A glimpse of the filming of Five Star Murder at The Partridge Inn March 8, 2023. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News
A glimpse of the filming of Five Star Murder at The Partridge Inn March 8, 2023. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News

‘Let’s Talk Film’ in Augusta April 4

Interested in learning more about Augusta’s growing filmmaking community?

Choice Skinner is a film veteran with multiple credits. He brought his movie “A New Life” to the screen in 2023. Courtesy photo

“Let’s Talk Film” will be at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Augusta University Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. A group of filmmakers will gather to share their experiences and present their ideas on taking the creation of movies in Augusta to the next level.

“It’s going to be a very stern, forceful event. We’re going to really help push things forward in Augusta as far as film is concerned,” said Choice Skinner, one of the panel members, whose 2023 film “A New Life” was nominated for a 2024 NAACP Image Award.

Also scheduled for the event are filmmaker Jeff Celentano, who directed “The Hill,” which was shot in Augusta; Dino Moore with the 48-hour film project; and Denise Williams, a playwright who penned “She Thinks She’s Cute.”

Read more: ‘The Hill’ champions more than one underdog

Skinner, who spent many years in Los Angeles before returning to the Augusta area, has worked on numerous projects and multiple aspects of filming including acting, directing, cinematography and producing.

Read more: Filmmaker brings longtime dream to screen; honored with NAACP award nomination

From left, Mason Gillett, Warren Ostergard and Jeff Celentano at the screening of “The Hill” Aug. 23, 2023 at the Miller Theater. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News

He’s currently teaching acting classes on Sundays and Mondays and is working on a feature film called “The Legend of Ciscero.”

“We really want people who come into town to look at the local talent and give them more than background work or extra work,” he said. “We want them being cast in films and launching them into careers.”

This is the first event, but Skinner said those involved hope it won’t be the last. A goal is to create a networking opportunity, spurring additional talks and meetings and to create a mobilized force in attracting more films into the Augusta area.

Event sponsors are Open Mic Perform Pro, Emage Max Studios, Augusta University and Film Augusta.

Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.

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