As I mentioned in an earlier post, the opportunity to expand our Film Industry Bash‘s to other geographic locations has been an eye-opening experience. This past week, we broke the seal on Austin, TX. In case you are unaware, Austin is a force to be reckoned with as it quickly gains recognition as one of the fastest-growing creative communities in America. Filmmakers, from the backyard indies to the big-budget suits, are flocking there in droves. It’s production incentives, professional resources, local talent pool and priceless natural backdrops make Austin a real contender in race for “New Hollywood.”
It’s impossible for me to post about Austin, TX without discussing my personal experience in working with the industry folks down there. Ya know, it’s not easy being the new kid in school – and when you’re promoting a massive event to a tightly-knit community, that’s exactly how it feels! Did locals chew us up and spit us out? No! I personally took the marketing of this event under my wing. I knew the industry was much smaller, respectively, than here in New York City and I felt we could have a shot at reaching a good portion of it, if handled correctly. All we needed was a little help – and help we got! Never before in all my experience have I felt such a warm, inviting welcome into a group. People were Twittering, Facebooking and buzzing all day long about the party, local companies and organizations were lending their resources to helping out – it was unlike anything I’ve ever come across in this crazy cut-throat business.
Austin, TX is an unrealistically friendly town with a film industry more reminiscent of a family than a group of professional acquaintances. It looks to me like hearts are bigger in Texas!
I’d like to specifically thank our co-host Lucky Rabbit Films, our sponsors Grey Goose, Magic Hat, Rare Magazine and The Texas Film Commission. We also picked up a few new friends along the way, such as Austin Film Society, Austin Film Meet and a handful of dedicated Meetup groups. I’m happy to report we’ll be back in town in a few short months for another Bash not soon to be forgotten!