ACTORS' WORKSHOP
The Tucson-based IFASA (Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona) is offering an actors' workshop on Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10. Los Angeles- and Arizona-based producer and casting director Gay Gilbert will be on hand, teaching four half-day sessions. Participants will learn audition techniques and tips, have a chance to enhance their performance skills, receive a critique of their work and get connected with both an industry insider and other like-minded folks in the local film community. Gay Gilbert has worked for 25 years as a producer and casting director for NBC, ABC, CBS, Paramount, Warner Bros. and others. The workshop is at the UA Theater Arts Building, Room 116.
The next IFASA monthly meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 11, at Access Tucson, 124 E. Broadway Blvd. The Tucson Film Office will be making a presentation. For more information on the workshop and the monthly meeting, check www.aivftucson.org.
TUCSON GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
Local filmmaker Pearry Reginald Teo is currently shooting his first feature-length film in Los Angeles, The Gene Generation. Directed by Teo and written by Teo and Keith Collea, The Gene Generation is a science-fiction thriller where futuristic criminals hack into DNA instead of computers. This production has attracted some big players, including producer Kim Winther (The Day After Tomorrow and Daredevil), ace choreographer Jeff Imada (Fight Club, The Crow, etc.), lead Bai Ling (Lords of Dogtown, The Crow, etc.) and even the venerable Faye Dunaway. Tucson's Ascension Pictures is the official production company for The Gene Generation, and Worldwide FX will be doing the visual effects.
KIRBY DICK AT THE LOFT
The Loft Cinema continues its run of bringing noteworthy filmmakers to Tucson to present their work. Kirby Dick, a native of Tucson who now lives in Los Angeles, will be at The Loft on Saturday, July 9, to present his new Academy Award-nominated documentary, Twist of Faith. Twist of Faith is an intimate portrait of Tony Comes, a Toledo, Ohio, firefighter who has to come to grips with years of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest. Church, family, community, the legal system and faith are both pulled together and pulled apart as Tony strives for justice and some peace of mind. Twist of Faith opens on Friday, July 8; Dick will be on hand to introduce his film and do a Q&A afterwards on July 9. Showtime on July 9 is 7 p.m. Check www.loftcinema.com for further details.
MONTHLY SHORT FILM CONTEST
The monthly short film contest at The Loft is moving to the first Friday of each month from its previous spot of the last Friday of each month. The next one will be July 1 at 9 p.m. May's contest winner was Amy Sherry for her film Chick du Jour. Anyone who wants to submit a film for consideration needs to bring it by The Loft the day or evening of the contest; they are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Films need to be 10 minutes or less in length, and can be submitted on DVD, VHS or mini DV tape. Max Cannon of the "Red Meat" comic strip will return as guest host and gong-wielder.
LATINO PRODUCERS ACADEMY
For the third consecutive year, the local chapter of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) will be hosting the Latino Producers Academy. Produced in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and TV, and the UA Department of Media Arts, this 10-day long event runs Aug. 3-12. The Latino Producers Academy "is an intensive 10-day professional development workshop for Latino film and documentary producers and directors. In its third year, it is designed to advance documentary projects to completion and prepare independent features for production." Although the registration deadline has passed, NALIP is still looking for volunteers and production help for the event. If you are interested in helping out, contact Ben Lopez at benlopez@email.arizona.edu, and more information is available at www.nalip.org.
REEL INSPIRATION IN TUCSON
Jana Segal of Reel Inspiration will be the guest speaker at the Society of Southwestern Authors luncheon on Sunday, July 17. She will also be screening a collection of Reel Shorts. Segal will be discussing why she founded Reel Inspiration, a Tucson-based nonprofit that encourages and promotes the production of films that inspire, give hope and generally try to raise human consciousness. Segal will be screening eight short films: four by Tucson-based filmmakers, one from Phoenix and three from Los Angeles. Local filmmakers Bill Kersey and Derek Griffith both have films being screened and will be interviewed at the luncheon/screening. The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. and will be held at the Sheraton Four Corners, 1900 E. Speedway Blvd. Admission is $20.
Reel Inspiration will also be hosting the 2005 Reel Vision Filmmakers' Conference Oct. 21-23 here in Tucson.
For more information on Reel Inspiration and the Reel Vision Conference, go to www.reelinspiration.org.
LATE NIGHT FILMS
Late Night Films are going strong at the Loft. July has an outstanding lineup, starting July 1-2 with Terry Gilliam's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. July is rounded out with THX 1138 July 8 and 9, The Big Lebowski on July 15 and 16, Repo Man on July 22 and 23, and Clerks July 29 and 30. Showtimes are 10 p.m., and admission is cheap at $5.
