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.

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.

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 . . . .

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. . . .

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.

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.

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!

With Chuck Potter on the guest bar stool.

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.

Grip /ɡrɪp/ noun

1

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

2

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: HANDLE

5 : SUITCASE

6

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.