There was a time nearly every feature-length film in the country was shot in Los Angeles or New York. But when actor-director Helen Hunt wanted to shoot a movie about surfing in Venice, California, many were suggesting she could save money shooting elsewhere. In the end, she she went ahead and shot in California, but acknowledged most filmmakers these days will go to Louisiana or Canada ahead of shooting an independent film in Southern California. “This was very rare, to have a small movie [shot in L.A.],” Hunt said.

But while Hunt said shifts in cost savings have disrupted movie-making in her hometown of Los Angeles, that creates opportunities for Ringling College of Art and Design students making the films of tomorrow. Directors these days merely need passion and ingenuity. “You just have to be like a desperate wild animal, basically, to get your script to whoever will help you,” she said. “You have to shoot it on your phone, and you have to beg people for favors. More than ever before, you can do that anywhere.”

Hunt spoke in Sarasota Tuesday night as part of a Ringling College Studio Lab visit. The Studio Lab program, conducted through a partnership with Semkhor, has brought around 40 industry professionals to the college since 2011, including a number of famous actors like Hunt, to offer professional insight to students and community members supporting the school. 

During a community event Tuesday, trailers were shown for Then She Found Me and Ride, features directed by Hunt in 2007 and 2014 respectively. Hunt relished questions coming from students. She recommended that those interested in show business, regardless of whether they want a career in front of the camera or behind the scenes, should take an acting class to better understand the craft. She revealed harsh reviews still prove difficult for her to brush off, and said time with her children can prove elusive, even though she has been successful enough to stay home and raise her 11-year-old daughter without growing too concerned about getting food on the table. But as jobs move to places like North Carolina, the call away from home becomes harder to ignore, she said. “There are these crippling state incentives or lack of state incentives,” she said.

She stressed, though, that opportunities for those entering the field today are more ample than ever. “The good news and the bad news is the old way it used to be done blew up,” she said. “Now the cards are all over the room and you just madly grab at whatever card you see. The cards are everywhere. That’s the good news.” 

Photo by Cliff Roles: Helen Hunt (left) speaks with Tony Stopperan during a reception at Ringling College of Art and Design

Sunday Brunch at Libby’s is a local favorite in Sarasota if only because of a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar that includes such scintillating add-ons as little chunks of Nueskes bacon, a variety of pickled vegetables, and all manner of hot sauce. You can dine al fresco in the Sunday sunlight, sit in the airy dining room, or tuck yourself (and your hangover) away in a nice cool corner of the bar. I’ve really enjoyed the menu additions of late that include fun gluten-free options like Chicken Meatballs and vegetarian options such as the Ancient Grains Burger with grilled blackened pineapple, sliced avocado, rocket greens, sriracha aioli and salt'n'peppa fries. My favorite newcomer to the Brunch menu party is the Heirloom Carrot Wellington with a buttery flaky crust, supergreens, two perfectly poached eggs and truffle butter. There is no better complement to a fully loaded Bloody Mary than an Heirloom Carrot Wellington. Of course, I haven’t yet tried the Hangtown Fry or the Cinnamon Dim Sum Buns; I’ll keep you posted.  

Libby's Cafe + Bar, 1917 S Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-487-7300.

Donna Tororice of Pop Craft knows what to do when life hands her bushels of Florida citrus: make popsicles. And she’s doing just that, to the tune of incredibly inventive flavors that are as seasonal as they are delicious. For someone like Donna, the flavors of the season are full of inspiration, which translates to frozen treats that pack punch. But for Pop Craft, the flavor profiles are much more nuanced and carefully planned than just reaching for what is ripe and leaving imagination far behind. That’s how popsicles like Blood Orange and Lemongrass are born. “I use a local supplier for all of my exotics, like lemongrass. They’re a wonderful company and their honey is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. When the bees are pollinating jackfruit and bananas and star fruit, their honey is out of this world.”  If exotics aren’t your preference, try out the citrusy, sweet Pomelo Orange Blossom, which has high fragrant notes thanks to the orange blossom essence. A labor of love, the Tangy Kumquat flavor requires hand seeding of each tiny fruit. The sweetness of the juice is balanced by the tart, candy like flavor of the peel, which is added in for a twist on the flavor profile that is unlike anything else on the menu. Take advantage of this season’s bounty by stopping in for frozen treats you can’t get anywhere else. 

Popcraft is a member of Nosh, the SRQ Magazine content marketing program for local restaurants.

Pop Craft | 2095B Siesta Drive | 941-706-3231 | PopCraftPops.com 

Whitney Bartlett has been promoted to Fleet Foot Sports Sarasota manager. For the past few years, Bartlett has built up Fleet Foot Sports’ Fitness and Wellness programs. Bartlett is a certified personal trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She has been running since high school and played soccer and lacrosse in college at Mary Washington University.  

Fleet Foot Sports Sarasota

Owners of The Lakeshore, a new luxury condominium located in downtown Lakewood Ranch, announced The Bullard Group will begin construction on the luxury lakefront community in the summer of 2016. Phase I is now available for purchase through a pre-sale program. 

The Lakeshore

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Manatees Baseball shortstop Ethan Skender was named baseball player of the week by the Florida College System Activities Association on Feb. 16. The FCSAA released its National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 8 Baseball and Softball Coaches’ Polls for Feb. 16 and Player and Pitcher of the Week selections for games played Feb. 8-14. Skender, from Metamora, Illinois, batted .733 (11 for 15) with nine runs scored, three doubles, one triple, seven RBIs and four stolen bases during the voting period. He led the Manatees to a perfect 4-0 record during the week, and he hit safely in all four games. 

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota