mid mornings here on the Civic Media Radio Network.
My name is Greg Bach, your host, your buddy, your pal, your believer in all things you're wanting to do, whether it's woodworking,
painting, fixing a car.
I believe in your dreams.
You're with us this morning.
We're here with you until 11.
You can be part of the conversation.
855-752-4842.
855-755 Civic.
Leave a comment on the live stream.
We are streaming on Facebook, YouTube, and the platform.
We still call Twitter.
I'm coming to you live from Radio Park here in Racine.
Dom is coming to you from Madison and our guest, Pete Schwabba, from the Mecca of Metropolitan's Marinette, Wisconsin.
Mr. Pete Schwabba is the host of Nightlight here on Civic Media 5 to 8 every night here.
Welcome back.
So Pete, we were
talking about the
Oscars.
We were talking about your thoughts on the best pictures.
And you said that, you know, it's going to be a, it's going to be a one battle at after another for these movies.
Exactly.
Exactly.
And I, I agree with you as far as sinners goes.
I want sinners to win everything just because I want them to walk away and be like, take that variety, take that Hollywood.
And, uh, yeah.
So that's where I'm at right now.
I'm not as invested.
I'm glad Conan is back because I think only Conan should host the Oscars from now on.
Oh, yeah.
But do you have any other thoughts on the Oscars as far as like, you know, do you think there might be an upset?
Do you think there might be something going on there?
Like, you know, it could easily be one of those two movies, but don't count this film out because there's good stuff every year.
You know, I've only seen half of them.
I've got quite a few films to see before the, uh, the event, but like I loved.
this isn't going to win and there's kind of a bias right now against Netflix which is sort of deserved but like I really liked train dreams just a movie about a guy's life and it was really solid.
One upset I could see Greg is at first of all let me say that Sinners and
One battle after another.
I love that they're not franchises.
I love that they're not superhero films Those films don't get made as much as they used to and certainly not comedies So and both of those have funny elements, but they're not comedies But I mean those kind of movies in general aren't really being churned out by studios anymore, which is to me is depressing but
One upset I could see, and I hope it happens, even
though I
haven't seen Hamlet yet, Jesse Buckley is considered the front runner.
It's basically considered a slam dunk for her to win Best Actress.
But in Song Song Blue, Kate Hudson is nominated.
She was so good as Claire Sardina.
She and Hugh Jackman played the Sardinas, Milwaukee couple that founded the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning and Thunder.
Hugh Grant, or Hugh Grant, Hugh Jackman
is good.
But he's Hugh Jackman.
He's like put a wig on and he's playing this role.
Kate Hudson like kind of disappears into the role of Claire and she is just outstanding.
So I would love to see her win.
I love Kate Hudson.
I love this story.
I remember growing up with this group in my life and then all of a sudden one day saying they're making a movie about them and it just really I would love to I would I would love to see I would love to see that.
I mean I love Kate Hudson.
I feel like she is somebody who
Uh, personally, like she came on really big back in like the early 2000s.
She was kind of an America's much like her mother,
you know, and
her mother, an Oscar winner.
Uh, and like a lot of actors, you know, they'll, they'll have ebbs and flows, but I feel like this is a big point for her, you know, Oscar nomination.
If she wins, this is a new avenue for her life.
Um, but yeah, I think that, I think that would be great.
I'd love to see the upsides, especially the movies.
Fine.
But like, I love to see when it's the actors who are nominated the upsets because.
That to me says those people who are voting Vote maybe with their conscience versus what they thought was popular and I think going back to what you said before as far as you know Movies not being a franchise or a comic book movie which honestly like a lot of those movies don't get nominated anyways But those are the ones that always get the attention But I think the fact that there are two films that have original material in it that are being so heavily favored to as great films of 2025.
I think that speaks volumes of where
these where these film companies can go in the future with what they
create.
Boy, that would be something.
I would love to see that because you've got so many, you know, I mean, I've got not to sound arrogant or anything.
I've got scripts sitting on the shelves that will never get made that are people were crazy about when we sold them.
I'm like why aren't those getting and I'm one guy like the shelves in Hollywood are filled with these movies, but they're making another Transformers or they're making another Avengers or whatever it is and those movies are great.
I got nothing against those movies But yeah, there are so many stories out there.
I don't think frankly a lot of people in studio executive positions know
what a great movie is or have a producer they can trust to say I got to make this like a Harold Ramis or the Fairly Brothers or whomever.
So it'll be interesting to see if this does affect things.
I also want to say Michael B. Jordan was great.
When I first heard
He was playing two characters.
I'm like, come on.
This is like an Eddie Murphy or Robin Williams thing, like where they want to show how.
No,
he was great.
He played twin brothers, smoke and stack.
And the movie is just so stylistic.
I love it.
So if he won Best Actor and Kate Hudson won Best Actress, that would be pretty cool.
That would be, that would be, I have a feeling that, I have a good feeling that Michael B. Jordan might win.
I just feel like it's, and honestly, if not this time,
He will win one day.
Yeah.
And same with, I mean, whatever Ryan Coogler walks away with, this is just, I mean, he's been around for a while and his movies are fantastic.
And he has such a deep love and I say personal stance to the process of making art along with he and his wife are production partners that, you know, he's going to be one of those gentlemen who for the next 25, 30 years is going to dominate because he will make good projects.
Cause he, I feel like he will make nothing less.
He, he's not going to make.
A bunch of movies are going to say like, you know, that like Stanley Kubrick thing of like, you only come out with a movie every once in a while, but every time it comes out, you have to see it because it's a Ryan Coogler movie and it's amazing.
But I think that this is the beginning for what will be Ryan Coogler's domination of Hollywood.
Yeah.
And it's hard to say like you got Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson, neither one of them have ever won a Best Directing Oscar, I believe.
So they're both deserving.
We'll
see
what happens.
It should be fun.
Speaking of projects.
Scripts on the on the shelf.
We're gonna talk more about the things that Pete Schwab is working on because he is He is a writer.
He is a director He does all the things behind the screen behind the camera and in front of the camera including hosting nightlight from 5 to 8 every night here and civic media But don't go anywhere.
We're gonna talk more with Pete about movies and movie festivals here on civic media mid mornings Don't go anywhere.
Stay tuned.
Stay close
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We are talking to my colleague and my friend.
you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know
That you are looking forward to maybe putting into production or looking to find interest in creating
I may have mislead you Greg.
I just write letters.
I keep up on my correspondence No, pardon me, I have a I've got projects in development, but it's funny like when you host a radio show where you talk about entertainment every night I sort of am like, you know, this is
easier than writing.
It's a lot of work building a show and putting a show together every night, but when you, writing is tedious.
And
right now.
It's lonely too.
It's lonely.
especially when you write movies.
So it's interesting, my son has become a writer and we're trying to do a project this summer, a feature film that we hope to enlist or utilize the incentives that have recently passed.
But yeah, all I can do is at this point with some of the projects I have that I'm trying to see through, there's an independent film, there's a half hour sitcom.
make phone calls.
Where are we at?
What's happening?
Like the
writing is done.
You know what I
mean?
Like,
um, and I'm kind of at the point where do I want to start a new script when I've got other things that I'm still trying to push along in the development stage.
So, um, like I said, writing is, is, and, you know, you're a comedian and I'm, it's, it's tedious.
It's, and
it's
like a math equation.
Um, and I'm not particularly good at math.
So.
I mean, it's a long haul too.
And you know, the writing is fun.
But then when you have to get into the grind of the business, that can be daunting.
And you're up against thousands of other people pushing tens of thousands of other ideas.
And I understand why sometimes you might say, you know what?
I'd rather watch a movie and talk about it on the show than do another pass on this on this script.
And I think, you know, that's something too is like the process of it all for you.
You know, do you have a process?
Do you have an idea?
Or do you sit down on a day and go, I'm writing today.
I'm going to write down every idea.
Nothing's bad.
Everything can be made into something.
Or do you have to find that spark of inspiration?
I think that's what you have to do.
You have to force yourself to do it.
Because it's like leaving the gym.
You never go, oh, I'm really sorry I did that.
It's the same thing with writing.
When you sit down, typically you at least come up with a shred or a germ of something that you like, even
if you
weren't feeling it.
And it's a good exercise.
But it's interesting, like I just mentioned my son, he does these reels on TikTok and Instagram and they're getting millions and all these views and I'm like, he films it, he edits it and he posts it within like two hours and I'm like...
You know, I used to think stand-up was a fast turnaround.
Oh, I thought of a joke while I was at the mall during the day.
I can try this tonight.
But some nights you're not working.
Like, you can take a few days.
Writing, especially screenplays, is such an arduous process.
Like, it can take you...
months or a year to finish a first draft, then you get notes, you go back at it, will it sell?
I don't know.
And you've already put a year's worth of work into it.
And if it sells, will it get made?
I don't know.
Who knows?
You really have to love that medium.
And I look at what kids these days do with the reels.
And some of them are really funny.
And it's like you just get them out there right away.
You have instant feedback, which is desirable.
sometimes the feedback is great.
Sometimes you're like, why am I?
Nobody likes me.
You mentioned before the tax credits that are now in Wisconsin.
For folks who don't know, I shouldn't say understand.
For folks who don't know, certain states in the United States have what's called film registries or film councils where those states, best example is Georgia.
When they opened up theirs, basically Marvel lives in Georgia and Australia.
and it's such a lucrative industry that Pinewood Studios in England, where all the James Bond movies, it's a legendary movie studio.
They have an American store here in Georgia because that's how strong their tax incentive program is.
For a long time, Wisconsin didn't
have that,
but this past year it went through.
Talk more about your thoughts on that and how you as an artist are going to utilize those programs to make this process a little more lucrative, not lucrative, but
financially feasible for you.
I think it's interesting like I still don't 100% understand the Wisconsin incentives.
I'm so glad we have them because you know but I think they're good to have because I think people who are committed to shooting projects in Wisconsin as
am
I
We'll do everything and fight tooth and nail to do them.
I made a film years and years ago called The Godfather of Green Bay.
There were no incentives.
The only incentives we got were favors from people in Marinette or Menominee that just wanted to help.
And that goes a long way.
But like Georgia did it right.
They have a culture now.
Like in Wisconsin, I hope we develop a culture not just to say come here and make your project and you're eligible for 25% of some type of a return Sometimes it's in the form of rebates.
Sometimes it's tax incentives.
I still don't 100% Understand what Wisconsin passed but I will because there's two projects.
I want to shoot here So but I think you have to foster that culture too like I would and kind of what I said earlier Greg I would love to see
More music and theater and film taught at a young age just like these these young football clubs or track or whatever like Get in that same wheelhouse because look it's cold here six months out of the year There's nothing wrong with some good indoor sports like theater or music or whatever Let's jam on this and let's let's instill this in young people in Wisconsin so that the idea of taking away incentive someday
will never happen because I've seen it happen in Michigan.
We were close to shooting a project about eight years ago, and my partner on this project, which we're still trying to get made, lives in Michigan, and they yanked the incentives away.
And the reason is while we need roads and infrastructure, I'm like, that's not...
where that money should come from.
You shouldn't have to take the film and send it.
So in Georgia that won't happen because they've built a solid foundation to keep this going and people go there and now actors are moving to Atlanta
instead
of LA or New York.
They've done it right.
I hope we get that right here in Wisconsin.
It hurt me a few years ago to be looking at Minnesota that has very aggressive incentives.
They have a state incentive of 25%, then they have another 20% if you shoot up in the iron range and you can utilize both of them.
You're not going to get like a full 45% back, but you could do maybe 35% if you work at the system well.
I would love to see Wisconsin do that, but this is a great start.
And I tip my hat to people like Jeffrey Kurz and Nathan Deming and Kirk Krauss and a lot of other people who kind of led the way on this.
And it's a it's a great start.
Nathan Deming is someone we talked to on this show many times.
We talked to it to get us get to know about the incentives.
And I looked it up really quick.
The incentives offer a 30% transferable tax credit on qualifying in state spending for productions.
to make the movie because it's expensive.
And now this offers them the opportunity to create this art.
And I think tying back to something you said earlier with regard to the film industry itself and executives, I think if our politicians who are in Madison have discussions with not just.
not just creators, not just artists, but people from the producers, the people who work with the bottom lines, the budgets, and say, look, if you do these things, we can do these things, and the state can very much generate profit and revenue.
And from an economic standpoint, this makes sense.
And I think what you said regarding getting kids into the arts like a sport, I think is very interesting that we have parents out there.
who will pour all their money into the chance of maybe their kid becoming an NFL or NBA player when those chances are slim.
What's the difference been saying?
I want to put my kid into drama, into acting, invest.
It's slim, but if we put the work in and they have talent, there's no difference to me about taking a kid and putting them in football camp and putting them in theater camp.
If you're doing it and they have the passion, it's the same thing to me and just as legitimate.
I totally agree with you.
And I was one of those kids that played sports, and I was in theater.
And you kind of dabble when you're in high school.
These kids now that say, or they go to just an arts high school, or they go do football camp, that's a great point.
But I will say this, in regard to there's a slim chance.
Where we lived in LA, everybody at our school, at the kids' school,
Probably started out as an actor.
Well, there are so many peripheral jobs around the entertainment business that I don't think people I certainly didn't realize when we moved to LA There's truck drivers and carpenters and set designers and special effects people and caterers and makeup and wardrobe I mean it is a huge industry and so I say go for it try out for a play if you don't get it my daughter is a actor and She's in college.
She
If she didn't get a part, she was painting sets, she was helping out any way she could.
It's just an immersive, it's a great community.
And I think it's the same way for bands too or marching bands, whatever there is in high school.
But I know that in theater, if you get started, there are a lot of different avenues you can take.
Yeah, you're not going to be a famous actor, most likely.
But you might have a great experience and that might lead you to something that makes you a very good living.
Well, and also I look at it from the point of view as a trade, too.
You know, using your daughter as an example, you go out to LA and you say, all right, I'm going to go do some theater, but I'm also going to moonlight doing this.
And you work your way up building trust in a relationship.
Someone says, hey, I know her.
She's great.
Bring her on to do this thing.
And you say yes to the opportunities.
You grind.
You sacrifice.
You have to, if this is what you want to do.
And then also I would say,
there's no rule that says you have to be a famous actor.
There's no rule
that says
you have to be, you know, the Brad Pitt A-list, $20 million.
Is it nice?
If that's what you want, then fine, go for it.
But there are people out there who make a fine living as character actors, doing smaller films, doing commercials.
If acting is what you want to do, then there are ways of doing it out there that allow you the opportunity to make money to live, to grow and create.
But, you know, for me, I mean, at this point in my life, if someone said we could make you into an A-list celebrity, I'd say, no.
No, thank you.
Can I can I make half a million dollars a year doing character work and have a small house?
Perfect.
I'll take it and then you're living your life and living your dream and you're free to do the things you want.
Absolutely, I think it was I think Bill Murray said what's it like or I want to be rich and famous like you and he's like try rich I don't know if you want to be famous and you know, I don't know that I ever wanted to be famous I wanted to be successful Yes, and if fame followed great and I've you know been part of some really cool stuff It's all I could have ever asked for and I you just reach a point where you don't care about that You just want to be able to make a living doing what you like
Yeah.
Speaking about doing what you like, one of the things that you're going to be doing is speaking at a film festival in Dwork County.
We're going to close out the show with Pete Schwabba talking about that.
And yeah, we're going to have a great time.
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Welcome, welcome back to Civic Media, mid mornings here on the Civic Media Radio Network.
My name is Greg Bach.
I am your host, your buddy, your pal, your believer in all things.
you and the world around you.
You are here with us sharing your time, and I appreciate you.
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After the 11 o'clock news, we're going to have Tom Hartman, and it's going to be a great day ahead.
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wherever you are in the world.
And I mean that in the world.
We got text messages from all over the globe.
And my goal is to have someone take the Civic Media app up to the International Space Station and be like, not a fan of your material, Greg, not a fan at all.
I don't care what the criticism is.
If we're up there, we win.
But we're talking to Pete Schwabba, the host of Nightlight.
It's on from five to eight every Monday through Friday here on the network.
And we've been talking about films, projects, all sorts of great things.
The Oscars, we'll be talking more about the Oscars as they approach.
But
Pete, you are going to be hosting a film festival coming up, or giving, I'm sorry, you're doing a keynote speech at a film festival.
Yeah.
Tell us more about that and what goes into doing, having that job versus a host.
This is, all eyes are on you for your thoughts.
Yeah, I have not been asked to do this very often.
I'm giving the keynote speech.
As soon as this interview is over, I'm gonna Google keynote speech and figure out what it is I have to say.
But they asked me, it's the Dork County Film Festival.
And it's just this festival that has grown like gangbusters.
And why not?
Dork County is gorgeous.
Yes.
There's a serious arts culture there.
I'm not surprised at all that these guys, Kurt Krause, Chris Hauer, and Antonio Polk have elevated this festival.
It used to be just shorts.
Now they allow feature films as well.
Now they allow pants.
Right.
Well, those are optional,
which
is
also.
another huge win.
But yeah, Friday night, I'll be giving a speech to help kick off the festival at 5.30 at the Northern Sky Theater.
They got a great venue.
And I'll just talk for a few minutes about independent film.
I've been hosting a show on PBS Wisconsin for years since I moved back here about independent film called Director's Cut, which has kind of gone away.
We still do a couple episodes
a
year.
And I introduced all the POV and independent lens films, but I'm a huge fan of independent film I think it's a necessary part of society and It should be celebrated and anybody who hasn't been to a film festival I cannot encourage you enough to go and be part of that culture The films you see will be great The Q&A's with directors and filmmakers and artists are outstanding I've hosted so many of those over the years and I learned just as much
from them as they do from making a movie, like watching other people in their craft and doing what they love and the results of that is really enriching.
So I encourage people to check out film festivals.
And specifically this weekend, why not the Door County Film Festival?
They've got a great lineup and it's going to be a really good time.
And I think that, you know, someone who I've gone to the Milwaukee Film Festival a few times, I really, really enjoy it.
When we think of festivals, we always think of the big ones, the big stars, the directors, all the money behind it.
But I think that when it comes to these independent film festivals, you see these creators at, of course, a different stage working so hard.
And as you said, if they're picked, there's a reason.
And you may not love it, but I always go in saying what I'm watching is someone's heart and soul on the screen.
and I appreciate and respect that.
And I think that's very important.
And you can transfer this to going to comedy festivals as well, local comedy festivals.
You're seeing folks who are from all over the country driving to this place, usually for free, to be a part
of
this gathering.
And I think that, yes, independent film is important.
I have a deep love for 90s independent film, that grainy.
like, you know, everything from, you know, the slacker clerks era in that 90s time.
But I think that's fantastic, especially highlighting a place like Dork County, because you don't think of Dork County Film Festival.
But as you said, it's grown over the years, and it brings legitimacy to what they're doing as well as the films they are showing.
And it's it grew like they were on the show those three guys I just mentioned Kurt Chris and Antonio were on the show a couple nights ago It started in a coffee house showing short films in a coffee house They can only fit like 30 people and all of a sudden they've got a film festival on their hands You know, it's so it was I like how it came to be
Yeah, that's the way you do it You grow it organically and you do it as we said earlier as a team you do this together and you can create something beautiful
really quick.
Dom, can I get my the tip music up really quick?
I got a handy tip from Greg.
I'm gonna do it on the cuff right here now.
This is your handy tip from Greg.
Seek out independent art, whether it's film, comedy, music, go to the venues, pay the money, pay the money, and appreciate it.
If you're at a standup comedy show, laugh, clap, enjoy, everything else, shut up.
Don't say anything.
We don't want to hear from you.
But
support independent art.
It is in your neighborhood wherever you live.
There's somebody out there strumming a guitar, trying to make a movie, trying to do something to express their artistic soul.
Support that.
You don't have to go every weekend.
You don't have to go every night.
But if you can every once in a while, go to an independent movie, go to a local band that's playing original music, do that.
You are helping so much and you might meet someone great.
That's my handy tip from Greg.
Now more than ever, that's a great tip.
Thank you very much.
See, it's
a Pete Schwabba approved tip.
Back to me.
That's what it's all about, right?
That's what I'm about.
Pete Schwabba has been our guest.
He is my colleague and friend.
I appreciate you being here, Pete.
He's the host of Nightlight Monday through Friday is five to eight here on Civic Media.
I will talk to you very soon, my friend.
You have yourself a good day.
My pleasure, buddy.
Thanks so much, Greg.
Nope.
No problem.
I want to thank everyone who is involved in this show.
I want to thank Tucker.
I want to thank Dom.
I want to thank traffic.
I want to thank engineering without you.
Nothing works.
We are just talking into microphones that are switched off.
I want to thank everyone who called, texted.
left a comment on the live stream without you.
We do not exist.
And I encourage you to come on back tomorrow.
We have a great show for you tomorrow.
We're going to be talking to a reporter from the Wisconsin Examiner about an article regarding ICE in Wisconsin, as well as my friend, Angela Lang from Black Leaders Organizing Communities, and it's sports with JR Radcliffe.
So come on back tomorrow, nine to 11.
Be here.
Be amazing.
You are amazing.
This has been the Civic Media Midmorning Show.
I'm Greg Buck.
Stay tuned.
Stay close.
Stay informed.
Have a lovely
day.
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