Impress George
Are you an aspiring screenwriter with a red-hot sci-fi movie idea burning a hole in your brainpan? The New Mexico Film Foundation has teamed up with famed Santa Fe author George R.R. Martin to once again award the George R.R. Martin Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenwriting Grant. Industry professionals will receive the screenplay submissions anonymously and will judge based on criteria established prior to submissions. One winner will be awarded $5,000, which can be used toward the development of your script. This grant is only available for New Mexico residents who are non-WGA members. This is for movie or TV pilot scripts in the sci-fi or fantasy genre only. To enter send in your name, title of project and contact information to info@nmfilmfoundation.org. Then submit a five-page script treatment along with the first five pages of the script in pdf format. Deadline is Aug. 15 at 5pm. For complete submission information, go to nmfilmfoundation.org/george-rr-martin-grant/.
Popcorn + Parks + Pixar
Bernalillo County’s 2021 edition of Movies in the Park comes to an end this Saturday, July 31, with a free public screening of the 2006 Pixar animated film Cars. The screening takes place at Los Vecinos Community Center (478 NM-333) in Tijeras. As always, food vendors are available, picnics are welcome (no alcohol or glass) and designated social circles are recommended for all moviegoers. Admission is fully open and seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are no longer required. For more info go to bernco.gov/mitp.
Who You Calling Strange?
Earlier this month the New Mexico Film Office announced that the new CBS Studios TV series “Star Trek: Strange Worlds” would be using New Mexico as a location for shooting. Unfortunately, it look like the cast won’t be visiting the Land of Enchantment. Instead, our New Mexico vistas will be utilized for the show’s visual effects—one would assume as alien landscapes. No word on what locations will be used. But Tent Rocks, White Sands and the Bisti Badlands would all be fine, extraterrestrial choices. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” follows the adventures of the original U.S.S. Enterprise crew with Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Number One (Rebecca Romjin) and Mr. Spock (Ethan Peck). The series is filming primarily in Toronto. It will debut exclusively on Paramount+. If you want to catch a glimpse of your backyard, tune in starting sometime in early 2022.