published 11-11-09
By Sean Leary
The Harrison Hilltop Theatre was formed in the spring of 2008. It was a crazy idea that two lovely men - Tristan Tapscott and Chris Walljasper - came up with amidst their collective unemployment.
The two had worked together in the Green Room's Carousel in December and then spent the first three months of the new year in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Circa '21. They shortly discovered they made a good team and decided to put together their own theater group, which has resided at 1601 Harrison St., Davenport, since that fateful spring.
But those are just the basic details about HHT. What about the real nitty-gritty? Here are 20 things you may not, and probably don't, know about HHT. But you'll be glad you do know them after you're done reading. Seriously. No, really. We're not kidding. Okay, just read them and make up your own mind...
1. Its basement was the inspiration for the SAW movies
2. Hilltop staff have eaten around 125 Hot 'n' Ready Pizzas from Little Caesars (at least 122 of those have been paid in quarters)
3. Will be the 1st QCA company to present RENT in 2010
4. The building was formerly a bank
5. The Hilltop staff once sang Happy Birthday to some women at McButts
6. One of those women tried to take off Tristan's shirt. Oh, and she was toothless.
7. 1st attempt to name the company: Hilltop Bank Theatre Company
8. They only had 4 awkward lights when they produced their first show
9. Official movie of the Hilltop: 3 Men and a Baby
10. The 1st theatre in the QCA to present Rocky Horror Show Live!
11. Youngest business owners in the Hilltop Campus Village
12. Numbers of doors used in The Graduate: 15
13. When Eddie Staver III is cast in a show, the props budget is forced to triple
14. No one actually lives there. Yet.
15. Staff holds meetings at Rock's Anchor Grill - the official diner of the theatre!
16. Tristan and Chris met at ACTF in 2006
17. Rocky Horror Show sat 90 patrons
18. Tristan likes Twilight; the men of the theatre do not
19. James Bleecker has appeared in more Hilltop shows than anyone in the QCA
20. Dance belts are not allowed in the Hilltop: Ask Steve Lasiter
copyright 2009 Sean Leary / for more writing see www.seanleary.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Q-C Filmmakers sign `Malcolm' star for action film
EXCLUSIVE / FIRST `SCOOP' BY GETYOURGOODNEWS.COM
published 11-12-09
DES MOINES, November 15, 2009 – Bluebox Limited Films has announced production of Impulse, starring Christopher Kennedy Masterson from FOX Television’s hit series, Malcolm in the Middle. The short film, described as a pre-apocalyptic adventure, was shot early November around Perry, Iowa.
Impulse marks the 19th film from Bluebox Limited Films, a production company originally founded in Iowa by writers/directors Scott Beck & Bryan Woods. To date, they have produced 5 feature-length films, 13 shorts, and recently secured a development deal with MTV Films, a full movie label of the Paramount Motion Pictures Group. Beck & Woods will serve as writer/director/producers on Impulse, alongside producers Christy Sullivan and Darren Brandl.
Additional key talent includes Andrew M. Davis, an award-winning cinematographer who recently received the Laszlo Kovacs Heritage Award for Outstanding Cinematography by the American Society of Cinematographers.
Aside from seven seasons on Malcolm in the Middle, Christopher Kennedy Masterson has starred in feature films Scary Movie 2, American History X, The Art of Travel and My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Impulse is slated for completion in early 2010. For more information visit www.blueboxlimited.com.
About Bluebox Limited Films:
Bluebox Limited Films is a film production company based in Iowa and Los Angeles. Headed by young filmmakers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, Bluebox Limited has produced 5 features and 13 shorts, which have garnered national attention through outlets such as MTV and Project Greenlight. Bluebox Limited Films’ latest productions, including The Bride Wore Blood, University Heights and Her Summer, have been featured at festivals nationwide and have won numerous awards.
As of mid-2009, Bluebox Limited Films has several projects in development. More information about Impulse and Bluebox Limited Films can be found at www.blueboxlimited.com.
published 11-12-09
DES MOINES, November 15, 2009 – Bluebox Limited Films has announced production of Impulse, starring Christopher Kennedy Masterson from FOX Television’s hit series, Malcolm in the Middle. The short film, described as a pre-apocalyptic adventure, was shot early November around Perry, Iowa.
Impulse marks the 19th film from Bluebox Limited Films, a production company originally founded in Iowa by writers/directors Scott Beck & Bryan Woods. To date, they have produced 5 feature-length films, 13 shorts, and recently secured a development deal with MTV Films, a full movie label of the Paramount Motion Pictures Group. Beck & Woods will serve as writer/director/producers on Impulse, alongside producers Christy Sullivan and Darren Brandl.
Additional key talent includes Andrew M. Davis, an award-winning cinematographer who recently received the Laszlo Kovacs Heritage Award for Outstanding Cinematography by the American Society of Cinematographers.
Aside from seven seasons on Malcolm in the Middle, Christopher Kennedy Masterson has starred in feature films Scary Movie 2, American History X, The Art of Travel and My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Impulse is slated for completion in early 2010. For more information visit www.blueboxlimited.com.
About Bluebox Limited Films:
Bluebox Limited Films is a film production company based in Iowa and Los Angeles. Headed by young filmmakers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, Bluebox Limited has produced 5 features and 13 shorts, which have garnered national attention through outlets such as MTV and Project Greenlight. Bluebox Limited Films’ latest productions, including The Bride Wore Blood, University Heights and Her Summer, have been featured at festivals nationwide and have won numerous awards.
As of mid-2009, Bluebox Limited Films has several projects in development. More information about Impulse and Bluebox Limited Films can be found at www.blueboxlimited.com.
Good News Manifesto
Good News Manifesto
published 11-11-09
Are you tired of bad news?
Sick of being depressed over the daily diet of strife and negativity?
Are you hungering for information that reflects positivity, humor and optimism, that’ll leave you uplifted and better off for having seen it?
If so, we’ve got the site for you.
It’s www.getyourgoodnews.com.
And here’s our manifesto…
You are what you see.
Take in a daily diet of depression, strife and tragedy and you’re bound to see your spirits slide.
That’s why people have a common complaint about newspapers and other media. That gripe? That reading or watching or listening to them leaves people depressed.
Why? Because despite those media outlets offering a wide variety of information, they constantly lead with tragedy. Fires. Murders. Rapes. Terrible things done by terrible people.
But are our lives really that dominated by these things?
Is the media accurately reflecting our world, or are they giving people what they think they want?
Is our world really nothing but unending tragedy?
No.
There are more good people than bad.
There are more good things than bad.
So why doesn’t the media reflect this?
Why is it that the teenager who robs a bank or kills a classmate is on the front page but the hundreds of other teens who don’t are ignored – and worse yet, the teens who do positive things with their lives and for their communities have their stories buried inside or don’t have their stories written at all?
For that matter, why is the child molester or the murderer getting constant media coverage when the thousands of other upstanding citizens in the community are seeing their good deeds ignored or given little attention?
What is REALLY news?
News is nothing more than information.
What is defined as news by the media is up to them.
If they decide that the most important information is depressing tragedy and strife – murders, fires, rapes, assaults, etc. – that doesn’t make it news, it makes it THEIR DEFINITION OF NEWS.
Well, we don’t agree with that definition.
To us, news is information people need and want to make their lives better, not worse.
It’s information that enriches their lives – that makes them think, makes them laugh, introduces them to new and interesting things.
It’s not unsubstantial, lurid melodrama that has little bearing on the lives of most readers.
It’s not unrelenting tragedy that leaves readers sad, fearful and depressed.
Some in the news media will disagree with us. They’ll continue pounding their tragedies, arguing that thousands of readers need to know about a fire or crime that only truly affects a small number of people, and that statistically will never occur in the lives of most of the people reading the story.
We respectfully agree to disagree.
To us, more readers will be affected by a story about a hopeful health breakthrough, a wide-sweeping economic decision or the introduction of a helpful new product.
More people will be impacted and involved by a restaurant opening, the premiere of a hot new movie or a new business.
More people will be interested in reading about people doing something good with their lives, and learning about the people in our community that have achieved something far beyond time behind bars.
And more people will be informed and uplifted by humorous columns, funny stories and profiles of people doing good, interesting, positive things in the community.
This is news to us.
And this is what we’re going to offer.
A new definition of news. Changing the old definition of news.
We are Get Your Good News.Com.
And we promise to give you the information you need, the way you need it. With insight, humor, thoughtfulness and fun.
It’s your news, the information you want and need, without the depressing aftertaste.
There are always going to be bad people and bad things done. But there are also always going to be more good people and more good things done. Which would you rather read about? Which would you rather have your children read about and want to emulate?
If you agree, keep reading us, and tell your friends to check us out as well. Because if this site becomes wildly successful, it’ll be your way of casting your vote for positivity and optimism. It’ll be your way of changing the definition of news, and in turn, changing the world.
For reasons beyond the obvious, we hope you agree. We hope you join us.
Because, really, in times like these, couldn’t we all use a lot less negativity and a lot more positivity?
I look forward to our ongoing conversation.
Best wishes,
Sean Leary
Editor / Publisher
www.getyourgoodnews.com
published 11-11-09
Are you tired of bad news?
Sick of being depressed over the daily diet of strife and negativity?
Are you hungering for information that reflects positivity, humor and optimism, that’ll leave you uplifted and better off for having seen it?
If so, we’ve got the site for you.
It’s www.getyourgoodnews.com.
And here’s our manifesto…
You are what you see.
Take in a daily diet of depression, strife and tragedy and you’re bound to see your spirits slide.
That’s why people have a common complaint about newspapers and other media. That gripe? That reading or watching or listening to them leaves people depressed.
Why? Because despite those media outlets offering a wide variety of information, they constantly lead with tragedy. Fires. Murders. Rapes. Terrible things done by terrible people.
But are our lives really that dominated by these things?
Is the media accurately reflecting our world, or are they giving people what they think they want?
Is our world really nothing but unending tragedy?
No.
There are more good people than bad.
There are more good things than bad.
So why doesn’t the media reflect this?
Why is it that the teenager who robs a bank or kills a classmate is on the front page but the hundreds of other teens who don’t are ignored – and worse yet, the teens who do positive things with their lives and for their communities have their stories buried inside or don’t have their stories written at all?
For that matter, why is the child molester or the murderer getting constant media coverage when the thousands of other upstanding citizens in the community are seeing their good deeds ignored or given little attention?
What is REALLY news?
News is nothing more than information.
What is defined as news by the media is up to them.
If they decide that the most important information is depressing tragedy and strife – murders, fires, rapes, assaults, etc. – that doesn’t make it news, it makes it THEIR DEFINITION OF NEWS.
Well, we don’t agree with that definition.
To us, news is information people need and want to make their lives better, not worse.
It’s information that enriches their lives – that makes them think, makes them laugh, introduces them to new and interesting things.
It’s not unsubstantial, lurid melodrama that has little bearing on the lives of most readers.
It’s not unrelenting tragedy that leaves readers sad, fearful and depressed.
Some in the news media will disagree with us. They’ll continue pounding their tragedies, arguing that thousands of readers need to know about a fire or crime that only truly affects a small number of people, and that statistically will never occur in the lives of most of the people reading the story.
We respectfully agree to disagree.
To us, more readers will be affected by a story about a hopeful health breakthrough, a wide-sweeping economic decision or the introduction of a helpful new product.
More people will be impacted and involved by a restaurant opening, the premiere of a hot new movie or a new business.
More people will be interested in reading about people doing something good with their lives, and learning about the people in our community that have achieved something far beyond time behind bars.
And more people will be informed and uplifted by humorous columns, funny stories and profiles of people doing good, interesting, positive things in the community.
This is news to us.
And this is what we’re going to offer.
A new definition of news. Changing the old definition of news.
We are Get Your Good News.Com.
And we promise to give you the information you need, the way you need it. With insight, humor, thoughtfulness and fun.
It’s your news, the information you want and need, without the depressing aftertaste.
There are always going to be bad people and bad things done. But there are also always going to be more good people and more good things done. Which would you rather read about? Which would you rather have your children read about and want to emulate?
If you agree, keep reading us, and tell your friends to check us out as well. Because if this site becomes wildly successful, it’ll be your way of casting your vote for positivity and optimism. It’ll be your way of changing the definition of news, and in turn, changing the world.
For reasons beyond the obvious, we hope you agree. We hope you join us.
Because, really, in times like these, couldn’t we all use a lot less negativity and a lot more positivity?
I look forward to our ongoing conversation.
Best wishes,
Sean Leary
Editor / Publisher
www.getyourgoodnews.com
One On One With Paula Sands
One on One with Paula Sands
published 11-11-09
By Sean Leary
Among the echelon of anyone claiming the tag ``local celebrity,’’ one person would stand above them all in terms of regional fame -- Paula Sands.
The longtime anchor of KWQC-TV6’s perennially ratings-topping newscast and host of ``Paula Sands Live’’ has been one of the most recognized Quad-Citians for over two decades.
Her status has been all the more augmented by the ``local girl made good’’ angle. Sands was born in Moline, graduated from Moline High School and nabbed her college degree from the Academy of Radio and Television in Bettendorf (now Hamilton Tech in Davenport).
Like any public figure, she’s faced off against her share of detractors and weathered the storms and vagaries of a job in the media. But regardless of your feelings about her, the fact that you have feelings about her only goes to prove her influence.
For all of her notoriety, Sands retains ties that bind her to the ground, she says.
``I teach in the children’s ministry at my church, Heritage in Bettendorf ,’’ she said. ``Those kids don’t know me as `Paula Sands.’ One of the Moms told me her son yelled the other day, `Hey! What’s my Sunday school teacher doin’ on TV!’ She told him, `It’s her job.’ I love that. It’s just my job.’’
Last week, Sands agreed to chat with us about that job, and other aspects of her life.
Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you watch the news and envision yourself as an anchor?
A: The role of teacher always fascinated me. Even as a kid I loved to talk!
Q: When did you decide a news reporting future was right for you?
A: Not until I got the job! My education at ART was focused on radio broadcasting and commercial copywriting. I never dreamed of an on-air TV job or news at all. It evolved after I was hired to host PM Magazine at KWQC..
Q: Did you ever imagine you would rise to the level to which you have, and how is it alike or different from what you imagined?
A: Honestly, any talents I possess or any success I’ve had I realize are gifts from God. And this “level” I’ve achieved is mainly through longevity. Stick with anything long enough and you, too, can be considered a high achiever!
Q: What are your favorite or least favorite memories from starting out? Were there ever times you doubted yourself and how did you overcome them?
A: I remember being the new kid -- twenty-three years old and feeling unqualified for the job. I doubted myself every day. But I’ve always had a strong sense of perseverance that keeps me going through anything. I just showed up and did my best. That still drives me today.
Q: What is the best / worst part of your job?
A: Best part: 4:30 to 5 p.m. every weekday during the actual performance of the live show. That’s when I’m on fire. The other eight hours of the day are filled with making that half-hour happen –not as fun.
Q: What has been the most memorable story you've covered and why?
A: After 27 years, there is no one answer to this. My favorite stories are always the ones of ordinary people who act in extraordinary ways under difficult circumstances. Those get me every time. I love to feature people with those stories to tell.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A: Read, travel, hang out with my husband. Do fun things with our kids and grandkids. Go out to dinner and laugh with a close group of friends from our church. Mostly my time at home is spent recharging my batteries. I expend a lot of energy at work.
Q: What goals do you have for the future -- both work-related and non-work related?
A: I am looking for the next big thing in my life. My dad died in a very sudden way six years ago and it rocked my world; bringing me to a strong Christian faith. My goals are different now because they don’t feel like “mine”. I’m waiting on God to lead me where I should be. It’s quite peaceful.
Q: What are the best / worst things about being such a public figure?
A: The worst part is being treated like an image on a screen and not a real person. Of course that’s just among people who don’t know me. My loved ones know I’m plenty real. Now the BEST part really excites me, and here it is: My job gives other people a voice. People who would never have a chance to appear on TV anywhere else can come on PSL and promote something positive. THAT feels like my purpose. So I strive to help those people show their best selves. It’s certainly not about me.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest misconception about you, why do you feel it exists, and how do you feel it best to clear it up?
A: It’s fairly impossible to know what others think, but there is definitely a mystery about people on TV. And thanks to blogs and chat rooms, people feel free to let loose on our so-called celebrities. It does sting to hear things that are untrue. But it’s way beyond my control to address every false rumor. All I can do is conduct myself in a kind way on and off air; realizing I can’t please all the people all the time. I’m content with that.
I’ve been blessed with the responsibility of a public forum that’s much bigger than I am. I may be the conductor of this train, but I’m not the engineer. So I’ll keep it on the track with integrity and enthusiasm as long as the ride lasts.
I’d like to spread that attitude to anyone reading this right now. Let’s be a little more kind and gentle. The world is harsh, but we can cushion it with our words and attitudes.
published 11-11-09
By Sean Leary
Among the echelon of anyone claiming the tag ``local celebrity,’’ one person would stand above them all in terms of regional fame -- Paula Sands.
The longtime anchor of KWQC-TV6’s perennially ratings-topping newscast and host of ``Paula Sands Live’’ has been one of the most recognized Quad-Citians for over two decades.
Her status has been all the more augmented by the ``local girl made good’’ angle. Sands was born in Moline, graduated from Moline High School and nabbed her college degree from the Academy of Radio and Television in Bettendorf (now Hamilton Tech in Davenport).
Like any public figure, she’s faced off against her share of detractors and weathered the storms and vagaries of a job in the media. But regardless of your feelings about her, the fact that you have feelings about her only goes to prove her influence.
For all of her notoriety, Sands retains ties that bind her to the ground, she says.
``I teach in the children’s ministry at my church, Heritage in Bettendorf ,’’ she said. ``Those kids don’t know me as `Paula Sands.’ One of the Moms told me her son yelled the other day, `Hey! What’s my Sunday school teacher doin’ on TV!’ She told him, `It’s her job.’ I love that. It’s just my job.’’
Last week, Sands agreed to chat with us about that job, and other aspects of her life.
Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you watch the news and envision yourself as an anchor?
A: The role of teacher always fascinated me. Even as a kid I loved to talk!
Q: When did you decide a news reporting future was right for you?
A: Not until I got the job! My education at ART was focused on radio broadcasting and commercial copywriting. I never dreamed of an on-air TV job or news at all. It evolved after I was hired to host PM Magazine at KWQC..
Q: Did you ever imagine you would rise to the level to which you have, and how is it alike or different from what you imagined?
A: Honestly, any talents I possess or any success I’ve had I realize are gifts from God. And this “level” I’ve achieved is mainly through longevity. Stick with anything long enough and you, too, can be considered a high achiever!
Q: What are your favorite or least favorite memories from starting out? Were there ever times you doubted yourself and how did you overcome them?
A: I remember being the new kid -- twenty-three years old and feeling unqualified for the job. I doubted myself every day. But I’ve always had a strong sense of perseverance that keeps me going through anything. I just showed up and did my best. That still drives me today.
Q: What is the best / worst part of your job?
A: Best part: 4:30 to 5 p.m. every weekday during the actual performance of the live show. That’s when I’m on fire. The other eight hours of the day are filled with making that half-hour happen –not as fun.
Q: What has been the most memorable story you've covered and why?
A: After 27 years, there is no one answer to this. My favorite stories are always the ones of ordinary people who act in extraordinary ways under difficult circumstances. Those get me every time. I love to feature people with those stories to tell.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A: Read, travel, hang out with my husband. Do fun things with our kids and grandkids. Go out to dinner and laugh with a close group of friends from our church. Mostly my time at home is spent recharging my batteries. I expend a lot of energy at work.
Q: What goals do you have for the future -- both work-related and non-work related?
A: I am looking for the next big thing in my life. My dad died in a very sudden way six years ago and it rocked my world; bringing me to a strong Christian faith. My goals are different now because they don’t feel like “mine”. I’m waiting on God to lead me where I should be. It’s quite peaceful.
Q: What are the best / worst things about being such a public figure?
A: The worst part is being treated like an image on a screen and not a real person. Of course that’s just among people who don’t know me. My loved ones know I’m plenty real. Now the BEST part really excites me, and here it is: My job gives other people a voice. People who would never have a chance to appear on TV anywhere else can come on PSL and promote something positive. THAT feels like my purpose. So I strive to help those people show their best selves. It’s certainly not about me.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest misconception about you, why do you feel it exists, and how do you feel it best to clear it up?
A: It’s fairly impossible to know what others think, but there is definitely a mystery about people on TV. And thanks to blogs and chat rooms, people feel free to let loose on our so-called celebrities. It does sting to hear things that are untrue. But it’s way beyond my control to address every false rumor. All I can do is conduct myself in a kind way on and off air; realizing I can’t please all the people all the time. I’m content with that.
I’ve been blessed with the responsibility of a public forum that’s much bigger than I am. I may be the conductor of this train, but I’m not the engineer. So I’ll keep it on the track with integrity and enthusiasm as long as the ride lasts.
I’d like to spread that attitude to anyone reading this right now. Let’s be a little more kind and gentle. The world is harsh, but we can cushion it with our words and attitudes.
Welcome to the Get Your Good News.Com Archive blog!
Hello, and welcome to the www.getyourgoodnews.com archive blog.
All of the local feature stories running on getyourgoodnews.com will be archived here. So if you miss anything, or if you want to read it again, or if you want to link it to your website (particularly if it's a review or profile of you or your creative endeavor) you can check this out and link to it.
Hope you enjoy this added feature to www.getyourgoodnews.com!
Best,
Sean Leary
Editor / Publisher
www.getyourgoodnews.com
All of the local feature stories running on getyourgoodnews.com will be archived here. So if you miss anything, or if you want to read it again, or if you want to link it to your website (particularly if it's a review or profile of you or your creative endeavor) you can check this out and link to it.
Hope you enjoy this added feature to www.getyourgoodnews.com!
Best,
Sean Leary
Editor / Publisher
www.getyourgoodnews.com
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