Monday, December 14, 2009

Game Developers Holiday Event THURSDAY (12/17)


Quick reminder/announcement about the Rio Grande IGDA (that's the International Game Developers Association) annual fundraiser:

NEW VENUE!!!

Join us at the Downtown Flying Star Restaurant (723 Silver Avenue Southwest) for the Rio Grande IGDA's third annual Childsplay Charity Fundraiser!

For the third year, New Mexico's game development community gets together to meet, talk, play games and raise funds for Childsplay, the "gamers charity".  All proceeds from the night go to benefit UNM Children's Hospital.

How does Child's Play work? From the site:

"With the help of hospital staff, we've set up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, and movies. You can go to each hospital's list and buy a toy, and that toy will be sent to the hospital. Some of these kids are in pretty bad shape. Imagine being stuck alone in a hospital over the holidays, getting something from a fellow gamer would really raise their spirits. Some of the stuff the hospital will give away for kids to keep, while other gifts (like consoles) will be kept by the hospital for patients to use throughout the year."

For more information about Child's Play, visit: http://www.childsplaycharity.org/

To contribute directly to UNM Children's Hospital, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/?_&id=21EIN5ZGOFY3U

For more details about the event... visit http://www.igda.org/albuquerque/3rd-annual-holiday-fundraiser

WHERE:     Flying Star Restaurant, 723 Silver Ave., SW

WHEN:       Thursday, December 17th 7:30 - 10:00 PM

COST:        Minimum Suggested Donation: $10


Friday, December 11, 2009

Ultimatum's "Heaven" advances in National Film Challenge


New Mexico (and team Ultimatum) advances again to the final phase of the National Film Challenge with their latest piece, "Heaven." 

The Film Challenge -- a national competition from the 48 Hour Film Project -- will announce its winners at NAB Show in Las Vegas in April.  

Audience voting (and more about the film challenge) is online at: http://filmchallenge.org/Audience-Award-Voting/

And you can see a better rez version of their piece at: http://vimeo.com/8010270 

--

Eric Renz-Whitmore, Program Coordinator
ARTS Lab
GC:     505-993-6884
office:  505-277-2253
cell:     505-227-1086
http://artslab.unm.edu

Thursday, December 10, 2009

REMINDER: Innovators Forum December 15th - New Mexico Angels: Receiving an angel investment for your company


A Very Cool event coming up next week in Los Alamos:

Innovators' Forum
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Hot Rocks Second Floor Conference Room
Los Alamos, NM
 
New Mexico Angels: Receiving an angel investment for your company

 
John J. Chavez is the President of the New Mexico Angels.  Since Mr. Chavez has become President, the New Mexico Angels have seen an increase of over 100% in investment in new companies.   Additionally, the New Mexico Angels are leading investment deals instead of following the VC's into the deals.  Lastly, Mr. Chavez has created the New Mexico Angels technology showcase forums which allows the New Mexico Angels technology partners, LANL, Sandia and UNM, to showcase technology available for licensing to New Mexico Angel members and guests.

John J. Chavez is the also the President of Tafoya and Brainerd Partners LLC, a nationwide business development consulting firm. Mr. Chavez has been an active angel investor since 2003. Prior to creating Tafoya and Brainerd Partners LLC, Mr. Chavez was appointed by New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson as the Cabinet Secretary of the Taxation and Revenue Department. Mr. Chavez served as Cabinet Secretary for six years and as the President of the Federation of Taxation Administrators for one year.

 
Mr. Chavez received the following degrees from New Mexico State University.
Master of Business Administration
Bachelor of Art in Economics
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance

What is Innovators' Forum?
Entrepreneurs are the critical force behind innovation and new wealth creation in tech-based economies. Our mission is to provide innovators with a networking opportunity and fresh
insights into the world of start-ups, spin-offs and the management of small technology businesses.
 
RSVP contact
This event is free so bring your lunch and cookies and drinks will be provided. Register by contacting Kim Sherwood at 505-665-1305, or ksherwood@lanl.gov
 
 
Innovators' Forum is sponsored by the Northern New Mexico Connect, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Technology Transfer Division and LANL Community Programs Office.


Friday, December 4, 2009

SFFF Online/Mobile Distribution - TODAY!


Hey everyone!

One of the big themes I've been seeing for the past year + is the desire of filmmakers and other content creators to get their work online -- and be paid or receive funding for doing so.  That's why I'm especially excited to be moderating today's Santa Fe Film Festival panel on "Online/Mobile Distribution: Indie Dollars or Indie Delusions?"
It's an aptly named panel and one that I hope adds a dose of reality -- and provides suggestions for real success -- in this rapidly changing area.

Many thanks to Michael Hare and the SFFF team for putting together this and so many great panels and workshops.  I hope to see you there! (more info at: http://www.santafefilmfestival.com/Intro)

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 2009
Hotel Santa Fe
Kiva B
1:00-2:30pm
Online/Mobile Distribution: Indie Dollars or Indie Delusions?

The reality of traditional distribution can be daunting. Few indie films see a significant theatrical release. Some get on TV, but then mostly as "fungible goods" (that is, your magnum opus is only slightly more valuable to the network than a test pattern). DVD deals are relatively easy, but selling physical copies of anything is on a downward spiral. So how's an indie gonna make that investment back? How about distributing your content online and/or via mobile devices? Our panel explores the landscape of the marketplace, online/mobile release strategies and tactics, as well as the economic realities of this approach. 
Panelists include: 
Rob Markovich – Senior Director of Original Programming, Starz Media
Chuck Goldman – CEO, Apperian; formerly Director of Field Engineering and Professional Services for Apple
Madeline Herdrich – VP, Mobile, Paramount
Suzanne Stefanac – Director, AFI Digital Content Lab
Moderator: Eric Renz-Whitmore – Program Coordinator, ARTS Lab, UNM

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

NM Women In Film - Holiday Party


From NM Women in Film:

NM Women in Film Holiday Event

Join NM Women in Film in Santa Fe on Thursday, December 10th for a holiday mixer and conversation with New Mexico screenwriter, Donald Davenport.  Donald's latest screenplay, "Christmas in Canaan", based on the novel by himself and Kenny Rogers, was picked up by Hallmark and produced earlier this year with actor/singer Billy Ray Cyrus.  It will premiere on the Hallmark Channel later this month.  Don't miss this opportunity to see the film, speak with Donald about his work and meet other film industry professionals over a cup of hot chocolate!

Tuesday, Dec 8th - 7:00pm: See the Film "Christmas in Canaan" at the Jean Cocteau Theatre (NM Film Museum).  RSVP required, seating is very limited.

Thursday Dec 10th - 5:30pm: See the Film (on the small screen) at the home of Board Member Trish Lopez | 7:00pm Mixer and Q&A w/Donald Davenport.  Free admission for WIF members, $15 donation for non-members.  RSVP required.  Location: 852 Hillcrest Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Please indicate in your RSVP whether you will be attending one or both events above, and feel free to contact us with any questions: (310) 266-4128 | trishalisha25@hotmail.com.  See the new music video for the movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OOkSsq-244.

Happy Holidays from NM Women in Film!

*A reminder that our Holiday Food Drive continues through December 19th.  Feel free to bring any donations for New Mexicans in need to this event.*