One Track Mind

This film tells the story of the uniquely intriguing Philip Ashforth Coppola - a quirky, endearing soul who has devoted the better part of the last thirty years to cataloguing and archiving every station in the New York City subway system.

Using his own resources, this humble New Jersey printing press operator has self-published and self-financed a multi-volume "study" of his true passion: the rivers of subterranean design - in mosaic, faience, terra cotta, tile, and steel - that a grander generation of public builders bequeathed to the humble and hurried subway rider. The film is a profile of Philip and his extreme obsession of the design and decoration of New York's 496 subway stations.

Filmed over a course of three years, ONE TRACK MIND is a portrait of a man consumed by a singular passion --- a passion that few others share.

The documentary, shot almost entirely in the New York subway system, is also a loving portrait of a city's artistic idiosyncrasies.

If you love New York, you will love this film!

One of the best little docs I've seen in a long time. I saw this one playing at Museum of Modern Art in New York and I was just amazed. The film follows along this humble guy Phil as he creates his giant masterpiece: a sprawling, 5000 page book that details all the New York subway stations. I particularly loved how Workman used music in this film. There seemed to be long stretches where Phil just did his thing while the material was edited to beautiful music. it was edited beautifully. If you see this one show up anywhere, you gotta see it. If you're a fan of New York history and quirky New York characters, you'll love it. keep up your work Phil. I can't wait to see your book published.

For all those who still believe in the art of craftsmanship, Workman's 'One Track Mind' is a wonderful tribute to the painstaking pursuit of Mr. Phillip Coppola, a librarian and lifetime NYC resident who has taken upon himself the arduous task of documenting by hand the architecture of New York's subway system. Mr. Workman shows us an unassuming, quiet man's dogged pursuit, which is both comically boring and heroically admirable. In an electronic age, here is one man who still honors the value of doing it the old fashioned way. I'm sure the work Mr. Coppola is typing and drawing by hand will stand the test of time, as has his subject matter. When can I get my copy?

"One Track Mind" tells the story of a humble and multi-talented man, who one feels as a New Yorker, could only have been produced by New York. The film with great skill, takes you into Phillip Coppola's world which is beyond most examples of 'labors of love'. He has the diligence of a scientist, the talent of the best draftsmen; but it is his love of the art & artisanship of both the anonymous & named in making all aspects of our subway stations not only not sterile, but beautiful, that really come across. I cannot recommend this film more highly, and even hope that it brings the deserved acclaim to Mr. Coppola, not because his ego needs it (it would probably embarrass him) but because he should have his work supported & help completing his task given, before we lose any more of the irreplaceable art underground. The filmmaker obviously also needs support for whatever subject he next turns his attention to. I for one await his next endeavor impatiently!