Las Cruces International Film Festival founder and Executive Director Ross Marks could often be heard exclaiming through the five days of the festival that LCIFF is the largest student-run film festival in the country. But not only is it student run, LCIFF is there as one big classroom learning environment for students of film, whether actual film program college students or the rest of us students of life of all ages.
Throughout the festival special guests and speakers were asked for their advice for learners. Michelle Hurd, “Star Trek: Picard” actress, spoke about it during the “Star Trek: Boldly going from script to screen” panel held Saturday, April 12.
“I encourage you to go see art, go to museums, listen to things you don’t usually listen to, watch shows you don’t usually see,” she said. “It will inform you. It will inspire you. It keeps our art alive. All these are storytellings.”
She said storytelling is a sacred art form, around since the caveman days.
“It’s how we connect, it’s the network, the yarn that holds us together,” she said. “Try different food, clothes, try a different walk in life because it opens up your perspective. Your own personal perspective is informed from all the inspiration you get from the world. Open your doors, open your eyes.”
Hurd, who also appeared in the film “Somewhere in Montana,” shown during the festival, received the festival’s “Outstanding Achievement in Drama” award during the Saturday award ceremony.
Carlos Cisco’s mother, Carmen Gonzalez, was an NMSU Creative Media Institute (CMI) founder in 2006. One of CMI’s first graduates, Cisco has gone on to be a successful television writer, one of his more recent jobs includes writing for the “Star Trek: Discovery” series.
His message for aspiring film industry workers to succeed: “Don’t be an asshole.”
“I think film festivals are an amazing opportunity for both film makers and people who love films,” he said. “I think that film festivals in general are a pretty good proving ground for young filmmakers and old filmmakers, filmmakers in general.”
As to how to get started as a writer, Cisco said, “write, read, write, practice, fail, do it again.”
There is no set path, he said, calling reading the best tool you have. It increases perspective.
The first feature film directed by another CMI graduate, Keagan Karnes, served as the opening night feature. “Brewmance,” was shot in Las Cruces with the lead character, Amber Kein, played Kennedy McMann. During a Q and A session following the screening, McMann was also asked for advice.
“Own what makes you who you are,” she said. “Trying to become who you think people want you to be or showing up in a way that you are assuming what they are looking for, is the quickest way to shoot yourself in the foot.”
On Thursday, April 10, actor Helen Hunt was in attendance at the festival all day, from speaking to students at the NMSU Center for the Arts at 2 p.m. to answering questions following the showing of “As Good As it Gets,” for which she received the Academy Award for best actress. At the end of the day she received the festival’s “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment” award.
When asked what advice she has for industry hopefuls, she told them not to go to Hollywood.
“You have such a great film city here; the community, the support, the filmmakers,” she said. “It’s incredible.”
