WRAP BEER!

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Latest Episodes:

017 - WallerSouth Oct 16, 2024

Long, long ago . . . before pagers, cellular phones and the internet . . . .

It’s 1985, with stages built and electrified - and shops, warehouses and offices up-fitted and occupied - DEG Studios was now capable of hosting numerous motion picture productions simultaneously, and it was doing just that. But to keep the cameras rolling, and productions connected to world beyond, telephones and telephone lines were needed. Hundreds of them.

So Gerald Waller added another course to his already full plate, convincing Dino to invest in a PBX system that would become a new standard for the industry. For those of us who applied our trade at 1223 North 23rd Street - the phones simply worked. Whether you were calling down to the set dressing shop, or to the lumber yard across town, or searching for a vendor in Japan! - “WallerSouth” delivered clear and reliable calling . . . and profits for DEG.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

016 - Gerald, We Don’t Hug the Chinese! Jul 14, 2024

The WRAP BEER community is forever thankful for Gerald’s dedication, effort, and success!!!

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

015 - Gerald Aced the Test! - Part 1 Jun 30, 2024

If the movie studio at 1223 North 23rd Street is anything - it’s an engineering marvel. Exposing motion picture film requires a significant amount of light, and therefore an enormous number of electrons arriving at the right place at the right time. Six stages that became nine - and then ten - needing studio distribution, house lights and air conditioning for the sub-tropic climate of the Cape Fear. A five-block-long backlot - christened as New York City’s Chinatown - with 400 neon lights. Construction mills and SPFX welding shops among the total of 22 buildings - rising from the swamp - in need of power, office lights, and HVAC.

Gerald Waller, our only Studio Engineer - guided by his training, his instincts and the strict North Carolina Electric Code - figured it out.

The WRAP BEER community is forever thankful for Gerald’s dedication, effort, and success!!!

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

014 - The Tribe in 3-D!!! Jun 16, 2024

It may be said that any great cinematographer is only as good as their gaffer. And many cameramen have enjoyed having Lynn ”LD” Dodson by their side. And whereas the movie industry can often alter one’s personality, either for better or worse, LD may be the very exception to that norm. In a business where every job, every day, and every minute is different . . . LD has managed to remain the same Shelby boy that Jock Brandis recruited back in 1984. Veteran electrician Rusty Edmondson bears witness as Wrap Beer! once again hosts two members of The Tribe - albeit from opposite sides of the track - and this time showing in 3-D!!!

No rubber chickens were harmed in the making of this podcast.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project. End-credit song, “Chasin’ Down a Dream!” by Mama Said.

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More to come!

013 - Ciao Y’all! May 26, 2024

The long roads from Rome, Toronto, and Shelby, North Carolina come to intersect in Wilmington where Jock Brandis has been seen directing traffic. Recruited by Dino himself, Jock arrived on “Cat’s Eye” and began to employ his many talents - wrought with his own particular brand of Canadian persnicketiness. Very few people on this planet can carry the accolade of genius - and most folks on the Cape Fear, and many folks around the globe know - that Jock is one of them. Jock is joined by his partner-in-crime, Rob Hill, who bears witness to a life of wonder and giving - on the road less traveled - that just happens to pass through Wilmington, North Carolina.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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More to come!

012 - Vick & Johnny Get a Job Apr 29, 2024

In the “mouse maze” of offices at DEG Studios, brothers Vick and Johnny Griffin were often mistaken for each other by the sound of their voice. Beyond the studio gate, the Brothers Griffin pioneered the art of Location Management in a town that was reckoning with a new visitor. Movies are made on the studio lot - and even more so - on the streets, neighborhoods, and homes of the host city. And that is where Vick and Johnny ply their craft - as the first handshake and last good bye as the circus moves in, takes over for a spell, and then moves on. Tar Heel born and bred, the Griffins helped pave the way for the film industry’s enduring success, on location - not vacation - on the Cape Fear.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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More to come!

011 - Telemedia Saves the World! Apr 22, 2024

From their tobacco-enhanced headquarters at 1223 North 23rd Street, The Telemedia Group offered a myriad of support services - not only to the burgeoning film industry - but to the larger community as well. Mike De Vries Francine DeCoursey and crew served up video production and editing, EPK, and Screening Room Transfer and Projection. Meanwhile, Francine set her own “win win” course for utilizing extras casting as a tool to serve the community and the industry. And the best part is that they have been laughing and giggling the whole darn way.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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More to come!

010 - gelber Mann! Apr 15, 2024

After meeting Tantar on the set of Firestarter, Fred Pickler strolled into the film industry as a savvy supplier of specialized props. In doing so, he wandered into one of the most iconic “badman” performances in cinematic history – the role of Detective Tom Gordon, aka Yellowman - in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. And such serendipity could not have happened to a nicer guy and one of our finer examples of a Wilmington filmmaker. Fred is joined by his career-long colleague and friend, propman Vernon Harrell as we witness a small portion of Fred’s wonderous life.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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More to come!

009 - There is No ‘I’ in Grip! Apr 08, 2024

Grip /ɡrɪp/ noun

a: a strong or tenacious grasp had a good grip on the tennis racket

b: strength in gripping

c: manner or style of gripping the balanced grip of an expert golfer

a: a firm tenacious hold typically giving control, mastery, or understanding

has the country in his grip

b: mental grasp can't seem to get a grip on

3 : a part or device for gripping

4 : a part by which something is grasped especially: HANDLE

5 : SUITCASE

a: a stage worker who handles scenery, properties, or lights: STAGEHAND

b: a technician on a motion-picture or television set who handles and maintains equipment (such as cameras and their dollies and cranes)

7 Jeffrey “Moose” Howery, Bobby Huber, Dennis Zoppe, Scott Davis

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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More to come!

008 - What Can We Do for Each Other? Apr 01, 2024

Handpicked by Dino and Martha to manage the day-to-day operations and outreach, Jayme Bednarczyk’s genuine warmth and kindness permeated the DEG Studio lot from the very beginning. In so doing, she set the tone for a growing crowd of young filmmakers that were “learning the ropes while swinging from them.” Meanwhile, a small town on the the Cape Fear needed the same nurturing when the circus came to town, and decided to stay. To this day, Wilmington and its crews are known for their congenial nature and polite professionalism. And we all can thank Jayme for that.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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Albert Blackshaw RIP

Alonzo Wilson

Arnold Schwartznegager

Barbara D'Alessandro

Bernard Williams RIP

Carolina De Laurentiis

Clifford Capone

Dino De Laurentiis RIP

Martha De Laurentiis RIP

Michael Menzies

Pierce Bronson

Raffaella De Laurentiis

Richard Gere

Steve Guttenberg

Sylvester Stallone

Edward 'Tantar' LeViseur RIP

007 - The Dr. Is In Again! Mar 25, 2024

Dr. Jones returns to WRAP BEER! with more tales of the wild, the weird, and the deep. Scott Davis blasts off from the dunes of Wrightsville Beach before landing a loving tribute to the life and work of John Verardi, first assistant cameraman - as told by John’s friends and the very community of WRAP BEER! Cheers to Johnny V!

With Chuck Potter on the guest bar stool.

Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

Buy Them A BEER! - Folks who were mentioned on WRAP BEER!

Albert Blackshaw RIP

Butch Truelove

Dick Rankin

Harold Schneider

“Indian”

James Wade

Jammie Orendorf

“Lizard”

Mary Carol Palmer

Morton Zwicker

Sanders Brothers

Sara Flam

Scott "Scooter" Hillman

Steve Graves

Stuart Neumann

Tom Nesbit

Vince Vaughn

Six Pack #2 Trailer Mar 12, 2024

NNew Episode Drops March 25 and Weekly Thereafter!

007 - “The Dr. Is In Again!” - Tom Jones, Jr. with Chuck Potter on the guest bar stool.

008 - “What Can We Do for Each Other?” - Jayme Bednarczyk

009 - “There’s No ‘I’ in Grip!” Jeffrey “Moose” Howery, Bobby Huber, Dennis Zoppe

010 - “gelber Mann!” - Fred Pickler with Vernon Harrell on the guest bar stool.

011 - “Telemedia Saves the World!” - Francine DeCoursey & Michael DeVries

012 - “Two Bros. Griff” - Vic & Johnny Griffin

006 - MORE BUBBLES!!! Feb 22, 2024

Guest: CHUCK POTTER

Hailing from Mississippi, Louisiana and Nashville . . . Chuck Potter passed though Wilmington on his way to New York City . . . and an esteemed career as a set decorator. But he keeps coming back!!!! Chuck’s stories are as rich and delicious as the homemade gumbo he serves up at his home in Wilmington.

Buy Them A BEER! - Folks who were mentioned on WRAP BEER!

Frank Sinatra RIP

Gretchen Rau RIP

Jama Ball RIP

Mel Smith RIP

Nat King Cole RIP

Patrick Fuhrman

Peter Jackson

Rodney Dangerfield RIP

Tim McKinna

Another Round! Other Mentions on WRAP BEER!

Beautiful Mt. Airy Lodge

The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)

Carroll Music Company

Forces of Nature (1999)

Homeland (2011-2020)

The Inkwell (1994)

Jaws

King Kong Lives (1986)

Love Field (1992)

The Lovely Bones (2009)

A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story (1994)

Marie (1985)

New Jersey Drive (1995)

Pretty Woman (1990)

Radioland Murders (1994)

Sanford and Son (1972-1978)

Sex & The Other Man (1995)

Shag (1988)

Simple Justice (1989)

Sleepers (1996)

Surface (2005-2006)

The Choice (2016)

The Crow (1994)

The Shining (1980)

005 - The Dr. Is In! Feb 21, 2024

GUEST: TOM JONES, Jr.

Mr. Jones joined the migration from Shelby and spent four decades building scenery in Wilmington and beyond. Famously cool and calm in the most strenuous conditions, ie. “The Abyss ,” Mr. Jones has finally become . . . well . . . famous.

Dino DeLaurentis RIP

Martha Delaurentis RIP

Bill Collins

Bob Know

Chris Nelson

Cliff Werber

Dave Bubb

David Gordon Greene

Donald Pleasence RIP

Earl Owensby

Fred Thompson RIP

Gary Wissner RIP

George Alsina

Jimmy Dean

Ken Paddington

Lawrence Ross Shepard

Linwood Taylor RIP

Michael Myers

Nick Law

Paul Davis

Ron Cobb RIP

Roy Smith aka "The Splinter" RIP

Sam Brown

Shawn Clark

Tantar

Vernon Harrell

Vic Simpson

Another Round! More mentions on WRAP BEER!

Army Wives (2007-2013)

Black Knight (2001)

Bull Durham (1988)

Cat's Eye (1985)

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999)

Firestarter (1984)

From The Hip (1987)

Halloween Kills (2021)

Homeland (2011-2020)

Living Legend: The King of Rock and Roll (1980)

Manhunter (1986)

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

No Mercy (1986)

Paper Towns (2015)

Raw Deal (1986)

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

Summer Catch (2001)

The Abyss (1989)

The Strangers (2008)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Year of the Dragon (1985)

Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989)

Chatham A's

004 - Everybody Loves the Monkey! Feb 20, 2024

Guests: MICHELLE JOHNSON & ROBBIE BECK

With ten feature films “in-the-can,” and five more being produced, DEG Studios in Wilmington was now a beacon of hope for wanna-be filmmakers in the south and beyond. And yes, giant apes were harmed. . . .

Buy Them A BEER! - Folks who were mentioned on WRAP BEER!

Dino DeLaurentis RIP

Martha Delaurentis RIP

Alex Thomson RIP

Gary Wissner RIP

Hugh Scaife RIP

Jim Henson RIP

Nicolas Roeg RIP

Sven Nykvist RIP

Edward 'Tantar' LeViseur RIP

Theresa Russell

Tony Teiger RIP

ANOTHER ROUND! Other mentions on WRAP BEER!

Blue Velvet (1986)

Bull Durham (1988)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Excalibur (1981)

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1999)

Insignificance (1985)

King Kong Lives (1986)

Lolita (1997)

Manhunter (1986)

Matlock (1986-1995)

Monty Python

Noble House (1988)

Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)

In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)

The Abyss (1989)

The List (2007)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Track 29 (1988)

Upload (2020 -)

003 - This is It. Feb 16, 2024

Guests: VERNON HARRELL & JOHN BANKSON

After Dino & David Lynch’s “Dune” flopped at the box office, Lynch arrived in Wilmington to produce “Blue Velvet” on a drastically reduced budget. Cinematic history was made, and a 60 lb festering Amberjack was reeled in . . . .

Buy Them A BEER! - Folks who were mentioned on WRAP BEER!

Dino DeLaurentis RIP

Martha Delaurentis RIP

Fred Elms

Edward ‘Tantar’ LeViseur

Backseat Bonnie

Brad Dourif

Brian Stultz

Dean Stockwell RIP

Dennis Hopper RIP

Jerry Clower RIP

Peter Falk RIP

Another Round! - Other Mentions on WRAP BEER!

Eraserhead (1977)

King King Lives (1986)

Manhunter (1986)

Miami Vice (1984-1989)

Rambling Rose (1991)

Barbary Coast

Harrell’s Department Store

Cronies

002 - The Tribe Feb 15, 2024

Guests: JEFFREY SCHLATTER & RUSTY EDMONSON

“If it hadn’t had happened already, I would tell you that it couldn’t be done.” - Bill Arnold, NC Film Office. In the 1970’s, Earl Owensby filmed over 35 feature films at his home-grown studio in Shelby , NC. When Dino Delaurentiis came to North Carolina, he first visited The EO Corporation before deciding to settle in Wilmington. He was followed by dozens of experienced EO employees who migrated to the Cape Fear.

Buy Them A BEER! - Folks who were mentioned on WRAP BEER!

Dino DeLaurentis RIP

Martha Delaurentis RIP

Jeff Ginn RIP

Giorgio Postiglione RIP

Michael Stringer RIP

Harold Michelson RIP

Sir Ken Adam RIP

Edward “Tantar” LeViseur RIP

Chris Menges

Jeff Jarvis

Emilio Ruis del Río RIP

Gus Ramsden RIP

John Jay Moore

Silvana Mangano

Raffaella De Laurentiis

David Lynch

Joe Dunton

One More Round! - Other mentions on WRAP BEER!

Estudios Churubusco

Cinecitta

DDL Food Show

Challenge (1974)

Walking Tall (1973)

Reuben, Reuben (1983)

Marie (1985)

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Cat’s Eye (1985)

Prancer (1989)

The Crow (1994)

Golden Years (1991)

Betsy’s Wedding (1990)

Date with an Angel (1987)

Year of the Dragon (1985)

The Dead Zone (1983)

Dune (1984)

Total Recall (1990)

The Abyss (1989)

The Bible: In the Beginning... (1966)

001 - WRAP BEER! Feb 14, 2024

HOSTS SCOTT DAVIS AND JOHN D. KRETSCHMER

On July 13, 1983, the Morning Star headline read, “Firestarter” Set to Film on Location in Wilmington.” The town would never be the same. Hosts SCOTT DAVIS and JOHN D. KRETSCHMER introduce “WRAP BEER!” and recount their very first days, and the dawning of a new era on the Cape Fear.Buy Them A BEER! - Folks who were mentioned on WRAP BEER!

Dino DeLaurentis RIP

Martha Delaurentis RIP

Elliott Schick RIP

Chris Menges

John T. Kretchmer (the creative one)

Rick Barefoot RIP