This Saturday, May 4, is Free Comic Book Day, an annual orgy of illustrative art in which fair-weather fans descend upon stores to snatch up piles of complimentary comic books. If you’re a true lover of “sequential art” (as comic book genius Scott McCloud calls it), you might want to extend the holiday and head over to Guild Cinema on Sunday, May 5. Local word-and-picture publishing organization 7000 B.C. is sponsoring a special movie screening at 1 p.m. only. The documentary Dear Mr. Watterson looks into the life and art of “Calvin & Hobbes” creator Bill Watterson. Rather than hunt down the retired, Salinger-esque recluse, the film concentrates on loyal fans of the late, great comic strip. By examining the legacy of Watterson’s creation, the film contemplates the impact that art—even a “simple” comic strip—has on our lives. Advanced tickets ($7) are on sale now at Astro-Zombies (3100 Central SE) and Kaboom Test Labs (10250 Cottonwood Park NW and 1510 Wyoming NE).
Reel World: Write Stuff Write Stuff
Award-winning local filmmaker Scotty Milder will be leading a weekend workshop/seminar on “Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay.” Milder has been teaching screenwriting at Santa Fe Community College since 2010 and just wrapped up production on his first feature film, Dead Billy. The two-day workshop will cover basics like the three-act story structure and an overview of screenplay format and style. It will also get into conflict, action, backstory and dialogue—all geared toward the goal of creating memorable characters. The weekend event will mix lecture, Q&A and hands-on workshopping of material. Everything will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Albuquerque. Registration fee for the two days is $150. Feel free to contact Milder at (505) 660-4941 or scott.milder.screenplay@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a spot.
Reel World: What’s Navajo For “Scruffy Nerf Herder”? What’s Navajo For “Scruffy Nerf Herder”?
The Navajo Nation Museum announced last week that George Lucas’ original 1978 film Star Wars would be the first major motion picture to be dubbed into Navajo. Museum director Manuelito Wheeler told the Navajo Times he has spent the last three years working with Lucasfilm to bring this project to life. The project, being funded by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, will translate every word of the film into the Diné language. Auditions for the roles of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Han Solo, C-3PO and Obi-Wan Kenobi will be held at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Ariz. on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4. Needless to say, you need to speak fluent Navajo. Interested voice talent are encouraged to call (928) 871-7941 to book a timeslot.
