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.
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.
Austin, your happy place has arrived. And it’s called SXSW.
Lesbian Vampire Killers
It’s the 2009 South by Southwest Film Festival and while it serves as both a showcase and a competition for up and comers in the industry, it also dabbles in the mainstream during the March 13-21 film happening shindig. We’ve sifted and sorted through all sorts of options and have come up with a list of feature length films and documentaries to maybe steer you in a direction of possible entertainment and intrigue. Films topics include those of love, musicals, Neil Young, Kinky Friedman, schizophrenia, the ever en vogue vampires, and even a prison rodeo. And that doesn’t even include any of the short films. And away we go…
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.')
The latest in a line of University of Texas filmmakers cranking out independent feature debuts is the dramatic-thriller Strings, co-directed by UT alums Mark Dennis and Benjamin Foster. The film was one of many potential follow-up projects to Dennis and Foster's 2007 time-travel short, "The Alternate." After calculating how much work went into their 22-minute short film, Dennis, 26, and Foster, 24, opted to take it to the next level with a full-length film about a troubled pianist (Billy) who is forced to undergo facial reconstructive surgery and leave the life he knows behind.
Austin has been the shooting location for the critically acclaimed and award winning "Friday Night Lights" TV series for just under one and three-quarter seasons. The fractional season, which worked out to 15 episodes rather than 22, was stopped short as a result of the writers' strike. With the strike off, the writers have written their way into the 3rd season and the producers are hoping that a new deal with DIRECTV will bust the cancellation rumors that have loomed over the series.
Over 100 genre films from 30 countries at The Alamo.
Calling all gore hounds, adrenaline junkies, fantasy fans, horror aficionados, sci-fi snobs, geeks, freaks, weirdos, and plain old film buffs. Fantastic Fest is back with a full of week (September 18-25) of genre films, parties, and special events ripe with the maniacal weirdness that has quickly made this Alamo Drafthouse curated event a landmark on the national film festival circuit. If you’re a horror, action, Asian, or fantasy fan, you’ll be kicking yourself for weeks if you miss this one.
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. 
The latest in a line of University of Texas filmmakers cranking out independent feature debuts is the dramatic-thriller Strings, co-directed by UT alums Mark Dennis and Benjamin Foster. The film was one of many potential follow-up projects to Dennis and Foster's 2007 time-travel short, "The Alternate." After calculating how much work went into their 22-minute short film, Dennis, 26, and Foster, 24, opted to take it to the next level with a full-length film about a troubled pianist (Billy) who is forced to undergo facial reconstructive surgery and leave the life he knows behind. 
