Sifter

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 Emm...

“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...

“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 Pa...

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 sta...

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...

The GenreBlast Film Festival is entering it’s 10 th 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 “...

This new documentary was originally made for the visitor’s center at Shenandoah National Parks, but has now been expended to a one-hour version.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 be...

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 t...

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...

Carol Connors started her career with The Teddy Bears and their worldwide #1 hit “To Know Him is to Love Him.” She went on to date Elvis and penned the lyrics for “Gonna Fly Now,” the iconic theme from “Rocky.” We talk about her new doc “ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story” and lots more: – Her early musical influences – How the doc came about – Raising $16 so Phil Spec...

Behind the VHMC event [powerpress]

Marc Weinberg & Victoria Fraser were on this show talking “Outrage,” the thriller they co-wrote and produced. This show will take them back to their time as writers in Hollywood: – Getting a nasty letter from Leonard Nimoy – Pitching a thriller to Dick Clark Productions – Henry Winkler’s project on dyslexia – What it means to have a script in turnaround – Story cr...

“Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War” features the profiles of four unique individuals who were involved in the creation of our nation. This doc is part of our nation’s 250 th anniversary and was produced locally by VPM PBS. Today’s podcast features producer/director Stacey L. Holman and her co-producer Maya Tepler. Our discussion includes: – Their backgrounds and partici...

The 3rd annual Fredericksburg Film Festival runs from June 25 – 28. Today’s guests are Dalton Okolo, President and Executive Director, and Carlos Naranjo, Partnership Director of the festival. Our discussion includes: – How the festival began? – How it’s changed in 4 years. – Working with the community – This year’s theme – Extended discussion of “Shallow” LINKS...

Jon Burkett started at CBS 6 as a photographer and worked his way up to become known as the “Crime Insider,” reporting on thousands of cases. He recently announced his retirement, which will be official on September 29, marking the day he started 26 years ago . We’ll talk about: – Getting his start at Wendy’s – A mistake that took him from radio to TV in the Navy &#82...

Filmmaker Sasha Waters was on this podcast in 2022 to talk about her previous doc: “ Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable.” She returns with her new film, “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” about the acclaimed poet. It will air Aug. 26 on the on the PBS series “American Masters.” Our discussion includes: – Where Pieshake Pictures got its name – Making short films...

Victoria Fraser & Marc Weinberg are partners in life and work. They’ve written for numerous film and TV projects, the most recent being “Outrage.” It stars Reed Birney as a conservative talk show host who’s being held captive in a basement. They also served as Executive Producers. Our lively chat includes: – Marc as a film critic for Richmond Magazine – Victoria working for Disney...

Max Fischer is a Richmond cinematographer who’s worked on numerous commercials, movies and TV shows. In addition to shooting the new thriller, “Saturnalia,” Max also served as Executive Producer. We’ll discuss: – The film’s idea born out of the strikes – The meaning of the title & Easter eggs – Giallo’s influence – Shooting at Dover Hall & the Pump House – Mus...

Richmond native Steve Segal started animating as a young boy and his first major project was “Futropolis” (my podcast about the movie with him and co-director Phil Trumbo is linked below). After he left Richmond, his career included: – Creating animations on early computers – Getting to meet John Lassiter – Scenes he animated on “Toy Story” – Being a scene planner on “A Bug...

Brandon Shillingford started Exposure Cinema in 2024 for people to explore, watch, discuss and connect through film. There have been several screening events with the next one coming up this month, “One for the Money,” which he’ll describe in this interview. We’ll also discuss: – Why he’s in Rome – Taking film class in high school – His previous jobs at NPR, CNN and VPM – W...

Phil Trumbo was born and raised in Virginia and he started his career as an animator here with the movie he co-produced with Steve Segal, “Futropolis” (podcast with them about the movie is linked below). After he left Richmond, Phil’s career took him “careening” in several directions: – Not getting accepted in VCU’s art program – Being in bands, including The Orthotonics – Workin...

Julian Glander is an accomplished designer, illustrator and animator who’s first feature, “Boys Go to Jupiter” is showing at this year’s Richmond Animation Festival (April 25 & 26). Julian will be here for the screening on April 26 at the Byrd and the animated shorts will show on the 25 th at Studio Two Three. Julian has lots of cool things to say: – Reciting the alphabet backwards on “J...

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 Ri...

University of Richmond professors Anthony Russell and Sonja Bertucci are the guiding forces behind the Italian and French Film Festival that’s running at the University from March 27 thru April 3. We discuss: – Their early film inspirations – Her documentary – How this festival come about – Why the French/Italian combo? – What we can expect in addition to screenings L...

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...