Filmmaker Christopher Coppola’s new media studio EARSXXI has created a
new training and film production program dubbed “Project Alternative
Hollywood,” or PAH-Flicks. PAH-Flicks will be a state-wide film
production program providing training for New Mexicans to hone their
skills on productions bound for distribution.
Christopher Coppola said “PAH-Flicks is ‘special-forces’ training, a
kind of hands-on graduate program for film crew members in the state of
New Mexico.”
The first project out of the PAH-Flicks program will be the Coppola
directed Big Bad Voodoo Momma, which is currently in
pre-production and is scheduled to start shooting in Grants, New Mexico
this May. The film is a modern-day wrestling remake of the classic
opera “Turandot.”
PAH-Flicks was created to enhance and expand New Mexico’s existing Film
Technicians Training Program (FTTP), currently in four counties
including Santa Fe Community College (Santa Fe County).Albuquerque
(Bernalillo County), NMSU Las Cruces (Dona Ana County) and ENMU Roswell
(Chaves County).
Coppola continued, “No one is doing what Roger Corman used to do in the
70’s. Film crews and actors who worked for Corman made between 5-9 low
budget films a year, and were able to get tremendous experience. Our
goal is to bring a similar process back to the people.”
PAH-Flicks enables less experienced crew members to gain intensive
production training by working with seasoned professionals. The program
aims to augment the current film programs by hiring FTTP graduates who
will work on feature films, gaining valuable experience and potential
days toward Union membership.
"The development of digital media in the state is essential to our
growth and survival in this industry,” stated Lisa Strout, Director of
the New Mexico Film Office. “The PAH-Flicks model hires new film and
media technicians on feature projects, giving them more hands-on
experience particularly in the digital realm. Having continuous digital
production in locations around the state creates a valuable training
ground for the next generation of New Mexico's filmmakers".
Coppola is currently working closely with private investors as well as
state and local governments to build five digital sounds stages,
production, and post-production facilities in New Mexico under the
PAH-Flicks initiative. These sound stages will be available to
independent filmmakers, major studios, and production companies.
Facilities are planned for each of the major counties: Bernalillo,
Chaves, Dona Ana, Sandoval and Santa Fe. Construction on the sound
stages is planned for the second half of 2006.