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SRQ DAILY Jul 10, 2014

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"How about I make a short film version and prove that I can be the director. If you like it, then maybe we can do business."

- JB Whirtley, Bullet of Madness
 

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[Film]  Breaking Into The Business with JB Whirtley
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

He said ‘No’ to film school. He said ‘No’ to a studio's offer for his script.

Risky moves, yes, but telling - JB Whirtley wants to make movies his way, and his latest project, Bullet of Madness, a madcap dark comedy starring a plastic surgeon under pressure from the mafia and a deteriorating family life, is no exception.

The youthful writer/director from Sarasota got his start in high school, making skateboarding videos and a short film, The Psycho Dish, which, Whirtley admits, garnered only lukewarm reviews.

“That was my film school,” said Whirtley. “I didn’t know how to make a film. I knew how to shoot, but I didn’t know how to tell a story and translate it into moving images.”

Whirtley did enroll in a film program at Full Sail University in Orlando, but unhappy and eager to move on, left after only 6 months. Whirtley moved into the world of freelance videography, plying his trade to local businesses and international giants, like MTV and ESPN.

After a couple years brushing shoulders in the big leagues, Whirtley was ready to step back into the director’s chair.

“I was a videographer and those were just jobs - I didn’t really get too much gratification from it,” said Whirtley. “I was happy that I was doing that, but I wanted to be more of a director.”

Whirtley began saving his money again and completed his second short - a black and white psychological thriller called Anti-PainKillers - which enjoyed a respectable run on the festival circuit.

Shortly after, working on a pilot in Toronto, Whirtley caught the eye of Magnet Releasing, a Canadian production company known for cult favorites such as Hobo With A Shotgun and Tucker & Dale vs. Evil.

Seizing the opportunity, Whirtley pitched his idea for Bullet of Madness and Magnet offered to option the script. There was just one snag.

Whirtley wanted to direct the film himself, but the studio balked at giving an untested newcomer free reign with a feature-sized budget. Whirtley turned Magnet down, and, in what seems to be a characteristically Whirtley move, presented a counter-offer.

“I said ‘How about I make a short film version and prove that I can be the director. If you like it, then maybe we can do business,’” said Whirtley. The folks at Magnet agreed and gave Whirtley two years to convince them.

Returning to Florida, Whirtley set to work securing funding and building a professional crew. Local actor Mark Troy was quickly cast in the lead role as Dr. Jeffery Mishlove, for whom Whirtley said the character was written. Then, according to Whirtley, good fortune came in the form of Trishul Thejasvi’s Orensis Films, a Tampa-based production company that supplied top-notch equipment and Thejasvi himself as cinematographer.

Despite his driven ways, Whirtley is, at heart, a collaborator and stops to sing the praises of his co-workers often, whether it be Troy, , (“He’s a great actor. He was born to play his role.”) or Orensis (“Without them – without Trishul – this film would not have been made.”).

Filming took approximately a full year, shooting at over 40 locations across Florida and building sets in Bradenton warehouses, squeezing scenes in between full-time jobs.

With principal photography completed a couple months ago and Magnet’s two years coming to a close, Whirtley is currently overseeing the final stages of post-production, and hopes to finish Bullet of Madness by October, in time for the Orlando Film Festival.

However, the real test will likely not be at that venue, but in the offices of Magnet, where Whirtley’s gamble will be decided. 

[Exec Moves]  CGF Names Hedley President

The Children's Guardian Fund recently elected Dr. Harold “Hal” Hedley as president of the organization that helps abused, neglected and abandoned children who now are in state custody. Hedley, who has 40 years of experience in education and nonprofit management, had been vice-president, a position now held by Judy Sharple. Hedley received many awards recognizing his advocacy of children, including most recently the Special Olympics Sarasota County Coach of the Year in 2010. Hedley succeeds Jasmine Candlish, who served as president for the past two years. 

Children's Guardian Fund

[Upgrade]  CriticalVetCare Offers CT Scan for Pets

CriticalVetCare is among the first 10 clinics worldwide to add a new generation of high definition computer-aided tomography equipment (CT scan) with the installation of a 3D Vimago, and it is the first clinic locally with CT scanning capability in-house. The Epica Medical Innovation’s Vimago CT Scan uses new imaging technology to provide enhanced 3D viewing and modeling of the entire body with high definition images of areas ranging from the lungs and thorax, abdomen, nasal passage and sinuses, ears and some joints. The Vimago CT Scan also uses 80 to 90 percent less radiation than other high-end scanners. 

[Recognition]  SCF Students Score Academic Awards

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) athletic teams and student-athletes were recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for their academic achievements in 2013-2014. SCF Manatees men's baseball and women's volleyball, softball and tennis teams were named 2013-2014 NJCAA All-Academic Teams. 

[Community]  Jewish Federation Receives $1 Million Bequest

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee (JFSM) recently received a gift of just over $1 million from Bradenton resident Semha Zimmerman, who passed away in Mar. 2014. Zimmerman requested that the funds be used in honor of her husband, Abraham, who passed away in 2002 from Lou Gehrig’s disease.  



Maro Lorimer, "Wind and Water," acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36", Art Uptown, 1367 Main St., Sarasota, 941-955-5409

[BAL MASQUE PERFORMANCE PARTNER ]  SRQ Goes Backstage To Interview Circus Sarasota Performers
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On October 4, 2014, The Circus Arts Conservatory will join SRQ | The Magazine as one of the performance partners for the highly anticipated Bal Masqué black tie gala, where performers of all ages and disciplines will provide world-class entertainment for partygoers all night long. Kelly Christiansen, Marketing and Account Development Director and SRQ Media representatives attended the Summer Circus Spectacular and were given a backstage pass to interview the performers including Circus Sarasota co-founder, aerialist Dolly Jacobs. On performing at festivities, aerialist Dolly Jacobs said, “I don’t do a lot of events, but when you do things outside of your venue, every hair on your body is on alert. It’s dangerous and people don’t know it, but you just try to make it look easy.”  

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SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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