Sifter

Richmond native Steve Segal started animating as a young boy and his first major project was “Futropolis” (my podcast about the movie with him and co-director Phil Trumbo is linked below). After he left Richmond, his career included: – Creating animations on early computers – Getting to meet John Lassiter – Scenes he animated on “Toy Story” – Being a scene planner on “A Bug’s Life” – Working on animation for “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” – Directing “It’s Tough to be a Bug” at Disney World – Controversy teaching History of Animation – What’s next (maybe even AI) LINKS Steve Segal’s website My podcast with Steve & Phil Trumbo about “Futropolis” “Futropolis” on YouTube My podcast with Debra Freeman about “Finding Edna Lewis”

Phil Trumbo was born and raised in Virginia and he started his career as an animator here with the movie he co-produced with Steve Segal, “Futropolis” (podcast with them about the movie is linked below). After he left Richmond, Phil’s career took him “careening” in several directions: – Not getting accepted in VCU’s art program – Being in bands, including The Orthotonics – Working on national commercials & MTV spots – Animating the opening and dinos for “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” – Designing for “Doug” and other TV shows – Creating the official video game of the 1996 Olympics – Video game design for 100+ games including Harry Potter, Shrek & Spiderman – Developing a bachelor’s degree in Game Design LINKS Phil’s website ”Futropolis” podcast Frank Gresham’s website  

VCU’s Institute of Contemporary Art (or the ICA) opened in 2018 and has continually shown films in their auditorium. Amber Esseiva, Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Mimi Luse, Head of Program Production, join me to talk about the numerous offerings that are available including: – Why cinema programs at the ICA? – Films from The Kadist Foundation – The New Richmond Filmmakers Series (featuring Surprise Guest Ken Brisby’s film) – Community Media Center Film Workshops – Exposure Cinema Series – First Friday Film Events LINKS The ICA website To apply for the Community Film Project The Trailer for “Mom, I’m on Drugs” My review of “The Zone of Interest” My podcast with Yossera Bouchtia My podcast with Vivian Owen My podcast with the directors of “Futropolis” (James River Festival this weekend)

Steve Segal and Phil Trumbo co-directed “Futuropolis” a zany animated sci-fi adventure that was released in 1984. It’s being screened at the 32nd annual James River Film Festival (March 29 – April 4). Steve went on to work at Pixar on the first two “Toy Story” movies and Phil won an Emmy for his work on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” but we’ll save those discussions for future podcasts. This show is about “Futropolis:” – The VCU inspiration for the movie – Their expectations and the results – Being influenced by Red Grooms and Max Fleisher – Shooting stop motion with people – Drawing animation on the actual film – Silent movie tributes all over Richmond LINKS: James River Film Festival If you missed it at the Festival, here’s link to it on YouTube A news report from the premiere at the Biograph Steve’s website Phil’s website

Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, is back for this 5th year to talk about the activity in Virginia’s production industry last year. This also includes a discussion of the film that Andy wrote and directed here. LINKS Virginia Film Office “The Cashier” on Insta “The Cashier” on Facebook The Byrd Theatre Previous podcasts mentioned Griffin in Summer Bird in Hand Daphne Reid Bunt Young Rex Teese

Patrick Michael has been acting since the 3rd grade. His big break came from “Travelers,” an early reality series that ran on the Discovery Channel from 1996 to 1998. He was one of the hosts who visited cities around the world to experience the culture. He later went to Hollywood where he worked in TV shows and movies before returning back here. We’ll cover: – His real name – What is “Travelers” and how he got the gig – Some of the most unusual experiences on the show – Working on “Beverly Hills 90210” – Partying at the mansions of William Shatner and Aaron Spelling – Landing a small part in “Star Trek 6” – Being the TV spokesperson for Haley Auto Group LINKS Travelers on the web Patrick’s IMDB page Betty Bodine podcast Exposure: Nu West film series at the ICA My review of FALLOUT (includes a foto of Richmonder Annabel O’Hagan)

Ward Howarth produces promotional videos for the Lockwood Broadcast Group. Lockwood is a television, digital and advertising company that owns and operates 13 television stations and programs 33 channels in eight markets. Our chat includes: – How he started his career with skate videos – Being a “dub cub” – A creepy Halloween spot from “Family Feud” – Challenging and cool aspects of his job – Deciding to write novels – Winning awards from Richmond Magazine and VMFA LINKS Lockwood Broadcast Ward Howarth’s website Community Authors Expo at the Fairfield Library VPA State of the Industry 1/29

Walid Chaya is an actor, director, writer and teacher who worked in Richmond before moving to Los Angeles. He’s acted in TV shows and movies, as well as directed shorts and taught acting classes. Our lively discussion includes: – Getting inspired as a child in Lebanon – How he got to Richmond – Moving to LA – Being cast in stereotypical Middle Eastern roles – Working on “Madam Secretary” – Getting burned to death by Neo-Nazis – Working with a dialect coach on “Blacklist: Redemption” – Sitting in a makeup chair for 3 hours – His shorts and upcoming feature LINKS Walid’s website Driving Ms. Saudi Darn It Darla Crazy Rich Arabs Lights, Camera, Conversation podcast My podcast with Constance Wu  

Hard Light Cinema is run by 8 cinephiles who screen independent and international films in various venues around Richmond. Since founding last November, they’ve screened 35 films. They have 3 slated for January and the first is Frederick wiseman’s 1968 documentary “High School” (free at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 1/4, 2pm). For this interview Lewis Peterson, Warner West & Syd Miller join me to talk about: – Who they are and how they got into cinema – Hard Light’s beginning – How it’s grown in 2 years – Deciding what films to show – Slow cinema – How they finance the screenings LINKS Hard Light Cinema website Instagram @hardlightrichmond

WRIC’s “Showcase” started a few years back, but was updated to a full one-hour show, when it launched September 8 with co-hosts Amie Carter & Melissa Chase. We had a lively discussion which includes: – Their backgrounds and how they came to this show – Melissa at Hamaganza – Amie’s namesake – Shooting in studio and on location – Why it’s on mid-afternoon – Planning their wardrobe – The most interesting or unusual story – How it’s different from other local news shows – A character named Melissa Chase on Disney LINKS Showcase on WRIC Showcase Facebook page The Dirtwoman Documentary (with Melissa at Hamaganza)

Joey Clift is a Los Angeles-based comedian, TV writer, director, Emmy-nominated producer and member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. His film “POW” is an animated short about a young native kid trying to charge his video game console at a powwow. He’s one of the featured directors at this year’s Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival (11/20-23), that presents projects from indigenous filmmakers from all over the world. We talk about: – Where the Cowlitz Indian Tribe is – How he got into storytelling – Using 3 different animation styles – Designing characters with different skin tones – The community of native comedians LINKS: Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival Joey Clift’s website Joey Clift “way too frequent podcast guest” Joe’s “Gone Native” web series for Comedy Central The first podcast with Peter and Francoise on the French Film Festival Richmond Film Network Indie Fest (11/15)

Daniel Poler comes from Venezuela and Panama and his new film is coming to this year’s Virginia Film Festival (10/22-26). ESPINA is the film he made about and starring his best friend, Jonathan, who’s confined to a wheelchair. The movie explores the subject with an upbeat attitude. We discuss: – How he got to the states – When his filmmaking career began – Creating fashion videos for designers like Prada, Carolina Herrera, Jason Woo and Saks – Graduating from a doc to narrative – The title’s meaning – The surprise after the credits LINKS The Virginia Film Festival Espina at the VFF The documentary that Daniel produced about Jonathan Daniel Poler’s website Silent Movie Revival screening of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” WRIR Fall Fund Drive

“The American Miracle” is a docudrama inspired by Michael Medved’s book of the same title. It states that God’s “providential hand” intervened in the founding of the United States. Douglas B. Maddox had a number of jobs on the film, including producer. We discuss: – Switching from physics to film in college – How he got involved with this project – Getting Pat Boone and Richard Dreyfuss – Shooting in Virginia – Visual effects to create crowds, snow and cold breath – Results of the national screenings LINKS The American Miracle website DBM Communications Podcast with Al Underwood Podcast with David Crank IRL Movie Club