Yay!  The first production day of the season!  ABC’s Secrets & Lies kicks it off in Porter’s Neck.  Wanna know some more secrets?  How about how Producer Aaron Kaplan feels about Wilmington and why he chose to bring it here.  Hunter Ingram of the Star News snagged this fabulous quote:

“When we were trying to decide where to shoot this, one of the most important things for us was that we had to pick an American city that felt very safe, very bucolic and a place that would be rattled by something like the murder of a child,” Kaplan said.  

Aaron says more and he wasn’t the only one that agreed.  Find out who cited our excellent film incentives and crew base to seal the deal. READ MORE NOW

This came out yesterday afternoon!  Australian actress Indiana Evans, has signed on the dotted line as well as three other actors for Secrets & Lies.  Deadline reports that Evans will play Natalie, Ben and Christy’s teenage daughter.  But I am most excited about Charles Dutton!  He will play one of the neighbors, Kevin Williams.  Also added to the list are Steven Brand (Magic City) as Dr. Joseph Turner, another neighbor, and Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead).  READ MORE NOW.

As we gear up for Under the Dome to begin production on Monday in Burgaw, they stopped what they were doing to add to the 100s of slates from around the world paying their respects to Sarah Jones.  Thank you John and the gang!  You rock! Visit SLATES FOR SARAH.  ABC’s Secrets & Lies also have a slate for Sarah as Well.

On a traffic note, there will be some road closures as Under the Dome moves forward with Season Two.   Hwy 53 in Burgaw will be closed to traffic between the intersection of HWY 53 and HWY 421 and Malpass Corner Rd.  Times are not set as of yet.

I got an email this morning about an online memorial for Sarah.  “Join our online memorial tomorrow at 11am PST/2pm EST to help us honor Sarah’s life and show the Academy that this courageous young woman deserves a place in the ceremonies.”

Here’s how you can participate:

1. Share the petition: Click here to share the petition on Facebook.
2. Tell people about the memorial: Here’s a tweet you can share.
3. Join the memorial: At 11am PST/2pm EST on Saturday, sign online and tweet a message of support using the hashtag #RIPSarahJones. You can share a photo of Sarah or yourself, send a message of encouragement for Sarah’s friends and family, or say why you think Sarah deserves recognition at Sunday’s Oscars.

The Red Zone is no longer called The Red Zone.  It is back to it original vague title: Untitled Nikki Tuscano Project.  Dunno why yet, we shall see!

In case you missed it yesterday, there is a crew call FINALLY for Max Steel.   Regardless of delays and no office officially open yet, Max Steel is now accepting crew resumes. Send your resumes to maxsteelresumes@gmail.com with your position in the subject line.

THIS SUNDAY:  The Academy Awards!  Don’t forget, we have two North Carolina shot flicks up for the Oscar.

VISUAL EFFECTS

Iron Man 3

Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Erik Nash and Dan Sudick

Our guys are up against Gravity, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Lone Ranger, and Star Trek Into Darkness

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

Stephen Prouty

Other flicks in the running for this category are Dallas Buyers Club, and The Lone Ranger.

See the complete list now from the Oscars!

REMINDER THIS SUNDAY: A few more tickets are available for Wilmington film lovers and industry leaders as they gather at Screen Gems Studios for an elegant evening of entertainment featuring a live broadcast of the Oscars, local cuisine, innovative craft cocktails, popcorn, cash oscar pool, a curated silent auction and of course, a flashy red carpet entrance scattered with paparazzi and style judges.

Proceeds from the event support critical costs associated with producing the 20th annual Cucalorus Film Festival taking place in downtown Wilmington from November 12 to 16, 2014. $100 for single tickets, $180 for couples!!  Click for more information. 

LOOKING FOR THOSE FILM=JOB STICKERS? Sunrise Broadcasting has a few.  Feel free to stop by and grab you one while they last at 25 N. Kerr Ave. (near the intersection of Market and Kerr across from the new Walgreens) Offices are open from 8:30am-5:30pm M-F.  Please one sticker per person please.  They will run out fast!  Thanks!

MOST POPULAR BLOGS THIS WEEK: 

• Colin Ford’s Got a Message for Wilmywood!
• THE WILMYWOOD DAILY – 02/27/2014 Two Features Coming to NC, A Focus on Local Hires, Conjuring Sequel, Sarah Jones’ Family
• 40th Annual Saturn Awards – multiple Wilmywood Noms!
• Extras Casting Call – Secrets & Lies Young Professionals/Police Types
• UPDATE: Tragedy in Georgia on Set for Midnight Rider

That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you Monday morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5.  Got Scoop?  Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com.  Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB  or on Twitter.  You can also just post your comments below!  Until then, that’s a wrap!!