Random Notes from the Austin film scene:

- Joe O'Connell reports on a slew of film/TV activity happening in Austin just in time for the summer. The productions include the new NBC drama Friday Night Lights and a studio remake of The Hitcher. Plus, O'Connell gives us the scoop on some other big local film news.

- Kimberly Pierce is reportedly wooing Ryan Phillippe to take the lead in her Austin-based production of Stop-Loss, for Paramount and Scott Rudin. Abbie Cornish will take the female lead, and shooting is scheduled to begin late-summer.

- The Alamo Drafthouse will host two very special "Rolling Roadshow" events this weekend. On Friday night, catch Nacho Libre with director Jared Hess in attendance. On Saturday night, you'll be able to attend a Beyond the Valley of the Dolls reunion screening.

- The film version of SXSW 2006 Opening Night Film, A Prairie Home Companion, opens in the theaters this weekend. But, Austin audiences also have a chance this weekend to catch Garrison Keiller perform the real thing.

- SXSWclick deadline is June 12.

- Jette Kernion files her weekly column, "News From Slackerwood," for Cinematical. In it, find updates on the Paramount Summer Classics series, Nueva Onda's free movie night, the Poyser/Swanberg double feature, and more.

- Passes for Fantastic Fest, September 21-28, are available now.

- The Criterion Collection has released its double-DVD edition of Richard Linklater's classic high school comedy, Dazed and Confused. Master blogger Wiley Wiggins, one of the film's stars, shares some info for ya.

- The Austin Movie Blog keeps an eye on all things Austin film related, and some things that are not. They do a much better job than I, when it comes to these news digests.