Sifter

John Keltonic has lived in Richmond for his long career composing music for hundreds of commercials, TV shows and films (winning 2 Emmys along the way). His client list is impressive and we’ll talk about some of the highlights and not-so-highlights of his career, including a few music excerpts:
– Switching from being a psych major to music
– Why the state asked him to quit his job
– His early piece for kazoos
– Using a synth vs live musicians
– The up & down of his composition with the National Symphony
– Finding a fan in Supreme Court Justice Kenned...

Richard Hankins graduated from VCU and designed sets for Richmond theatre before heading to New York, where he won 2 Emmys for his work on daytime dramas. Afterward, he moved to LA, where he continued to be a production designer for primtime shows like “NYPD Blue” (10 years). That includes:
– His Richmond theatre experience
– Breaking design ground for Guiding Light (and winning an Emmy)
– The challenges of daytime dramas
– Working with Holly Hunter on Saving Grace
– Making LA look like New York City for NYPD Blue
– Designing for 2 seasons of Private Practice
– Creating how own art & painting...

“Hunky Jesus” is the name of an event and a documentary about an Easter celebration that’s been taking place in San Francisco since 1995. The film looks at the legacy of the event’s founders, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a global, secular order of queer and trans “nuns” who combat guilt, shame, and exclusion through joy, humor, activism, and irreverence. It’ll be playing at this year’s Virginia Queer Film Festival (Oct 2 – 4 at the University Theatre on the campus of ODU). Director Jennifer Kroop and I had a lively conversion (as you might imagine), including:
– The inspiration for the...

“Last Shot” is about a 12-year-old basketball prodigy who lives in LA (Dylan Freedman). His life is upended with his father dies (Michael Rappaport) and he has to go live with his estranged mother in Nashville (Jamie Presley). This film will be featured at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival 7pm 9/26 at the Byrd Theatre. This discussion includes the film’s director Andy Palmer & producer Warner Davis:
– Where the film originated and and how you got involved
– Casting Laraine Newman
– Michael Rappaport’s challenge as the dad
– Working with the kids for acting AND basketball
–...

Edward Burns has been a leader in indie filmmaking since his debut feature “The Brothers McMullen” in 1995. He’s amassed an impressive career as a writer, director and actor. This new film “Beneath the Blue Surburan Skies,” was actually shot a few years back, but wasn’t released until the current festival circuit, including this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (Sep. 22 – 27). Burns stars along with Jennifer Ehle as parents of two adult children, who live at home and aren’t making much out of life. Burns will be in attendance with producer Aaron Lubin at the screening at 5:45pm, 9/25 at the By...

Heather Waters came to Richmond 15 years ago and founded the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), running this year from September 22 – 27. Although she’s been on the show as a surprise guest promoting the festival, we’ve never heard her talk about herself. This podcast focuses on:
– How she got into acting and singing
– Singing at the Grand Old Opry with Barbara Mandrell and others
– Her degrees from Georgia State University in a surprising major
– Working as a model
– How she ended up in Richmond
– Starting and growing RIFF
– One of her other projects: Creative W...

The GenreBlast Film Festival is entering it’s 10th year, where they screen independent, cult, niche and underground films that aren’t easily accessible. The opening night film is “The Black Hills Night Hike,” a horror anthology about myths and legends in the Maryland area. Three of the filmmakers are interviewed: Nickolas Jackson, creator of the anthology and director of title segment and “Snallyghaster,” Clark Kline,  co-creator/producer of the anthology, and Brian Pennington, who directed “Upper Melinda Witch Fest.” Our discussion includes:
– Where the idea originated
– How the stories came together
– Creating a vintage videotape look for “Snallycaster”...

This new documentary was originally made for the visitor’s center at Shenandoah National Parks, but has now been expended to a one-hour version. It will also be shown on the big screen at the Byrd Theatre as part of “Scene in Virginia” on September 14. Co-director Elizabeth Crowl of Orange Frame Productions talks about:
– The unfortunate loss of the original director
– The fun story behind the name of Orange Frame Productions
– The patience of shooting bears, salamanders, butterflies & eels
– Finding blind hiker Mary Wilson

LINKS
“Scene in Virginia” screening on 9/14 at the Byrd
Shenand...

If you were a movie fan from 1985 to 1995, you probably went to video rental stores to find new and old videos to watch at home. Today’s show features two new ones that are located in downtown Richmond. Holly Wright has Rewind Video (108 N. 7th St) and Cody Denzler just opened Monster Video in July (207 N. Third St.) We talk about:
– Their own experiences with video stores
– Starting their collections
– Opening a store
– Why people want physical media
– What age group is into it
– The quality of VHS
– Most unusual sale: jock straps

LI...

Virginian William Haines become a worldwide movie star in the 20s. His career ended abruptly when he refused to marry a woman and give up his longtime boyfriend. This led to his successful and  influential career as an interior designer. Sergei Troubetzkoy was on the show in 2023 talking about his experiences as a film liaison, including Staunton. Turns out Haines was born in there and Sergei has been studying the career of Haines and amassing a collection of his memorabilia. His fascinating history lesson includes:
– Meeting Haines at the Poe Museum
– Haines’ early years in Richmond
– Moving to...

Singer/songwriter Carol Connors [powerpress]

Behind the VHMC event [powerpress]

Marc & Victoria return [powerpress]

This VPM doc celebrates our 250th [powerpress]

The 3rd annual film festival [powerpress]

Get the “inside” on Crime Insider [powerpress]

Stories from director Sasha Waters [powerpress]

Writers/producers Marc Weinberg & Victoria Fraser [powerpress]

DP Max Fischer [powerpress]

Steve Segal returns! [powerpress]

Brandon Shillingford makes cinema connections [powerpress]

Phil Trumbo’s expansive career [powerpress]

Come to the Richmond Animation Festival [powerpress]

Including “Mom, I’m on Drugs” [powerpress]

VCU’s Institute of Contemporary Art (or the ICA) opened in 2018 and has continually shown films in their auditorium. Amber Esseiva, Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Mimi Luse, Head of Program Production, join me to talk about the numerous offerings that are available including:
– Why cinema programs at the ICA?
– Films from The Kadist Foundation
– The New Richmond Filmmakers Series (featuring Surprise Guest Ken Brisby’s film)
– Community Media Center Film Workshops
– Exposure Cinema Series
– First Friday Film Events

LINKS
The ICA website
To apply for the Community Fi...

Meet the founders [powerpress]

Filmmakers Steve Segal & Phil Trumbo [powerpress]

Indie Short Film Festival [powerpress]

Part of the annual VFO report [powerpress]

The RVA Environmental Film Festival [powerpress]

Actor Patrick Michael [powerpress]

Director Tyrone Nelson, Jr. [powerpress]

Ward Howarth produces TV promos [powerpress]

Editor Nicholas Kleczewski [powerpress]

Actor/director/teacher Walid Chaya [powerpress]

Meet co-writer Zack Weiner [powerpress]

Meet 3 members of their team [powerpress]

Charles D. Thompson Jr. explains [powerpress]

With Amie Carter & Melissa Chase [powerpress]

Oscar-nominated David Crank returns [powerpress]