Tag Archives: AL

Sidewalk Scramble Screening this week

A grungy plumber dressed in a jumpsuit casually walks into the Upside-down Plaza bar in 5 Points South, downtown Birmingham.  He gives a nod to a customer sitting at the bar as he passes by. A few minutes later the customer follows the plumber into the back bathroom. A tool box opens and guns are distributed. They both know what to do. An epic orchestral soundtrack starts. (Think “Batman: The Dark Knight”). Every aspect of the plan has been thought out as they bust open the office door where the winnings of the illegal gambling front are kept…

The director yells “CUT!” as the camera dollies out on the homemade track system made of PVC pipe and plywood.  Actors double as grips, lighting techs and cinematographers. Grip trucks consist of a fleet of old Honda Civics and Ford Rangers that also double as fast moving dollies and get road shots. Props and wardrobe are found by digging through the bins at the local thrift stores. Catering and craft services are provided by dollar stores and Big Lots usually consisting of a 5-pound bag of almost expired pretzels and Werther’s candy in some very bendy paper bowls and questionable Mexican fruit drinks.

This is short film in Birmingham.

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got plans 2.0 (3/13-3/15)

As the writer of the new got plans 2.0 column I’ve graciously been given the liberty to write what I wish when it comes to the awesome events happening each weekend here in Birmingham. I’m a good man for the job because I’m no freshman to what the city has to offer, but in this third week I’m finding it hard to pick and choose the Terminal-worthy events that you readers may be looking for.

So I’ve been thinking and have decided that I’m going to put got plans in your hands this weekend. Got plans 2.0 is three weeks old today; way too young to be setting a standard and definitely not to old to keep it from becoming what you want it to be. Our philosophy at The Terminal is to maintain a conversation between the contributors and our community. I want that with got plans; that’s why I ask you to comment if you know of something else going on or if I totally missed the mark in terms of my picks. Ultimately, my plans are your plans and they should be good plans ’cause you guys deserve them.

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Crawfish Boil uses Facebook for t-shirt contest

The Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil is turning to the power of Facebook to help them select their t-shirt design for this year’s event. For those of you not on Facebook yet, or not following the event’s page on the social networking site, here’s the 411:

Beginning today (and through April 10), people are encouraged to submit one submission (not already submitted to another contest) with the words “2009 Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil” somewhere in the design, to the event’s page on Facebook using its “add photos” function. the design must be in a vector format, meaning you’ll want to download this software. Apparently all of the designs will be eligible to be printed as “regular” t-shirts, but the winning design will be the one that receives the most **VOTE** comments.

 The winning designer will receive a pair of VIP passes ($300 value); a gift certificate to the Merrell Store at The Summit & 6-month supply of vitaminwater sync.

If you’re interested, and on Facebook, head on over!

Coldplay tickets go on sale March 16

Every once in a while I become so excited about using Twitter to share news that I’ve learned about that I forget that there are many of our readers who still don’t use the service. So here’s the 411: The Birmingham News is reporting that Coldplay has announced a May 18 concert atthe state’s largest outdoor music venue, the Verizon Wireless Music Center at Oak Mountain. Tickets will go on sale next Monday morning at 10 a.m. via this link and LiveNation’s toll-free number. According to their website, it will be the band’s first show in The Magic City since January 2003.

Muse of Fire previews new show at Library

The Birmingham Public Library recently announced that they would be welcoming back local “deconstructed Shakespeare” troupe Muse of Fire for this month’s BPL@Night performance (They announced it via their blog as well). They’ll be previewing their latest effort, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which they are currently scheduled to take to “the stage” of Sloss Furnaces in May. The free performance will take place in the atrium of the downtown branch on Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. next week Thursday, March 19, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Their MySpace page has some new photos taken during rehearsals – check ’em out!

got plans 2.0 – 3.6-3.8

Without a doubt spring has blown in with the breeze and I recommend you head over to Rojo for Happy Hour after work today to kick it off El Mariachi style with $2.25 domestics, $3.00 imports, and $7.25 PBR pitchers. Once you find yourself slightly inebriated and filled to the max with your choice of Latin or American cuisine, I know the comic nerd in you is going to guide you to the nearest theatre to see Watchmen, but I wouldn’t miss the Ben Kweller show at Workplay. Tonight is the night for this sort of revelry because tomorrow and Sunday are to be spent outdoors, per my orders (I was pre-med, so I know what’s best for your health).

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Welcome Frigid Records

A new record store in Birmingham

Frigid Records at Magic City Motor Scooters – acnatta/Flickr

The independent music store scene gained a new entrant officially last weekend. Frigid Records set up their first physical location inside of Magic City Motor Scooters last week. Owners Ryan and Erin James plan to be there on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. to sell new and used vinyl and CDs. They also plan to take the store to local music events.

According to their entry on Bhamwiki, they plan to eventually open their own storefront.

[adult swim] cartoon hero mc chris in dixie

So, I was lucky enough to meet an adolescent obsession of mine this past week: Chris Ward IV, better known as mc chris. Known for his high-pitched voice and recurring characters on Space Ghost, The Brak Show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Sealab 2021, he made a rare appearance in the Heart of Dixie on his headlining tour.

A surprisingly quiet guy, but who can blame him after a friend of mine commented that “maybe he’s just tired of words after using 75,000 of them in every song”? We talked about his recent stint on the Warped Tour and his upcoming projects with Williams Street Productions (the folks responsible for bringing you some of your favorite programming on Cartoon Network). One of which is a feature film and another a cartoon series dedicated solely to mc chris imagery and the misadventures of his character.

All this goes to say that the NYU screenwriting grad and cartoon animator has now officially crossed over into a world where he has legions of hyperloyal fans and one of the best TV networks essentially under his thumb.

Check out his music, blog and updates on his insanely productive schedule on his website.

Got plans this weekend? 10.31 – 11.2

Sad to say, my plans include telling you good folks bye-bye. This is your last “Got plans?” column from yours truly. And it’s not going to be a very good one – in the next 30 minutes I’ve got to finish hemming my son’s costume, go buy a fruit tray for his classroom Halloween party and figure out how to make tissue-paper ghosts, my craft contribution to the party. Yep, my time management skills are out of control. Something had to go so this will be short and sweet.

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