Where are they now? John C. Cummings, MPC Productions

Where are they now? John C. Cummings, Sr.
Motion Picture Company (MPC) Productions, Burbank, CA

After completing the first article in the series, "Where are they now? Malista wondered who would be the next subject of interest. Remarkably a comment from a reader led to John C. Cummings. Originally from Detroit's St. Constantine and Helen Church on Detroit's Westside, John began his career back in the early 70's in radio. His website www.motionpicturecompany includes a wonderful interview that describes John's 30 year plus career in radio and production. His wonderfully diverse projects have taken him from Disney World, Florida and now Burbank, California. His production career has taken him all over the world, producing Disney openings for EuroDisney in France and countless other Disney related projects, including, one of Disney's newest themed parks, Disney Adventure in California.

At present he has several production projects in the making. They include a biographical production of Gospel Music Founder, Thomas A. Dorsey, a syndicated talk show with host Kiatta Mayweather Gamble, "Real Talk with Kiatta" and in collaboration with the Discovery Channel, "Did you Ever Wonder."

Talking with John is exhilarating. His passion for his craft is infectious. He is always on the go, however this does not limit his contribution to the Greek Community. He is a member of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, and produced its 50th year anniversary video. In addition, he was instrumental in beginning an extremely worthwhile group, Greek Americans in Hollywood. This group is dedicated in helping fledgling Greek-American artists who are relocating to California to break into the film industry. www.stsophia.org

"The group includes several prominent Greek American entertainment professionals whose mission is to assist and integrate young people attempting to break into the industry. We don't want anyone living out of a car or going hungry." "If they contact the church, Father John Bakas and his staff, will direct them to one of our board members for assistance."

John is married to Carol Cummings, a VP with International Ascent Media Group, and has one son, John Jr. Those of you who attended St. Constantine and Helen in the 1960's will remember C. Gus Cummings. A dramatic, flamboyant, cigar smoking board member, who dedicated his life to the community then located on Joy Rd. and Oakman Blvd. He and his wife, Emerence, had three children, Connie (William) Bourneas, (St. George Bloomfield) Robert now in located in the San Francisco area and of course, John.

John is hoping to produce one of his projects in the Detroit area and return to his roots. His parting request of Malista? "Add a Galatobourriko recipe to your recipe page." We're working on it.

Malista!