Friday, June 29, 2007

Writer schmoozes with comedian Mike Epps

Crystal Brown-Tatum, a freelancer who writes for The Times, got a photo opp with Mike Epps. The comedian was recently in town filming "The Better Man."

Here's a note from Crystal:

"When I heard that Martin Lawrence was filming a movie in town, I immediately signed up with Glorioso Casting. I was so excited when they called to cast me as a 'townfolk' extra for 'The Better Man.'

"I had been an extra before in a major motion picture and welcomed the experience although I knew we would be in for a long day with a lot of standing around. After eating breakfast and meeting with wardrobe, we were led to downtown Minden to film an outdoor scene. Joy Bryant, Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps were in this particular scene.

"Bryant and Lawrence seemed very focused and not interested in greeting the extras.

"Mike Epps was the better man. He was very friendly, funny and extremely down to earth and he even ate lunch with the extras! Between takes, he would come into the "general store" prop and grab a snack, tell a joke and take pictures with the extras.

"He is one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met!"

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Wanted: Dead Dancers #1 and #2 from 'Mr. Brooks'


Talk about a set keepsake. Jamie and Burt Ogilvie of Shreveport welcomed "Mr. Brooks" into their home, and Kevin Costner's character shot dead two unclad love-making dancers for the thriller's opening act.

On this square of sheetrock bleeds the couple's gloriously fake remains.

But the couple ain't done yet, mind you. Jamie wants these brain splatters signed!

Let's help her out, shall we? If you know actor Ross Francis and actress Megan Brown (pictured here), tell them to get out their Sharpies and give me a holler.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Meet Jackson Beals. He’s gotta crow

Small speaking roles in movies aren’t so easy to come by, but Jackson Beals is determined to make the most of his.

The actor moved here from Tampa to take advantage of Shreveport’s growing movie industry. He has landed speaking roles in “Harold & Kumar 2” and “The Pardon” so far.

For the first, he played a KKK member who behaved like a rooster. I imagine it involved crowing and clucking, which had to impress the film’s stars, John Cho and Kal Penn.

“It was amazing,” Beals said. “I felt right at home with them. I had a two-day job.”

Beals thinks he got the part because he played it big at the audition.

“I did this huge character who was loud and rambunctious and nutty,” Beals said.

He brought that energy to the set, where they filmed late into the night.

“I’m a supporting player and I have to hit my mark every time,” Beals said. “There is no room for messing up.”

For “The Pardon,” his part wasn’t as exciting but he stayed focused between takes nonetheless.

“I was still the bailiff when I was standing around.”

Hear ye, hear ye, Jackson. Top job.

Learn more about the actor at http://www.jacksonbeals.com/.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Actress Erin Cummings doesn't pull punches

If you didn't catch my Times piece on actress Erin Cummings, who's refreshingly frank, do so by clicking here. Cummings is also smart about her working and prep habits. Log on to her website, http://www.erincummings.com/, to learn more.

If you didn't catch Velda Hunter's piece on extras, do so by clicking here.

And if you didn't know already, The Times is in the midst of an eight-day series on the movie industry.

Hunter's story also included a good sidebar for people seeking work as extras or actors. The info is re-posted below.

Casting call

Glorioso Casting will host an open casting call for "Major Movie Star" from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday (June 30) in Building D of Bossier Parish Community College, 6220 E. Texas St. in Bossier City.

The Millennium Films feature comedy starring Jessica Simpson ("Blonde Ambition") will begin filming in Shreveport on July 16. Casting directors are looking for all types of people, men and women ages 18 to 50. Military personnel and all ethnicities are encouraged to apply. Those unable to attend should register by visiting http://www.gloriosocasting.com/.

Shreveport-Bossier Film Office
Fill out the talent form on the forms page of the film office's Web site, http://www.shreveportfilms.com/, to be included in the extras database that is provided to inquiring productions. A partial list, for reference purposes, of talent agencies listed includes:

Academy of Children's Theatre Artists & Entertainment Talent Agency
(318) 218-6226

Acclaim Talent
1411 Fairfield, Shreveport
(318) 227-7515
http://www.acclaimtalent.com/

Athletica Entertain
(318) 798-5087

Fairfield Studio's Image Management
(318) 220-0400
http://www.fairfieldstudios.com/

Glorioso Casting
9595 Mansfield Road, Suite 201, Shreveport
http://www.gloriosocasting.com/

Landrum Arts LA
(318) 742-6554
http://www.landrumartsla.com/

Louisiana Casting Database, LLC
(504) 733-8223
http://www.louisianacasting.com/

Michael Turney Agency
(318) 226-5666
http://www.michaelturneyagency.com/

del Corral Model & Talent Agency
(318) 861-2989
http://www.delcorralmodel.com

Monday, June 25, 2007

Gregg 'Almighty'

If there is one certainty on my beat as movie reporter, it's that I'm going to run into Gregg Brazzel on a set. The Shreveporter has earned himself a steady career as a stunt stud.

So far, I've run into him on "Homeland Security," "The Last Lullaby" and "The Mist." For the last, a horror project, Brazzel plays pterodactyl food. Not only was he chased around a grocery store (and probably pecked to death) by the flying menace, but the effects-makers made a lifesize corpse of him. It appeared to be a few pints short in the blood department. Aside: Did you get to keep the body, Gregg?

Brazzel was also profiled in a recent Forum issue for his work on "The Pardon."

Imagine my (lack of) surprise when I attended "Evan Almighty" over the weekend and saw his mug in a crowd scene. If you go, watch for Brazzel near the end. He anchors a group of disbelieving townsfolk standing in front of Steve Carell and the newly built ark. They express disbelief that the funny man had built the wooden marvel, and then it starts to rain.

I must say, Brazzel's looks of befuddlement and worry were the most convincing of the bunch.

Friday, June 22, 2007

An immodest proposal: So you say your movie is eco-friendly? Prove it, and we’ll give you green

If there ever was a movie that should conveniently embrace the go-green zeitgeist, it’s “Evan Almighty.” In it, a congressman is tasked by God to become a modern-day Noah, build an ark and save life from an imminent flood.

If you’re as cynical as I am sometimes – oh, hell, let’s be honest, all the time – you might hear NPR’s recent story about “Evan Almighty’s” carbon-neutral production plan as a PR counteroffensive.

After all, “Evan Almighty” is the most expensive comedy ever made. Its price tag? An ungodly $200 million, including marketing costs.

If this movie fails at the box office, the irony of wasting millions of dollars, and consuming small forests of ark-building supplies, to make a delusional environmental comedy – apparently, the computer-generated flood is almighty but spares all lives – could have put the Universal execs on the defensive.

But those studio execs have all the answers they need for nosey reporters come Sunday night when box office numbers, good or bad, are reported.

Reporter: “So you wasted millions making a pseudo-eco movie that ultimately says nothing about the reality of global warning?”

Exec: “Not really. Our intentions were good. Our production plan was carbon-neutral.”

Reporter: “Carbon what?”

Exec: “Yeah, we planted enough trees to swallow up the emissions generated by the making of the film.”

Reporter: “Really? Maybe I should have bought a ticket.”

According to NPR’s story, “Evan Almighty” did work to reduce significantly its carbon footprint. That’s good news to anyone who considers global warming a menacing reality. (I’m a green sympathizer, if you can’t tell.)

The makers of “Evan Almighty" are setting a mighty example, and our state should take heed.

Louisiana should invest in meaningful go-green tax credit initiatives for the entertainment industry – and for all industries, for that matter – if for no other reason than Hollywood shapes public opinion.

Without “An Inconvenient Truth” or “March of the Penguins,” do you think millions of moviegoers would care two cents (or $7.50 per ticket) about the plight of our feathered friends in Antarctica? Not a chance.

If production companies come to Louisiana and successfully execute carbon-neutral production plans, the state should reward them.

Used hybrid vehicles to transport cast and crew? Buy only biodiesel fuel? Make the crew members ride bicycles or rickshaws? Set aside a conservation fund to plant enough trees to effectively renew the piles of lumber used to build sets? Plant even more trees to swallow up the emissions generated by plane tickets and trucks? Recycle every paper scrap, aluminum can and plastic water bottle used? Compost food waste? Donate money to in-state eco-friendly nonprofits like Chimp Haven or Audubon Nature Institute?

If production companies can prove they are making a sincere attempt to be green, the state should give them a 35 percent tax credit on all related in-state expenses.

Movie industry advocates often tell us that their industry is a clean one, suggesting that it tidies up its messes and doesn’t negatively impact the environment.

But that’s not really true, as Tom Shadyac, director of “Evan Almighty,” suggests in his interview with NPR. He’s aware his crew of 400 used lots of fuel just to get where they were going every day. He’s aware that a movie production generates a lot of daily waste in the form of paper and trash. He’s aware that an airplane advertising blitz for “Evan Almighty” over Lake Michigan consumed lots of jet fuel.

“Those poisons, we chose to offset by planting trees,” Shadyac told NPR. The simple plan was much better than no plan at all.

“The idea is to minimize the hypocrisy,” Shadyac continued. “Once the intent is there, I think at lease the ship is steering in the right direction. We can solve these problems.”

If go-green tax incentives come from state-led initiatives, great. If they come from the federal level, even better.

For now, whatever Louisiana can do to demonstrate its entertainment industry is forward-thinking will pay off in a flood of goodwill.

Do I hear an amen?

Thursday, June 21, 2007

‘The Pardon’ to sell set dressings

Items from the sets of "The Pardon" will be sold today and Friday.

The sale will take place at the locally made movie’s production offices in the Bayou Walk Shopping Center, suite 2600 at 6550 Youree Drive in Shreveport. Offices are near the Subway restaurant.

The sale will include vintage items dating from the late 1800s to the 1940s.

Most items will be priced between $2 and $300. They will include furniture, linens, lamps, quilts, afghans, artwork, photographs, wicker furniture, china dishes, decanters and bed frames.

Doors will be open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more information, call please call (318) 795-8030.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Casting call announced for 'Major Movie Star'

I just got this casting call notice from Ryan Glorioso of Glorioso Casting.

WHO: Millennium Films is calling all women and men wanting to act. Military women and men, ages 18 to 50, and all ethnicities are strongly encouraged to register.
WHAT: Open casting call and registration for “Major Movie Star,” a comedy starring Jessica Simpson. Filming begins July 16 in Shreveport.
WHEN: noon to 4 p.m. June 30 (Saturday).
WHERE: Bossier Parrish Community College (BPCC), Building D in main lobby, 6220 East Texas St., Bossier City.
WHY: Glorioso Casting ("Harold & Kumar 2" "The Mist," "The Better Man," and "Factory Girl") is searching for extras and featured extras. Those unable to attend should register by visiting http://www.gloriosocasting.com/.

Photo credit: Mike Silva/The Times. Not for reuse, even by ladies' men.

Monday, June 18, 2007

New video by Hurricane Chris shot in Shreveport

A few weeks back, Times writer Donecia Pea filed a story on Hurricane Chris. The rapper shot a video for "A Bay Bay" in Shreveport in mid May. The video recently premiered on BET. (That's very cool.)

Hundreds of people appeared in the video. You're not one of them if you didn't follow the advice of the DJ quoted in Donecia's story: "When the director yells 'action,' he wants you to clap your hands in the air and sing along," yelled DJ Bay Bay on a microphone. "If you don't know the words, you won't be in the video."

So, how does Shreveport look through the eyes of Hurricane Chris?

Get rid of your old tubes

Experimental filmmaker Leo Kacenjar wants your old TVs. The Centenary College senior is shooting a short film based on "Cities of the Red Night," a short story by William Burroughs.

Click here to learn how to donate that TV.

You can check out Kacenjar's latest project here. It was published by an academic magazine called Hyperrhiz.

In an email to me, Kacenjar explained why he's adapting the story. It's pretty fascinating stuff.

Kacenjar wrote, "In a nut shell, it explores futuristic notions of the myth of the American West. Simultaneously this landscape is saturated at night with radiation that makes the sky glow red. The book is a deeply ergotic, opiate inspired, trip whipping from time period to time period and transversing location to location. What interests me is the spread of a virus through the red radiation, and the manifestation of that red sky into sex/death rituals that permeate his many fictitious societies.

"Personally, this brings up some fascinating questions about technology and biology. It is clear that technology eats flesh, but our winged creations are capable of so much good, it is hard see or analyze destructive potential. Always following the mentality of Harraway (especially in the Cyborg Manifesto), I realize that utter destruction in one light is the end, but in another light it is the only hope for true unanimity.

"The movie itself is about a digital virus becoming a biological virus, eventually seeping through the media and infiltrating our society. We are sent reeling from the media, closing the television eyes and stopping the bombardment. But the ghostly glow of digital screen has already mutated our society into a dark nether region, with a pervasive sex/death obsession. This shadowy, snuff world is truly egalitarian, but at what cost?"

Hopefully just a few of your old TVs. Send them to Leo ASAP.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Bill would cut movie studio tax credit

BATON ROUGE (AP) - Building a movie studio in Louisiana is about to get far less lucrative for projects not already under way, if a bill before the Legislature becomes law.

A House bill awaiting a vote on the House floor as soon as today, would keep a 40 percent tax credit in place for movie studio construction.

But future projects would be capped at $25 million in total tax credits.

Existing projects would be grandfathered, but they would have to qualify for an unlimited 40 percent tax credit only through the end of this year and 25 percent thereafter.

The changes were proposed by the state's Department of Economic Development after concerns were raised by the Division of Administration.

The state's financial officers found a potential $1.5 billion loss in tax revenue if the uncapped 40 percent tax credit stayed in place.

No significant changes are aimed at movie production tax credits, which are now 25 percent and are scheduled to drop to 20 percent in 2010 and 15 percent in 2012.

The bill is being considered by the Legislature as LIFT Incorporated – which obtained 2006 tax credit approval on a $185 million studio in New Orleans – saw its offices raided early this month by the FBI.

That investigation followed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging a former state film official, Mark Smith, granted LIFT favorable treatment in exchange for kickbacks.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Locally made 'A Stranger Within' gets local premiere

Local filmmaker Jabari Thomas will screen his newest project, "A Stranger Within," at the Regal Cinemas Louisiana Boardwalk 14 at 3:20 p.m. June 19.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Ironing doc -- yes, ironing -- airs July 8 on LPB

NOTE: DATE CHANGED!

A documentary made by Allison Bohl and Connie Castille will get its LPB debut, according to the Robinson Film Center. Tune in at 3:30 p.m. July 8.

"I Always Do My Collars First" is about a few women from Breaux Bridge and their healthy obsession with perfectly pressed clothes. Like any good documentary, this one uses a quirky topic to explore more deeply the minds of its subjects.


I saw it when it was shown in Shreveport, and it's solid.


Bohl is from Bossier City and finished her visual arts degree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in December. Castille is a master's student in folklore at ULL.


Photo: The documentary "I Always Do My Collars First" features (left to right) Rookie LeBlanc, Gay Castille, Georgie Blanchard and Aunt Be Guidry of the Breaux Bridge, La., community.

State to freeze new tax credits for LIFT

The Times-Picayune has reported the state "has decided to freeze any new tax incentives for LIFT Productions because of an FBI investigation of the film company, a decision that tax credit traders say could shut down the New Orleans firm and severely damage Louisiana's budding film industry."

Click here to read the full story.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Read up on 'Ruffian'

Times sports writer Roy Lang III has a good piece today on "Ruffian."

Click here to read.

I spent an afternoon at LaDowns watching the filming of "Ruffian." Lots of extras and a big crew. What was most curious to me about the making of Ruffian was how many real jockeys they used (all of them, I would assume). They seemed bored by the process, frankly -- it took three hours to shoot a scene of trainer Frank Whiteley (Sam Shepard) simply walking up the stands and sitting down -- but I'm sure things got a bit more exciting than that.

If you watch the movie tonight or if you have any exciting bits to share, let me know.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

'Ruffian' airs Saturday; Lawsuit, trainer dispute story

Another northwest Louisiana-made project, "Ruffian," is getting ready for its small screen release. "Ruffian" airs 8 p.m. Saturday on ABC.

There's a very interesting story in Thoroughbred Times today regarding a legal dispute about the truth of "Ruffian." The trainer Frank Whiteley, who is played by actor Sam Shepard in the made-for-TV movie, sounds like he's an unhappy camper.

Click the following to read: Ruffian hearing postponed; movie will air

Here's an excerpt: "Trainer Frank Whiteley Jr., jockey Jacinto Vasquez, and Thoroughbred Legends LLC filed a lawsuit in United States District Court in Atlanta against Walt Disney Co., ESPN, American Broadcasting Co. Inc. (ABC), and Orly Adelson Productions, alleging copyright infringement.

"The lawsuit asks for monetary damages in excess of $10-million and sought to block broadcast of the movie unless it carries a disclaimer stating it contains fictional content. The two sides were negotiating on Wednesday and another meeting has been scheduled for next week. ...

"ESPN released a statement on Tuesday afternoon stating that the claims of the lawsuit were without merit and that the movie would be televised as planned. A second showing is planned for ESPN at a later date."

Tom Sizemore is in custody

E! Online and lots of other publications are reporting the following about Tom Sizemore, who starred in a Shreveport-made flick, "The Last Lullaby." That small independent feature finished shooting months ago and is currently in post-production.

Here's part of the E! story:

"Tom Sizemore surrendered Tuesday in a Los Angeles courtroom for an alleged probation violation resulting from a May methamphetamine arrest, prosecutors confirmed.

"'He did turn himself in and was immediately taken into custody and handcuffed by the bailiff,' said Jane Robison, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office."

Click here for full details.

Times published two editorials today

If you missed it, The Times published two editorials today. One is by The Times:

Keep it rolling: Louisiana can weather PR storms

The other was submitted by line producer Lampton Enochs and signed by industry leaders in northwest Louisiana:

Film industry has flourished in northwest Louisiana, needs continued support

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Check out the 'Blonde Ambition' trailer

The "Blonde Ambition" trailer is posted online for your view. The Millennium Films movie starring Jessica Simpson was shot in Shreveport in late 2006 and early 2007.

Enough chitchat. Which one of you readers is in it?

Jessica Simpson is coming back, and local response to FBI probe

On the way to filing a story on deadline yesterday, I stumbled across this bit of news.

Millennium Films will make its fifth feature film in Shreveport. "Major Movie Star," starring Jessica Simpson, will begin production in mid-July. She also shot "Blonde Ambition" in Shreveport with Millennium earlier this year.

Millennium also is in negotiations to build a 100,000 square foot movie studio in Shreveport valued at $7 million to $10 million. And trust me, this company is very serious about getting this deal done.

News like this usually makes the first paragraph of my stories, not the 11th and 13th.
__

But local producers and industry advocates met yesterday at Government Plaza to discuss their response to the FBI's investigation of LIFT and allegations of impropriety made about a former LED entertainment director by his former employee.

These are allegations at this point, but the implications are serious enough to have producers worried that a single incident could taint Hollywood's perception of the industry.

What struck me as most interesting about yesterday's meeting was not the PR danger -- that's obvious -- but rather the sense of immediacy shared by the local leaders of the film industry.

Everyone at that meeting was keenly aware of their interdependency.

Millennium Films, a production company, needs Louisiana Production Consultants, a producing firm, because they both develop the crew base, which is too small at present.

LPC and Millennium need TurnKey Louisiana, a equipment vendor and production services provider, because producers need equipment from in-state vendors.

TurnKey, Millennium and LPC need the Robinson Film Center, a nonprofit advocate for the film industry, to help promote Shreveport to Hollywood.

RFC needs the film representatives mayors' offices, because they share a common interest: nurturing the industry. And so on and so on.

With all of these entities willing to come to the table, it is apparent the industry in northwest Louisiana is organized, proactive and determined to keep the industry moving forward.

Three movies are in production right now in Shreveport: "Mad Money," "The Great Debaters" and "The Pardon."

In the short term, it will be extremely difficult to gauge the impact of the FBI probe. For the meantime, I'll be watching what the legislature does with pending amendments to the state's tax credits. For the longterm, I'll be talking to this region's industry experts, asking them if they are bringing in new productions, building a larger crew base, and intent on staying.

The proof of sustainability will be in numbers. How many shows are here or coming? How many jobs are filled and being created? How many blog entries can I write?

__

Regarding what's happening in New Orleans, I'm not there so I will defer to the Times-Picayune, which has done a bang-up job in getting this story out. Keep watching their movie blog for continuing coverage. Today's entry, "Are we dumping the baby with bath water?," is stellar.

I just spoke with the New Orleans film office. Jennifer Day says "Black Water Transit" and "K-Ville" are in preproduction at the moment. Nothing is currently filming, she said.

Yesterday, I spoke with LIFT's attorney Steve London. Regarding LIFT's production plans, London said, “For the short term, things are going to be pretty much on hold.” He further commented he didn’t know if short term meant days or weeks. He is meeting with federal attorneys today.

Photo credit: Jessica Simpson poses backstage at MTV's Times Square Studios, Oct. 4, 2006, in New York. (AP Photo/Paul Hawthorne)

Spike Lee plans 'Requiem' follow-up

NEW YORK (AP) - Spike Lee plans to return to New Orleans for HBO to follow up the stories told in last year's four-hour documentary about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Lee, who accepted a Peabody Award yesterday for directing "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts," said he's still not sure when that will be. He says now is too soon.

Lee says the story is not over and it's something that's evolving.

His film was able to tell stories not often seen on television news because of the time he had to work with, and the ability to show things others couldn't. Some of his interview subjects asked if he minded if they cursed; he said it proved essential to conveying the anger of the event.

He collected footage of bloated bodies floating in the floodwaters near New Orleans, much of it taken by the BBC. He said American news networks could show little of it.

Lee and his team were one of 35 winners of the 66th Annual Peabody Awards, given for excellence in electronic media. They included cable and network entertainment shows, as well as local
and network news programs.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

'Mr. Brooks' earns estimated $10M during opening weekend

"Mr. Brooks" will earn an estimated $10 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend, according to IMDb.com. Here are the numbers:

1. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," $43.2M
2. "Knocked Up," $29.3M
3. "Shrek the Third," $26.7M
4. "Mr. Brooks," $10M
5. "Spider-Man 3," $7.5M

"Mr. Brooks" opened June 1. It was shot in Shreveport, Bossier City and elsewhere in northwest Louisiana.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Times-Pic covers film tax credit controversy

You need to read these three articles from The Times-Picayune:

Movie tax credits could pay for condos, golf courses

FBI raids LIFT offices as part of tax credit probe

FBI raids offices as tax probes widens

The Daily Advertiser has a good editorial too:

Tighten rules for issuing tax credits

LIFT has been responsible for a lot of production in the state, and it's currently building the Film Factory, a $185 million studio and vocational school, in New Orleans. The company's Shreveport projects include "Mr. Brooks," "Factory Girl" and "Premonition."

Friday, June 01, 2007

'The Great Debaters' in Mansfield

Times reporter Vickie Welborn lives in Mansfield, where “The Great Debaters” is being shot. The movie about a 1930s debate team from Marshall, Texas, is being directing by Denzel Washington, and it stars Forest Whitaker. Welborn’s following the happenings-on in downtown. Here are her pics and captions.


A scene for "The Great Debaters" is shot at the corner of Texas Street and Washington Avenue in Mansfield.



Freddy Thomas of Mansfield is one of a handful of local residents who grabbed extra roles in "The Great Debaters."



The DeSoto Parish Courthouse has been renamed as the Harrison County Courthouse for filming of "The Great Debaters" under way this week in downtown Mansfield.



A long vacant furniture store on Texas Street is a 1930s produce store for the film, "The Great Debaters," being filmed in Mansfield this week.



No, this is not a file photo of Mansfield in the 1930s. It's one-block area of Texas street around the courthouse square that has been transformed into Marshall, Texas, for the 1930s backdrop for "The Great Debaters" in production this week.

Meet-ups for crew, actors, parents

The meet-up group Louisiana Produces will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Building D of Bossier Parish Community College.

The featured speaker will be Josh Throne, a production supervisor with Millennium Films. He worked on Millennium's "Blonde Ambition," a movie that was shot in Shreveport earlier this year.

Meetings for Louisiana Produces offer persons interested in the movie industry a chance to gather the latest information about current productions and work opportunities.

For more information about the meeting, call the Robinson Film Center at (318) 424-9090. Cost is free.

___

A panel of casting directors and talent agents will meet Thursday to discuss issues concerning children and work in the movie and TV industry.

Parents interested in the industry are encouraged to attend.

Invited panelists include casting directors Barbara Brinkley, Brinkley Maginnis, Tara Duncil, Ryan Glorioso, and Amy and Tommy Staub. Other invited panelists are talent agents Dawn Landrum, Jeffrey Nightbyrd, and Kelly Griffin. Also invited is Arlena Acree, who is the director of film, entertainment and media for Shreveport.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and be held at Caliente Restaurant located at 601 Texas St. in downtown Shreveport. Organizers are asking for a $5 cover charge to cover the space rental cost.

Parents are asked to leave their children at home as this meeting is an informational session.