Now that Todd Traina and his Red Rover Films production company have released Morning, a drama about the aftermath of a child’s death that stars Jeanne Tripplehorn, Laura Linney, and Leland Orser, he’s taking on lighter fare. Traina is developing two feature comedies that will begin shooting next year. One movie will be shot in Los Angeles, and one will be filmed in the producer’s hometown of San Francisco. But Traina is also drawn to a new project for those who dream of becoming directors—or who just like to record all the little bits of their lives. He’s creative director of Lightt, a new video app he says will allow users to “film, edit, and score beautiful home movies and content quickly and seamlessly, to create an on-going movie of their lives.” In addition, Traina, who sits on boards for a variety of start-ups, recently co-founded Giftbirdy, an online registry for kids and families. The producer is also vice president of the board of the San Francisco Film Society who is constantly on a quest to attract filmmakers to the Bay Area. Below is his list of favorite spots sure to lure directors and city dwellers alike.

PAUL SMITH I love the boutique for its unusual items and for wallets, coffee table books, and the coolest watches around.

826 VALENCIA PIRATE SUPPLY STORE Unique doesn’t even begin to describe this place! You won’t find cooler stocking stuffers for all the pirates or maidens in your life.

COQUETA, WAYFARE TAVERN, GIORGIO’S, KUNG FU TACOS My daughter Daisy loves Giorgio’s pizzeria on Clement. It is an institution and unchanged since the ’80’s. And they give kids fresh pizza dough to play with. Personally I like Coquetta, Wayfare Tavern, and Park Tavern. And Kung Fu Taco is my favorite food truck by far. But first you have to find it!

KOZY KAR, CHURCHILL, MADRONE, TRICK DOG Nothing beats the Kozy Kar bar on Polk. It is retro and unlike any other bar in the city. I can’t reveal too much about it, but think Boogie Nights and you get the picture. I also love Churchill, Madrone and Trick Dog. Pound for pound, they are three great and stylish bars with a mixed and hip crowd.

THE FILLMORE, BOOM BOOM ROOM, BIMBO’S 365 CLUB, THE INDEPENDENT, HEMLOCK TAVERN, GRANT & GREEN, UPTOWN The Fillmore, the Boom Boom Room, Bimbo’s, The Independent, Grant & Green, Hemlock Tavern and Peter Getty’s house are all great for live music! And the Uptown in Napa is really the best new venue around. Well, other than Peter Getty’s house.

THE GROVE, THE MILL The Grove on Fillmore is close and charming, and I like The Mill on Divisadero Street in Nopa because it’s always buzzing with innovators and artists and serves some seriously memorable coffees. And it’s S.F. to the bone.

VOGUE THEATRE, SUNDANCE KABUKI, CLAY, ROXIE THEATRE We walk to the Vogue a lot because it’s so close to our house. The Kabuki is great and the owners are especially good to the San Francisco Film Society during its annual festival. I’ve premiered movies at the Clay and the Roxie, and they are charming and unique theaters. But generally, nothing beats my living room since I get many of the Academy screeners sent to me!

LYON STREET STEPS, MARIN HEADLANDS, BAY CLUB, THE OYLMPIC CLUB, CHRISSY FIELD I run the Lyon Street steps frequently (there is such a great view of the Bay from the top), and we walk and hike in the Marin Headlands. The Bay Club and Olympic Club both have great gyms, but I’m currently obsessed with squash so I’m usually just there for the terrific courts. And our dog Birdie loves Chrissy Field because she can do running leaps into the ocean and scare seagulls, fish and windsurfers.

Pictured: Todd Traina
Photo by Dusty Ansell

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