We did it! We completed our first pilot program.
Manor ISD was a super partner for our first time out. These people care so much about giving their students any opportunities that could help them to become well rounded and succeed in life. I thank everyone in Manor for sharing that spirit with us.
Speaking of thanks, I want to thank the students, who put in extremely long hours and worked very hard. We hear often about the apathy and sense of entitlement among today’s youth. That was NOT the case with this group of students. These kids were motivated to get the most out of this opportunity. And they did a brilliant job. They produced a 13 minute documentary that rivals many that I see throughout the year by seasoned filmmakers. Kudos to them for an amazing final product in such a short time. And thanks to the Lutz-Carrillo family, who the documentary was about, for so generously letting us invade their lives for a week.
Our Students' Video: "In A Place Like This"
Jim Lutz and Alex Carrillo have lived on the outskirts of Manor, Texas for over thirty years. Their large, rambling farmhouse is more than just a happy home - it's a spiritual retreat, a place where children are born, friends and family celebrate birthdays, weddings...even the summer solstice. The 50 acres of land they nurture is home to chickens, goats, dogs and peacocks. After years of struggling to protect it, the area was officially certified as wildlife preserve.
Quicksand Farm, as the property is affectionately known, is also a local landmark. Lasse Hallstrom's awarding-winning "What Eating Gilbert Grape," was filmed here, as was an episode of the "Simple Life." Each summer, the farm plays host to a rollicking summer square dance open to the entire town. Over the years, a cast of colorful characters has long gathered on the front porch - singing, strumming and sharing in the peaceful atmosphere that this place provides.
But the Lutz-Carrillo home is also a symbol of a laid-back, rural style of living that many fear will become obsolete. As cookie-cutter strip mails and rows of track houses invade small town America, the warmth and spirit of places like Quicksand Farm face an uncertain future. "In a Place Like This" is a pleasant reminder of the joys close to home...we may want to protect.
News Coverage of the Manor, TX Workshop:
KXAN AUSTIN -
The City of Austin is in a dogfight with other cities to attract film projects, but KXAN's Jim Swift went out to the country for a report on another film front.
Turns out an Austin-based school is hitting the road to bring the art of the film to rural areas all over the nation.
First stop: Manor, just east of Austin. READ MORE...
News 8 Austin -
Six high school seniors – many of whom have never picked up a video camera before – are spending the next eight days learning about filmmaking from industry professionals.
The students at Manor High School were chosen to be the first recipients of the Mobile Film School, a new nonprofit that brings the art of filmmaking to students in rural areas. READ MORE...
For more information about the Manor, TX workshop read Lisa McWilliams' Blog, and see photos here.
Our workshop would not have been possible without the generous donations from the following sponsors:
Mopac Media provides film and video equipment rental, location sound equipment, camera support, and lighting packages for independent filmmakers, producers and students in the Austin and Central Texas region. http://www.mopacmedia.com
Locally owned and operated since 1976 by Jerry and Rosemary Sullivan, Precision Camera & Video has always taken great pride in their friendly, quality, professional service. http://www.precision-camera.com
An independent production company based in Austin, TX and NYC. http://illegalfilms.net
Located in North Austin, Omega Broadcast Group offers full service video production and post-production facilities, equipment sales and rentals.http://www.omegaaustin.com
Austin's newest Macintosh computer service, sales and solutions company. Home, corporate and everything in between. They make your Mac happy:) http://www.austinhappymac.com
Their goal was to eliminate all of the pointless waiting, needless paperwork and frustrating searches associated with music licensing. After two years of work, lots of world travel and extensive testing they have a program that puts the music back into supervision. http://www.musicsupervisor.com
IZZE is naturally sweet. No refined sugar, no caffeine, no artificial anything, ever. It's just natural fruit juice with a splash of sparkling water and they are helping to sponsor our launch party at SXSW. Come out, drink Izze, and support the Mobile Film School! http://www.izze.com/
