Crew Up With ProductionBeast

Working freelance is the scariest job of all. And after you’ve reached the end of your social network, hiring freelancers in the film industry is almost impossible. You need a DP for a shoot next week but your go-to guy or gal is AWOL. That’s where ProductionBeast comes in.

Rather than thumbing through a physical production guide that could be years old and outdated, ProductionBeast is a searchable online platform that saves production companies time and money by giving them the tools to quickly find and hire the best freelancers for any project.

Development on ProductionBeast began back in 2012 with Eric Hebel. Like many others, he was frustrated with the task of trying to find crew for a project during a time he often refers to as “The Mad Scramble.” With the position still unfilled, he thought to himself, “Why can’t I just go online, search for any position and quickly see where everyone I know is working (and if they’re available) or find people who’ve worked with people I trust and see when they’re available.”

Shortly after, ProductionBeast was born. Eric got together with his brother, who was a developer, and together they built a tool that helped bring clarity to the world of freelance production. Over the past few years, they have raised money from investors and built up their team. The freelancer portion of the site was launched in 2013 and, in 2014, they launched premium features for production companies.They currently have hundreds of freelancers joining each week and the platform is being used by a growing list of the industries’ top production companies and networks.

ProductionBeast is fast, from setup to hire. It is free for freelancers and only takes about a minute to sign up. Freelancers can go on, set their availability and add their credits. ProductionBeast’s unique work graph of the industry automatically connects people based on the projects they’ve worked on together and helps keep freelancers top-of-mind with the people who are hiring. Production companies and producers can pay a monthly fee, which allows them to create lists of their go-to freelancers with notes and documents, create public and private job openings for people to apply and search the database of one million freelancers utilizing criteria such as role, department, shows worked on, connections in common, location, genre, availability and more.

Eric Hebel has always been very passionate about building companies from the ground up and New Orleans will always have a special place in his heart. He graduated from Tulane and in his freshman year, he co-founded Genco Advertising.“New Orleans is a key market for us for obvious reasons,” Hebel states. “It’s also near and dear to my heart for personal reasons. I lived there for five years, started my first company there and just love the city, culture and people. I can very easily see us opening an office there in the near future to support out growth in the city.”

Hebel’s persistance and determination are why ProductionBeast is successful. He built a product based on how the industry actually works. The business continues to evolve and the team will continue to introduce new and valuable tools. No matter what changes, ProductionBeast’s mission remains the same: to ensure that productions can quickly find the best crew and freelancers never miss out on an opportunity.

To learn more about the company and services ProductionBeast offers, visit their website at www.productionbeast.com

Eddie Murphy Headed to New Orleans to ‘Cook’

Eddie Murphy will take on a more serious role in the upcoming film Cook. Directed by Bruce Beresford, the film focuses on a cook hired by a dying man to cook meals for his girlfriend and daughter once he is gone. Two and a Half Men‘s Susan McMartin wrote the script which was based on her own childhood experiences as a daughter.

“It’s a great screenplay,” producer Mark Canton told Empire. “It’s a small story – a true story – of a family and a guy who comes into their lives.”

Samuel L. Jackson was initially set to star, but dropped out due to schedule conflicts. Canton is thrilled about casting Murphy as the lead. “Everyone now wants to do what Matt McConaughey did, so we’re financing these movies when we think they’re put together the right way,” Canton tells Empire. “This will be Eddie Murphy like you’ve never seen him. Of that I can assure you.”

The film will be an interesting change of pace from Murphy’s usual goofy comedies, although he doesn’t seem likely to give those up anytime soon. His upcoming roles include Beverly Hills Cop 4, which is set to release in 2016 and Triplets, which has no release date yet. Cook will mark Murphy’s first non-comedy film since 2006’s Dreamgirls.

Cook begins filming in New Orleans in November. No release date has been set yet.

Source: /Film  |  Empire

10 Days to Voodoo: Flux Pavilion

The countdown continues with only ten days left until the 2014 Voodoo Experience. Who is getting excited? Well in ten days fans will get to see Joshua Kierkegaard G. Steele on stage, although more people probably know him as Flux Pavilion.

The English dubstep producer and DJ began performing in 2008. He is the co-founder of Circus Records and was featured in the 2013 film The Great Gatsby and in the trailer for the film Rush, starring Chris Hemsworth. He music has also been featured on several video games and Steele has sung on numerous tracks for both himself and other artists.

Don’t miss Flux Pavilion when he takes the stage Saturday, November 1.

Click here to view the full lineup for 2014 Voodoo Experience.

EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood Trucks Locks Exclusive Deal with Mississippi Film Studios

EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood Trucks, the nation’s fastest growing entertainment transportation provider, has signed an exclusive five-year deal to provide production vehicles at Mississippi’s largest studio facility, Mississippi Film Studios (MFS). Under the leadership of CEO Andre Champagne and his partners, Hollywood Trucks has flourished in Louisiana, serving approximately 90% of film and TV series recently filmed in the state. Hollywood Trucks’ specialized expertise and innovation in eco-friendly film transportation services led to their expansion into Georgia with Pinewood Atlanta Studios in May of 2014, and now Mississippi Film Studios in Canton, MS.

Mississippi Film Studios, LLC is a 43,000 square foot purpose-built facility including 8,000 sq. feet of production offices and a 35,000+ sq. ft. clear span sound stages on six acres in Canton, MS. Originally built for the movie A Time To Kill, the facility has served as a resource for movie and commercial productions for many years. The facility was recently acquired by Rick Moore, owner of Mad Genius, Inc. and Eyevox Entertainment, LLC. Same Kind of Different As Me is currently renting space. The studio’s official website is at www.msfilmstudios.com.

“The Hollywood Trucks team is excited to partner with one of the newest members of the growing ‘Hollywood South’ family,” said Andre Champagne, CEO of Hollywood Trucks. “Our expansion into Mississippi indicated the tremendous growth of the southern region’s film industry in recent years. This new platform has enabled Hollywood Trucks to continue to focus of eco-friendly fleet innovation, while growing our brand in exciting new locations like Mississippi Film Studios. Our team looks forward to a long and successful relationship with Rick Moore and MFS.”

Since 2007, Hollywood Trucks has grown from seven vehicles into a  four hundred unit fleet of more than forty types of trucks, trailers and specialty production equipment. In 2013, Hollywood Trucks introduced their state-of-the-art Ecoluxe line of high-end ecologically friendly and technologically advanced talent trailers that quickly became in demand by A-list stars filming in Louisiana. Hollywood Trucks’ latest version of the Ecoluxe brand are the only talent trailers on the market to achieve TRA Green Certification and run off 100% clean energy— solar and thermal panels provide 100% of the power to the trailer. The entire Hollywood Trucks fleet, including the new Ecoluxe trailers will now be available at Mississippi Film Studios.

“We’re in an extremely exciting time for the Mississippi film industry. Filmmakers are realizing that our state is an amazing place to make films, and Mississippi Film Studios’ new partnership with Hollywood Trucks is a huge boost for our thriving market,” said Rick Moore, president of Mississippi Film Studios. “The level of service, inventory and technology that Hollywood Trucks brings to Mississippi can’t be overstated, and we’re thrilled about where this partnership will lead us.”

The film and entertainment industries in Louisiana and Mississippi continue to show positive growth, earning them the title of “Hollywood South.” According to a recent study by Film L.A., Louisiana accounted for the largest share of live-action production in the world with 18 feature films produced last year, more than California and the entire countries of Canada and the United Kingdom. Mississippi’s new film incentive program has made them one of the new favorable filming destinations in the nation.

Hollywood Trucks, LLC was founded in Louisiana in 2007 to provide Louisiana’s burgeoning entertainment industry with the most state-of-the-art and eco-friendly transportation services and logistics available anywhere in the world. In 2012 Hollywood Trucks was named to the Inc. 500/5000, Inc. Magazine‘s annual list of the nation’s fastest growing private companies. For more information, please visit www.hollywoodtrucksllc.com

Full disclosure: Andre Champagne is the publisher of Scene Magazine.

11 Days to Voodoo: Rebirth Brass Band

There’s only eleven more days to go until our favorite festival is here. If you are a brass fan then you will want to head out to the festival Halloween night to see the New Orleans group, Rebirth Brass Band.

The group was formed back in 1983 by the Frazier brothers and they have grown from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing at festivals all over the world. The Grammy-winning group has their traditional Tuesday night gig at The Maple Leaf, and they have also been seen on HBO’s Treme.

The group shows no signs of slowing down and continues to bring a fun time to the city. Don’t miss Rebirth Brass Band when they take the stage at the 2014 Voodoo Experience on Friday, October 31.

Click here to view the full festival lineup.

‘Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways’ Review: Dominic Patten Laments HBO & Dave Grohl’s Bad Note

I know it's only rock'n'roll but when it comes to HBO's new Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, I just don't like it. A sequel of a sort to frontman Dave Grohl's 2013 feature directorial debut Sound City, the eight-part series debuting tonight takes the band to eight iconic music cities across America.
In the process of making the new FF album, out in November, the band hit Chicago, Grohl's hometown of Washington D.C., LA, Nashville, Seattle, New Orleans, Austin and NYC and…

NOFF: ‘Black and White’ Debuts with Director Mike Binder, Anthony Mackie in Attendance

‘Captain American 2 star Anthony Mackie and NOFF Executive Director Jolene Pinder’

The 2014 New Orleans Film Festival kicked off last night with a screening of Black and White, the new film from director Mike Binder that stars Oscar winners Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer. The opener marked a return to New Orleans for Binder, who also shot the film in the Crescent City.

In attendance for the screening was Marvel’s newest superhero, Anthony Mackie. A New Orleans native, Mackie co-starred with Chris Evans in this year’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The latest expansion of the Marvel Universe has earned over $714 million dollars worldwide, making it Mackie’s biggest hit to date.

Also in attendance were Jillian Estell, the pint-sized star at the center of the Binder-directed drama, Louisiana-based producer Todd Lewis and production supervisor Will Greenfield. Django Unchained star Laura Cayouette was also spotted on the red carpet.

The festival is just getting started, so head over to neworleansfilmfestival.org to grab tickets to your favorite films at the fest.

Scene will be busy hosting the Scene Workshops this week. There’s still some room, so head over to events.sceneent.com to register. The workshops kick off today with “Health On-The-Go.” The experts at Balance Integrative Health will talk about healthy eating on set and anywhere you are away from home.

IN THEATERS: ‘Fury’, ‘The Best of Me’, ‘The Book of Life’, ‘Men, Women & Children’

Fury

Go back to 1945 during WWII as the Allies take their final push in the European Theatre. Brad Pitt stars as Sergeant Wardaddy, commander of a Sherman Tank who must lead his five-man squad behind enemy lines on a lethal mission. Logan Lerman, Shia LeBeouf, Michael Pena and Jon Bernthal also star. 134 min. Rated R.

 The Best of Me

Shot in New Orleans, Louisiana, James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan were high school sweethearts who relight the spark after so many years. Director Michael Hoffman uses flashbacks to display their love story over the years. 117 min. Rated PG-13.

 The Book of Life

Director Jorge R. Gutierrez takes you on an adventure through different worlds. Manolo (Diego Luna) dreams of becoming a musician but must travel through these fantastical worlds facing his greatest fears. Zoe Saldana and Channing Tatum’s voices also star. Tatum 95 min. Rated PG.

Men, Women & Children

Based on Erin Cressida Wilson’s novel, the comedy drama follows a group of high school teens and their parents as they try to uncover the ways the internet has changed their relationships. Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer star. 119 min. Rated R.

TONIGHT: The Revivalists at the Varsity Theater

The New Orleans native rock/soul band, The Revivalists, will be in Baton Rouge tonight, October 17, to perform at the Varsity Theater.

The band formed back in 2007 and they have earned their standing among the “best original bands in New Orleans.” Members include Ed Williams, David Shaw, Zack Feinberg, Rob Ingraham, George Gekas, Andrew Campanelli and Michael Girardot. Their music is a combination of danceable rock and soulful songwriting and they are excellent live performers. The band recently performed at Jazzfest in New Orleans and have been featured on USA Today, Fuse TV and performed on the fourth and final season of HBO’s Treme.

The show begins tonight at 9 and the doors opens at 8 with special guest Maggie Koerner Band. Click here to purchase tickets for The Revivalists’ show.

14 Days to Voodoo: Thirty Seconds to Mars

In fourteen days the American rock band from Los Angeles, Thirty Seconds to Mars, will be at the 2014 Voodoo Experience. The band formed back in 1998 and the members include Jared Leto as lead vocals, Shannon Leto on the drums and Tomo Milicevic on lead guitar.

The band’s debut album, 30 Seconds to Mars was released in 2002 but it wasn’t until their second album, A Beautiful Lie in 2005 that they gained worldwide fame. The group has sold over fifteen million albums worldwide.

Don’t miss Thirty Seconds to Mars when they take the stage at Voodoo Experience on Saturday, November 1.

Click here to view the full festival lineup.

Preview: ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

The release for the latest Hunger Games movie is only about a month away. In this latest preview Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) discovers what the Capitol has done to her home. The knew army knew the only way to make her fight was by “making it personal.” Watch the clip below.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 hits theaters November 21.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Video: WGNO Covers “Here’s My $2″ Campaign

The news is spreading about LFEA’s Kickstarter campaign, “Here’s My Two Bucks.” New Orleans ABC affiliate WGNO, “News With A Twist” interviewed Will French and Raelynn Loop of LFEA and Beth Burvant of Scene Magazine.

There are only 43 days left to raise $50,000, which will go to fund an economic impact study on the Louisiana Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit. There’s still time to donate and with everyone’s help we can give the Louisiana Legislature the new data on why the film industry is good for Louisiana.

Click here to donate to “Here’s My Two Bucks”.

15 Days to Voodoo: Givers

The 2014 Voodoo Experience is just around the corner and the Lafayette native indie pop group Givers will be there to perform. The band is made up of vocalist and percussionist Tiffany Lamson, guitarist Taylor Guarisco, drummer Kirby Campbell, bassist Josh LeBlanc and keyboardist Nick Stephan.

The band originally began back in 2005 with duo Lamson and Guarisco, but the band came together in 2008 after a last-minute performance as a local pub. Their first debut album entitled In Light, was released in June 2011.

Catch Givers in fifteen days at the 2014 Voodoo Experience on Saturday, November 1.

Click here to view the full lineup.

New Roads’ Harvest Festival Begins Its Fourth Year

This weekend the City of New Roads will host its fourth annual Harvest Festival on False River. The festival was first created to bring together local artists such as musicians, artists, food vendors, photographers and cinematographers. And it has continued to be a growing success with each passing year. The Harvest Festival is partners with WBRZ 2 and Alma Plantation, LLC.

The festival was created to celebrate the diverse crops harvested in the region, while also celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of the local population. And thanks to the support of festivalgoers and sponsors, the festival remains free. “When we first opened the gates, we all said, ‘This is actually going to work!’” says Monette Major of the Harvest Festival. “It’s been a huge success with each passing year.”

Every year the festival attracts well-known musicians from every genre includimg funk, rhythm & blues, zydeco and country. This year’s lineup includes local stars such as Wayne Toups and David St. Romain as well as the more acclaimed sounds of Exile, a rock & roll band from Richmond. Their most recognizable song “Kiss You All Over” was featured in Happy Gilmore and Employee of the Month. R&B Funk fans will enjoy Con Funk Shun and there will also be performances by Heatwave, Tracy Byrd and Midnight Star.

While festivalgoers listen to great music, they can enjoy delicious food as well from both national and local vendors. In addition to the live entertainment & delicious food, a special fireworks display takes place on a river barge at the close of the festival’s events Friday and Saturday night.

This year, the work of award-winning international photographer Aaron Hogan will be on display. The photographer is famous for work of farmers’ lives from planting to harvesting. His work will be displayed at the Julian Poydras Museum. Hogan’s Sugar Cane series follow’s Mr. Ourso, a local planter, for an entire season as a sugar cane farmer in White Castle, Louisiana.

The City of New Roads is proud of the way the city looks and they intend to keep it that way, even with a festival happening. They have considered it the Green & Clean fest and provide plenty of trashcans and recycle bins throughout the grounds.

It is a weekend full of music, rides, great food and awesome vendors for the whole family. There is something to do for everyone. “My absolute favorite part is just simply watching everyone just have a blast,” says Major. “Most festivals tend to cater to one particular audience and exclude others, but ours is completely unique. People from every demographic, every socio-economic status, liberal and conservatives, families and singles, all come together and enjoy this as one fantastic happy blend. They all leave with smiles on their face, which is really wonderful to see.”

The City of New Roads invites everyone to head out to the Harvest Festival on False River this weekend, October 17-19. The festival is held in the Town Square over looking the River. Find out more at www.harvestfestivalonfalseriver.com.

FIRST POSTER: ‘Jurassic World’

Have you been getting excited for the release of Jurassic World? Here is one more thing to make the wait more difficult. The first poster for the film has been released.

Jurassic World is set twenty-two years after the first film in a fully functioning dinosaur amusement park, just as John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) had envisioned. Chris Pratt stars alongside Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, Ty Simpkins, Courtney James Clark and James DuMont. The film was shot in New Orleans.

Director Colin Trevorrow tweeted a picture of the poster that reads “The Park Is Open” and it almost “dares fans to enter.” After taking a look, the poster greatly resembles the poster for the original Steven Spielberg film. It is very simple with only the logo and the tagline, staying true to the first three movie teaser posters.

The anticipation only continues to grow as fans wait for the release of the film. And we know we can expect to see some references back to the original film, such as the old East Dock sign on Isla Nublar. If the film references back could there still be dinosaurs running free outside the park? Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until next summer to experience all the action and adventure.

Until then, read our interview with Jurassic World actress Courtney James Clark here.

Jurassic World hits theaters n 3D, 2D and IMAX on June 12, 2015.

Source: /Film

16 Days to Voodoo: City and Colour

Only sixteen days to go until 2014 Voodoo Experience. Folk fans will want to make sure to head down to the festival on Saturday for City and Colour’s performance. City and Colour is the stage name for singer-songwriter Dallas Green who plays acoustic and folk music. His recording alias actually comes from his own name: Dallas, a city and Green, a colour.

Green has been writing songs since he was fourteen and began by releasing his songs on the internet. He released his first full length album Sometimes in November 2005. He writes his songs on experiences he has been through and enjoys music that lets him sort of escape.

City and Colour will perform at 2014 Voodoo Experience Saturday, November 1.

Click here to view the full festival lineup.

Director Richie Adams Returns with Inspiring ‘Una Vida’

Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind takes place in New Orleans and tells the story of a haunted neuroscientist eager to help an aging Jazz singer fight Alzheimer’s. Joaquim de Almeida, Aunjanue Ellis, Bill Cobbs and Ruth Negga star. Louisiana native Richie Adams directed the film.

The inspirational film will be shown at the New Orleans Film Festival on Sunday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. The special screening will take place at the historic Joy Theater. Una Vida has already premiered at several film festivals including the Louisiana International Film Festival where it won the Visionary Award for Best Louisiana Film and

de Almeida stars as Dr. Alvaro Cruz, a neuroscientist who is distraught over the passing of his mother and his inability to help her. When he discovers jazz singer Una Vida on the streets of New Orleans, also struggling with the horrible disease, Cruz tracks down her long lost song in hopes of bringing her back.

Almeida’s recent projects include Fast Five, Behind Enemy Lines and Desperado. He has recently signed on to star alongside Sandra Bullock in Our Brand Is Crisis, which means he’ll be returning to the Big Easy. The political comedy drama begins shooting in New Orleans this fall.

Adams is a writer, director, producer and title designer. His directorial debut was the comedy Inventing Adam. As a main title designer, his company River Road Creative has introduced to the world films including Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Water For Elephants, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, The Judge and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. Adams currently resides in Baton Rouge, LA where he operates River Road Creative and continues to offer design and other production services for film and television industry.

The film is based on Dr. Nicolas Bazan’s novel that is filled with a deeply touching message and centered around New Orleans’ greatest musical gift to the world: jazz. Dr. Bazan is a neuroscientist with research that focuses on neurodegenerative diseases. His lifelong journey has been to pinpoint events that are compliant to translation in order to help those affected by stroke, Alzheimer’s, pain and blindness. Born and raised in Tucuman, Argentina, Dr. Bazan received his MD from the University of Tucuman School of Medicine. In 1989 he became the founding director of the LSUHSC Neuroscience Center of Excellence. Although he continues to search for answers for one of the most devastating diseases, he expects the story in Una Vida to send a personal message of hope to the world.

The beautiful and touching Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind is showing at the New Orleans Film Festival on Sunday October 19. For more information and tickets, visit neworleansfilmfestival.org.

Joaquim de Almeida & Zoe Kazan Join ‘Our Brand is Crisis’

Two more people have joined the cast for the upcoming political comedy drama, Our Brand is Crisis. Fast Five star Joaquim de Almeida and What If star Zoe Kazan have joined the cast alongside Sandra Bullock, Scoot McNairy and New Orleans native Anthony Mackie. Almeida is set to play the male lead opposite Bullock.

Bullock will star as retired American political adviser, “Calamity” Jane Bodine, while Almeida will play Castillo, the former Bolivian president running for the presidential title for the second time in fifteen years. Castillo is a cold and unfriendly man, but suffers from dementia, leaving him sometimes confused. Kazan has the supporting role of a young woman who scoops out the dirt on political candidates.

Based on Rachel Boynton’s 2005 documentary of the same name, the film concentrates on the American political campaign strategies used in South America. The 2005 documentary focused on American campaign strategies that were used in Bolivia by Clinton’s former adviser’s James Carville and Stan Greenberg.

Kazan recently starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in What If and in HBO’s Olive Kitteridge. Almeida’s recent projects include Fast Five, Behind Enemy Lines and can be seen in Una Vida which will be showing at the 2014 New Orleans Film Festival.

David Gordon Green is directing Our Brand is Crisis with George Clooney and Grant Heslov as producers and Bullock as executive producer. Production begins in New Orleans this fall.

TRAILER: Elijah Wood in ‘Set Fire to the Stars’

Set in the 1950s, Set Fire to the Stars follows Elijah Wood who stars as John M. Brinnin, an American poet in charge of coordinating the first trip to the US for his idol poet. Celyn Jones play Dylan Thomas, the hell raising, difficult to manage poet with a personality that is “larger than life.” Brinnin is put to the test as he struggles to keep Thomas focused and on track. Kelly Reilly, Steven Mackintosh, Shirley Henderson and Kevin Eldon also star.

Andy Goddard directed the film. Set Fire to the Stars hits theaters in the UK November 7. There has been no US release date set yet.

Source: /Film

17 Days to Voodoo: Skrillex

The countdown continues with only seventeen days until the 2014 Voodoo Experience and EDM fans should look forward to a certain performer lined up for Saturday.

Sonny John Moore, best known as Skrillex, is a California native electronic dance music producer, DJ artist and singer-songwriter. His solo career began back in 2007 when he released his first EP, entitled My Name is Skrillex. He then released Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP in 2010 and More Monsters and Sprites EP in 2011. And his career took off. He was nominated for five Grammy Awards in 2011 and won ‘Best Dance/Ectronica Album”, “Best Dance Recording” and “Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical”.

Get ready to jam out when Skrillex takes the stage at the 2014 Voodoo Experience on Saturday, November 1.

Click here to view the full Voodoo Experience lineup.

18 Days to Voodoo: Arctic Monkeys

The 2014 Voodoo Experience is only eighteen days away and fans should be getting excited for the amazing lineup this year! The indie rock group, Arctic Monkeys, performs on Saturday of the festival. The band formed back in 2002 and have made a name for themselves selling over 22.9 million album copies worldwide.

The festival includes performances by Foo Fighters, Outkast and Skrillex to name a few. View the full lineup here.

The 2014 Voodoo Experience will be held October 31 through November 2. Catch the Arctic Monkeys on Saturday, November 1.

TRAILER: Will Smith and Margot Robbie in ‘Focus’

First the beautiful Australian actress Margot Robbie seduced Leonardo DiCaprio in Wolf of Wall Street, and now she has captured the attention of Will Smith in the upcoming crime filled rom-com Focus. Smith stars as Nicky, a veteran con artists who takes Jess (Robbie) under his wing. Jess is a natural when it comes to the grifting game, but things start to get complicated when Nicky gets emotionally involved. And soon enough, the student quickly becomes the master.

Smith has been lying pretty low with only a few recent projects. His last few films include After Earth alongside his son Jaden and Men In Black 3 in 2012. Meanwhile Robbie’s career broke out with Wolf of Wall Street and continues to grow.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa helmed the New Orleans-shot film. Focus hits theaters February 27, 2015.

Source: Yahoo

21 DAYS TO VOODOO: Royal Teeth

Royal Teeth returns home to Louisiana for the Voodoo Experience in a few weeks. The indie pop rock band was formed in New Orleans in 2010, comprised of Gary Larsen, Nora Patterson, Thomas Onebane, Joshua Wells and Josh Hefner.

The pop star potential of Royal Teeth was evident early. Their EP Act Naturally featured radio-ready songs like “Wild,” “My Donna” and the title track “Act Naturally.” And Scene was fortunate to feature them live at A Film/Fashion Affair in 2011, our New Orleans Film Festival and NOLA Fashion Week crossover party.

Soon the band signed with the Los Angeles-based indie label Dangerbird Records. Since, Royal Teeth has been featured on Last Call with Carson Daly and American Idol.

See Royal Teeth live at Voodoo on October 31 at 3pm. For tickets go to worshipthemusic.com.

Reanimated: The Walking Dead

The first season of The Walking Dead was a revelation. A drama that took a fairly ridiculous premise – the zombie apocalypse – and made it emotionally real. It treated the undead as an analog for an actual epidemiological threat, a plague that establishes microbes as Earth’s apex predator. And it was, at turns, intelligent, tearful and terrifying. The six episodes that introduced us to Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon and company were both thoroughly satisfying and something more: a ratings juggernaut.

When it returned, The Walking Dead was a different show. The abrupt departure of its creator and showrunner Frank Darabont left the series scrambling to assemble a sophomore season in the towering shadow of the first. Although it held some surprises, and more than one memorable zombie gag, the second season’s thirteen episodes felt bloated and aimless. Previously intelligent characters became imbeciles with no discernable motivations. It was a tremendous fall from greatness.

With proper time to prep for the show’s third season, Glen Mazzara – a talented veteran of FX’s The Shield – assembled the show’s third season. A great villain was introduced in the Governor. The show settled in, focusing on zombies, territory, supplies and survival. And there were some great new characters like Michonne. But other characters were unable to recover from the damage done to them in season two. Their confusing and often contradictory history of actions made them impossible to invest in. Season three of The Walking Dead featured some amazing episodes, great new characters, but ultimately suffered from decisions made in season two.

Begin season four. A change in cadence. A renewed focus on character development over conflict alone. It was the same show and yet radically different, all of the characters resuscitated. The splintering of the Ricktatorship allowed for slower, richer storytelling. The events of season three were paid off in a manner that was more than satisfactory: it was great. And after Rick, Carl, Michonne, Daryl and the rest of those left alive were reunited in the sixteenth episode in an epic cliffhanger, the conclusion any fan of long-form storytelling would agree with was clear. AMC’s unlikely zombie drama that could was once again one of the best shows on television. The Walking Dead has returned, reanimated.

If, like this writer, you gave up on The Walking Dead in season two, it’s time to play catch-up prior to its season five premiere. When the train leaves the station sometime this fall, you’ll want to be in that boxcar.

22 DAYS TO VOODOO: Zedd

Electro house boy wonder Zedd filled the Mississippi River banks for Buku Fest a few months ago. But if there’s one thing fans of the Russian-born prodigy are always up for, it’s this:

More.

Zedd’s chart-climbing power has been fueled by powerful partnerships with female vocalists like Foxes and Ariana Grande. And he won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for “Clarity,” his collaboration with Foxes that’s his most widely known work to date.

Zedd returns to the Crescent City on October 31 for a show that kicks off at 8:30pm. It’s at the Voodoo Experience. Get your tickets at worshipthemusic.com.

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