• Asheville School of Film offers a Sound Recording on a Budget workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This course is designed to educate independent filmmakers, multimedia specialists and producers on the choice, use and selection of audio equipment. The hands-on class will immerse students in multiple aspects of production sound, including eliminating time code, shooting with a single and double sound system as well as syncing and listening to the results using reference headsets. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment for demonstration, evaluation and optimization. The workshop will be taught by professional production sound mixer Sidney Williams and costs $150. Register online. avl.mx/326
• The Fine Arts Theatre hosts a screening of Robert Shaw: Man of Many Voices on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., to benefit the All Souls Cathedral arts commission. Directed by Peter Miller and Pamela Roberts, the documentary chronicles the journey of the titular small-town California boy who dreamed of being a minister like his father, but went on to become the world’s greatest conductor of choral music. Tickets are $12.50 and available at the Fine Arts box office or online. avl.mx/327
• Mechanical Eye Microcinema presents Speculation Nation on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., at Grail Moviehouse. The documentary explores Spain’s housing crisis — a byproduct of the global financial collapse of the late 2000s — and subsequent efforts made by Spanish citizens to improve their quality of life. Filmmakers Bill Brown and Sabine Gruffat will be in attendance and participate in a post-screening Q&A. $5 suggested donation, which supports the visiting artists and helps make future Mechanical Eye events possible. avl.mx/328
• Kamala Lopez’s documentary Equal Means Equal will be screened Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7:15 p.m., at Grail Moviehouse. The film makes an argument in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment, the passage of which would enforce federal equality for women in wages, health insurance, pension and Social Security. The screening will double as a fundraiser for the ERA-NC Alliance. Rep. Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe) and Melinda Lowrance, president of the Henderson County NAACP, will participate in a post-film discussion. Tickets are $15 each and available through representatives of RATIFY ERA-NC, the League of Women Voters, the local Association of Women Attorneys and other groups. For information, contact robertamadden@yahoo.com.
How long do you think American Honey will stick around at the Grail?
I’d like to think people will be curious enough to see it this weekend and warrant a second week, but considering the runtime and subject matter I’ll be surprised if that happens.