Week of January 23, 2012

Film Day is your opportunity to help Virginia’s film industry by talking with lawmakers at the Capitol. It’s 1/31, 8 – noon at the General Assembly Building (9th & Broad Sts). To learn more and help prepare the Virginia Production Alliance is hosting a Pep Rally, 1/30, 6 - 8pm at ArtWorks (320 Hull Street, 23224). NOTE: You will have to pay $6 to park in their lot, but there is street parking. Please RSVP if you can attend.
If you don’t go with the group, here’s what you need to know:
Enter the building on the side facing capitol square. Go through security to the 6th floor. Look for the VPA area near the restaurant. You will receive what you need to effectively speak on behalf of our industry.
PARKING: There are 4 free general public spaces (1 hour) on the north side of Bank Street (between 9th and 10th). A limited number of metered spaces (2 hours) on the west side of 10th (between Main and Bank), on Bank Street (between Governor and 14th Streets), on the south side of Main Street (between 9th and 12th) and on 12th Street (between Main and Bank). Pay parking lots and decks are nearby on 8th & Grace and 7th & Marshall.

Grove Ave. Baptist Church is looking to expand its media operations and needs an experienced editor (FCP or Premiere). They also need help with graphics, sound, production and lighting. Contact Mark Jenkins (longtimers, yes, THAT Mark Jenkins).

University of Richmond is presenting 2 production classes: The first is “Produce a PSA,” an intensive one-day workshop to learn about producing a pro-bono public service announcement. 1/ 28, 9:30 – 4:30. Course #BUS 212.01, $99. The second is “How to Write a 30 Second Script for PSAs,” 1/26, 6:30 – 9, Course #BUS 212.02, $39. Roxanne Lane will teach both classes. Register here

Shockoe Productions is searching for cast & crew for 2 projects. Credit, DVD, crafts provided. Actors send headshots/crew send resumes

Reviews of Artist, Shame, Iron Lady, Carnage, Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, Tintin, Girl with Dragon Tattoo, Mission Impossible, War Horse, Sherlock Holmes. Click here for these reviews and more.

Week of January 16, 2012

We hear that the head of a local video department is no longer there.

The auction of “Lincoln” stuff has been delayed several months in case of reshoots.

Final Act Drama is teaching Stage and Screen Acting. This 5-week course will be on Thursdays (6:30 - 8:30) starting 2/2 at BES Studios (6829 Atmore Drive). $300 + registration $15. Visit the site to register.

1st Step Talent Productions is presenting a 2-day Acting Workshop 1/28-29, 1-8pm at the Hyatt Place (Richmond Airport). $120. Call 263-8465 or email Linda Waldruff.

“Restaging Shelter,” the dance doc by Martha Curtis and Bruce Berryhill is being screened at the Lincoln Center Dance On Camera Film Festival (NYC) and at the Manipur REPLAY Festival (India) later this month. It will also air on WCVE at 10pm, 2/23.

A student is casting for a wide range of actors (including a child) for a film to be shot in Feb. To audition email.

University of Richmond’s 23rd annual International Film Series starts this weekend. Free.

Reviews of Carnage (Artist, Contraband & Iron Lady soon), Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, Tintin, Girl with Dragon Tattoo, Mission Impossible, War Horse, Sherlock Holmes. Click here for these reviews and more.

Week of January 09, 2012

Alexander’s Antiques will auction props from “Lincoln” on 1/19. Pictures will be posted 1/14 and updated 1/18. (Thanx to David Foster for the heads-up.)

WTVR-TV CBS 6 is hiring a Part-Time Creative Services Production Specialist to write, shoot and edit (FCP or Premiere) commercials and other programming. Familiarity with After Effects a plus. 20-30 flexible hours a week. Send resume and reel to WTVR-TV, ATTN: Creative Services Director, 3301 West Broad St., 23230.

The screenplay submitted by Helene Wagner to the Sundance Festival’s Table Read My Screenplay Contest did not end up in the Top 10, but was in the top 4%. Considering there were more than 1200 scripts, that’s still worth congratulating!

Producer Eric Futterman has added still photography services to his video biz.

Kline Films is looking for actors for a series of testimonial videos. This is a paid, corporate project (non-union only). Deadline is 1/12, so respond soon.

River City Talent works with talent of all experience levels and specializes in those newer to the industry. They’re holding auditions 2/8, by appointment only. Contact them to schedule.

Reviews of Girl with Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, (Tintin on Tue), Dragon Tattoo, Mission Impossible, War Horse, Sherlock Holmes. Click here for these reviews and more.

This week’s “Tales from the Grips” is up.

Week of January 02, 2012

Those of you who were around 40 years ago will remember the Biograph, Richmond’s source for art, foreign and rep cinema. The 40th Anniversary Celebration will take place 2/11. They will present “Breathless” and “Lonely Are the Brave” at the VCU Grace Street Theater. It will also kick off the James River Film Society’s series “The Golden Age of Repertory Cinema” to help raise funds for establishing a small storefront cinema (in response to the probable closure of the Westhampton Theater).

Long-time videographer Larry Gordon has joined the Corporate Communications Dept. at Estes Express Lines to help upgrade the video department, as well as shoot and edit.

Two films to premier at the The MIX International Short Film Festival (2/17-19) are still looking for crew to shoot 1/20-22: boom operator, PA, editor, grip. Resume and reel to Heather Waters .

Someone asked if there are plans to sell the props from “Lincoln.” According to the Virginia Film Office, nothing yet, but it may happen soon.

Michael Kuty is looking for someone to portray Valhalla Cindermane, a female character from his graphic novel, at comic book conventions and other events. He will cover gas, hotel & $30 per day for food. Anything over that is negotiable.

April will mark the start of the 10th Billboard Art Project. They have purchased billboard for one full month and are looking for someone to design a sound element. Contact David Morrison (648-2422).

Reviews of Girl with Dragon Tattoo, Mission Impossible, War Horse, Sherlock Holmes, Young Adult. Click here for these reviews and more.

Week of December 26, 2011

HR Advise is looking for a full-time video producer to shoot and edit (Final Cut) computer-based training material. Contact Ryan Shapiro.

Donna Schatz is looking for an animator to discuss a project about an Iraqi living in Richmond who worked with the US military. He doesn’t want to be on camera, so she’s looking to making an animated doc.

“The Princess: An Urban Fairy Tale,” a short script by Helene Wagner placed as a First Round Finalist in the Sundance 2012 Table Read My Screenplay Competition. Winners will be announced by 15 and will be flown to the Festival (all expenses paid).

Reviews of Sherlock Holmes, (more coming soon), Young Adult, Hugo, Descendants, My Week with Marilyn, Twilight, Muppets, Arthur Christmas, J. Edgar. Click here for these reviews and more.