Sifter

28:44

Double Emmy winner from soaps to primetime

Sifter ·

2026/09/30

Richard Hankins graduated from VCU and designed sets for Richmond theatre before heading to New York, where he won 2 Emmys for his work on daytime dramas. Afterward, he moved to LA, where he continued to be a production designer for primtime shows like “NYPD Blue” (10 years). That includes:– His Richmond theatre experience – Breaking design ground for Guiding Light (and winning an Emmy) – The challenges of daytime dramas – Working with Holly Hunter on Saving Grace –

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27:51

Hunky Jesus celebrates Easter in San Francisco

Sifter ·

2026/09/23

“Hunky Jesus” is the name of an event and a documentary about an Easter celebration that’s been taking place in San Francisco since 1995. The film looks at the legacy of the event’s founders, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a global, secular order of queer and trans “nuns” who combat guilt, shame, and exclusion through joy, humor, activism, and irreverence. It’ll be playing at this year’s Virginia Queer Film Festival (Oct 2 – 4 at the University Theatre on the campus of

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25:53

Bball, country music & kids

Sifter ·

2026/09/16

“Last Shot” is about a 12-year-old basketball prodigy who lives in LA (Dylan Freedman). His life is upended with his father dies (Michael Rappaport) and he has to go live with his estranged mother in Nashville (Jamie Presley). This film will be featured at this year’s Richmond International Film Festival 7pm 9/26 at the Byrd Theatre. This discussion includes the film’s director Andy Palmer & producer Warner Davis:– Where the film originated and and how you got involved –

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29:01

Edward Burns coming to RIFF

Sifter ·

2026/09/09

Edward Burns has been a leader in indie filmmaking since his debut feature “The Brothers McMullen” in 1995. He’s amassed an impressive career as a writer, director and actor. This new film “Beneath the Blue Surburan Skies,” was actually shot a few years back, but wasn’t released until the current festival circuit, including this year’s Richmond International Film Festival (Sep. 22 – 27). Burns stars along with Jennifer Ehle as parents of two adult children, who live at home and aren’t making much

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26:58

Get to know Heather

Sifter ·

2026/09/02

Heather Waters came to Richmond 15 years ago and founded the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), running this year from September 22 – 27. Although she’s been on the show as a surprise guest promoting the festival, we’ve never heard her talk about herself. This podcast focuses on:– How she got into acting and singing – Singing at the Grand Old Opry with Barbara Mandrell and others – Her degrees from Georgia State University in a surprising major – Working as

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26:56

The GenreBlast Film Festival

Sifter ·

2026/08/26

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

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19:57

A new doc on Shenandoah

Sifter ·

2026/08/19

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,

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27:46

Throwback to the ’80s

Sifter ·

2026/08/05

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

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23:42

This famous actor’s career ended when he came out

Sifter ·

2026/07/29

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

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28:59

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

Sifter ·

2026/07/22

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

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26:57

Get illuminated on IllumiNATION

Sifter ·

2026/07/15

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

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26:39

“Writing” a living in LA

Sifter ·

2026/07/08

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

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28:51

Black Americans in the Revolutionary War

Sifter ·

2026/07/01

“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

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22:03

Film fun in Fredericksburg

Sifter ·

2026/06/24

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

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29:03

Jon Burkett retires

Sifter ·

2026/06/17

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 –

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29:01

The new doc on poet Mary Oliver

Sifter ·

2026/06/10

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,

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22:56

Creating “Outrage”

Sifter ·

2026/06/03

Victoria Fraser & Marc Weinberg are partners in life and work. They’ve written for numerous film and TV projects, the most recent being “Outrage.” It stars Reed Birney as a conservative talk show host who’s being held captive in a basement. They also served as Executive Producers. Our lively chat includes:– Marc as a film critic for Richmond Magazine – Victoria working for Disney – How they met and decided to work together – Their writing process – The inspiration

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28:51

Shooting “Saturnalia”

Sifter ·

2026/05/27

Max Fischer is a Richmond cinematographer who’s worked on numerous commercials, movies and TV shows. In addition to shooting the new thriller, “Saturnalia,” Max also served as Executive Producer. We’ll discuss: – The film’s idea born out of the strikes – The meaning of the title & Easter eggs – Giallo’s influence – Shooting at Dover Hall & the Pump House – Music by the best-known giallo composer – Eating mutton as a vegetarian in Mongolia – Getting

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25:11

He’s done lots more than Toy Story

Sifter ·

2026/05/20

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

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27:33

Get exposed!

Sifter ·

2026/05/06

Brandon Shillingford started Exposure Cinema in 2024 for people to explore, watch, discuss and connect through film. There have been several screening events with the next one coming up this month, “One for the Money,” which he’ll describe in this interview. We’ll also discuss:– Why he’s in Rome – Taking film class in high school – His previous jobs at NPR, CNN and VPM – Why he started Exposure – His podcast on cinema – The event coming up LINKS: Exposure

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