FILMMAKING FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN: POLTERGEIST DECONSTRUCTED
A Special Seminar with Poltergeist Screenwriter Michael Grais

The UNM-Taos Arts Academy is very excited to offer students, writers, filmmakers, and the general public an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the filmmaking process in a free, evening seminar with acclaimed screenwriter and filmmaker Michael Grais.

The two evening program will feature a screening of the movie, Poltergeist, on Tuesday, April 20th and a seminar, Filmmaking from Script to Screen: Poltergeist Deconstructed, on Thursday, April 22nd. Both programs start at 6:30 pm on the UNM-Taos, Klauer Campus. Although not required, it is recommended that participants pick up a copy of the Poltergeist script and read it before the April 20th screening. Scripts can be obtained from the UNM-Taos Art Academy, 575-737-6276.

Using his mega-hit Poltergeist as an example, Grais will lead a detailed discussion about the process of creating a movie and writing for the screen. He will deconstruct the finished film in relationship to its original blueprint, the script, providing a clear and practical understanding of how writing determines every step in the film making process.

Michael Grais has written and produced movies of domestic and international acclaim, whose gross revenues have exceeded five hundred million dollars. After Emerson College and N.Y.U. Film School, Grais decided to relocate to Los Angeles. He began writing for episodic television and then launched into features. He has written everything from romantic comedies to thrillers for seven Academy Award winning producers/directors including Steven Spielberg.

His films and TV credits include Poltergeist II, Visitors from the Unknown, Great Balls of Fire, Marked for Death, Sleepwalkers, Cool World and Who Killed Atlanta's Children. Actors that have starred in his work include Dennis Quaid, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Brad Pitt, Kim Basinger, Gabriel Byrne and Steven Seagal. Currently Grais is working on a film about the current border situation that Peter Fonda will direct and they will produce together.

Everyone is welcome to come to this event, but it should be of particular interest to screenwriters, writers in general, actors, filmmakers, film technicians, movie buffs and anyone interested in working in the film industry.

Delicious refreshments will be provided by the UNM-Taos Culinary Arts Program.
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For more details, please call UNM-Taos Arts Academy Program Coordinator Sabra Sowell at (575) 737-6256 or Gary Cook, Art Academy Head at (575) 737-6276.

UNM-Taos is a branch campus of the University of New Mexico. The Arts Academy offers classes year round in the visual and performing arts including Drawing, Jewelry, Ceramics, Photography, Printmaking, Pueblo Pottery, Painting, Motion Media/Film, Dance and Music. Our hallmark is dedicated, experienced educators who care deeply about their students and are professional practicing artists.

UNM-Taos Nursing Program Achieves “Candidacy Status”

The UNM-Taos Nursing Program has been granted “Candidacy Status” by the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) for Initial Accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, self regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria of educational quality. The NLNAC Accreditation process is a peer review effort with National Standards used as a benchmark.

Benefits of Accreditation include aiding in student recruitment and retention and enabling student eligibility for funding support from federal and state agencies. Further, it assists in the improvement of programs as related to outcome measures.

This common core of standards and criteria for accreditation, materials that document compliance, policies, and procedures are based on principles widely accepted in professional education. In order to achieve final accreditation a comprehensive review of the curriculum, faculty, and resources will be detailed in a self study format with the Commission making a site visit.

The UNM-Taos Nursing Program admitted its first class in the fall of 2009 with 16 students. The program is 4 consecutive semesters with the students graduating in December of 2010. The next class will start in the spring of 2011. Pre-requisite and application information can be found on the UNM-Taos homepage, under “Academics” and then “Nursing Program.” Further information can be obtained by calling Kathy Falkenhagen, Director of Nursing at 758-5906.

HOWL: Submissions

HOWL: The Voice of UNM-Taos

Now in its fifth year, UNM-Taos’ journal of the arts is continuing to publish the written and visual creative work of our students. The journal has changed style, shape and format over the years but has always been a beautiful reflection of our community.

With this Fall 2009 semester, came the first academic class in which the education of publication culminated in our latest volume of HOWL. If you haven’t seen one yet, there are copies available in Bob Arellano’s office in the new Pueblo Hall!

For the first time we also opened up the call for submissions to the community of Taos beyond our UNM walls. This made for an even more multi-faceted journal and a very exciting and well-attended publication event.

The new Spring 2010 HOWL class is now accepting all submissions until March 22^nd. The submission guidelines can be found at taos.unm.edu/howl.

We consider HOWL to be a venue for inspired writers and artists of all stripes to dialogue with each other and the community at large. Come and be a part of this dialogue by submitting your work, showing support by encouraging others to do so, or by signing up for next semester’s class

February is love your library month

Please celebrate with your unm-taos library at the
Following two events

Friday, feb. 12, 2010 from 2pm-6pm open house at the
Library, friendraiser/fundraiser, come get a library card,
Munch on some refreshments donated by cid's, and consider
Giving a valentine to the library in the form of a
Tax-deductible donation.

Saturday, feb. 13, 2010 from 6pm-8:30pm unm-taos library
Author auction event at the harwood museum. Music,
Chocolates, and a silent auction. Come bid on unique
Packages provided by our unm-taos faculty...everything
From a personal geology trip to first edition, signed
Books to a paella and sangria dinner at larry torres'
Home!