Tales Told In November 2009
Week of November 02, 2009
Guess when I leave town, all news stops. Not much this week…but while I was gone 9WG Studios had their big open house. I heard lots of people were there, but I did take my own video tour when I got back. (Jody Boyd composed the music track)
NOTE: The link above takes you to a quality version that lives on my site. The YouTube download sucks.
Did anyone notice that a former local production person and stunt performer was the stand-in as Betty in a hot dog costume takes a fall on last week’s “Ugly Betty?” It was Melissa Morgan!
Helene Wagner is teaching a course at the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies for screenwriters who want to make their stories more appealing to the industry. 12/5 from 9 – noon, $59. Visit the link above to register (good luck, it’s not easy to find) or call 289-8133.
New reviews of “This Is It,” “A Serious Man,” “Paranormal Activity,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Zombieland.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of November 09, 2009
Monday nite at 7, the Virginia Holocaust Museum will premiere “Kristallnacht and Beyond,” a 50-minute doc about a local Holocaust Survivor Alexander Lebenstein’s recent return to his hometown in Germany. It was produced, shot, and edited by Lindsay Stone. Free.
Project Resolution returns 11/29, 7pm at the Firehouse. It’s a place for filmmakers to show their work and get feedback from the audience (miniDV, DVD, VHS). Free to present a work and to attend. This month’s prompt is “Mannequin.”
Final Act Drama Academy is teaching Acting for Stage and Screen, a 5-week acting course for adults. Classes are 6:30 – 8:30 starting 11/10 ($250 for five classes). Email for details. or call 858-3446.
This year’s AICP Show will celebrate the best commercials of the year on 11/12 at the Byrd Theatre. There will be a Richmond Ad Club reception at the New York Deli, 5:30 - 7:00 with the show at 7:00. Free for students and VPA members, $15 for others. Reception is free for Ad Club members and $15 for others. Visit the Virginia Production Alliance website for details.
A series called Dead World Diaries is casting (to be shot in Richmond and DC). Auditions are 11/21. Respond with headshot for details.
Former Richmonder Jenny Hollowell has started a blogging gig for Moviefone.reporting on movies and entertainment. Her first piece is about the Oscar buzz on “Precious.” (I’m sure she credits me with everything she knows about blogs and movies.)
New reviews of “This Is It,” “A Serious Man,” “Paranormal Activity,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Zombieland.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of November 16, 2009
This year’s Virginia Film Festival broke records with more than 19,000 attendees and ticket sales more than $71,000, a 87% increase over last year.
On the heels of the demise of “Markee” magazine comes Film South Magazine, which will be dedicated to promoting production in the South. It will be published bi-monthly starting early next year. They will distribute 10,000 copies per issue to a database of 18,000+ industry pros.
Michael Gibrall is shooting a pilot in February for a children’s TV series. He’s looking for actors to get paid meals/copy/credit. Email photo/resume.
The Producers of MTV and CMT’s “World’s Strictest Parents” are casting in Virginia. Contact Steve with Shed Media US at 708-302-2059.
Reminder: the deadline for entries to the Virginia Independent Film Festival is 11/24. See 10/12 below for details.
New reviews of “Pirate Radio,” “The Box,” “Men Who Stare at Goats,” “This Is It,” “A Serious Man.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of November 23, 2009
National Philanthropy Day is sponsored by the Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This year’s event was attended by more than 850 people, who got a chance to hear from the honorees in videos I produced. Click here to see them.
The Virginia Production Alliance has 5 committee chairs open (Education, Membership, Communications, Events, and Fundraising), so you can get involved by volunteering. The next Richmond Chapter meeting is 6pm, 12/1 at the Capital Ale House (13831 Midlothian Turnpike, 23114). If you can’t make it email for more information. There will also be discussion on new ways to hold meetings and recruit members. Any chapter member can join a committee, including Hampton Roads and the emerging chapters in NOVA and Charlottesville.
Actor Joel Haberli is playing inventor Dr. Samuelson in a faux informercial running on the Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” every morning at 4:30 am during November. David Cross was one of the creators of this short spoof.
This year’s James River Film Festival will take place in April, but entries are already being accepted for the Short Film Juried Competition ($2K in prizes). Early deadline is 12/31 ($25) with regular deadline is 2/1 ($30). Visit the website for details and entry forms.
Sean Cook at Video & Media Services is looking for a free-lance editor with Premier Pro skills.. Email him or call 673-3633.
New reviews of “An Education,” “Precious,” “2012,” “Pirate Radio,” “The Box,” “Men Who Stare at Goats,” “This Is It,” “A Serious Man.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of November 30, 2009
VCU’s Cinema Department is looking for an Assistant/Associate Professor to start 5/1. They’re looking for a production professional with proven teaching excellence and strengths in narrative writing, production management, production design and 35mm film production. Contact Dr. Rob Tregenza.
Tim Reid and Daphne Maxwell Reid got some ink in today’s TD. They talk about their new venture, Legacy Media Institute, which is aimed at teaching young professionals about the business. Plus, they plan a film festival and more.
The Richmond Ad Club Holiday Party is 5:30 – 8:30, 12/11 at Havana 59.
Stunt performer Kid Richmond coordinated most of a new spot for Dupont and flew Tony Snegoff from L.A. to coordinate the pipe ramp stunt (whatever that is).
New reviews of “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “An Education,” “Precious,” “2012,” “Pirate Radio,” “The Box,” “Men Who Stare at Goats,” “This Is It,” “A Serious Man.” Click here for these reviews and more.
