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James Scurti

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Jim is a multiple Emmy Award winner with over 50 years worth of stories from his life in television production. His first person behind the scenes tales of life as a sought after camera operator delighted readers of his first book “ATTABOY “. A companion volume is expected to be published in May of 2023.

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BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

ATTABOY

BY James Scurti • POSTED ON Dec. 15, 2022

In this memoir, an Emmy-winning cameraman shares behind-the-scenes stories.

Growing up in rural New Jersey, Scurti was the oldest of three boys and was known as a “Good Kid” who stayed out of trouble. He decided, on a whim, to skip high school one day in 1964. After the school called and the jig was up, James’ father surprised him by taking them both to New York City for the day, and they ended up at a live taping of the popular game show The Price is Right. The experience left an impression on the author; indeed, it eventually led to a five-decade career as a camera operator, involving elaborate productions bursting with colorful characters. Scurti recounts an encounter with a formidable and darkly funny Bette Davis near the end of her career, a surprise commercial audition for his young children, and various shenanigans with legendary musicians, including opera star Placido Domingo and rock bands Kiss and U2, among other adventures. However, he doesn’t glamorize his profession, pointing out that the hours of a camera operator are long and late, and the cash flow is inconsistent. In this memoir, the author tells of surviving, and thriving, behind the scenes of soap operas, documentary series, and rock concerts. Scurti is an industry veteran with deep roots—his mother-in-law, June, was even a spokesmodel for The Price is Right back in the day—and every chapter of this remembrance is full of big names, including celebrity medium John Edward, daredevil Nik Wallenda, and pop sensation Lady Gaga, who he says sent him a baffling message, through an intermediary, warning him not to eat doughnuts in her presence: “Being blessed out personally by Lady Gaga herself, was certainly a way to start a show!” The memoir lacks a solid structure or clear organization, making it feel as if the author simply penned these anecdotes as he remembered them. That said, fans of celebrity culture, as well as on-set and backstage drama, will eat up Scurti’s sensational stories.  

An often entertaining, if disjointed, glimpse at the life and times of a camera operator.

Pub Date: Dec. 15, 2022

ISBN: 9798215317686

Page count: 216pp

Publisher: Self

Review Posted Online: Feb. 28, 2023

ADDITIONAL WORKS AVAILABLE

Closing Credits

In “CLOSING CREDITS” he continues relating his experiences with performers as varied as Iggy Pop and Judy Collins. Readers can tag along to places like St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and into an accidentally reopened tunnel in Berlin that might have linked Hitler’s bunker to parts of the Nazi “New Germania.” He details his experiences working on the “Conan O’Brien” and “Rachael Ray” shows, a massacre in Atlanta, and prowling Monument Valley in pre-dawn darkness. There are tales from the “Tonys”, “Emmys” and “Grammys.” The final part of the book, titled “Prelude and Triptych” relates his experiences during the 9/11 disaster. Jim continues to add to his credit lists. Recent shows include several “Housewife” and “Summer House” Reunions, the “2023 Tony Awards” and “South Park 25th Anniversary Special” filmed at majestic Red Rocks Park in Denver. There is even a “scary” seduction tale. So, enough teasing already, open the book and enjoy.
Published: May 31, 2023
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