The University Theater Productions is taping a full-length motion picture.  The Red Queen, written and directed by David B. Carren of the Communications Department, is part of the University of Texas Pan American’s Summer TV Workshop.

The movie takes place across the Rio Grande Valley.  From Roma to Port Isabel, UTPA students and faculty will be taping the movie until July 8.  This will be the film department’s 17th full-length movie. However, this year they have invited professional actors to be part of the project.  "We are delighted with the four professional actors we have hired," Carren said. "Everyone knows alumnus Valente Rodriguez, and we found Sharon Sauceda, who is also a Screen Actors Guild member and a local resident. Two other SAG Actresses, Estephania LeBaron and Harley Jane Kozak, will be here for several days each."

Aside from these actors there are 26 featured roles filled by UTPA students and local residents.  Finding talent was the least of Carren’s problems; the former Hollywood writer has realized the difficulty of movie making in the Valley is finding certain items for the film. "In Los Angeles, many services are available to find or make strange props and to locate authentic cars and guns. Here we have to rely on people's personal contacts to try to obtain the items we need," he said. Preparation for the movie began back in January of this year, yet the script presents difficult problems for the students.  The script calls for several flashbacks, and it has been difficult for the crew to find things from that time.  "One scene takes place in 1988, so we are looking for vehicles that are that age or older to make the background look authentic,” Carren said.  "We just need it for a day. No one will drive it. It will be in the shots for atmosphere...” "Another scene takes place in a chapel being modernized. For the effect we want, we need stacks of large sacks filled with some white powdery substance--flour would be perfect. In the gunfight, several bags explode, filling the occupants with white covering, so they all look like ghosts at the end," Dr. Jack R. Stanley, Executive Producer, explained. "We need to 'borrow' a pallet of large bags. We only shoot up a couple of them. We can afford to buy those, but not the entire pallet."

Valley residents who are interested in helping with the film, whether financially or in-kind may contact Executive Producer Marian Monta.  "We are offering people a chance to be producers, for a five hundred dollar donation to the university,” she explained. "For those who can help with equipment, food or other items, we offer donation forms that will allow sponsors to get a tax break, as well as a place in the film credits." “If our schedule holds up and we don’t run out of funding, we expect to have it ready to enter into various competitions, like the Sundance Film Festival, this fall," Carren said. "We want to get the university and the theatre-television-film program here all the national exposure we can".