'E.T.! Stop hitting on my mom!' shouted Elliott

I'm a sucker for a bizarre meet-and-greet, and the double-screen Malco Theater in Hot Springs, Ark., has an out-of-this-world opportunity. On Nov. 9-10, actress Dee Wallace will be there for the 25th anniversary screening of "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial."

She was Elliott's mom! (BTW, is E.T. wearing an ascot in that pic? Nice.) Wallace also was in the original "The Hills Have Eyes" (1977) and "Cujo" (1983).

I wish I still had my hand-stitched, cotton-stuffed E.T. costume that my mom made for me. It had a red-tipped finger, three-towed slippers and superladysman powers.

Needless to say, I was the hit at my elementary school's Halloween party. I handed out Reese's Pieces, and chicks totally dug me as a portly, 2nd-grade alien. They were so transfixed by my googly-eyed charms that I won two cakes at the cake walk. (I couldn't see a damn thing out of that mask!)

If I still had that costume, I'd stretch myself into it and pedal a Huffy to Hot Springs. (Technically speaking, I'd have to ride in a basket, but I don't have any bike-riding friends named Elliott.)

As Chris Jay just reminded me, the 16th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is creeping up, and it's got a pretty solid headliner this year: Chris Gore, who runs Film Threat.

Dates are Oct. 19-28, and it will feature 97 films. Documentarian Allison Bohl's "I Always Do My Collars First" made the cut. Congrats. May I remind you to press your ascot?

P.S. "I Always Do My Collars First" was recently featured on the nationally syndicated NPR music show, "American Routes." That's huge. Click here and scroll down to the Aug. 29-Sept. 4 program for details.

Go 3-D in the park

Like the outdoors? Movies? Neither do I!

But you can see "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over" about 8 p.m. today in Bossier City's Tinsley Park. The screening is sponsored by the Robinson Film Center and Sonic Drive-In. Mmm mnn!

Cost is a buck. There's popcorn and candy for sale. You get free 3-D glasses if you arrive early enough. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Bring something to sit on. Preferably not a couch. Or your sister's hat.

The park is on Tinsley Boulevard just east of East Texas Street at Airline Drive.

Will fall heat up for The Shreve?

Fall is near. If last year's shooting schedule taught us anything, October could be a busy season for movie news. That's when Millennium Films arrived and started shooting star-driven indies like they were going out of style.

It's been a bit quiet in The Shreve as of late, but ...

* Baton Rouge has been noisy: click here to read about its push for the digital entertainment industry. And here about California company committed to shooting seven films in Louisiana.

* New Orleans is riding high with K-Ville, a series which premieres on FOX Sept. 17. Good reviews and good ratings will do wonders for the city's industry. A dependable TV series translates into lots and lots of work for local crew. Here's a good overview of its chances, which describes the New Orleans cop drama as a modern-day western.

* Check out the state's http://www.lafilm.org/ to track current productions.

* At present, two films are shooting back-to-back in Shreveport, the horror sequels "Pulse: Afterlife" and "Pulse: Invasion." Glorioso Casting is still looking for extras. To sign up, click here.

* Millennium Films, which is building a studio here, will start shooting its next project in October. No details yet.

* Another "introductory class" for a series of scene study classes is being offered by Theresa Bell. The series starts the next day. Here's some basic info:

WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14. (The series starts Sept. 15.)
COST: $60 (4 auditing slots available $25).
TO REGISTER: tara@laactingworkshops.com or (318) 573-0039.

Incidentally, if any participants are interested in talking candidly about their local acting-class experiences, good and bad, I'd like to chat.

'La Vie En Rose' coming for one-time screening

Here's a note from RFC:

"The Robinson Film Center will host a one night-only screening of the critically-acclaimed film 'La Vie En Rose' 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Regal Cinemas Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City. The screening is part of an ongoing monthly series entitled 'The Robinson Film Center Presents,' which hosts award-winning independent films not otherwise available in Northwest Louisiana theatres. 'La Vie En Rose' tells the true story of legendary French singer Edith Piaf, one of the most popular musical performers in French history."

Tickets: (318) 424-9090.

For the record, 'Brokeback Mountain' never played in Springhill

Chris Jay and I filed a story on the Spring Theatre in Springhill for today's paper. Online, you'll find an audio slide show featuring photography by Shane Bevel.

The New York Times took a recent look at the last days of a drive-in in Buffalo, N.Y. Click here to read that story.

Not that we were looking for controversy, but Chris and I stumbled upon a funny anecdote. Since its opening in Sept. 2002, the Spring Theatre has only once been the center of a Springhill ideological battle, according to owner Adam Harris.

A preacher supposedly blabbed to the local newspaper that the theater was planning on showing "Brokeback Mountain," the love story about two gay cowboys. (You saw it.) Harris received all kinds of letters from his supporters, questioning whether he should show it.

It turned out that the preacher never asked Harris if the Spring Theatre was actually going to play it. He just assumed. Harris said, "Nope." Never considered it. A couple years removed from the fury, Harris finds the story amusing. Not sure if Harris and the preacher have reconciled, though.

Incidentally, one of the theater's best performers ever was "Open Range," a gunslinger action flick with Kevin Costner.

PHOTO: Dustin Owen serves up snacks at the concession stand at the Spring Theatre in Springhill, La. Shane Bevel/The Times.

'The Mist' trailer is online! (Hold me.)

"The Mist" trailer is ready and it rocks!

Here's a direct link.

It's on Yahoo's movie homepage for the next two days.

The horror flick appears totally old-school. Small town. Fear of the unknown. Desperate moral conflicts between faith and fact. Fear and fanaticism. Probably science and the supernatural. More about interpersonal conflict than special effects.

Chatter about "The end of days," "Time to take sides," "The saved and the damned," "We are being punished," "If something happens, cut and run," and "It was them that brought down the final wrath upon us!" And bugs and tentacles.

What do you think?

Release date: Nov. 21.

PHOTO CREDIT: Director and screenwriter Frank Darabont on the mist-shrouded set of Dimension Films' "The Mist." Photo by Ralph Nelson, The Weinstein Company.

Arraignment set for former state film recruiter

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Former state film industry recruiter Mark Smith is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 7.

Federal prosecutors have charged Smith with bribery and conspiracy in what they say was a scheme to inflate budgets for movies shot in Louisiana so that producers could reap more lucrative tax credits.

The court refers to the Sept. 7 re-arraignment as a "change of plea hearing," a typical step in a legal process when a defendant is cooperating with law enforcement officials and intends to plead guilty. Smith would not comment.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten has said he expects more charges to result from the investigation, a joint effort by federal prosecutors, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service.

Smith traveled widely to rally support for the state's motion picture development effort while he served in the Department of Economic Development under Governors Mike Foster and Kathleen Blanco from 2002 to 2006.

The state offers tax credits, which can be converted into cash, to movie investors and producers in a program that has made Louisiana one of the nation's top film destinations.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Keep an eye on 'Dallas'

Chatter is surfacing again about a movie version of "Dallas." John Travolta remains attached to play J.R., but the tone has changed from drama to spoof comedy. Betty Thomas, who made "The Brady Bunch" movies, is in discussions, reports Variety.

Regency and 20th Century Fox are the studios. If you remember correctly, we previously reported that "Dallas" was looking to split time between the real Dallas and Shreveport. The project fell apart, though.

It will be interesting to see if the project resurfaces. Variety says it is aiming for a January start. Will it come to Shreveport? Don't know yet.

Do you want to see a spoof on Dallas?

And is J.T. perfect for J.R. or what?

The Shreve makes The Post

Yolanda Young wrote a piece about the rise of Shreveport for The Washington Post. She offers some great analysis on how the city's movie fortune came by way of the Big Easy's tragedy. She wrote:

"Shreveport's history is likely to mirror that of Oakland, Calif. Before the great earthquake of 1906, Oakland was anonymous, but it doubled in size and gained a national profile when residents of San Francisco fled there after their city was devastated. San Francisco quickly regained its stature, but it gave Oakland a chance to grow."

Click here to read the whole story.

What’s the best single-screen movie palace?

Chris Jay (Robinson Film Center) and I recently trekked to Springhill to watch "The Bourne Ultimatum" at the Spring Theatre (top). It's a single-screen theater with great sound and projection. It seats 415 and shows one movie daily except on Sunday, when there's an additional matinee. This theater and the local bowling alley are two of the town's only options for nightly entertainment.

According an MPAA study from 2006, there are 1,742 single screens in the U.S. I'm working to find out how many drive-ins are included in this figure (or not).

We've written a story about it, which will be published soon.

Anyway.

Exploring old single-screen theaters is a passion of mine. I'm not against multiplexes, but I don't particularly enjoy the generic, loud and perfected experiences they provide.

I've logged all of my favorite movie-going memories at single-screen theaters that offer beat-up prints, suspect sound, sticky floors and squeaky seats. I like to feel my movies.

You could do that at the Morris Theatre in Morris, Minn. (bottom).

If you know me, you've heard this story before.

As I recall, I was a freshman at the University of Minnesota Morris. Despite it being winter (or, at the very least, snowing and cold as all Fargo), the Morris Theatre was undergoing a bit of remodeling.

It had a huge auditorium with a closed balcony (on most nights). If you went to the lobby to score popcorn for your date, it was best to send out a search party to spot her on the trip back down the aisle. You wouldn't have been surprised to have been sucked into a black hole en route.

Playing late one night was "Alive" (1993), the drama about the Uruguayan rugby team. Their plane crashed in the Andes Mountains, and they had to resort to cannibalism to survive. (You remember Ethan Hawke's better days, don't you? Yummy.)

The theater owner must have had a wonderful sense of humor and a perverse taste for immersing moviegoers in a movie world.

The exit doors at the screen's edges were no longer there. In their place were clear plastic tarps, waving furiously in an angry wind. The furnace wasn't really working. My hands were cold. I wore a stocking cap.

Along with a handful of patrons, I watched scenes of human desperation get bleaker and bleaker as my breath turned frosty and snow blew in from the dark alley. It was as if the auditorium was the fuselage and the movie theater had crashed onto the snowy prairies of western Minnesota.

Smell-O-Vision be damned. Moviegoing doesn't get better than that.

What's your favorite single-screen theater? Please share a favorite memory.

Harold and Kumar 2 Teaser Trailer

"This time they're running from the joint." I'm embarrassingly excited.

Should I wear what Jessica Simpson's wearing?

Marketers are working to make us look like Jessica Simpson. (Have they seen my mug shot?)

Locally, Simpson wraps production on "Major Movie Star" Thursday.

Here's a snippet from a press release I received today: "Delivery Agent, Inc. the leader in shopping-enabled programming for television shows, motion pictures, sports and publishing, and JT Entertainment announced today an exclusive partnership that connects Jessica Simpson fans with more than 500 products from her life in the spotlight through a Simpson-branded e-commerce destination at (http://www.seenon.com/) available directly at (www.SeenON.com/celebrities/jessica-simpson/). Fans will be able to emulate Simpson, one of this decade’s most sought after style icons, by purchasing products from all aspects of her celebrity lifestyle, including apparel, accessories and her upcoming fragrance line."

Simpson isn't the only one being positioned as a product delivery device. If you watched Desperate Housewives last night, you can drive Gabrielle's Maserati. You can wear boots inspired by the Pussycat Dolls. You can hide from the cameras at your high school reunion by wearing Victoria Beckham's sunglasses.

I'm not shocked about how overtly commercial the celebrity image has become. Fashion magazines have been reporting on what celebrities have been wearing for years, and national TV morning shows love to feature stylists showing us how to dress like the "it girl" du jour.

What's odd to me, in this instance, is publicizing Simpson's strategy to enter into an "exclusive partnership" with Seen On. It plainly suggests that whenever she's appearing in front of a camera, she's selling something.

I know this type of brand marketing is far from controversial or new, but I'd like to hear what you think.

Are you comfortable or uncomfortable with this exclusive partnership?

Should fashion trends be determined by contracts or public opinion?

Does this change the way you see candid celebrity photographs?

Have you ever bought something because it was seen on a celebrity?

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

Former Louisiana film commissioner charged with bribery

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The former director of the Louisiana Film Commission has been charged with taking $65,000 to approve valuable tax credits based on inflated budgets for movies made in the state, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said Friday.

Mark S. Smith, 46, was charged in a bill of information with one count of conspiracy and one of bribery. The crimes are alleged to have taken place between 2003 and 2005.

Smith is no longer with state government and was not immediately available for comment. Letten said he will be arraigned soon but did not give a date. The name of the film company involved was not made public.

Friday’s announcement marked the latest in a string of corruption charges announced by the federal government. Earlier this week, a New Orleans City Council member resigned after pleading guilty to bribery in a long-running investigation of city government.

Charges against Smith are the first to arise from a probe of the film industry in Louisiana, where producers can get lucrative tax credits for productions in the state.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

'Burn This' announces cast

Joining Emmy-winning actor Pruitt Taylor Vince on the stage for the LSUS production will be:

Megan Brown, a film actress who appeared in "Mr. Brooks." She moved here from Tampa and logged a degree at Columbia University in New York.

Ryan Williams, a local theater actor and director who has an impressive musical resume.

Gordon Christy, a local theater actor who played in two Shakespeare shows with Marjorie Lyons Playhouse last summer.

IF YOU GO
WHAT: Lanford Wilson's "Burn This," directed by Robert Alford.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 5-7.
COST: $15, in advance; $18. at the door, $10, students, staff and faculty; $8 each, groups of 5 or more; $10 for Senior citizens and military; $8 each, for groups of 5 or more.
RESERVATIONS: (318) 797-5375 or (318) 797-5283.

There's also an alternate cast featuring James Palmer, Chris Pierce, John F. Daniel and Christina Ramona Diaz.

Consider this as infrastructure grows

There are many studio projects in the works for Shreveport, which I reported about today.

Keep the following in mind as you ponder Shreveport's potential for growth.

* Yesterday the city council greenlit Millennium Films' studio project for Shreveport's Ledbetter Heights. (Click the graphic to enlarge.)

* The state is considered applications to precertify 28 infrastructure projects from around the state, valued at a total of $3.8 billion. Pre-certified projects would be able to take advantage of tax credits valued at 40 percent of the approved costs.

* So far in 2007, the state has hosted 48 film and TV projects worth $456 million. $337 million of that has been spent in state, according to Chris Stelly, film and TV director for Louisiana Economic Development.

* Northwest Louisiana accounts for 10 projects in 2007. At the very least, three more ("Pulse" sequels and "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde") are in the works. I expect to see more during the fall.

* Two lingering challenges should be considered. Locally, I still hear grumblings about an ongoing shortage of locally based crew members. Numbers aren't growing fast enough to keep up with demand. And producers still aren't pleased with the lack of a direct flight between Shreveport and Los Angeles.

* Other states have seriously increased their success in attracting the film industry. New Mexico, at present, seems to be Louisiana's main U.S. competitor in luring productions and studios away from Hollywood.

* And one telling comment from Emmy-winning actor Pruitt Taylor Vince reinforcements my gut feeling that the Louisianas and New Mexicos of the world can expect more growth if they keep pace in the tax incentive game. Vince and I were chatting about his experience in working on the TV series "Murder One" ten years ago. The 20-year Hollywood veteran was thrilled at the opportunity to work on a real studio lot for the first time in his career: "The 20th Century Fox lot, with the soundstages and riding golf carts … I never got to do that. Movies are all on location now."

Of course, he was exaggerating. But you get the point.

Graphic: David Wright/The Times.

Actors can join scene study group ...

Acting coach Theresa Bell is beginning a bi-monthly scene study group for local actors. She's from Dallas and appeared in "V.I. Warshawski," "Dutch" and "Night Court." (If you don't recognize those titles, I despise your youth.)

Click on her website to learn more.

The scene study group begins Aug. 26. You can't register for it, though, if you haven't taken her classes before.

Newbies would have to take the intro course on Aug. 25, though. (Confused yet?) If you go, let me know how it goes.

WHAT: introduction to acting classes with Theresa Bell.
WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 25.
WHERE: 714 Elvis Presley Ave., Shreveport.
COST: $75 (4 auditing slots available $25) .
TO REGISTER: contact Tara Duncil at tara@laactingworkshops.com OR (318) 573-0039.
RESTRICTIONS: 12 students ages 15 and older.

Will Homer land a movie on Bonnie and Clyde?

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" is a $20 million independent film project. Director Tonya Holly said most of the production time will be split equally between Louisiana and Mississippi.

"I decided to call it 'The Story of Bonnie and Clyde' because you can be in the room and hear the event told in five different ways. I had to pick the version that I thought was closest to the truth," Holly said. She's confident she'll film in north Louisiana. "We’re looking very closely at Homer, Arcardia, Gibsland, Angola, and Haynesville."

___

No, it's not another Clint Eastwood flick with an orangatang. (You have no idea how much this disappoints me. I've never interviewed a primate.)

But yes, it is another feature about crime history's most famous partners and crime, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Apparently, Cypress Moon Productions is getting ready to shoot "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" either this fall or in early 2007.

It may be shot in Homer or in surrounding cities. The project is spearheaded by Alabama-based Tonya S. Holly.

There will be a casting call Aug. 20 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Homer City Hall (400 E. Main St.).

The production needs men and women, and specifically children ages 7 and up. Applicants should bring headshots, contact info, and a resume.

Cities in consideration for the project also include St. Francisville, Donaldsville, Sorrento, Arcadia and Gibsland.

It looks to be a small independent project, and I'll report more as details unfold.

AP Photo: Bonnie Parker holds a gun on her partner in crime, Clyde Barrow, as the two mug for the camera in this photo made aproximately one year before their deaths. On May 23, 1934, five lawmen laying in ambush ended the crime spree of the hapless pair, pumping 180 rounds into their stolen car and flailing bodies.

Pruitt's on the radio; 'Dragon slayer' on our front page

These will be the last time I toot my own horn (this week), I promise!

An audio version of my story on Pruitt Taylor Vince airs today at 4:44 p.m. on Red River Radio (89.9 FM in Shreveport). You can find a direct link to the audio story by clicking here.

It's always nice to get a chance to hear on actor in his own words, and Vince is a great interview.

...

Also, I'm having interesting exchanges today with Times executive editor Alan English (my boss). There has been some online chatter concerning photographer Jim Hudelson's front page photo of kids "surfin' a gator." Some think it's cruel. Some think it's wrong for The Times to have published it. Here's the photo:

Photo: Residents have their photo made with a 9-foot, 8-inch alligator that was killed after being caught Thursday afternoon in Flat River in Bossier City. Cade McClanahan is "surfing" on the gator. (Jim Hudelson/The Times)

On English's blog, you will find an opportunity to talk about it. He queries: "How is the kid on the gator different than your Uncle Hank holding a big mouth bass by the lip for the camera?"

Read more of his thoughts by clicking here. There you'll also find me talking about its connection to an age-old story: "The dead gator offered (the kids) a chance to play the brave dragon slayer, and what is more fundamental to our attitudes about the 'demons of nature' than that? That the kids celebrate the death, however inadvertently, is to be expected."

On The Times' photo blog, Jim wrote about the photo. Read more by clicking here. His photos, which can also be found in this online gallery, provide a glimpse of a spectators documenting their own "man v. beast" story.

The temptation to represent ourselves as conquering heroes, for whatever reason, is understandable to me.

I'd further suggest that these photographs are truthful (and not sensational) because they simply reflect a story that lives deep in many of us. Many have seen or read about Harry Potter fighting a dragon in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Many are familiar with "The Hobbit" or medieval stories of dragon slayers. These photos, to my eyes, simply show this: Humans are fascinated by the domination of nature, like it or not.

What are your thoughts? Have I fallen off my broom?

Pruitt Taylor Vince knows when not to play crazy

Last week I interviewed TV and film actor Pruitt Taylor Vince about his career and newest venture: performing in "Burn This" at the forthcoming LSUS Black Box Theatre. Read the story by clicking here.

The university is creating the space specially for this show, which is pretty cool.

To the local theater community, "Burn This" represents a chance to share the stage with an Emmy winner. Pruitt won for "Murder One" in 1997 (outstanding guest actor in a drama series). I know I'm repeating myself, but this opportunity should not be overlooked.

Here's a snippet from the interview I couldn't work into the article. When Pruitt was getting ready to play Clifford Banks on "Murder One," he had a meeting with Steven Bochco to discuss the character. Banks is a vigilante who decides to execute criminals the justice system did not. Here's what Pruitt told Bochco:

"I have a big thing, an actor is supposed to play a role from that character’s point of view, not from your point (or) somebody else’s point of view. I think Clifford thinks he’s the last sane man in America. And I would like to play it that way, that he absolutely is convinced he is the last sane man in America. (Bochco) said go for it. I said ... OK? It was a dangerous choice. The crazy guy would have been more fun."

Auditions for "Burn This" continue today and Saturday.

WHEN: 6 p.m. today; and noon Saturday.
OPEN PARTS: The three available parts are Larry, an acerbic advertising executive; Burton, a wealthy screenwriter; and Anna, a shy choreographer. All characters are in their late 20s or mid to late 30s. Understudies are needed, too.
WHERE: LSUS Black Box Theatre, Bronson Hall 109.
INFO: (318) 797-5283.

Photo: Greg Pearson/The Times.

Centenary grad makes surfing ads

Alejandro Heiber, a Centenary grad and recent MFAer from USC Film School, made three commercials for 9fish, a surfboard company. Heiber partnered with friend Derek Boonstra.

The spots will air this weekend on FuelTV, but you can also catch them by clicking here.

They're effective takeoffs on the Dating Game. Bachelor no. 2, per usual, is a total hoser.

'Pulse' sequels coming to Shreveport

“The feature films ‘Pulse 2’ and ‘Pulse 3’ are in pre-production in Shreveport and will shoot Sept. 4 through Oct. 26,” according to the movie hotline for the Louisiana Economic Development Department.

The first flick was about a college-aged computer hacker who tapped into a mysterious wireless signal and discovered a world of deadly ghosts.

(Does this explain the goblins in my laptop? I haven't gotten a reliable wireless signal since 2005.)

Fax résumés to (323) 653-0409. Reach the movie hotline at (225) 342-3456.

'The Mist' to be released Nov. 21

The Weinstein Co./Dimension Films will release "The Mist" Nov. 21. Based on a Stephen King short story, the horror flick was shot inside StageWorks of Louisiana.

And judging by Louisiana Movies' very unscientific poll, you really want to see it.

Here's the official synopsis from TWC's website: "Three-time Oscar®-nominee Frank Darabont ('The Green Mile,' 'The Shawshank Redemption') reunites with horror-master Stephen King to write and direct this chilling adaptation of the author’s original short story. Following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small town community come under vicious attack from creatures prowling in a thick and unnatural mist. Local rumors point to an experiment called the ‘The Arrowhead Project’ conducted at a nearby top-secret military base, but questions as to the origins of the deadly vapor are secondary to the group’s overall chances for survival. Retreating to a local supermarket, Drayton and the survivors must face-off against each other before taking a united stand against an enemy they cannot even see!"

Photo: Director and screenwriter Frank Darabont gets physical with actor Chris Owen ("Norm") to demonstrate how he wants a scene from Dimension Films' "The Mist" to look. Ralph Nelson.

Inspiration for 'A Bay Bay' behind bars

Remember the locally made video for Hurricane Chris's "A Bay Bay?" Looks like the song has a major PR problem. This story was filed earlier this evening on www.shreveporttimes.com.

Local DJ charged with rape
August 6, 2007
By Adam Kealoha Causey
acausey@gannett.com

A local DJ who has garnered national attention from his connection to a hit rap song is behind bars in connection with a rape investigation.

DJ Bay Bay, whose real name is Terrance Stewart, is charged with one count each of simple rape and intimidation of a witness, according to Shreveport police spokeswoman Kacee Hargrave.

Stewart was arrested this afternoon and booked into the Shreveport City Jail where his bond is set at $150,000, Hargrave said.

Investigators say an employee at Kokopelli’s found a woman lying drunk and unconscious about 4 a.m. Thursday on the downtown night club’s second floor. Police think she was raped late Wednesday or early Thursday.

“I’m not sure if the sexual assault happened after she was drunk or before she got drunk,” Hargrave said. “We are continuing our investigation, more arrests are possible.”

Rapper Hurricane Chris’ song “A Bay Bay” is a tribute of sorts to the K103 Tha Beat radio personality. It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is at No. 10 in the latest issue of the chart.

No, really. You can meet Dr. Evil's maker

Jim Hayes, the guy who designed Dr. Evil's chair, will be the featured speaker at this month's Louisiana Produces meeting.

John Grindley from the Robinson Film Center just wrote to say, "Louisiana Produces will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 7. It will be same time, same place -- 7 p.m., Bossier Parish Community College,Building D."

To read more about Hayes, visit the Louisiana Hot Props website.

Audition already!

Auditions will be held a second time for LSUS’s upcoming production of “Burn This.” Starring will be Emmy-winning actor Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Murder One,” “Heavy,” “Deadwood”), who is a native of Baton Rouge.

The two available parts are Larry, an acerbic advertising executive, and Burton, a wealthy screenwriter. The production also needs an understudy for the part of Anna, a shy choreographer. All characters are in their late 20s or mid to late 30s.

Auditions are 6 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 8); 6 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 9); and noon Saturday (Aug. 11). They will be held at Bronson Hall’s room 111 at LSUS.

The play was written by Lanford Wilson and will be directed by Robert Alford. Performances are Sept. 27 through Oct. 7.

For more information, call (318) 797-5283.

Set construction class seeking carpentry students

Instructors Ed Hughens (left) and Russell M. McConnell will teach "Set Construction" to aspiring film crew workers at Louisiana Technical College beginning Aug. 21. They stand on a courtroom set that was built by LTC students for BPCC's latest student movie project, "Criminal Justice 101."

For anyone aspiring to do work in carpentry or electrical on a movie set, this course would be a good place to start.

Fall registration at LTC begins Aug. 14. For more information, call (318) 676-7811.

'At the Movies' is on the web

My favorite new website of the week is http://www.atthemoviestv.com/. It's a video archive of all the movie reviews by Siskel & Ebert, Ebert & Roeper and Roeper & guest critics. It purportedly offers 1,000 shows and 5,000 movies. (I haven't check.)

Ebert is, of course, not doing the TV show at the moment because of his ongoing struggle with cancer. (He continues to post written reviews at rogerebert.suntimes.com.)

Watch the thrashing of "Battlefield Earth." Listen to the ho-hum chatter about "Grosse Pointe Blank." Check out the enthusiasm for "Heavy," featuring Pruitt Taylor Vince, who will appear at a LSUS theater production soon.

The site has its navigation problems (where's the alphabetical index?). However, if you're looking for a movie from the last 15 or 20 years, you'll likely find it.

What I've always enjoyed about these critics are their inspired, reasoned debates. They don't shout. They don't interrupt for ego's sake. They have evidence for their claims. They see clearly through the marketing fog. And they often seriously disagree about what merits a thumbs up.

Robinson Film Center to screen 'Once'

On Aug. 30, the Robinson Film Center will screen "Once," an Irish musical set on the streets of Dublin. The screening is part of the ongoing Robinson Film Center Presents series.

The date may be look far away, but you better book if you want a seat. RFC sold out its recent screening of "Waitress."

"Once" took home the World Cinema Audience Award (drama) at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

The official synopsis reads:"Featuring Glen Hansard and his Irish band 'The Frames,' the film tells the story of a busker and an immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story."

SCREENING
WHAT: "Once," directed by John Carney, presented by the Robinson Film Center.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Aug. 30.
WHERE: Regal Cinemas Louisiana Boardwalk Stadium 14, Bossier City.
COST: $7.50.
TO RESERVE: (318) 424-9090.

WEBSITE: click here (Fox Searchlight).
TRAILER: click here (Apple).
REVIEWS: click here (Metacritic).

'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.