Scott Phillips’ locally shot horror thriller Gimme Skelter hit DVD last week and is–appropriately enough–the first release from the new Albuquerque-based DVD label Burning Paradise Entertainment. The full-feature DVD includes writer/director commentary, video blogs from the making of the film, a still gallery, a music video, a blooper reel and more. The film itself concerns a low-rent serial killer who talks his cultish, Charles Manson-worshipping minions into attacking a small Southwestern town. Unfortunately for them, the town’s quirky inhabitants prove not so ripe for the slaughtering. In addition to local actors Mark Chavez, Billy Garberina, Jaymi McNulty, Sarah Turner and others, the cast includes B-movie faves Trent Haaga ( Terror Firmer ), Elske McCain ( Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead ) and Texas Chainsaw Massacre star Gunnar Hansen.The DVDs are available for $20 each at Burning Paradise Video (800 Central SW) or online at www.burningparadise.net. Grab two, they’re small!
Laptop Cineplex
Speaking of distribution, Duke City Shootout founder Anthony DellaFlora has partnered with local information technology businessman Dan Latrimurti to create a new company aimed at proving online distribution for independent filmmakers. Launched just this month, the Filmmakers Channel (www.thefilmmakerschannel.com) hopes to give the thousands of filmmakers who may never get their movies screened in a theater or on TV the chance to get their work out to the world. DellaFlora admits there are a lot of online movie distribution sites these days, but insists his is different because it puts the welfare of the filmmaker first. The Filmmakers Channel will feature a streaming, non-buffering video platform for movies that can include a pay-per-view option. Filmmakers will pay a monthly fee for broadcast minutes and channels, starting as low as $10 a month. The Filmmakers Channel has also partnered with Albuquerque filmmakers Rob Ellis and Michael Palumbo (producers of the video Got Art ) to create a sister site, Big Window Video (www.big-window-video.com), which will provide educational tutorials teaching people how to write screenplays, shoot on green screens and use the latest digital video equipment. Currently, three short documentaries by DellaFlora and his partners are available through the Filmmakers Channel. Stay tuned (so to speak) for additional content.
Mountain High
On Wednesday, March 26, the Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to spread its high-altitude goodness all over the KiMo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or an armchair adventurer, you’re sure to find something in this collection of short documentaries about mountain sports and culture that will get your blood pumping. Tickets are $10 in advance (at the KiMo box office and through TicketMaster) and $12 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and The Mountain Fund.
