Tales Told In January 2010
Week of January 04, 2010
In October Jon Nelson started liquidating his production/lighting business of 25 years, so he could accompany his wife Liz on her new job in California. He’s considering work on stock motion and documentary shooting for marketing. To follow his sojourn to the Left Coast, visit his blog.
With a new year comes time for renewing your membership in the Virginia Production Alliance (or joining if you never have). Visit the website, where you can use PayPal.
DVG has a pile of Avid manuals (DS, Media Composer, Symphony, Xpress) from their winter clean out. Free to a good home. Contact Aaron Tunnell.
JDK Music just finished the score for “The Human Spark” on PBS (featuring Alan Alda). The series airs for the next 3 Wednesdays at 8pm.
New reviews of “Up in the Air,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “Young Victoria,” “Me & Orson Welles,” “The Road,” “Avatar,” “Invictus.” (Went to see “It’s Complicated,” but a small concession stand fire resulted in cinema interruptus…review as soon as possilble. Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of January 11, 2010
It’s a New Year and here are two ways you can get involved in your community.
The Governor’s Inaugural Committee has asked the Virginia Film Office to participate in the Inaugural Parade of Governor-elect Robert F. McDonnell and VPA members are invited to join in. This is a walking parade in the downtown/Capitol area that starts at 1pm, 1/16. Please wear a black coat, black pants/skirt and black gloves (if you wear gloves). If interested contact at Steven Burkarth.
There will be a public meeting to discuss and hear about the status of the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan (which includes film/video). The public is welcome to come join the conversation 6pm, 1/12 at the Visual Arts Center (1812 West Main Street). The event is sponsored by CultureWorks.
New reviews of “Up in the Air,” “It’s Complicated,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “Young Victoria,” “Me & Orson Welles,” “The Road,” “Avatar,” “Invictus.” More reviews coming this week. Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of January 18, 2010
News from DVG: David Thomas has accepted a broadcast sales position with them. He was the last Richmond sales person at PPI. They also hired Adam Hisle (Randy’s son) as a Service Technician. To accommodate this growth and more, they’ve expanded and renovated the facility.
We hear that director Sonny Zhao of Dreams Factory is expanding his business into food service. He’s taking over the space that was Verbana (at Floyd and Robinson) and renaming it Fan House, with an East/West menu.
Talent Link is looking for senior citizens, all ethnicities for non-speaking, non-broadcast roles for a video shooting in February. ($150 minus agent’s 15%) Auditions 1/22. If interested email photo and contact info.
David Gold, who used to work at Main Street Productions, has about 300 sheets of gels that he’d like to donate to the right organization. Contact Pam Rohs-Gold if interested. On an unusual side note: during shooting of “Star Trek the Motion Picture,” David broke his ankle and artist Robert McCall painted Trek stuff on his cast. It’s been sealed in plexi (now that it’s off David’s leg) and is for sale. Email if interested.
The first annual LGBT film festival Reel Pride Richmond kicks off with a premiere film and party on 2/5 and all day screenings (with one visiting filmmaker) on 2/6. Visit the site for details.
In other fest news, the University of Richmond has released the schedule for their Spring International Film Festival and ChinaFest. All films free. Visit the site for details.
Reminder, State of the Industry (Richmond) is Wednesday nite.
New reviews of “Dr Parnassus,” “Youth in Revolt,” “Broken Embraces,” “Nine,” “Up in the Air,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “Young Victoria,” “Me & Orson Welles,” “The Road,” “Avatar,” “Invictus.” (Went to see “It’s Complicated,” but a small concession stand fire resulted in cinema interruptus…review as soon as possilble. Click here for these reviews and more.x``
Week of January 25, 2010
I didn’t get to the State of the Industry event until after all the speeches, so I have no report (I know, I’m a slug reporter), but I did manage to shoot some video. Click here or visit the Media Galleries for this and other videos.
“Film Day at the General Assembly” is tomorrow, 1/26. Come to Capitol Hill and meet lawmakers to encourage their support of our industry. The Virginia Production Alliance will have a table at the General Assembly Building (9th and Broad). to help you make the best impression. They’re sponsoring a shuttle service, so you don’t need to park downtown. For more information visit this link.
Integfilms is casting a 30 minute romantic comedy based on an award winning script, “Frank & Flo.” Male & female actors, 21-35, any ethnicity. Looking for strong actors/"real" types (as opposed to Hollywood beauties). Paid (including SAG), including transportation and housing. Snail mail (no emails) headshot, resume, and reel to Integfilms, Casting Submission, POBox 974, Midlothian 23113. Tell ‘em you read about it on “Tales.” NOTE: I checked the link and it said that the short was shot in June, so I’m not sure what that means.
Deadline for entries for this year’s Richmond Show is 2/5. Visit the Ad Club website for details.
Teen talk show “We Got Issues” is gearing up for production and wants to run focus groups to discuss the show. If interested in being a facilitator or a focus group teen (13-17) visit the site.
New reviews of “Lovely Bones,” Single Man,” “Dr Parnassus,” “Youth in Revolt,” “Broken Embraces,” “Nine,” “Up in the Air,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “Young Victoria.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of February 01, 2010
The notice posted last week for casting of “Frank & Flo” was some kind of weird fluke. The movie was wrapped last summer, but Integfilms has another film coming soon, so they’ll keep the submissions. Sorry for the confusion (and the shocked cast members).
Due to a motherboard malfunction, my computer is down and some of the information for this week is locked inside. There was a request from the Virginia Film Office to have industry folks attend the committee meeting where the new incentive fund will be discussed. I don’t have details here, but contact the Film Office if you can attend on Tuesday.
After 12 years at Park Group, Rana Whited Morse has moved into sales for Studio Center Richmond.
Skirt Magazine and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond are presenting “Who Does She Think She Is?” on 2/28, 2pm. This doc follows 5 female artists and the director, Pamela Tanner Boll, was involved with the Oscar-winning “Born into Brothels.” A panel dicussion with the artists will follow.
New reviews of “Crazy Heart,” “Lovely Bones,” Single Man.” Click here for these reviews and more..
