“If you want jobs and want them now, rewrite the motion picture incentive regulations to make them simple and clear. Make the tax credits easier to lend against. Exempt TV series since they create long term employment and reach out to potential projects to assure them we want and need them and will do what it takes to help them make their pictures here.”
Sheryl Roberts – Casting Director, Producer, Acting Coach
Jo Edna Boldin – Casting Director/Department (SEAL Team Six, True Grit, No Country for Old Men, The Book of Eli, 3:10 to Yuma, Crazy Heart, Terminator Salvation)
May 9, 2012
By Robert Redford
Actor, Director, Producer
The Albuquerque Journal published a prominently placed editorial on May 1 that was based on a recent story written by a reporter who, in fairness, requested an interview, on a short deadline, which I was unable to meet as I was out of the country. This editorial portrayed me as an unethical Hollywood interloper who, by inference, had made great personal gain from taxpayer money.
Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s time to set the record straight.
In February 2008, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs announced that it was purchasing the Los Luceros property. I was not even in the picture. Over some years prior, we had put time into requests from the Richardson administration on how our Sundance programs were conceived and run. That was the extent of it.
A year after the purchase the state requested that we explore whether or not there may be a collaborative model involving the property, which would result in providing programming with a focus on Native American and Hispanic populations in preparing them for careers in film and other aspects of the entertainment industry, which had been growing fast in New Mexico. It seemed a worthy goal, so we began meetings with the state.
Out of these meetings came a Memo of Understanding between Redford Enterprises, Cultural Affairs and the New Mexico Film Office. In May 2009, Gov. Richardson announced the collaboration.
The intent of this relationship was to create and expand training programs in film, arts and the environment at Los Luceros. This, he said, would enable Cultural Affairs to fulfill its dual mission of protecting the state’s cultural heritage, while supplying educational programs to benefit the people of New Mexico.
We began providing and collaborating on programs immediately, with most taking place at Los Luceros — writing and audition workshops, actors labs, directing, cinematography, production and economic development workshops. The highly regarded Sundance Native Program continued its labs and workshops, in New Mexico.
All of this education, job training and career building have been provided free, at no cost to any of the New Mexican participants.
These programs, agreed to in the MOU signed in February 2010, were the operating framework for the state-funded master plan and federally funded architectural designs, building renovations and new construction. The MOU provided for us a priority reservation use of Los Luceros via the Department of Cultural Affairs, and participation in a job-training program funded by the New Mexico Department of Economic Development and the New Mexico Film Office.
In late 2010, as state budget cuts appeared necessary, we were asked to amend the MOU in order to reduce the state financial commitment. We readily agreed. The use of state training dollars was dropped from the revised MOU that we, and the state, signed in December 2010.
This revised MOU became an issue when Gov. Susana Martinez took office. Mind you, it’s the MOU that drops a state funding requirement. We remained in limbo on many aspects of the relationship, and yet, we continued to provide programs at Los Luceros and at other locations.
As of today, Cultural Affairs hasn’t unequivocally said the department will honor either MOU. We were asked to obtain liability insurance, which was in process when they closed Los Luceros.
We continue offering programs in other locations and are exploring alternatives should collaborating with the state prove too political or impossible. I have a long history with the state of New Mexico and I love it here. I try to make a contribution as both a taxpayer and a citizen and will continue down that path with or without the blessing or cooperation of Martinez and her administration.
My next Acting classes will begin on January 18th at Triple Threat Academy on San Rafiel and Tramway from 6-7:30pm the class will last 11 weeks and I will concentrate on auditioning because that is what actors have to be the best at in order to compete for the jobs.
I work on many sets and I always work with actors from L.A., Denver and Dallas right here in New Mexico. This should be concerning to local actors. I know we have the talent to do those roles but for some reason we are not getting the opportunity to get cast into those roles. If this is what you need to work on then please and you want more info call 304-3487 and leave a message.
Headed by Steve Corona, New Mexico’s premiere Dialect Coach.
Steve has coached actors in various dialects and roles including:
Helen Mirren & Gerard Butler. Corona has his MA in Theatre Arts from Minnesota State University.
He has been a voice actor for almost 10 years, recording voiceover for: audiobooks, animated films, dubbing, educational materials, documentary narration, radio station ID, commercials, TV & films in Minnesota, Texas, California, South Korea, China, and New Mexico.
In “VOICEOVER”, you will learn:
*Types of Voiceover
*Voice Acting Techniques
*Finding your voice
*Creating Characters
*Recording a Demo Reel
*Working as a Voice Actor
*And MORE!
WHEN:
Starting June 1st
Wednesday nights
6:30pm – 7:45pm.
WHERE:
Far Horizon Studio
304 Washington St. SE
Albuquerque, NM
COST:
Only $25 per class! (or $100/mo.)
Pre-pay online via the “shop” tab on the NetSkits Academy facebook page, to reserve your spot in the class TODAY!
(space is limited and reservations are already being made – so don’t wait.)
No, it’s not always real pretty, but it is pretty real looking…From NM’s Own Resident FX Masters:
Gryphon’s Egg Productions is now offering special FX classes!!
That’s right folks everything from basic FX makeup techniques to full on professional prosthetic work, blood teeth and eyeballs, to animatronic puppets!!
Classes are slated start mid April and preregistration is required. We are taking on a limited number of students for the first run of classes – contact Shawn Darling now at gryphonsegg@gmail.com for more info and to pre register today!!!
UPDATE 1/24/11: Stage Acting Academy expands to Santa Fe and opens doors this THURSDAY 27th!!! These will be select classes. Learn two new DIALECTS with VOICEOVER every month with Steve Corona… RSVP’s will be necessary – 7.15pm to 9.15pm 1413 Paseo De Peralta 87501 near Galisteo cross street and near The Capital!!! call us right away if you want in… 323.333.7322 or 306.8524
UPDATE 1/18/11:TONIGHT – SPECIAL TUESDAY NIGHT DIALECT TRAINING, SOUTHERN STYLE, Y’ALL!
Train your palate to roll out brogue, orchestrate Français, or whip out Brooklynese with one of our favorite resources in the Q.
Fireborn Films, Stage Acting Academy is home to the ever-increasingly popular Steve Corona who is on hand to train YOU.
Dialect training isn’t just for Oscar winning Dames or heart throbbing Scotsman anymore New Mexico.
If you’re interested in catching a ride on this wing and a prayer called New Mexico Film & Production a.k.a. the Arts & Entertainment tidal wave sweeping the land, sign-up and hang on!
As featured in Friday’s Albuquerque Journal Corona teaches acting, improv and dialects to everyone from area students to global A-listers such as Dame Helen Mirren and Gerard Butler.
And if you were at the phenomenon that is Albuquerque Comic Con you might have had the pleasure of catching Corona’s improv group.
Now more than ever it is YOUR time New Mexico – ARM yourself with the expertise offered at Fireborn. The doors of “the industry” await and there are keys to your success in front of and behind the camera through the vast array of training, projects and networking just waiting for you there!
Taking your acting skills to the next level or finding them for the very first time – EXPERIENCE Stage Acting Academy.
Presented by Fireborn Films, led by award winning acting/directing team Jerry G. Angelo and Steve Corona – Intensive acting workshops teach and hone the skills EVERY actor needs be armed with for success.
We were fortunate to be Industry Guests at the Dec. 15 Acting Showcase where current students performed a wide variety of riveting scenes – displaying range and depth unimaginable to the non-actor.
But within the actor is the greatest catalogue of material – the only catalogue required and with the tools and techniques unearthed for you by this intensive training your inner actor is revealed.
Four diverse class sessions available weekly in Albuquerque, NM:
UPDATE 11/29/10: FOURTH NIGHT! The first round of DIALECT classes begins Thursday!!! Take 2 classes – and receive dialect training FREE.
IMPROV: Mon. & Tues. Train with professional actors/producers/writers, SHOWCASE: Wed. in front of industry producers, directors, screenwriters & agents… DIALECT: Thurs. no cost additional intensive dialect training!!
For immediate information contact: Jerry G. Angelo at 323-333-7322 or visit Fireborn Films here.
Improv & Showcase training just $50 (for both) and get the new intensive Dialect training at no additional cost!
NEW ACTORS:
This week only – Fire Born Films is sponsoring “STAGE”, inviting new actors to a free INTENSE SCENE STUDY class Wednesday night… all you have to do is come check-out Improv…Take one IMPROV class Monday or Tuesday – Get INTENSE SCENE STUDY Wednesday for FREE!
This will be in preparation for adding a new class and a 4th night, DIALECTS. Actors from STAGE are being groomed to be dangerously versatile…and it’s working…results will be published/released forthwith!
STAGE is for all actors and all people wanting to break their mold. It is open to the public.
Who: Steve Corona – one of the most versatile acting instructors in New Mexico, Fireborn Films own Jerry Angelo also comes as part of the pkg.
When:
Tonight 7pm sharp
Where:
5413 Lomas Blvd one block east of San Mateo
Albuquerque, NM 87110
