Legendary Hollywood production designer David Nichols and the Taos Talking Pictures’ former Director of Programming Kelly Clement are joining the ranks of instructors for the Taos Filmmakers Initiative, according to TFI president and founder James Lujan. Beginning in September, Nichols will teach a course in Production Design while Clement will offer a course in Film Genre: The Science Fiction Film.
This latest development for the nonprofit Taos Filmmakers Initiative comes a month after its announcement that it has formed an association with the Taos branch of the University of New Mexico which will enable students enrolled at UNM-Taos to receive credit for taking courses offered by TFI. TFI begins its fourth year of film classes this fall.
“TFI is very fortunate and privileged to be working with instructors the caliber of David and Kelly,” says Lujan. “These are two gentlemen with very impressive credentials and a lot of professional experience in the film industry. There’s a lot to be learned from them.”
Nichols got his start working as a production designer on low-budget films for Roger Corman’s B-movie factory in the 60s. He eventually worked his way up the ladder, contributing his talents to such classic films as “Rocky,” “Mean Streats” and “Taxi Driver,” to more recent productions including “Groundhog Day” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.”
Clement, in addition to his duties as TTP’s Director of Programming for nearly a decade, is an award-winning filmmaker and has taught for UNM before as a Professor of Film Studies.
The Production Design and Film Genre courses will be two of several courses on TFI’s schedule for Fall 2003. In addition, Lujan will be teaching the Filmmakers Collaborative, a course in basic digital film production, as well as a class in Documentary/Experimental Filmmaking. Other offerings include Film Producing, taught by TFI Vice-President D.A. Zivkovich and Acting for Film taught by actress Cynthia Straus. TFI will also offer after school programs for children and teens.
For more information or to sign up for any of these classes, contact D.A. Zivkovich at 758-7859.