Roll 'Em!
THINGS SEEM TO be going well for 19-year-old Tyrel "The Beret" Ventura. Last month the First Son got to tag along on a tour of Hollywood movie studios as his father sought to drum up interest in Minnesota as a feature location; cameras captured him sporting his trademark black beanie and proclaiming his desire to become a filmmaker. Now he seems to have gotten his first big break--directing a public-service announcement urging kids to seek higher education. Ventura tells Off Beat that he has been making films since he was two and has held private showings for his former classmates at Champlin Park High School. Asked about his commercial credits, he readily admits, "I don't have any." The spot is to be produced by Northwoods Advertising, the firm that created award-winning campaign ads for Tyrel's father. Northwoods founder Bill Hillsman bristles at questions about the project. "I'll hire the best person for the job," snaps the ad man, confirming young Ventura's involvement but refusing to name the client. (Gubernatorial spokesman John Wodele says the PSA is sponsored by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; MnSCU spokeswoman Linda Kohl did not return Off Beat's call.) Will the governor himself appear? Wodele says yes, Tyrel Ventura says no, and Hillsman says it hasn't been cast yet. Regarding another rumor making the rounds in the local film community--that he has been retained by Quentin Tarantino's company, A Band Apart Films, to direct music videos--Tyrel says coyly: "We're just talking."
Also in this Issue
- Scene Not Heard Computer wizards leave their bedrooms, rappers reach the stage, and the Mason Jennings Band creates the bar buzz of the decade. In the ninth annual City Pages New Music Poll, 60 local music fans pick the bands that made the biggest noise. (Cover Story)
- Mise en Mall How to stop worrying and learn to love the megamall (City Beat)
- Ground Troops From its South Minneapolis headquarters, the American Refugee Committee sorts out the logistics of relief (City Beat)
- More articles from this issue...
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From the Archive
- Reeling In the Mpls./St. Paul International Film Festival Ninety-three films, three projectors, and the whole wide world (Arts Feature - Apr 14, 1999)
- Off Beat (Off Beat - Apr 14, 1999)
- Off Beat (Off Beat - Apr 7, 1999)
- Off Beat (Off Beat - Mar 31, 1999)
- Off Beat (Off Beat - Mar 24, 1999)
- Off Beat (Off Beat - Mar 17, 1999)
- Off Beat (Off Beat - Mar 10, 1999)
- Turn Your Public Sector Know-How Into Big Bucks! Stuck in a dead-end government job? Revolving Door Career Counseling Services® can help you cash in! (City Beat - Mar 3, 1999)
- More articles from the CP Staff Archive...
