Sifter

Steve Segal and Phil Trumbo co-directed “Futuropolis” a zany animated sci-fi adventure that was released in 1984. It’s being screened at the 32nd annual James River Film Festival (March 29 – April 4). Steve went on to work at Pixar on the first two “Toy Story” movies and Phil won an Emmy for his work on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” but we’ll save those discussions for future podcasts. This show is about “Futropolis:” – The VCU inspiration for the movie – Their expectations and the results – Being influenced by Red Grooms and Max Fleisher – Shooting stop motion with people – Drawing animation on the actual film – Silent movie tributes all over Richmond LINKS: James River Film Festival A news report from the premiere at the Biograph Steve’s website Phil’s website

This year’s Indie Short Film Festival runs from March 20 – 22 in Charlottesville. Two directors from the festival talk about their films. Jamal Hodge has 2 films: “Take it to the Grave” and “Mourning Meal” Kelsey Nerrie is premiering her first short “Repurcussion(s)” They’ll give us insight into their backgrounds, their inspirations and the challenges for their projects. LINKS Indie Short Film Festival Jamal Hodge website Kelsey Nerri’s social media link: @repercussionsfilm2025 The doc on Terry O’Neill of Penny Lane Pub

Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, is back for this 5th year to talk about the activity in Virginia’s production industry last year. This also includes a discussion of the film that Andy wrote and directed here. LINKS Virginia Film Office “The Cashier” on Insta “The Cashier” on Facebook The Byrd Theatre Previous podcasts mentioned Griffin in Summer Bird in Hand Daphne Reid Bunt Young Rex Teese

This year’s RVA Environmental Film Festival runs from 2/21 to 3/7 in venues all over town. Today’s show features 2 locally made docs. CATCHING PINECONES tells the story of Jan and Herb Conn, who were pioneering rock climbers, cavers and nature preservationists. Director Chad Heddleston discusses: – The 10-year journey to get this made – Inspiration from the lives of the Conns – The meaning of the title – Using jaunty jump cuts instead of pan and zoom – Jan’s music in the soundtrack ALL FORWARD profiles an intensive training program for river rafting guides in Richmond, which has the nation’s only class III/IV urban whitewater. Director Justin Black returns to talk about his new short: – An update on “Headwaters Down” – Being a raft guide – Using a GoPro in his mouth – Things that went wrong LINKS RVA Environmental Film Festival Catching Pinecones website Chad’s Mockumentary “Almost Alpine” Headwaters Down website Podcast with Justin Black about “Headwaters Down” The Richmond Film Network (upcoming meeting) My podcast with the creator of the SONG SUNG BLUE documentary

Patrick Michael has been acting since the 3rd grade. His big break came from “Travelers,” an early reality series that ran on the Discovery Channel from 1996 to 1998. He was one of the hosts who visited cities around the world to experience the culture. He later went to Hollywood where he worked in TV shows and movies before returning back here. We’ll cover: – His real name – What is “Travelers” and how he got the gig – Some of the most unusual experiences on the show – Working on “Beverly Hills 90210” – Partying at the mansions of William Shatner and Aaron Spelling – Landing a small part in “Star Trek 6” – Being the TV spokesperson for Haley Auto Group LINKS Travelers on the web Patrick’s IMDB page Betty Bodine podcast Exposure: Nu West film series at the ICA My review of FALLOUT (includes a foto of Richmonder Annabel O’Hagan)

Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Richmond several times and the documentary “Echoes of a Dream: MLK’s Legacy in Richmond, Virginia” is playing around the state to celebrate his connections to our city. The film’s director is Tyrone Nelson, Jr., who’s the Founder and CEO of Newviews Agency, a local creative agency and production company. Our discussion includes: – How he got noticed by Adidas – The Newviews Agency explained – How his former jobs for VCU sports & Dominion Energy prepared him – What inspired Echoes of a dream? – Tyrone what’s background and how did u start agency (16): – Varina HS video got noticed by Adidas – How jobs for VCU sports and Dominion Energy prepared him – What inspired “Echoes of a Dream” – Using motion graphics to increase interest – The premiere at RIFF LINKS Newviews Agency Echoes of a Dream: MLK’s Legacy in Richmond, Virginia Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia Podcast on Training actors to become Thespian Equestrians

Ward Howarth produces promotional videos for the Lockwood Broadcast Group. Lockwood is a television, digital and advertising company that owns and operates 13 television stations and programs 33 channels in eight markets. Our chat includes: – How he started his career with skate videos – Being a “dub cub” – A creepy Halloween spot from “Family Feud” – Challenging and cool aspects of his job – Deciding to write novels – Winning awards from Richmond Magazine and VMFA LINKS Lockwood Broadcast Ward Howarth’s website Community Authors Expo at the Fairfield Library VPA State of the Industry 1/29

Nicholas Kleczewski is a Richmonder who edited the documentary “Song Sung Blue,” which inspired the current film of the same name starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. He’s had a varied career as an editor and director. Our discussion includes: – Starting with extreme sports docs – Two years creating videos for Beyoncé – Getting the “Song Sung Blue” gig via Craigslist – Comparing the Hollywood version to the original doc – How Eddie Vedder saved it at Sundance – Meeting Hugh Jackman at the premiere – An immigration challenge in Zimbabwe – Creating content for Audi LINKS Nick’s website Song Sung Blue doc (free) My review of Song Sung Blue (the Hollywood version) James River Film Society Short Film Showcase

Walid Chaya is an actor, director, writer and teacher who worked in Richmond before moving to Los Angeles. He’s acted in TV shows and movies, as well as directed shorts and taught acting classes. Our lively discussion includes: – Getting inspired as a child in Lebanon – How he got to Richmond – Moving to LA – Being cast in stereotypical Middle Eastern roles – Working on “Madam Secretary” – Getting burned to death by Neo-Nazis – Working with a dialect coach on “Blacklist: Redemption” – Sitting in a makeup chair for 3 hours – His shorts and upcoming feature LINKS Walid’s website Driving Ms. Saudi Darn It Darla Crazy Rich Arabs Lights, Camera, Conversation podcast My podcast with Constance Wu  

“Bad Shabbos” is a comedy about family that gathers for the traditional Shabbos dinner, when the son brings his new Catholic girlfriend. That’s just the beginning of what happens before it takes a surprising turn. Zack Weiner co-wrote this film with his director Daniel Robbins. It will be the first film playing at the 17th annual Israel and Jewish Film Festival at the Weinstein JCC. There will be a Red Carpet Opening Night Premiere Party on January 8 with Zack attending. Today, Zack will talk about: – Starting his work relationship with director Daniel Robins – Creating a BDSM video to run for City Council – How much of story was from his life – Sharing his scripts with his mother & father, co-creator of “Dora the Explorer” – Casting Kyra Sedgwick & Method Man – Shooting on location in New York – His upcoming script on chess boxing LINK: The Israeli & Jewish Film Festival

Hard Light Cinema is run by 8 cinephiles who screen independent and international films in various venues around Richmond. Since founding last November, they’ve screened 35 films. They have 3 slated for January and the first is Frederick wiseman’s 1968 documentary “High School” (free at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 1/4, 2pm). For this interview Lewis Peterson, Warner West & Syd Miller join me to talk about: – Who they are and how they got into cinema – Hard Light’s beginning – How it’s grown in 2 years – Deciding what films to show – Slow cinema – How they finance the screenings LINKS Hard Light Cinema website Instagram @hardlightrichmond

Charles D. Thompson Jr. is a prolific author and director. His most recent documentary is “Rock Castle Home,” which is about this unique community in the Blue Ridge Mountains and how it evolved and later vanished. It’s being screened as part of a series of programs at the Library of Virginia that highlight stories of displacement in Virginia communities, “House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History.” Charles will be in attendance on Fri, Dec 12 at 2pm. We’ll discuss: – His Virginia connection – Why his personal background inspired his books & documentaries – Becoming interested in “the little man” – Going from books to movies – How this film come about – What the title means – Challenges of shooting LINKS Library of Virginia event Charlie’s website Link to the video on PBS

WRIC’s “Showcase” started a few years back, but was updated to a full one-hour show, when it launched September 8 with co-hosts Amie Carter & Melissa Chase. We had a lively discussion which includes: – Their backgrounds and how they came to this show – Melissa at Hamaganza – Amie’s namesake – Shooting in studio and on location – Why it’s on mid-afternoon – Planning their wardrobe – The most interesting or unusual story – How it’s different from other local news shows – A character named Melissa Chase on Disney LINKS Showcase on WRIC Showcase Facebook page The Dirtwoman Documentary (with Melissa at Hamaganza)

David Crank is a Richmond-based film Production Designer. He was Oscar-nominated for “News of the World” in 2021 (there’s a link to that podcast below). His latest project was for “The Lost Bus (Apple TV),” which stars Matthew McConaughey as the bus driver who got a bus full of school children thru the horrific Camp Fire in 2018. We discuss: – The origins of his last name – Re-creating the interiors & exteriors – Using 7 busses for the shoot – Safety precautions for kids – Working with McConaughey – The real people who lived thru the fire – Meeting Bad Bunny LINKS David’s website Link to “The Lost Bus” on Apple TV Our first podcast interview from 2022 Anthony’s doc on Paul Pope My review of “The Lost Bus”

Joey Clift is a Los Angeles-based comedian, TV writer, director, Emmy-nominated producer and member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. His film “POW” is an animated short about a young native kid trying to charge his video game console at a powwow. He’s one of the featured directors at this year’s Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival (11/20-23), that presents projects from indigenous filmmakers from all over the world. We talk about: – Where the Cowlitz Indian Tribe is – How he got into storytelling – Using 3 different animation styles – Designing characters with different skin tones – The community of native comedians LINKS: Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival Joey Clift’s website Joey Clift “way too frequent podcast guest” Joe’s “Gone Native” web series for Comedy Central The first podcast with Peter and Francoise on the French Film Festival Richmond Film Network Indie Fest (11/15)

Andrew D. Kaplan has made several documentaries about 19th century writers and “In Search of Edgar Allen Poe” is his latest. This extensive 3-hour doc is now streaming on PBS. We’ll talk about: – His PhD in mass communications – Acting as the on-camera narrator – Touching up historical portraits – Determining Poe’s accent for the voiceover – Using Stephen Foster’s songs – The Golden Age of illustration – The mysterious man at his grave on Poe’s birthday LINKS In Search of Edgar Allan Poe on PBS East Rock Films website RONSTERBALMER Video Store Instagram page My review of THE STUDIO My review of YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS My review of BABY RAINDEER

Daniel Poler comes from Venezuela and Panama and his new film is coming to this year’s Virginia Film Festival (10/22-26). ESPINA is the film he made about and starring his best friend, Jonathan, who’s confined to a wheelchair. The movie explores the subject with an upbeat attitude. We discuss: – How he got to the states – When his filmmaking career began – Creating fashion videos for designers like Prada, Carolina Herrera, Jason Woo and Saks – Graduating from a doc to narrative – The title’s meaning – The surprise after the credits LINKS The Virginia Film Festival Espina at the VFF The documentary that Daniel produced about Jonathan Daniel Poler’s website Silent Movie Revival screening of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” WRIR Fall Fund Drive

Jeff Rathner started his career shooting news at CBS6 right here in Richmond. He ultimately ended up in DC working for 36 years at the PBS Newshour. Our discussion includes: – A wise mouth anchor at “PM Magazine” – Sharing a cigar with Fidel Castro – Covering Bill Clinton as his scandal started – Putting a mic on Paul McCartney – Sharing birthdays with Tom Hanks – Getting a kiss from Baryshnikov – The most challenging interviews LINKS:| Jeff’s IMDB page The Rocky Horror report on CBS6  (that Jeff shot) The 48 Hour Horror film Project (Oct 19 & 26)  

“The American Miracle” is a docudrama inspired by Michael Medved’s book of the same title. It states that God’s “providential hand” intervened in the founding of the United States. Douglas B. Maddox had a number of jobs on the film, including producer. We discuss: – Switching from physics to film in college – How he got involved with this project – Getting Pat Boone and Richard Dreyfuss – Shooting in Virginia – Visual effects to create crowds, snow and cold breath – Results of the national screenings LINKS The American Miracle website DBM Communications Podcast with Al Underwood Podcast with David Crank IRL Movie Club

This is the 2nd year for the Inthrive Film Festival, which features the voices and talents of incarceration survivors. It’s coming to Richmond October 3-6 at various locations. We’ll meet the makers of 2 entries about the closing of prisons that take very different approaches. Ashley Hunt’s “And Water Brings Tomorrow” merges poetry and documentary, while Juicebox P. Burton’s short “Space to Breathe” is a futuristic look at life without prisons. Our discussion includes: – Their backgrounds – How water inspired the title – A hybrid between doc and narrative – Taking a futuristic approach to abolition – Afro futurism design in the SFX and costumes LINKS: InThrive Festival Virginia Film Festival Belltower Pictures screenings