FILMWEST WORKSHOPS
The FilmWest Professional Filmmakers Workshop series that started in Tucson in June continues in July with a Grip and Electric Workshop July 8 and 9. The workshop is led by veteran film and television producer, writer and director Paul Stapleton-Smith, with help from noted Arizona gaffer Greg Harris. This ongoing series of workshops is designed to boost the number of qualified production personnel in Arizona to take advantage of the film and television incentives program legislation recently passed by the Arizona Legislature. Producers who want to receive the tax breaks must employ Arizonans, and FilmWest (the production wing of Old Tucson Studios) wants to be sure there are enough qualified production personnel to meet the expected demand.Proposed future workshop topics include special effects, location sound and boom operation, HD/HDV cameras and production office management. The series is being held at Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Road. Registration starts at 9 a.m. on July 8, and the workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Registration is $150 for the weekend, and lunch will be served. Contact Frances Causey at 990-8172 for additional information. Registration questions can be directed to Elizabeth Lohman at filmwestworkshops@earthlink.net.
PURA INSPIRACIÓN CONTEST
Tucson's Reel Inspiration is seeking "diverse documentary and narrative films that celebrate the good in the world and everyday heroes" for the upcoming Pura Inspiración (Pure Inspiration) Film Contest. There will be a "Celebrating Cultural Diversity Award" for the filmmaker who best incorporates cultural heritage and traditions into their film. There will also be a teen competition for young filmmakers 12 to 18 (films five minutes or less) and a children's showcase for kids less than 11 years old (films three minutes or less). Cash prizes and several other significant prizes (workshops, script consultations, etc.) are being awarded.The deadline for submissions is Oct. 2; Pura Inspiración runs as part of the Puro Mexicano: Tucson Film Festival at the Fox Tucson Theatre Nov. 4 and 5. For further information, contact Jana Segal at 325-9175 or at info@reelinspiration.org. Check the Reel Inspiration Web site at www.reelinspiration.org.
LPA IN TUCSON
For the fourth year in a row, Tucson's chapter of the National Association of Independent Latino Producers (NALIP) will be hosting the Latino Producers Academy (LPA), an "intensive 10-day professional development workshop for Latino producers and directors." NALIP is looking for crew members and volunteers, including script and wardrobe supervisors, sound mixers, art directors, assistant directors, etc. The LPA runs Aug. 8-18 in various spots around Tucson.Resumes can be sent to NALIP LPA-Tucson, 1371 E. Louisiana Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85706. For more information, contact Ben Lopez at benlopez@email.arizona.edu or check www.nalip.org.
'HIGH AND DRY' IN L.A.
Ex-Tucsonan Michael Toubassi's film about the Tucson music scene, High and Dry, is slated to have its Los Angeles premiere at Allison Anders' "Don't Knock the Rock" Film Festival on Sunday, July 2. Its screening is at the Redcat Theater in the Walt Disney Concert Hall at 5:30 p.m.Toubassi and UA grad Jonathan Pulley are working together to edit another film, High and Dry: Live at Club Congress, a documentary of last year's three-day 20th anniversary celebration of the club.
Check www.upstairsfilm.com or www.highanddrymovie.com for further information.
IFASA MEETING
July's monthly meeting of the Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona (IFASA) will be held a week later than usual due to the July 4 holiday. This month's meeting is Monday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at Access Tucson, 124 E. Broadway Blvd., and is open to everyone. Contact IFASA president Brian Mulligan at 349-8249 or mclaff9@earthlink.net for additional information.
FILMS AT MONKEY BOX
Local film hound Hadji Banjovi is back with his monthly screening of 16 mm films from his collection at the Monkey Box. You never know what might appear: Possibilities include educational or industrial short films, home movies, lost classics, etc. It happens Thursday, July 20, from 8 to 10 p.m. , and there's no charge. The Monkey Box is at 100 N. Stone Ave.; 623-3500 is the phone number.
EVENTS AT THE LOFT
Team America Sing-a-Long and Fourth of July Extravaganza: A group sing-a-long to Matt Stone and Trey Parker's raunchy puppet musical Team America: World Police takes place Tuesday, July 4, at 6 p.m. ; $5. Hot dogs and sparklers on the patio will follow the screening.Friday Shorts: Tucson cartoonist and filmmaker Max Cannon hosts the First Friday Shorts film contest on Friday, July 7, at 9 p.m. $5. Winners receive a $100 prize and automatic entry in the End of the Year Showdown in May 2007.
Arizona Opera at the Loft: The Loft and the Arizona Opera are presenting a free summer series of films based on operas scheduled for the 2006-2007 Arizona Opera season. The first film is Jean Cocteau's 1945 classic La Belle el la Bête (Beauty and the Beast). Sunday, July 9, at 1 p.m. ; free admission.
Refugee All Stars: The Sierra Leone musical act The Refugee All Stars will be playing at the Rialto Theatre on Saturday, July 22. An award-winning documentary by the same name is playing at the Loft on Friday, July 21 at 6 p.m.; and 2 p.m., Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23; regular admission prices.
Videoke: Like karaoke, but with acting instead of singing. Check available film clips at www.videoke.org. It happens Wednesday, July 26, at 9 p.m. ; no charge, but a $3 donation is suggested
The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 795-7777 or check www.loftcinema.com for a full schedule of films and events.
