Hosted by film journalist and enthusiast (and native Texan) Austin Zook, LONE STAR SILVER SCREEN is a show dedicated to everything that exists at the intersection of Texas and the movies. Each week, Austin is joined by a guest to discuss either a film with ties to Texas or a topic of interest in the Texas film industry.
Hosted by film journalist and enthusiast (and native Texan) Austin Zook, LONE STAR SILVER SCREEN is a show dedicated to everything that exists at the intersection of Texas and the movies. Each week, Austin is joined by a guest to discuss either a film with ties to Texas or a topic of interest in the Texas film industry.
Austin talks to Rebekah Louisa Smith, the Film Festival Doctor about Texas film festivals this week! They discuss Rebekah's journey from the UK to the US, her experiences with various Texas film festivals, and her insights into the film festival circuit. Rebekah shares her top recommendations for Texas film festivals, highlighting their unique vibes and the importance of supporting local filmmakers. The conversation also touches on the significance of short films in launching filmmakers' careers and the year-round festival scene in Texas.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:27 Rebecca's Journey to the U.S. and Film Festivals
05:19 Exploring Texas and Its Film Festivals
08:08 Spotlighting Texas Film Festivals
11:16 The Importance of Community in Film Festivals
12:15 Year-Round Film Festivals in Texas
14:07 Highlighting the Austin Film Festival
20:04 Dallas International Film Festival Overview
21:29 Oscar Qualification and Film Festivals
24:29 Fantastic Fest: A Genre Celebration
27:46 Oak Cliff Film Festival: A Community Experience
33:10 Waco Independent Film Festival: Nurturing New Talent
36:50 The Value of Short Films in Festivals
Austin and guest Nick Holloway delve into the world of Cormac McCarthy's novel No Country for Old Men and its acclaimed Coen Brothers adaptation. They discuss the themes of violence, character depth, and the film's ambiguous ending, while also analyzing performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin. The conversation touches on the significance of the film's Oscar wins and the impact of McCarthy's writing style.
Julian Sol Jordan is on the pod this week! We talk about Robert Rodriguez's book Rebel Without A Crew, tying it into Julian's experience making his debut film, Real Life. We discuss the influence of Robert Rodriguez, the challenges of funding a film, and the value of working with limited resources. The conversation also touches on the balance between artistic integrity and commercial viability in filmmaking, as well as the significance of spontaneity and happy accidents in the creative process.
In this episode of Lone Star Silver Screen, host Austin Zook speaks with Ian Loomer, President of the Dallas Producers Association, about the new Texas film incentives bill and its implications for the film industry in Texas. They discuss the role of the DPA and TXMPA (the Texas Media Production Alliance), the importance of film incentives, and how the new legislation aims to position Texas as a competitive player in the film industry. The conversation highlights the potential economic impact of film production in Texas and the community's aspirations for the future.
In this episode of Lone Star Silver Screen, host Austin Zook and guest Shane Longoria delve into the 2018 film BLAZE, directed by Ethan Hawke. Over the course of their conversation, they discuss the merits of nontraditional biopics, the origins and impact of the Outlaw Country movement in music, and the life of musician Blaze Foley.
In this episode, Austin Zook discusses the impact of Errol Morris's documentary The Thin Blue Line with filmmaker Bart Weiss. They explore the evolution of documentary filmmaking, the challenges faced by independent filmmakers today, and the importance of audience engagement in supporting diverse documentary narratives. The conversation highlights the need for truth in media and the role of documentaries in shaping public perception.