Producer Devin Colvin scored a timely success with "Coyote," a border-themed drama that examines immigration law.
It's airing on Showtime through next month.
The 37-year-old Sabino High School grad filmed part of the movie in Tucson and got it into film festivals in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Brooklyn and San Diego. The movie landed on DVD last year.
Colvin attended the University of Arizona but earned his fashion-merchandising degree at Brigham Young University. He received his MBA at Arizona State.
Colvin lives in Los Angeles and also works as a music and fashion photographer and does marketing for a software company.
"They're not really related at all but keep both practical and creative desires satisfied," he said.
He's looking to branch out into TV.
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How did Showtime discover "Coyote?"
"One of our lead actresses, Marina Valle, has a great short called 'Vamanos' that screened on Showtime. The network loved it and wanted to see 'Coyote' and really liked it. It's going to be screening a few times on Showtime throughout May and June. The heavy focus on immigration law in Arizona is interesting timing because the movie actually starts off with someone being pulled over and asked for ID and goes from there."
So the film has deep Tucson roots?
"I was born and raised in Tucson. Brett Spackman, who wrote, acted in and edited 'Coyote,' is also from Tucson. We've known each other since we were in Cub Scouts together and have worked together on all kinds of different projects. I still have family in Tucson and come back at least a few times a year for holidays or work and to visit family. I also try to get there at least once during monsoon season, too."
What are you working on now?
"I am currently working on pre-production for an independent film set in Detroit. It's about a girl who is embarrassed by her blue-collar hometown and her family but, when she has to spend an extended Christmas holiday there, gets involved with some local mobsters and local heroes and starts to appreciate where she's from."
Anything else?
"I'm also writing a TV series, with Carley Adams, one of the lead actresses in 'Coyote.' And Brett Spackman and ("Coyote" director) Brian Petersen are working on a project that takes place partly in Tucson as well. Hopefully, a few of these projects will get produced and picked up in the next few months."
What does Tucson mean to you as a film town?
"Tucson was a great place to make movies. There is no way we could have made 'Coyote' if it wasn't filmed in Tucson. We called in lots of favors from friends and family, used tons of locations that we knew about from growing up here and met a lot of really helpful people during filming and after it was finished, too. I definitely hope to shoot here more in the future."
If you're involved in filmmaking and would like to be featured in a Q&A, write to pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
