Last week, Secretary of Education Dr. Veronica C. García and State Historian Dr. Estevan Rael-Gálvez announced a film and photography contest for ninth-grade students in New Mexico. Students are encouraged to create an “original film or photomontage that relates a traditional trade or career to a community’s past.” These short film/video/photography projects should also aim to document the education and technology necessary to preserve that trade in the future. Suggested trades for students to document include farming, ranching, construction, weaving and the arts. The deadline for submissions is May 1. Although it sounds suspiciously like extra-credit homework, the four best entries will be selected and those schools will each receive a digital camera package. Student films will also be considered for inclusion in the Office of the State Historian’s Digital History Project, and the best projects will be included in a DVD for use by the Public Education Department and schools as a teaching tool. Not too shabby, really. For more information, go to ped.state.nm.us/press/2009/20090202-filmProjectStep1.pdf.
Reel World Writers Lab
For the second year, New Mexico will be hosting the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) for its seventh annual Latino Writers Lab. The Writers Lab is a program for New Mexico writers who aspire to work as professional screenwriters and who want to develop strong, viable screenplays for production or sale. It includes skill development by professional instructors, direct mentoring of works-in-progress and seminars on various legal, guild and industry topics. The dates of this year’s intensive five-day session and seminar will be May 27 through 31. This is a nationwide competition with a perk—New Mexican residents are able to apply regardless of whether they’re of Hispanic descent or a member of NALIP! This is a great opportunity for experienced writers looking to develop their story or script. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 27. For more details as well as a complete application, log on to nmfilm.com.
Reel World Sag Skills
The New Mexico Screen Actors Guild Conservatory presents “Subtext: Creating a Three Dimensional Character,” a workshop with writer-director-producer Frank Zúñiga. This one-day workshop will include exercises from short scenes. The event will take place Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once your reservation is confirmed you will be notified via e-mail of the exact address. Cost is $20 SAG members on a first-come-first-served basis. You must be a member in good standing to guarantee a spot and the $20 rate. Should space become available to non-SAG members or members not in good standing (you know who you are), the cost will be $40. RSVP to robynreede@yahoo.com.
