Getting your mug on the big screen, the little screen, and everything in between.
Local filmmakers and actors on set
You've probably heard that Governor Perry signed into law a much more competitive film incentive carrot for production companies to shoot here in our backyard. What that means is that as soon as the bill gets some funding, more productions of movies, TV series, commercials, and even webisodes could very well be bound for the area. We're going to help you get on that gravy train, including how to get your actor reel ready for prime time.
Do some networking with Hollywood and New York's finest filmmakers when they visit town during the SXSW Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival, and you will detect a common thread when you ask them about the Austin filmmaking scene: Austin filmmakers are highly passionate about their art and they will do whatever it takes to make their film. New filmmakers barter their services with other new filmmakers and the talent often works in exchange for experience and footage for their actor reel. Austin can be described as a grassroots kind of a city in a lot of categories and filmmaking is not an exception. So, if you happen to be part of this vibrant community in Austin, there is a pretty good chance that this filmmaking event will be right up your alley.
In English that reads, "Friday Night Lights" has been renewed for two more seasons and they are coming back to Austin to shoot. For actors, crew, and local citizens alike, this is just plain cool. Hopefully it will also be a strong representation of things to come here in town. Now that the Texas film incentive bill passed and based upon it getting funds appropriated, it is predicted that many other production firms from Hollywood, New York, and even other countries, will be on the next Southwest flight into the city.
Texas film and gaming industry lobbies to keep the Texas industry in Texas.
Steve Muccini, section editor of Austin in Film, documents his recent trip to the Texas State Capitol for lobby day. Muccini and over 600 film professionals turned amateur lobbyists descended upon The Hill to rally their support for two upcoming bills (House Bill 873 and Senate Bill 605), which support increasing the incentives on film and video game production here in Texas. About half of them broke into little lobby teams and sat down with each and every representative in the building. Governor Rick Perry and filmmaker Richard Linklater sent out the battle cry that turned them loose into the building. Bill supporters also whipped up some lunch (catered by The Salt Lick) and even set up a big time movie set, right on Capitol grounds. It was a daunting task but with the help of the TXMPA, Texas Film Commission, Hilco Partners, and a whole bunch of talented and dedicated Texas crew and cast, it appeared to go off with hardly a hitch. (For full screen video, click 'read more.')
Even amidst the current tailspinning economic crisis that has impacted just about everyone, we are still integral citizens in one of the greatest countries on the planet. Austinites get the further distinction of getting to be part of the coolest city too. (What? We're not biased.) One of the most important reasons for this is simple. Love it or leave it, we are members of a truly democratic society, where each resident over the age of 18 has the right to decide who gets to make the laws and policies that determine our collective future. Once we put these public servants into office, we also have the undeniable right to let them know which issues are most important to the well being of ourselves and our families. If you serve a role within the film, commercial production, or video game industry here in the Lone Star State (or just have the good common sense to recognize the economic benefit of the industry), we are fast approaching the day when your physical presence and your voice will be vital in helping to define your future.
The Duplass Brothers define independence in filmmaking.
There once was a time when the term “independent film” was connected with something underground, something raw, edgy, and new. The shots weren’t always perfect, but they were real. The storyline and ending of the film was never formulaic. You could just as easily walk out of the theater with a pleasant smile as you might with a horrible grimace of disbelief. The simple truth is that independent film fans wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the true meaning of art imitating life. Things in the real world don’t always end well.
Whether you are a fan of the big budget and top star action and adventure movies, or if you prefer a nice, story-rich indie film, there is one thing for sure. You have been fooled! That’s right, just like the slight of hand of a good magician, you have been tricked into believing that what you are seeing is actually real. In this case, it ain’t David Copperfield or Cris Angel suspending your belief, it is the superstar special effects masters who practice their magic on just about every film you have ever seen. When you see the latest Batman, The Mummy, or Indiana Jones, you take for granted that it will be full of high dollar effects. It’s what you pay your eight bucks to go see. But the fact is that some form of manipulation of the location, the characters or the overall images themselves has probably taken place in films and scenes where you would never think to look.
Here is some grassroots filmmaking at its best.
There once was a time when the term “independent film” was connected with something underground, something raw, edgy, and new. The shots weren’t always perfect, but they were real. The storyline and ending of the film was never formulaic. You could just as easily walk out of the theater with a pleasant smile as you might with a horrible grimace of disbelief. The simple truth is that independent film fans wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the true meaning of art imitating life. Things in the real world don’t always end well. 
Whether you are a fan of the big budget and top star action and adventure movies, or if you prefer a nice, story-rich indie film, there is one thing for sure. You have been fooled! That’s right, just like the slight of hand of a good magician, you have been tricked into believing that what you are seeing is actually real. In this case, it ain’t David Copperfield or Cris Angel suspending your belief, it is the superstar special effects masters who practice their magic on just about every film you have ever seen. When you see the latest Batman, The Mummy, or Indiana Jones, you take for granted that it will be full of high dollar effects. It’s what you pay your eight bucks to go see. But the fact is that some form of manipulation of the location, the characters or the overall images themselves has probably taken place in films and scenes where you would never think to look.