From the producer to the set designer to the camera operator to the star, all the roles in a new television series being filmed in Augusta belong to women, which is unique in the industry, according to its makers.
“Nightcap Confessions” is a one-of-a-kind talk show highlighting Augusta and Augustans and is hosted by Ann Beth Strelec, better known as the Naked Epicurean who writes a twice monthly column for The Augusta Press.
Its director, Jaci Wilkerson said she’s excited to be part of a show that highlights the talents of women, many of whom are mothers and are balancing career and family.
Strelec went to Cineloco, the videography company, with her concept, and she said she loves the idea of having women only working on the show. She also enjoys the creative energy that the women bring to the table.
For about three years, Strelec has been showcasing her hometown through her Instagram page.
Using her gift of gab, she’s gotten to know the behind-the-scenes people at local restaurants and bars. In addition, she’s met many of the city’s talented artists.
She wanted to highlight them and their efforts, but in a way other than a simple Instagram post or short interview.
She approached Cineloco about doing something “disarming,” Strelec said. In her approach, she wanted cozier chats than those involving talks with people on the standard set with a few chairs or a couch. For her gab session, Strelec picked a different piece of furniture.
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“I said, ‘Put them in a bed,’” said Strelec, whose show is chock full of tongue-in-cheek humor and made by women with lots of “chutzpah.”
Even the bed is over-the-top. To get onto it, Strelec uses a set of steps and is assisted by the minions in her show – the tiny hands, which are small plastic hands on sticks, which appear on-screen through television magic
The bed is a focal point on the overall set in a downtown Augusta condo. It has multiple overstuffed pillows and is positioned underneath a neon lips’ sign – which is a signature of sorts for Strelec, who often dabs a napkin to leave an impression of a kiss with “tell them the Naked Epicurean sent you” tagline.
On her show, Strelec is the true Southern hostess, offering her guests food and cocktails from area businesses and aided by her “tiny hands” minions.
A pilot aired on YouTube earlier this year with guest Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman, and Wilkerson said the concept has been tweaked since that episode.
Filming on two episodes is taking place this week. Wilkerson said she hopes the finished product will be released in a few months, and she sees the sky as the limit as to the show’s distribution. She’s exploring avenues for streaming services and local television outlets to get the show aired in the area and in other cities as well.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
