p.o. box 1565
el paso, tejas 79948
joseph
By Joseph Villescas
October 22, 2008: My reflection on today’s discussions about the potential of El Paso has compelled me to reconsider an option for the future of our community.
I propose that we mass produce media in the place where we once created clothing en masse. It could be created, it is worthy of considerable investment, and it could profit our local economy long after our supply of fossil fuels have been exhausted. Essentially, we use a fraction of what it would cost to demolish Farah to convert those spaces into production and postproduction facilities, and through this configuration we export media to the rest of the globe. After all, media are our nation’s largest exports.
Forget a mall, we have one right there already. Build something completely new—something that augments our economy, employees generations of El Paso families, positions our community strategically for the long term, utilizes our cultural and regional identity to our collective advantage, and builds off our local talent, creativity, and experience instead.
videos
videographers feature 1st avenue lofts
1st Avenue Lofts, "Teaming up with Joseph Villescas and the Karam brothers, Valentin Sandoval created a video that takes viewers from El Paso to Manhattan, highlighting the recent redevelopment project, the 1st Avenue Lofts..."
The Fertile Ground of El Paso is a short video that discusses the iconic features of downtown and introduces a discussion about investment in El Paso.

Dia de los Muertos: A Day of Remembrance & a Call for Policy Change on the Border provides the first part of a fifteen minute interview with Fernando Garcia, director of the Border Network for Human Rights.
History in the Making at San Jacinto Plaza contains an interview with Joe Moody on the day he was endorsed by Mayor John Cook and Senator Elliot Shapleigh.
Week 1 at the Percolator introduces several recent subjects of investigation by capturing segments from radio shows, panel discussions, interviews, and live performances at The Percolator (217 N. Stanton St.).
The next set of installments from Smith, Villescas & Sandoval will explore youth leadership development, the border wall, the district emerging around First Avenue Lofts, live music at The Percolator, the culmination of the presidential election, and a number of interviews with downtown professionals and ‘creatives’ contemplating the future of our community.
To explore these subjects of investigation further, contact downtown.theater@villescas.org.
discussion
Panel Discussion on the Future of Film in El Paso, Overview
listen on-line
INTERVIEW "ON FILM" WITH VILLESCAS & SANDOVAL
copyright 2012 villescas research, media & instruction, llc. all rights reserved.
p.o. box 1565
el paso, tejas 79948
joseph