Wilmington’s own EXPECTvr shines at 2016 Sundance

Derek Sellers from Expectvr, Producer VR Content(left) and Stephen Leitch(right). Photo Credit: Cathlena Spencer from Oculus Story Studio Sundance Event, EXPECTvr was special guests of David Eddings, VP Gearbox the largest Independent Game Studio in the USA.

A few Wilmington folks headed out to this year’s Sundance. The NC Film Commission was out there was representin’ as well as a few actors representing their short films.

One Wilmington-based company I am particularly excited about making its way to Sundance is the Virtual Reality Content Company EXPECTvr. They were special guests of Oculus Story Studio. Joseph Gordon Levitt was the surprise guest and he stated that he wants to be the first major actor in VR.

Hollywood, Silicon Valley and the Gaming industry are all betting BIG on Virtual Reality in 2016. (Need an example? Sony Q3 Profits Surge Ahead of PlayStation Virtual Reality Launch)

EXPECTvr is already in place with VR producers and working partnerships with cinema legends like our own Joe Dunton, BSC, MBE.

The group wrapped up the evening at their Sundance Chalet with Eric Johnson, VP TrailBlazer Studios (RTP), Raleigh and Benjamin Durham, Business Development at Thrillbox, the hot new VR and 360 Video firm taking Austin (and soon SXSW) by storm.

EXPECTvr is currently producing projects with VR Director, Jessica Kantor, and award winning DP Dagmar Weaver-Madsen.

Great things came out of last year’s Cucalorus for EXPECTvr as the company gave away hundreds of custom VR Cardboard Viewers so friends like Wilmington Film Commissioner Johnny Griffin and his family could have their first VR experiences. Christina Capra, shot live VR of Dance-a-lorus, with the latest VR Camera systems, as she is already making bold moves with this new form of media. Her VR content will be able to be viewed soon when she emerges from edit with EXPECTvr.

EXPECTvr’s experience with Samsung Gear VR’s hardware will prove important as a major Sundance announcement is Samsung’ new Studio for VR in the works in NYC.

Way to go Wilmington peeps! You are so ahead of the game!

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THE WILMYWOOD DAILY – 01/28/2016 – Another actor for ‘Six’ / FOX pilot for NC?

British actor Dominic Adams

Mornin’ peeps! We have quite a bit of film news for ya this morning! First up let’s chat about our History Channel show, SIX!

About 2 weeks ago, we introduced you to Juan Pablo Raba, a Colombian film, TV series and telenovela actor. He is playing Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz, one of the veterans on SEAL Team Six.

So now let us introduce you to his nemesis! If you are a Devious Maids fan, you already know him as Tony Bishara. However, he’s got a new role. British actor Dominic Adams will be playing the antagonist of our series, Michael.

Six follows a brotherhood of modern American warriors, Navy SEAL Team Six, whose 2014 mission to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan goes awry when they uncover a U.S. citizen working with the terrorists.

Welcome to the Wilmywood film family Dominic!

ICYMI, the extras casting director was named for SIX yesterday.

Now what else is in store for us? There is a nice buzz surrounding another show to pop up here in North Carolina. 24: Legacy, Fox’s pilot that reboots the 24 franchise with brand new characters. So, don’t expect Jack Bauer to make an entrance. And they have already signed the male lead. Straight Outta Compton‘s Corey Hawkins (Dr. Dre) is up for the task of playing Bauer’s predecessor and military hero, Eric Carter.

This morning, Variety shed some more light on the cast. Miranda Otto will be taking the lead role. Variety wrote that she will be playing Rebecca Ingram. “the blazing smart former head of CTU. Now married to Senator John Donovan (who has not yet been cast), Rebecca is struggling with second thoughts about having left the counter-terrorism agency.

Now don’t get too excited Wilmington, I’ve heard that they have scouted the Charlotte area and are looking for big city locations. So, the Queen city will likely be their choice. Hopefully, we can get this info confirmed soon as production would begin in March (so I hear). So far, there is a pilot order. Let’s hope for a Charlotte shoot with a full season pick up!

Finally, there is another indie flick that will be shooting just South of Asheville head up by some producers from across the pond. I, unfortunately, don’t have much info on that one.

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Extras Casting Director named for History’s ‘Six.’

The new History Channel series, SIX is gearing up here in Wilmywood. Offices are opening and things are buzzing. I have had a TON of folks ask the same question over and over again. “Who is the Extras Casting Director? I am ready to work!” I hear ya, well, it won’t be too much longer! Production for the show begins in March!

So, who is the Extras Casting Director?

Can we give a big CONGRATULATIONS to Marty Siu of Marty Siu Casting! Yes! SO excited as she gets to work AT HOME and not in another state!

Marty is so ready and she says to “Stay tuned! I will have more information later today to share on my Facebook casting page!”

Way to go Marty!

SIX (SEASON ONE) – History Channel
STATUS: Production begins in March
WRITERS: William Broyles, David Broyles
DIRECTOR: Lesli Linka Glatter
LP: George Perkins
UPM: David Brightbill
CAST: Juan Pablo Raba, Dominic Adams
PRODUCERS: Harvey Weinstein

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Director for History Channel’s ‘Six’ revealed.

Director Lesli Linka Glatter (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for DGA)

Well, look at this. Looks like we are keeping it in the NC Film family. Award-winning director Lesli Linka Glatter has signed on to direct the first two episodes of our History Channel show, Six. If you worked on the series Homeland, filmed in NC for the first few seasons, then you probably already know her. This makes complete sense as our UPM for Six is David Brightbill, who also worked on Homeland while it was in North Carolina. Not only will she be directing, but she is also one of the Executive Producers of the Wilmywood filmed show.

Deadline got a great quote from Jana Bennett, President and General Manager of History. She says, “Not only is she an incredible talent, but A+E Networks has been a leader in providing more behind-the-camera opportunities for gifted female storytellers and incorporating her voice in a male-dominated landscape is vital to the success of the series.”

You don’t see many female directors, so I am pleased she will be taking on this role. That being said, our TNT show Good Behavior‘s pilot episode, titled, “So you’re not an English teacher,” was also directed by a woman whom the crew absolutely adored. Charlotte Sieling. Let’s hope she returns.

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One Tree Hill is still turning up the heat in Wilmywood.

Things are getting exciting here in Tree Hill…err…Wilmington! Social Media is exploding about our home town mainly because the OTH cast members are returning to Wilmywood for not just one, but two events this year.

As most of the One Tree Hill fan world knows, the cast returns to the Port City, March 11-13 for Eyecon’s 3rd Convention. If anyone really wondered if NC Film brought an influx of cash into the state, here is proof right here. Hard core fans come by the thousands and spend just as much.

Well, if you can’t make it this March or you want to double the fun, there’s another event that has just popped up on the radar. This July, there is another cast reunion called Inside OTH AND the best part, it’s for the people by the people, as in the locals who worked on the show. Yep! A few key members of the production team got together and are giving fans the ultimate experience when it comes to the show that gave us the gift of 9 seasons of work for our crew members! I can’t give all the details, but I can tell you, if you are a true One Tree Hill fan, they will be doing things that no other convention can do. Sweet!

And hot off the social media press, here’s the first special message from the fabulous Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer) in regards to Inside OTH:

In the video. Hilarie expresses her “Grandma’like” qualities when it comes to social media, however when something is important to her, she speaks up about it. She gives fans a little hint on what’s to come this summer in Wilmington!

LOVE LOVE LOVE that the cast and crew are getting together for this one! As more comes in, I will let you know!

And for all you Wilmington peeps who never watched the show, they have the entire series on Netflix, which in turn has generated a whole new generation of One Tree Hill lovers!

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Debra Messing Joins Asheville’s ‘Dirty Dancing’

We have a new cast member to add to the list for the soon-to-be shot North Carolina remake of Dirty Dancing! Will & Grace‘s Debra Messing will join Abigail Breslin as Baby’s mom. And as I told you not long ago Breslin will play Frances “Baby” Houseman.

I absolutely love the way Vulture put this:

She’ll (Messing) play Marjorie Houseman of the Houseman clan in the role originally played by Kelly Bishop of the Gilmore clan, which means that Messing will now be one of the parties responsible for putting Baby in her literal and metaphorical corner.

They have yet to announce who will play Johnny.

Dirty Dancing is going to be a 3-Episode television event and remake of the 1987 romance film and is looking for an April start date. Production Weekly has listed that the Director will be Wayne Blair. The telefilm was written by Jessica Sharzer (American Horror Story).

ABOUT DIRTY DANCING (ABC):
STATUS: Development / Pre-Production
LOCATION: Asheville, NC
PRODUCERS: Alli Shearmur, Eleanor Bergstein, Adam Anders
LINE PRODUCER: Judy Cairo
DIRECTOR: Wayne Blair
CAST: Abigail Breslin, Debra Messing

(SOURCE)

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First actor revealed for Wilmywood’s ‘Six’

Wow, do you see a trend here? Our fabulous lead Juan (Diego Botto) from Argentina in TNT’s Good Behavior and now Juan #2, the first cast member announced for The History Channel’s Six. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Juan Pablo Raba, a Colombian film, TV series and telenovela actor. He will be playing Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz, one of the veterans on SEAL Team Six.

Six follows a Navy SEAL Team Six, whose 2014 mission to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan goes awry when they uncover a U.S. citizen working with the terrorists.

You can spot Raba in Narcos and The 33 and next appears, according to Deadline, in the indie drama Shot Caller.

We welcome you with open arms Juan! We can’t wait until your arrival here in Wilmington, or as I like to call it Wilmywood!

(SOURCE)

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Some tidbits for Monday, January 11, 2016

Happy Monday Peeps! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! Offices should be opening up today at EUE/Screen Gems Studios for the History Channel series Six. I am hearing that they are already crew up for the most part, so I don’t know if they will be putting out a crew call or not. However, if I hear anything, you know I will post it. So, welcome to Wilmywood, Weinstein & Company!

SIX is a series that recognizes this country’s great heroes and soldiers, and there’s no doubt that it will make for some of the most important, provocative television seen in ages. While we had vast interest from other networks, our great relationship with Nancy Dubuc, Paul Buccieri and Barry Jossen made HISTORY the clear choice. ~Harvey Weinstein.

We will be getting 8 episodes to work on and they should be in production by end of February unless something changes. UPM David Brightbill is happy to be working at home again and I am sure the crew will be happy as well.

Here’s the official press release fro A+E networks in case you didn’t see it last week: READ NOW

SYNOPSIS: Members of the Navy’s most prestigious and lethal squadron know the dangers, responsibilities, and high risks involved with charging into battle. For John “Bear” Graves, Alex Caulder and Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz, it’s a way of life. Being a member of SEAL Team 6 means committing yourself to a life away from family, and the constant knowledge that you may never return home. For some it’s what they live for. For others who feel they put in their time, they might be afraid of not knowing what to do once they’re out.

RELATED ARTICLES:
More on Wilmywood’s ‘Good Behavior’ and ‘Six’
History Channel to bring ‘Six’ to Wilmywood.
Here’s a couple of other links of note that the Star News put out that are worth giving a read:

NBC’s ‘The Biggest Loser’ to briefly shoot in Wilmington

‘The Detour’ producer – I’d rather have filmed in Wilmington than ‘Hotlanta’

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Michelle Dockery like we’ve never seen her before: Bad!

From the trailer for TNT's Good Behavior

Oh boy! As Wilmywood gears up for production of the first season of TNT’s Good Behavior, here’s a taste of what’s to come from the Letty Dobesh book series conversion for the small screen! I got 5 words for Michelle Dockery as she throws away her Downton Abbey morals and manners: Bad never looked so good! Check out the trailer below!