WaPo staffer R.B. Brenner got an unexpected taste of Hollywood last year as a film consultant for “State of Play,” a blockbuster about the friendship-rivalry between a politician and a reporter.

Brenner’s real-life experience was used to shape the film’s fictional Washington Globe newsroom and to give the all-star cast; Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren and Rachel McAdams pointers on journalism in DC.

Read about Brenner’s time on set, his two-line role opposite Mirren and more about the film that opens this Friday here.

From the release:

We’re delighted to announce that Phyllis Jordan is the new Maryland
Editor. She succeeds R.B. Brenner, following his promotion to Metropolitan Editor. In her new position, Phyllis will have major responsibilities overseeing more than 40 editors and reporters, five suburban bureaus, and coverage of communities that are home to about 40 percent of Post readers.

Phyllis has been Deputy Maryland Editor since 2002, while also directing coverage of state government and politics throughout the most significant and demanding period in Maryland’s recent political history.

Under her skillful leadership and tireless work ethic, The Post excelled in its coverage of two gubernatorial elections, a nationally prominent U.S. Senate contest and, of course, the bruising battles between Republican governor Bob Ehrlich and the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature. At the same time, she edited a team of general assignment reporters, guiding work to A1 on such diverse topics as immigration, the environment, drug addiction and treatment, and the military. Phyllis brings to her new job an excellent mix of skills including fine news judgment, extensive knowledge of Maryland affairs, and a deft and collegial management style.

Phyllis came to The Post in 2000 to edit Maryland’s education reporters. Previously she worked at the Los Angeles Times, The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk and the Fairfax Journal.

Along with her promotion, we’re pleased to announce two other changes on the Maryland desk. Anne Bartlett will assume the position of Deputy Maryland Editor, in recognition of her outstanding work editing criminal justice coverage. Terry Neal will expand his editing portfolio to include Annapolis state government and politics as well as the core local government beats.

These changes are effective immediately.