Short Cuts

A sharp-eyed reader of this column noted that I finally went a week without mentioning the folks at Cinemaker Co-op, and so to correct that glaring absence of small-gauge indie info, here's the latest from the sub-16mm film group: Jan. 15 and 16 the Co-op will present a screening (day one) and processing workshop (day two) by renowned experimental filmmaker David Gatten. Gatten, whose fan base includes the likes of Stan Brakhage and other underground film luminaries, is the man behind the What the Water Said film triptych, which he created by immersing lengths of unexposed, undeveloped sound film in a crab cage in the Atlantic off South Carolina for three days. The resulting damage (or "oceanic inscriptions" in Gatten-speak) sustained by the film from the saltwater, sand, rocks, and shells created a truly astonishing marriage of sound, image, and ocean -- all without benefit of a camera. (And you thought The Blair Witch Project was a shoestring operation.) Two other Gatten films will also be screened, with a Q&A following. Times and exact locations for both the screening and the workshop are still up in the air as we go to press, but more information on this and any other Cinemaker events can be had by calling 236-2877... It just wouldn't be Christmas in Austin without a few fishnet-stockinged transvestites parading around under a rain of toast while eating Meat Loaf, right? Austin's Rocky Horror Picture Show ensemble will darken the stage on Friday, Christmas Eve, but return the following day for the really big shoo. Ditto New Year's Eve, with a presumably groggy and bleary-eyed performance as the world collapses around them on Jan. 1. As always, the film/performance is held at the Wells Branch Discount Cinema at midnight. Check out the 23-years-young group on the web at http://www.austinrocky.org... Jan. 24 sees the start of the new Austin Digital Video Center's six-week course in digifilmaking. Here's your chance to learn anything and everything about the digital revolution, taught by "industry professionals," all for a paltry $195. Classes will meet Mondays from 6:30-9pm at the Video Center (708 S. Lamar). Enrollment is limited but information, like bad digital filmmakers, is cheap and abundant: Call 383-8303 for more... Got a screenplay gathering dust rhinos on the shelf? Yeah, me too. Brush it off and send it to the Houston-based Indie Screenplay Search before Dec. 31 (early deadline) or Jan. 31 (late deadline) and you could win a minimum $1,000 and the adoration of that cute PA you've always had your eye one (you know the one). For more info, entry forms, and guidelines send e-mail to indie@compuserve.com... Cool screenings alert: The first is Laura Escamilla's documentary on (in)famous San Antonio club Tacoland and its owner/godhead Ram Ayala. Coincidentally enough, that's taking place at Tacoland itself, 103 Grayson St. in San Antone, 8:30pm on Wed., Dec. 29, with a performance by Austin legends the Hickoids later that night. Call 212/463-1034 for more info. The second screening of note is the Alamo Drafthouse's Andy Kaufman Tribute Night presented by Johnny Legend and The Show With No Name, Thu., Dec 23, at midnight. Free posters, CDs, and assorted swag will accompany a variety of Kaufmania including game show cameos, Kaufman's Letterman appearance, the 16mm film, My Breakfast With [former pro-wrestler Fred] Blassie, and gobs more. See what all the fuss was (and is) about and kick off your holidaze in grand, surrealist style.