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Sifter

Jerry Williams aka TVJerry

Interviews, news & reviews of film, TV & streaming

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 26 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • Wednesday · 26 min

    The GenreBlast Film Festival

    The GenreBlast Film Festival is entering it’s 10th year, where they screen independent, cult, niche and underground films that aren’t easily accessible. The opening night film is “The Black Hills Night Hike,” a horror anthology about myths and legends in the Maryland area. Three of the filmmakers are interviewed: Nickolas Jackson, creator of the anthology and director of title segment and “Snallyghaster,” Clark Kline, co-creator/producer of the anthology, and Brian Pennington, who directed “Upper Melinda Witch Fest.” Our discussion includes: – Where the idea originated – How the stories came together – Creating a vintage videotape look for “Snallycaster” – Visual effects for sawing a woman in half in “Upper Melinda Witch” – How the order of shorts was determined – Celebrating the festival’s 10th year LINKS GenreBlast Film Festival Trailer for “Black Hills Night Hike” Nathan’s film “Worst Laid Plans”

  • August 19 · 19 min

    A new doc on Shenandoah

    This new documentary was originally made for the visitor’s center at Shenandoah National Parks, but has now been expended to a one-hour version. It will also be shown on the big screen at the Byrd Theatre as part of “Scene in Virginia” on September 14. Co-director Elizabeth Crowl of Orange Frame Productions talks about: – The unfortunate loss of the original director – The fun story behind the name of Orange Frame Productions – The patience of shooting bears, salamanders, butterflies & eels – Finding blind hiker Mary Wilson LINKS “Scene in Virginia” screening on 9/14 at the Byrd Shenandoah on VPM The Shenandoah National Park Trust The screening in Charlottesville on 10/15 Orange Frame Productions My podcast with editor Rex Teese My podcast with the directors of “Daughters” (and Netflix link)

  • August 5 · 27 min

    Throwback to the ’80s

    If you were a movie fan from 1985 to 1995, you probably went to video rental stores to find new and old videos to watch at home. Today’s show features two new ones that are located in downtown Richmond. Holly Wright has Rewind Video (108 N. 7th St) and Cody Denzler just opened Monster Video in July (207 N. Third St.) We talk about: – Their own experiences with video stores – Starting their collections – Opening a store – Why people want physical media – What age group is into it – The quality of VHS – Most unusual sale: jock straps LINKS: Monster Video Instagram Rewind Vintage Instagram

  • July 29 · 23 min

    This famous actor’s career ended when he came out

    Virginian William Haines become a worldwide movie star in the 20s. His career ended abruptly when he refused to marry a woman and give up his longtime boyfriend. This led to his successful and influential career as an interior designer. Sergei Troubetzkoy was on the show in 2023 talking about his experiences as a film liaison, including Staunton. Turns out Haines was born in there and Sergei has been studying the career of Haines and amassing a collection of his memorabilia. His fascinating history lesson includes: – Meeting Haines at the Poe Museum – Haines’ early years in Richmond – Moving to Hollywood to start his career – Pivoting to interior design – His impressive commissions LINKS: The Arcadia Project Sergei’s previous podcast Sunnylands website Donald Silverman’s podcast Donald Silverman’s “More Oddball Thoughts”

  • July 22 · 28 min

    She dated Elvis, wrote “Rocky” & much more!

    Carol Connors started her career with The Teddy Bears and their worldwide #1 hit “To Know Him is to Love Him.” She went on to date Elvis and penned the lyrics for “Gonna Fly Now,” the iconic theme from “Rocky.” We talk about her new doc “ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story” and lots more: – Her early musical influences – How the doc came about – Raising $16 so Phil Specter would record her – Getting gifted a Shelby Cobra after writing the song – Meeting her first boyfriend: Elvis Presley – A special gift from Robert Culp – Writing the “Rocky” theme lyrics in the shower – Hanging with Hef at the Playboy Mansion – Penning the theme for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” – What she had in common with O.J. Simpson – The song she wrote for John Denver – Her song in the new Broadway version of “The Piano” LINKS ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story (the doc) ELVIS ROCKY & ME, The Carol Connors Story (the book) Podcast with Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen

  • July 15 · 26 min

    Get illuminated on IllumiNATION

    From June 25-28, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture presented IllumiNATION, an artful celebration of our nation’s 250th that was projected on the 250-foot-long front of the museum. More than 32,000 people showed up on the front lawn to enjoy this truly spectacular, history-defining event (pun intended). Sam Florer, Director of Public Programs at VMHC, is this show’s guest. We discuss: – The germination of the idea of Sailfest and IllumiNATION – How they created the outline and sourced the imagery – Using AI to animate still photos – The block party and other simultaneous events – The enthusiastic audience reactions – Why they stopped the timeline in 2020 – If it’ll ever be shown again LINKS IllumiNATION at the VMHC The Community Foundation Salon de Resistance event My review of “Widow’s Bay”

  • July 8 · 26 min

    “Writing” a living in LA

    Marc Weinberg & Victoria Fraser were on this show talking “Outrage,” the thriller they co-wrote and produced. This show will take them back to their time as writers in Hollywood: – Getting a nasty letter from Leonard Nimoy – Pitching a thriller to Dick Clark Productions – Henry Winkler’s project on dyslexia – What it means to have a script in turnaround – Story credits: the difference between “and” and “&” – The strike and AI LINKS: Scene in Virginia screenings at the Byrd My first podcast with Victoria & Marc

  • July 1 · 28 min

    Black Americans in the Revolutionary War

    “Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War” features the profiles of four unique individuals who were involved in the creation of our nation. This doc is part of our nation’s 250th anniversary and was produced locally by VPM PBS. Today’s podcast features producer/director Stacey L. Holman and her co-producer Maya Tepler. Our discussion includes: – Their backgrounds and participation on the project – How did VPM was involved – The challenges of using AI to create imagery – Recording a school class – Shooting in historic locations – The score and sound design – VPM’s new building LINKS “Declarations” on the PBS App “Declarations” on YouTube Trailer for “Declarations” The “JNX” (Jackson) Project Musical on Sojourner Truth My review of “Office Romance” My review of “Running Point”

  • June 24 · 22 min

    Film fun in Fredericksburg

    The 3rd annual Fredericksburg Film Festival runs from June 25 – 28. Today’s guests are Dalton Okolo, President and Executive Director, and Carlos Naranjo, Partnership Director of the festival. Our discussion includes: – How the festival began? – How it’s changed in 4 years. – Working with the community – This year’s theme – Extended discussion of “Shallow” LINKS Fredericksburg Film Festival 1108 website Lucas Huff’s website My podcast with Melody Rocher about “Bird in Hand” Silent Music Revival at Dogwood Dell My review of “Obsession”

  • June 17 · 29 min

    Jon Burkett retires

    Jon Burkett started at CBS 6 as a photographer and worked his way up to become known as the “Crime Insider,” reporting on thousands of cases. He recently announced his retirement, which will be official on September 29, marking the day he started 26 years ago. We’ll talk about: – Getting his start at Wendy’s – A mistake that took him from radio to TV in the Navy – Getting the job at CBS 6 – The creation of Crime Insider – Witnessing executions – The most unusual fan encounter – Developing sources – How crime & reporting has changed – His next job LINKS Jon’s CBS 6 page Crime Insider Facebook Jeanne Meserve podcast

  • May 6 · 27 min

    Get exposed!

    Brandon Shillingford makes cinema connections [powerpress]

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