The about-to-shoot local indie horror feature Encased is looking to fill a couple of lead roles. First up is “Daisy,” a mid-20s Caucasian female with tattoos and piercings (described as a “Fairuza Balk American History X ” look). Next up is “Xavier,” a mid-20s male Japanese rocker, also with tattoos and piercings (described as a “Gackt” look for you J-pop fans out there). Both roles are paid and will be covered under SAG ultra-low contracts. If you think you fit the bill, send a résumé and headshots to encased2013@gmail.com. According to the producers, SkyeView Productions, Encased will be a horror/slasher film about four college students battling an ancient Japanese demon trapped in an old video game. The film will begin production in the summer and is expected to release Halloween 2013. The film will employ approximately 35 New Mexican crew members along with 16 principal roles. In the meantime, you can scope out the film’s Facebook page.
Reel World: Junior Experiments Junior Experiments
Experiments in Cinema, the annual “celebration of international cinematic experimentation” sponsored by Basement Films and UNM’s Cinematic Arts Department, officially gets underway April 16 through 21 at Guild Cinema and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. This year is labeled v7.9—which translates to seven years under the festival’s somewhat “experimental” numbering system. This year organizers are so excited to get things going, they’re kicking it off early with a sneak preview event on Wednesday, April 4. That afternoon, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a special Regional Youth Film Program at the KiMo Theatre. Experimental shorts from students at PAPA, MACCS and Albuquerque Academy will be screened. Admission is free and open to the public.
Reel World: Magic Time Magic Time
Students at UNM’s Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media program have just wrapped up filming on their newest project, titled “Ritz & Spitz.” The short film, shot almost entirely onstage at the historic KiMo Theatre, is a black-and-white tribute to old silent features (and was conceived well before The Artist nabbed all those Oscars, it must be noted). The effects-filled film spins the comic story of two feuding magicians. Already, it’s sounding like a worthy follow-up to last year’s “capstone” film, the ambitious post-apocalyptic drama “Haley.” Once editing on the project is wrapped, “Ritz & Spitz” is expected to premiere to the public sometime in May.
