FOR THE CULTURE at the Nick

Rae Groover, who is the marketing and communications manager at Columbia’s Nickelodeon Theatre and has possibly the finest surname we’ve ever heard, has curated an exciting line-up of films for their February FOR THE CULTURE series.

According to the Nick, Reliving Black American Classics, Feb. 4th - Feb. 17th, 2022., “focuses on some of the most popular Black American Classics, ranging from The Wiz to Jordan Peele's Get Out. This series serves as a break from the mundane trauma porn that is often pushed to the foreground when the conversation surrounds the African American experience." Offering “a fun, lighthearted take on the celebration of Black History during Black History Month, For The Culture takes you on a trip down memory lane. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing, you'll celebrate.”

At Jasper, we’re excited to see our local indie theatre responding to the call of our own local culture by honoring and more deeply exploring the artists, their messages, and, for good or weird, (thinking White Chicks here) the impetus and reception of some of these films. From classics like Crooklyn and Purple Rain to paradigm rattling heartbreakers like Moonlight and The Color Purple , with lots of music and comedy to boot, this series casts a wide net of contributions to film culture by Black filmmakers and specifically for Black audiences.

Kudos to Rae Groover and our friends at the Nick for being here for us as we deepen our insights into a more inclusive and representative understanding of the power of film.

Visit the lineup of films and support your local indie arthouse theatre!

On Jasper's Radar -- IN THE BUBBLE WITH JAIME HARRISON - A Short Documentary by Emily Harrold

Emily Harrold

Back in the spring, Wade sellers and I had the opportunity to catch a screening of a film by SC filmmaker Emily Harrold about a battle in the war that American culture doesn’t seem to want to ever end. It was called Meltdown in Dixie. “In the wake of the 2015 Charleston Massacre, a battle erupts in Orangeburg, South Carolina between the Sons of Confederate Veterans and an ice cream shop owner forced to fly the Confederate flag in his parking lot. MELTDOWN IN DIXIE explores the broader role of Confederate symbolism in 21st century America and the lingering racial oppression which these symbols help maintain.” (American Documentary) We were impressed by the film and the filmmaker and, once again, proud of another SC artist using their talent and passion to better represent the South as something other than the geographic pit of ignorant rednecks that most of mass media depicts us as.

Now, Harrold is at work completing another documentary that will tell the story of Jaime Harrison and his 2020 senate campaign against Lindsey Graham, called In the Bubble with Jaime. Here’s a snip of info from Harrold’s Kickstarter page:

In the 2020 election cycle in South Carolina, African American Jaime Harrison takes on Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham to run for US Senate. But what happens when the COVID pandemic sets in? In a state with one of the largest African American populations in the United States, Harrison must face not only a global pandemic but a legacy of racial injustice that makes winning an uphill battle.

When he announced his run for Senate back in 2019, nobody thought Jaime Harrison stood a chance. A Black Democrat running for Senate against Trump favorite Lindsey Graham in a state like South Carolina? But by October 2020, Jaime was on track to prove everyone wrong. He raised more money for his race than any US Senate candidate ever before. And he did it while running an almost completely virtual campaign. 

IN THE BUBBLE WITH JAIME pulls back the curtains on Harrison’s historic campaign. See Jaime and his team as they struggle to balance meeting voters face-to-face with the challenges of staying safe during the height of COVID. Get a glimpse of Jaime not only as a Senate candidate, but as a father of two young boys who must keep up with school remotely. Follow political director Bre Maxwell as she travels across South Carolina, building excitement for one of the biggest campaigns the South has seen in decades.  And step out of the bubble with reporter Joe Bustos as he tries to get a read on voters in the weeks and days before the election.”

Harrold’s Team

Have a look at what Harrold is up to and consider getting behind this project. If Meltdown in Dixie is any indication of her work, In the Bubble with Jaime will be something all South Carolinians — especially film and history aficianodos —will be proud of.

Cindi Boiter

2021 2nd Act Film Project Postponed Until Spring 2022

Columbia Filmmakers and Friends, 

The Jasper Project has decided to postpone the 2021 2nd Act Film Project until the spring of 2022. As an organization, we feel the risk to the health of our filmmaking community and those they would come in contact with during this year’s project are our top priority as our country continues through these times. 

Much discussion was had with previous participants in the 2nd Act Film Project about having an event this year. The overwhelmingly positive response to moving forward with a 2021 2nd Act Film Project gave us affirmation in the event and about the community that it has helped grow. However, this was during a time when the statistics seemed to say our country’s health was on the mend. Unfortunately, the situation has changed within the past few weeks. 

So, stay tuned for more information as we will have news on a new 2022 2nd Act Film Project calendar shortly. 

Wade Sellers

Producer/Director, Coal Powered Filmworks

President, Jasper Project Board of Directors

REVIEW: Bad Girls -- Chris Bickel's 2nd Feature Film Embraces a New Paradigm for Indie Filmmaking

The democratization of access to equipment and technology has given creators an ability to create films that are deeply personal, or in the case of Bad Girls, a film that is like a blitzkrieg with moments of Zen sprinkled throughout. When that equipment and technology is put in the hands of someone like Bickel, who isn’t afraid of putting every ounce of energy and passion into his filmmaking, you get an achievement like Bad Girls. - Wade Sellers

Whether you click your phone, hit your spacebar on your computer, or hit play on your DVD remote, when you start director Chris Bickel’s 2nd feature film Bad Girls, make sure you are in a comfortable seat because you won’t be leaving it for the next 97 minutes. 

There are plenty of accolades to spread around but the major achievement of Bickel’s micro-budget 2nd feature is the director’s ability to create an overwhelmingly inviting atmosphere from scene one. The film is violent and bloody from the start and Bickel commits to his script from the first frame to the bullet and blood-soaked end. 

At its heart, Bad Girls is a hyper-violent, drug induced road movie that follows the main characters Val, Carolyn, and Mitzi Ann on the run after they rob a strip club, steal a car, and begin a night of violence that is fueled by the search for love, and bullets. A lot of bullets.

The three women who play the leads are the beautifully balanced center of Bad Girls. Bickel flexes a lot of clever low budget filmmaking tricks throughout the film, but a director can never escape bad casting. It's hard to look away from Morgan Shaley Renew the moment she appears center screen. Renew’s “Val” is strong, on a mission, and in charge, and the actor creates a magnetic performance. Shelby Guinn’s “Carolyn” and Sanethia Dresch’s “Mitzi Ann” are expertly balanced as Val’s co-conspirators. These three actors didn’t demand your attention throughout the film. 

Bickel’s choice for a supporting cast doesn’t disappoint either. Mike Amason plays nasal spray sniffing Special Agent Mike Cannon with a fun campiness that doesn’t turn into caricature. Special Agent Cannon chases the girls during their terror spree with the help of Special Agent McMurphy played by Dove Dupree. Dupree’s straight man to Amason is a fun turn from the normally dumbed down partner roles.

It’s a night that finds the Bad Girls terrorizing young lovers, beating obnoxious bar patrons, kidnapping rock stars, and fighting redneck white supremacists. 

Bickel and Shane Silman’s script is solid, with some incredibly funny throw away lines hidden throughout the film. And Bickel isn’t too proud to put his influences in a box, shake them up, and mix them with his growing adeptness to a relatively new style of indie filmmaking that has become more prevalent in the past 5 years. 

Bad Girls couldn’t have been made more than 5 years ago.

Bickel could have raised the same money (the film was made for $16k) and pulled a crew together to shoot his script on video, but something has changed in recent indie filmmaking. The democratization of access to equipment and technology has given creators an ability to create films that are deeply personal, or in the case of Bad Girls, a film that is like a blitzkrieg with moments of Zen sprinkled throughout. When that equipment and technology is put in the hands of someone like Bickel, who isn’t afraid of putting every ounce of energy and passion into his filmmaking, you get an achievement like Bad Girls. 

No detail is overlooked. Poor production design and bad audio can kill a film. Both excel in Bad Girls. The original and previously recorded music are used perfectly. The difficulty of taking an independent voice and translating it into an independent feature film when you have limited resources cannot be understated. 

The real achievement of Bickel and his film is the ability to understand the resources in front of him, ignore those saying it can’t be done, and bring together a group of people committed to helping make your vision a reality. Bad Girls is part of the new wave of American filmmaking- stories from creators who choose only to make films on their terms because they can. 

Once you start Bad Girls, you have just about 90 seconds to decide to back out before you find it impossible to pull away for the next hour. I suggest you hop in the car with them and just enjoy the ride.

Bad Girls

Directed by Chris Bickel

Written by Chris Bickel and Shane Silman

 

Review by Wade Sellers

CORONA TIMES - Wade Sellers Catches Up with Multidisciplinary artist & filmmaker Chris Bickel

Chris Bickel - all photos courtesy of the artist

Chris Bickel has been a staple in the Columbia creative community for a couple of decades. From his imprint on the local and national punk scene to masterminding one of Columbia’s favorite karaoke show for years, he leaves an incredible mark on any genre he touches. Despite earning a Media Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, he never ventured into filmmaking until a few years ago when he directed the wildly popular THETA GIRL. After being named the 2020 Free Times Best Filmmaker in Columbia Jasper decided to check in with Chris and ask about the progress of his new film and see how he has adjusted to the new landscape we live in.

JASPER: Chris how have you been adjusting to the pandemic? How has the shutdown affected you personally?

BICKEL: It hasn't really affected me that much. My day job (record buyer at Papa Jazz Record Shoppe) never really stopped. Although the store was shut down for a bit, I was still in there working. We wrapped shooting on my new film (BAD GIRLS) right before the pandemic started, so I've been in post-production on that during my evenings and weekends -- so pandemic or no, I'd still be holed up at home working during this time. I'm not the most social person in the world anyhow, so aside from the general feeling that the world is ending, the pandemic has affected me very little. 

JASPER: After the run of Theta Girl ended it seems you went straight into producing your new film Bad Girls. Was producing a 2nd film so soon after Theta Girl your plan from the start?

BICKEL: After THETA GIRL was finished, I did the festival circuit with it for almost a year while trying to pin down distribution -- which ended up being something of a fiasco (par for the course in indie film). Once THETA GIRL had a legitimate release, I began work on a second film called SISTER VENGEANCE. I wrote that script with Shane Silman, casted it, and then set up a production schedule. The lead quit a few days before the first shoot day, having decided that traveling every weekend from Atlanta for two months was going to be too difficult. I tried to recast, giving myself six months to fill that lead role but I couldn't find anyone locally that I thought was a fit, so I shelved SISTER VENGEANCE and set about writing BAD GIRLS which was loosely adapted from a stage play called GIRL GANG RAMPAGE, written by Shane. What may have seemed to someone from the outside as jumping right into BAD GIRLS from THETA GIRL, actually involved -- to me -- a lot of false starts and wasted time.

JASPER: Give everyone a taste of what Bad Girls is about.

BICKEL: Here's the log line: "After robbing a strip club, three desperate teenage girls lead a misogynistic Federal Agent on a lysergic cross-country chase, scoring a duffle bag full of money, drugs, and a crew of willing kidnap victims along the way.” I see BAD GIRLS as a punk rock road movie somewhere at the intersection of FASTER PUSSYCAT, KILL KILL and DOOM GENERATION. It's an existentialist fantasy wrapped in the package of an exploitation film.

L-R Shelby Lois Guinn, Morgan Shaley Renew, Sanethia Dresch

JASPER: Theta Girl received great reviews and had great fan response. What was the biggest part of the learning curve for you in directing your first feature?

BICKEL: The hardest part of filmmaking is people wrangling. Working on such a small scale, budget-wise, you end up wearing many different hats and it's impossible to be a master of all of them at once.

JASPER: What experiences did you take with you from Theta Girl to producing Bad Girls to make it a better overall production experience?

BICKEL: The first time you do anything you make a million little mistakes. One hopes that in their second time around they can half the number of mistakes. The number one thing I've learned is that you can't plan ahead enough. The more you think through before the day of shooting, the easier it is when unforeseen problems arise. 

JASPER: How has the shutdown affected post-production and the release of Bad Girls?

BICKEL: The only thing affected really is the release schedule. I still don't know if a theatrical premiere is a wise decision, nor do I know if doing a festival run is a good idea. I may have to rethink the method in which the film is rolled out. I honestly don't even know if we'll have a country left after November. I'd like to have the movie out by December -- if, you know, there's still an America.

JASPER: Micro budget/indie film production can be intensely satisfying and a bit self-abusive in the physical toll it can take. How has your experience been finishing Bad Girls?

BICKEL: I'm not on a deadline, so I'm working at my own pace to make it the best thing it can be. Viewing it as an underground film, it's going to have warts by the very nature of its low budget and the lack of experience of everyone involved (myself included). But I think people are willing to overlook the flaws as long as they are entertained. So, my main focus during this time is doing whatever it takes to ensure that the movie is wholly entertaining and hopefully thought-provoking. All of this would be easier with money to pay other people to do some of the work -- money to not need a "day job." I consider this an obsessive hobby. So even when I'm pushed to the point of exhaustion, it's still FUN for me -- even if in a masochistic way.

JASPER: Any words of wisdom for new micro budget indie filmmakers?

BICKEL: Finishing is the most important thing. 

-WS

CORONA TIMES - Wade Sellers talks with 2nd Act Alum Tamara Finkbeiner

Tamara Finkbeiner - all photos courtesy of the artist

Tamara Finkbeiner is a Columbia based filmmaker and graphic artist. She is a member of WOW Productions an urban inspirational entertainment company. Through her involvement with WOW and her own independent work she has been leaving a huge creative mark in our area for many years. She is an alum of the 2nd Act Film Project. Tamara’s films took home the 2nd Act Audience Award in the 2nd and 3rd year of the festival.

Wade Sellers

film editor, Jasper Magazine; president, Jasper Project board of directors

JASPER: Tamara, how have you and your family been coping with the pandemic shutdown?

FINKBEINER: We've actually been doing pretty well given the circumstances. We've had to make many adjustments, but overall we have become even closer as a unit and that has been a tremendous blessing during this time.

JASPER: For those who don't know about WOW, tell us about Walking on Water productions.

FINKBEINER: Walking On Water Productions (WOW) is an urban inspirational theatre company founded by Tangie Beaty and is run by Beaty (CEO) and Donna Johnson (COO). My business partner, Josetra Robinson and I also run One7evenOne Productions (O7O) and we partner with WOW to mount stage productions and are also looking to venture into television and film. Josetra and myself are part of the management crew at WOW; our emphasis is in visual production and marketing.

Finkbeiner with creative partner Josetra Robinson

JASPER: Introduce us to other members of the team.

FINKBEINER: Josetra Robinson is co-founder of O7O. She's a tremendous talent and I'm honoured we get the chance to work together on so many amazing projects.

JASPER: What project(s) have you and the team been working on during the shutdown?

FINKBEINER: Through O7O, we've been editing for various projects, which has been, again, a major blessing. We've also been writing for a project that we have coming up and that everyone will hear more about very soon. 

JASPER: What is the overall mission of WOW?

FINKBEINER: One of WOW's missions is to produce impactful productions and also cultivate talent in our local community, which aligns with our passion and purpose at O7O. It's been a beautiful partnership.

JASPER: What's next for you or Walking on Water productions/One7evenOne Productions?

FINKBEINER: Many details are still unfolding but we (O7O) will be partnering with WOW again on a really cool project and are looking forward to the team coming together to do what we love and challenge ourselves as we push this next level!

Corona Times - Wade Sellers Talks with Fellow Filmmaker & 2nd Act Alum, Taiyen Stevenson

Taiyen Stevenson is an independent filmmaker and actor living in Columbia. He is a recent 2nd Act Film Project alum and is currently producing a new film project titled “Justice”. The Jasper Project caught up with Taiyen to find out about producing a new project in the midst of a pandemic

JASPER: Tell me about your filmmaking history?

STEVENSON: I have been involved both in front of and behind the camera for almost 11 years. Acting has and will always be my first passion but I really love filmmaking even more because you can tell your own stories in a way you want. During those years, I wrote and produced four short films (Images, Thanks for Everything, Follow the Leader, and The Street Lights Are On). I always want to create strong and significant movies that everyone should see. 

JASPER: Tell us about your new film project. What is Justice about?

STEVENSON: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. is about a young African American man with a bright future who gets caught up with the world’s chaos of nationalism. It's in the present day. We are talking about things that are happening now in the 21st century.   

JASPER: Why did you want to tackle these issues with a film?

STEVENSON: Racism in America has always been a disturbing topic since day one. Now with visual camera equipment, society is able to see the cycle that has not ended and to start standing together for the struggle. The challenge is society sees racism as a hoax meaning that it doesn't exist. However, through news visuals such as phones, cameras, and other recording devices, we are able to take these truths to establish corruption within our human society.

JASPER: Tell us about your production process. What stage of production are you in now?

STEVENSON: Our production process was based on a lot of media that we were seeing of the senseless killing of African Americans. We also sat in a lot of protest rallies in our hometown. The next day, Vinnis Parnell and I teamed up with Michael Mykkel and we wrote the script.  As of right now, we are still in pre-production, making sure everything's in order before filming later this month.

JASPER: What has been your biggest challenge with this project so far?

STEVENSON: Creating real facts. Not just by accident but by proving these things are bad occurrences. 

JASPER: Who are your actors in this film? Who is the crew? 

STEVENSON: We have two outstanding actors, Nnaemeka Okeke and Jason Paul Edwards and we also have the beautiful and talented actress, Skylan Kimbrell.  As for the crew, we have Michael Mykkel, the co-writer of “J.U.S.T.I.C.E,” our director Vinnis Parnell and myself along with Vincent Monaco, Tamara Abrosimova, Julia Petrucelli, Courtney Geiger, Ashley McNeil, Augustina Quick and many others that will get their names in the credit. 

JASPER: Where do you hope to screen "Justice"?

STEVENSON: Anywhere we can get it screened. (The Nickelodeon Theatre, Sundance, Tribeca, etc.)

JASPER: Tell me about your writing process?

STEVENSON: The writing process was basically viewing things that were happening around our city by jotting down notes, comments made, decisions, outcomes, and I just wrote it into a screenplay. 

JASPER: Do you have any additional comments on your project?

STEVENSON: Yes. We have a GoFundMe page that helps bring “J.U.S.T.I.C.E” to life. Our website is www.gofundme.com/justice-short-film. You could also follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/justice_the_movie  and liked the page on www.facebook.com/justicethemovie. Stay tuned with eyes wide open.

Corona Times - Wade Sellers Catches Up with Fellow Filmmaker Robbie Robertson

Screen shot from Whistler’s Mother

One of the activities artists and arts patrons report missing the most during the pandemic that we seem to be in the middle of, rather than at the end, is the opportunity to simply hear what’s up with our fellow artists. What are you working on? How’s that project coming along? Let me use you as a sounding board.

So, early on, Jasper began just checking in with various artists and arts admins to try to do our part to keep those important conversations flowing. We call this series Corona Times.

Today, Jasper film editor and Jasper Project board of directors president, Wade Sellers, caught up with artist Robbie Roberson to touch base with him about his 2018 film, Whistler’s Mother, which still seems to have legs two years later. Here’s their conversation.

JASPER: For those who aren't familiar, give us a quick recap of how the film, Whistler's Mother, came to life and what the film is about. 

ROBERTSON: Whistler’s Mother was my first film as writer/director and it was funded by the SC Indie Grants program, an incredible funding opportunity from the SC Film Office. It’s a short film that gives a fictional backstory to the woman in the famous painting by James McNeill Whistler or, as I call it, a dark fable origin story. I wanted it to have the feel of a fairy tale while also paying homage to some of my horror inspirations like the original Dark Shadows TV show and Hammer Studio horror films from the ‘60s- ‘70s.

 JASPER:  What were your initial expectations and goals for the film? 

ROBERTSON: My initial expectation was to simply get it made! As a first-time filmmaker, there were so many things to deal with on set on that I never anticipated, so it was an arduous but thrilling “trial by fire” experience. I felt we were making a good film, but you just never know until it’s all over. But once I saw the first cut (by my editor Tyler Matthews), I had the most thrilling level of satisfaction of any creative project I had ever worked on. I got weepy watching it and it’s not a weepy story! Because of my awesome cast and crew, we created something really magical and so I was then very anxious to get other people to watch it. After some educational previews, I continued to work on the film in post-production until it matched the original vision I always had in my head. From that point on, my only expectation was for people to see it on a big screen. 

JASPER: It is a short film and short films typically have a short shelf life. Whistler's Mother has been riding a continued wave for a while now. Give us an overview of where the film has been seen and where it is screening now. 

ROBERTSON: I feel so fortunate that I was able to get the film in some really great film festivals such as the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival, the Charlotte Film Festival, the Philip K. Dick Film Festival in NYC and Screamfest LA where it screened at the former Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. It even screened in Moscow.

With most film festivals having been canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, I feel really fortunate to have experienced that festival ride. As the festival run was coming to an end, I had some inquiries about distribution but decided to put the film on Amazon where it’s available for rent or purchase.

The audience numbers have been pretty good on Amazon (both in the US and the UK) but I got a really big bounce when Rachel Belofsky, founder of Screamfest LA, asked if I was interested in putting Whistler on her Screamfest YouTube Channel. That was a real honor for me because Rachel is the queen of horror film festivals and Screamfest’s YouTube subscriber count is over 200 thousand people. Whistler’s Mother premiered on that channel in May and, in the last three months alone, it has been viewed nearly 120,000 times. 

JASPER: Has the continued enthusiasm for your film surprised you? 

ROBERTSON: Absolutely. The global reaction on Screamfest’s YouTube channel was amazing and I have had people from all over the world tell me how much they loved the film. I had a long thread of comments from Russians who loved the film mainly because the Baba Yaga, a popular fictional character from Russian folklore, is one of the main characters in my film. I have also had some hater comments—which I also find entertaining at times—but the vast majority of the viewers have given it the thumbs up. The main comment I hear is that people wish the short was a feature film. 

JASPER: How are you hoping to leverage the success of Whistler's Mother with any new projects? 

ROBERTSON: I have written a feature length version of the short which is hugely different and am working on rewrites of it right now.

I have to say that being on the film festival circuit also allowed me to meet some really cool people from L.A. that I hope to be collaborating with on some upcoming projects.

In the last six months, I've also been working on a rewrite of one of my comedies with a prestigious production company and pitching some TV concepts with an actor/producer I met. All of these folks saw Whistler’s Mother, so I think it has given me some industry “cred” in being able to pitch new projects to a new level of collaborators. 

JASPER: Anything else you’d like to add?

ROBERTSON: I never knew I liked directing and producing so much. I have done it on commercial shoots but had only been pursuing screenwriting in my own creative endeavors. But now I know I can do it; I want to make more short films. So, if anyone is looking for an investment, call me up! I have a couple of ideas ready to go.

Halloween Film Faves from Columbia Arts Friends & Neighbors

What Columbia’s Arts Community watches

when they stay home on Halloween

No offense to all of you with mad costume skills out there and those of you who live for Halloween each year as a time to dress up, go out, and show off your own personal magic. But for some of us who are either costume-challenged, lazy, tired, shy, or indifferent, our favorite way of celebrating Halloween is turning off the porch light, bogarting our favorite bags of sugar, and hunkering down on the couch with one of our favorite frightening flicks.

 If you find yourself if any of the above categories, you have nothing to fear but the films themselves.  Jasper polled some of Soda City’s artists, activists, admins, and supporters for their advice on the perfect way to spend a comfy-cozy Halloween night in our jammies celebrating Samhain with a favorite film.

Here’s what they shared with us. 

From Kristin Cobb, Executive director of Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College

“I am not a scary movie person - but I did love The Shining with Jack Nicholson!  Oh, and Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands.

Having had two kids four years apart, and living in the perfect “one street in” neighborhood,  we did lots of trick or treating.  It was always a family affair as my dad loved to come give out and eat the candy.  We always ordered pizza from the local Greek restaurant and red wine for the adults.  Halloween candy is a mainstay in my house from mid-October until the big day.  Who doesn’t love a fun size Snickers?

This year, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College had some fun with a screening of the popular Hocus Pocus Halloween fave.”

From Chad Henderson, Artistic Director at Trustus Theatre

 “At Halloween, I often feel that as a theatre-artist that wearing a costume is something I do professionally when acting – so Halloween can feel like amateur night. While I’m actually breaking with tradition and plan on experiencing the Elmwood/Earlewood Halloween festivities this year, I usually make little to no effort to celebrate Halloween like I did in my college days (even then, I still made little to no effort in regards to a costume and focused on beer). I’m still not on task with selecting a costume for next week (if I even do it at all), but I look forward to seeing many friends from the neighborhood and witnessing the madness that I’ve never experienced but heard a lot about.

 Usually around this time of year, I try to get a viewing of It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown in, or the Garfield Halloween special. Though I haven’t done it this year, I also try to squeeze in a viewing of a classic horror film like Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween. I did re-watch the first half of the 90s version of Stephen King’s IT with Tim Curry this month – does that count?

Chad is excited about the upcoming Trustus production of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Marjorie Prime for more info visit https://trustus.org/event/marjorie-prime/

Lee Snelgrove, executive director of One Columbia for Arts and Culture

“Favorite go-to Halloween flick - Beetlejuice, because I'm not a huge fan of scaarrrry movies. This one has the right mix of humor, spookiness and the special early-Tim Burton eeriness for me.  Halloween to me has always been less about frights and more about the strange and macabre. That's the vibe I get from Beetlejuice. 

 I'm probably going to enjoy plenty of candy (Kit Kat and Krackle for the win) on Halloween night since we don't get a whole lot of tricker-treaters at our house. So, I'm going to need something to counter that chocolatey sweetness and my go-tos are Irish whiskey or bourbon-barrel aged barleywines.”

 Lee is looking forward to Columbia’s new Public Art directory as well as Amplify Columbia

http://publicart.onecolumbiasc.com 

amplifycolumbia.org

From Martha Hearn Kelly, artistic director of The Mothers Comedy Group

“My favorite film for Halloween has to be Shaun of the Dead. Sharp, silly, and a bunch of zombies? You had me at ‘braaaaains.’ I prefer to watch with a pile of friends, a bag of Cheddar Sour Cream chips, and the candy I bought on sale November 1.

 Martha Hearn Kelly will be playing Mary Bennet in Trustus' upcoming production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly.

Mark Ziegler is owner and Master designer hairstylist at Five Points Salon as well as musical theatre actor and company member at Trustus.

“So my favorite go to Movie for Halloween would definitely be the original Scream movie! Not just because, obviously, it has a cult following with all the sequels, but the original cast is stellar with great cameos and what not.  Over the past several years our group of friends has set up a porch party on Park Street and drank lots of libations and handed out candy to the many trick or treaters that come to Elmwood Park! It’s become quite the tradition!”

From Jay Matheson, owner of the Jam Room and director of the Jam Room Music Festival

“I don't have much of a Halloween tradition. I do watch some Halloween themed films leading up to the holiday then, if I'm home that night. I’ll do the same. My overall film selection is typically the original classics mixed with campier ‘50s – ‘70s horror.

I also throw in a Hammer versions of the Mummy, Frankenstein etc. Occasionally something new pops up that I want to watch but most modern horror isn't something that I enjoy.

As far as snacks go I cook organic popcorn in in a cast iron skillet with some real butter on it. Beer and then maybe a scotch at the end would be a beverage choice.

Jay is looking forward to the Brandy and the Butcher show coming up on November 15th.

From Faith Creech, co-owner of PMG Studios, co-director of Freedom Festival International, and director of public relations for Carolina Film Network

“My favorite movie to watch on Halloween is Hocus Pocus, because to me it embodies everything about the holiday.  There is nothing better than popping some popcorn, having a glass of wine and watching Hocus Pocus! 

Check out the Freedom Festival International at www.freedomfestfilm.com

From Angi Fuller Wildt, chief development officer at the Columbia Museum of Art

“The House on Haunted Hill (1959), starring Vincent Price. I first saw this scary film (to my 10-yr old self) when I had the chicken pox and my mom put a TV in my room. This was my first taste of late night TV – I also subjected myself to The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976), starring Jodie Foster and Martin Sheen, and Planet of the Apes (1968) – that Statue of Liberty scene spooked me! I like to revisit these classics on Halloween night as we don’t get trick-or-treaters on my street. Red wine goes well with mini candy bars in Halloween-colored wrappers for these viewings.”

Angi is looking forward to the classic sci-fi and horror film memorabilia exhibition, It’s Alive!, opening February 15th at the CMA.

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Whether you go out and treat yo’self this evening or stay in and shiver, from all of us at the Jasper Project to all of you …

-Cindi Boiter

Cindi is the executive director of the Jasper Project and the editor of Jasper Magazine

2nd Act Film Project Brings Filmmakers Back Year After Year

Back for its 6th installment, the Jasper Project is delighted to celebrate the 10 filmmaker team leaders whose 6 minute films will premiere on Wednesday October 30th at the 2019 2nd Act Film Project.

The brainchild of filmmaker and project director Wade Sellers and sponsored by the Jasper Project, 2nd Act Film Project is unique in its creative challenge, for seasoned and first-time filmmakers alike, in that the first and third acts of a screenplay are provided to the artists who, in turn, write the second act and create the film in its entirety.

Several veteran 2nd act filmmakers are returning to the project for the 2019 event including Ian O’Briant and Amy Brower.

Amy Brower is an actor, film maker and producer based in Columbia, SC. This is her 3rd year involved with 2nd Act. Her overall goal with the festival this year is to challenge herself as a writer and director and support and celebrate the film community in SC. It was a no-brainer for her to join the project again this year. “I just asked myself, ‘Why not?’ she says. “ I wear a lot of hats in the film world, but screen writer is a first for me. 2nd act is special because, unlike a 48, or a feature, it provides just the right kind of time line and writing prompt to fit into my already booked schedule.”

Amy Brower

Brower continues, “This year was about taking everything I’ve learned and linking arms with some of my favorite people and committing to tell a story that we hope people with connect with. As a film maker, I knew I wanted to share more of myself. 2nd Act film Project gave me the push I needed to actually make it happen.”

Ian O’Briant agrees. Having lived in Columbia since 2000, O’Briant shares a home with his wife and three children. A graduate of UofSC Media Arts, O’Briant is now an IT director after ten years as a multimedia journalist and television producer. The 2nd Act Project is his preferred annual outlet for all things sleepless and cinematic. 

Ian O’Briant

“I’m convinced that the 2nd Film Project is the best way to network with other artists and promote the very talented and growing community of motion media artists here in Columbia,” he says.

Filmmaker Jennifer Baxley is also returning to 2nd Act this year. According to Baxley, she “actually met President Trump during the auditions for Season Five of the Apprentice because of her first film (yes, hold your applause).”  For the 2019 project she is partnering with the law firm Baxley, Pellerin, and Lindley. In her other life, she is a software developer and an adjunct instructor for Midlands Technical College.  This will be her second foray into the 2nd Act Film Project.

Though this is his first experience with 2nd Act, David Axe is a veteran filmmaker based in Columbia, SC, who also writes, creates content for graphic novels, and serves as a freelance war correspondent. Axe wrote and produced The Theta Girl (2017) and wrote and directed Azrael (2019) and Shed (2019). His goal in producing a short for 2nd Act Film Project is to make something memorable and weird — and to do it quickly.

From the age of 13, Silas James Rowland has been creating and producing visual representations of his ideas through the art of filmmaking. Ten years later, he has two feature films under his belt as director (The Sinful South, Cracks), has DP'd three feature films, a handful of shorts, and most recently ne created an hour long documentary filmed in Scotland. His goal with 2nd Act is to dive back into experimental short films and enter into the festival circuit, something he has never done.

2nd Act first-timer. Henry Coonrod, says that, as a filmmaker his top priority is his cast and crew. “I chose this career because I wanted to make interesting things with interesting people, he continues. “Film is this magical medium where private, intimate, intense and beautiful spaces are created; spaces where people work their hardest to create something real. As a writer, director and student myself I seek to create sets where people aren't afraid to ask questions, learn, and build a foundation to create their own movies. My work moves between traditional narrative films and experimental, usually animated, shorts. I have been making films for three to four years now and I still have a lot to learn, I just feel lucky to be part of such a great local film community!”

 Also a cinematographer and graphic designer, Sean Parsons started out as a 35mm film photographer. He then went on to enroll in traditional film studies which eventually led to work in animation for children's education where he focused on background and layout artwork. Parsons returned to filmmaking with short films like, Terminus and Syntrifica, which he directed, photographed, edited, sound designed and did the visual effects for.

Taiyen Stevenson

Taiyen Stevenson is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors Degree of Arts and Science. After his experiences with acting, he decided to write and produce his own short films (Images, Thanks for Everything, and his most recent, The Street Lights Are On).  He is currently in the process of launching his film production company, "Virgo Kid Productions."  This is his first time entering the 2nd Act Film Project and his main goal is to create strong and significant movies that will capture the audience's attention.

Daniel Colella is a senior undergrad student at The College of Charleston pursuing a BA in English and Film Studies. He is the president of the CofC Film Club and the executive video producer for the Campus Media Organization, CisternYard Media.

Finally, William Woody considers himself pleasantly condescending.  He busies himself in screenwriting, stand-up comedy, and illustration. 

Poster art by Cait Maloney

The public is invited to join these filmmakers and the board of directors for the Jasper Project on Wednesday, October 30th for the 2nd Act Film Project, offering two screenings at 7 pm (sold out) and 9:15. While the first showing will invite audience members to vote on their favorite film for the Audience Award, and the filmmakers themselves to select the coveted filmmakers’ award, the awards will be presented following the earlier screening and announced to the audience of the later screening following that performance. Ticket are available at Eventbrite and are only $10.

The Jasper Project wishes to recognize our generous and steadfast 2nd Act Sponsors Mr. Bill Schmidt, Precision Overhead Door, Columbia Arts Academy, Sound and Images, Trustus Theatre and Coal Powered Filmworks. We are especially appreciative of Chad Henderson, artistic director of Trustus Theatre and former winning 2nd Act Filmmaker himself, who is serving as our host for the second year, Cait Maloney who created our poster art, and Matthew Kramer, formerly of Columbia, who sculpts traditional trophies for our winning filmmakers.

Video Premiere: Admiral Radio's Debut "Two Star Motel"

Admiral Radio, the duo of singer/songwriters Becca Smith and Coty Hoover, are one of those classically-minded Americana duos that use a hushed atmosphere to create entire sonic worlds with just two gorgeous voices and finely picked instruments.

The two met as undergrads at College of Charleston, where Smith built up an early rep with an assured set of tunes and a polished solo debut, 2018’s I-26. That album’s lush arrangements swung from folk plaintiveness to classic country swing, but, as Admiral Radio, Hoover and Smith dial in more specifically to the kind of minimalist perfection that duos from The Civil Wars and Gillian and Dave Rawlings to Shovels & Rope and the everybodyfields have proven has a real and timeless staying power.

Jasper is happy to premiere their debut single and video for “Two Star Motel.” Shot by the Columbia production company Apollo’s Bow, the video plays straightforwardly with the narrative of the song with long, sweeping shots of the duo singing and picking around a room mic along a dirt road. It’s a simple premise, but it matches the simple joy of the tune—and this duo—to a T. -KP

Indie Grits Labs Offers Experienced Artists and Novices Alike a Chance to Explore a New Creative Medium

This Sunday, Indie Grits Labs (IGL) is offering a two-day workshop on creating your own zines, accurately called DIY Zine-Making.

by Christina Xan

I was able to chat with Savannah Taylor, the Project Manager and Designer at Indie Grits Labs, who took the time to give me all the great details on the upcoming workshop. In addition to organizing this event, Taylor does the graphic design for the IGL festival & the Nick Mag, manages the social media, and makes sure things are running smoothly!

For those who don’t know, Indie Grits Labs is a non-profit organization directed by Seth Gadsen, that is dedicated to serving the Columbia community through media education, year around artist projects, and the Indie Grits festival. IGL is a part of the Columbia Film Society and a part of the same organization as the Nickelodeon Theatre.

“IGL’s main focus,” as Taylor said, “is on our education programs, festival happenings, and art projects year-round at our house at 1013 Duke Avenue.” Part of this focus is creating workshops, just like this one, that anyone and everyone can attend.

IGL facilitated a zine workshop last fall that was so successful, it prompted them to do it again this month. This year’s DIY Zine-Making is a two-day workshop that will take place on back to back Sundays: Sunday, February 3 and Sunday, February 10. Both workshops will be located at 1013 Duke Avenue from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Taylor says that she and her partner, Irving Juarez, who is a local artist and designer, have been planning these events together for over a year. Juarez is an artist who works at Bluetile Skateshop in 5 Points and was a part of the Indie Grits Visiones Project back in 2017.

“[Juarez] created a zine documenting his childhood as an immigrant,” Taylor states, “I think that was the precedent for both of us realizing the power of print to share our personal stories and to bring communities together.”

Taylor says that she and Juarez pride themselves as a print and zine duo who both love print, design, and spreading the message that art is for everyone and should be accessible to all.

For Taylor, the goal of this workshop specifically is “to do more and engage with people of all ages to do something creative and [with] local artists who may want to stretch their creative muscles with new modes of art and storytelling.” 

What will the workshop entail, you may be wondering? According to Taylor, over the course of the two-day workshop, they are going to do several small exercises that can be an entry point for anyone interested in making a zine for the first time.

“Day 1 we are going to collaborate on a zine as a class to learn about zine production and how to print out your very own zine, analog style, using a photocopier and scanner,” Taylor continues, “We will also learn about the 8-page fold zine, and by the end of the class you will walk away with your very own!”

According to Taylor, it is really important to have events like this in Columbia because it’s necessary to engage with the local community and support the arts and education. “The arts should not be seen as exclusive or elitist,” Taylor elaborates, “and should be open to all who wish to learn!”

By registering, in addition to getting your very own zine, you can learn something new and support IGL in continuing their education program and in supporting the very artists that are facilitating these workshops and making them a reality.

This workshop isn’t the end to Taylor and IGL’s plans, though. “We are also hoping in the future to do some zine showcases to further support the arts community, and we might be planning a zine fair to happen during Indie Grits 2019 this March.”

Overall, this experience is a unique one that is close to Taylor, Juarez, and the others at IGL’s hearts. “I hope that participants are proud of their final zine creation and walk away feeling that they have the knowledge and tools to keep creating zines after the workshop is over,” Taylor concludes.

Tickets are only $35 for Nickelodeon Theatre members and $50 for General Admission. Tickets are available on IGL’s website, or in person at the Nickelodeon Theatre box office (1607 Main Street). This registration price includes 10 free prints of the zine you make, so you can share with your family and friends! 

Follow The Jasper Project on Facebook and on Instagram @the_jasper_project

for more updates on local artists and events!

Introducing the Roster of 2nd Act Film Festival 2018 Filmmakers

Hugo Guzman is a veteran of the French Foreign Legion. His is the owner/operator of Titan Throw Multimedia.

Katly Hong is an animator and illustrator who is most fascinated by human relationships and vulnerability

Daljit Kalsi (left) is a journalist and filmmaker from Greenville, SC whose films have been featured in festivals across the globe. His 2017 film, BOUND, won Best Overall at the Tryon International Film Festival and is streaming now on Amazon Prime.

Caroline Mobley is a Marketing Assistant with Historic Columbia by day and cinematographer by night. A native of South Carolina, she uses her understanding of Southern culture, paired with a passion for film, to create strong visuals and meaningful stories. While 2nd Act is her maiden voyage as a professional writer/director she has had films in Indie Grits and Campus MovieFest.

A South Carolina native, Ian O’Briant has studied a cross section of visual and performative arts. In an academic career spanning a decade and a half, fizzling and dying somewhere around the second year of his first year of grad school, he was the director, cinematographer, editor, writer, and boom mic operator for numerous student films. He has worked in media and journalism for 10 years.

Tia Pennix graduated from USC with a degree in Journalism, but acting has always been her passion. Eventually, Tia merged the skills she learned from journalism, with her passion for acting, and began filmmaking. This is Tia’s first time entering a festival.

Johnny Sizemore is the C.E.O. of Showtime Productions, a national production company specializing Theatre and Film and the C.E.O. of JMS Media Group, a full-service photography and videography entity servicing the Upstate and abroad.

Zack Spencer grew up in Columbia, SC and is currently a junior at USC where he is the Executive Producer of 1080C, USC's short film organization. His goal is to become a cinematographer and writer, and to share his perspectives with the world through narrative storytelling.

Barry Wheeler is an IT professional and a Columbia, SC artist, concentrating his work in digital media. He is a graduate of the South Carolina Honors College (BS, Chemistry) and the University of South Carolina (MA, Media Arts). His background in science and computers motivates his practice, which explores the relationships between technology, digital process, information design, and art. Barry’s work has been featured at various exhibitions and shows around the state.

Quaviondre Williams, Timothy Boualapha, and Bridgette James have combined their talents under the name B. T. Williams. Based in Columbia, SC the individuals are college students who recognize that when they work together, they can push each other to new heights of creativity.

2nd Act Film Festival 2018

Wednesday, November 7th at 7 pm

VIP/Filmmaker Reception at 6 pm

Trustus Theatre

Dance Scene at the Nick, a new film series

By: Susan Lenz

On Monday night, Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan kicked off the Nickelodeon's new special programming series Dance Scene celebrating the best in contemporary dance-based cinema. Four more films are slated over the coming month of Monday evenings. Programming coordinator Amada Torruella described the series as "riveting tales of spirit and commitment, capturing the passions and partnerships that subtend the dance world." Each film is partnered with a local organization to highlight area dancers, artists and community leaders and their relationships to international dance movements.

Before the theater darkened for Restless Creature, Columbia City Ballet's artistic director William Starrett introduced principal dancer Regina Willoughby. Regina discussed her journey into ballet, her support system, and future plans after retirement. For Willoughby, dance is the fabric of her life, and her upcoming retirement will be a time for celebration. Using all of the available space, Regina then performed the first half of a new work she choreographed on herself to a piece by Dustin O’Halloran. When asked about the musical selection, Regina commented on the soft, new beginnings of the piece that builds in excitement only to end, abruptly but peacefully, much like she envisions this, her final year as a professional ballerina.

Between the film and Regina’s presentation, I learned something new and was truly entertained. I highly recommend this enlivened and well-curated series. Hope to see you on subsequent Monday nights!

For tickets and additional information on the Dance Scene series, please visit http://nickelodeon.org/. Below is a list of the upcoming films:

Alive and Kicking, a dynamic exploration of the history of swing dancing, will be screened on Monday, October 30th and is partnered with a performance by Palmetto Swing Dance Association.

KIKI, a film set in the New York LGTBQ community's dance and ballroom scene, will be screened on Monday, November 6th and is partnered with South Carolina Black Pride, featuring MeMe Revlon and Babe Ebony.

Rize, a documentary on clowning and krumping in Los Angeles, will be screened on Monday, November 13th and is partnered with Fuse Arts Alliance.

Mr. Gaga, a documentary on Ohad Naharin, the artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, will be screened on Monday, November 20th and is partnered with both Columbia City Ballet and modern dancer Carolina Lewis Jones.

Robbie Robertson Talks About Indie Grants & Whistler's Mother

Jasper: Tell us about your good news from the SC Film Commission.

Robbie:  My short screenplay, WHISTLER’S MOTHER, was recently selected as one of three shorts to be produced by the Indie Grants program which is administered by The South Carolina Film Commission and coordinated by Trident Technical College. I will be producing and co-directing with Lorie Gardner, CEO of Mad Monkey Productions, and one of my frequent collaborators.

Jasper:  How does Indie Grants work?

Robbie:  The Indie Grants is the only one of its kind program in the nation, using short films for production development and job training, while also creating international industry exposure for the state’s film industry. Funding the projects creates training environments for emerging crew and professional development opportunities for South Carolina filmmakers and other artists. 

Each Indie Grants project will employ Trident Technical College film students in its production, giving students hands-on training under the filmmakers and other production professionals, and acting as a bridge to full-time professional employment. Along with my project, Whistler’s Mother, the other projects selected for production include Abducted, written by Josh Barkey of Fort Mill with Ben Joyner attached to direct; and People Moving Through Time, a partnership with Indie Grits Labs & the Nickelodeon Theatre, written and directed by Roni Nicole Henderson and produced by Seth Gadsden of Columbia.

In the past, Indie Grants shorts have been official selections of top international film festivals, such as Sundance, Slamdance, Palm Springs, Austin, Stiges, LA, Cucalorus, DragonCon, Tallgrass, and many more. The projects have also attracted an impressive roster of working professionals in the entertainment industry including Oscar-winning Cinematographer Russell Carpenter (Titanic, Ant-Man), actor AJ Bowen (You’re Next, The Sacrament), DP Peter Simonite (The Perfect Guy, 2nd Unit DP on Tree of Life), writer Brad Land (Goat), Casting Director Avy Kauffman (Lincoln, Life of Pi), and Script Supervisor Martha Pinson (Wall Street, Hugo, The Aviator). 

Jasper:  Now tell us about your project.

Robbie:  My project is a fictional back story exploration of the famous painting WHISLTER’S MOTHER by James McNeil Whistler. As a child, I was always intrigued and rather scared of the painting and imagined what was the real story behind this infamous mother. In researching the real-life family, I learned the Whistler family lived in Russian in the 1830s and lost a young child and my imagination started running wild from that point forward. The story really started jelling for me when I also uncovered an ancient Russian fable about an evil child killing witch named the Baba Yaga. I found a way to blend the two stories and have created what I call a dark fable about a desperate mother, codependent relationships born of tragic loss that also result in the birth of creativity. I also hope to use the short film as a “proof of concept” to create a feature version of the same story.

Deciding to partner with Lorie Gardner, one of the most brilliant business people I know, has helped me elevate the scope of this project and we are so excited to bring this story to life. The official logline for the script is: The artist James Whistler spent years trying to capture the essence of his mother for his most famous work of art. Not to create a masterpiece, but to save his mother from possession by the Baba Yaga, an evil Russian witch. 

Jasper:  What happens next for your film?

Robbie:  Right now, we are in preproduction with Brad Jayne and Kevin Peterson from the Indie Grants program who are serving as producers on the project. I’ve also been working with a wonderful script consultant named Geoff Gunn who has helped me prep a shooting script. We are also working with a casting director from Charleston named Matt Sefick who is sending out audition notices to agents on both coasts.

Jasper:  When will we get to see the finished product?

Robbie:  All Indie Grants projects have to be shot between November 2017 and February 2018. So, with any luck—and maybe some magic from the Baba Yaga—we’re looking at next summer for a finished product.

~~~

Robbie Robertson is a playwright, screenwriter and a graduate of the University of South Carolina and UCLA’s professional screenwriting program. His first play, Mina Tonight!, was published by Samuel French Inc. and has been produced in regional theatres across the nation. In 2015, Robertson produced a sold out run of his staged adaptation of the film Satan in High Heels at both Dixon Place and TheatreWorks in NYC. Robertson’s screenplays have placed in several national contests, including his comedy, Sweet Child of Mine, being named one of the top 12 comedy scripts in the Austin Film Festival’s Screenwriting Competition. Robertson was also a Top 10 Finalist in the 2016 London Table Read My Screenplay contest with his original pilot, DENMARK (an adaptation of Hamlet set in 1940s South Carolina) and the same work was named one of the Top 100 Pilots of 2016 by The Tracking Board in Los Angeles. Most recently, Robertson’s drama, AT-RISK, was a Top 25 Semi-Finalist in the 2016 Zoetrope Screenwriting Contest. He is currently developing AT-RISK with producer/actor Kristian Alfonso (“DAYS OF OUR LIVES.”) Robertson was the recipient of the SC Arts Commission 2014 Media Screenwriting Fellow and is looking forward to producing and co-directing his first short film, a supernatural thriller that reveals the backstory of the woman featured in one most iconic works of art in modern history—WHISTLER’S MOTHER.