Civil Rights video series debuts

Hey, y'all. Apologize for my recent LaMovBlog neglect, but I've been up to my eyebrows in Avid Express Pro. For a few weeks, we've been finalizing a video series called Civil Rights: Then & Now for The Times' website. It features eight interviews with local pioneers and current leaders. We hope the series provides a solid overview of the Civil Rights Movement in Shreveport.

Why did we do it?

For starters, we revisit these stories annually in the paper and thought it was time to showcase these subjects in their own voices. They have important stories to tell, and a permanent website will make them more accessible.

Secondly, our newsroom is fully aware of how new media technologies have transformed the media consumer. These videos might reach an audience we otherwise wouldn't.

Thirdly, and personally speaking, I just like video production. Getting a chance to help these subjects tell their stories is pretty rewarding. You'll here my voiceover on the Curtis Joseph Jr. video.

Unfortunately, the series doesn't qualify for the state's production tax credit! (I put a lot of Louisiana labor into it, dagnabbit.)

Check out the site when you get a chance. Let us know what you think.

Jeffrey Goodman blogs for Moviemaker

Local director Jeffrey Goodman is blogging for Moviemaker Magazine. He'll post weekly about his "Adventures in Self-Releasing" "The Last Lullaby." The movie was shot in the Shreve in early 2007. Since March 2008, Goodman has been touring it from festival to festival. In May, he'll begin releasing the movie to theaters.

For his Jan. 30 entry, Goodman writes: "My plan is to do a three- to 10-city theatrical run with the film. I’m not sure if this run will be financially successful or not. But it is my goal for it to be self-sustaining, at the very least.

"I only want to go into cities where I feel like 'The Last Lullaby' has an edge over most other movies. This edge will come from one of two places: Either we’ll go into a city because someone involved in the film is from there, or we’ll return to a city where we already had a successful festival."

To read the whole post and follow the blog, click here.

What did you think of the 'Year One' Super Bowl spot?

This isn't it, but it's pretty interesting to see a Shreve-made (or Sibley-made?) movie advertised on Super Bowl Sunday.

'The Exterminators': Billy explains bees

What Josh Brolin said about Oscar nom

You noticed Josh Brolin ("W.") -- remember him? -- was nominated for an Oscar yesterday, right? He got a best supporting nod for "Milk." Here's what he had to say about recognition, according to Hollywood Reporter:

Nominated for his supporting role as county supervisor Dan White in the Harvey Milk biopic "Milk," Josh Brolin -- who also played President Bush in the 2008 release "W." -- said he was pleased to be recognized for his work on the "important" film. "'W.' was probably the most difficult job in film that I've ever done because you carry his age from a young age through (his presidency). 'Milk' was different," he said. "When I read it, I was so emotional and taken with the story that I just wanted to do this story. It's a timely story, and as timely as it can be with Prop. 8. So obviously, it's an important movie and a very visceral film at that." Brolin acknowledged that Oscar nominations can help an actor attract offers for future meaty roles. "There's more confidence that I can pull off more complicated roles, and luckily, because of the nature of the role of Dan White, we're getting offered really, really interesting roles." Brolin's next film -- Warner Bros. comics-spawned "Josh Hex," [sic] which he calls "a throwback to spaghetti Westerns" -- begins shooting in March.

Find the full article, and more reaction from the nominees, here.

'The Exterminators' coming to A&E

The locally made series, based on the exploits of exterminator Billy Bretherton and his fam (Vexcon), will debut Feb. 4 on A&E. 9:30 p.m. Central.

What's on tap for the premiere: "Goth Bees & Killer Coons," apparently. Here's the synopsis: "Billy faces an angry mother raccoon trying to protect her young from his snare, and then goes on a mission to exterminate a seven-foot-long beehive. But bees aren’t the only thing that are causing a buzz in the Bretherton family. Ricky’s ex-wife, Pam, has returned to work at Vexcon, and that’s rubbing some of the Brethertons the wrong way."

I'm not sure I want to learn what's hiding in my attic, but I'm sure this series will teach me.

LaMovBlog Oscar contest ... we want you

For those of you new to LaMovBlog, you probably need to catch up on the history of our Oscar contest. Both in the paper and on my blog, we compete to see who can best predict the Oscars. Pretty fun, considering I 've twice got bested by chris-brad. Who's chris-brad? Rumor has it he's a psychic or something.

Anyway, this year I want to up the ante (meaning I want to give chris-brad some real competition). I want at least 10 people to join us, and I want them to publicly disclose their pics. For the next month or so, too, I'm going to obsess about what's best and what's not. That's where you come in:

1. Soon I'll be offering details on how to submit your Oscar pics. Stay tuned. If you can't wait, submit them as a comment.
   
2. If you have an Oscar favorite for best pic or a cool Oscar/actor anecdote and really, really want to write about it, send me an email. Send me a 300-word essay. Yeah, that's right. I gave you an assignment, and I won't pay you for it. How can you resist? akent@gannett.com
3. If you are connected to "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," tell me about it. Send me an email. I want to give cast and especially crew their props.
4. If you have a weird or fun Oscar night tradition, tell me about it. Send me an email. This is the Superbowl for movie-lovers, and I want you to tell us how you celebrate.

Initial thoughts on Oscars, Razzies

NOTE CORRECTION BELOW.

While I'm mad "WALL-E" got left out of the big prize -- at least it got the technical nods, best animated feature, best original screenplay, and best short for the curtain-raiser "Presto" -- there are a few things about the nominations that pique my interest.

• Of course, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a big moment for Louisiana. Shot in New Orleans, it was the state's most ambitious project to date. Kudos to all the crew and cast who worked on it. Incidentally, if you are cast or especially crew from "Button," I want to hear from you stat. Send me a note at akent@gannett.com.
• And though "Benjamin Button" is a big deal for New Orleans and Louisiana, there was some horribly funny news yesterday. "Disaster Movie," made in The Shreve, nearly led the Razzies nominations with six. Six! ("Love Guru" got seven.) For those of you who like to view the state's industry as a competition between cities, don't worry. "Meet the Spartans," made in LaPlace and New Orleans, got five Razzie nominations. Five! Ouch. Gotta love the yin and yang!
• Amy Adams for "Doubt." She's brilliant and remains one of my faves. For local theater geeks, I have to also note that local actress Charity Schubert did the same role for a local River City Rep stage production and deserves a frickin' Tony! (Somebody get us a time machine!) Brilliant stuff, and I actually liked this stage production better than the movie.
• Josh Brolin finally got a long-deserved nomination with "Milk." (He got robbed last year for "No Country.") Wouldn't it have been interesting if he had gotten a nod for "W?" Too bad it wasn't a better film. I would have been ecstatic, and the potential interview would have been interesting indeed. Dude's a brilliant actor (and a good kisser, apparently).
• Marisa Tomei is back with a nomination for "The Wrestler," which means my wife has to go see a movie about combat. All right!
• Absolutely pissed that "Happy-Go-Lucky's" Sally Hawkins missed a nomination. That's as bad as Paul Giamatti missing for "Sideways." Both absolutely defined their movies, and both were robbed!
• The most competitive category? Best actress, to my mind, no question. Meryl vs. Kate is going to be Oscar night's biggest moment. Those are two major, major performances. Flip a coin. Perhaps the best screen performances of the year (beside WALL-E, Eve and the cockroach).

Enough of me. What did you think?

NOTE: Corrected at 4:35 p.m.: Argh. "Disaster Movie" wasn't the year's worst, as previously noted. It earned six Razzie nominations, whereas "The Love Guru" earned seven. My bad.

Oscar nominations: 'Benjamin Button' gets 13

That's big news for Louisiana.

And guess what? chris-brad beat me again in predictions: 22-20.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Milk (2008)
The Reader (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor (2007/I)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sean Penn for Milk (2008)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008/I)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin for Milk (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008/I)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams for Doubt (2008/I)
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008/I)
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)

Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Gus Van Sant for Milk (2008)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Frozen River (2008): Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008): Mike Leigh
In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh
Milk (2008): Dustin Lance Black
WALL·E (2008): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt (2008/I): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Changeling (2008): Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight (2008): Wally Pfister
The Reader (2008): Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Anthony Dod Mantle

Best Achievement in Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight (2008): Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon (2008): Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk (2008): Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Chris Dickens

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Changeling (2008): James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight (2008): Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
The Duchess (2008): Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway
Revolutionary Road (2008): Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Australia (2008): Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Jacqueline West
The Duchess (2008): Michael O'Connor
Milk (2008): Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road (2008): Albert Wolsky

Best Achievement in Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Greg Cannom
The Dark Knight (2008): John Caglione Jr., Conor O'Sullivan
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008): Mike Elizalde, Thomas Floutz

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat
Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard
Milk (2008): Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman
WALL·E (2008): Thomas Newman

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, Gulzar ("Jai Ho")
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, M.I.A ("O Saya")
WALL·E (2008): Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman ("Down to Earth")

Best Achievement in Sound
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
The Dark Knight (2008): Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
WALL·E (2008)
Wanted (2008)

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
The Dark Knight (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
WALL·E (2008)
Wanted (2008)

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Barba, Edson Williams
The Dark Knight (2008): Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man (2008)

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Bolt (2008)
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
WALL·E (2008)

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)(Germany)
Entre les murs (2008)(France)
Revanche (2008)(Austria)
Okuribito (2008)(Japan)
Vals Im Bashir (2008)(Israel)

Best Documentary, Features
The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (2008)
Encounters at the End of the World (2007)
The Garden (2008/I)
Man on Wire (2008)
Trouble the Water (2008)

Best Documentary, Short Subjects
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306

Best Short Film, Animated
Ubornaya istoriya - lyubovnaya istoriya (2007)
La Maison en Petits Cubes: Kunio KatoOktapodi (2007): Julien Bocabeille, François-Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier, Emud Mokhberi
Presto (2008): Doug Sweetland
This Way Up (2008): Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes

Best Short Film, Live Action
Auf der Strecke (2007)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy (2007)
The Pig
Spielzeugland (2007)

Guess the Oscars' best pic nominations

I'm predicting these five will be nominated for best pic tomorrow morning:

• "The Dark Knight"
• "Slumdog Millionaire"
• "Milk"
• "WALL-E"
• "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

What are you best picture guesses? chris-brad, you can officially begin the annual flogging of the LaMovBlogger.

My official backpedaling: I'm going out on a limb with "WALL-E," but it's the best movie I've seen this year (besides the documentary "Man on Wire"). I have to cheer for it! Conventional wisdom says "Frost/Nixon" will take "WALL-E's" spot.

"Benjamin Button" has lost some of its buzz, too, so I wouldn't be surprised to see another crowd-pleaser like "Gran Torino" sneak into its spot or "Milk's." In other words, I think it's very, very hard to predict the noms this year. "Slumdog" looks like the only lock, and there are no automatics like "No Country for Old Men" or "There Will Be Blood" or "Juno."

What will be robbed? "Synecdoche, New York." It's the most inventive pic I've seen this year but I don't think voters are ever in the mood for something more despairing than my 401(k).

Here are the proverbial bridesmaids that should earn some noms: "Frost/Nixon" * "Revolutionary Road" * "The Reader" * "The Wrestler" * "Cadillac Records" * "Doubt" * "Rachel Getting Married"

'God v. Science' screening at LSUS

The locally made short film “God vs. Science” will screen Friday at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Show time is set for 7 p.m. at LSUS’s University Center. Admission is $3.

Directed by Jabari Thomas, “God vs. Science” pits an atheist science professor against a Christian student in a dispute about the existence of God. The 21-minute movie, starring Ted Ferguson and Chris Weaver, was filmed primarily at LSUS.

The movie will be followed by a film industry and theater forum discussion featuring Thomas; Dawn Landrum of Landrum Arts LA talent agency; Pruitt Taylor Vince, a film actor and LSUS artist in residence; Robert Alford, an LSUS theater professor; Richard Folmer, artistic director of the East Bank Theatre in Bossier City; film director Jeffrey Goodman; and Dano Anderson, a first assistant director.

To reserve tickets, contact LSUS at (318) 797-5396. For more information about “God vs. Science,” contact Ferguson at (318) 464-8030.

Another January update from state film office

FYI: The Millennium project "Rin Tin Tin" is now "Cool Dog."

Welcome to (225) 342-FILM, the official hotline of Louisiana Entertainment. Here's what's happening for the third week of January 2009:

SHREVEPORT

The Weinstein Company feature film "Youth in Revolt" is in Shreveport for reshoots through February 7th. Youth in Revolt is now fully crewed. Inquiries can be faxed to (318) 681-9917.

"Drill Deep: The Haynesville Shale Documentary" is in production throughout the Shreveport area through the end of February. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at GKallenberg@gmail.com.

The Nu Image/Millennium feature film "Cool Dog" is in pre-production Shreveport with shooting scheduled from February 17 through mid-March. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at cooldogproductions@gmail.com. The Disney Channel television series The Imagination Movers will begin pre-production in Harahan on February 1 with shooting scheduled to start in late March. Resumes for crew are being accepted by e-mail at imaginationmovers1@earthlink.net.

LAFAYETTE

The independent feature film "My Last Goodbye" will begin pre-production in the Lafayette area in February with ten weeks of shooting set to begin March 30. Resumes and headshots are being accepted by e-mail at wxartinc@gmail.com.

Soft prep for the Bullet Films feature films "Jaws of the Mississippi," "Medusa," and "Wolf" will begin in February in Lafayette. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted bey e-mail at jobs@bulletfilms.net.

BATON ROUGE

The independent feature film "American Gospel" is in development in the Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled for this spring and summer. Resumes are being accepted by e-mail at americangospel@gmail.com.

The HBO television series "True Blood" starring Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer is in preproduction in the Baton Rouge area and will shoot portions of the series in Louisiana in February, April and June. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at truebloodbr@gmail.com.

The independent feature film "The Chameleon" is pre-production in Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled from February 2 through March 6. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by fax at (225) 610-1670 (no headshots please).

The Films in Motion feature film "Wrong Side of Town" starring Rob Van Dam and Batiste is in pre-production in Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled from Feb. 3 through Feb. 24. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@filmsinmotion.com.

The Most Wanted Films feature film "Video Girl" starring Meagan Good is in pre-production in Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled for February 18 through March 15. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@mostwantedfilms.com

NEW ORLEANS

The HBO television series pilot "Treme" is in pre-production in New Orleans with shooting scheduled for March 9th through 31st. Resumes for crew and inquiries are being accepted by email only at blowndeadlineprod@gmail.com. RPM Casting is working on the day player roles. Casting will begin in the next two weeks. They are looking for all ages, ethnicities and types. Please send a photo, resume and contact information to their office as soon as possible to: RPM Casting c/o ArtEgg Studios 1001 S. Broad Street New Orleans, LA 70125

The Most Wanted Films feature film "Sinners and Saints" is shooting in New Orleans through January 24th. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@mostwantedfilms.com.

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

300 to 350 watch inauguration at Robinson Film Center

Revised 12:26 p.m.: RFC's Pierre Rubben estimated 300 to 350 people came to the film center this morning to watch the inauguration. Lots of clapping. A few standing ovations. In general, it seems people felt like Marcus Mitchell, 24 (pictured), who attended on a day off. "It gives you a different feeling to experience it with a crowd made up of different nationalities, different creeds and different races," he said. "I think it's a joyous occasion."

If you went to RFC, or if you watched the inauguration with a crowd, let me know what you thought. Why was it important for you to be part of a crowd, and what was it like?

Also, I posted this as a comment, but it's worth repeating: Right before the swearing in was beginning, a flood of people filled the theater. There were lots of local media outlets pointing their cameras both at the screen and at the crowd, but what was more interesting was the ways in which people were documenting the event by themselves. Lots of cameras, cellphone cameras, video cameras, etc., trying to capture a moment in time, ostensibly to show friends and future families where they were and why. It kind of shows me how newer technologies have further enabled people to become citizen journalists/historians/record-takers/etc. during big moments.

Lots of local media watch the watching.

It was a pretty diverse crowd, as Mitchell noted. At this moment, a Marine veteran bows his head in prayer.

I count three citizen cameras/cellphones pointed at the screen during this moment. As people watched, you saw quite a few cameras peek over the crowd.

Best titled drink at the RFC Grind House?

Hands down, the Cecil B. Demented. It's a 5-shot latte with chocolate and caramel. What did I order? A feature-sized latte and a blueberry scone. The latter's pretty solid, and I'm waiting for the coffee to cool down.

The Robinson Film Center's Grind House coffee house opened this morning at 7 and will be open weekdays.

And there's still lots of room at the Robinson Film Center if you want to watch the inauguration on a big screen. Come on down!

Below is the full menu. Click for a larger view.

RFC broadcast of inauguration

The screen at the Robinson Film Center is about as large as my home ET center. A little less seating, too.

The crowd is pretty quiet so far. People's eyes are fixed on the screen. Interesting.

RFC showing the presidential inauguration

Have you heard that the Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas St., will broadcast the presidential inauguration on Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m.? True, and it's free. It'll be in HD and on the big screen, which seats 144. If you want to see it, you better arrive early!

What's also interesting is that RFC will debut its "Grind House" coffee shop the same morning. It opens at 7 a.m. (M-F) and feature muffins, scones and coffee. I'll be there in the a.m. and blogging. Stop by, say hi and say cheese.

Guess who refused to give me a quote about the weather forecast for Park City, Utah?

... Blayne Weaver, who's there and debuting "Weather Girl" and the Slamdance Film Festival on Saturday.

"No, I can't do it," Weaver said by phone after I demanded a cheesy quote. "It'll be horrible and then you'll use it."

Damn it, Weaver. You're no longer a press puppet. (As retaliation, I've posted your headshot ... from 1997. Is that leather?)

Weaver wrote and directed "Weather Girl," a romantic comedy. Brandon Barrera executive produced it. Both are Bossier City natives living in L.A. They're business partners in Secret Identity Productions (remember "Outside Sales?").

It's a pretty big deal to play at Slamdance.

“Tomorrow, we’re spending all day doing press,” said Weaver by phone from Park City. He’ll be flanked by the movie’s stars Mark Harmon and Tricia O’Kelley. “I haven’t even worried started worrying about the movie yet.”

Slamdance, an indie film festival run by filmmakers (as the blurb goes), runs concurrently to the Sundance Film Festival.

“Slamdance is a little more personal, a lot more indie and it’s a lot more fun,” Weaver said. “It’s fantastic to just go to film festivals and be celebrated, but we want to sell ‘Weather Girl.’ What’s really great about this festival is that it feels like the place to do that.”

Word has it Weaver ran into the Robinson Film Center's Chris Jay, who's at Sundance/Slamdance looking for the next hit. Chris, I expect some seriously good schwag.

Stuff this in your taco cart

If you're relatively new to the movie biz and working, you've noticed that sets use their own language. That's why I was pleased to receive this little handbook in the mail today: "Movie Speak: How to Talk Like You Belong on a Film Set."

I rarely pimp the PR stuff that comes to me unsolicited, but this book, written by a seasoned producer, would be very useful for anyone trying to break into the industry as a P.A. (It also fits in your pocket.) If your a set vet, on the other hand, I'd be curious to know what you think of it.

It's 216 pages and full of working definitions for terms like banana, perms, cuban, redhead (mickey), snowshoes, wetdown, and my favorite, honeywagon. (I'm that kind of guy.) "Movie Speak" also is super-cheap: $8.95.

Recommend it. If you have any favorites books like it, post your recs in the comments.

Are you on Oscar watch?

An obsession with all things Oscar is in full swing at LaMovBlog. Here are the movies, now playing in The Shreve, you should pay attention to:

"Gran Torino" (Cinemark Tinseltown, Louisiana Boardwalk 14)

"Defiance" (Cinemark Tinseltown, Louisiana Boardwalk 14)

"Last Chance Harvey" (Cinemark Tinseltown, Robinson Film Center)

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Cinemark Tinseltown, Bossier Corners 9)

"Australia" (Bossier Corners 9)

"Doubt" (Bossier Corners 9)

"Let the Right One In" (Robinson Film Center)

"The Reader" (Robinson Film Center)

And of course, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop." It's an early best pic fave for next year's race.

What's on tap for January

Here's the latest from the state. "True Blood" chose Baton Rouge this time around (and it will double for Shreveport? Hmm ... that's a first), but The Shreve's got two in the pipeline. "Youth in Revolt" could mark the return of Michael Cera to northwest Louisiana. Welcome back!

Welcome to (225) 342-FILM, the official hotline of Louisiana Entertainment. Here’s what’s happening for the second week of January 2009:

SHREVEPORT
The Nu Image/Millennium feature film “Rin Tin Tin” is in pre-production Shreveport with shooting scheduled from February 17 through mid-March. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at rintyproductions@gmail.com.

The Weinstein Company feature film “Youth in Revolt” will hold eight days of reshoots in Shreveport in late January and early February. Details are coming soon.

BATON ROUGE
The HBO television series “True Blood” starring Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer is in pre-production in the Baton Rouge area and will shoot portions of the series in Louisiana in February, April and June. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at truebloodbr@gmail.com.

The independent feature film “The Chameleon” is pre-production in Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled from February 2 through March 6. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by fax at (225) 610-1670 (no headshots please).

The Films in Motion feature film “The Wrong Side of the Tracks Part I” starring Rob Van Dam and Batiste is in pre-production in Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled from Feb. 3 through Feb. 24. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@filmsinmotion.com.

The Most Wanted Films feature film “Video Girl” starring Meagan Good is in pre-production in Baton Rouge with shooting scheduled for February 18 through March 15. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@mostwantedfilms.com

NEW ORLEANS
The HBO television series pilot “Treme” is in pre-production in New Orleans with shooting scheduled for March 9th through 31st. Resumes for crew and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail only blowndeadlineprod@gmail.com. RPM Casting is working on the day player roles. Casting will begin in the next two weeks. They are looking for all ages, ethnicities and types. Please send a photo, resume and contact information to their office as soon as possible to: RPM Casting c/o ArtEgg Studios 1001 S. Broad Street New Orleans, LA 70125

The Disney Channel television series “The Imagination Movers” will begin pre-production in Harahan on February 1 with shooting scheduled to start in late March. Resumes for crew are being accepted by e-mail at imaginationmovers1@earthlink.net.

The Most Wanted Films feature film “Sinners and Saints” is shooting in New Orleans through January 24th. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at info@mostwantedfilms.com.

LAFAYETTE
Soft prep for the Bullet Films feature films “Jaws of the Mississippi,” “Medusa,” and “Wolf” will begin in February in Lafayette. Resumes and inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at jobs@bulletfilms.net.

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

Local short screens tonight at RFC

"God vs. Science," a short faith-based film by Jabari Thomas, plays freely at the Robinson Film Center tonight at 6 p.m. I'm hosting a post-screening Q&A. The 21-minute flick stars Ted Ferguson (pictured) and a handful of regional actors. If you want to have a conversation about local-local filmmaking, come on down.

'Slumdog Millionaire' opens at RFC 1/23

I just received this exuberant note from Chris Jay at the Robinson Film Center: "We just got booking confirmation!!!" "Slumdog Millionaire" opens Jan. 23 at the Shreveport art house.

Students can take animation, effects workshop

LSUS's Animation and Visual Effects program invites middle and high school students to the following:

WHAT: Introductory workshop for animation and effects.
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 17).
WHERE: LSUS Technology Center, Room 258.
COST: $10. To register, click here or email avei@lsus.edu.

Program director John Miralles will introduce students to the software and techniques moviemakers use to create effects. They'll learn a little about digital imaging (Adobe Photoshop) and video compositing (Adobe AfterEffects). They'll also create a visual effects shot of their own. No experience necessary.

'The Last Lullaby' to open May in The Shreve; Email Jeffrey Goodman to join the push

Local director Jeffrey Goodman plans to push "The Last Lullaby" into theaters in May. The movie was shot here in early 2007 and debuted at the AFI Dallas Int'l Film Festival in March 2008. After a year on the festival circuit, Jeffrey plans to personally tour the film from city to city.

Shreveport and Bossier City are the first stops on his itinerary.

"You, as a citizen of our region, will have the rare opportunity to affect whether this film gets out to the rest of the world," Jeffrey wrote in an email. "If a large number of people in the region come out in support of the film, it has a great chance of being shown on screens in the rest of the world."

Why the DIY approach? Many reasons, but three stand out for me:

• The filmmaker has more control.
• He can generate a higher per-screen average and attract attention from a distributor.
  
• With Goodman in tow, each city's opening should garner more attention (generate more buzz).

I reviewed this film last year, and it's a stunningly well made crime drama. Because I believe deeply in the value of independent filmmakers like Jeffrey, it's essential that high-caliber efforts like "The Last Lullaby" find their theatrical niche.

Jeffrey is hoping to generate tons of community support by having you join his efforts. If you want to keep up on his touring exploits, send an email to register@thelastlullaby.com with "Register Me" in the subject line.

Writes Jeffrey, "If 'Lullaby' is a success, it will bring some really positive attention to Shreveport-Bossier and open up the doors for other hometown filmmakers who want to make films here."

How can you resist this face?

Jean-Claude Van Damme can act. There. I said it. I'm not embarrassed to say I loved his new film, "JCVD," and that I've missed the Muscles from Brussels. The arthouse flick opens tonight at the Robinson Film Center. Yes. arthouse and Jean-Claude Van Damme are mentioned in the same sentence. Don't believe you read it? Check out my review.

Click here for squad car video of Brolin, Wright k-i-s-s-i-n-g

The story just took a turn for the weird.

Click the above link for yet more video from the arrest. And check out the City Council's reaction to backseat smoochin'.

Best quote from the video, as reported by Times reporter Adam Causey: “You want a kissy? Hey, Jeffrey, how’d the scene go?” Brolin, 40, asks amid a fit of his own laughter. “I’ve been here. This is my seventh time.”

New banner above ...

Call the new banner design democratic. The blog is more yours than mine, so I want to reflect that from the get-go. I received lots of photos from readers, and I thank y'all for it. If you look closely, you might spy your mug next to Denzel.

I'll continue to tweak it for the next few days, but it's coming along.

Click here for police dashcam video of arrests

Click here for cell phone video of Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Wright arrests

So, here's the first piece of evidence we've seen, and we're still waiting for police dashboard cams of the pre-arrest. Let us know what you think.

In a journalistic sense, a video like this is very interesting to us -- the newspaper and all news consumers -- because it offers us a window into news as it unfolds. It's a piece of community journalism at its rawest and most interesting, and it raises a lot of questions. How did the events at Stray Cat get to this point? Obviously, why the pepper spray? Why the Taser? How are Brolin and Wright interfering with police? What aren't we seeing, either during, before or after the video? Does what we see follow standard police procedure? And since these were all misdemeanors, why did we have to wait nearly five months to see such evidence? Are we, as a newspaper, right to draw your attention to it? (Same goes for TMZ and the person who recorded the video.) Now that you've watched this video, what more do you need to know? Let us know what you think.

The 'Bro' gets pro

Here's the latest update on The Shreve's Best Bar Brawl from 2008. (Thanks for the votes, readers. My New Year's Eve party came in third.)

"W." stars Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright got D.A.'s probation their July misdemeanors.

From Loresha Wilson of The Times: "After months of buildup, the matter of Josh Brolin's part in a fight in Shreveport last year seems to have been settled with an agreement made even before his attorneys appeared in a Shreveport court today.

"Represented in court by a Los Angeles attorney and local lawyer Ron Miciotto, the actor who portrayed President George W. Bush in the Oliver Stone movie 'W.' was granted district attorney's probation, under which if he goes until March 11 without getting in further trouble the charges will be dismissed."

Click here for the full story.

As part of an ongoing public records request, Times reporters are working to get the dashboard cam videos of the arrests. When we get them, I'll post 'em.

In the meantime, you can see the cellphone video of the incident at TMZ.com.

PHOTO: Josh Brolin stars as George "W." Bush in "W." (Sidney Ray Baldwin/Lions Gate Entertainment)

I want to feature your photos on my blog banner

While amusing and unquestionably brilliant, the sight of me romancing the film reel has run its course.

I need a new look. Some fresh material. Inspiration. A prettier muse (than myself). A new and improved brand. Something that makes us all awe, a little bit more, in 2009.

That's where you come in.

I'm redesigning my blog banner again and need your photos to make it swank.

Please send in your shots of the local movie industry, and I'll work them into the new design. I'll accept just about anything but headshots. What do I want?

• You and a star? OK.
• A movie production takes over your street? Better.
• You and your Sharpie chasing Jack Black through the Hilton? I like tenacity.
  
• A DVD shrine to movies made in The Shreve? That'll work.
• You as the Incredible Hulk? I know you're out there.
  
• An autographed body part? Now you're talkin'.
• You kicking me off a set? I dare you.
  
• Yellow location signs with cryptic acronyms like "ILYPM," "BIH" and "BARD?" I get you.
• A movie shot of Maggie's Hangar on Commerce Street ("The Guardian"), or Artisan's Court on Texas Street ("Factory Girl")? Old school references will do.
• A poster for a locally made movie? Love it.
• A fake poster for a dream TV series? Maybe. (Think "CSI: Bossier City.")
  
• You and Josh Brolin in fisticuffs? I'll contemplate retirement.
  

Whatever you have, send it to akent@gannett.com and I'll get crackin'. Just about everything goes, but remember: I privilege the unique, the daring, the stupid and the obscure.

PRIZES: Top two photo-submitters will receive a "W." mini-poster or a "Harold & Kumar" plastic gambling visor. Free of charge. Can you believe my generosity?

Button vs. Gump: Round 2

Let me introduce this half-baked thought about the reception of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Lots of critics have compared it rightly to "Forrest Gump," for screenwriter Eric Roth adapted both. (For some food for thought, check out the review that LaMovBlog super-reader Chris Jay pimped in the previous post.) While "Button" and "Gump" are great companion pieces, the stories come from different eras and paint their heroes with wildly different brushes.

Right now, I’m thinking about “Benjamin Button” as the anti-Gump. Pitt’s Button is very ordinary, stone-faced, melancholic and good-lookin’. (Perhaps Pitt is doing his best Keanu Reeves impression.) Never really accomplishes anything. Witnesses history but never takes part in it. Loves and always loses. In the end, a lost man. A poor man. Perennial loser.

Not like Hanks’ everyman, who was extraordinarily ordinary, innocent, funny, accidentally heroic and kinda homely. Loves, loses but endures. In the end, a happy man. Stinking rich. An agent of renewal.

I think critics are defining their ideal heroes when they compare Button and Gump. If more favor Gump, then it supports my pet theory about Hollywood heroes: Losers never win.

Who has more to say about who we are? Which movie do you like better? Or do you, like this critic, loathe both?

Do we see ‘Benjamin Button’ clearly?

Have you seen David Fincher's new masterwork yet? I caught it yesterday with a theater full of patrons. If you've been living far, far away from Planet Louisiana, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was shot in New Orleans. It easily represents the state's biggest project of the decade – "Ray" was no slouch, either – and should garner quite a few Oscar nominations.

I'm a bit dismayed by the critical reception Fincher seems to be getting these days. Most critics single out the technical wizardry of his movies – "Zodiac" was similarly praised – but they don't seem to feel his stories, his characters have genuine heart.

Here are a few excerpts from "Button" reviews:

Lisa Schwarzbaum, for Entertainment Weekly: "… this Button is a curious case indeed: an extravagantly ambitious movie that's easy to admire but a challenge to love."

Claudia Puig, for USA Today: "'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' (* * * out of four) is worth seeing just for the superb prosthetic makeup and seamless computer-generated effects in which Pitt's head is digitally imposed onto older bodies. The film, ambitious if flawed, also is lyrical and melancholy as it tells the story of a man aging backward.

"But the tale, though laudably imaginative, is overlong and not as emotionally involving as it could be."

Peter Travers, for Rolling Stone: "What Fincher does, shooting digital instead of on film, is simply extraordinary. His astutely restrained direction fuses ferocity and feeling and creates a world you want to get lost in. …

"What Button shows is that Ben is ultimately not the hero of his own life or his own movie. He gets inside our head, that's for sure, but, frustratingly, we never get inside his."

A.O. Scott, for The New York Times, sees the film more clearly: "Above all, though, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is a triumph of technique. Building on the advances of pioneers like Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and Robert Zemeckis — and on his own previous work adapting newfangled means to traditional cinematic ends — Mr. Fincher ('Fight Club,' 'Zodiac') has added a dimension of delicacy and grace to digital filmmaking. While it stands on the shoulders of breakthroughs like 'Minority Report,' 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Forrest Gump' (for which Mr. Roth wrote the screenplay), 'Benjamin Button' may be the most dazzling such hybrid yet, precisely because it is the subtlest. While he does treat the audience to a few grand, special-effect showpieces, Mr. Fincher concentrates his ingenuity on the setting and the characters, in particular — and most arrestingly — on the faces of his stars, Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt."

Kenneth Turan, for the L.A. Times, is baffled: "... 'Benjamin Button' would've had a better chance of success if it had landed in the hands of a director with more of a facility for telling emotional stories than Fincher, whose films include 'Se7en,' 'Fight Club' and 'Zodiac.' No wonder everything feels icy and removed. Giving Fincher this project is like asking the great French humanist director Jean Renoir to do a slasher movie. As my mother used to say, no good will come of this."

I haven't quite worked out my response to these critiques yet, but I'm working on it.

My thoughts run along two lines:

1) As critics and moviegoers, we don't assess digital filmmaking very fairly. We're too hung up on spectacle, and the mere act of perceiving visual innovation/invention. We want to be impressed more than we want to be immersed. (That's not very well put, but I'm working on it.)

2) We're also losing our appreciation for tragic characters like Benjamin Button. We too often dismiss them as "flawed," too often put them at a critical distance, too often describe them as unknowable, or too unlike us.

Again, I'm still cooking on "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and will write more about it later.

In the meantime, I'd love to know what you thought about the movie.

PHOTO: Brad Pitt and Tilda Swinton. (Merrick Morton/Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers Pictures)

Taking a short vacation. Johnny will handle things while I'm out.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Some local movie-lovers offered their favorite Christmastime movies in today's Times. From "Gremlins" to "Scrooge," it's a pretty fun list.

Allow me to offer my Christmas favorite. Remember, I'm a bit dark in taste. I don't expect to be forgiven.

"Die Hard" – set on Christmas Eve – comes close to my favorite. I'm just lying if I don't consider "A Christmas Story," however over-played it is. I love "O Lucky Man!" for one jaw-dropping Christmas party. (Do not rent this and show it to kids.) "It's a Wonderful Life" features my favorite actor of all time, Jimmy Stewart, so it's really hard not to select it. "Love Actually," which is more honest about Christmas blues than most, is growing on me. Last year, I celebrated the shock-and-awfulness of "Star Wars" Christmas special, but there's one that stands out among the rest.

This year, I have to go with what I want for Christmas something a bit obvious: "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Scared the living daylights out of me when I first saw it. I was 17 or 18, mind you. I still don't know why I responded that way. Because of its subversive quality? Danny Elfman's hypnotic score? The gloomy synergy of Tim Burton and Henry Selick? Was it hearing the bones of children – and teenagers – rattle in horror until the credits rolled? I don't know. I don't really want to know, frankly. I just love it.

Enough of me.

What's your favorite Christmas movie? I'm making a list, checking it twice and don't really care if you're naughty or nice.

Just post your favorites and argue! (Consider it practice for extended family visits.)

Surviving 'Synecdoche, New York'

"Synecdoche, New York" is one of the most depressing movies I've seen in a long time -- we're talking anything Bergman to the 10th power -- therefore I recommend it wholeheartedly. Bleak and pretty brilliant.

I saw it about a month ago and initially shrugged. After writing about it, though, I learned my feelings ran deeper. It's playing at the Robinson Film Center.

It's the anti-Christmas. Have fun!

But seriously, see it. It's as purely cinematic as movies get. You couldn't tell this story through any other medium.

It's no secret to my friends -- hey, I count at least two -- that I love a good downer. Why? I have my theories. So does my imaginary shrink. Here are the top five:

5) It's evidence that I'm happier than somebody on Planet Earth.
4) I'm an enigma wrapped in shadow lost in confusion.
3) I'm obsessed with books and movies about self.
2) Sad movies are sources of existential renewal.
1) In the words of Le Frog from "Flushed Away," "I find everyone's pain amusing, except my own ... I'm French!"

I'm actually German and therefore have deep misgivings about Le Frog. That's why he's 100% right about me.

Derek Johnson on ‘Front of the Class’ role

Q: What was your role in the locally filmed "Front of the Class?" and how did you prepare for it?

A: I played the Tourette's Group Leader in the support group scene. I actually auditioned for the lead role of Brad Cohen, so I studied him and various other people with Tourette Syndrome. I also researched many books and literature on Tourette's, and a couple of years ago, while doing research for another film in which I played a character with schizophrenia, I met many people with Tourette's at conventions, so I pulled out my observations from those people and put together a series of tics of my own.

Q: What did you learn about the process of making a TV movie?

A: Making a TV movie is similar to a theatrical film, only the turnaround is usually much shorter, so the wait to see it from production to release is not as long and drawn out. Everything seems so much faster and before you know it, the movie has already aired.

Q: What did you enjoy most about the experience?

A: I enjoyed the research process and the chance to play a different kind of role. I've been told that I do my best when I play "extreme" characters and not just the "norm." I also enjoyed the cast and crew, especially getting to know the real Brad Cohen. He is such a phenomenal person and his story is so uplifting. Going to the premiere in Los Angeles was a great experience as well, as everyone was so generous and pleasant.

Q: What Shreveport-based projects have you worked on, and what advice would you share with local actors about getting work?

A: I've worked on several of the Shreveport-based films, including speaking roles in "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" and "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell." I've also worked on several independent films, many of which I have written, produced, and directed. Getting the part is not an easy task. It takes a lot of work to prepare for an audition and to make the character your own. If you want to be an actor, then you have to "be" an actor. You can't just say you are and not put any work into it. Take classes, study, research, and practice.

Q: How have you college acting and filmmaking experiences at Stephen F. Austin State University helped you prepare?

A: Earning my degree in film was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I had the opportunity to both act and make films on a weekly basis while in school, which only gave me more and more practice and exposure. I learned what I was doing wrong early, and had the chance to fix it. Getting ripped apart from your peers and instructors is vital to success as an artist, and many actors starting out jump right into it with nobody telling them what they are doing wrong. I'm proud that I was put in my place early, because constructive criticism opens your eyes.

'X-mas Under the Ground' set for Saturday

Twelve local artists and filmmakers will showcase their work Saturday for minicine?'s "X-mas Under the Ground." The grinches include Bill Daniel, Michelle Glaros, Sara Hebert, Chris Jay, Leo Kacenjar, Mindy McKoin, Shannon Palmer, Rob Peterson, Jon Rothell, Katie Matza and Matthew Keus, Austin Meyes and Mike Schwalke, and students from the Renzi Art and Education Center. It's all curated by Jen Wasson. Learn more here.

If you go
WHAT: "X-mas Under the Ground."
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 13).
WHERE: Lee Hardware Art Gallery, 719 Edwards Street, Shreveport.
COST: free.
ALSO FEATURING: music by A.J. Haynes and Paleo.

The 'Bitch' is from Bossier City

I'm way too excited about "Bitch Slap," a movie starring Erin Cummings. She lived in Bossier City as a kid.

I interviewed her in 2007, and she remains one of the funniest, smartest, most honest subjects I've met.

Cummings was here filming a scene for "Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins" and talked about the nerves involved in working with Martin Lawrence and crowd full of a extras. It was for the opening talk show scene, which was trimmed mercilessly for the theatrical release.

Cummings is a pro, so acting in front of audience isn't anything new. But she had do stunt work while wearing 6-inch stiletto heels, braided hair, a prosthetic lip and giant butt implants.

"When you're presented with an opportunity like that you can do one of two things," Cummings said. "You can succumb to the anxiety and the nerves and the intimidation of what it is, or you can welcome it as a step on the road."

I remind you of this to emphasize this point: Erin Cummings is fearless, and it shows in this trailer for "Bitch Slap." Cummings knows her martial arts. She understands parody. And, as evidenced by "Bitch Slap," she can deliver B-movie sexploitation dialogue with the best of 'em.

Watch this trailer. Learn from Erin. And most importantly, leave hundreds of comments about why this movie must win a trailer Oscar. I want this gem sparkling on 20 of Shreveport-Bosssier's finest screens by April.

Retire? Nah. Go act.

Jerald Amaya gained good memories on the set of "Front of the Class," which debuted Sunday on CBS.

The TV movie is based on Brad Cohen's autobiographical book, "Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had."

Amaya, of Greenwood, played a classroom observer toward the end.

"It gave me the opportunity to not only meet the original Brad Cohen, but it (also) gave us a chance to make a friendship," Amaya said.

The local actor was thrilled to be able to sit in a director's chair. Amaya was also a bit surprised when the movie's star, James Wolk, began talking to him about acting.

"It was almost the teacher asking the student for advice," Amaya said. "I have retired from GM, and this is new to me."

He worked at the Shreveport plant between 1992 and 2006. While retirement's nice and all, Amaya's wife encouraged him to try his hand at acting. "It was either sit home and watch reruns of 'The Blues Brothers' and 'Meet the Fockers,' or get out there and try this."

Don Logan, also a local actor, sent an email about his involvement in the project. Logan's a retired DJ (remember Dandy Don, anyone?) and continues to be an all-around music man.

For "Front of the Class," he worked as an extra (or background actor). Unfortunately, his scene was left on the cutting room floor.

"Hopefully in the DVD, they will use some extended cuts," Logan wrote. "OH WELL, as you guys say in SHOW BIZ, those are the breaks."

Like Amaya, Logan believes that getting older doesn't mean you have to drop out of the workforce.

"Remaining active is very important as you become older to stay the well-rounded person you are," Logan wrote. "There are some jobs I can't do. I can't even do all the things I did at 30. But, I can run, jog a little, stand on my feet for long hours and am in good physical health, so I am a background natural for any director wanting the 'grandfather' look."

La. Produces meetup to feature Will Greenfield

The monthly meetup at the Robinson Film Center will feature Will Greenfield, associate production office coordinator for "Leaves of Grass." Green's credits include "Disaster Movie," "Soul Men" and "Elizabethtown." If you need details, contact Clare France at RFC.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 9).

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

COST: free.

CBS's 'Front of the Class' draws from local talent pool

I spent my Sunday night watching the CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "Front of the Class." It was filmed in Shreveport and was a pretty solid two hours. It's based on Brad Cohen's book of the same name, which details his life with Tourette's syndrome.

I saw lots of local faces, including local stage actors like Tyler Krieg, Mike Martindale and Patrick Kirton.

Krieg's scene, in which he's a member of a Tourette's syndrome help-group, earned notice in this Reuter's review. Here's an excerpt: "Tom Rickman, who adapted the book, puts Brad's struggle in admirable perspective. There are the obvious school scenes in which his behavior is mistaken for intentional clowning. But there's also a scene with the boy and his mother (Patricia Heaton) attending a Tourette's support group. When they realize that nearly everyone in the room has lowered their ambitions as an accommodation to the condition, they don't stay long."

While there's not much critique in this excerpt, it's a sign that local actors' work is getting noticed. There's a lot of talent in this city, and I've witnessed a lot of it on local stages. "Front of the Class" is evidence that local talent can both feed and succeed in the industry.

Good work, everyone. Let me know if you had a role, and I'll feature you.

What’s up in Dec.?

UPDATED with new show, "Sinners and Saints": 5:39 p.m. Dec. 5.

The latest update from the state follows. Take note of the available jobs at Bullet Films in Lafayette. Really important job opportunities:

Here's what's happening in Louisiana Film for the first week of December 2008:

Bullet Films in Lafayette is looking to add staff for 2009 and is now accepting resumes for the following positions:

Sound Effects Editors, Dialog Editors, Re-recording mixers, Colorists, 2D Vfx Artists, 3D Vfx Artists, Web designers, Graphic Artists/Concept Artists, Assistant Editors, Editors, Composers, Cinematographers

Resumes are currently being accepted by e-mail at jobs@bulletfilms.net

The Most Wanted Films feature film "Sinners and Saints" is in pre-production in New Orleans with shooting scheduled from December 8th through January 15th. Resumes are being accepted by e-mail at info@mostwantedfilms.com.

The Liberty Mutual Independent Media, Inc. short film "Prodigy" is in pre-production in New Orleans with shooting scheduled from December 12 through December 20. This movie is crewed up and no longer accepting resumes.

The Lifetime movie of the week "Acceptance" is shooting in Shreveport with through December 17. Inquiries are being accepted by fax at (318) 682-5671 (no headshots, please).

The independent feature film "Skateland" starring Shiloh Fernandez and Ashley Greene is shooting in Shreveport through December 11. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at skatelandproductions@gmail.com

The Marquis Productions feature film "Fight or Flight" is in production in Lafayette with shooting scheduled through December 20. Resumes for cast and crew are being accepted by e-mail at marquisprods@gmail.com

The independent feature film "My Own Love Song" starring Renee Zellweger and Forest Whitaker is shooting in New Orleans through December 13. Inquiries are being accepted by e-mail at myownlovesong08@gmail.com

The Faulkner McLain Entertainment feature film "Alabama Moon" starring John Goodman is shooting in Covington through December 16. Resumes and inquiries are currently being accepted by email at info@faulknerproductions.com. For casting information, please visit www.couloncasting.com

The Mandalay Lifetime Network television movie of the week based on the Nora Roberts book "Tribute" is shooting in Jefferson Parish through December 18. The production is currently crewed up.

The HBO television series "Treme" will begin shooting in New Orleans in early 2009. Resumes for CREW ONLY are being accepted by fax at (410) 986-0029.

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

Make love to the camera (and I'll feature you)

NPR recently logged a funny story about a book of unforgettable headshots. It's called "Holy Headshot! A Celebration of America's Undiscovered Talent." Our local mugger Eric Gipson is represented. (I can call him a mugger because he stole my wallet once and termed it "magic." True lie, honest.)

Reports NPR, "Most head shots are straightforward pictures of an actor's face. But every now and then, someone decides to get a bit more creative." Check out the gallery for samples.

The books writers supposedly went through 50,000 headshots and selected just 103 for publication. Along with Eric, five other actors with the local Landrum Arts LA agency made the cut.

Eric is excited to be featured. While the headshots are presented in "Holy Headshot!" with a sense of humor, the book goes a bit deeper than laughs. Trying to get acting work as a relative unknown ain't easy, as y'all know.

"It's really kind of a celebration of the struggle," Eric tells me. The book also includes the talents' resumes.

For fun, I asked Eric to play casting director and assess his own headshot. "I would probably say, first of all, that is no Tom Cruise. That is no Brad Pitt. But that may be a guy who has some potential as a character actor."

James Eakin, a Shreveport photographer, deserves credit for the camera work.

This example begs the question: Just how creative is Shreveport's talent?

If you have a nutty headshot, send it my way. Include a 10-word caption, too, which explains your look. If I get enough, I'll post a Shreve Muggers gallery (and send the URL to SPD).

Must be fully creative, now. Nothing straightforward. I'm expecting something with pipe tobacco, a waffle iron and a ferret. If you achieve that look without Photoshop, you get first billing. Email Eric for tips.

This has nothing to do with movies ...

... but it's funnier than every comedy released in 2008. Please, please, please turn Drew Pierson's "Ranking the 50 state flags" into a viral hit. Click here.

Here's a sample:

Virginia

Wins award for "Best incorporation of a murder scene on a state flag."

P.S. I just told Drew I was going to make him viral. His response? "Sounds like a date I had." Dude's nuts. ... And ladies, he's available.

'W.' actors arraignment postponed

By Loresha Wilson
ljwilson@gannett.com

The arraignment of "W." actors Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Wright and five fellow film crew members arrested in July after a brawl at Shreveport bar is postponed until January.

Shreveport City Judge David Rabb ordered the arraignment, scheduled at 8:30 a.m. today, for Brolin and others postponed to Jan. 6 to allow for "discussions about a possible resolution" to the case that made national and international headlines.

Brolin, Wright and the other crew members were not present in court.

Click here for more details.