What’s Rolling: September Buzz in Virginia Beach Video Production
Virginia Beach video production fans can expect a lively second half of September, even if the calendar is light on major shoots. Below is a verified look at screenings, submission deadlines, and permitting developments every producer should track.
Spotlight Screening — Stop Making Sense Hits the Sandler Center
On September 16, the Sandler Center brings the newly restored 40th-anniversary print of Jonathan Demme’s iconic Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense to town. Band co-founder Jerry Harrison will intro the movie and host a post-show Q&A, turning a classic rock doc into a one-night masterclass on concert cinematography. Doors open 7:30 p.m. at Town Center (201 Market St.)
Production Takeaway
- Great networking: local sound mixers and multicam DPs often attend concert-film revivals.
- B-roll opportunity: the Sandler’s architectural lighting plus fan reactions make solid stock footage with prior venue approval.
Final Call — Horror Shorts Needed Today
If you have a spine-tingling short on the shelf, submit it before midnight Sept 10 to the Halloween Horror Short Film Showcase. Qualifying shorts (horror/thriller/sci-fi ≤10 min) screen in late October at an oceanfront venue still TBA. There’s no entry fee, and curators prefer titles without large public release, making this a prime first-look stage for emerging directors.
Why It Matters for Crews
- Accepted films will be paired with the premiere of a Halloween fan film, guaranteeing a built-in genre audience.
- Organizers hint at prize packages including free gear-rental credits—ideal for shoestring indie teams preparing their next shoot.
Permit Pulse — Neptune Festival Looms
The Special Events & Film Office has issued reminders that the boardwalk and adjacent Atlantic Ave. blocks enter phased closures starting Sept 23 to build stages, art tents and sand-sculpting pits for the 51st Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend (Sept 26-28). Productions needing beachfront access during that period must file film permit applications and coordinate with city liaisons for restricted zones, parking passes and drone windows.
Pro Tip: Use the city’s VB Go app for live parking and road-closure alerts on shoot days.
Quick Hits & Near-Term Dates
Date | Item | Why Producers Care | Source |
Sept 10 (EOD) | Horror Showcase submissions close | Last zero-fee fest entry this quarter | |
Sept 16 | Stop Making Sense screening + Q&A | Rare chance to network with concert-film legend Jerry Harrison | |
Sept 20–21 | Neptune Beach Blast concerts (music, drone restrictions likely) | Test-bed for live-event crews ahead of festival season | |
Sept 23–28 | Boardwalk closure & Neptune Fest | Mandatory permit adjustments for beachfront shoots |
Resources for Virginia Beach Creators
- Film Permit Application & Guidelines — download forms and contact info.
- Oceanfront Event Season Packet — traffic maps, staging zones, and daily closures through winter.
- VisitVB Events Calendar — filter by “Performances” to track future screenings.
Closing Thoughts
While September doesn’t bring a marquee studio shoot to town, the mix of cult-film nostalgia, grassroots horror, and large-scale festival prep keeps the Virginia Beach video production ecosystem humming. Lock those permits early, get your horror short uploaded tonight, and we’ll see you under the Sandler Center lights next week.
