Aadip Desai is a Los Angeles based new dad, sideburns enthusiast, comedy writer, producer/co-host of the On The Page screenwriting podcast, and drummer for The Spanglers, a comedy musical act.
He will be a recruit on the fourth season of the popular Food Network reality show, The Worst Cooks In America.
His writing has appeared on The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet, in City Arts Tacoma Magazine, Geekweek, Los Angeles Or Bust, and he blogged as President of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild. His produced work includes an award-winning romantic short, a Get Out The South Asian Vote PSA, and a math rock music video starring Leuko. As a stand-up comedian, Aadip has performed at The Improv, The Comedy Store, Flappers, Red Rock, and Elderberries. He also performed musical comedy at the Improv Lab, Upright Citizens Brigade, Steve Allen Theater, and SF Sketchfest.
Aadip has also interviewed/moderated panels featuring EMMY and OSCAR-winning filmmakers at The Northwest Screenwriters Guild, Austin Film Festival, and Pacific Northwest Writers Conference.
In the music business, Aadip music supervised several action sports films for Ally, a feature film called Unsung, and several commercials. He has interned for Randy Jackson at Sony Music, Capital Public Radio (NPR), and assisted Jim Wilke at Jazz After Hours (PRI). He managed the $5m global music account for Starbucks Coffee Company and programmed music at Muzak.
As a trumpet player, he has performed with Ramsey Lewis, T.S. Monk, Pancho Sanchez, Stanley Turrentine, Arturo Sandoval, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, Jack Sheldon, Reggie Watts, Easy Big Fella, toured with The Diablotones supporting The Voodoo Glow Skulls (Epitaph Records), and recorded on Gardener’s New Dawning Time on Sub Pop Records.
As a drummer, Aadip has recorded, performed, and/or toured as a member of several bands, including The Far West, Juhu Beach, Martian Memo To God, and Pint O’Guinness.
Aadip’s training includes classes and workshops at The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, Writers Homicide School, UCLA Ext. and UW Ext. He’s also taken courses from Robert McKee, Steve Kaplan, Ellen Sandler, Blake Snyder, Pilar Alessandra, Jen Grisanti, Michael Hauge, Marilyn Atlas, and Walter Dalton.
He holds a BA in Economics and a Minor in Music from The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA
Aadip lives in Los Angeles with his universally adored wife, his sassy newborn daughter, and two reactive Malteses. He melts when animals who are natural enemies become friends, enjoys a good TV slap fight, and marvels at the plethora of items that can be stuffed into a pizza crust.
Since most of us dream about winning an Oscar, here's the list of nominees for 2008: Writing (Original Screenplay): Juno by Dibalo Cody Lars and the Real Girl by Nancy Oliver Michael Clayton by Tony Gilroy Ratatouille by Brad Bird. Story by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird The Savages by Tamara Jenkins Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Atonement by Christopher Hampton (based on Ian McEwan's novel) Away From Her by Sarah Polley (...
Apparently today is Canada's Hug-A-Writer Day. According to the site, "This new Canadian annual holiday (which, strangely, has yet to be endorsed by the Canadian government) is dedicated to all writers – especially the copywriters who toil in anonymity through weekends and nights."
I'm happy to report that after our first Board Meeting of 2008, we have some great programs in the works. Check out the Events page for more details. We just applied for a 2008 AMPAS institutional grant. If we get it again this year, it'll mean more financial support for our upcoming slate of A-List speakers. I'd also like to welcome two new Board Members, Danny Walter and Pat White, to ...
With the holidays behind us (thank goodness), I'd like to reflect on some films that have come out in 2007. American Gangster - A gritty, simmering gangster film that almost reaches epic levels, but doesn't quite make it. It's tough to have two of the biggest stars in Hollywood NOT be in a scene together until the end. Golden Compass - There's one McGuffin to bind us all, or something. I ...