Friday, April 30, 2010

Albuquerque Studios Update - Lawsuit Filed

A lawsuit alleges three former managers of Albuquerque Studios, which has seen filming of such movies as "Terminator Salvation" and "Book of Eli," were funneling business to a competitor, costing the studio more than $50,000, the Albuquerque Journal reported Friday in a copyright story.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles by Pacifica Mesa Studios LLC, alleges Nick Smerigan and brothers Jeremy and Jason Hariton caused the losses but does not describe when and what business was routed to other studios.

Smerigan was Albuquerque Studios' chief operating officer, Jeremy Hariton was executive director of studio operations and Jason Hariton was vice president for operations.

The lawsuit alleges Smerigan told his bosses he was being paid for working for competitors the day before abruptly leaving Albuquerque Studios on Jan. 22.

The trio's attorney, Rick Kurshner, said the lawsuit has no factual basis.

"I can tell you the facts that are alleged in the lawsuit that would constitute damage to Pacifica Mesa are untrue and that the legal theory behind the lawsuit is unfounded," Kurshner said.

Hal Katersky, co-founder and chairman of Albuquerque Studios' parent company, Pacifica Ventures, said the three were building their business on the company's dime.

Smerigan and his wife Gail announced the formation of RoadTown Enterprises, a construction management, design and studio-marketing business, three months after leaving Albuquerque Studios.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/04/30/entertainment/e123518D87.DTL#ixzz0md2e7gBP

NM Filmmakers Showcase!!!


The annual NM Filmmakers Showcase at the Guild Cinema in Albuquerque takes place on May 13-16. . Below are more details on time and location, and attached is the Schedule of Films.

We are honored to conduct this annual event as an open platform for New Mexicans to screen their work for the public. Films of all lengths and genres are accepted by filmmakers of all ages.

On a personal note, I’d like to strongly encourage the filmmakers who submitted their work to the 2010 event to please attend your own screening, as no person is a better advocate of your work than you are. It certainly speaks well for you and your film if you’re present to support it, and to answer any questions from the audience and our jurors.

For the second year, we’ll have a panel of jurors from the local film community selecting top honors in a variety of categories. With new submission guidelines in place for 2010, this year’s Showcase will have significantly fewer films than have screened in previous years, thus creating a tremendous slate of work from our very talented, serious filmmakers around the state. Thank you to all who submitted your work – I hope to see you there.

Cheers,
Trish
NM Filmmakers Program Director
NM Filmmakers Showcase 2010
May 13 -16, 2010
Opening Night Reception: Thursday, May 13th – 6:00-7:00pm
(Schedule of Films Attached)

Reception: Laru/CafĂ© Cubano – 3413 Central Ave, NE Albuquerque
Showcase: Guild Cinema – 3405 Central Ave, NE Albuquerque