Sifter

D. Tracy Smith was on the show in 2022 talking about the designs he did for the Starz series “GASLIT,” as well as the TV series SWAT. He’s back to talk about his latest work, which includes some of the sets for the Netflix hit “MONSTER: THE LIZZIE BORDEN STORY.” Our discussion includes: – An unusual family pet – Adjusting the SWAT set for the new spinoff EXCILES – Going to Jail for the Menendez Brothers MONSTER series – Creating the cherry allée & Dovecot for Monster: THE LIZZIE BORDEN STORY – Designing a set for Google AI commercial – How he uses AI LINKS: My first podcast with Tracy Tracy’s website Podcast about “Bird in Hand” Screening of “Bird in Hand” 10/5

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 Kennedy – A client who uses a bird for a critic – Winning an Emmy – Dissecting Beatles songs – His new concerto for kids LINKS John’s website (JDK Music) Medicradle Donald Silverman’s podcast

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 graffiti for fun – His personal cinema in Wilmington, NC LINKS Richard Hankins’ website Virginia Film Festival

“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 opening animation – Her other docs on “gay geezers” like Armistead Maupin and George Takei – A background on the Sisters – Since they’ve been around since the 70s, why a doc now? – There’s not much about the Sisters’ personal lives – Shooting the big event and in churches – When and why Foxy Mary was added – Using “Do Lord” and “The Vatican Rag” LINKS Virginia Queer Film Festival Hunky Jesus doc website RIFF podcasts Edward Burns “Beneath the Blue Suburban Skies” “Last Shot” Heather Waters before RIFF Andy Edmunds talks about “The Cashier”

“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 – What NBA all-star Baron Davis brought to the film – Jamie Presley’s contribution as a producer – Shooting haze in the gym – Making each game look different – Using only one visual effect LINKS Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) RIFF Screening of LAST SHOT (7:30, 9/26 at the Byrd Theatre) “Last Shot” website My podcast with the creator of Swagger