today at the downtown theater... 

WHERE: THE DOWNTOWN THEATER AT THE PERCOLATOR (217 N STANTON)

WHEN: 4:00 - 6:30 PM 

Our today goal is to discuss what is ahead for the El Paso film community as well as explore the new initiatives that will lead to greater opportunities for local/regional collaboration.

We have invited several figures from local film festivals, ongoing productions, and the on-line film community to share their insight as well as to provide their critiques of the local dynamics that stifle collaboration and collective enterprise.

Additionally, this discussion aims to address several converging factors in film and media development:

• The film industry of New Mexico has expanded tremendously and has become a catalyst for economic development statewide.
• The study of media making has boomed locally as well as throughout the nation and represents one of the fastest growing fields of study in postsecondary institutions.
• El Paso is an intrinsic test market for Latino-oriented films and other media forms due to our demographic composition and geographic positioning on an international border with one of the world’s largest Spanish speaking countries.

read more on film in el paso

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upcoming seminars & discussions...

• Private Seminar: Undergraduate/Graduate & Scholarship/Fellowship Application Assistance (Part 1, Part 2)
  
• Private Seminar: Introduction to Postproduction Techniques (Part 1, Part 2)
• November 20, 4-6:00 pm: Panel Discussion on the Future of Film in El Paso 
• VRMI/UTEP Internship: Research Design/Multimedia Production (Fall 2008, Spring 2009)
  

contact vrmi for more information about these upcoming events.

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four short videos about el paso...

• NOVEMBER 12: The Fertile Ground of El Paso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JOeNgneukM) is a short video that discusses the iconic features of downtown and introduces a discussion about investment in El Paso.

• NOVEMBER 1: Dia de los Muertos: A Day of Remembrance & a Call for Policy Change on the Border (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iLtBbpSS5Q) provides the first part of a fifteen minute interview with Fernando Garcia, director of the Border Network for Human Rights.

• OCTOBER 30: History in the Making at San Jacinto Plaza (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn6X4fFC4FI) contains an interview with Joe Moody on the day he was endorsed by Mayor John Cook and Senator Elliot Shapleigh.

• OCTOBER 23: Week 1 at the Percolator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6RjeM0ddhA) 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.

 

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recent vrmi events...

october 23
4:00-6:00 pm...emerging fields of employment for high skilled el pasoans
join us in the downtown theater at the percolator (217 n. stanton) to discuss several emerging fields of employment from a variety of different perspectives. topics include the following: 

• higher education & the future economic landscape of el paso
• utep as tier 1 institution & sector for entrepreneurship
• the future of regional healthcare & health research
• technological advances & opportunities for greater collaboration
• circular pathways of return for el paso expatriates
• biofuel & new energy
• burgeoning transnational latino consumer markets
• the perpetual ascendance of job seekers rather than job creators
• the repercussions of expanding high skill/high wage jobs
• born in 1990, the workforce of tomorrow

contact villescas research, media & instruction for more information about joining the panel or the audience that day. click here to read more about creating 'circular pathways of return' for el paso's current and future expatriates.

6:00-10:00 pm...interviews for documentary film about the future of el paso

along with the mixer, from 6:00-10:00 pm we will be conducting interviews for the documentary that (1) seek to address your recommendations for sustaining this current spike of community awareness and civic participation; and (2) forecast the future trajectory of el paso based on your interpretation of contemporary economic, social, and political trends.

7:00-12:00 pm...vrmi mixer for former expatriates & friends
come by from 7:00-12:00 to connect with others who have just returned, discuss local opportunities for recent graduates, & enjoy music from dj and owner of the percolator, bobby smith.

 

october 25
11:00-3:00 pm...downtown workshop: media production & business formation we will be discussing film and multimedia production session, our experiences in creating multidimensional businesses based in el paso, and the opportunites that downtown markets and emerging audiences represent to our collective future. reserve your space today.

 

october 27
5:00-7:00 pm...free screening of "an unreasonable man"
the award-winning documentary explores the extraordinary life of public service by ralph nader, who is running in his fourth presidential election as an independent (read more).

7:00-9:00 pm...interviews for documentary film about the future of el paso
share your perspectives in a documentary film we are producing about the future economic landscape of el paso, particularly as it relates to (1) new fields of employment, (2) our regional pool of talent, (3) the intrinsic 'creative' and cultural resources of el paso, (4) our strategic geographic positioning on an international border, and (5) the implications of the outcomes derived from our local systems of education.

 

november 4

8:00 am - 11:30 pm Election Day Coverage All Day at the Percolator

Join us downtown throughout the final day of the election to listen to ongoing radio coverage in the restaurant, watch live news coverage in the downtown theater, or share your forecast about the outcome of the election in a locally produced documentary film about the 2008 election. This nonpartisan event is sponsored by The Percolator, Blackbird Concepts, and Villescas Research, Media & Instruction.

9:30 am - 12:30 pm Live Music from California at the Percolator...LEOPOLD
 

november 5

9:30 am -11:00 am Ribbon Cutting for Downtown Theater

The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognizes the arrival of Villescas Research, Media & Instruction in downtown El Paso, and encourages members of the community to discover and welcome this new resource over coffee at The Percolator on Wednesday morning. Dr. Joseph Villescas will be on hand to discuss how El Paso trends can inform the overarching study of U.S. Latino dynamics as students, voters, consumers, taxpayers, business owners, and future leaders in our community. Villescas will also be discussing several training sessions, media projects, panel discussions, and film screenings he will be conducting during November and December in collaboration with Bobby Smith, owner of The Percolator, and Valentin Sandoval, owner of Blackbird Concepts.

 

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recent articles & interviews...

By ABC-7 Reporter Darren Hunt

Tomorrow the Borderland will make its voice heard in the 2008 election, and new and young voters could play a major role in the outcome...(read more)

 

NOVEMBER 1, KTEP 88.5 FM El Paso, 'On Film'

Interview with Charles Horak

Charles talks with filmmaker Valentin Sandoval and community activist Joseph Villescas about their plans for screenings and discussions at the Percolator Coffeehouse & Cafe, 217 N. Stanton. Hear about their future plans & hopes for the area film community...(listen) 

 

OCTOBER 18, MEDIA REPRESENTATION & THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

ktep 88.5 fm interview with louie saenz

 

OCTOBER 16, JAZZ IN EL PASO
el paso magazine article

jazz el paso connection/'jazz beat' article 

 

OCTOBER 15, DOWNTOWN DEBATE WATCH

el paso times article

newspaper tree article

 

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 25, BECK ROCKS THE PERCOLATOR 

vanity fair article

consultant services...

research

• border & rural county research
• immigrant population research
• raza mezclada/mixed race research
• u.s. latina/o populations research

media

• animation & graphics
• film, television, & convergent media production
• media critique & analyses
• mixed media presentations
• research for documentary & educational films

 instruction

• instruction for high school, undergraduate, & graduate students
• introductory seminar: cultural studies
• introductory seminar: film studies
• introductory seminar: graduate studies
• introductory seminar: latina/o studies
• introductory seminar: liberal arts
• introductory seminar: multicultural media studies
• introductory seminar: multiform capitals (bourdieu)
• leadership training
  
• local parent preparation for college-bound students
• media-based curriculum design
• student preparation for advanced & graduate studies

 other services for businesses & organizations 

• action learning & organizational change training
  
• comprehensive & longitudinal research design
• cultural sensitivity training for businesses & other organizations
• event planning & evaluation
  
• grant writing & grant evaluation
• mass data entry & consolidation
  
• organizational capacity building
  
• presentations on salient demographic trends & shifts
• program/project monitoring & evaluation
• social research on niche populations
• statistical analyses with spss
• strategic planning
• surveying, interviewing, & focus groups
• training, instruction, & other services for nonprofit organizations
• writing & editing services

2008 portrait by jesus 'cimi' alvarado

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joseph p. a. villescas, ph.d. is an independent consultant, writer, and instructor who conducts extensive investigations on latino and other multidimensional populations that explore trends in their educational development, media consumption, internet usage, voting behaviors, racial categorization, organizational capacities, and readiness for future leadership roles in community settings.

although based in el paso, several projects are also underway that target multiple border counties, communities in central and west texas, as well as undergraduate and graduate student populations nationally.

 

VRMI MIXERS

11/28  (6:00 PM- ) VRMI MIXER FOR FORMER EXPATRIATES & FRIENDS: connecting with others who have just returned, discussing local opportunities for recent graduates, & exploring the future economic landscape that impacts every el pasoan--register today

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VRMI SEMINARS

Private Seminar: Undergraduate/Graduate & Scholarship/Fellowship Application Assistance (Part 1, Part 2)

Private Seminar: Introduction to Postproduction Techniques (Part 1, Part 2)

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VRMI INTERNSHIP

VRMI/UTEP Internship: Research Design/Multimedia Production (Fall 2008, Spring 2009)

NEWS  

11/20/2008: VRMI CONDUCTS PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF FILM IN EL PASO AT THE DOWNTOWN THEATER

11/5/2008: DOWNTOWN THEATER RIBBON CUTTING WITH THE EL PASO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

11/4/2008: SMITH, VILLESCAS, & SANDOVAL AWAIT CHANGE TO COMMENCE IN AMERICA

11/3/2008: DOWNTOWN THEATER SCREENS "VOTE AMERICA" FOR TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

11/1/2008: VILLESCAS & SANDOVAL DISCUSS FILM IN DOWNTOWN EL PASO ON KTEP WITH CHARLES HORAK (LISTEN)

11/1/2008: VILLESCAS DISCUSS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FOR LULAC YOUTH CONFERENCE

10/27/2008: VILLESCAS APPOINTED TO SERVE ART MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF EL PASO

10/23/2008: VILLESCAS CONDUCTS PANEL DISCUSSION ON EMERGING FIELDS IN EL PASO AT THE DOWNTOWN THEATER 

10/18/2008: VILLESCAS DISCUSSES PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES ON KTEP WITH HOST LOUIE SAENZ (LISTEN)

10/16/2008: VRMI CONDUCTS JAZZ PANEL DISCUSSION WITH LISA D 

10/15/2008: VRMI & PERCOLATOR HOST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH AT DOWNTOWN THEATER 

10/2/2008: VILLESCAS & DEL PUEBLO ALLIANCE HOST HIP HOP PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE DOWNTOWN THEATER 

9/25/2008 : BECK ROCKS THE PERCOLATOR

9/25/2008 : LISA D BROADCASTS CHARLANDO CON LA GRINGA AT THE PERCOLATOR

9/18/2008 : LISA D BROADCASTS FIRST CHARLANDO CON LA GRINGA AT THE PERCOLATOR WITH BOBBY SMITH & VILLESCAS 

9/16/2008: VILLESCAS DISCUSSES DISTRICT 3 & STANTON REDEVELOPMENT ON LISA D SHOW

8/24/2008: VILLESCAS TRAINS WITH NHI CENTRE FOR LATINO LEADERSHIP STUDIES/WORLD INSTITUTE OF ACTION LEARNING

8/12/2008: VILLESCAS DISCUSSES 'CIRCULAR PATHWAYS OF RETURN' ON LISA D SHOW

8/5/2008: EL PASO YLC TEAM RETURNS FROM TEXAS AMBASSADOR GREAT DEBATE AT UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 

8/3/2008: CREATING 'CIRCULAR PATHWAYS OF RETURN' FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF EL PASO EXPATRIATES 

7/29/2008: EL PASO YLC ARTICLE IN THE EL PASO TIMES 

7/12/2008: EL PASO YLC TEAM TAKES SECOND AT 2008 SOUTHWEST GREAT DEBATE, NATIONAL FINALISTS IDENTIFIED

7/10/2008: EL PASO YLC TEAM DEPARTS FOR THE NATIONAL HISPANIC INSTITUTE'S 2008 SOUTHWEST GREAT DEBATE

6/24/2008: VILLESCAS RECOGNIZED BY EPISD FOR PARTICIPATION IN STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

6/16/2008: EL PASO YLC TEAM RETURNS FROM THE NATIONAL HISPANIC INSTITUTE'S 2008 TEXAS GREAT DEBATE

6/13/2008: EL PASO GREAT DEBATE FINALIST VIDEO

5/25/2008: THE CRUCIAL DYNAMICS OF DISTRICT 3 

5/1/2008: VILLESCAS MARCHES WITH EL PASO ACORN FOR RIGHTS & JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS 

4/30/2008: NEWSPAPER TREE COVERS IMPLICATIONS OF DISTRICT 3 RACE

4/29/2008: DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES DEBATE AT ACORN FORUM

4/27/2008: NEWSPAPER TREE QUESTIONNAIRE  RESPONSES

4/24/2008: EL PASO TIMES BLOG ON DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES

4/22/2008: NEWSPAPER TREE COVERS DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES

4/17/2008: EL PASO TIMES COVERS DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES

4/16/2008: VILLESCAS SPEAKS AT GREATER EL PASO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FORUM & AT PASADENA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FORUM

4/12/2008: VILLESCAS CONDUCTS LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR LULAC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

4/10/2008: VILLESCAS SPEAKS AT CIELO VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FORUM

3/25/2008: VILLESCAS ADDRESSES CITY COUNCIL AS PROPONENT OF CIELO VISTA LIBRARY

3/4/2008: VILLESCAS FILES FOR DISTRICT 3 CITY REPRESENTATIVE

2/16/2008: VILLESCAS BECOMES  FAR WEST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF CHICANOS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2/14/2008: NIETO & VILLESCAS PRESENT AT TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF CHICANOS IN HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

2/13/2008: VILLESCAS ATTENDS TCEQ HEARING IN AUSTIN

1/30/2008: VILLESCAS INTERVIEWED BY THE STRELZ

1/28/2008: VILLESCAS ANNOUNCES RUN FOR DISTRICT 3 CITY REP ON THE LISA DEGLIANTONI SHOW

12/23/2007: HOLIDAY MIXER FOR OVER 100 EXPATRIATES

12/22/2007: VILLESCAS CIRCULATES EXPAT REPORT TO ALL RESPONDENTS

12/21/2007: VILLESCAS INTERVIEWED BY THE STRELZ

12/16/2007: EL PASO TIMES COVERS EXPAT PROJECT

12/15/2007: NEWSPAPER TREE DISCUSSES PRELIMINARY EXPAT FINDINGS

12/13/2007: NHI PROMOTES EXPAT PROJECT AMONG EL PASO ALUMNI

12/12/2007: KFOX COVERS EL PASO EXPAT PROJECT

12/10/2007: NEWSPAPER TREE COVERS EL PASO EXPAT PROJECT

12/7/2007: EL PASO EXPATRIATE PROJECT: SURVEY 1 LAUNCHED (CLICK HERE)

12/4/2007: VILLESCAS PRESENTS LATINO FINDINGS IN SIX COUNTIES ALONG I-35 TO AUSTIN AREA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION

12/1/2007: VRMI ORGANIZATIONAL TRAINING FOR UTEP ALUMNI HELD  WITH UNDERGRADUATE LEADERS

11/30/2007: VILLESCAS SPEAKS AT LULAC COUNCIL 4457 ON FUTURE EL PASO LANDSCAPE

11/27/2007: EPISD ANNOUNCES NEW TRUSTEES

11/26/2007: VILLESCAS ON THE LISA DEGLIANTONI SHOW

11/18/2007: VILLESCAS LEADS WESLEYAN TEAM TO CHAMPIONSHIP IN LOS FRESNOS

11/2/2007: VILLESCAS INTERVIEWED BY THE STRELZ

10/30/2007: VILLESCAS SPEAKS AT EPISD COMMUNITY FORUM

10/15/2007: VILLESCAS FOR EPISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES