Culture watch

Lights, camera … sarcasm!

While it’s still possible that locally produced indie flick A Dance For Bethany will be a cinematic train wreck (first-time director, writers and producers all around), the movie could very well be a needed boost of recognition for many local artists. Thank Production Designer Gayle Wurthner, who managed to rope in a veritable who’s who of local artists to contribute their visual talents to the project. Paintings by Kathryn Temple, Lou Majors, Cynthia Walton and David Hopes will appear in the film, as will masks by Kore Io Eliza McWhirter, scenic art by Chris Black, graffiti by Eric Minkin, shadow boxes by Ross Dillin, photos by Lynn Siler and blown glass by Marston Blow. Raise The Bar Productions is also making use of a number of eye-catching locations, including Club Hairspray, which has been transformed into a “crack town” strip club called The Rabbit Hole. At present, there are few details about the film’s release date. Keep up to date on the production by visiting adanceforbethany.com.

Soul man Keys Hands

Speaking of movies, local screenwriter Brian Keys Hands recently put his second feature-length screenplay on the auction block. According to Hands, Soul Drivers is about “family values and integrity under adversity.” Evidently, the script deals with a heroic act by a man who might also be a child killer, and the conflicted conscience of the man who knows the truth. The plot is set in WNC, and Hands is currently looking for local filmmakers to consider turning the project into a paycheck … er … film. For more info, e-mail him at keyshands@yahoo.com.

“I Was Once On Buck Rogers, So Show Some Respect!”

And what local movie roundup would be complete without an update on the new hiring at Blue Ridge Motion Pictures? TV veteran Timothy O’Keefe recently joined the staff of BRMP, taking on the dual roles of “Master Coach” and “Head Director” for their new Film Institute. O’Keefe is most known for his recurring roles on soaps like The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives, but he’s also done turns as a nightclub singer and voiceover artist for commercials. His list of credits also hypes appearances on “classic” shows like CHiPs and Fantasy Island. Caveat emptor, y’all.

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