SIFTER for the Ear presents:
VFX from Pixar to VR
Mark Lambert got his break in special effects when he developed proprietary rendering software for Pixar. He went on to create visual effects for numerous movies. More recently, he’s pivoted to work in virtual reality, which has taken him around the world to shoot incredible footage. Our discussion is crammed with interesting info, including:
– Creating “flying type” for Oprah
– Developing proprietary rendering software for Pixar
– How Air Force One get him “bit by the bug”
– Breaking his arm in a Buddhist temple
– An upcoming project with The Poe Museum
– Creating the 3-headed dog for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
– Photo-realistic animation in “The Polar Express”
– Designing a talking wolf for “The Chronicles of Narnia”
– Keeping the crew out of 360-degree virtual reality
– Shooting from the top of the Burj Khalifa
– Working with veterans for VR therapy
LINKS
LighthouseXR
VArtisans
My podcast with Craig Martin on The Good Road
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear September 27th, 2024
What Wakes Me Up/Moccasin Tracks presents:
What Wakes Me Up Episode 5 mainstream LGBTQIA
two informative illustrations by Kat Sharp for “Swing Bridge Stories.”
This episode casts a light on the our LGBTQIA family and friends. You’ll hear about Swing Bridge Stories, from author and illustrator couple Bronwyn Hughes and Kat Sharp. These stories take place in rural Mathews, Virginia, and feature queer characters, just as everyday fictional people in realistic settings. You’ll hear about Trans Kids, Our Kids: Stories and Resources from the Frontlines of the Movement for Transgender Youth, soon to be released, from the author, Alexis Stratton. Our fourth voice is Justin Sykes, who works with VACommunityVoice.org to prevent gentrification and build community along the section of Route 1 south of the Belvidere Bridge.
I met all four at Richmond Friends Meeting. Justin was a young friend when I served in First Day school, i.e., Sunday school at Quaker meeting.
What Wakes Me Up is a Sunny Gardener Production hosted on WRIR 97.3 FM and WRIR.ORG and other community media outlets.
and here’s a non sequitur from the master, VCU graduate David Wiley Miller, whom I knew in the early ’70s when we were students and neighbors.
Sunny Gardener What Wakes Me Up/Moccasin Tracks September 24th, 2024
Tags: author, books, current event, gay, Gentrification prevention, lesbian, LGBTQ, Literature, music, non-binary, queer, talk show, tolerance
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
Richmond actor in new Jerry Seinfeld movie
In UNFROSTED Bailey Sheetz is discovered by Jerry Seinfeld’s character in a dumpster eating what would become a Pop-Tart. This young actor has a funny part in the new Netflix hit that was written, directed and stars Jerry Seinfeld. Our lively interview covers much more than any of the local print stories, including:
– His relationship to the gas station/restaurant with the same last name
– His love of antiques, esp. vacuum cleaners
– Being called “an old soul” on Big Little Shots with Melissa McCarthy
– His first role as the voice of a squirrel for Apple
– Working with Seinfeld, McCarthy and Jim Gaffigan
– Flying on top of a truck
– Almost getting strangled by a candy necklace
LINKS
My review of UNFROSTED
Podcast on Pine Grove School
The vacuum cleaner episode was on How to with John Wilson, Season 3, Ep 4 of (my 5-star review)
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear September 20th, 2024
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
The world premiere of this thriller
SOLITUDE is a horror thriller that revolves around one woman who’s living alone in the wilderness for a survival competition show…with a supernatural twist. The world premiere will be September 21st at the Byrd Theatre. Today’s show features 3 of the creatives, Jeremy Brown, Mick Strawn and Dalton Pope and we discuss:
– Their previous Friday the 13th fan film
– What is Brownspace Films
– Where the idea originated
– Shooting in the woods for the entire project
– The Windigo!
– The cast member from ALONE that’s in this film
– The parallel story shot in Richmond
– The acting challenges for Sam Wren Vincent (the lead)
– A surprising answer for the photo of her daughter
LINKS:
The Byrd Theatre premiere tickets (Sat, 9/21)
Solitude trailer
Brownspace Films
Friday the 13th Vengeance (fan film)
The Magic of Horror Festival (Facebook page)
The Magic of Horror Festival (tickets)
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear September 13th, 2024
Brain Box presents:
October – A great time to go to space
Image: Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons (source: NASA)
Science Museum of Virginia astronomer Justin Bartel is back in WRIR studios with the news on some of the current and upcoming space travel. Tune in to learn about the European Space Agency’s JUICE spacecraft and the first-ever maneuver it accomplished in August, NASA’s upcoming exploration of Jupiter’s icy moons, the latest research of binary asteroid systems, and an upcoming mission to Mars.
To learn more:
River City Limits presents:
RCL 9-7-24 Jay Smack Host
smack River City Limits September 7th, 2024
Posted In: Blogging, Local, Music, Music Shows
Tags: rvamusic, studiobrva
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
This world premiere is the opening nite film at RIFF
SATURN is a sci-fi drama about a mysterious planet that appears in the sky on a crash course to earth. It follows a young father, who must decide between his family and saving the world. The world premiere is featured at the opening of this year’s Richmond International Film Festival on Tue 9/24 at the Byrd Theatre. Director Eric Esau & producer Douglas Haines talk about:
– The inspiration for this film
– The incredible talent of 7 year old Elijah Maximus
– Creating the visual effects
– Were the locations real or CGI?
– COVID showed up while shooting
– Shooting challenges on the beach
LINKS
Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF)
Saturn website
Richmond Folk Festival documentary on VPM
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear September 6th, 2024
Unicorn Power presents:
Unicorn Power – Crispy New Tunes for Crisp Autumn Nights
Ushering in an awesome Autumn with new power metal.
One Hit Wanda Unicorn Power September 6th, 2024
Posted In: Local, Music, Music Shows
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
She goes from pain to purpose
Mary, Her Journey from Pain to Purpose tells the story of Mary Almay, who transititioned at age 58. The documentary features interviews with her and others about the process and the politics of transgender life. It will screen at the 2nd annual Virginia Queer Film Festival in at Old Dominion University campus in Norfolk from Friday, 9/20 thru Sun 9/22. We discuss:
– Why there’s a period at end of movie’s title
– The decision not to use imagery before the transition
– Throwing herself to the crocodiles
– Why Andy Warhol is credited
– The surprise response from the straight community
LINKS
Virginia Queer Film Festival
SLA Video Productions
Call Me Miss Cleo (on Lifetime)
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear August 30th, 2024
SIFTER for the Ear presents:
Meet stars Jon Heder & Amanda Bearse
TAPAWINGO was shot in Virginia and features Jon Heder, best known as Napoleon Dynamite, in the lead and Amanda Burse as his mom. She’s had an extensive career as an actor and director, most notably as Marcy D’Arcy for 11 seasons on Married With Children. They’re joined by director Dylan K. Narang to talk about this unique film that’s showing at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF). Our discussion includes:
– The name for the production company Foggy Bottom Pictures
– Responding to the inevitable comparisons to Napoleon Dynamite
– Why shoot it in Virginia
– Editing the film long distance
– Amanda: Her suggestions for script changes
– Amanda: Her first movie role in 40 years
– Amanda: Acting with John Ratzenberger
– Jon: Enjoying Richmond
– Jon: Working with Gina Gershon & Billy Zane
LINKS
Richmond International Film Festival
Podcast with Rex Teese
Rocky Horror Picture Show tour with Patricia Quinn
Jerry Williams SIFTER for the Ear August 22nd, 2024