UPDATED: DUE TO WEATHER TODAY (7/27) IN ABQ – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDNESDAY NIGHT, July 29th, Same location, same tickets, same great time! See you then!
With all the talk about Covid-19 closures and when things will open back up, creatives are waiting around the globe to get back to work on set, safely, of course! To keep those hard-earned connections strong with the above and below the line professionals, fans, families, and friends, Friends of New Mexico Film, New Mexico Film & Television Hall of Fame, and The Santa Fe Film Festival have a solution.
They have put together a special collection of shorts films made by local Reel New Mexican Filmmakers and the community is invited to come out to safely support filmmakers this coming Monday, July 27, at the Balloon Fiesta Drive-in (9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE) in Albuquerque. The film showcase will begin at 7 pm, so be sure to show up and grab the best spot you can. For more information, you can email admin@abqdrive-in.com
CLICK TO GET TICKETS HERE
Meet the 2020 Rising Stars in New Mexico Filmmaking!
Here are the shorts that are in the lineup, info about the short, and even a few interviews we got to get you excited about connecting with these talented professionals.
Alejandro Montoya Marin
This talented and award-winning director, adapted his short, “Monday” to be part of Robert Rodriguez’s Rebel without a crew series and shot and edited it for $7,000 with no crew in 14 days. It also was broadcast on the El Rey Network too! You can now watch this comedy on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/monday/id1478491441
“Monday”
About Monday As he tries to put his life back together, Jim soon finds himself involved with two assassins and the war between rival crime families. With his best friend in tow, Jim must figure out how to survive the worst Monday ever, save his relationships, and try to become an actual grown-up.
“Perps”
About Perps After getting caught smoking in public, two stoners must convince a grieving cop and his partner not to arrest them.
Cast: Lou Ferrigno, Tamas Nadas, David Ferry Jr., Alejandro Montoya Marín, Allan Gaitirira, Dan Mathis, Kenneth McGlothin, Ryan Halsey, Madi Frost, Tiffany Sherie Neeley, John Kaler, Krista Bradley, and Emma Boisselle in Perps (2020)
Meet the Cast of Perps!
We wanted to find out how some of the actors got connected with the filmmaker and hope to inspire you with their comments below as we were able to catch up with a few of the cast for this comedy short. Check out what they shared with us about making this film.
Get to know Tamas Nadas who plays Tamas!
How did you get cast for this project? Writer, Director, Alejandro Montoya Marin, wrote this specific part with me being in his mind.
What was your favorite part of being in this short? My favorite part was to be able to work with Lou (Ferrigno). He and I had rapport right away because of our Law Enforcement pasts. He was one of my idols while growing up in Hungary. And, I actually got smacked by him. Hahahaha. It was worth it. The other favorite part was how everyone got along, and each and every one of us were playing off of the others’ reactions so well.
What did you learn doing this short? I am simple, get to the point kind of person. It was just amazing to be able to entertain people and receive fantastic responses. I am more of the action type of person, but Ale taught me I can do more than just that. That was the biggest lesson.
Get to know John Kaler who plays John! Connect on Instagram at @ItsJohnKaler
How did you get cast for this project? I had been working with Alejandro on a few other projects and he came to me with an idea/script for a short. He sent me the script and I loved it. I knew it was going to be a lot of fun telling the Perps story!
What was your favorite part of being in this short? My favorite thing about being in this short was working with such a great cast and crew and how well we all worked together!
What did you learn doing this short? I learned that with the right script, team, and cast, you can make a strong impact on fans. It’s such a great feeling to organically network with people from all around who enjoyed Perps.
Get to know Krista Bradley who plays Maria! Connect on Instagram at @KristaDianeBradley
How did you get cast for this project? My agent, Tina Presley, recommended me to our director, Alejandro, and on Christmas morning I got a notification of the audition opportunity. It was the best Christmas present ever!! I auditioned and got the role!
What was your favorite part of being in this short? My favorite part of being in this short was having the opportunity to work with and learn from Alejandra and Lou. I’ve grown up watching Lou, so having the opportunity to be his scene partner and learn first hand from him was incredible! Additionally, in my opinion, Alejandro is destined to become one of the great directors of our time – I love his vision and process of storytelling. So being in one of his early films is such a privilege for me.
What did you learn doing this short? The biggest thing the film has taught me is that sometimes people just want to laugh! Film is such an amazing avenue of escape from our everyday lives and fortunately, Perps is a film that you can’t watch and not smile at. Perps premiered alongside many amazing films at the Santa Fe Film Festival this year…all of which were more dramatic and carried heavy, important messages. While those films were astounding, we still ended up taking home the award for the best film. When you ask why I think it’s because Perps achieves what so many great films do – it tells a story of friendship that makes you forget about all the bad things going on in the world right now and makes you laugh…even if it’s just for 10 minutes. It also taught me the power of YouTube! It was amazing how well the film was received! If you haven’t checked it out already, you should!
Lou Ferrigno, Tamas Nadas, David Ferry Jr., Alejandro Montoya Marín, Allan Gaitirira, Dan Mathis, Kenneth McGlothin, Ryan Halsey, Madi Frost, Tiffany Sherie Neeley, John Kaler, Krista Bradley, and Emma Boisselle in Perps (2020)
Joe Lonesome
Joe Lonesome (aka: G.I.Joe) grew up as an amateur professional skateboarder in Albuquerque, NM. Through making skate videos he found his passion for motion pictures. Joe acquired an Associates Degree for Video Editing, Producing & Directing from Recording Film and Radio Connection Institute of Los Angeles, CA (2013-2014) then started working as an editor. After many independent productions and business ventures, he began his entry way into the NM Film Union (2016). Then, (2017-Present) he Created and is Executive Producer of OffSet Web Series. He was given an award from the NM Film and Television Hall of Fame.
About Offset Web Series OffSet Web Series has offered a comedic look at life, since debuting in 2017, they have shared their art with their New Mexico community. Their open platform film program is a mockumentary skit comedy web series about the day in the life of characters from movies and TV shows when they are OFF the film SET.
Offset Web Series S2 – The Black Mamba Episode
Black Mamba meets high Runway Fashion… Kill Bill Style!! Starring Leana Lewis, Featuring Stephen Cuomo (CEO of Santa Fe Fashion Week), Directed by Royce Leii, Screenplay by Joseph JD Lopez.
Mykel Salazar
Mykel is a Director in Film and Television and was recently accepted into the Directors Guild of America and works primarily on independent film productions in New Mexico and in Los Angeles, California. She is also a 2020 Rising Star Nominee – find out more here https://nmfilmandtvhalloffame.org/awards/mykel-salazar/
Kaya
About Kaya Kaya is the story of a young woman who discovers a juvenile victim of sex trafficking in a seedy motel room and takes the girl’s place to catch the men who abducted her teenage sister.
Anton Kozikowski
Kozikowski grew up in northern New Mexico and moved to the Bay Area where wrote and produced promotional materials for investigative reports and worked with Don Hewitt of 60 Minutes at CBS5, San Francisco. He received a Rocky Mountain Emmy and later a Northern California Emmy, for a series of reports following 911. He moved to Albuquerque as the state began leveraging film incentives and established a boutique media company Blur to Focus Productions in 2008 and later BonfireConnect LLC, for licensing, publishing & business development.
Wild Heart & Guitars
About Wild Heart & Guitars From City Hall to Nob Hill, ride along on Route 66 with self-trained ballerina and specialized guitarist on the newly revamped central corridor of Albuquerque NM. Bass Guitars: Marcus Casman.
Faith Strongheart
Faith Strongheart is writer/director with a unique visionary style. She has just completed her MFA in directing at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and is in post on her thesis film, Getting From Here, an extraction from a feature based on her exceptional hippie childhood. Her last short film, Je Suis (i am), a powerful story about a woman scrambling to balance work and family, is currently on the festival circuit.
Je Suis (i am)
Je Suis (i am)
David Baca
Illumination
About “Illumination” The short film pays homage to the silent film era and Disney and Pixar.Illumination
CLICK TO GET TICKETS HERE – See you on Monday!
There are so many passionate filmmakers, actors, crew, and those who support them here in New Mexico. We wanted to find out how some of the actors got connected with the filmmaker and hope to inspire you. You can tell stories and share them with the world. Come out and join us at this event and feel the amazing vibe.
