SIFTER for the Ear presents:
His first feature is on AMC
Alan Scott Neal is a Virginia native, who’s worked for many years in casting. His first directorial feature “Last Straw” is now on AMC and Shudder. Our discussion includes:
– How has work in casting affected his work as a director
– Consulting experts on the opening crime scene
– Shooting in the diner, which was floated up the river to New York
– The lighting challenges with so much glass
– Why all of the characters are surly
– Working with a neurodivergent actor
– Using vintage masks
– Making a dead possum
– How the movie got on Shudder
– A cool casting story
LINKS
Last Straw on AMC
Interview with Shoniqua Shandai (star of Harlem)
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear January 24th, 2025
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
Learn about these groups
This week is a double feature with three interesting women talking about their involvement in a special aspect of the biz. First is Connie St John, president of Women in Film and Video (Washington, DC), which is celebrating it’s 45th year. We’ll discuss:
– The origins of WIFV
– The Richmond connection
– Highlights from more than 200 seminars
– The membership categories
– Their new podcast
Lisa Giles will give us the scoop on The Richmond Film Network:
– What the RFN does
– The upcoming Indie Fest
– How it’s different from the VPA
LINKS
Women in Film and Video
Richmond Film Network
Their upcoming Indie Fest
James River Short Film Showcase
No Weapon Productions (Connie’s company)
Podcast on Virginia Screenwriter’s Forum (with Robin Farmer & Megan Holley)
Podcast on casting with Anne Chapman
Podcast with Joe Carabeo
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear January 17th, 2025
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
TVJerry interviews TVJerry
To mark the beginning of the 4th year of SIFTER FOR THE EAR, I went for a meta gimmick. Local cinematographer Bunt Young is known for his voice impressions of people in the production community, including yours truly. So, Jerry (aka Bunt) will be interviewing Jerry about:
– Where TVJerry came from
– When you started directing
– How you got into video
– The creation of The Man in the Dark.
– Directing music videos for Single Bullet Theory
– Some memorable production experiences
– Working with cinematographer Bunt Young
– The story behind Tales from the Grip
– The Dirtwoman Documentary
– How the podcast evolved
LINKS
Dirtwoman Documentary
Duke Lafoon’s podcast
Bunt Young’s IMDB page
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear January 10th, 2025
Brain Box presents:
Brain Box with SMoVA Ep. 2 – Community Science w/Devin Jefferson
If you are new to Brain Box, now is a great time to start listening! Throughout the month, we will be replaying the series, start to finish, leading up to brand new episodes from host Annie Miller and our friendly neighborhood experts at The Science Museum of Virginia!
Episode 2 – Community Science w/Devin Jefferson
One Hit Wanda Brain Box January 6th, 2025
Brain Box presents:
Brain Box w/The SmoVA Ep. 1 – Astronomer Justin Bartel
If you are new to Brain Box, now is a great time to start listening! Throughout the month, we will be replaying the series, start to finish, leading up to brand new episodes from host Annie Miller and our friendly neighborhood experts at The Science Museum of Virginia!
Episode 1 – Justin Bartell, Assistant Director of Education – Astronomy Programs
One Hit Wanda Brain Box January 6th, 2025
Posted In: Blogging, Local, Music Shows, News
River City Limits presents:
RCL 1-4-25 Jay Smack Host
smack River City Limits January 4th, 2025
Posted In: Local, Music, Music Shows
Tags: localmusic, rvamusic, studiobrva, WRIR
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
Moses Ezekiel: A Portrait of a Lost Artist
Steven Pressman was featured on this show for his previous film at the Israeli and Jewish Film Festival presented by the Weinstein Jewish Community Center. That film was “The Levys of Monticello” and he’s followed it up with a new documentary about a Richmond-born artist who became a world reknown sculptor. “Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist” looks at this Jewish man who also fought for the South in the Civil War. Pressman is back to talk about this new doc, including:
– A follow-up on “The Levys of Monticello”
– How he discovered Ezekiel
– The conflict of his support for the South
– His experience at VMI and how it affected his life
– His connection to Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant
– Using a Southern accent for his voiceover
– Was he gay?
– The notorious statue at the Arlington National Cemetary
LINKS
The Israeli & Jewish Film Festival
Trailer for Moses Ezekiel: A Portrait of a Lost Artist
My interview with Steven about The Levys of Monticello
The Levys of Monticello on Prime Video
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear January 3rd, 2025
Head Empty Radio presents:
RVA Playlist’s End of the Year Countdown
Andrew with RVA Playlist says good riddance to 2024 with some favorite songs from the past year.
rvaplaylist Head Empty Radio December 27th, 2024
Posted In: Local, Music, Music Shows
Tags: end of the year, RVA Playlist
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
Death of a Child Star
Local filmmaker Carter Amos wrote and directed Death Of A Child Star, about a young woman who’s haunted by her past TV show. The film will have a free premiere screening at the Byrd Theatre on January 11. Carter is joined by Sophia Anthony, his co-producer and star of the film, as they discuss:
– Their cinematic influences
– This “friends” production
– The inspiration for re-creating old TV shows
– Why it was shot black-and-white 4:3 ratio
– How did she try to de-age Maja when she played 16
– Mom’s thick southern accent
– The dog’s trainers
– Is it real or fake weed?
– Using a real gun
LINKS
@deathofachildstarmovie (This is their Instagram link. The Byrd hasn’t yet posted the event on their website).
Tickets to The Richmond Symphony’s Celebration of Black Music in Film (Jan 18, 8pm)
My interview with Brian De Palma and Kevin Costner
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear December 27th, 2024
What Wakes Me Up 8 Palestine Ali Jawhar on Bible, Koran, History, Culture and Future presents:
What Wakes Me Up 8 Palestine Ali Jawhar on Bible, Koran, History, Culture and Future
Jesus was said to be born in Palestine on December 25th so this episode is especially timely.
What Wakes Me Up this time is the plight of All the People in all the warzones around our tiny planet, but particularly the people in Palestine, one of the most beautiful, verdant and historically rich places on Earth. Ali Jawhar tells us about history and current life in Palestine. He lived and worked in the United States for decades, taught in Ramallah Friends School in Palestine, and now volunteers with an organization founded to help college students, the Charitable Society for Students of Northwest Jerusalem, aka The Student Fund, which provides tuition for students who need it, to keep students there while and after they study. Now there’s a good idea!
He suggests that the solution to the land conflict is to form a secular country where everyone votes. No religion rules, just people taking responsibility for their future. I can’t explain it like he does, so listen to Episode 8 of What Wakes Me Up on WRIR.ORG at noon on Christmas Day or in the archives anytime. Email or call me with any questions. Sunny@wrir.org and 804-617-6312
Sunny Gardener December 23rd, 2024
Posted In: Local, Music, Music Shows, News
Tags: children, culture, education, Gaza, genocide, history, Istrael, leadership, Palestine, Peace, Ramallah, religion, school, solution, vote, War