Sarasota Arts & Culture Magazine - September/October 2007 - (Page 16)

September Extra! Extra! Artworthy happenings around town. 2007 Norman Jewison to be on Turner Classic Movies: Interview Filmed at the Historic Asolo Theater By Alizah Herman Keep your eyes glued to Turner Classic Movies on September 13. Robert Osborne’s interview with Norman Jewison for TCM is airing at 8pm, in a first ever shooting before a live audience. The interview was filmed by Sarasota producers Jim Flynn and Paul Erdek of InterMedia Productions at the Historic Asolo Theater during the 2007 Film Festival. “The reason I got involved in television and film in the first place was Jewison,” Erdek says. “This is, by far, the biggest thing we’ve done as a production company,” adds Flynn. Flynn and Erdek had two months to confer with TCM and the Asolo on preparation for the shooting, for which 80 percent of the budget was kept local. “The set was beautiful,” Flynn says. “It was designed to create a feel for a contemporary living room in a big city, and the background just fell away. It also incorporated a 9-by-12 foot rear projection screen to show clips, slightly recessed so no one in the theater had a blocked view.” “The lighting was tiered to created depth, in a very subtle way that really enhanced the natural architecture of the Asolo,” Erdek continues. The Asolo was the only place suitable for an honoree of such magnitude. The theater embodies the historical grandeur of its European roots, despite its relocation from Italy to Sarasota. “We filmed with five high-definition cameras, one of which was a jib—the crane camera that can take 360 degree panoramic shots,” says Erdek. What the cameras captured in those three hours was the dynamic saga of a riveting man who had a story for everything. “He’s your perfect grandfather,” Flynn says. “Kind, warmhearted and willing to hear and share.” Jewison spoke of the 1967 filming for In The Heat of the Night, where having Sidney Poitier on cast, despite his major persona, prohibited them from booking hotels. He expounded upon the charismatic Rod Steiger, with whom he worked with on several different occasions. “It was physically taxing on him,” Erdek says. “It’s draining for an 80-year-old man to be interviewed for three hours. But he was extremely gracious. He was a consummate, humble professional.” “It was splendid to have been invited to the TCM table,” Flynn says. “It was a pleasure working with the Film Festival, the TCM people, the Asolo, all the local vendors involved—hats off to everybody!” Tune into Turner Classic Movies, Channel 65, on September 13 at 8pm and 11pm, to watch the captivating interview with living legend, Norman Jewison. Left to Right; Robert Osborne and Norman Jewison on Turner Classic Movies. 16 : : arts and culture magazine

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Sarasota Arts & Culture Magazine - September/October 2007

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