• The city of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department’s 2016 Movies in the Park series continues Friday, Aug. 12, at Pack Square Park with a screening of The Good Dinosaur. Children’s craft activities start at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at dusk on a giant screen on the park stage. Free and open to the public, but please bring a chair or a blanket. avl.mx/2u1
• On Friday, Aug. 12, the Grail Moviehouse opens Holy Hell, director Will Allen’s documentary about his two decades living inside a guru-based society in West Hollywood. Following the 7 p.m. shows on Aug. 12 and 13, Asheville resident Phillipe Coquet, a former cult member and one of the primary interviewees in the film, will participate in a Q&A session. grailmoviehouse.com
• Submissions are currently being accepted for Underground Sound: The Path to Music Video Asheville, a contest sponsored by local arts, culture and entertainment website Asheville Grit. Musicians who live within 60 miles of Asheville are invited to upload a video of themselves performing an original song that they would like to turn into a professional video. There is a $20 fee to enter, and videos will be accepted through Wednesday, Aug. 31, after which they will be voted on until Friday, Sept. 30. The winner will be announced Friday, Oct. 1, and will receive $2,500 to fund the production of a video that will be entered into Music Video Asheville, the annual local showcase that takes place April 19, 2017. For complete contest details, rules and to apply, visit ashevillegrit.com/undergroundsound
• Registration is open for Asheville School of Film’s “Film Production Design Weekend Workshop” on Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stephen Marsh, a professional production designer with more than 30 years of experience, will guest instruct. Using a short script, the course covers reading and breaking down the writing into scenes and settings. Discussions include colors and textures needed for locations, the use of lenses, how films are photographed and how visual effects are produced. Students will also learn how to make a cost estimate as well as construct models of the sets and drawings of the filming sites to be used. The course costs $275. ashevilleschooloffilm.com
I saw the movie “Holy Hell” last night at the Grail Moviehouse and spoke with Phillipe Coquet about the parallels with the Fellowship of Friends in Northern California. He’ll be fielding questions again tonight. Last night’s show was sold out through online ticket sales.
It’s a very good film and I recommend it to anyone involved in a spiritual group of any description. We’re lucky to have such documentary evidence, so much footage, and a filmaker who can piece together a compelling story. Consider it a warning and not a discouragement in your spiritual pursuits.