Fundraiser to benefit UTPA summer film project

By: Sandra Gonzalez 

It'll be at least a few years before you'll see large car crashes or explosions in the University of Texas-Pan American summer films. In fact, the filmmakers are just hoping the won't have to use a grocery cart as a dolly this year.

The 16 full-length features produced as part of the Pan American Summer Television program have been far from big-budgeted, but they have held their head above the flooding waters of film technology innovation since their first film in 1984, under the direction of University of Texas-Pan American professor Jack Stanley.

But David Carren, a television-film professor at The University of Texas-Pan American and longtime Hollywood screenwriter, said he wants take the program "beyond student productions" and emulate the Burnt Orange film company at The University of Texas-Austin, which produces feature films for theatrical release.

"Jack already has some really good films in the can that he's done earlier," he said "If we get this film out there, maybe the other films would get picked up, too. Why not?"

To help fund their upcoming summer production, The Red Queen, PAST will be holding the "Hooray for Hollywood fundraiser gala Saturday. UTPA alum and former The George Lopez Show actor Valente Rodriguez will be in attendance.

The Red Queen, which was written by Carren and developed by Stanley, follows a young woman's search for information about her mother, who died in the Rio Grande while crossing her infant daughter into America.

Since the beginning, PAST has placed emphasis on making the Valley a central part of the storyline and plots.

"We don't want to just do features here that can be shot anywhere," Carren said. "What's the point in that? That was part of Burnt Orange's problem. The scripts were not Central Texas movies. They shot them there, they used Texas actors, but they weren't about Texas."

Rodriguez, who starred in PAST's first film The Discouraging Word, also stars in this film, along with several other notable names like Oscar Torre (Cane) and Harley Jane Kozak (Parenthood, Arachnophobia), giving student a chance to work with professional, Carren said.

"Bottom line, this is still a class in which students will be learning about working on a film," he said. "And the good thing is they can get their first credit on a film that gets released because I do intend to sell this thing."

Carren added that he hopes to enter the movie in Sundance, but that's looking far ahead. For now, they're struggle with trying to get the funding to pay for props, equipment and SAG actor and location fees.

"We have everything an independent production would salivate over," he said. "All we really need it money, which is why we need this gala."

Advanced tickets are $35 and $40 at the door. For more information call the UTPA Box Office at (956) 381-3581 or contact dcarren@utpa.edu.

-------------

Sandra Gonzalez covers general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4427

A SAMPLE OF THE SCRIPT:

INT. SAINT AMELIA'S MISSION - CHAPEL - DAY

Elegant and simple, shafts of light lance through the peaked windows.  Gabbi is lighting a candle for her mother as Sister Carmela limps in and watches her.  The girl finally sighs...

GABBI

 Jose is sending me to Stanford.

SISTER CARMELA

But that's wonderful!

GABBI

What's so wonderful about moving half way across the country?

SISTER CARMELA

It's a great school, Gabriella.       You deserve it.

Gabbi slumps into the front pew.

GABBI

I deserve to stay here where I grew up.  With my friends, with you...

SISTER CARMELA

And her.  You don't want to leave your mother, is that it?

Gabbi stares at the memorial candles on the altar.

GABBI

I know it doesn't make sense.  But it's like she's a part of my life, a part I can't leave behind.

SISTER CARMELA

You couldn't if you tried, child.  Wherever you go, she'll be there.

GABBI

You won't be.

The Nun joins her in the pew. 

SISTER CARMELA

When it comes to the school of life, I've been a poor student.  But I have learned this much.  Life is about...

GABBI

Loss and change.  If you can handle one, the other won't matter.

(then)

You really believe that?

SISTER CARMELA

I must.  Because when you move away, I will lose you, too.

Gabbi wraps her arms around the woman.  As they hold each other close...