Reserve NOW for The MUSIC in FILM SUMMIT: 9/18 - 9/19 Space is Filling Up!

From the NM Music Commission and Albuquerque Film and Music Offices:

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW!  SEATS GOING FAST!

The MUSIC in FILM SUMMIT

presented by 

New Mexico Music Commission 

and 

The City Of Albuquerque 

Film & Music Offices

If you are a New Mexico musician, songwrtier and/or composer you will not want to miss this FREE event 

(yes, it is free, but reservations are required)

New Panelist & Moderators Added!

If you are interested in the film, television & music industries, mark your calendars & make your reservation TODAY!

What:
The New Mexico Music Commission/NM Dept. of Cultural Affairs and the City of Albuquerque Film and Music Offices / Economic Development Department are hosting a Music In Film Summit.

When: 
September 18th and 19th 

Where:
The event will take place at the Kimo Theater in Albuquerque, as well as a meet and greet reception at the One Up Lounge near the Kimo.

Who:

Panelists

Mike Knobloch:  SVP Film Music, 20th Century Fox

Lizzy Moore: West Regional Director, The Recording Academy^® 

Dana Sano: Music Superviser, Producer Zenden Entertainment

Randy Spendlove: President Film Music, Paramount Studios

Steven Vincent: VP Music and Soundtracks, Disney Channel

Moderators

Pat Clark: Musician & Composer

Michael Davenport: Masterscape, Inc / Espressive Artists

Tom Frouge: Music Liaison, City of Albuquerque

Chris Jonas: Musician & Composer

Nancy Laflin: Executive Director, NM Music Commission

Schedule:

Friday September 18th

4 - 5 PM:  Film Screening  Kimo Theater (423 Central Ave. NW)

5 - 7 PM:  Meet & Greet    One Up Lounge (301 Central Ave NW

*Must be 21 years old to attend One Up Reception.

Saturday September 19th 

9:00 - 4:30 PM - Panels & Presentations   Kimo Theater 

This event is free and open to the public, but you must register ahead of time due to limited seating.

Kimo Theater Schedule Saturday September 19 

9:00 - 9:30
 
Registration 

9:45 - 10:15
Panel 1 : A Primer on the Definitions  of Terms in Film & Music 

10:30 - 11:30 Panel 2 : Brother, Can You Use a  Song?  Music Supervision & Song 
Placement in Film 

11:30 - 12:30
Break 

12:45 - 1:45
Panel 3 : What's The Score?  Scoring 
& Composing: Unlocking the Mystery of  Working in the TV & Film Business

2:00 - 3:00 Panel 4 : The GRAMMY^® Awards 
Process
A Recording Academy 
Presentation lead by Lizzy Moore

3:15 - 4:00 Panel 5 : What Do I Do Now? Using  Our New Found Knowledge / Q & A 

4:00 - 4:15
Thank Yous & Wrap Up 

4:15  Post session mingle in the lobby

*There will be boxes in the lobby for participants to leave their press kits and cd's.  

Please note: this is not an event to submit work, but to learn about the business.  We will be sending all music from those who attend and submit packages to panelists.  

We would like to thank:

Albuquerque Studios & 

Sennheiser New Mexico 

for helping to sponsor this event.

For more information please visit: www.newmexicomusic.org 

To register please email: 

alerner@cabq.gov

Nancy Laflin

NM Music Commission 

(505) 827-6454

www.newmexicomusic.org 

Ann Lerner

City of Albuquerque Film Office

www.cabq.gov/film

PodCasting and VodCasting Wednesday 9/2

Webuquerque and AniMotion NM are teaming up for their next event, this coming Wednesday at UNM's ARTS Lab: http://www.dukecityfix.com/events/podcasting-vodcasting-101

Local audio/video producer Vincent Ascoli, will examine the full cycle of podcasting and vodcasting:

1. Conception
2. Production
3. Encoding
4. Distribution

Vincent will also demonstrate several examples of pod- and vodcasts, what people are doing with them and how they can be made to work for you and your clients.

Presentation begins at 7pm and runs for about an hour. Socializing will follow for those folks interested.

Hope to see you all there!

RSVP on Duke City Fix: http://www.dukecityfix.com/events/podcasting-vodcasting-101

Visit Webuquerque at:
http://www.dukecityfix.com/groups/group/show?id=1233957%3AGroup%3A232748

Fwd: Reelz Channel airing of Film Festival interviews...TOMORROW

From Jesse Herron at the City of Albuquerque Film Office: 

Reelz Channel will begin airing its Albuquerque Film Festival stories Tomorrow (Wednesday) on RCMN, starting at 1:00 ET (um, 11:00 MST).  I believe that will also show up here:  http://www.reelzchannel.com/show/21/reelzchannel-movie-news

DomeFest Returns to New Mexico (9/25-27)

DomeFest Returns to New Mexico this Fall

ALBUQUERQUE -- DomeFest 2009, the global festival for fulldome, runs September 25-27 with its 2009 program of artistic and technological innovations for large-format, immersive digital dome theaters -- “fulldome.”

After sold-out shows during DomeFest 2008 when it premiered in Chicago during the International Planetarium Society’s biannual conference, in its sixth year, DomeFest returns to New Mexico with a program that celebrates the medium’s past, exciting new works and bright future.

“With all the major Hollywood studios now producing 3D content, continued improvements in processing power and projection capabilities the fulldome medium is reaching critical mass,” says DomeFest founder David Beining. “This year’s DomeFest will really define where we are now and the promise of the future.”

The 2009 festival includes Friday’s “Real-Time Rodeo” and the US Premiere of “DomeFest Retro5pective,” including some of the “best of” and audience favorites from previous DomeFest juried shows, Saturday’s global premiere of the DomeFest 2009 juried show and coveted “Domie” awards, and a special Sunday night performance of J-Walt’s new 3D “Omnicentric Universe” for DomeFest Plus attendees. Each day includes several other premieres and much unique content. Main shows and making of talks will be held at the NM Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS), Technical talks, discussions and Small Dome presentations will be held at UNM’s ARTS Lab.

The tentative schedule for DomeFest 2009 includes the following:

Friday, September 25:

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Making Of Talks; Shorts & Real-Time (NMMNHS)

1:30 - 4:30 PM

Small Domes, Talks and Technology Demonstrations (ARTS Lab)

6:00 - 10:00 PM

DomeFest Retro5pective; Real-Time Rodeo (NMMNHS)

Saturday, September 26:

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Making Of Talks; Shorts & Real-Time (NMMNHS)

1:30 - 4:30 PM

Small Domes, Talks and Technology Demonstrations (ARTS Lab)

6:00 - 10:00 PM

Juried Show & Domie Award Presentations (NMMNHS)

Sunday, September 27:

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Making Of Talks; Shorts & Real-Time (NMMNHS)

1:30 - 4:30 PM

Small Domes, Talks and Technology Demonstrations (ARTS Lab)

6:00 - 10:00 PM

“The Omnicentric Universe” J. Walt 3D Performance* (NMMNHS)


The festival is produced by the University of New Mexico’s ARTS Lab with support from Sky-Skan, Inc., the City of Albuquerque, IMERSA, Elumenati, Global Immersion, and others.

For those submitting work, submission details are at the domefest site. Deadline is August 21st. Another great world-class jury will be selecting pieces for the show on September 9th.

More information on the festival, including program details, registration, submission applications, sponsorship opportunities and more is available at www.domefest.org

WHEN: September 25-27, 2009

WHERE: NM Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS)

UNM ARTS Lab

COST: $175 DomeFest (Standard)

$195 DomeFest Plus (includes special J-Walt Show Sunday Night)

REGISTER: http://www.domefest.org

More information on public showings and performances will be posted soon.

Comics, Games, Movies and Post: Saturday at the Abq Film Festival

Something I should probably be highlighting more is the Albuquerque Film Festival and two sessions I'm involved with tomorrow (the acting workshop with Giancarlo Esposito seems pretty cool too).  More info on all that at:  http://albuquerquefilmfestival.org/

However, there are two sessions at Production Central I can describe a bit better:

11:00 am – MOVIES, GAMES, AND COMICS PANEL with the Marvel Comics Director of Games
Production Central ABQ, 519 Central Ave NW

In this panel, Todd Jefferson (Director of Games for Marvel), Graphic Novelists Arnold and Jacob Pander ("the Pander Brothers") and award-winning VFX artist Ziad Serafi (Golden Compass, Sin City, Pirates of the Caribbean) will discuss taking comics and graphic novels and transforming them for games and the screen.  It's a pretty amazing panel.

3:00 pm – NM POSTPRODUCTION PANEL
Production Central ABQ, 519 Central Ave NW

As posted on the discussion list, this session looks at what NM needs to perform more post-production work and discusses ways the professional post business community can work together to build this important piece of the filmmaking puzzle.  Speakers include Rick Clemente (Production Central), Elaine Montoya (Zocoloco Studios, Motion 09), Tor Kingdon (Hear Kitty) and Lance Maurer (Cinnafilm).

Hope to see you there!

Eric

--
The Albuquerque Film Festival is HERE! (8/6-9)
http://www.albuquerquefilmfestival.com

Eric Renz-Whitmore, Program Coordinator
ARTS Lab
GC:     505-993-6884
office:  505-277-2253
cell:     505-227-1086
http://artslab.unm.edu

re:MAKE IT! this weekend at the Santa Fe Complex

From the Good folks at the Santa Fe Complex... And btw, I just stopped by their space -- the work already up is looking pretty awesome!

Be Sure You Make re:MAKE IT! August 7-9 From August 7 to August 9, starting at 5:00pm on Friday, the 7th, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday, the 8th and 9th, Santa Fe Complex celebrates the spirit of the DIY (Do it Yourself) culture in re:Make It!, a three-day festival of installations, music and workshops. Twenty-two collaborators create a panoply of artwork to delight and stimulate all who attend.  Visit the re:MAKE IT! website or its MySpace page for more information.

Albuquerque Journal North, Pasatiempo, Santa Fe Radio Cafe, & Santa Fe Reporter Feature This Weekend's Event The Santa Fe New Mexican joined the interest in re:MAKE IT! in Pasatiempo, its weekly magazine of arts, entertainment & culture. Calling Santa Fe Complex a "volunteer-based nonprofit where creativity and innovation don't so much collide as conspire" and "the epicenter of Santa Fe's aboveground tech-geek DIY movement", the magazine featured re:MAKE: IT! in its August 7-13 issue. As the page 12 article says, "Curators David Enoch and Dena Aquilina have assembled a broad spectrum of scientists and artists working in audio and visual mediums to create a highly interactive showcase of installations and smaller works."   Mary Charlotte Visits the Complex for reMAKE: IT! Preview Santa Fe Radio Cafe host Mary Charlotte stopped by the Complex to preview reMAKE: IT! in an interview that aired on Wednesday, August 5. You can hear her interview with event co-organizer Dena Aquilina and Complex volunteer Don Begley at the Radio Cafe's website. Click here for the full interview.   SF Reporter Calls reMAKE: IT! a Weekend Pick Highlighting "displays from such twisted luminaries as Christian Ristow, Sudhu Tewari and Meow Wolf", Santa Fe Reporter writer Marissa Jeffery says reMAKE: IT! "shines a light on a flourishing DIY subculture, bringing together the avant-gardists, electrical engineers and computer hackers among us." Click here for the Jeffery's review.   Albuquerque Journal North Profiles re:MAKE IT! The Albuquerque Journal North profiled this weekend's DIY festival at the Complex in an August 3 story by Kathaleen Roberts. Quoting organizer David Enoch, the article says re:MAKE IT! is "like a 21st-century fair with a lot of cutting-edge art [with] people using technology in interesting and new ways." Click here for Roberts' story.

--
The Albuquerque Film Festival is Coming (8/6-9)
http://www.albuquerquefilmfestival.com

Eric Renz-Whitmore, Program Coordinator
ARTS Lab
GC:     505-993-6884
office:  505-277-2253
cell:     505-227-1086
http://artslab.unm.edu

NMTC Tech Thursdays: Inside Google Analytics next Thursday

Well... lots of interesting things going on this week.

Tonight, Webuquerque has "Battle of Network Frameworks & Libraries" tonight at the Uptown Bar & Grill @ 6:30PM
...and 48 Hour Film Project teams up with the Albuquerque Film Festival (AFF) to present the "Best of the 48HFP" at the National Hispanic Cultural Center at 7PM. AFF runs through Sunday in and around Albuquerque.

But coming up next week for tech/web/SEO aficionados, the NM Technology Council has one of our local Rock stars, Chris Kenworthy with our next Tech Thursday event:

NMTC Tech Thursdays: Inside Google Analytics 

8/13/2009

When:	Thursday, August 13th From 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Where:	O'Neills Pub Meeting Room 4210 Central SE Albuquerque, New Mexico  81706 United States

Inside Google Analytics with Chris Kenworthy

The ability to track users' navigation of your websites is a powerful tool that can help increase revenue and improve your users' experience.  Certified AdWords Pro Chris Kenworthy unlocks the power of Google Analytics and other tools at our August Tech Thursday event.

Chris Kenworthy is the owner of MediaGroup1 LLC and founder of DreamInCode.net, a leading online community for programmers and web developers.

Chris has been involved in the development and marketing of web sites and online communities for over eight years. He holds a degree in Web Technology and is a certified Google AdWords professional. He is currently the Marketing Manager for Escalate Media which owns several large online communities in the Tech and Women's niches.

Chris is experienced in the areas of search engine marketing, search engine optimization, social media, community management, email marketing, monetization, and affiliate marketing. He is available as a consultant on a limited basis.

Cost: 

NMTC Members: $15 each

Non-Members: $25 each (remember, individual memberships are still FREE!)

Register at:  http://www.nmtechcouncil.org/events/event_details.asp?id=58267

Fwd: Albuquerque Film Festival call for volunteers

From Aynn Kirby at the Albuquerque Film Festival:

Whether you're part of the film community or just like watching movies we need your help. This is the inaugural year of the Albuquerque Film Festival and we want to make it the best one so far and to do that we need your help.  We are looking for volunteers. Help support the local film community and all the arts in Albuquerque, meet great people and have fun.

We will be having a volunteer orientation meeting this Saturday, August 1st at 10:00 at the AFF office located at 102 Gold SW.

Additionally, we are looking for a volunteer coordinator, preferably with some prior volunteer coordinator experience.  This position will require quite a lot of time , the ability to multi-task under pressure and effective organizational skills, . If anyone is interested in taking this on please call me or if you know of someone with this skill set who would like to volunteer please forward this e-mail to them.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday and all of us at the Albuquerque Film Festival really appreciate your volunteering.

One more thing, anyone interested in volunteering at the office this week, prior to the meeting feel free to call me.

--
Aynn Kirby, Communications Director
Albuquerque Film Festival
www.albuquerquefilmfestival.com
505-217-8491

SWGLFF 09: Call For Submissions Final Deadline Fast Approaching

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Closet Cinema <info@closetcinema.org>
Date: Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Subject: [closetlist] SWGLFF 09: Call For Submissions Final Deadline Fast Approaching
To: Closet List <closetlist@lists.closetcinema.org>


***********************************************************************
               FILM SUBMISSIONS: FINAL DEADLINE JULY 24
***********************************************************************

 The 2009 Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival's final deadline is soon
approaching. We encourage all filmmakers to submit their work for
consideration. Films and videos submitted can be of any length and should be
of interest to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered communities.

Deadline is Friday, July 24, 2009 (Needs to be postmarked by this date)

Competition (Audience awards) for best feature, documentary and best boys
and girls shorts are awarded at closing night ceremony.

Please fill out the official entry form completely and sign it. A separate
entry form is required for each title. Please feel free to photocopy it or
download it in PDF form from our website.  Entry form and submission
guidelines can be downloaded at http://www.closetcinema.org/

Also, you can submit using the withoutabox.com link located on our website.

Mail Your Entries To:

Closet Cinema
2009 Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
1209 7th St NW Suite A
Albuquerque, NM  87102

In addition to the preview DVD, you may send photos and other publicity
materials.

Contact:
info@closetcinema.org
(505) 243-1870

-
Posting address: closetlist@lists.closetcinema.org
To unsubscribe: closetlist-unsubscribe@lists.closetcinema.org
To contact list-administrator: closetlist-owner@lists.closetcinema.org

Hosted by Online Policy Group.  http://www.onlinepolicy.org/
Help keep OPG services online and free.

Re: The Root 66 LIVE! (Music and Live TV)

Today's the first performance and taping of "The Root 66", a live Music TV Program in partnership with IATSE Local 480, the New Mexico Film Apprenticeship Program  (FAPI), the CNM Film and Technical Training Program (FTTP) and film professionals from across the State of New Mexico to help with "On the Job Training" for film workforce.

It's in downtown Albuquerque at the Kimo TODAY -- doors opening at 11; show beginning at noon.

A message to all members of The Root 66

Ok folks, here it is. Today, Saturday 18 July 2009 The Root 66 will tape the first 4 episodes of their new Live Music Television Program, The Root 66 LIVE at the historic Kimo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque, NM.  Hosted by Albuquerque Local Vocalist/Radio Personality Leah Black and Albuquerque Local Musician/Graphic Designer Zach Freeman, The Root 66 stage will be graced by performances from Poema (Rio Rancho, NM), Marsh (Albuquerque, NM), David Smith (Santa Fe, NM) and Ghost In The Machine (Phoenix, AZ).  The doors will open at 11:00am with taping starting at 12:00pm.  Audience participation in the taping will be FREE to the public and a wonderful introduction to some amazing up and coming musicians.  We are partnering with the IATSE Local 480, the New Mexico Film Apprenticeship Program  (FAPI), the CNM Film and Technical Training Program (FTTP) and film professionals from across the State of New Mexico to help with "On the Job Training" for film workforce.  Additionally, there will be a fundraiser throughout the show with the opportunity to help support FAPI. (Registered Non-Profit)  We would also like to thank our sponsors, SONY, Peak Media, the Albuquerque Film Office and the City of Albuquerque, So come on out and support live music and the New Mexico Film Industry while having a GREAT time doing it!

Visit The Root 66 at: http://www.theroot66.com

--
To control which emails you receive on The Root 66, go to:
http://www.theroot66.com/profiles/profile/emailSettings

Short Session Student Showcase @ AniMotion NM (7/14)

Game Jam today and... S4 this coming Tuesday:

The inaugural ‘S4’ - the Short Session Student Showcase @ AniMotion NM

Date and Time:
July 14, 2009 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Address:
131 Pine St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

Cost: FREE

Description:
Join us for the inaugural ‘S4’ - the Short Session Student Showcase @ AniMotion NM.

Top students from the Art Center College of Design’s Animation Program will be giving some amazing bite-sized presentations.

It’s sure to be an amazing evening! It’s your opportunity to learn a thing or two, and pick up some cool tips and tricks.

These 20 minute sessions are fast paced and fun. We’ll make sure to save some time at the close of the evening for questions and answers – and to meet these up-and-coming superstars!

Check it out...

Speakers:

Previs & Animatics
presenter: Tim Zawadzkas
Join Tim as he explains how to do inexpensive and fast previsualization and animatics for films, TV or games – using free software that is downloadable from the Internet! Tim will walk us through the process of setting up a scene from “Good Will Hunting” using previs techniques that culminate in a finished animatic.

Dynamic Storyboarding
presenter: Richard Pennington
Everything you wanted to know about the art of storyboarding, but were afraid to ask. Richard will cover everything from thumbnails, roughs, keys and production boards to shot layout, composition, style and medium. Did we say this is going to be fast paced?

How to Create an Animated Music Video
presenters: Desi Garcia & Marc Quetone
Learn what’s involved in creating an animated music video. Join Desi and Marc as they walk us through their process in creating the animated music video “Voices” – for local hip-hop artist, Rick Artiaga. Explore the benefits of working as a team to draw inspiration from one another. Find out how they made decisions on composition, color, mood and character styles.

NMTC Tech Thursday: 10 Lessons Learned at Apple

Tomorrow at NM Technology Council's Tech Thursday (7/9)

Ten Lessons Learned at Apple

Apple Corporation has... changed the world in many ways with products like its iPhone transforming industry and creating new markets. One common theme in Apple's success is its immediately recognizable design.

Consulting User Interface Architect (& NMTC board member) Bill Fernandez describes ten core principles that drove the development of Apple products during the (approx) twelve years he worked there. These core principles are still very relevant to Apple and, indeed, to any company that wants to produce great products.

Bill Fernandez is a consulting User Interface Architect who has been involved in the development of world class products for over three decades. Bill was the first employee of Apple Computer, and his passion is developing computer-based products that empower people to achieve their dreams. Bill is listed in Wikipedia, and his website is at www.billfernandez.com

To Register, visit: http://nmtechcouncil.yourmembership.com/events/event_details.asp?id=58262

WHAT: Ten Lessons Learned at Apple

WHEN: Thursday, July 9th 3:30 - 5:00 PM

WHERE: O'Neills Pub Meeting Room, 4320 Central Ave SE

COST: NMTC Members: $15 each Non-Members: $25 each (remember, individual memberships are FREE!)

Screenwriting Intensive w/ Matthew McDuffie

I'm glad to pass along info on my favorite local screenwriting teach, Matt McDuffie -- who's offering another set of Screenwriting Intensives. More info below:

ONE-DAY SCREENWRITING INTENSIVES

Matthew McDuffie, an instructor in the Dramatic Writing Program at the University of New Mexico, and a professional screenwriter who has written for HBO, Showtime, Warner Brothers, and the producers of ER, Capote, and Six Feet Under, will lead a series of intimate one-day workshops for filmmakers and storytellers who are determined to create stronger stories, characters, and commercially viable screenplays.

Classes are scheduled for July 18th and July 25^th, and will cover the foundations – the mechanics of plot, then quickly move on to the development of each participant’s storyline. Individuals are encouraged to bring in ideas, or existing work, the goal being to have a complete outline by the end of the day.

The workshops will be held at KNME Studios in Albuquerque from 9 AM to 4 PM. The cost is $125. Call (505) 385-1323 or write tobuzzblanco@comcast.net for more information and reservations. A $25 deposit is required, as lunch will be served on site.

"Matthew is a passionate storyteller. He lives for it. He understands that the problem solving and puzzle-making of good story is to serve emotion and character, and ultimately the audience. In this age of reality TV and internet immersion, Matthew has not forgotten that entertainment is an art form."

--- Bonnie Curtis – Producer of Saving Private Ryan and Minority Report

Webuquerque this Wednesday

I mention these folks pretty often, and for good reason: the Webuquerque team is doing really good things to help grow our region's web community.

Up next: this Wednesday's presentation features local SEO/Analytics star Chis Kenworthy. More details from our friends at the Duke City Fix:

A message from Emily Lewis to all members of Webuquerque on Duke City Fix!

Don't forget to join Webuquerque this Wednesday, July 1, at Uptown because we are having a raffle to give away a free copy of Adobe CS4 Web Premium (http://bit.ly/eK9Rl), which includes:

* Dreamweaver
* Flash
* Illustrator
* Fireworks
* Photoshop

And even better than the giveaway, you'll learn all about Search Engine Optimization. Local online marketing expert Chris Kenworthy will discuss how to develop a successful organic and paid search marketing strategy that will have an immediate and measurable impact on your bottom line.

http://www.dukecityfix.com/events/search-engine-optimization

Presentation begins at 6:30pm and runs for about an hour, after which we will do the raffle for software and other swag.

Socializing and pub trivia (Geeks Who Drink) will follow for those folks interested.

Hope to see you there!

Visit Webuquerque at:
http://www.dukecityfix.com/groups/group/show?id=1233957%3AGroup%3A232748

NM Game Jam Coming (July 10th through 12th)

NM Game Jam Challenges Video Game Developers To Make a Game in 48 Hrs

The Rio Grande chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) presents the first ever NM Game Jam, a 48 hour video game development challenge to be held the second weekend of July (July 10^th – July 12^th). Inspired by their participation in the Global Game Jam earlier this year, members of the Rio Grande IGDA have organized a similar event for New Mexicans to spend a wild weekend designing and creating innovative games.

A game jam follows a format much like the 48 Hour Film Festival being held the same weekend. Participants arrive on Friday evening to receive three theme words, chosen at random, roulette-wheel style, from a published list of 30 potential themes provided by game writer and chapter member Carolyn Handler Miller. Participants brainstorm ideas on possible games that incorporate two of the three chosen themes and form teams to build their games.

Once the teams have decided on their game’s premise, the participants are in a mad rush to create the art, music, and code that will produce a playable version of their concept. Luke Nihlen, President of 10^th Artist and project lead for the lone Albuquerque team in the Global Game Jam, gives his impression on why this type of event leads to making innovative games:

"The great thing about a game jam is that the limited time forces developers to focus on accomplishing only a small feature set. Smart developers will focus on gameplay and will plan in a gameplay-centric fashion. Specifically, the question that should come up in planning is "What does this feature add to the gameplay?" This, in my opinion, is the way that any good game is made."

The creators of the NM Game Jam hope that this event accomplishes several missions, most importantly to help cultivate and strengthen the budding game development industry taking shape in the state. Jon Whetzel, Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories and Rio Grande IGDA chair member, viewed the Global Game Jam as “the best method I’ve seen so far in getting people even remotely interested in making games involved. Not only did I get to meet several game developers, both seasoned and new, who share the same passion, but we all contributed to putting a game together that still makes me proud.” Eric Renz-Whitmore, Program Coordinator for the UNM ARTS Lab and Chairman of the Rio Grande IGDA hopes that the event shows off New Mexico's game-making talent. "There's a tremendous amount of creativity here, which we saw at the Global Game Jam," said Renz-Whitmore. "This is a great opportunity to meet, work together and have fun."

The NM Game Jam is scheduled to start on July 10^th at 6:00 pm at the UNM ARTS Lab (131 Pine St., NE). The NM Game Jam concludes on Sunday July 12^th at 6:00 pm followed immediately with game demonstrations and presentations. For more information of the NM Game Jam, visit their website ( http://nmgamejam.org) or contact Eric Renz-Whitmore (whitmore@unm.edu or 277-2253).

What the Frak!? Battlestar Galactica Revisited, Thursday 6/25 @ ARTS Lab

What the Frak!? BSG Revisited

One of the most-discussed shows in recent years, Battlestar Galactica captured the imagination of a wide range of fans, exploring a wide range of issues and fundamental human questions in ways that only Science Fiction can.

In a bit of an experiment, we've invited a few of our passionate friends to show clips, share thoughts and discuss what made Battlestar Galactica one of the best shows in recent memory. We hope you can join us.

WHAT: BSG Revisited
WHEN: Thursday, 6/25; 7:00 PM
WHERE: UNM ARTS Lab, 131 Pine St., NW (One block west of University Blvd, steps north of Central)
HOW MUCH: FREE
MORE INFO: http://frakfest.eventbrite.com

Upcoming... & Recent

Image via Wikipedia

We just finished up a great week with visits from two real leaders in different parts of our media world. Laurie Anderson stopped by just before her show at the Kimo as part of the LAND | ARTS Series of events, and on Saturday, games and interactive media thinker/writer/developer Chris Crawford talked on Interactivity and his Storytron project.

Good times.

A couple near future events to keep an eye out for here at ARTS Lab are:

BSG Revisited (6/25)
First, on Thursday, June 25th, we'll be having "What the Frak!? BSG Revisited" -- a viewing and discussion of some key moments from Battlestar Galactica's run. More info to come.


NM Game Jam (7/10-12)
In July, the weekend of the 10th will see the first "NM Game Jam" -- a 48 hour game development jam from us at ARTS Lab and the good folks of our Rio Grande IGDA chapter. Several of us had a great time during the Global Game Jam and we intend to keep that game development energy up here in NM.

Location and a few other details to come... but if you're interested, please sign up at: http://nmgamejam.org

Domefest 2009
What else in July? Well, there may be a special dome show, but Domefest is moving... to September. Watch this space and the ARTS Lab site for more details.