January 10, 2018
Cameras rolling in North County
Around Town Hazelwood offers a ‘Biggest Loser Program’ for people with a New Year’s resolution to lose weight . P.5
Community Voices By Dr. Rance Thomas. P.2
School
Black Jack Fire Protection District provides winter coats to Hazelwood Students. P.8
Food
Filmmakers Lacey Turner (left) and Justin Holmes teamed up to form 35MultiMedia, a production company that makes films in and around North County.
Submitted photo
Local filmmakers look to bring stories and talent in North County from the streets to the screen with 35MultiMedia Production Company By Charlotte Beard Lacey Turner, a north county writer and director of films, has been hard at work in North County since 2016. At the time, he was beginning production of his fictional six-part drama series, “The Lou,” which explores the lives of eight friends during the aftermath of the Mike Brown verdict in Ferguson. Since then, the 2015 Webster University graduate has teamed up with cinematographer, Justin Holmes who is also from North County. The first two episodes are slated for screenings between February and late March this year. In addition, the director/ writer and cinematographer have a goal to host 300 events this year that will benefit the community at large as well as those who would like to have any involvement in the entertainment industry. Turner and Holmes began hosting the live screenings, coined “The Greatest Stories Never Told,” at the St. Louis Galleria AMC theatre in 2017, with sold-out tickets on the first run. The fourth screening will be hosted in Pagedale at 24:1 Cinema at 6755 Page Avenue, on Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. Unlike their past screenings, attendees will be given the opportunity to take home what they see on the big screen depending on their ticket
option. There are four ticket level options and tickets are purchased in advance. To purchase tickets and for more details, look up ‘The Greatest Stories Never Told’ on www. eventbrite.com. As the production builds revenue from the screenings, the plan is to expand by exposing the episodes to communities farther west. The plan is to build the team’s following as they migrate into more communities. Consideration has been given to streaming the episodes, but in the production industry there is a risk that comes with maintaining control of the work. Holmes spoke to the challenges of independent filmmaking. “We’re looking to become self-sufficient. We are open to sponsorship. Investors—we are not looking for at this [time]. Grants…we have no problem applying [for] them, but our overall goal is to be self-generating. If a larger company were to come to us [with an interest in] purchasing the film…the idea from us… we’ll be able to sit down and discuss it. We will have more negotiating power…opposed to being someone just throwing around a script and hope someone likes it.” Turner and Holmes originally met
due to Holmes’ work on a film project in which Turner’s brother was involved. When Turner found out about Holmes, he expressed a desire to work with him. Their collaboration developed over time into being a partnership. The duo is known in business as 35MultiMedia. Holmes, who minored in Business Administration at Harris Stowe State University, handles the business side of their projects and events as well as the cinematography. 35MultiMedia knows that one of the major components to making good films is having good “on screen” talent. The third casting call for current projects was scheduled Jan. 6. “We’re trying to reach out and find the best of the best…the most serious people,” stated Holmes. “We’ve had auditions of about 400 people so far.” Turner added, “While we’re coming up and doors are opening up for us we want to open doors for new talent here…bring them along, too.” Turner modeled this belief early on when he began choosing his cast for “The Lou” project. Julianne King, an actress who portrays a white female – a wife and mom, See ‘CAMERAS ROLLING’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 97 No. 2 | 636-379-1775
Chow down on championship snacks. P.9
Movie
Christopher Plummer shines in ‘All the Money in the World’ P.16
Weather FRIDAY Chance of Snow 33/21 SATURDAY Partly Sunny 30/16 SUNDAY Mostly Sunny 29/11 FirstWarn Weather
prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.