RAD "Where Are They Now" Panel RECAP

Our UT Grad guests at last weeks "Where Are They Now" panel were quite an inspiring lot. None have been out in the "reel world" for more than 5 years, but they've all got major professional accomplishments under their belt and they had great advice to share with us anxious soon-to-be graduates.

One major theme that came out of their conversation was the importance of persistence, casting a wide net and going above and beyond what is asked of you. When production designer Ashlyn Fielder met someone she wanted to work for he told her, "keep emailing me, it's not going to bug me" - so she did and ultimately she got an internship on his feature and then got consistently hired by the featuere's production designer on all her subsequent projects. Editor Robin Schwartz said her first paid film job also came out of an internship: "I would show up and stay way later than I was supposed to and I would work on the weekends - which I still do - and he eventually hired me." Similarly: "anything that came my way I said 'sure!'- free, paid - 'I'll do it!,' said Producer/Director Carlyn Hudson (and Women in Cinema co-founder).

When asked what they wished they had known as a student, many of the paragon panelists encouraged us to take advantage of the free equipment (and labor) that is more readily available.
In terms of the value of Film Graduate School Robin wisely put it: "I don't think it matters whether your an undergrad or grad student in film, you can get the same benefits from both as long as you know what you want to do." As for most important thing she learned at school, Carlyn quoted our fearless faculty advisor Kat Candler as teaching her to "be nice, work your ass off and don't sit down."

And the power of the student-teacher legacy was echoed throughout the evening. Screenwriter and elementary school teacher Alex Thomas recommended finding work through your professors who are active filmmakers. DP/AC Kate Steinhebel stressed the importance of "keeping in touch with everyone you can" and "giving back" to the next generation. Alex is doing just this as she passes on her love of film to her students and introduces them to local film as much as possible.

A poignant closing message for filmmakers of all ages and at all stages was Carlyn's perspective on ambition: "so I shoot for the moon and I make it to the stars, that's pretty great."

Our Slacker 2011 Scene gets some attention

Slacker 2011: Carlyn Hudson and Reel Women Students Squeeze Into a Packed Car

In celebration of Slacker's 20th anniversary, local filmmakers are re-creating scenes from the Richard Linklater movie for Slacker 2011, a fundraising project benefitting the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund. The trailer is now available. As we await the August 31 premiere, we're chatting with some of the filmmakers participating in one or more of the short films that will comprise the project.
Today's interview is with Carlyn Hudson, a young filmmaker who directed the Slacker 2011 sequence produced by the Reel Women UT Chapter.

Slackerwood: Which scene from the film did you re-shoot?
Carlyn Hudson: We re-shot the scene with Steve ("S-T-E-V-E") and three girls in a van who proceed to Blue Bayou (now Trophy's) and get rejected.

Why were you looking forward to re-creating this particular scene?
This scene isn't necessarily one of the iconic ones in Slacker, so that in itself created a unique opportunity. Furthermore, it never made sense to me that one of the girls left her friends to be with Steve, clearly a D-bag.
We also shot with an all-female crew which was incredible and a first for most of us on set.

What do you think your challenges have been in re-visiting this scene?
Technically our scene presented a few challenges. We had a night scene in a moving vehicle during which for most takes, four characters, an audio recordist, the cinematographer, and myself were filming in the car also stuffed with music gear. Please don't inform the Austin police of this fact.

Do you have any connections or memories related to the original Slacker?
To be completely honest, I do not. I'm in my early 20s, so I came to Slacker around the time it began streaming on Hulu.
I do have a vivid memory of coming to Austin as a nine-year-old, however, when we were sending my older sister off to UT. After being accosted by drag-rats, exposed to more sexual orientations than I knew existed, and witnessing the strangest wardrobe choices of my life, I threw my arms around my sister, crying, and said, "How can we let her live here, with all of these ... weirdos!"
I may have been late seeing the film itself, but the legacy Slacker created (and documented) was certainly a part of what drew me to Austin to make films. I am thrilled to re-create a scene honoring my own generation's particular brand of slacking.

By Elizabeth Stoddard 

 

http://www.slackerwood.com/node/2312 

The Slacker Project

Last week an exciting opportunity flittered across our feet. If you’ve been plugged in to film news lately, you’ve probably heard of the Slacker 2011 Film & Campaign. Esteemed filmmakers from all over Austin will each recreate a scene from Richard Linklater’s “Slacker” to “honor one of Texas’ best homegrown films” and campaign for the 2011 Texas Filmmakers Production Fund. In part with some of Austin’s finest filmmakers, Alamo Drafthouse, Austin Film Society and REEL Women, Reel Women Students will partake in this homage to the 20-yr-old classic with some of our own rising stars.

Thus far, we have Carlyn Hudson directing, Elizabeth “Beth” Chatelain producing, Sara Deuel editing and script supervising, Melodie Irvin and Jordan Harrison as Assistant Producers and Therese Tran as Director of Photography. Based on some plans made last night, we’re looking to begin production later this month and the creative plans are underway.

Slackers, we are not….

If you’re interested in partaking in this awesome experience, send us an owl, carrier pigeon or email us at reelwomenstudents@gmail.com or Elizabeth Chatelain echatela@gmail.com.