I Made This! Dept.: The auteur theory first broached during the French New Wave by everyone from François Truffaut to Jean-Luc Godard has been de- and rebunked time and again. Writers hate it, for the most part — the recent near-strike by the WGA took aim at the popular “A Film By… ” credits that have evolved from the auteur movement’s notion that the director is, finally, the “author” of his film. This can swing both ways, of course. On the one hand you have Jacques Tati; on the other, Jerry Lewis (or even, ouch, Pauly Shore). Austin’s Alleywood Studios (1902 S. Congress) and filmmaker Sidney Brammer toss their hat into the ring, sort of, with Alleywood Auteurs, a new six-week workshop for aspiring writer/ directors who feel they can do it all, baby, and want to find out how. The course, which begins July 5 and runs Thursdays, 7-10pm, through Aug. 16, covers the basic principles of screenwriting, dramatic action, characterization, blocking and prepping, and storyboarding — pretty much all a first-time screenwriter/director needs to know to inflict his tortured psyche on the moviegoing public. The cost is $225 and payment plans are available. For more information, call 916-0001 or e-mail Sidney Brammer at sidkid@austin.rr.com… Austin casting agent Beth Sepko (The Rookie, Office Space ) presents a seminar this Saturday, June 30, 9:30am-noon, at the Bad Dog Comedy Theater (110 E. Riverside). Sepko will discuss the ins and outs of the casting process, information helpful to both potential casting agents and the actors who love them (and would like to see their love returned). Cost for the workshop is a paltry $25, and registration info is available by calling Sepko at 472-5385… The Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival‘s first annual My Gay Movie screening will be held tonight, June 28, 7:30pm at the Arbor Theater (10000 Research Blvd.). aGLIFF Creative Director Scott Dinger organized the event, which called for entrants to make their own short film with queer content. Ten finalist films have since been selected and will be screened this evening in what promises to be a slightly more than fabulous evening of great little films and MTV-style festival trappings. Tickets are $5 general/$4 aGLIFF members, and go on sale at the Arbor box office today at 6:30pm… Now is the time on Sprockets when we dance. Well, actually, July 19 at 7:30pm and again at 10pm will be the time. But when it comes to Teutonic techno-popsters Kraftwerk, it’s best to plan in advance, if only to give yourself time to secure a capuchin to frolic with. 20% Kraftwerk is the title of Cinemaker Coop‘s upcoming screening at the Blue Theater (www.bluetheater.com), featuring rare 16mm films from collector (and former Austinite) Tim Massett, whose Subterranean Cinema (www.subterraneancinema.com) has been bringing the odd and overlooked to the masses for years. The music video “Autobahn” is the 20% Krautrock of the title; other films include the doc Mexican Guerrilla Cinema and the wonderfully titled Sex Ed. For Trainables. Ick. Admission is $5. Call 471-6497 for more info… “Travel to Lonesome Dove is now available via Austin-Bergstrom International Airport” reads the press release. Can the redeye to Shangri-La be far behind? ABIA’s coyly worded note actually refers to what is obviously the coolest airport in the world’s new display of memorabilia from the William Wittliff-penned television miniseries Lonesome Dove, and features props, costumes, and set photos from the famed Texas production. The display is on loan from the Southwestern Writer’s Collection at Southwest Texas University and runs through September.
This article appears in June 29 • 2001.