Dead Man Talking Dept.: Fans of Tim Robbins’ brilliant sophomore directorial effort should get their fix at “From Word to Screen: Tim Robbins’ Dead Man Walking,” Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7pm, at Thompson Conference Center (26th and Red River), part of the “Art, Word, Screen, Opera: The Journey of Dead Man Walking” series, which is occurring in conjunction with Austin Lyric Opera’s Southwest premiere of Jake Heggie’s operatic rendering, Dead Man Walking, in January 2003. Wednesday’s discussion of the adaptation of Sister Helen Prejean’s book to the screen will feature “clips and focus on the choices of actors, director, soundtrack, and the demands of the visual medium.” Panelists include the Chronicle‘s own senior editor and film critic Marjorie Baumgarten; University of Texas at Austin Radio-Television-Film professor John Downing; Ismael Garcia, professor of Christian ethics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; and Texas Monthly editor Evan Smith. The event will be moderated by Evan Carton, director of the University of Texas Humanities Institute. Tickets are $5. Call 472-5927 x124 for more info… Disney’s much-belated Alamo docupic, which will be shooting just outside of town beginning (hopefully) in January 2003, has issued an extras casting call for Saturday, Nov. 9, 8am-4pm, and Sunday, Nov. 10, 8am-6pm, at the Omni Austin Hotel (700 San Jacinto). They’re looking for “all types of men and women of all ethnicities, ages 16 and over,” which pretty much includes everyone. No previous film experience necessary, but bring a non-returnable photo and be a legal resident of the United States… Finally, this Friday, Nov. 8, is Austin Studios‘ second birthday. That’s two years, 10 feature films, 100,000 square feet, $70 million in local revenue, and 1,500 new jobs. Congratulations, y’all.
This article appears in November 8 • 2002.