The New Mexico Film Office offers another free training class this Saturday, March 30. This one concentrates on the production assistant or “PA” position, an entry-level job in the film and television industry. The production assistant does just about anything and everything on a film set. With such a broad description, how do you know what you need to know? New Mexico’s own Alton Walpole—who has served as production manager on 27 features and TV series, producer on 28 more, camera and electrical department on 5, and cinematographer on 4—will be there to break it down for you. Learn everything from set etiquette to “who’s who” on set. This event takes place at the Special Collections Library (423 Central NE) from 1 to 5pm. Admission is free, but you need to guarantee your place by pre-registering at bit.ly/2WnruB7.
Reel World: Massacre Occurring Massacre Occurring
Dark Room Horror is a locally branded website dedicated to “bringing you blood, merch, events and opinions” designed to “challenge you to live a life worth creeping on.” Basically, if you like your movies dark and bloody, Dark Room Horror has got you covered. To help advance their cause, the folks behind Dark Room Horror are hosting a special movie screening this Friday, March 29. Starting at 10:30pm at Guild Cinema (3405 Central NE), you can catch Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre starring Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal and Gunnar Hansen. Advance tickets ($10) are available now through holdmyticket.com. For more details on the event, go to darkroomhorror.com.
Reel World: Ornamentalized Ornamentalized
The New Mexico Governor’s Mansion Foundation and the New Mexico Film Office are teaming up to sponsor an “Official State Ornament” Design Contest. Students currently enrolled in a New Mexico school are invited to submit their designs for the 2020 Official State Ornament. All ornaments must be designed around this year’s theme of “New Mexico Films the Great American West.” All designs must include at least one film element and one ranch and/or Western element, and designs must “promote the state’s history of film production and ranch culture.” Each entry should bear a title for the design and include an 85-to-100 word description of how New Mexico’s history in the ranch and film industries were used in creation of the design. One top winner will be selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship. Other prizes include at $1,000 scholarship for second place, $500 for third and fourth place and $250 for fifth place. Go to bit.ly/2uv6r3Y for a complete list of rules and an online entry form. If you need a little inspiration, head to newmexicogovernorsmansion.org and take a look at some of the Governor’s Mansion ornaments from years past.
