Film News
Triskaidekaphobia be damned, at least for some; others on the scene are quite unlucky, actually.
By Joe O'Connell, Fri., Oct. 6, 2006
South Austin Laughs At Bad Luck
Leave it to South Austin Pictures to begin production on a new film, God Thinks You're a Loser, on Friday the 13th. Their second project stars Natasha Melnick of Freaks and Geeks fame, who was also in the first SAP pic, Everything or Nothing, which is now being marketed. This time, the story is a "paranormal comedy about strippers, oilmen, revenge, greed, murder, suicide, and hell itself." Gary Chason directs, with Lou Manitzas exec producing, Andrew Fraser producing, and Phil Curry behind the camera. The rest of the cast includes Sue Rock, Lew Temple, David Born, and Annika Peterson. Did I mention they're shooting at South Austin's own Gutter Kitty Studio? Triskaidekaphobia be damned.
Save Our Zombies
Computer crashes happen to zombies, too. Just ask John McLean, who was this close (see how my fingertips are almost touching?) to completing Z: A Zombie Musical when the computer hard drive crashed, taking with it 10 months of editing. The repairs/recovery of the film will cost a whopping $3,100. You can help by attending a fundraising benefit Oct. 15 from 4 to 9:30pm at Threadgill's World Headquarters on Riverside. Music will include Joe "King" Carrasco, Dr. Todd (formerly Born to Suffer), Douglas Greer, the Jigglewatts, Zeegrass, Gary Wimmer, the Jolly Garogers, Marilyn Rucker, Shana Norton, and Dave's Not Here.
Remember the Alamo City Film Biz
Pablo Veliz gave an electric charge to the San Antonio film industry when his La Tragedia de Macario, about the struggles of Mexican immigrants hoping for a better world in the United States, was selected for the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. This past weekend he was racing to the airport to send his latest project, Clemente, off to Sundance officials. This time, the story about an illegal immigrant from Mexico trying to make a better life for his kids may sound familiar. But Veliz, who is the ripe old age of 23, sees this as a personal story of family, while La Tragedia was a larger "holocaust"-scope film based on the frequent deaths seen as a byproduct of immigration. "He represents all of the dads who sacrifice for their children," says Veliz of the title character. You can see the film for free when it premieres at 6:45pm Saturday at Trinity University's 1,500-seat Laurie Auditorium in San Antonio. Meanwhile, From Mexico With Love is shooting in San Antonio, starring Mexican actor Kuno Becker as a boxer who goes across the border in search of a better life in the United States. Also in the cast are Texas native Bruce McGill (D-Day from Animal House). Jimmy Nickerson directs for Cinamour Entertainment.
Extra! Extra! Hang Out With Stifler
The biggest request I get as your humble correspondent? How to get in the movies. Here's how: Go to the open casting call this Sunday for Gary the Tennis Coach, an indie comedy that starts shooting Oct. 23. It's directed by Danny Leiner (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle) and stars Seann William Scott (American Pie). If your last name begins with A-N, come from 9am to 1pm; if it's N-Z, 1-5pm. Bring a photo. The extras casting form is at www.agcasting.net.
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