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

Posted In: Local, News

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 2^nd 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

Posted In: Local, News

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

Posted In: Local, News

SIFTER for the Ear presents:

Meet Chandler Riggs’ movie siblings

This is the first of 3 interviews featuring films at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (Sep 24 – 29).

Nelson Tracey wrote and directed Breakup Season, about a couple whose relationship ends on a Christmas family visit. The boyfriend is played by Chandler Riggs (best known as the son on The Walking Dead) and his girlfriend was played by Samantha Isler (Teen Molly in Molly’s Game and one of the daughters in Captain Fantastic). My interview is with Nelson, as well as the 2 actors who played Chandler’s siblings, Carly Stewart and Jacob Wysocki. Since they provide much of the comedy in this drama, their interview is lots of fun, including:
– The fascination with La Grande, Oregon (NOT La Grange)
– Inspiration for trains, vegetarianism & hatchet throwing
– Chandler and Samantha’s “love scene”
– Creating the Tik Tok dance
– Those Christmas PJs

LINKS:
Richmond International Film Festival
The Ashland Theatre
My Ashland Theatre podcast

Jerry Williams    SIFTER for the Ear    August 15th, 2024

Posted In: Local, News

Installing TV facilities from LA to NYC presents:

Installing TV facilities from LA to NYC

Alex Martin is founder and CEO of Digital Video Group, an industry leading supplier and system integrator of broadcast and production systems. Our lively discussion includes:
– How he ended up in the biz
– His band and where they played
– What exactly DVG does
– How big is the company
– Some of the coolest installations in LA, NYC and DC
– How tech has changed the business
– Getting involved with Shockoe Records and Shockoe Sessions

LINKS
Digital Video Group
Shockoe Records
Shockoe Sessions Live
This Room Sounds Great (Shockoe Sessions Live Podcast)
RVA Documentary Group

Jerry Williams    August 9th, 2024

Posted In: Local, News

SIFTER for the Ear presents:

He created THERE IS A MONSTER

Mike Taylor started his career as a producer in LA, but ended up back on the East Coast, where he started his own production company. Eventually, he ended up back in Richmond, where he decided to write and direct his first feature, There Is a Monster. We’ll discuss:
– Working “swing gang” for a Steven Segal film
– What he did for Disney
– The award-winning shorts he produced for Showtime
– When he decided to create his own feature
– Finding the locations
– Creating the visual effects for the “monster”

LINKS
Mike Taylor’s website
There is a Monster website
804 Day

NOTE: I said 804 Day is is Saturday, but it’s Friday 8/2.

Jerry Williams    SIFTER for the Ear    August 2nd, 2024

Posted In: Local, News