Craig and Jodi Brewer create cancer awareness PSA

John Beifuss writes in the CA:

Grizzlies guard Mike Miller, Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and Muck Sticky, Memphis' clown prince of hip-hop, are among the local celebrities who appear in a new public service announcement about the battle against breast cancer, directed by Craig Brewer and produced by his wife, Jodi Brewer.

The TV spot is the second the "Hustle & Flow" creator has directed to kick off a campaign to raise money for the local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization working to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. This year's campaign -- dubbed "Passionately Pink for the Cure" -- asks companies to pick any day during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to encourage employees to wear pink in exchange for a $5 donation to Komen. More information is available at passionatelypink.org.

All participants donated their time for the public service announcement, which was created at Beale Street Studios, with studio owner Geo Holmes acting as videographer and Shan Sanford in charge of editing and digital animation.

Here's the Live at 9 program with Craig, Jodi, Muck and all.

Another film comes to Memphis

From today's story in the CA by John Beifuss:

Memphis director Craig Brewer will reunite with his "Hustle & Flow" star Terrence Howard, who will portray country singer Charley Pride, in a movie biography under a deal expected to be signed with Paramount Pictures.

Although Pride achieved fame in Nashville, Brewer said, "One of the reasons I went after this project is because I knew I could shoot a majority of it in Memphis." ...

The Charley Pride biopic -- to be produced by Southern Cross the Dog, the company founded by Brewer and his producing partner Stephanie Allain, with the participation of other producers connected with Pride -- could represent the first time Brewer has directed a film he didn't write. Brewer said he is too busy writing his next film, "Maggie Lynn," to script the Pride movie; he said he and Allain are looking for "the right writer" for the project.

Assuming a script is accepted, the movie still likely wouldn't be ready to go before the cameras until 2008.

"I want the project ready to direct after I do 'Maggie Lynn,'" said Brewer, whose ambitious slate also includes a possible broad-canvas film about the Memphis sanitation strike of 1968 that would link the city's music and civil rights histories.

Feature Film Auditions and Crew Call

Wordmonger Pictures, LLC is pleased to announce auditions for a feature film called "The Rabbit's Prayer," written and directed by Stephen Leet.

Story Line: Three travelers journey to the fictitious town of Riverton in the Depression era South. Each carrying a different, secret goal which together will ignite a spiritual awakening, a spiritual death and a long awaited judgment.

Jeanie - Starring / FEMALE / 18 TO 22 / Caucasian

Naive, innocent, shy, petite young adult without much direction in life; looking instead for others to guide the way. She is calm, contemplative and short on words. As the story progresses and Jeanie communes with her naturalistic environs, she will experience a spiritiual awakening. Her characterization will define the narrative's core.

Foster - Starring / MALE / 45 TO 55 / Caucasian

A Baptist preacher who acts as a self imposed father figure to the two other main characters. His faith is strong to the point of fallacy. He is full of songs and saying, folksy wisdom and religious ambition.

Harper - Starring / MALE / 20 TO 23 / Caucasian

A tormented young man who believes in little other than the weight of his own conscience. He is Jeanie's companion and is desperate for the promise of new work in the town of Riverton.

It will be shot on high definition and produced under the Screen Actor's Guild Low Budget Agreement. SAG as well as non-union performers are able to audition. Casting will also take place in Los Angeles.

For sides and/or more information, please send an email to: therabbitsprayer@hotmail.com

Auditions will be held 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 21st, 2006 at First Congo Church, 1000 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN 38104. Please enter via the handicapped ramps.

Craig Brewer directs for the cure

Director Craig Brewer and local musician Muck Sticky are promoting breast cancer awareness. Brewer has created a 30-second public service announcement for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in conjunction with its “Passionately Pink for the Cure” Campaign.

The commercial features Muck, Shelby County mayor AC Wharton, Grizzly Mike Miller, Beauty Shop chef Brett “Shaggy” Duffee and local breast cancer survivors. You can see/record it Tuesday during WREG-TV’s “Live at 9" show on Channel 3.

More on Village Roadshow Pictures Group

In the CA story referred to below, Rey Flemings asks local governments for money for his new film enterprise. Here's a story from an Aussie paper that offers more detail. And the Smart City Memphis blog has a thing or two to say about it.

"Just the Two of Us" is a winner!

The DogDay Entertainment/ Pittstop Productions film "Just the Two of Us" won the Grand Prize at the American Artist Film Festival in Kansas City. Way to go Keenon and Rod!

See it at the Indie Memphis Film Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 6:15 p.m.

Indie Memphis preview at MeDiA Co-op

The MeDiA Co-op is proud to present an Indie Memphis preview at the MeDiA Co-op Tuesday, October 3 7:30 pm. Donations accepted.

The Indie Memphis Film Festival will give a preview of their 9th annual film fest, screen some films, and talk all about what's in store for their 2006 installment, October 13-19, at Peabody Place/Muvico Theatres downtown, Memphis.

Go here for more info on Indie Memphis.

Have some extra time? Wanna volunteer some hours helping the MeDiA Co-op w/events, and various in-house projects, please respond to memphisdigitalartscoop@gmail.com with general inquiries, and availability. We appreciate it!