May 06, 2008

New center for Hollywood's Indians

If you're like me, you're wondering what the American Indian National Center for Television and Film (mentioned here) is. I've read most of the entertainment articles about Indians published in the last two decades and I haven't heard of it.

Well, here's the answer (thanks to James Lujan of Intertribal Entertainment):

Institute of American Indian Arts and Major Television Networks Launch American Indian National Center for Television and FilmTaking a lead role in developing entertainment career opportunities for Native people both in front of and behind the cameras, the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Development (“IAIA”) has partnered with ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in establishing the American Indian National Center for Television and Film.

According to Dr. Robert Martin, President of IAIA, the center, located at Los Angeles’ historic Prospect Studios “will serve as a bridge between Native American talent and opportunities in the entertainment industry. From independent producers to filmmakers, editors, screenwriters and actors, the center will foster professional development and industry networking.”

The country’s major broadcasters--ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC--have joined IAIA to underwrite the cost of launching the center and will provide their expertise to support the goals of the center.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So they say. I was part of that IAIA Summer Film Workshop that is funded and sponsored by ABC/Disney etc...I made a film during that workshop called Irrelevant Static. According to them, it wasn't "Indian" enough for them. So I made another film to satisfy their thirst for a "True Indian" film with everything they expected to see in an "Indian" film. This is where "The Last Great Hunt" came in. Have a look at it for yourself. I wonder if I quenched their thirst?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlUx7yX6_K4

Rob said...

I linked to these in Films from Sheephead Films.

I'd say The Last Great Hunt is more "Indian" than Irrelevant Static, but they're both Indian films. I mean, how can a movie that shows an Indian for 36 minutes straight not qualify?

You might have more trouble arguing that Yellow Dust or Al'keme 1345 are Indian films, since I don't think there are any Indians on-screen. But if they're made by Indians and have an Indian sensibility, they should count.

Anyway, I don't think the resource center is responsible for the film workshop or vice versa. I'm guessing they operate independently under the IAIA umbrella.