Indieground filmmaker Jon Moritsugu will spend the next two consecutive Saturdays (Feb. 22 and March 1) teaching a “Guerilla Filmmaking and Distribution” class at the Santa Fe Community College. Moritsugu has been a fixture on the lo-fi, DIY film scene since his senior thesis film “Der Elvis” was hailed by Village Voice critic J. Hoberman as “one of the top 50 films of the eighties.” Moritsugu went on to write, produce, edit and distribute films like My Degeneration (1990), Terminal USA (1993), Mod Fuck Explosion (1994), Fame Whore (1997) and Scumrock (2002). His most recent film, the sci-fi horror comedy Pig Death Machine (2013), was shot in and around Santa Fe, where the filmmaker now lives. Moritsugu’s class will cover the ins and outs of low-to-no-budget film and video—from preproduction to distribution. Class will run from 9am to 5pm both days. Cost is $139 and includes a 30-page filmmaker booklet containing sample forms, articles and resources. The course is part of the college’s Continuing Education department and is listed as #AT366. Space is limited.
Reel World: Level Up Level Up
On Saturday, Feb. 22, the State Film Office will host a Continuing Education Day for resident crew members. Three free workshops will be taught that day: “The Process of Hiring Assistant Directors,” “Understanding Specialty Lighting & Stunt Rigging for the Stage” and “Continuity for Period, Western Wardrobe.” In order to participate, you must be 18 or older and have at least one credit from a project with a budget of at least $150,000. Credits can be in one of the following departments: accounting, assistant directing, production office, camera, grip, lighting or wardrobe. Attendance is limited to between 8 and 10 people per class. If you’re interested, email your resume immediately to nmcrewtraining@gmail.com for registration details.
Reel World: Pop Cinema Pop Cinema
The 35th Annual Southwest Popular and American Culture Association conference will run Feb. 19-22. This marks the 14th year the conference has been held in Albuquerque. This pop cultural gathering is mostly attended by academics and authors and features breakout presentations on everything from James Bond to “Breaking Bad” to the Grateful Dead. Pre-registration is kind of a must, but the conference always has a few events that are open to the public. On Friday, Feb. 21, for example, Dr. Alisa Perren, winner of the 2013 Peter C. Rollins Book Award, will discuss her book Indie, Inc.: Miramax and the Transformation of Hollywood in the 1990s. Perren is an associate professor of communication studies at the University of Texas at Austin and her award-winning book looks at how the Miramax studio transformed the independent film industry in the ’90s. Perren’s speech takes place at 6:30pm at the Hyatt Regency (330 Tijeras NW) and is open to the public. Tickets are $10. Those interested need to RSVP to Dr. Kenneth Dvorak (krdvorak@southwestpca.org).
