Scot Tallal says he’s always been a Californian, but he just didn’t realize it until he moved to Malibu.
Tallal first visited Malibu in 1989 to celebrate his wedding anniversary with wife Jimy and fell in love with the city. He decided to establish a living here and opened a market research company in 1992. In 1998, they officially packed their bags and moved west from Dallas, Texas, without a backward glance since. Tallal is now a successful entrepreneur: owner of Tallal, Inc. and CommCinema Mobile Digital Cinema Systems, and executive director of The Malibu Film Society.
The Malibu Times got a chance to sit down with Tallal to talk about his past and long history of community involvement.
Tell me a little about how The Malibu Film Society started.
When the Cross Creek fire in 2005 closed the movie theater in that plaza, I talked to the city about doing outdoor movies. It became a business shortly afterwards and The Malibu Film Society grew out of that. We now had the ability to do screenings as well. We did our first studio-sponsored award screening in 2007 and two years later in 2009 we started the film society. Many of us who lived here were frustrated that movies we wanted weren’t shown here.
The Malibu Film Society really brought the community together. Every year it just keeps getting better and better and better. It is an all-volunteer, non-profit venture of The Malibu Times, Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue and CommCinema. We have the largest movie theater in Malibu, even though it’s not a permanent location. It’s a place to bring in wonderful movies and to celebrate the many very talented filmmakers in Malibu.
What was your experience being part of the Malibu Arts Task Force and Cultural Arts Commission?
There is a wealth of talent in Malibu. And that’s just another way of strengthening Malibu as a community. It was a direct outgrowth of the film society. I really hope the Arts Commission will do with all arts what we’ve done with film. The Arts Commission is taking Malibu into a new era and we’re delighted to be a small part of it.
What does CommCinema do?
CommCinema stands for Community Cinema. We do more than 200 events a year and have sold more than 60-70 thousand tickets. It’s really creating new forms of entertainment. We build screening rooms and set up visual entertainment systems outdoors. We’ve built the world’s largest retractable movie screen in Westfield Century City. There’s a whole new style of living with the Eleve in Los Angeles. It includes small 400 sq. ft. apartments, but with a large 26,000-sq-ft Skydeck with an outdoor movie theater and BBQ grill and people just hang out there. People are having live music and gourmet food trucks with outdoor movies. It’s amazing how quickly the outdoor movies are evolving in interesting and unique ways.
What is your favorite thing about Mailbu?
Everything. What’s not to like? There’s such a creative and supportive community here. When we first moved here someone randomly called us and invited us to a 4th of July party to meet everybody. At the party someone asked me if I feel like a Californian yet and I said I’ve always felt like a Californian, I just didn’t realize it. There are such wonderful people here with such great spirit. A place where everyone cares for each other and the animals and the environment. We have some of the world’s greatest hiking trails within 15 minutes of our house.
You’ve lived in Malibu for quite some time and have seen many changes. What do you believe are some good changes and what are some bad?
The bad is the increase in traffic, no question about it. But it’s just the dark lining around a gorgeous day. Malibu has been such a wonderful place and continues to be.
How was it having your portrait painted by Johanna Spinks?
It was really interesting. It was the first time I’ve had my portrait painted. And it was really nice getting to know Johanna and her husband.
They are two more amazing people in Malibu. The best part of getting my portrait painted was getting to know them. They are really talented and creative people.
Johanna Spinks paints portrait by commission. Visit johannaspinks.com or call 310.384.7029 for more information.
The Face of Malibu is an ongoing series by portrait artist Johanna Spinks to record the many unique personalities and newsmakers who shape the modern Malibu community. Each sitter is always painted in a single live sitting. If there is someone you would like to nominate, please email associate editor Knowles Adkisson at knowles@malibutimes.com.