"Now," he continues, "more networks are doing their own programming, so I resurrected the idea and made the pilot. And I think it has a lot more potential, now. Television production is less centralized. Certain people are looking for something with a little bit of a different perspective, something that they've never seen before." He hooked up with a film-school buddy, Darin Foat, hired some actors, and together, they brought the old idea to modern fruition.
How does that work, now that it's a done deal? "The Denver flavor really comes out," he says. "We're all used to it because we live here, but Denver definitely has its own flavor." And, we ask, that is? "I couldn't describe it. It's just there." Like Portlandia -- the IFC series shot in Portland about people living in Portland -- 13th and Pearl suggests something offbeat and freshly local in scope. "Portlandia," Graves notes, "is one of those shows that are breaking ground for people like us. Now, the opportunity is more of an open book for us." To that end, the show's been entered in the 2011 New York Television Festival, and Graves says he's put out some feelers elsewhere. But right now, it's "wait and see." In the meantime, you can see the 13th and Pearl pilot when it premieres Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Mayan Theatre, 110 Broadway. Here's the trailer:13th and Pearl - Trailer from Chris Graves on Vimeo.
Along with a host of local talent and guest appearances by local businesses and music, the pilot stars Hollywood actresses Christine Elise McCarthy (the original Beverly Hills 90210) and Shelly Cole (The Gilmore Girls). Cole, Graves, Foat and several members of of the local cast and crew will be there in person to answer questions after the screening, which also includes a selection of shorts. Admission is a $5 donation to Food Bank of the Rockies (or bring a non-perishable food item); get further deets at the Facebook event page.