'The Mist' starting to see the light

Quint from Ain't It Cool News is still lapping me on his coverage of "The Mist," which was shot at StageWorks of Louisiana in Shreveport. The crack reporter recently attended Comic-Con and got a look at some early footage.

Quint writes: "They showed 2 clips. The first is from the loading dock sequence where poor Norm the bag boy gets felt up by something slimey."

Felt up by something slimey? Hmm. I didn't know "The Mist" was a political drama.

Click here to read more.

Photo: Director Frank Darabont and Thomas Jane at Comic-Con. Ain't It Cool News.

Pruitt Taylor Vince to star in LSUS theater production

LSUS Department of Communications will host auditions Thursday through Saturday for its upcoming production of “Burn This,” a play by Lanford Wilson. It will be directed by Robert Alford.

The production will star Pruitt Taylor Vince, a TV and film actor who starred in James Mangold’s “Heavy” and “Identity”; Lawrence Kasdan’s “Mumford”; and “Trapped” starring Kevin Bacon.

Vince, a Baton Rouge native, recently wrapped production on "In the Electric Mist." The movie starred Tommy Lee Jones and was shot in south Louisiana.

Auditions are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday; 6 p.m. Friday; and noon Saturday. They will be held at the university’s Black Box Theatre in room 109 of Bronson Hall. Performances are Sept. 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Available roles are “Anna,” a dancer turned choreographer; “Larry,” an advertising executive; and “Burton,” a wealthy screenwriter. All characters are in their mid 20s to mid 30s.

For more information or to request sides, call (318) 797-5283.

Meet Dr. Evil's maker

Chair-maker, that is.

Jim Hayes has set up Louisiana Hot Props, a props rental and manufacturing house, in Shreveport. His business partner is local music pro Jeff Burton.

An industry veteran, Hayes has been fashioning some very unusual items for a long time. He was director of manufacturing for the Los Angeles-based Hand Prop Room for 15 years.

He’s made tons of just plain cool stuff, including weapons for “Scorpion King” and the infamous Dr. Evil chair and the “enema bug” for “Austin Powers.”

How fun was imagining the last item?

“It was pretty gross,” Hayes confessed. Hopefully the testing phase didn’t last too long.

You’re bound to see lots of Hayes’s work in the future. He has supplied props for “The Mist,” “The Better Man,” “The Pardon” and the current “Major Movie Star.”

Setting up shop in Shreveport has turned out to be a good move. He’s glad friends encouraged him. “I saw the need through the local film commission,” Hayes said. “They all convinced me I could make a living here. It’s been on an upward role since then.”

He’s also working with the Robinson Film Center to create some funky designs for the interior of the new building (for downtown Shreveport). Among his best will undoubtedly be custom-made bar stools for the film center’s bistro.

Local music aficionados and motor heads may be very familiar with Hayes. He designs and builds hotrods. He designed the paisley fire adorning the second signature James Burton electric guitar for Fender.

Mayor Glover is taking my job!

There's a new movie critic in town: Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover.

And he thought "Factory Girl" stunk.

During a recent Times editorial board meeting, Glover and city officials spoke to us about Millennium Films and its plans to build a studio facility in Ledbetter Heights. During a moment when Glover disagreed with a Times editorial's characterization of the site as "industrial," discussion took a lighter turn. Here's an excerpt from the meeting:

Glover: "Unfortunately when the average citizen hears industrial development they see rock crushers (and) Louisiana Proteins."

(Laughter.)

Craig Durrett (Times Editorial Page Editor): "Let’s hope the films aren’t stinkers."

Glover: "Obviously you haven’t seen 'Factory Girl.’" (Laughter.) "That’s just a chance you take."

___

To be fair, Millennium Films didn't make "Factory Girl." But you get the point.

Results of recent blog poll: What is your favorite locally made movie or TV show?

"Factory Girl" 3 votes (4%)

"The Guardian" 20 votes (30%)

"Initiation of Sarah" 0 votes (0%)

"Mr. Brooks" 24 votes (36%)

"Not Like Everyone Else" 0 votes (0%)

"Premonition" 7 votes (10%)

"Road House 2: Last Call" 1 vote (1%)

"Ruffian" 3 votes (4%)

"Thief" 6 votes (9%)

"The Year Without a Santa Claus" 1 vote (1%)

Votes: 65

Want to meet stars? Call D.A.

Guess who's in town starring in "Major Movie Star?" It's not local man about town, David Aubrey, but it is his guest in the photograph: Vivica A. Fox.

Word has it she plays the sergeant who whips Jessica Simpson into shape for the comedy. And word has it she likes people in Shreveport, whom she calls "very friendly."

I've never, repeat, never accidentally run into a movie star. Anywhere.

How is it that David just happens to run into one of the coolest actresses on the planet, the woman who nearly ended The Bride, and I can't so much as share a tequila shot with Jimmy Fallon at El Chico?

The Shreve is a cruel, cruel place.

'The Great Debaters' holding the great garage sale

The makers of “The Great Debaters” will have a set sale 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (July 28).

The Weinstein Co. movie starred Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker and wrapped Monday. Most of the movie was shot in DeSoto Parish.

The set pieces are mostly antiques. They were used to recreate an atmosphere of 1930s Marshall, Texas, where the plot is set.

Items up for sale include many beds, draperies, couches, two dozen tables, about 40 chairs and about 50 lamps. Prices range from $5 to hundreds of dollars per item.

The sale will be held at the back of Mansfield Studios at 9595 Mansfield Road in Shreveport.

For more information, call (318) 682-5641.

Shocking truth! Jessica Simpson wears wool and polyester

A recent MTV News report suggests Jessica Simpson (or Daisy 2) is toughening up to life in Louisiana. Credit that to "Major Movie Star," which started filming here last week. The boot-camp comedy stars Simpson as an actress who joins the Marines to ... yada yada yada.

Simpson told MTV, "Our socks are even wool ... Wool and polyester, on my feet, with army boots and the whole thing. I'm afraid of heights, and I have to climb a 40-foot tower — and I have to be in the swamp! ... I mean, there are alligators in Louisiana!"

Right you are, Jessica. My advice is to stay out of the waters in Bossier City.

This is Simpson's second movie in northwest Louisiana and with Millennium Films. The first? "Blonde Ambition."

Image: MTV News.

DVD extras shine more light on ‘Factory Girl,’ ‘Premonition’

Those who enjoy looking “behind the scenes” should check out the DVD extras for “Factory Girl” or “Premonition.”

The “Factory Girl” DVD partly touches on the delays and reshoots that marred this movie’s release. During his DVD diary, Guy Pearce touches on how the Weinstein Co. pumped money into the project months after it wrapped here.

Guy Pearce’s video diary is made all the more interesting when you read this New York Times article (subscription needed), which describes the bad blood between director George Hickenlooper and LIFT Productions. Apparently, there was a major disagreement regarding the need to shoot more footage outside of Louisiana.

Weinstein Co. is essentially described as the hero that saved the movie at the 11^th hour. (Saved probably isn’t the right word since “Factory Girl” flopped.)

Hickenlooper suggests (very briefly) that finishing “Factory Girl” was as difficult as finishing “Apocalypse Now.” That’s both hilarious and heartbreaking if you know Hickenlooper directed “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse.”

You’ll also get to see Sienna Miller and Jimmy Fallon writing their lines on the fly. (A tad scary, but fun.)

The DVD doesn’t clearly explain why a film with incredibly high hopes ultimately tanked. (Rewrites and conflicts between directors and production companies are nothing new.) But it does, in the end, show you how Hickenlooper’s verve was channeled into a portrait of an out-of-control Edie Sedgwick getting lost in an out-of-control era.

The DVD extras for “Premonition” are pretty standard, but there are two pieces worth looking at.

For one, director Mennan Yapo presents the film’s series of events in chronological order. To my eyes, it inadvertently confirms that the plot doesn’t make a lick of sense however you look at it – chronologically, narratively, symbolically or religiously.

The second notable extra shows us how the crew literally took apart a home on the 800 block of Gladstone Boulevard to shoot most of the film. They shot in the house for three months, ripping out walls, a roof and more just so they could get every any angle.

Yapo goes a little bit "Hitchcock" in the way he works to add mystery to a mundane space. (See "Dial M for Murder" if you don't believe me.)

If you've watched the DVDs, let me know what you think.

PHOTO 1: Director George Hickenlooper on the set of “Factory Girl. (Jim Hudelson/The Times)

PHOTO 2: The home where the movie "Premonition" is located at 831 Gladstone Blvd. in Shreveport. (Courtesy of Angela Mullins/Special to The Times)

Catch up with 'Plummet'

I had to miss the premiere of Chris Lyon's "Plummet" because I was covering Pottermania. Looks like the short film attracted 250 folks to LSUS University Center. Nice draw! Lyon and local blogger Robert Trudeau shared their thoughts online. Click below:

Perennial Media Entertainment Group

Trudeau's Shreveport Arts Blog

Louisiana Production Rentals open for business

Stephen Patrick Walker (pictured) and Kendrick Hudson have opened up a new company in the Shreveport-Bossier area. It's called Louisiana Production Rentals and offers lots of set necessities. The list includes wardrobe racks, director's chairs, pop-up canopies, tables, ladders, safety cones and misting fans.

"Our main goal is to really help the business stay here," Walker said. "We can't jump into the paint or construction business, but this is something we know about."

Walker directed "Judges," a small-budget independent western, in Virginia. The direct-to-DVD title is currently on sale. Hudson produced "Outside Sales," a small-budget independent comedy, in Los Angeles.

Both are originally from Shreveport and have moved back to get involved in the state's film industry. Walker is working to further his next directorial project. Hudson does a lot of production work in the state.

'John Rambo,' a Millennium Films project not shot here

Millennium Films, which is setting up shop in Shreveport, is also responsible for "John Rambo." The movie obviously wasn't shot here. But Rambo's back. (And he's severing heads.) I have no clue when this will be released. But I'm buying a ticket.

Your favorite movie?

If you didn't notice it, check out the poll to the right. I want to learn what movies you like the most.

Robinson Film Center construction sparking along

There is proof in the pudding of the Robinson Film Center's planned new building.

Construction is well underway at 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. You can now begin to visual how the space will work. If you're familiar with the Magnolia in Dallas -- a cool arthouse theater -- you can picture RFC.

RFC will be a multilevel building offering two theaters (48 seats and 158 seats respectively), concessions, a cafe and lots of public programming space.

RFC Executive Director John Grindley said the entire facility will cost $4 million. To cover its initial operating costs, RFC needs to raise $1 million more.

While pointing out some defining features, Grindley was happy to see the building starting to take shape.

"This is the day we've all been waiting to see," he said. "We're on schedule for completion by the end of the year."

Construction workers from Boggs and Poole Contracting Group piece together the steel beams inside the future home of Robinson Film Center. One construction worker is standing on the floor of the 48-seat Celebrity Theater.

Construction is progressing at the future home of the Robinson Film Center, which sits at 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. The nonprofit hopes to open its new doors in early 2008.


Chris Jay (left) and John Grindley of the Robinson Film Center point out the future door frames that will be installed inside the building at 617 Texas Street.


John Grindley (left) and Chris Jay unveil one of the Robinson Film Center's prized movie props: a glass box stuffed with fake $10,000 bills from "Mad Money," a heist film starring Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah. Such props will likely decorate the interior of the Robinson Film Center's new downtown home when it opens in early 2008. (And there's nothing like photographing sources next to a pile a cash. Sorry fellas!)

Film industry directory coming soon ...

A local advertising firm is publishing a directory for the film industry called "La. F.I.G." If you're in the biz, consider the following recommendation from the Robinson Film Center's Clare France:

"The Louisiana Film Industry Guide (La. F.I.G.) will be one of the official Film Industry guides (focusing on Northwest LA). The guide will be our version of the L.A. (Los Angeles) 411. I think if you own a business that is related to the industry you should be listed. If you are film office in one of our surrounding parishes, you should be listed. If you are an individual who has worked in the biz as a crew member, you should be listed. If you would like to be a part of the book and/or have questions please contact Pam (Edwards)."

Pam Edwards of Ad House Advertising can be reached at:

Louisiana Film Industry Guide
(La. F.I.G.)
701 Pierremont Road
Shreveport, La. 71106
(318) 965-6688 office
(318) 294-7482 cell
(318) 390-1595 fax

Deadline for inclusion is August 15.

Shreveport-made movies on DVD July 17

"Factory Girl" (official website)

"Premonition" (official website)

"Factory Girl" is uncut, unrated. Uh oh.

"Premonition" comes with an alternate ending. Phew.

What tops the Shreve-centric box office?

So far, movies made in Shreveport are performing modestly at the box office. We have yet to see one of ours rack up that (sort of) magical $100 million in ticket sales, domestically or worldwide.

"The Guardian" leads in total
gross, but "Premonition" likely
takes the crown in profitability.

Here are some figures:

1. "The Guardian"
Domestic: $55,011,732
Worldwide (includes domestic): $94,973,540
Budget: $113 million
Released: Sep. 30, 2006
Domestic DVD rental tally: $33.6 million
(as of May 6, 2007)

2. "Premonition"
Domestic: $47,852,604
Worldwide: $72,405,710
Budget: $21.5 million
Released: March 16, 2007

3. "Mr. Brooks"
Domestic: $28,079,908
Worldwide: $30,053,623
Budget: $18.5 million
Released: June 1, 2007

4. "Factory Girl"
Domestic: $1,661,464
Worldwide: $2,684,692
Budget: $10.4 million
Theatrical release: Dec. 29, 2006
DVD release: July 17, 2007

There is one person who could make a sideways swipe at the crown, though: Shreveport's own William Joyce. The children's author was a big factor in the making of "Robots" and "Meet the Robinsons." Neither was made her, but Joyce sure drew tons of character sketches in his Centenary College office.

"Robots"
Domestic: $128,200,012
Worldwide: $260,718,330
Budget: $75 million
Release date: March 11, 2005

"Meet the Robinsons"
Domestic: $96,743,052
Worldwide: $150,915,141
Budget: n/a
Release date: March 30, 2007

Lastly, don't forget "Steel Magnolias." It was shot in Natchitoches, released in 1989, and tallied $83,759,091 at the domestic box office and $95,904,091 worldwide.

This chart is bound to change when "The Mist," "The Great Debaters," "Mad Money" and others get their theatrical releases.

I need to get some better data on DVD sales.

If I missed anything, let me know.

SOURCES
Box office figures: www.boxofficemojo.com.
Budgets: Louisiana Economic Development Department and www.boxofficemojo.com.

Like short films? Try 'Plummet' and 'Fred'

Amateur filmmaker Chris Lyon will screen his new 28-minute film July 20 at the LSUS University Center Theater.

It's called "Plummet" and appears to be a suspense drama about broken love and a darned, ungettable girl.

Lyon and his co-conspirator Luke Lee are highly skilled self-taught filmmakers. I've been keeping up with them for about two years. They bring more technical prowess to each new project. It's nice to see people who are passionate about film apply their passion so fiercely.

WHAT: screening of "Plummet." Preceded by "Fred," an eight-minute film by Keith Shively.
WHEN: 7 p.m. July 20.
WHERE: LSUS University Center Theater, Shreveport.
COST: $5.
DETAILS: www.plummet-movie.com or www.perennialmedia.com.

Admit it. You like Harry

I was among the muggles last night at a midnight screening of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Read my review by clicking here.

What struck me as notable about the screening was not the lovable Potter geeks. They're still a few who dress up in robes and Potter spectacles -- you know who you are -- but most moviegoers are pretty casual about the whole experience. They show up an hour early, pick their seats, text their friends and, well, wait.

What is worth noting is the sincere connection between the moviegoers and the movie, which is all the stronger at a first screening.

Harry Potter, like Indiana Jones, has a way of commanding our attention because, quite simply, we like him. We really like him.

During my screening, cellphones didn't ring. Moviegoers watched and didn't distract others with dumb banter. If they said something it was "Finally!" when Harry got his first kiss or "Harry Pottah!" in a fake British accent as WB logo faded onto the screen. Funny commentary. Not pointless chatter.

With the risk of sounding like a shill, an opening night of a "Harry Potter" flick is a bit magical. People treat those first glimpses into Harry's newest movie-world as a gift from Gandalf.

Cinephiles need to have the collective experiences of cinematic worship every once in a while. We need reasons to love the loving of movies. And love him or not, we need Harry.

City to lease land for Millennium's planned studio

By Joel Anderson
joelanderson@gannett.com

The city of Shreveport announced today an agreement to lease 6.7 acres in the Ledbetter Heights area to Millennium Films for a new film and movie studio.

Mayor Cedric Glover made the announcement during today's city council meeting.

Local tourism officials estimate the economic impact of the studio and subsequent productions to be $50 million over the next few years.

"It's the perfect place for us. We've set up shop here; we've got roots here," said Michael Flannigan, an executive producer with Millennium.

Movie studio to confirm $500 million deal

PORT ALLEN (AP) - Developers of a nearly $500 million movie studio in West Baton Rouge Parish will announce final plans today for the biggest film infrastructure project yet to receive preliminary state approval.

River Studios and FilmPort will create a 925,000-square-foot complex on 150 acres of the old Allendale Plantation, a riverside setting about five miles west of the old Mississippi River Bridge on U.S. Highway 190.

State officials confirmed Friday the project is pre-certified, meaning an application for state tax credits has been approved but spending must be audited and the film facilities in place before the credits are issued.

If the project proceeds as planned, Baton Rouge lawyer Lewis Unglesby, who negotiated the deal with the state Division of Administration, says River Studios could recover $198 million of its construction costs in claims against its state tax liability.

Source: Associated Press.

Booker T. Washington students release DVD

Juniors and seniors from Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport now have a DVD to call their own.

The school's telecommunications magnet program, which is run by Katrina Gilliam, partnered with the Robinson Film Center on a semester-long filmmaking program.

Students made three short films -- one drama and two documentaries -- which are now being released freely on DVD. How nice is that?

RFC's Chris Jay worked with the students for the spring semester, and he said their projects were very impressive. Jay is especially pleased with "All Things Come to Light," a drama about teen pregnancy.

"A lot of student work suffers on the writing side and this just flat out doesn’t," Jay said. "This is the best student film I’ve ever seen as far as K-12."

The program and DVDs were made possible by funding from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the Charles T. Beaird Foundation.

If you want to get a free copy of the DVD -- 1,000 are available -- just call RFC at (318) 424-9090.

Extra enjoys 'The Great Debaters'

Want to know what it's like being an extra?

Mike Midkiff had a positive experience on the set of "The Great Debaters." He is the director of public relations at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. "The Great Debaters" is about the 1930s debate team from Wiley College, also in Marshall.

Here's the note Midkiff sent me recently:

"The call time for the extra’s was 5:15 a.m. for the ladies and 5:45 a.m. for the men. The location site was ranchland located just north of Shreveport. The set was a revival tent set up in a cow pasture. The scene was the debate between Wiley College and Oklahoma City held in Oklahoma. The scene that was shot was the debate between the two schools. There were about 110 extras that made the audience for the debate. I played a farmer, dressed in overalls and a farmer’s hat. I was located beside a car parked away from the tent and walked up to get closer to the tent so I could hear. I have no idea if I will be visible in the movie because that depends on how the movie is edited.

"The day went like this. Once we got into wardrobe (1935 era), we went to makeup. After make up at the base camp, which was a private Christian school located on Old Moringsport Road in north Shreveport, we were transported to the set about 10 minutes away. Actual filming of the scene started about 8:30 a.m. and did not wrap it up until around 8:00 p.m. that night. The pay was $58 for the first eight hours and then overtime pay after eight hours.

"I was very impressed with how smooth everything went. The movie set is crawling with hundreds of people who all have a job to do. It never took very long to move cameras and shot from another angle. Everyone was very courteous and friendly.

"I had heard that Denzel Washington was a tough director to work for. But what I saw on the set was a gentleman, who was very courteous to everyone. He definitely has a passion for what he does. I have a different mind set towards actors and actresses; they work hard at their craft. During the course of a scene there may have to deliver their part over and over and remain fresh. They must be able to jump right in and do their lines. Sometimes the scene being shot is out of sequence of the actual timeline of the movie and I don’t see how they keep it all together.

"It was along hot day but I am glad I did it. I have an experience that I can share over and over and looking forward to the movie coming out about Wiley College and seeing how the scene I played a part in comes out on the editing room floor. What Wiley College did back in the 1930s winning those debates is an important part of our local history here in Marshall."

Thanks, Mike.

Photo: Downtown Mansfield was the location for much of the filming of the movie The Great Debaters starring Denzel Washington. Movie extras stand outside a cafe in Mansfield. (Mike Silva/The Times)

Apparently, Harvey loves 'Sicko'

Last week Harvey Weinstein visited the set of "The Great Debaters," which stars Forest Whitaker and Denzel Washington (director).

Since Harvey's movie du jour, Michael Moore's "Sicko," wasn't scheduled for a weekend release in the Shreveport-Bossier City market, he decided to give cast and crew a private screening.

Weinstein rented out a theater at Shreveport's Tinseltown this past Sunday and shipped in a print for such purposes.

This little tidbit might give followers of Moore a little hope that "Sicko" will make it to this market. Who knows?

It's not scheduled to come this weekend, but I'll keep you posted.

And, hey, Harvey! Next time around why not put your favorite movie reporter on the guest list?

Thanks for the tip, K.S.

Mmm, pie ... RFC to serve up 'Waitress'

WHAT: RFC Presents "Waitress."

WHEN: 7 p.m. July 12.

WHERE: Regal Cinemas Louisiana Boardwalk 14, Bossier City.
COST: $7.50. Call (318) 424-9090 to purchase in advance, which is recommended.

The Robinson Film Center will screen "Waitress" as the next installment of the Robinson Film Center Presents Series. The flick stars Keri Russell ("Felicity," "The Upside of Anger").

The movie is about a sorta-sweet Southern gal who's married to a crummy husband. She clings to sanity (or normalcy) by baking killer (meaning "good," not "laced with strychnine") pies. A presumably hot doctor comes to town, and she decides to bake up a life change. Her plans, however, change course when she discovers she's got one in the oven.

"Waitress" is a small break in tradition for the RFC series, which routinely attracts 130 cinephiles. While the movie is an indie, noted RFC's Chris Jay, its appeal is more widespread than previous choices like "The Lives of Others" and "The Tiger and the Snow." (For all you subtitle-despisers out there, "Waitress" is also in English.)

Jay said the series has been popular but has reached an attendance plateau. "Waitress" aims to change that.

"We deliberately chose this film to show that not all the programs for the Robinson Film Center will be foreign language or off the beaten track," Jay said.

The theater seats 215. Fifty-five have pre-sold.

If you want tickets, call (318) 424-9090 to reserve in advance. Those who do pre-plan become eligible to win a $50 gift certificate to Hollywood Video.

Why on Earth isn't this gift certificate to Strawn's? Come on, Chris. If I've told you once, I've told you twice. It's all about the marketing. ... And plastics.

Watch out for Richie

On the way home from The Times on Friday night, after having finished the final story of series about the growth of the Louisiana film industry, I heard this lovely episode, "Three Kinds of Deception," on public radio's "This American Life."

Richie Castellano, an ex-con who had 16 lines in "Analyze This," essentially scammed a hamlet in north New York state.

Having gotten a big head by "working with" De Niro -- "The next most exciting thing will be to meet God," Richie tells the reporter -- he told the people of Narrowsburg, N.Y., he was going to film a gangster B-movie there.

Castellano's grandiose belief in himself cost Narrowsburg big.

Give this sad but hilarious story a listen.