(upbeat music) - [Narrator] On this episode of "Postcards."

- Of all the hats I've worn, you know, I still love telling stories and meeting people and that's my favorite part.

That's what I love doing.

(gentle music) - Even if it doesn't make me money, I had a million dollar experience.

Even if I make a billion dollar movie, this film still will have probably the biggest part of my heart because it took so many years.

(upbeat music) - "Postcards" is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

Additional support provided by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Mark and Margaret Yackel-Juleen on behalf of Shalom Hill Farms, a retreat and conference center in a Prairie setting near Windom, Minnesota.

On the web at shalomhillfarm.org.

Alexandria, Minnesota, a year round destination with hundreds of lakes, trails, and attractions for memorable vacations and events.

More information at explorealex.com.

The Lake Region Arts Council's arts calendar, an arts and cultural heritage funded digital calendar showcasing upcoming art events and opportunities for artists in West-central, Minnesota.

On the web at lrac4calendar.org.

Playing today's new music, plus your favorite hits, 96.7 Kram.

Online at 967kram.com.

- The governor sounding like a candidate these days.

The governor was in Dawson County this afternoon.

(upbeat music) Thanks for joining us today.

Thanks for watching everyone.

And you have a great week - In 1979.

I got my first job in television and that was at canopy TV in our plant in Nebraska.

(upbeat music) I was hired as the anchor reporter and in a very short time within six months, I became the news director at camp PTV.

So I was one of the first female news directors in the country.

And I worked there for 13 years and then I got hired by KSTP TV in the twin cities.

So I meant from the 213th market to the 13th market and one giant leap.

And I did show producing.

I also was a field producer into the medical beat for more than a decade at KSTP Good evening, everyone.

That's what the transportation secretary Samuel Skinner says about the possibility of a reel, right Growing up there, weren't a lot of role models for television, female reporters, producers any of that, if they were on television they were usually the weather person or they did the society news and things like that.

So, but I always had a loving of news.

It's one of the things that I like doing always knowing what's going on and always read newspapers and things like that.

So it's in my blood covering the news.

You know, it seemed like it was like the golden years of television.

And when I first got started, you know like how things have changed has evolved to what it is today.

And at that time, you know, there was three major networks.

That's where majority of people got their news from and that the newscasts were even shorter when they first started, there were 15 minutes long and then it went to half hour, but they found that it's very profitable for the small stations.

So they would start off with a half hour newscast.

And before, you know, there's an hour long newscasts or there's multiple news casts.

And then the morning show started and you know so that's really evolved over the years - Astronauts and of high school principals honored in an unusual way - In my career.

I've been very fortunate to be interviewing people.

I would have only dreamed of growing up from Hollywood big Hollywood celebrities like Bob hope and Johnny Carson.

I didn't interview him, but I have a letter from him.

We were trying to get him to come to an event in Nebraska music, legends, Billy Nelson, and also to sports icons, Kirby Puckett.

I mean, you name it.

I mean, I've had the opportunity to interview people that I never dreamed of, including five of our us presidents from Gerald Ford, to Jimmy Carter, to Ronald Reagan to George Bush.

And then bill Clinton, actually president Clinton came to our TV station at KSTP.

When I was there.

I've had the opportunity to interview a buzz Aldrin the man who walked on the moon.

So that was pretty exciting and thrilling to meet him in person and talk to him.

He was so down to earth, you know, you wouldn't think someone who's been outer space would be like that but just very personable.

My favorite part about storytelling and being involved.

I love telling people stories.

Everyone has such a great story.

And I try to find that what makes that person unique and special - Jodi Taka Carlini has worked in all facets of TV in front of, and behind the camera.

She's worked in TV news, corporate medical media as well as independent video production.

- Last year, I was very honored and thrilled that I was nominated.

And I received a silver circle award from the national Academy of television arts and sciences for my 25 years plus in television.

So it's not only for my work being recognized by my peers in that, but it's also giving back, you know, that's if I do things that are beyond just working at the TV station beyond doing my work, it's trying to make a difference receiving this honor tonight I truly feel like I have made it after all.

Thank you (crowd cheeering) Of all the hats I've worn.

You know, it's just, I still love telling stories and meeting people.

And that's my favorite part.

That's what I love doing.

Even when we were doing the live surgeries on the internet that was pretty exciting, live broadcast, live surgery.

Anything could happen.

We had to be prepared to dump out if we needed to do that.

We had a backup video of a previous surgery, but just to hear people from around the world, calling in questions you know about this and the surgeon is live and it was for that one hour that they were broadcasting.

And when we first started doing the, the producers thought this would be something professionals would want to watch, but we found we really had lot more general public, just watching and curious about things.

Interesting thing after we did one on kidney stones, I was at the one hospital and this man, he goes, I know you, and I looked at my thing.

Maybe I knew him from someplace and he's got an IV and he's obviously a patient at the hospital.

And he said he saw my live surgery on the internet.

And because of that, he was from Florida that he wanted to have his surgery done here in the twin cities.

Talk about the power of television and internet and the media (calm music) I would say that my career in News has really opened my world to see and learn.

I love learning, and I'm always learning especially covering the health and medical beat.

You know, there's always something to learn and know about but that has really opened up my whole world.

I mean, I would never have dreamed this growing up that this was something I'd be able to do and get to meet world leaders and, and and be on top of what's going on in the world, especially in those times when things are changing so rapidly.

(dramatic music) okay, Dennis, and thank you for joining us.

And for closing out the week with us on this Friday - Have a nice evening.

We'll see you.

At 10.

(upbeat music) - I come from a television background.

My grandpa was a pioneer in television.

My dad was a director on newscasts and my mom was a anchor reporter.

So I think storytelling has always been something that has been in my blood.

Filmmaking, really.

It was an interest from a younger age and that was kind of a dream I would say my first big project which probably documented it on my grandpa.

I got a grant from SCC and white bear.

At that point, my grandpa, his health was declining and I wanted to do something on him before it was too late.

And we got this grant drove out there and just interviewed him because he was a pioneer in television, world war II veteran.

His parents lived in the great depression.

He was a first generation immigrant from Italy.

So for me, that was my first big project.

I would say - Buongiorno [Italian Language] - In Evansville, Indiana.

He had, you know, obviously one of the first television children's show live gallery in front of kids.

- The main thing I was interested in was a kids' shows.

I did a show called Fire Chief Andy, Mr. Skeeter.

I was a clown, all these different characters and the shows I did got good ratings - Nebraska television would not be the same if Ulysses Carlini hadn't been at canopy TV - For, he was a leader by example.

So if you, you know, if there was things to be done and there wasn't anybody to do them, he would pretty much do them himself - Not only a great person, but that kind person a person that would, would do anything for you, if you asked him - Him as my mentor, as, as, as a as a great teacher in this business.

And not only that, just the business of life and and getting along with people, - Coming to work you want to be the leader.

You want to have everybody enjoy what they're doing in the building as a team.

- Life's not the same without you, You know I don't get my daily Italian lessons.

- That's first and foremost of probably what I took from him being patient, being compassionate understanding everybody's situation, passionate about seeing the kids do extremely well.

- He's nice.

He's loving.

He keeps up Potter County and words.

He's funny.

He is nice to all of my family.

(piano instrumental) - People say, well, you'll fill your dad's footsteps while there's, there's no way to fill my dad's footsteps.

He's one of a kind - His famous quote If you will, is everything is wonderful.

And then later in his life and that sums it up, that, you know, life is a wonder and you never know what's going to happen that day.

And if you approach it with a smile, if you approach it with an open heart, and if you approach it to embrace it, really, you know, life is, is wonderful.

Everything is wonderful (piano music) - After that, it was just kind of one big documentary after another big documentary.

And then eventually it was my senior after that.

(upbeat music) So I came up with my senior in high school.

Originally I wanted to make a film just like a comedy on that.

That was what was the premise is I want to make a film.

That's a comedy, something that's fun, you know kind of in the vein of like an American pie type vibe.

And when I was 15, the first girl, I really liked that like me back, we kind of dated and the following year after we met, I gave her a call.

She lived kind of far away.

And that was like before my license.

And I just said, you know I'd love to see you and her dad called my parents saying that she committed suicide.

And that was really heavy because I I didn't know how to take it.

I didn't know.

I didn't, I didn't talk to anyone about it.

I just kind of buried it inside.

And that really affected me in a lot of ways, I think.

so to me, it went from me wanting to make just a comedy to making a story that matters a story that, you know could help people and give hope.

So then that kind of shaped more of the serious tones of the film.

And so I really came up the story probably right when I was in the high school and wrote a couple drafts.

They weren't good.

And, and then, you know, I, I tried making it when I when I was in film school.

And at that point I was still learning how to make a film how to make a project.

And it wasn't until after film school that I would really ready to make it really, really talented cinematographer.

Kevin Horn, who I went to film school with MCTC was available to shoot it.

And then all of these people I met kind of throughout the throughout the way of becoming a filmmaker wanted to be a part of it.

So that was kind of the, the origins of, of making it.

(upbeat music) - Yeah, that's me.

I was kind of a door, and I was nine years old.

Wonderful.

I had a mom, a dad, and I had friends.

Everything changed.

I think it's time for me to actually experience a real teenagers life.

My dad's going to be gone for the whole weekend - This is your chance to get known.

- Can't wait for your party - You said that you came to our school to experience the real teenage life.

- Yeah.

Shot take shots in shot glasses, - Tulsa burn like that?

- Ah, yeah, it burns - Sarah Anderson?

Her and Brad have been together for years - saw that girl you can't say - Brian right?

- Oh man.

I mean, she's perfect.

♪ I fly through the stars to get to you ♪ - Time to Papa bear to drain the main vein.

- The really cool thing about my senior year.

It brought so many people together.

I think anytime you do a film that that happens but with our film, it was special in a lot of elements because a lot of my best friends today are people I met through the movie people that met through the film got married.

To me that's a cool thing to think like this marriage happened because our film these people that became roommates happen because our film these people are dated happened because our film and a lot of these friendships are some of my best friends still today, years later.

And all of these relationships blossom through making this film.

If you have a dream, don't let anyone tell you you can't do it because at the end of the day no one knows what you're capable of.

Anything is possible.

And you know, I, I'm not even close to where I want to be.

And I, I try to lead by example, I hope to inspire people.

You live one life.

So why not live your dream?

You know, and why not be the person you want to be?

Even with our film, it's a little film.

Jay Leno looked at our film.

Even if it doesn't make me money I had a million-dollar experience.

Even if I make a billion dollar movie, this film still will have probably the biggest part of my heart because it took so many years.

It was the film that I gave everything.

I gave everything, every part of myself to (lonely music) (water's dripping) - Brian Robinson, speaking with us today about his best-seller book 'My Senior Year'.

(crowd's cheering) - yeah, that's me.

Not him.

him That's my mom.

Well, at least at the time she was I kept asking my dad where she went.

You always said, she'll be right back.

I want wanted to be like most kids and have recess to play football with the guys.

I wanted to go biking in the summer with friends as if we were a pack of birds with nowhere to go, but just fly.

Cause we had the freedom to I wanted to be a part of something.

But for me, (sighs) it just seemed like a far dream from being reality.

(children's playing) ♪ Happy Birthday to You!

♪ Happy Birthday to You!

♪ Happy Birthday Dear Brian!

♪ Happy Birthday to You!

- See, when I was nine years old, life was Wonderful.

I had a mom, a dad and I had friends and everything changed hey mom!

I'm home hey mom, in school today we got to dice - What?

- I just say going to be in my room When my best friend Joey moved it was the worst day in my life.

I soon found out that things would get much worse.

- Why are you always drunk?

When I come home from the road every time I come through that door, I find you laying on the couch with a bottle of liquor in your hand.

What's Brian going to think - You're never home.

- Why do you expect me to earn money?

That's apart you and Brian.

I have to be out on the road, driving all the time.

- Never understood why my mom and dad yelled so much And yelling just stopped.

- Mom, please.

Don't go.

- Sorry.

- My mom disappeared for good.

Supposedly she went on a trip.

- I'm sorry son.

- Please!

Don't leave me - But that trip was a one-way ticket.

It seemed like there was no return.

So then Me and dad, like everything else in our lives just packed up and kept on trucking.

You see, my dad wanted me and him to be very close.

This can never happen with me going to school.

And his career is a semi-driver So after my parents split up, my dad took some classes.

So he was able to be my teacher.

And from then on I, I was homeschooled.

I always wondered what a real life would be like.

What if my mom and dad would have stayed together and nothing changed from when I turned nine, maybe I would have good friend or two and even a girlfriend Every day I wonder about that life.

I've never had, I guess right now life isn't it.

(upbeat music) ♪♪ - What's wrong.

- We've been driving for 10 hours straight.

- Why don't you go sleep on the bunker?

- No, I'll just get a headache If I sleep on that.

- Well, it's seven o'clock now, what do you want to do?

- We haven't gone bowling in a while.

- Sure.

- You really need to cut down on smoking dad.

What do you have a pack a day?

- Hey John, what's your (indistinct) - Alright 20 is about an hour away from the magic mile.

Roger, that.

after the shipment will hit to the alleys - Sounds like a plan.

all I could think about was her (upbeat music) - Postcard is made possible by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund and the citizens of Minnesota additional support provided by Margaret a Cargill philanthropies, Mark and Margaret Yackel-Julene on behalf of Shalom Hill farms a retreat and conference center in a Prairie setting near Windom, Minnesota on the web@shalomhillfarm.org, Alexandria, Minnesota a year round destination with hundreds of lakes, trails and attractions for memorable vacations and events.

More information@explorealex.com, the Lake region arts councils, arts calendar and arts and cultural heritage funded digital calendar showcasing upcoming art events and opportunities for artists in West central, Minnesota on the web@lracfourcalendar.org playing today's new music.

Plus your favorite hits 96 seven cram online@ninetysixsevencram.com.