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Reel Women is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, August 8, 7pm-midnight, at the East 13th Street Heritage House (one block east of I-35). Entertainment includes the Latin soul of Oh Frankie! and Las Locos, door prizes, and tarot readings. Food and drink will be provided. Admission is $5 per person and all proceeds benefit the Reel Women Production Group. For more info call 280-8706...

Kim Krizan, who co-wrote the script for Before Sunrise with director Richard Linklater and has optioned another script called Mata, is conducting a screenwriting workshop on Saturday, September 19, 1-6pm, at Cafe Dance.The workshop, which is called "Scriptstorming," will focus on ways to actively unleash the creative process. Workshop registration is $70 before September 1 and $95 after. For more info or reservations call 472-7762, or mail your check or money order to: 1403 Norwalk #A102B, Austin, TX, 78703...

August 14 is also the deadline for the submission of entries to Fast, Cheap, and Out of Focus, the Cinemaker Co-op's fall Super-8 film festival. Non-narrative short films are encouraged but entrants should feel free to interpret the theme as they see fit. The entry fee is $5 and is free to Co-op members. For the rules and more more information call 236-8877, e-mail [email protected], or see http://www.cinemaker.austin.tx.us...

This summer has been quite a productive time for Austin-connected musicians and the movies. The Texas documentary, Hands on a Hard Body, which is turning into a hugely popular success during its world premiere here at the Dobie (following a premiere at last month's Texas Documentary Tour) features original music by Neil Kassanoff and performed by Guy Forsyth, Scott Levy, Judd Newcomb, and Kevin Smith. Another movie that opens at the Dobie this week is the mid-Eighties-set teen drama, Whatever, about girls in the New Jersey suburbs. In addition to its blast-from-the-past soundtrack, Whatever showcases original music written and performed by longtime Austin favorite/frequenter Walter Salas-Humara. Of course, there was also the spectacular Newton Boys soundtrack this spring featuring the work of Danny Barnes, Mark Rubin, Abra Moore, and the Bad Livers, as well as representative cuts that show up these days on the soundtracks to everything from Hope Floats to The Horse Whisperer. Also not to be forgotten are the musicians-turned-actors. Jimmie Dale Gilmore's turn as Smoky, the pacifist bowler, in The Big Lebowski is a delightful treat and Lyle Lovett's star turn in the arthouse box-office hit, The Opposite of Sex (currently playing at the Arbor), has been earning the music thesp some great notices...

For those hooked on the monthly cycle of the Texas Documentary Tour, it should be noted that the August program has gone on a well-earned hiatus but will return for a vigorous new season in September. Stay tuned for details...

The Summer Film & Video Institute takes place in Dallas next week, August 11-15. Sponsored by the Video Association of Dallas and Dallas Community Television, the workshops include such subjects as writing, directing, lighting, editing, and budgeting. Directors Andy Anderson and Ken Harrison, Wishbone producer Betty Buckley, and cinematographer Michael Penn Smith are among the instructors. Call 214/631-5571 for registration info.