'Disaster Movie' gets a super layout

We had a really fun layout in the paper today for "Disaster Movie." Michael Byrnes, who plays the Hulk's chest, gave us a cellphone snapshot of him in makeup. Our copy editor Terrie Roberts couldn't resist turning the photo into our dominant art.

Good stuff. Here's the story.

‘Outside Sales’ gets weeklong run at RFC

"Outside Sales" will open Friday at the Robinson Film Center. It was made in L.A. by three with local ties: Blayne Weaver, Kendrick Hudson and Brandon Barrera (left to right).

Weaver and Barrera are still in Hollywood, while Hudson works in Shreveport today as a location manager.

I saw the comedy three years ago prior to a single screening at LSUS. Very funny, and an impressive bit of filmmaking considering it was made for $50,000.

IF YOU GO
WHAT: "Outside Sales," a Regional Filmmaker Spotlight presented by the Robinson Film Center.
WHEN: screens Friday through Sept. 4.
WHERE: Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas St., Shreveport.
SCREENING COSTS: $8.75, general admission ($6.75, members) after 6 p.m.; $5.75, matinee admission ($4.75) before 6 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS: a public, prescreening reception begins 6 p.m. Friday; there will postscreening Q&As with the filmmakers following the screenings at 7:25 p.m. Friday and 7:35 p.m. Saturday.

Have you seen Gerry May and Ed Walsh ...

... in "The Longshots?"

The KTBS anchormen did some play-by-play for the movie's climactic Pop Warner Super Bowl. I sent a few questions to the local small screen stars. Here are there answers. (They answered them in two separate emails, but I've streamed their responses together for ease of read.)

Thanks, guys.

Alexandyr Kent: What was most interesting about doing the Pop Warner play-by-play?

Gerry May: I can tell you the most difficult thing was looking down at an equipment box on a gym floor and pretending there's a football game going on “down there” that we’re describing. It actually called for some acting, and I'm no actor. It was not easy. One thing I had to learn was to NOT look at the camera. I was supposed to be watching a game from a press box. Also, Durst wanted us to pause between our lines. That was the most difficult thing. On the news, we take our cues as quickly as possible to quicken the pace of the show. On the movie shoot, it was awkward waiting a beat after Ed stopped reading, or after I read a line, to read the next line.

People might be surprised at how nice all the people on the crew are. Really nice people. You might think that under the pressure to shoot a movie and stay on schedule there'd be a lot of uptight and short-tempered people. They're not. From the director on down to the camera operators and wardrobe and makeup people, everyone is really nice. That was also my experience in “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.” (I play an anchorman there :-) No acting needed. I just read my lines like I do the news every day.

Ed Walsh: We had to do it without watching the play. At least in television you can watch and describe what’s happening in front of you. That wasn’t the case here. It was all memorization and acting as though it was happening in front of you. That was probably the toughest part of the whole filming.

AK: How many days did you work, and how many takes did you two TV pros need?

GM: I worked two days. The first day was the play-by-play of the Pop Warner Super Bowl. We did lots of takes because I think both Ed and I interpreted the script differently than the director wanted. But Fred Durst was really nice and patient with us. We did the scenes until he got what he wanted. The second day was a pre-game interview I did with coach Ice Cube, which was a lot of fun. I think we did four takes. On the last one, Durst told Cube to just let it all hang out. Cube told me to stay with him because he was going to ad lib. Did he ever! It'll be interesting to see if they use that cut.

EW: I actually worked for one day. I was on set at 9am and we wrapped about 7pm. We only shot for about an hour. Trust me it took a few takes to get what Fred Durst was looking for. He would call cut, come over and explain to us how he wanted it.

AK: And really, who carried who when the cameras were rolling? Who’s got the better parking spot at KTBS now?

GM: Ed had most of the lines since he was play-by-play and I was the color commentator. So Ed carries the game action. And Ed always gets a great parking spot because he rolls in here before the rooster crows.

EW: This was truly a team effort. Gerry and I played well off each other, like most of us do here at KTBS. As for the better parking space, we both still have parking spots underneath the satellite dishes.

AK: What’s most memorable about the experience?

GM: The long days waiting in the trailer for them to call us in to do our parts. Both days I/we were supposed to shoot early. But on the first day, threatening weather forced the crew to shoot as much as they could outside before they did our scenes inside the gym (the makeshift press box). On the second day, I don't know what the story was, but again I had to wait around all day. They have DVD players in the trailers. So if I do this again, I'm going to bring some movies to pass the time.

EW: For me the experience will be my most memorable moment. I can talk into a camera until the cows come home. But this was not one of our video cameras, this was the full fledged Panavision camera you always see in those behind the scene documentaries about movies. There had to be about 25 people on set and that is also intimidating. I’m glad I did it, but I think my future lies in television, not movies.

'The Longshots' comes up short

Ugh. The box office wasn't kind to "The Longshots" this weekend. The made-in-Minden movie debuted in eighth place.

1. "Tropic Thunder" ($16.1M)
2. "The House Bunny" ($15.1M)
3. "Death Race" ($12.3M)
4. "The Dark Knight" ($10.3M)
5. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" ($5.6M)
6. "Pineapple Express" ($5.6M)
7. "Mirrors" ($4.88M)
8. "The Longshots" ($4.3M)
9. "Mamma Mia!" ($4.3M)
10. "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" ($4.07M)
11. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" ($3M)
12. "The Rocker" ($2.75M)

Shreveport, Italian Style

The Robinson Film Center's Italian Film Festival begins tonight. Here's the full schedule. Scroll down more for film synopses.

WHAT: Italian Film Festival.
WHEN: today to Aug. 28.
WHERE: Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas St., Shreveport.
SCREENING COSTS: $8.75, general admission ($6.75, members) after 6 p.m.; $5.75, matinee admission ($4.75) before 6 p.m.

Screening and event schedule
Today (Aug. 22)
6 p.m. Opening night reception featuring food, wine tasting and live music. $25, or $30 with "The Bicycle Thief" admission. For reservations, call (318) 459-4124.
7:30 p.m. "The Bicycle Thief."

Saturday (Aug. 23)
2 p.m. "The Golden Door" followed by panel discussion.
4:15 p.m. "From Sicily to Shreveport: Our Own Immigrant Story" panel discussion.
5:30 p.m. "Divorce, Italian Style."
7:45 p.m. "Bread and Tulips."

Sunday (Aug. 24)
2 p.m. "My Brother is an Only Child."
5:30 p.m. "A History of Italian Cinema" lecture presented by Jefferson Hendricks, professor of English, Centenary College. Free.
7:15 p.m. "Cinema Paradiso."

Monday (Aug. 25)
5:30 p.m. "The Golden Door."
7:45 p.m. "Bread and Tulips."

Tuesday (Aug. 26)
5:30 p.m. "Divorce, Italian Style."
7:45 p.m. "The Bicycle Thief."

Wednesday (Aug. 27)
5:30 p.m. "My Brother is an Only Child."
7:45 p.m. "The Golden Door."

Thursday (Aug. 28)
7 p.m. closing night celebration.
7:45 p.m. "Cinema Paradiso."

"The Bicycle Thief" (above)
This Italian neorealist classic is set in depressed postwar Rome. A father and son search for a stolen bicycle the father needs to keep a job. Directed by Vittorio De Sica. 1949, not rated, 35 mm, 90 minutes.

"The Golden Door" (above)
The drama retells the early 20th-century Italian immigration story with dream-inducing imagery and emotional resonance. Directed by Emanuele Crialese. 2006, PG-13, 35 mm, 118 minutes.

"Divorce, Italian Style" (above)
The Oscar-winning satire focuses on a scheming Sicilian nobleman who aims to murder his way out of his current marriage -- divorce is illegal -- to marry his cousin. Directed by Pietro Germi. 1961, not rated, DVD-based projection, 105 minutes.

"Bread and Tulips"
A bored housewife heads to Venice, where she meets an eccentric mix of characters. Directed by Silvio Soldini. 2000, PG-13, DVD-based projection, 114 minutes.

"My Brother is an Only Child" (above)
Set in small-town Italy during the 1960s and 1970s, the drama involves brothers who aim to change the world. Directed by Daniele Luchetti. 2007, R, HD projection, 108 minutes.

"Cinema Paradiso"
In this Oscar-winning celebration of the power of movies, a boy forms a close friendship with an old projectionist. Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. 1988, R, 35 mm, 155 minutes.

'The Longshots' hits theaters today

The Longshots, which was shot primarily in Minden, opens nationally today. Here's my review. I bet local audiences will get a kick out of seeing local sights on the big screen. Though set in Illinois, the movie works as a location showcase for Minden. Lots of screen time fo the downtown and high school.

Interestingly as well: Two local TV news anchors get serious big screen time. KTBS's Gerry May and Ed Walsh do the play-by-play for the Pop Warner Super Bowl.

Let me know what you think of the movie and what places and faces you recognize.

PHOTOS: The Weinstein Co./Dimension Films.

Show me a director as tough as Werner Herzog

I'm heading to the Robinson Film Center tonight to catch "Encounters at the End of the World" (5:25 p.m.). It's directed by Werner Herzog, who's coincidentally in New Orleans filming "Bad Lieutenant."

Herzog is among my favorite directors if only for his fearlessness and choice of subject matter ("Grizzly Man," "Stroszek," "Aguirre, Wrath of God," etc.).

He also knows how to take a punch. During this TV interview in Los Angeles, he mysteriously gets shot by a air-rifle sniper.

Later, when they're at a safe location, what does a still-bleeding Herzog say?

"It's not a significant bullet."

'Righteous Kill' did some second unit work here

Extra! Extra! Calling all baristas, kids, etc. ... 'Front of the Class' needs you

Glorioso Casting needs extras.

FOR: CBS/Hallmark movie of the week, "Front of the Class."

SPECIFIC NEEDS:
Boys and girls ages 7 and 8 to play second graders. All ethnicities.
Boys and girls ages 11 through 13 to play junior high students. All ethnicities.
Adult extras to play banquet guests, Braves fans, construction workers (with trucks), teachers, Tourette's syndrome support group, sports bar patrons, beauticians, kids' baseball teams (jr. high), bartenders, waitresses, baristas.

NOTE: extras should be from Shreveport area or willing to work local.
TO REGISTER: click here. Must submit recent picture.

Extra writes about 'Year One,' 'Beer in Hell'

Banks Lee has written a piece on Facebook about working as an extra in "Year One" and "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell."

Here's a nugget about "Year One": "(Between) takes Black would chat with the extras. He was so kind, and of course, so funny. He asked me where I was from, and I told him Texarkana. 'You are dedicated,' he replied. 'Thank you for coming in. It really means a lot to all of us.'"

Good read for anyone curious about the process. Click here for the full story.

Gee whiz, Tucker Max sure isn't swell

All right, LaMovBloggers, unite. Tucker Max is calling me out for telling everyone he scoops. Check this out.

In my defense, his act way a disgusting display of yard care. The foulest I've witnessed, I tell you. I puked a little.

Happy now, Tucker?

The scoop on Tucker Max

For all the bad Tucker Max has done -- he wrote the bestselling book on it, really -- the man knows how to keep a tidy yard.

Yesterday, I visited the author, producer and co-screenwriter of "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell." His book and forthcoming movie -- the latter shoots in The Shreve through early September -- recount his exploits in drinking, womanizing and sex, plus the surprisingly crass intersections of the three.

After lunch at the movie's base camp, we headed over to his rental house so he could let out his dog named Murph and play fetch. (Oh, the tales that mutt could tell.)

Murph fertilizes like a pro -- pure filth, I tell you -- but Tucker, being the good neighbor, diligently scooped every monstrous dropping from that verdant summer lawn.

"Wait a minute," I doubted. "Tucker scoops the poop?"

Since I had just finished reading his recklessly funny instruction guide to hedonism, I was confused. Tucker's a scooper? The man who begins his book by bringing a breathalyzer to a bar? (That's the only detail I can print.)

Yes, fair readers. Tucker Max, America's most notorious partier, scoops the poop.

You heard it here first.

Tucker's got cleaner pet care habits than half the folks in my neighborhood. Which means this man has been partying in the wrong ZIP code all these years.

Very shortly, The Times will publish my feature on Tucker and the movie shoot. Depending on your sexual politics and sense of humor, you will either find his sensibility gut-bustingly hilarious or endlessly offensive.

I'm excited to publish the piece, if only to see if his inscription to my copy of "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" comes true.

In an unrelated story, I'm moving to an Antarctic cave.

Get your feet wet in animation, special f/x

LSUS Continuing Ed will offer a four-day introduction course on animation and visual effects. It's all part of the college's new Animation and Visual Effects Institute, which is being run by industry pro John Miralles.

This institute's a pretty big deal locally because it aims to broaden the skills of the local workforce. If you've got an interest in this stuff, sign up. Miralles will give you your money's worth.

COURSE: Animation & Visual Effects Introductory Course.
WHEN: Aug. 19-22 (Tuesday through Friday).
TIMES: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
COST: $129.
MORE INFO: (318) 798-4177, (800) 290-2378 or learn@ce.lsus.edu.

Here's the course description: "The Animation and Visual Effects Institute (AVEI) at LSUS has been founded to educate talented candidates for careers in those fields. Many of these areas of computer graphics use high-end software and techniques that can be exciting and a challenge to learn.

"This workshop is intended to introduce a student with little or no prior exposure to the field of entertainment computer graphics. Topics to be covered will include basic digital imaging, using Adobe Photoshop, basic video compositing using HD footage and Adobe AfterEffects. An introduction to 3D Computer generated images will also be demonstrated.

"By the end of the workshop, students will have created their first visual effects shot, and have a greater understanding of the exciting fields!"

Set videos for 'Beer in Hell' are good, funny resources

On the set of "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell," Tucker Max and his crew have been shooting a series of crew and cast videos and posting them on their production blog.

For anyone wanting to learn more about moviemaking, these videos are good and sometimes strange windows into the process. Above, you'll see Patrick Kirton, a local actor, speaking about his day player role.

As I've noted before, Tucker's production blog isn't for readers easily offended by cussin' and sexy talk. He's profane and so are some of his interview subjects. Nonetheless, what they say about making movies is frank and often very funny.

Bernie Mac, 50, dies of pneumonia

Bernie Mac died today of pneumonia. The comedian and actor was 50.

Mac recently worked in Shreveport, having co-starred in "Soul Men" with Samuel L. Jackson. The movie is due in theaters in November.

E! Online has collected tributes to Mac, and Jackson had this to say about him and the movie:

"It goes without saying that Bernie was one of the preeminent comedians of our generation. He was also an attentive husband, a great father and loving grandfather. I feel blessed to have shared years of friendship with Bernie Mac and I'm honored to have finally co-starred with him in what I consider to be his finest cinematic acting achievement. My sincere prayer is that his family will be comforted by the warmth of love from all of us who knew and respected this man."

Locally, I received this tribue from Rick Todd, a scenic painter with Local 478:

"We would like to send our thoughts and prayers out to Bernie Mac's family and friends via your site. The paint and construction crew of Bernie's and Sam Jackson's movie the 'Soul Men' were really surprised at how down to earth Bernie was, he would always make an effort to speak with us and compliment our work unlike most of the stars that have graced Shreveport, Bernie would always comment that the movie wouldn't happen without carpenters and the scenic painters. Thanks Bernie you will be missed."

Italian Film Festival set for Robinson Film Center

Beginning Aug. 22, the local art house will give it a go with the Italian Film Festival. It will feature two public programs and six films. Selections range from the classic Italian neorealist flick "The Bicycle Thief" to "The Golden Door," a 2006 flick about early 20^th century Italian immigration. The latter "manages to tell an age-old story with terrific verve and imagination," wrote The Post's Ann Hornaday.

If you go

WHAT: Italian Film Festival.

WHEN: Aug. 22 to Aug. 28.

WHERE: Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas St., Shreveport.

SCREENING COSTS: $8.75 general admission ($6.75, RFC members) after 6 p.m.; $5.75 matinee admission ($4.75) before 6 p.m.

Screening and event schedule

Aug. 22

6 p.m. Opening night reception featuring food, wine tasting and live music. $25, or $30 with "The Bicycle Thief" admission. For reservations, call (318) 459-4124.

7:30 p.m. "The Bicycle Thief."

Aug. 23

2 p.m. "The Golden Door" (pictured) followed by panel discussion.

4:15 p.m. "From Sicily to Shreveport: Our Own Immigrant Story" panel discussion.

5:30 p.m. "Divorce, Italian Style."

7:45 p.m. "Bread and Tulips."

Aug. 24

2 p.m. "My Brother is an Only Child" (pictured).

5:30 p.m. "A History of Italian Cinema" lecture presented by Jefferson Hendricks, Professor of English, Centenary College. Free.

7:15 p.m. "Cinema Paradiso."

Aug. 25

5:30 p.m. "The Golden Door."

7:45 p.m. "Bread and Tulips."

Aug. 26

5:30 p.m. "Divorce, Italian Style" (pictured).

7:45 p.m. "The Bicycle Thief."

Aug. 27

5:30 p.m. "My Brother is an Only Child."

7:45 p.m. "The Golden Door."

Aug. 28

7 p.m. closing night celebration.

7:45 p.m. "Cinema Paradiso."

'The Longshots' coming to theaters Aug. 22

"The Longshots" opens in theaters Aug. 22, and residents of Minden, La., are going to go nuts. The town is the movie.

If you have any stories from the set, lemme know: akent@gannett.com or 318.459.3256.

Statistics? I got your statistics right here, punk

Like math? Me, too.

Last night, I spoke to the La. Produces meetup group about the state's movie industry. I particularly focused on The Shreve.

I offered some big-picture numbers, which I've collected during three years of reporting. Anytime you have conversations about the industry's health and future, it's good to have these stats in mind.

My numbers come from various, credible sources – noted below. They partially tell us what's at stake as the industry looks ahead.

It's a hyper-competitive world of film industry tax credits out there – Michigan and Georgia have upped their games something fierce – so Louisiana is going to have to think smart about its future.

Before you record these stats in your last will and testaments, it's important to note that these estimated figures change quickly. The next time I do an industry roundup story, they'll be revised (upwards, most likely).

That said, let's run the numbers.

…

The size of Louisiana's movie industry has grown quickly since the Louisiana Motion Picture Incentive Act was passed in 2002. In terms of total production budget numbers, the industry amounts to:

• 2002: $10.5 million
  
• 2003: $241 million
  
• 2004: $431 million
  
• 2005: $748 million
  
• 2006: $530.5 million
  
• 2007: $600 million (57 projects)
  
• 2008: TBD (60 projects thus far)
  

…

Louisiana's movie industry payroll grows at an annual rate of 23 percent.

• There has been $204 million in direct payroll from late 2002 to present.
  
• In 2003, La. payroll was $19 million.
  
• In 2007, La. payroll was $78 million.
  

…

In 2005, productions were spending one-third of their budgets in the state. In 2007, that figure has jumped to 87 percent.

…

Chris Stelly, director of film and TV for Louisiana Economic Development, now puts the direct economic impact total from 2002 to present at more than $1 billion. Year by year, in-state spends break down as:

• 2002 (partial year): $3.5 million
  
• 2003: $80 million
  
• 2004: $144 million
  
• 2005: $251 million
  
• 2006: $184.5 million
  
• 2007: $522 million
  

…

NORTHWEST LOUISIANA'S NUMBERS

Northwest Louisiana's movie industry has attracted 54 movie and TV projects since late 2005 that have amounted to roughly $620 million in aggregated budgets. (A conservative estimate, folks.)

• 2005: 6 projects at $147.8 million
  
• 2006 8 projects at $90.7 million
  
• 2007: 22 projects at $181.5 million
  
• 2008: 18-20 projects at est. $200 million (a rough figure)
  

In 2007, northwest La.'s industry created 557 production days and more than 2,000 freelance crew jobs.

SOURCES: Times Research, Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development (Chris Stelly), Centenary College's Frost School of Business (Christopher Martin).

PHOTO: Gannett Photo Service.

'True Blood,' Shreveport and the Fangtasia bar?

Off and on during the last year, the HBO series "True Blood" has been shooting second unit stuff in Shreveport. Those of you who've caught the new promo trailer running on HBO undoubtedly heard the following bit of dialogue delivered by Anna Paquin, who plays Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic barmaid.

"Apparently there’s this vampire bar in Shreveport." (It's called Fangtasia.)

What the? The series is set here? If it is, that's fun. Since the marketing for the series is purposefully vague, it's hard to tell exactly what role Shreveport will play in the series. Since the city's name made the trailer, I assume The Shreve will get some pretty good second-unit face time.

The series is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries books by Charlaine Harris. They books are set in a small Louisiana town. Read more here.

Below is the best video story I can find.

If you know more about the series, dish it out. It premieres Sept. 7 on HBO.

‘Beer in Hell’ needs more extras

WHO: male and females of all ethnicities, ages 21 to 30, to play bar patrons.
FOR: "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell," shooting in Shreveport.
SHOOT DATES: Aug. 18, Aug. 19 and Aug. 20.
IF YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION, CALL: Kate or Jay with Glorioso Casting at (318) 603-4560. Register at www.gloriosocasting.com.

Three new projects announced for The Shreve

Here's the latest update from the state:

Welcome to (225) 342-FILM, the official hotline of the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development. Here's what's happening for the first week of August 2008:

SHREVEPORT

The Millennium feature film "Leaves of Grass" starring Edward Norton and Tim Blake Nelson is in preproduction in Shreveport with shooting scheduled from September 22nd through November 13. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at Leavesproductions@gmail.com.

The Hallmark movie of the week "Front of the Class" is in pre-production in Shreveport with shooting scheduled to begin September 3rd. Resumes and inquires are being accepted by fax at (318) 682-5671.

The Signature Pictures feature film "Three Stories about Joan" is in pre-production in Shreveport with shooting scheduled from October 6 through mid-November. Details are coming soon!

The feature film based on the book "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" is shooting in Shreveport through September 2. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at beerinhellmovie@gmail.com.

LAFAYETTE

The Bullet Films feature film "Gator" is in pre-production in Lafayette with shooting scheduled from August 18 through September 13. Resumes and inquiries are currently being accepted by fax at (337) 706-8971. For casting, please e-mail casting@bulletfilms.net.

BATON ROUGE

The independent feature film "Drool" starring Laura Harring and Jill Marie Jones is shooting in Baton Rouge through August 23rd. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@lampbr.com.

The Films in Motion/Sci-Fi Channel television movie "Lightning Strikes" is in pre-production in Baton Rouge and Hammond. Resumes and inquiries are currently being accepted by e-mail at info@filmsinmotion.com.

The Films in Motion feature film "Entity" is also in pre-production in Baton Rouge. Resumes and inquiries are currently being accepted by e-mail at info@filmsinmotion.com.

NEW ORLEANS AREA

The LA Film Axis feature film "Ménage a trios" is in pre-production in New Orleans with shooting scheduled from mid-September through mid-October. Cast and crew resumes are being accepted by e-mail at mikeappletango@gmail.com.

The Faulkner McLain Entertainment feature film "Alabama Moon" is in pre-production in Covington with shooting scheduled for November and December. Resumes and inquiries are currently being accepted by email at info@faulknerproductions.com.

The Seven Arts feature film "Night of the Demons" is in pre-production in New Orleans with shooting scheduled from September 15 through late October. Resumes and inquiries can be e-mailed to Liz@voodoopicturesllc.com or faxed to (504) 582-5152.

The Nu Image/Millennium feature film "Bad Lieutenant" starring Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer is shooting in New Orleans through August 26. Resumes and inquiries are currently be accepted by e-mail at badlieutenant2008@gmail.com.

And for more information about the film and television industry in Louisiana please visit us online at www.louisianaentertainment.gov and www.lafilm.org.

Millennium prepping 'Leaves of Grass' with Edward Norton, Tim Blake Nelson

Nu Image/Millennium Films will shoot "Leaves of Grass" in The Shreve beginning in September, according to Studio Operations president Diego Martinez. The comedic thriller is currently in preproduction.

The flick will star Edward Norton. Tim Blake Nelson will direct. According to an EW article from way back when, Norton will play twins: one is an Ivy League professor while the other is a pot-smoking career criminal.

PHOTO: Edward Norton starred as Bruce Banner in this summer's restart of "The Incredible Hulk." (Credit: Michael Gibson)

La. Produces meetup to feature ... me

WHAT: La. Produces meetup featuring Alexandyr Kent.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 5).
WHERE: Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas St., Shreveport.

I'll be speaking at the La. Produces meetup on Tuesday at the Robinson Film Center. We'll chat about my beat and what you hope to gain by following it. Bring tips. Bring ideas. As I push forward with some new strategies for coverage, I want to gain your input on what's most valuable.

Also, we have two movies premiering this month: "The Longshots" and "Disaster Movie." If you were in them or worked on them, please come and tell your story.