ROB KIRCHER Psychological suspense Thriller author
Consistently 5-Star Reviewed Novels
WHY MY BOOKS ARE UNIQUE
OLD SCHOOL TEACHINGS
My dad, Albert, made a life-changing decision in 1923 when he immigrated to America from Germany. Bringing with him the skills of a blacksmith, Albert was determined to forge a new path in a foreign land.
Upon settling in America, Albert used his expertise as a blacksmith and his entrepreneurial spirit to pursue the American dream. He worked tirelessly and eventually built a prosperous business specializing in truck bodies. His success was a testament to his dedication and vision.
Albert instilled in me and my siblings a strong work ethic and the importance of perseverance. He taught us never to give up on what we love, encouraging us to pursue our passions with determination and integrity. His legacy continues to inspire us in everything we do.
MY MENTORS
Unique Stories
While attending NYU at Washington Square in the village, I met a fascinating filmmaker, Tony Lover (founder of Liberty Studios). At the time, he was developing the breakthrough HBO's program opening sequence "HBO in Space". Previously he served as the director of photography for the Oscar-nominated 1968 short film titled The Dove, a parody of Ingmar Bergman's films.
Later, Tony introduced me to Nick Nappi, a partner in the second-largest theatrical advertising agency in NYC, which handled the original runs of A Chorus Line and The Wiz.
It was Tony who also introduced me to Elliot Kastner, a prolific Hollywood film producer whose notable movies include Where Eagles Dare, Angel Heart, and The Missouri Breaks, starring Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson. When Elliot was in New York we would often have lunch at the Algonquin Hotel restaurant and discuss the movie business.
Through these amazing mentors, I learned to write in a claustrophobic style and develop deeply flawed characters and complex female protagonists.
TONY LOVER
Liberty Studios is the longest-running production house in continuous operation in New York City producing films, video, advertising and e-commerce productions. The studio was founded in 1963 by Tony Lover. Liberty Studios has received both Emmy and Academy Award nominations.
Liberty's most notable creation is HBO's program opening sequence "HBO in Space". The studio has created and produced numerous award-winning television commercials, Broadway promotions, pro bono public service announcements, music videos and feature films.
NICK NAPPI
NICK NAPPI was a founding partner of the theatrical advertising agency Coyne, Serino, and Nappi. The agency was the second-largest theatrical advertising agency in NYC and handled the original runs of shows such as A Chorus Line and The Wiz. Nappi co-founded the agency in 1977 with Nancy Coyne and Matthew Serino after they all left their previous employer, the powerful Blaine Thompson company. The firm went on to become a leading agency on Broadway.
ELLIOT KASTNER
ELLIOT KASTNER (1930–2010) was a prominent American film producer known for independently financing and producing more than 60 films, many of which were literary adaptations featuring major stars like Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and Richard Burton. He was a key figure in the international film scene, often based out of London's Pinewood Studios. Kastner was involved in several high-profile and commercially successful films, including:
- Where Eagles Dare (1968): A popular World War II thriller starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood.
- The Long Goodbye (1973): A critically acclaimed, unconventional adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel, directed by Robert Altman and starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe.
- The Missouri Breaks (1976): A Western featuring Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson, which became famous for Kastner's innovative method of securing both stars by telling each one that the other had already committed.
- Equus (1977): An adaptation of the stage play starring Richard Burton.
- Angel Heart (1987): A neo-noir film directed by Alan Parker, starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro.
- Harper (1966): Starring Paul Newman, this was one of Kastner's early successes and provided William Goldman with his first solo screenplay credit.
Kastner started his career in the mail room of the William Morris Agency and quickly rose to become a literary and talent agent. He served as a vice president of production at Universal Pictures for two years before becoming an independent producer, a role in which he thrived. He was known for his relentless and charming negotiating style, which enabled him to package significant talent and secure funding for diverse projects, ranging from commercial action films to cerebral adaptations of works by authors like Iris Murdoch and Vladimir Nabokov. He died of cancer on June 30, 2010, in London, at the age of 80.