Slackery News Tidbits: July 15, 2013

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Dominic Monaghan and Elijah Wood

Here's the latest Austin and Texas film news.

  • The Austin Film Society's "AFS at the Marchesa" campaign was a success, raising 104% of the goal amount. The donated funds will soon be put toward improvements at the Marchesa venue, such as a digital projector, a 35mm changeover system, and setting up the theatre for Dolby 5.1 surround sound.  Donations are still welcome if you haven't pitched in yet.
  • In other AFS news, Carol Pirie has joined the staff as Executive Administrator. Pirie comes with decades of experience from her work at the Texas Film Commission. Stephanie Baker, Austin Film Society's Marketing Director, says, "As we go to expand Austin Studios with the acquisition of the former National Guard Armory, using $5.4 million from the 2012 bond election, we'll be doubling, at least, the number of tenants at Austin Studios. Carol will be instrumental in the many transactions and details involved in the expansion. We created this position to prepare for the expansion, and Carol, with her 23 years of experience at the Texas Film Commission, is the first person who came to mind. Carol brings many relationships along with her that will be beneficial as we grow. Her position will also play a key role in all matters that keep the Film Society going, including strategic planning, fundraising and stakeholder relations."
  • Locally-made movie Zero Charisma is set to have its international premiere at Fantasia Fest. The narrative feature (Jette's SXSW review), about Dungeons and Dragons player Scott who doesn't deal well with change, will screen July 20 and 27 in Montreal.
  • Hobbitses in Austin(-ses?): In case you hadn't already heard (or spotted him at Whole Foods as one of my friends did last week), actor Elijah Wood sold his home in Santa Monica and now owns a mansion in the South Congress/Bouldin Creek neighborhood. 
  • The New York Times covers directors moving on from mumblecore, with quotes from Austin filmmaker Andrew Bujalski, discussion of the work of former Austinites Mark and Jay Duplass and talk of two films that screened at this year's SXSW -- Computer Chess and Drinking Buddies. Our city's name isn't mentioned, however ...
  • Austin filmmaker Kat Candler (Hellion) directed the latest music video from band Ola Podrida. Ola Podrida is headed by David Wingo, who helped with the score on Prince Avalanche (my SXSW review), as well as composing music for Jeff Nichols' films Mud and Take Shelter. Watch the video below:

[Photo credit: Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings co-star Dominic Monaghan in the ring at Fantastic Fest 2011, by J. Kernion. All rights reserved.]