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by Jerry Williams aka TVJerry
Interviews, news & reviews of film, TV & streaming
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- Today23 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”
- 1 weeks ago28 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
- 2 weeks ago26 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”
- 3 weeks ago26 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
- 4 weeks ago28 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”
- Jun 24, 202622 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”
- Jun 17, 202629 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
- Jun 10, 202629 min
The new doc on poet Mary Oliver
Filmmaker Sasha Waters was on this podcast in 2022 to talk about her previous doc: “Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable.” She returns with her new film, “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” about the acclaimed poet. It will air Aug. 26 on the on the PBS series “American Masters.” Our discussion includes: – Where Pieshake Pictures got its name – Making short films – Why she chose Mary Oliver as her next project – Landing interviews with Steve Colbert, John Waters, Oprah Winfrey, Maria Shriver, Lucy Dacus, Helena Bonham Carter and Steve Busemi – A new editing workflow – Dealing with thousands of fan letters – Finding a middle school group who are now adult fans LINKS The trailer for “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” on PBS Pieshake Pictures Sasha’s podcast on “Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable” Justin James Reed’s website Lights in the Sky Gallery My podcast with Departure Point Films Good for Her Films  
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