Making Movies at Ringling
Jake Coleman, jake.coleman@srqmediagroup.com

Ringling College of Art and Design’s Outtakes Café was outfitted Tuesday with a host of media, donors, Asolo cast, film crew and two Sony Red cameras. The café served as a convenient store locale in the shooting of the initial scene of The Lucky 6, inaugurating the college’s summer feature film program. The annual program is a collaboration between Ringling and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training to create the opportunity to work together in producing financed, independent full-length film. It’s designed to supplement both schools' educational offerings by providing on-camera training and feature production experience. It’s essentially set up in an internship format; over the course of making a movie, participants are provided internship credit, free housing and food. “We have big goals: Ringling College being a big production center in Sarasota, and Sarasota becoming more fertile ground to lure Hollywood funded projects,” said Tony Stopperan, program director. “I think in building that infrastructure, we had to learn how we exist. We are learning how to do it so when bigger budgets come in we are an easy sell; Ringling College already makes feature length films, and they work with this great actor training if you’re looking to fill out your movie.” The program’s genesis stems from Stopperan’s experience as a Conservatory student. He was cast in a 20-minute short that provided him experience on camera and a two-minute reel to present to agencies. He credits this tangible tool with landing him jobs and an edge on the field. When he returned to Sarasota and worked for Ringling College, he approached Brad Battersby, head of Ringling College's digital filmmaking department, to relate his experience and concert toward translating that for the students. Battersby expressed the merit of student’s short film work, but it would be a national differentiator in a Ringling education if students were provided exposure to real deal feature-length projects. Stopperan could make that happen, so he took the role of producer and started raising money in mid-February. The films created in the program are non-profit, so those involved in supporting the project are not investors; they’re donors. The scheduled yearly budget is slated at $75,000, but due to the short notice, only $60,000 was available this year, enough to shoot the film but not to cover post-production. Earlier this week, Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to cover the back end and ensure the film’s completion. "This is an exciting program that supports two of Gulf Coast’s priorities in the arts: leveraging our regional assets for potential economic impact and better coordinating the efforts of arts and cultural organizations," said Teri Hansen, President and CEO. “It’s a wonderful collaboration, one that’s giving their students and actors unprecedented real-world experience.” 

City Commissioners Monday on a second reading approved a North Trail Overlay District (NTOD). 

That administrative site plan review was designed to encourage developers to redevelop aging motels and other properties on the North Trail. 

Several business and property owners on the North trail said the overlay district would not be effective because it did not include the element that would allow city staff to approve certain development adjustments through administrative site plan review—instead of giving that authority to City Commissioners. 

The amended, diluted version of the overlay district does not give enough incentive for redevelopment on the North Trail, said Marietta Lee, who runs the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy on the south end of the North Trail. 

“I own three properties on the North Trail, and I feel this would not help my situation at all,” Lee said. 

On April 1, City Commissioners approved the NTOD with the administrative site plan review. At that time, voicing concern about “intrusive” developments being built under new guidelines, City Commissioner Terry Turner proposed an amendment that altered the way developments are approved under the proposal. Under Turner’s amendment, the planning board retains final approval on projects — as opposed to a change that would have given city staff the authority to have final say on developments on the North Trail. Commissioners approved the amendment 3-2.

At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Paul Caragiulo motioned for an overlay more closely resembling the initial proposal recommended by city staff and that included the administrative review. That motion died for lack of a second. 

Commissioners then in a unanimous vote approved the amended version of the proposal, on second reading. 

Residents who live next to the North Trail were divided on the district, with some arguing for the initial overlay plan, and others saying the amended proposal better protects neighborhoods from development that doesn’t fit.

“This is a good first step, better than what we had before,” said Mayor Suzanne Atwell.

Original article published May 7, 2013, by The Observer.

District Moves Ahead Without Admin Review

Original article published May 7, 2013, by SRQDaily.

Jacob Ogles, Jacob.ogles@srqmediagroup.com

Original article published May 6, 2013, by SRQDaily.

Six students at New College of Florida  have been awarded prestigious Fulbright grants for 2013 and will study and teach in Germany, Sweden, Taiwan and the Czech Republic. The students are Claire Albiez, Seth Borden, Elizabeth Burger, Rosalia Maier-Katkin, Amelia Nordin and Silvia Ulloa. New College has had 43 Fulbright recipients since 2007 and 75 in its history. Read more about the students’ accomplishments and future plans here.

Original article published May 2, 2013, by BIZ941.

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has hired Andrea Stephens as assistant director of development for University Advancement. Stephens graduated from USF with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, and she has previous experience in donor relations and event management for higher education.

Original article published April 25, 2013 by BIZ941.  

FPRA Honors SRQ Airport

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport received an honorable mention by the Florida Public Relations Association Image Awards for Be Creative Studios’ work on the Do You SRQ? campaign. The goal of the campaign is to elevate brand awareness in the local community, raise awareness of the airport's tremendous economic impact and inform residents that the airport has no taxing power and is funded through its business operations.

Yum Yum!
Faraja Keyes, farajak@srqmediagroup.com

I’ve heard stories of outrageous lines and booked-solid reservations, but nothing could keep me from trying the new talk of the town, Yummy House, myself. Located at 3232 N. Tamiami Trail, upon entering, my eye caught a glimpse of the bar. Sleek in design, it was quite a sight so I decided to cozy up to it. Sweet and sour chicken with a side order of spring rolls seemed like it would appease my taste buds. Steaming hot, the sweet and sour chicken came to me drenched in a light sauce with chucks of pineapple, red and green peppers and a side of white rice. The chicken remained crispy, and the sweet and sour sauce cooled my palate. Fried wonton wrappers encased a flavorful vegetable filling that would pair well with any dish on the menu. Yummy. 

New College Offers First-Ever Summer Session

Original article published April 19, 2013, by Scene Magazine.

 Ringling College of Art and Design exhibits its “Annual Best of Ringling Juried Student Exhibitions” on campus through tomorrow. The long-time event showcases the best work produced in the academic year in every department. 

Original article published April 19, 2013, by SRQDaily.