Slackery News Tidbits, January 11

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Alison Macor's bookThese intros to the news tidbits are always a bit dull, so let's cut to the chase and find out what's going on with Austin film news:

  • Over at Cinematical, Eric Snider profiled Sundance 2010 film Skateland. What he didn't mention -- and we found out from austin360movies -- is that Skateland director/co-writer Anthony Burns lives in Austin. Parts of the film were shot in Marshall, Texas.
  • We're excited to hear (again through austin360movies, a new Twitter feed you might want to start following) that local writer Alison Macor's book Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids will become available in March. If you didn't guess from the title, the book is a history of Austin filmmaking.
  • The Austin Chronicle has an interview with local musician Ryan Bingham about his big-screen debut in the film Crazy Heart (Debbie's review).
  • Just a reminder that Chris Smith's film Collapse is at Alamo Ritz for its last local screening tonight. The documentary from the director of American Movie and The Pool focuses on Michael Ruppert and his often-dire predictions of the future of our country. If you miss the Ritz screening, the movie is also available on Time Warner's VOD here in Austin.
  • The documentary Zombie Girl, about local filmmaker Emily Hagins, will get a short theatrical run at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz next week. Hagins and co-director Eric Mauck will be at the Jan. 17 screening, and Alamo Ritz will then show the film nightly through Jan. 20.
  • Fantastic Fest 2009 favorite The Human Centipede (which Jette was too chicken to see) has just found North American distribution through IFC. Twitch reports a theatrical and VOD release will happen sometime this year. The film took home Best Horror Feature and Best Horror Actor awards at Fantastic Fest.
  • Speaking of horror, mockumentary Lake Mungo, which played SXSW in 2008, is part of the "After Dark Horrorfest 4: 8 Films to Die For" DVD collection. You can check it out starting January 29.
  • SXSW is looking for volunteers who are experienced in shooting in HD or editing in Final Cut Pro. Two words: platinum badge.
  • Finally, if you haven't seen Jason Reitman's short video "Lost in the Air: The Jason Reitman Press Simulator," you're missing a very quick glimpse of a number of Austin members of the press, plus a shot of the Paramount. Local interviewers start showing up at around 32 or 33 seconds.