Short Cuts
By Marjorie Baumgarten, Fri., Jan. 29, 1999
Austin's Conduit Festival celebrates the convergence of various media and computing technologies by offering a showcase of cutting-edge digital technology from around the world. Now in its third year, the 1999 festival will be held March 14-15. Over the years, Conduit has featured shorts, animation, digital features, and music videos. This year computer games are added to the spotlight. The works will be showcased in a cinema setting with a digital projector and the festival also includes panels, Q&A sessions, a computer gaming and video arcade exhibition, and live performances. The deadline for submission is February 15. In addition to digital shorts and features, Conduit seeks computer-generated game scenes and animation samples completed for commercial or personal projects. Entries must be submitted on 1/2" VHS; there is no fee but the tapes will not be returned. Send to 906 E. Fifth St., Suite 103, Austin, TX, 78702, call 485-3147, or send e-mail to info@conduitfest.com...
Applications are now available for the annual Student Academy Awards competition sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Needless to say, the films must have been produced within the curriculum of an accredited college or university. Works need to have been completed after April 1, 1998. The deadline for submission is April 1, 1999. Films may be entered in one of four categories: alternative, animation, documentary, or narrative, and must be in 16mm or larger format. Applications can be downloaded from the Web at http://www.oscars.org/saa or obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ATTN: Student Academy Awards, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA, 90211...
Austin Cinemaker Co-op is looking for a new managing director as well as other staff positions ranging from festival coordinator to technical director. All positions are currently voluntary but will become paid within the next year. The Co-op is accepting inquiries and applications through February 1; interested parties should attend the Co-op's next general meeting, which will be held Sunday, January 31 at 7pm at the Cinemaker office, 906 E. Fifth. Cinemaker has just formed a new board of directors: Charles Nafus, Deb Lewis, Rachel Tsangari, and Luke Savisky are the board's new members...
Wings Over Austin: Next Friday, February 5 at 8pm, the Paramount Theatre is hosting a real movie treat: a screening of Wings, the 1927 movie that was the first Academy Award winner for best picture and was also filmed partially in San Antonio. The silent classic will be presentedwith a live orchestral accompaniment conducted by Gillian Anderson, who also conducted the orchestra during last year's screening of Ben-Hur at the Paramount. The film stars Clara Bow in a WWI love triangle, but the film's highlight is its spectacular aerial photography. Advance ticketsare on sale at the Paramount box office and Staroutlets, or can be charged by calling 469-SHOW.
