Tales Told In March 2010
Week of March 01, 2010
WCVE has laid off 5 long-time employees in the engineering and TV production departments. They’re all over 40 years old and most have been with the station for 20+ years.
The biopic on Dolley Madison that was shot mostly in Virginia (partly at the “John Adams” backlot) will air on the PBS show “American Experience” at 9pm, 4/1. Local actor Mark Joy plays Thomas Jefferson.
They’re holding an Oscar party in Petersburg again this year (one of only 51 official parties in the nation). Petersburg native/actor Blair Underwood and Governor Bob McDonnell will host the gala at the Union Train Station, which will feature a silent auction, dinner and viewing the awards ($85). Visit the Central Virginia Film Institute site for tickets.
Speaking of awards, the Emmy-winning doc that I mentioned several weeks ago is being screened locally on 3/12 at 7 & 9 pm at the new theatre for Richmond Triangle Players (1300 Altamont Ave). “Coming Out, Coming In: Faith, Identity, Belonging” looks at gay Christians coming to grips with their faith. There will be discussions with Exec Producer Keith Martin and local clergy after each showing. Tickets $10 on the website.
The Virginia Production Alliance‘s Annual Meeting is 3/23, 6pm at Artworks.
The Byrd Theater will host a showing of the classic “Birth of a Nation” on 3/6 at noon. There will also be a panel discussion of Civil War in Cinema featuring history profs from VSU and UR, as well as Daniel Neman. $15.
Sera Tabb, the director of “Identity Richmond,” just got press on her doc that looks at various subcultures in our city (from historic re-enactors to drag queens). She’s been producing this for 3 years and hopes to premiere in 2011.
John Keltonic composed the score for a new PBS doc on the 1918 flue epidemic. “We Heard The Bells” airs this week.
New reviews of “Crazies,” “Shutter Island,” “Wolfman,” “Last Station,” “Valentine’s Day,” “Crazy Heart.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of March 08, 2010
In March of 1997, I launched this website. That’s 13 lucky years ago!
ShaveFX will again be hosting an event to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation on 4/22 and they’re inviting industry colleagues and clients to join in. Participants volunteer to have their heads shaved in solidarity with the children going through cancer treatments. Contact Dave Gau to lose your hair! Click here to see what it looked like last year.
The Virginia Film Office’s 2010 Virginia Screenwriting Competition is now accepting scripts (deadline 5/21). Every screenplay will receive a written critique from the first panel of judges and finalists are judged by industry professionals. It’s open to Virginia residents and students and there’s no entry fee to submit. Contact the VFO with questions (800.854.6233 or email.
Apologies to Kevin Beale, who I accidentally left out of my crew list on the story about the Virginia State Parks spots (see Feb 15 below).
We hear that the video game industry has injected itself into the Motion Picture Film Incentive conversation. Get in touch with your legislators to make your voice heard. Visit the Virginia Production Alliance site to get involved.
Ashly Covington, who used to work here, recently got some ink for her hand-modeling skills. Thanks to David Foster for the heads up.
The 18th Annual French Film Festival is 3/25-28 at the Byrd Theatre.
New reviews of “Alice in Wonderland,” “Crazies,” “Shutter Island,” “Wolfman,” “Last Station,” “Valentine’s Day,” “Crazy Heart.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of March 15, 2010
Confession: I was in the Virginia State Penitentiary for 3 days in 1986. Carole Kass (longtime TD movie critic) taught a screenwriting class at the massive penal facility that used to be on Belvidere St (where the VHDA and parts of Ethyl are located now). A script on literacy by Evans Hopkins was selected to produce and I was hired to shoot, direct and edit it. Recently, the project’s AV recordist was released from jail after more than 30 years and he made the trek from New Jersey to spend some time reminiscing about the experience. He brought two photos that were taken by a “Life” magazine photographer. Alas, the story never ran.
The 17th annual James River Film Festival starts 3/19 and continues thru 3/25. The VFO Reception is at Plant Zero, 5 – 6:30 on 3/19. Visit the website for schedules.
The winners of the Independent Film Festival were:
Shawn Utsey (Richmond); Grand Prize & Audience Choice Award for Doc
Megan Holley (Richmond): Audience Choice for Short Film
Chris Yeaton & Jared Carlisle (Cville); Grand Prize Short Film
Vincent Sweeney (Roanoke): Grand Prize and Audience Choice for Feature)
New reviews of “Alice in Wonderland,” “Crazies,” “Shutter Island,” “Wolfman,” “Last Station,” “Valentine’s Day,” “Crazy Heart.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of March 22, 2010
Correction: the date for Virginia Production Alliance annual meeting is tonight.
Last Friday night, I went to the opening reception for this year’s James River Film Festival (which continues all week…the Festival…not the reception). There were more film buffs than filmmakers, but I managed to find a few in my video.
The General Assembly listened to our story and responded. Our industry received a $2 million dollar appropriation (over the next 2 years) and $2.5 million in refundable tax credits (available in 2011). We will also have 5 million dollars in tax credits during future two-year budget cycles. This is the best incentive plan we have EVER received from the state, even more significant since this year’s budget had a $4.2 billion deficit.
The Virginia Production Alliance thanks everyone who helped make this happen, but there’s more to be done. Like all polite folks after the party, it’s time to send your Thank You notes! Contact your legislators to thank them for their support and promote our state to anybody you meet (especially producers). A special shout out to Advantus Strategies, who lobbied on our behalf. Finally, thanks to Terry Stroud and the VFO’s Rita McClenny for their countless hours working to improve Virginia as a film production destination.
WRLH was cleaning out a storage facility and found an old lighting patch panel, dimmer board and grid outlet strips that came from another station and has been in storage for years. If you’re interested in giving it a home contact Jay Endicott.
Link Media’s youth Initiative “We Got Issues” is launching its 2010 summer program that offers scriptwriting and TV production to youth (13-15) and they’re looking for teachers. Send resumes to Nyya Sistrun .
There will be a screening of a documentary about John Hunter and his students as they play the World Peace Game, a simulation that he has developed over the past 20 years. It’s 2pm, April 25 at the Byrd Theater, followed by a Q&A session.
The Greater Richmond Chamber’s Extraordinary Women’s Exchange will feature Daphne Maxwell Reid (actor, producer and co-owner of New Millennium Studios) at their next event on 3/25. Visit the site for details.
New reviews of “White Ribbon,” “Ghost Writer” (later this week), “Repo Man” (later this week) “Alice in Wonderland,” “Crazies,” “Shutter Island,” “Last Station.” Click here for these reviews and more.
Week of March 29, 2010
In the recent past, I produced two videos in the medical field. One for patients and the other for physicians. I just loaded them in my Projects section.
Patrick Bedall has been named General Manger of Metro Productions. They’ve also recently bought a Steadicam and opened a facility in Old Town Alexandria.
VCUarts Cinema and the Virginia Production Alliance are hosting “Stories from the Set: A Masterclass,” 7pm on 4/6 at VCU’s Grace Street Theatre (934 West Grace). A panel of experienced Richmond talent will talk about the acting business. They include Raynor Scheine, Jeffrey Wincott, Jennifer Massey, Rick Warner and Irene Zeigler (IMDB them for resumes). $5 (free for students and VPA members).
New reviews of “Greenberg,” “Prophet,” “Ghost Writer,” Repo Men,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Shutter Island.” Click here for these reviews and more.
