Shootout + Early Bird = Dead Bird?– This summer, Albuquerque will play host to the 8 th Annual Duke City Shootout. The idea of this script-to-screen film festival is to cast, shoot, edit and premiere a short film in just seven days. Organizers of this year’s festival are currently beating the bushes looking for quality scripts of 12 minutes or less. If Duke City chooses your script, you’ll get transportation to Albuquerque (not such a big deal for you locals) and help making your short film. The festival provides cast, crew, digital cameras, equipment, mentors and everything else needed to make your movie a reality. The early bird deadline for scripts is Monday, April 16. You can save five whole bucks on your entry fee if you submit your script by then. If you can’t get it done in time, the final deadline is May 11. This year, prizes for the best completed films will include screenwriting courses valued up to $1,300 from Writer’s Boot Camp and software from Movie Magic. The festival itself will take place July 20-28. For more information about submitting your hot little script for the Shootout, log on to www.dukecityshootout.com.
Reel World
Filmmaking for Freshmen– Thanks to the New Visions/New Mexico Contract Award Program, a project of the NM Film Office, UNM will be offering a free (you heard me right) seven-week class in Film Directing Fundamentals. The class is designed as a step-by-step introduction to the art and craft of film directing, emphasizing the deep connections between screenplay, character and visual design. Class will be held at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and meets weekly on Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m., April 15 through May 27. There will be a two-week break beginning May 6 to create final projects. The instructor for the class is Matthew Linnell. Linnell graduated from Albuquerque’s Sandia High School and is an award-winning filmmaker and an MFA candidate in Film Writing and Directing at Columbia University in New York City. He recently received a New Mexico New Visions Contract Award for his short film “Uncovered.” To sign up, e-mail your name and contact information to Bosquefilms@gmail.com or call 565-5369. Class size is limited to 12 students, so get crackin’.
Reel World
Pilot Season– Santa Fe-based Nebula Pictures is producing a pilot for a proposed TV show about the employees of an independent movie theater. Dealing with the eccentric, peculiar and generally older moviegoers of Santa Fe, the theater must fight to stay in business since the opening of a new megaplex. Actors off all types are needed. Pay is deferred. Nebula is accepting résumés until April 6. If you’re interested, send a résumé and headshot to: NebulaPicturesCasting@gmail.com.
