Raleigh-based production company behind new survival-at-sea thriller
“On a blustery day, four friends embarked on a fishing trip. A harrowing two days later, only one man returned. This is his story.” … In 2009, Nick Schuyler’s life changed forever when he became the sole survivor of a boating trip gone wrong in the Gulf of Mexico, which claimed the lives of his best friend Will Bleakley, along with NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith (the latter of whom was also a former NC State football star).
In the wake of the tragedy, Schuyler worked with Rick French, chairman & CEO of Raleigh-based agency French/West/Vaughan, to document his story while honoring his late friends via his inspiring yet heartwrenching nonfiction survival tale Not Without Hope—which went on to earn a spot on The New York Times bestselling list and resulted in Schuyler’s appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and HBO’s Real Sports. And while the book debuted in 2010, the upcoming film has been 13 years in the making—due to delays caused by unforeseen circumstances and the pandemic.
“Making a film like this, especially a water-based tragedy, is about as difficult as you can imagine,” explains French. “The water was cold. It was a very immersive experience, and that’s what people in the theater are going to experience—they are going to be thrust into that environment with the guys who are trying to survive. … We will be pulling that theatergoer into the water.”
French’s film production company, Prix Productions, is behind creation efforts for the film, which recently wrapped shooting on-location in Malta and is targeted for an early fall 2024 debut (also coinciding with the start of the NFL season). An array of acclaimed Hollywood actors are involved in the project, including Zachary Levi (you might know him from Shazam!) starring as Nick, plus Quentin Plair (a former UNC football player from the Butch Davis era), Marshall Cook, Josh Duhamel (of Safe Haven fame), Terrence Terrell and JoBeth Williams—with critically acclaimed director Joe Carnahan at the helm.
“They gave us everything they had,” says French of the principal actors. “It was a grueling experience—to be in that tank in the middle of the night in cold water with no bodysuits. They were facing the elements for weeks on end recreating these sequences. I cannot imagine the physical toll it took on all of them.”
An edge-of-your-seat thriller, Not Without Hope is a film for everyone—from sports fans to those who enjoy buddy movies, says French. “And in a story like this, Mother Nature is always going to win… but these guys fought heroically to try and stay alive against the worst storm to hit the Gulf of Mexico in 25 years,” he adds.
In addition to the feature film, keep your eyes on the horizon for a documentary based on the same story, Four Down, set for release in 2024. The filmmakers are shooting to premiere the docu—directed by Oscar-nominated Steven Cantor and produced by French and Dwayne Johnson and his production company, Seven Bucks Productions—at Sundance Film Festival.
“Our intent is to honor the memory of Nick’s friends,” says French of the in-the-works major motion picture. “We want the last thing for people to know about them not to be how they died—but how they lived and worked together to try and keep each other alive.” Indeed, hope is not lost.
Glenwood South has descended into chaos and crime. The entertainment district known as much as a place to party as the city’s cash cow—bringing in $1.2+ billion in economic impact annually—is quickly descending into an area riddled with criminal activity. While nuisance complaints for infractions like noise and public urination have long been the norm, in recent months, the district’s problems have quickly escalated to such serious crimes as drugs, gun violence, larceny and assaults—with no signs of slowing.
As crime surges on Glenwood South, RPD is cracking down—even on such minor citations as burnt-out headlights, excessive muffler noise and window tinting.
“Our priority is ensuring Raleigh is safe for those who live, work and visit,” says RPD Public Information Officer Lt. Jason Borneo. “As a community, we must be intolerant of violent crime and vigilant in identifying and addressing environmental factors (i.e., lighting and signage) and individuals contributing to and engaging in criminal activity.” We worked with RPD for real-time data to shed light on the southern stretch of Glenwood.
GLENWOOD SOUTH RPD CRACKDOWN BY THE NUMBERS
Summer snapshot of arrests and citations from July 1–Aug. 6.
270 parking tickets written during the first month of the new $200 ticketing rule, compared to last year’s 333 during the same time duration.
Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Arrests 5 employees at Botanical Lounge and Armadillo Grill were arrested for possession of marijuana and cocaine with intent to sell; delivering; and selling—plus allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC-licensed premises.
Prepare for an e-bike boom this fall as the city sets an incentive program in motion.
Raleigh really wants you to give battery-powered biking a go. This fall, the city will roll out a pilot program dubbed Ral-E-Bike that incentivizes the purchase of electric bicycles (aka e-bikes). The goal? To encourage more residents to adopt this innovative form of transportation in their day-to-day lives.
“There are some other cities that have already done this; I think the most prominent example is Denver,” City Council member Jonathan Melton says of the program, which is funded through a federal grant. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to replicate in Raleigh for a long time.”
It’s no secret electric rides—including e-bikes—have exploded in popularity recently, a trend that’s proving to be a game-changer for urban transit. The Department of Energy estimates e-bikes can replace most car trips, given that 75% of U.S. car trips are less than 10 miles.
“We know e-bikes are better for the environment,” explains Melton. “We know if we can give folks options it’s going to reduce traffic so the people who want to drive cars or need to drive cars have a more enjoyable experience… and it also increases equity and mobility for people who can’t afford a car or don’t want to have a car.”
Through the program, Raleighites 18 and older can apply for $500 vouchers to use toward e-bike purchases from participating retailers; those with lower incomes can qualify for $1,500 vouchers. The initial pilot will allow for 75 income-qualified vouchers and 75 standard vouchers to be made available, and recipients will be asked to participate in regular surveys about their e-bike use.
“I’m hoping this pilot is a great success [and] we can use some of the information we gather to implement a long-term permanent program,” Melton shares. “Overall, I just want to see a mode shift in Raleigh. I think we’re very car-dependent right now, [but] we have a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon.” E-bike to the future? Count us in. raleighnc.gov
Eat (and drink!) your way down memory lane for a taste of Raleigh’s restaurant history.
There’s no question that Raleigh is home to a thriving restaurant scene—and while our city continues to level up its eating and drinking game on the reg, ya just can’t beat the classics. Here, we challenge you to summon your nostalgic knowledge for a roundup of Q’s on Raleigh’s oldest eateries, spots you might’ve forgotten about and more. Ready for a trip down memory lane?
1. Char-Grill has been touting the “best burger and fries in Raleigh” since 1960! A Raleigh institution—from its late-night hours to sliding your order into the iconic window slot—the burger joint now boasts how many locations in NC? a. 7 b. 8 c. 9 d. 10
2. An, ahem, mecca, Mecca Restaurant has been sating stomachs in Downtown Raleigh since 1930 (and she doesn’t look a day over 25!). What was the OG name of the old-school eatery? a. Mecca Luncheonette b. The Mecca Diner c. Raleigh’s Mecca d. Nick’s Place
3. Get piggy with it via Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque, which has been pullin’ the local pork game for 80+ years. On what holiday did the institution first open its doors? a. Christmas Day b. Valentine’s Day c. July 4th d. New Year’s Day
4. Way back when… Thad Eure Jr. and Charles Winston purchased 50 acres of land on Highway 70 that would eventually become what is now the iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. How much did they pay for the prized plot of land? a. $825 b. $6,750 c. $7,750 d. $10,750
5. Hey, playa! Players Retreat—aka “PR”—has positioned itself as the prime hangout spot for Wolfpackers, as it sits on the outskirts of NC State’s campus and touts tons of collegiate memorabilia. Who currently sits at the helm of this fan-fave neighborhood bar? a. Mickey Hanula b. Bernie Hanula c. Pete Jarrell d. Gus Gusler
6. Mosey up a flight of stairs on Hillsborough Street beside Global Village and you’ll find the treasured Mitch’s Tavern, which has been serving Raleighites since 1974. The resto was also a setting of which famous baseball movie? a. A League of Their Own b. Bull Durham c. Field of Dreams d. Moneyball
7. Hot wieners found here! No-frills hot dog hot spot The Roast Grill has long embraced the mantra to do one thing and do it well—and in this case, that would be a delish hot dog (served with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, natch). Which condiment does the joint not serve? a. Ketchup b. Mustard c. Chili d. Texas Pete
8. Ciao, bella! Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1963 after NC State alum Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis turned his desire to fill the city’s need for a local sub/hoagie shop into a reality. What sport did DiAngelis play during his time in college? a. Baseball b. Football c. Wrestling d. Basketball
9. Before diners chowed down on delish Italian fare on the gorgeous Mulino patio, the aesthetic eatery was the home to Babylon, a restaurant offering eats inspired by which country? a. Egypt b. Turkey c. Croatia d. Morocco
Introducing Aunty Betty’s sultry little sister bar
Have you met Peggy? Tucked in the corner of Glenwood South’s Hibernian Pub, find Aunty Betty’s fresh-on-the scene swanky sister, Peggy’s Whiskey & Cocktails, also from the mind of Niall Hanley of Hibernian Hospitality Group. Spot Aunty Betty’s master mixologist Greg Ewan shaking up liquid masterpieces behind the recently bowed bar—from traditional ’tails to one-of-a-kind concoctions, plus beer, wine and sake in a juice box (!). In addition to the sultry sips, Peggy’s really has it all. Think an all-star team of mixologists and an intimate yet inviting ambience complete with tangerine couches and bar stools (they’re a vibe) and a green-marble-topped bar perf for perching over an after-work bev or a Saturday Funday. @peggysatthepub
