Robert Hoelen Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

Gerald Waller, Part 3 Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

Gerald Waller Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

Gerald Waller Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

Lynn "LD" Dodson & Rusty Edmonson Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

Jock Brandis & Rob Hill Theme music by Turbo Pro Project.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 especially:  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.

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.

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.

New 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

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.

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.

Guests: MICHELLE JOHNSON and 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. . . .

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: 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.

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.