Cave Spotlight

 CHUGG had a chance to sit down with Scott and get his views on winning Man Cave of the Year and shed some insight on his Man Cave. Below is the interview and some pictures of his award winning Man Cave!

CHUGG: When did it all start?

SCOTT: I starting collecting autographs in 1973 when got my first one. It was Tom Timmerman of the Tigers that I got at Yankee Stadium. I started the cave the day I moved into my house 6 1/2 years ago.

CHUGG: Does your Man Cave have a Theme? If so, what inspired your theme?

SCOTT: I guess the overall theme is anything autographed from sports and entertainment. The main room is The St. Louis Cardinals room. I am a lifelong Cards fan because of my father. He was also a lifelong fan. It’s my favorite part of the basement.

CHUGG: Did you do all the work yourself or did you have help?

SCOTT: I’ve done everything myself.

CHUGG: If married, what does your wife think of the Man Cave?

SCOTT: My wife is very happy I was finally able to do it after MANY years of planning it in my head. When we moved in, she said I could have the entire basement

CHUGG: What’s your favorite item in your Man Cave?

SCOTT: My favorite item is the autographs of the Dodgers starting lineup for Jackie Robinson’s first game. Can I give you about 20 more?😂😂. I also love that I was able to include my father’s Cardinal jacket as a tribute to him

CHUGG: What’s an average night in you Man Cave consist of?

SCOTT: Honestly, I just like to walk around looking at everything…..and trying to figure out was of creating move space. I also enjoy watching movies in the theatre with my family.

CHUGG: If I walked into your Man Cave today, what’s in my glass?

SCOTT: An old fashioned!

CHUGG: Any plans for the future?

SCOTT: Well, I’m pretty much out of room. I’ve always wanted to get an old turnstile from a stadium and put it at the entrance to the Cardinal’s room.

CHUGG: Any advice for anyone thinking of building a Man Cave?

SCOTT: Fill it with things you love.

CHUGG: What does winning Man Cave of the Year mean to you?

SCOTT: It makes me happy to know others appreciate all that I’ve put into it. My father passed away before we was able to see it, but I know he would be very proud that I won. That means a lot.

CHUGG: Any special plans when the trophy arrives?

SCOTT: If I can find room, ha ha, I’ll make room and display in a prominent spot in the Cardinal room

 Anthony Schmidt Photography

We'd like to introduce you to Anthony Schmidt.  This young man is only 14 years old and has mastered the art of forced perspective photography. What is Force Perspective Photography you ask?  Forced perspective photography is a creative technique which uses optical illusion to make objects appear smaller, larger, closer to the camera, or further away from the camera.  Anthony's objects of choice are everything automobiles. He uses car models with a combination of dioramas and real backgrounds to make breathtaking photos you must see to believe. Because of this, he has a huge following on multiple social media platforms and the internet.  Anthony is autistic, but as Anthony says, “Autism isn’t a disability, it’s a DIFFERENT ability.”  This young man is truly inspirational! 

We had a chance to ask Anthony some questions to shed some insight to his unique talents.

CHUGG: You obviously have a tremendous talent for forced perspective photography!  When did it all start for you?

ANTHONY: It started at age six, I took a photo of my car outside with an old iphone and was amazed at how real it looked.

CHUGG: At 14 years old, do you see yourself still doing photography in the future?

ANTHONY: I just turned 15 and I hope to continue taking photos as long as people are interested, I also plan to learn how to fix cars up and I want to own a large collection of real cars some day too. 

CHUGG: Is it true you know the make, model, and year of every model car you have?

ANTHONY: I’ve known just about every make and model of car since I was 3 years old. 

CHUGG: Do you know the estimated number of how many automobiles models you have in your collection?

ANTHONY: I have over 3500

CHUGG: How often do you do a photo shoot?  

ANTHONY: I take photos every single day without fail. 

CHUGG: How long does it take you to prepare and get the perfect picture?

ANTHONY: It depends most days it’s about an hour long photoshoot but some of the bigger shoots that involve travel take up to 3 hours plus travel time. 

CHUGG: Do you have a favorite car/truck you like using more than others?

ANTHONY: I have no favorites. 

CHUGG: With so many automobiles to choose from, how do you decide which ones to use for a photo shoot?

ANTHONY: I always photograph a new one before it goes in my collection, other times we plan ahead a location and take cars with us that match the theme. 

CHUGG: Is it true you use your own car in some of your pictures?

ANTHONY: Yes in my 2023 calendar you will see my real Studebaker in the background with a model car in the foreground. 

CHUGG: What kind of car do you own?

ANTHONY: I own a 1957 Ford Custom 300 that was gifted to me at age 12 by an admirer of my photography, and a 1959 Studebaker I purchased last year with my earnings from my Calendar Sales.  I also just was given a 1976 GMC motor home that is in need of major restoration. 

CHUGG: Some of your pictures use dioramas, do you create them?

ANTHONY: I make all the roads and platforms but the miniature buildings I buy from 3 different miniaturists.   Phillip Crews, Andy Roderick and Wetwork Kustomz

CHUGG: If there was someone famous you would like to meet, who would it be and why?

ANTHONY: I’d like to meet Jay leno and tour his collection.

Web:  https://anthonyryanschmidt.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthonyryanschmidt

Twitter: @SmallCarsBig

This week CHUGG interviews ManCaveSite.org Member "Ryan Doherty".  

 CHUGG:  When did it all start? 

 Ryan Doherty:  When I was just a young boy helping my father build his Cave, a full working Irish Pub. 

CHUGG:  Does your Man Cave have a Theme?   If so, what inspired your theme? 

Ryan Doherty:  One side is Irish Pub with working tap inspired by my father. I ve been going to Irish Pubs since I was born. Other side is sports. Jets, Yankees, Mets, O's & Ravens. I grew up in NJ and my wife is from MD. 

CHUGG:  Did you do all the work yourself or did you have help? 

Ryan Doherty:  As long as you have beer on hand there is always a friend willing to help. Bar was built from left over decking, using a golf ball for a level and my stomach for the height. The beer was a factor in that build. 

CHUGG:  If married, what does your wife think of the Man Cave? 

Ryan Doherty:  She loves it. She's a huge football fan and can hold her own in any debate. She doesn't want to go over the top with the Irish side but I ll break her in time. 

CHUGG:  What s your favorite item in your Man Cave? 

Ryan Doherty:  Tap, pool table, football mirror, menu from Ryan Pub in Ireland and MAN CAVE membership! 

CHUGG:  What s an average night in your Man Cave consist of? 

Ryan Doherty:  Sports on both tv's, music on surround sound, pool, darts and friends. 

CHUGG:  If I walked into your Man Cave today, what s in my glass?  

Ryan Doherty:  Currently I have a local brew on tap. Box Car Brewing from West Chester PA. 

CHUGG:  Any plans for the future? 

Ryan Doherty:  New rug, finish the ceiling and some ideas I ve stolen from other Man Cave members. 

CHUGG:  Any advice for anyone thinking of building a Man Cave?  

Ryan Doherty:  I m 31 years old in a new house, new job and family plans. My father taught me that the Cave is never finished. You're always going to be adding, removing and up grading. As long as you can have a good time with what you currently have then just Keep Calm and CAVE ON! CHEERS EVERY ONE! 

CHUGG: When did it all start?  

John: It started back in March 2007.

CHUGG: Does your Man Cave have a Theme? If so, what inspired your theme?  

John: My theme is simply beer,  I am a home brewer and have been for about 19 years.  Everything revolves around beer and brewing.  I have a beer coaster collection featuring beers I served and/or drank and breweries visited.

CHUGG: Did you do all the work yourself or did you have help?  

John: I built it myself with little outside help.  A buddy made two oak doors for closets.  The rest was done by myself with only hand tools.  Power saw and drill were only electric tools used. 

CHUGG: If married, what does your wife think of the Man Cave?  

John: Funny story, we were visited my nephew's house he bought and the previous owner had a simple bar made with old kitchen cabinets and plywood.  Our basement was unfinished and I told the wife that we should do something simple like that.  She says ... where are you getting the money, from your change jar...  Well I had about $250 in change!  About a month later she went to visit her aunt in Florida and when she came home I had built the bar for less then$250!  She does enjoy the bar and over the years have had a lot of good times!

CHUGG: What s your favorite item in your Man Cave?  

John: Tap system for serving home brew.

CHUGG: What s an average night in you Man Cave consist of?  

John: During the winter months we have a dart league with 5 two man teams.  The league ends in March with an end of the year banquet.  We have a lot of Pub Nights were friends come over for good food, good beer, an good conversation.  Mostly a lot of informal nights drinking beer and hanging out.

CHUGG: If I walked into your Man Cave today, what's in my glass?  

John: Either the latest home brew (current - a heather ale) or craft beer.

CHUGG: Any plans for the future?  

John: I expanded into another portion of the basement and added an exercise room.  Need to finish that and then start some remodeling on the original room, back bar? 

CHUGG: Any advice for anyone thinking of building a Man Cave?  

John: If you have limited skill and simple tools, keep it simple a realize that the finished product is yours and not the work of professionals.  I look at some of the bars my friends put in after mine and they are beautiful, but they did little or no work.  I couldn't afford that, but still am happy with MY Man Cave!