50 Couches in 50 Nights

My name is Dean MacKay. In June and July of 2010, I slept on 50 different couches in 50 consecutive nights. I took photographs of the couches, both as a couch and as my bed. I took portraits of my hosts and interviewed them. I documented their homes on film and digitally as well as in a journal. I was treated to home cooked meals and intimate secrets. I was cared for when I was ill and checked in on after I was long gone. There were sleepless nights and busy days and times spent discussing the past and dreaming about the future. I drank a lot of coffee at a lot of different coffee houses. There were old friends who became closer and acquaintances who I now call my friends. There were even strangers who invited me into their homes. Threads were woven among them all. My skills were honed as I practiced my craft on a daily basis. I learned many things about my hosts and I continue to learn many things about myself. These times are unforgettable. This journey was initially born out of necessity. The economic times had taken their toll. But the fruit of this labor is not simply financial. It is emotional and spiritual and societal. I tapped into something that is still developing. And as it develops I will share with you this knowledge as well as providing you a way to share it with others. I hope that you will support me as this journey continue and grows. I plan to unveil many things from this work including a coffee table book on the couches, and perhaps other books and a documentary. I'm also hoping to get the blog carried on a major website. Of course, and second project is also in the works although what form it will take has yet to be determined. Any assistance or advice that you can offer to further these projects is welcome. Your support, both financial and emotional, is crucial to my success. Thank You. © Dean MacKay 2010

50 Couches in 50 Nights has written 48 posts for 50 Couches in 50 Nights

Couch #21 – Dave Ellis – June 20th, 2010

Posted by 50 Couches in 50 Nights ⋅ February 14, 2011 ⋅ Leave a comment

THE INTERVIEW

Dave lives in a two bedroom, two bath, apartment in Mar Vista with his roommate, Jeff. Mar Vista means “sea view”, although you can’t see the sea from there. Although it is only a few miles away from the Ocean. So, it’s a quick drive or a long walk to the sea. Jeff works a regular part-time and is also an actor, mostly in television. He’s gotten some day player roles on some pretty big shows and commercials. It a good creative offset. The two of them have a lot similar experiences as far pursuing creative things.

There isn’t a ton of extra significance to the couch as far as Dave knows. The couches are Jeff’s and were there when Dave moved in, so Dave doesn’t have a great “this is how I found the couch” story. He doesn’t know where Jeff got them. Dave found the apartment on craigslist. Jeff had been there like 10 years when Dave moved in. Because it was rent controlled, the rent was a lot lower than places around it. This was the only place he looked at in this part of town, but between the ad and meeting Jeff, Dave knew it was the kind of place he wanted to be in. He had trouble with a lot apartments, because people don’t understand what your job is when you work for yourself and are creative. Dave has never not paid rent his entire life, but explaining that was not good enough. Many people want a tenant with an office job. However, Jeff totally got it, because when he gets a big commercial he also doesn’t work regular jobs for a year or more. Dave has slept on both couches in the apartment and thinks they are pretty comfortable.

Dave writes and performs music and comedy. (http://daveellismusic.com/) He also won a lot of money on a game show and he’s still riding that out.

Writing and playing music is the most fun for Dave. That is what he spends the bulk of his time doing. Sure there is business and work involved, but the reason that he writes and plays is that it is fun. Besides that, Dave goes to a lot of other shows and hangs out with friends. Dave also likes to try new things. He recently went bungee jumping for the first time. As part of a wilderness hike with some friends, he jumped off a bridge a few times. Dave likes to push his comfort zone and do things that scare him.

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