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SRQ DAILY Feb 1, 2017

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"In return for betting on yourself, you get to be yourself."

- Jason Blum, filmmaker
 

[Film]  Blum Talks Micro-Budget Filmmaking at Ringling College
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

The new soundstage and post-production complex at Ringling College of Art and Design may not yet be complete but it’s already garnering attention from within the film industry, with Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Jason Blum visiting campus this week to meet with students of the Ringling College film department.

The innovator behind the micro-budget model of filmmaking, wherein budgets are kept to an absolute minimum, Blum’s credits include the highly successful horror franchises Paranormal Activity, Insidious and Ouija. As a testament to the model, the first Paranormal Activity earned close to $200 million globally off of a $15,000 budget.

But the concerns are not entirely economic. By keeping budgets low, Blum keeps the risk profile of the film low, with fewer investors to answer to. “As a result,” he says, “we get to do what we want.” Blum then passes this freedom on to the director and other artists, who will sink and swim based on the merits of their work with minimal studio interference. “It’s a purer way to make films,” Blum says. “In return for betting on yourself, you get to be yourself.” There’s admittedly less money for special effects, but such “toys” can be a distraction and the micro-budget forces directors to focus on the fundamentals of storytelling. Blum’s recent credits also include 2014’s Oscar-nominated Whiplash.

Exploring Ringling College on this first trip to the campus, “I felt like they had a similar philosophy,” Blum says. With the capabilities of the new soundstage and post-production facility, students will be able to embark on their own personal projects in the same lean filmmaking style, with the resources to see them through but free of interference from studio gatekeepers. Most importantly, he says, Ringling College was right to focus on digital filmmaking as it prepares the next generation. “Most people are chasing big-budget movies,” he says, which is an overcrowded pond. “But the growth area is digital.”

Whether or not Sarasota will achieve its dreams of silver screen glory remains to be seen, but “when you build a facility like this it has a ripple effect through the community in a terrific way,” says Blum. There are economic boons, but more importantly cultural advantages as people from around the world are drawn to tell their stories, just as he was.

Sitting within the cavernous space of the unfinished soundstage with students waiting for Blum to take the floor, he reflects on what he wants to say. “I hope they leave with a little more hope that there’s opportunity for young people,” he says. “They’re in the right place for what has been a terrific career for me and hopefully will be for them too.” 

Pictured: Jason Blum. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

[Good Bite ]  Pass the Bread
Kendall Sompolski

The best thing since sliced bread—the Ancient Grain Bread from The Glenn Family Bakery packs all the nutty Italian flavor you want with the nutrition you need. A type of sprouted grain bread, the ancient grain loaf is made with kamut grains from Egypt and spelt grains from Iran with an heirloom lineage of over 5,000 years. The hand-kneaded bread is high in antioxidants, Vitamins A, B and C, protein and iron among other good stuff your body craves. Head over to the Phillippi Creek Farmer’s Market today (and every Wednesday until April) to score some of the most flavorful and nutritious grain breads available.  


 

The Glenn Family Bakery, 941-275-6247.

[Recognition]  GCCF Renews Accreditation with National Standards for US Community Foundations

Gulf Coast Community Foundation has renewed its accreditation with National Standards for US Community Foundations. Administered by the Community Foundations National Standards Board, the accreditation is considered the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. The National Standards for US Community Foundations establish legal, ethical and effective practices for community foundations. The National Standards program requires foundations to document policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. It is designed to provide quality assurance to community foundation donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors. Gulf Coast Community Foundation originally earned the designation in 2006, and was among the first community foundations in the country to be confirmed in compliance with National Standards. It has remained accredited since then. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

[Hires]  RASM Commercial Investment Division Installs 2017 Officers

The Commercial Investment Division (CID) of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) installed their 2017 officers and directors, including CID President Rico Boeras of Sarasota Commercial Realty, LLC. During his term, Boeras will focus on building participation in CID, increasing membership to 400 Realtors and business partners and to improve the educational opportunities available to members. Boeras is a lifelong resident of Sarasota. His real estate career began in 1997 and he currently specializes in sales and leasing of retail, office, industrial properties as well as landlord and tenant representation and multi-family properties. Boeras has been involved with CID since 2001 and has been on the board for the past four years. 

RASM

[Community]  United Way Suncoast Supports Boys & Girls Clubs Reading Initiative

An alarming number of elementary school students across Sarasota County are not achieving average grade reading levels, especially those who reside in low-income households. As a result, these children are at a much higher risk of dropping out of high school. This problem poses a serious threat to the future of the region as far fewer of the next generation will be prepared to succeed in a global economy, participate in post-secondary education or enter military service. To combat this issue, United Way Suncoast recently awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County a $75,000 grant to provide intense literacy training to hundreds of 4th and 5th grade Club members at five Club locations across Sarasota County with priority focus on the children who attend the Roy McBean and Newtown Estates Park Boys & Girls Clubs. This initiative will reinforce the academic enrichment and school engagement of 4th and 5th grade Boys & Girls Club members during the time they spend at their Clubs. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County



[Inside The Issue]  Miracle of Eggs

Hello February! For this year's Foodie Issue, our cover story (The Miracle of Eggs) takes you on a global tour of the delicate orb, from the alkaline clay of China used to make Century Eggs to the waters of the Caspian and Black seas, where caviar is meticulously harvested. In the 13 countries featured, the through-line remains the same: civilization would be nowhere without the egg.  

Read more

[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: The Great Society , January 13 – April 2

On the heels of Asolo Rep’s wildly successful All the Way, The Great Society continues Robert Schenkkan’s profound exploration of Lyndon Johnson’s turbulent years in the White House. In his second term as president, besieged by political opponents, Johnson summons all his political wiles to try to push through Congress some of the most important social programs in U.S. history. His vision of a Great Society became the most ambitious effort ever to test what American government is capable of achieving. And in doing so, to discover what it is not. Actor Nick Wyman returns to the Asolo Rep stage to reprise his role as L.B.J. in this unflinching examination of the morality of power.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, 34243

[TODAY]  GALLERY: Gaining Momentum , January 25 – February 11

madeby Gallery presents an exhibit featuring the work of Goldstein Library Muralist Julie Kanapaux. A contemporary abstract artist influenced by nature on both micro and macrocosmic scales, Kanapaux’s work is about perception and the universal connection in space. With a passion for art from an early age, Kanapaux is an Honors Graduate from Ringling College of Art and Design. Kanapaux will be at the exhibit for a Meet the Artist session at the opening from 7–8pm and again on Saturday, January 28, from noon to 2pm.

madeby Gallery, 2700 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[TODAY]  GALLERY: "Steady Flow of Cool" and "Hollowed Truths" , January 26 – February 24

The Annual Contemporary Studio Glass Weekend in Sarasota begins with a pair of glass exhibits: Katheleen Mulcahy’s “Steady Flow of Cool” and the late Ron Desmett’s “Hollowed Truths.” The husband-and-wife team were co-founders of the Pittsburgh Glass Center and well-known for their innovative glass sculptures. The show kicks off with an opening reception on January 26 at 5:30pm.

Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th St., Sarasota

[TODAY]  SEMINAR: SILL 2017 Speaker Series , January 9 – March 31

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is kicking of its 46th season of popular global issue lectures and musical conversations beginning on January 9 and continuing through the end of March. This season will include 96 lectures and musical conversations from internationally renowned musicians, performers and acclaimed experts. SILL also provides delayed presentations to selected senior communities. Single tickets to SILL events are only $10 at the door, when available and a season ticket for 12 lecture series costs just $85. 

[TODAY]  THEATER: Next Fall , February 1 – February 12

Directed by Kathy Junkins, Next Fall portrays the ups and downs of an unlikely couple's five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. This play paints a beautiful and funny portrait of modern romance, asking the hard questions about commitment, love and faith. Tickets are $18. 

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Trail

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Steak and Burger Celebrating Our Youth , February 3, 6:00pm

Cowboy-up and join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County in celebrating our youth at the Steak and Burger Dinner at the Lee Wetherington Club.  Dawn your best western casual look, enjoy mouth watering food and an evening to remember. Table Sponsors start at $1,000 and individual tickets are on sale for $125.

Lee Wetherington Club, 3130 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Encore! Create Your Next Chapter with Joy & Purpose , February 3, 9:30am–3:30m

This daylong conference features powerful speakers who will shatter the myth of mid-life crisis, featuring interactive sessions conducted by life coaches and educators, testimonials by people who have successful transition stories to share and roundtable discussions. The fee is $99 and includes lunch.

State College of Florida, 7131 Professional Pkwy., Lakewood Ranch

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Giacomo Gates , February 4, 8pm

The ever-cool Giacomo Gates is a bigger-than-life, old school, hip jazz singer that doesn't just swing, but finds a way to use his voice with the presence of an instrumental giant on the trumpet or tenor! Gates sings vocalese that packs a wallop with a powerhouse trio backing him up. Whether its up-tempo bop, ballads or blues, Gates' intimate style, served with sheer joy, exuberance, wit and unlimited creativity, gives you the feeling he is in your living room singing just to you. Tickets start at $25. 

Glenridge Performing Arts Center , 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota Florida

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Top Dog , February 4, 6:30-9:00pm

Join local dog lovers and their companions at The Francis for Top Dog: Carnevale Do Cani, a dog show like no other. Enter your pup in this playful competition and if you want to strut your stuff too, come dressed for to the theme and be part of the show. All Top Dog ticket purchases help support Donte’s Den and their mission to offer long term and permanent dare for dogs whose owners are unable to care for them due to illness, injury, abandonment or military deployment.

The Francis, 1289 N Palm Ave, Downtown SRQ

[SOON]  SPORTS: Bradenton Area River Regatta , February 4, 8:00am-10pm

The Bradenton Area River Regatta has it all, including speed, stars, and showmanship, in a free family spectacle that will have you holding your breath through every heart pounding moment. As Manatee County’s largest spectator event, the action is riveting and the thrills nonstop as world-class performers on and off the river showcase their awe-gasping athleticism and see-it-to-believe-it championship skills.

Riverwalk Regatta, Green Bridge, Bradenton, FL 34205

SRQ Media Group

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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