Popcorn Movie Magazine

Meet the

Meet the

Pragya Daryani is a 9th grader at LASA. For her feature story, she will focus on book to movie adaptations and how screenwriters change and adapt stories for the screen. Pragya enjoys baking, and loves reading fantasy books. She has also been singing for a very long time and enjoys being in choir. When Pragya graduates high school she wants to go to college, and is considering law

Pragya Daryani is a 9th grader at LASA. For her feature story, she will focus on book to movie adaptations and how screenwriters change and adapt stories for the screen. Pragya enjoys baking, and loves reading fantasy books. She has also been singing for a very long time and enjoys being in choir. When Pragya graduates high school she wants to go to college, and is considering law

Beatriz Lara is a freshman at LASA High School, Austin, Texas who enjoys reading and movie watching in her free time. Similarly, Beatriz plans to write about Austin directors and local film producers for her feature story. In the future, Beatriz hopes to work in journalism after she graduates, quite fitting! She is excited to see the graphics of the article and how it comes together!

Beatriz Lara is a freshman at LASA High School, Austin, Texas who enjoys reading and movie watching in her free time. Similarly, Beatriz plans to write about Austin directors and local film producers for her feature story. In the future, Beatriz hopes to work in journalism after she graduates, quite fitting! She is excited to see the graphics of the article and how it comes together!

Miller Williams is a freshman at LASA high school. She plans to center her feature story around women in the film industry, specifically focusing on the impact women have on movies, and the most inspiring women in film. Outside of school, Miller loves watching TV and movies, and one of her favorite hobbies is doing ballet. She also enjoys travel, and has been to over 20 countries. After Miller graduates she wants to go to college, and then law school.

Miller Williams is a freshman at LASA high school. She plans to center her feature story around women in the film industry, specifically focusing on the impact women have on movies, and the most inspiring women in film. Outside of school, Miller loves watching TV and movies, and one of her favorite hobbies is doing ballet. She also enjoys travel, and has been to over 20 countries. After Miller graduates she wants to go to college, and then law school.

Editors!

Editors!

Mayya Zaslavskaya is a freshman at LASA and will be writing about Austin cinemas; their rating, popularity, service, and effect on the local movie scene. Mayya’s favorite hobby is fencing because of the community and the sport itself. Her favorite thing about Ezine is taking pictures for her story.

Mayya Zaslavskaya is a freshman at LASA and will be writing about Austin cinemas; their rating, popularity, service, and effect on the local movie scene. Mayya’s favorite hobby is fencing because of the community and the sport itself. Her favorite thing about Ezine is taking pictures for her story.

Noah Jaworski is a freshman at LASA, and will be doing an inside look on animation companies and other animators for his feature story. In his free time, Noah likes to learn languages and make art. After graduating, Noah wants to either work in government, make art, or do work relating to chemistry. He is looking forward to seeing how all his interviews come together!

Noah Jaworski is a freshman at LASA, and will be doing an inside look on animation companies and other animators for his feature story. In his free time, Noah likes to learn languages and make art. After graduating, Noah wants to either work in government, make art, or do work relating to chemistry. He is looking forward to seeing how all his interviews come together!

Script to Screen

What goes into making a sucessful film adaptation?

By Pragya Daryani

From Emma to Legally Blonde, book to film adaptations across all genres have historically made an impact in the film industry. However, taking a story from paper and creating a movie or TV show out of it takes an immense amount of work from everyone involved. Behind-thescenes roles such as producers, screenwriters, and designers take details from the original story and

work to build on them, making the film a real experience for their audience.

These filmmakers are often innovators in the industry and have to balance content from the books being adapted with aspects of filmmaking. They bring light to the difficult aspects of having responsibility over one role, but also having to match what they create with the ideas and opinions of the rest of the crew. They work to carry the story from paper to screen seamlessly.

Costume designer Rachel Sage Kunin emphasized the importance

“The art of fimmaking is a huge collaboration, and I’m just one little piece of the puzzle.”

- Rachel Sage Kunin

of every single team member on the set of the 2019 film: Five FeetApart . She strongly believes that details make a difference, and that every person on the set, from actors, to directors, producers, and designers all contribute their own unique skills to the movie. “The art of filmmaking is a huge collaboration,” said Kunin, “and I’m just one little piece of the puzzle.”

Erin Conley shared similar sentiments, and she enthusiastically described her experience as a screenwriter and showrunner’s assistant on the hit Netflix TV show, ShadowandBone. ShadowandBoneis a unique adaptation, based on not one, but two different book series; the ShadowandBonetrilogy and the SixofCrowsduology, both written by bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo. Conley reiterated the importance of everyone on set. She detailed her time working with showrunner

Eric Heisserer and co executive producer Daegan Fryklind, but also highlighted roles like set design, post production editing, and music composition. Conley

explained how scenes with minimal action are augmented by beautiful music scores, and described how the composer on set, Joe Trapanese, along with the editing team, added so much value to dialogue heavy scenes through music and post production.

Kirtana Banskota also understands the importance of teamwork and clarity between the different roles on set , and has a very unique perspective on it. Banskota plays multiple roles in many of her films as a director, producer, and screenwriter. She says that while it’s important to know your voice and individuality, it’s absolutely necessary to lean on your team, and work on delegation. Especially with adaptations, everyone has their own opinions on the original story, and you have to work with each other to create the best version of the story possible. Another quintessential factor when it comes to book to film adaptations is an attention to detail.

Conley

explained how ShadowandBone was filmed in Budapest, but the story incorporated a variety of different Eastern European

Bankota Productions logo. Coutesy of Banskota Productions

Shadow and Bone show cover. Courtesy of Netflix.

languages. In order to remain true to the world that Bardugo, the author, had created, the

as a costume designer in the past. FiveFeetApartis based on the true story of a young woman

screenwriting team spent hours making sure every scene was brimming with culture and detail from the story. “It was such a rich and exciting fantasy world,” remarked Conley, “everything down to the outfits they’d wear, and the food, and the currency, everything was just so well imagined.”

Likewise, Kunin described the value in implementing details throughout her designing. She delved into the specifics of how the clothing and makeup that actors wear can impact the impression left on the audience, and how costume enhances the story, making it seem real to the audience. Kunin’s work on the film FiveFeetApartwas a unique experience compared to her roles

who was hospitalized for cystic fibrosis. Kunin described how she picked the outfits for the leading characters based on the variation of the illness that they contracted in the book and in the movie. “They can’t keep the calories. So I put them in oversized clothing that had a lot of texture, and the clothes kind of hung on them.” She also used different fabrics and styles for characters that had different financial backgrounds, to show their wealth without words, at first sight. Her attention to detail is visible in all the costuming in the film. Possibly the most obvious component of making an engaging adaptation that pleases the fans of the original book as well as people starting with the

“Ju be hone with yourself, and someone out there w l conne , and even if one person conne s then you’ve done your job right.”

Kirtana Banskota

Costume designer Rachel Sage Kunin picks out clothing for her current film. Courtesy of Rachel Sage Kunin Design.

film, is a deep knowledge of the original book, story, or script. “It’s very important for me to sit down with the writer, and understand what the script is about,” said Banskota. She admitted that working on adaptations could be one of the most challenging things as a producer or director, because she had opinions coming from every direction, and it was practically impossible to satisfy everybody that was involved. Actually understanding the script and the history and culture behind it helped her immensely. She believes that every member of the crew should have a true understanding of the material. “Whether you are on sound, camera, or script supervising, it’s so important to do your research.... just be honest with yourself, and someone out there will connect, and even if one person connects then you’ve done your job right.”

Banskota emphasized.

Conley reaffirmed the importance of knowing the story and the material. She described the time she spent on set with the screenwriting team, reading through the books and marking the lines they wanted to include in the script, and discussing how they would keep the action scenes true to the story. She talked about reading through the books multiple times each, and how

a “really deep analysis of the source material is important.” In agreement with Baskota, Conley also saw immense value in sitting down with the author of the source material, and understanding the vision before trying to recreate it. Conley expressed her gratitude towards Bardugo, the author of the books, whose role as an executive producer on the show allowed her to work closely with Conley and the rest of the screenwriting team throughout the drafting process. Many of the changes that were made from the book to the show were run by Bardugo in order to stay true to the story. Making an adaptation really is like putting together a puzzle. The storyline and the actors lay the groundwork, and then the producers, directors, screenwriters, designers, and so many other behind-the-scenes crew help pull the stories together cohesively. They all put in work to highlight details from the books, and analyze the story to make sure they truly understand what they’re working to create, or recreate. “It’s about really focusing on the story you want to tell,” concluded Conley. “What is it about the source material that people love, and want to see on the screen, and how do we preserve that, and enhance that, and make the best product that we can while honoring that [story].”

“What is it about the source material that people love, and want to see on the screen, and how do we preserve that, and enhance that, and make the be produ that we can wh e l honoring that [ ory].”

Erin Conley

Shadow and Bone soundtrack cover. Courtesy of Netflix

Where the Crawdads Sing

Movie?

their favorite ories or watching them?

By Pragya Daryani

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

CINEMAADMITONE

CINEMAADMITONE

86% Preferred the movie Preferred the movie

THE HUNGER GAMES

54%

Inside Animation: A Frame by Frame Approach

by Noah Jaworski

Through the film industry and its use of special effects, CGI, and other variations, animation is becoming all the more breathtaking. This field is also a vibrant and exciting one that attracts creatives from all backgrounds. While it can

be a challenging and competitive industry, the rewards of seeing your artwork come to life are

immeasurable. In this feature article, we’ll delve into the world of animation and get valuable insights from seasoned professionals on how to become an animator.

Steph Swope is the

Steph Swope as drawn by herself, courtesy of Steph Swope

Producer of Animation and Co-Owner of Minnow Mountain, a full-service animation studio based in Austin, Texas. With over 20 years of experience in the lmmaking industry, she has worked on a variety of projects from live action to animation. “I started working in lmmaking over 20 years ago between my junior and senior years of college, despite my degree being in a slightly di erent eld (photography).” said Swope “I’ve stayed with it ever since, eventually moving from live action to animation 11 years ago.”

For Swope, her passion for lmmaking led her to explore di erent avenues of the industry, eventually nding her way to animation. Her background in photography may have been unrelated, but it

demonstrates that a degree in a speci c eld isn’t necessarily a requirement for entering the animation industry.

“It is incredible to create something from absolutely nothing” said Swope “Plus animation requires a large group of people collaborating creatively, which is a lot of fun.”

Working in animation means being part of a creative team that works together to bring a story to life.

achieve a common goal. is kind of teamwork and collaboration can be immensely rewarding.

“I have worked with so many incredible and interesting people, it is truly a joy to be

Animators have the satisfaction of seeing their artwork come to life on the screen, and collaborating with likeminded individuals to

surrounded by so much talent.” said Swope“Always artistic, smart, and fun to be around. Working with animators is never boring.”

Swope’s experience highlights the importance of nding the right team to work with.

Working in animation means

2D Animation Pipeline as Steph described

talented artists who are passionate about their cra . is not only makes the work environment enjoyable but also enhances the creative process.

Animators work similarly to a regular 2D pipeline. When they receive the footage that they’re going to rotoscope, they lay it in a

as fast as possible lling in the rest of the line work.

“Certainly, you need to be able to draw to be an animator with my studio. As we usually hire rotoscopers, I am looking for a certain amount of skill in that area

need to be on top of their work and amenable to notes. ey have to work well with a team and their lead.”

While having artistic talent is essential to becoming an animator, it is not the only requirement. Animators need to be able to work quickly, accurately, and e ciently, while also being open to feedback and working well in

timeline. en various artists draw Style Frames of each shot, at least 1 sometimes 2 depending on what the shot looks like.

en Keyframers

come in and draw all the extreme movements. Breakdown artists come next, and they elaborate on the keyframes and set up the remainder of the shot so In Betweeners can work

or at least in the ability to accurately render the human body.” said Swope “Animators who work with us need to be able to replicate the project’s aesthetic, quickly and without mistakes. ey

a team environment.

Dusty Deen, primary animator and owner of Red Road Runner, and Ron Pippin, co founder of Shiny Object (with various other projects), have similar experiences.

Deen’s work adds a stylistic touch of vibrancy,

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood, as described by Dusty Deen

psychedelic feel similar to Andy Warhol. Recently he has gone to partner with Hulu and create the advertisement, “SoPretty”.

Deen has majored in graphic

design and with years of experience, he attributes it all to an early age fascination with animation and related mediums. Contrary to Steph’s setup, Deen primarily works alone by taking on commissions and doing independent projects yet in the past few years he has worked on the animated lm, Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood.

“My job was [being] a senior animator. And so I drew frames for our job at Minnow

Mountain, the process was, and this is kind of a rough version, but the process for the whole lm is that they shot the lm, they edited the lm together, they shot, they sent the lm to us where our character designers did what were called style frames”, Deen said. His work consisted of being a high ranking animator (at the same company Swope works at) consistently collaborating with other animators. In this way, he has recent experience in both solo and studio animation. Pippin’s work on the other hand almost solely consists of advertisement. working with the likes of HBO and Austin City Limits. Pippin has gone on to create the program, “Outside Voice” to introduce and allow the experience of art for all ages. He has hosted summer camps in the past for this purpose and

believes in helping others reach their full potential. Animation is a eld of success and failure and should be taken as such. An artistic background, good communication, hard work and diligence are all important but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to achieve. Nowadays there are plenty of resources available and becoming an animator is easier than ever.

A brief summary of change from past to present

Read Like This:

~3000 BCE, Iran, clay drinking vessel depicting different movements of kid

1832, Belgium, Joseph Plateau creates the Phenakistoscope

UK, 1834, William George Horner creates the zoetrope, far more versatile

France, 1892, Emile Reynaud uses his invention, praxinoscope to make first public animated film, Pauvre Pierrot

France early 1900s, George Melies accidentally invents stopmotion

United States, 1928, Walt Disney becomes the first person to use sound in animation in his short, Steamboat Willie

United States, 1961, John Whitney creates the first computer based animation

United States, 1972, Edwin Catmull of Pixar and Fred Parke create the first 3d computer animation and CGI called, “A Computer Animated Hand”

What is Animation?

In a general sense, animation is the manipulation of objects, mainly drawings, to create the illusion of movement. Yet, some have a stricter definition on this subject. This is the series of debate and isn’t necessarily a definitive answer.

Animatics

Put simply, animatics are the precursors to animation or at least the final product of the animation. They are often confused with the storyboard of animation but are distinct in that they come to form an actual video with storyboards are just images loosely representing the final product.

It is debated if animatics themselves are animations as well as what they come to represent due to their nature of being both storyboard and animation like. Regardless, they are an essential part of a good animation.

Example of an animatic. Note that in its current form it can function as a storyboard but when strung together makes an animatic.

Example of an animation. Note that this is just a clip as it would be impossible to include a full animation in a magazine.

Dire ing Au in A Look Into Local Filmmaking

It is no secret that in the past 20 years Austin has become an epicenter of indie lmmaking. Austin is a city that is known for its independent spirit, and this spirit is evident in the city’s lmmaking community. Austin lmmakers are not afraid to take risks, and they are always looking for new ways to tell stories. As a result, Austin has become a major center for independent lmmaking, and the city continues to produce lms that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

According to Charles Ramirez-Berg, a UT Austin professor of media studies and an author, the creation of the Austin lm scene can largely be attributed to two people. “Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez really pioneered lm in Austin,” said Ramirez-Berg “And they both did things no one

had done before.”

Although both these directors are now major lmmakers, they started their careers by working on inde-

pendent projects. Since then, many young people in the lm industry have relocated from New York or Los Angeles to Austin. Anna Margaret Hollyman, an actress, producer, and director, is originally from New York but relocated to Austin for her career. “I started o acting, but I think part of working in Austin is that it’s a more communal [ lmmaking] process,” said Holylyman “So, I began getting involved in directing and lming and then in 2018 I made my rst short lm Maude.”

Another factor that brings many lmmakers to Texas is the Austin Film Society, a non-pro t founded by Richard Linklater. Christian Nelson is an

Beatriz Lara-Feature editor

Chelsea Hernnadez has been in the Austin film industry since she was eight years old. Photo courtesy of Chealsea Hernandez.

Nelson on the set of his 2019 short film The Blue Heart of Lady Redd. Photo courtesy of Christian Nelson.

Austin-based director, producer, and editor who is also the production services manager of AFS. “I think there’s a lot of people here with a shared struggle and a shared compassion,” said Nelson “And that’s what attracts so many people to Austin.”

Austin’s independent lmmaking style, which is o en a re ection of the lack of resources, can draw in individuals in the industry, according to Nelson. Financially, Austin is also a more a ordable option, which in turn promotes independent lmmaking.“ e whole idea of you know, get it, get it done yourself. Independent lmmaking, non union lmmaking, you know, that’s a big thing with Austin. And then outside of that, Austin is cheaper than California and New York,” said Nelson “So I think that’s what’s brought a lot of other lmmakers, that’s been the draw, you know, come here to Austin to save on those certain things.”

Austin allows for lmmakers to have more nancial freedom than other lm epicenters “I think it’s also a money thing” said Hollyman, “If I had my work and my portfolio and I get to choose my work as I

the budget for media programs by nearly half of its 2015 value. “ e Texas Government has caused a lot of issues and put in place restrictions for productions here,” said Hollyman “And, that’s really the main thing setting us back from being like LA or New York.”

do here, in LA I wouldn’t be able to a ord rent.”

e State of Texas has also imposed many laws and regulations against large-scale lm productions. According to e Daily Texan, UT Austin’s Newspaper, the state government has decreased

is pushback from the state government can bring lmmaking groups closer together. Chelsea Hernandez, a documentary lmmaker from Austin, believes it’s important for Texas mediamakers to stick together. “I started a group called bad hombres, and it’s a private Facebook group for Latinx people in the media who are based in Texas,” said Hernandez “Maybe they live in Los Angeles now, but they’re from Texas, and it’s a way to understand what people are working on.”

Artist social groups and communities like these are not rare in Austin, and tend to de ne this city’s lm scene. According to Ramirez-Berg,“What makes Austin unique in

“Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez really pioneered lm in Au in, and they both did things no one had done before” -charles ramírez-berg

Nelson on the set of his 2017 production, The Nightmare. Photo courtesy of Christian Nelson.

the lm industry is the sense of community that you don’t get in New York or LA. ere it’s just very competitive and everyone is trying to get a contract, whereas here it’s cooperative.”

According to Hernandez, the Austin Film Society plays a large part in this cooperative culture. e organization has worked on many events and outreach to promote lm in Austin.

“I would say the Austin Film Society has been a really successful part of the Austin lm community.” said Hernandez “ ey put on easy gatherings like places where they have workshops and have events.”

Even with the lmmaking communities and resources available in Austin, the lm industry is still centered in Hollywood and New York, Hernandez believes,“I think sometimes we get forgotten about [in the industry] since we don’t have those major industries here.

ere are so many stories to be told here, there’s so much talent” said Hernandez “But sometimes we don’t get that recognition in the press as much as we’d like.”

Austin has many lm and creative organizations that help with recognition and are actively trying to ex-

pand the industry, Nelson claims, “Organizations like Austin Film Society, you know, Austin School of Film for youth Just di erent kinds

of creative organizations that help get people like me who are interested in it, but don’t have the resources, connect to the people who do or people who could help.”

“I think there’s a lot of people here with a shared ruggle and a shared compassion and that’s what a ra s so many people to Au in.”

-Christian Nelson

Hernandez and other filmmakers at a South by Southwest panel in 2019. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Hernandez

popcorn mag page 20

Austin Film Society also re ects Austin’s lmmaking style, as it is a cornerstone for the city’s creative culture, “Here at AFS with Richard Linklater starting o

the Film Society and that whole idea of getting some funds together, but using it to make a movie yourself, getting your friends in there, utilizing the space that’s all around you,” said Nelson “ at’s de nitely been the mentality of a lot of lmmakers here in Texas.” ese strong independent lm communities and organizations o en help empower smaller lmmakers and raise recognition by hosting large scale events. Austin is home to a number of lm festivals and other gatherings that support independent lmmakers, including the Austin Film Festival, the Texas Film Festival, and South by Southwest (SXSW). ese organizations provide lmmakers with opportunities to network, learn from each other, and showcase their work.

Austin’s lmmaking culture is a vibrant and diverse one, with a wide range of lmmakers and lms representing the city’s unique character. From independent lms to major studio productions, Austin has something to o er everyone. e city’s supportive lmmaking community, its beau tiful natural scenery, and it’s a ordable cost of living make it an attrac tive destination

“There are so many ories to be told here, there’s so much talent, but sometimes we don’t get that recognition in the press as much as we’d l e.”

-chelesea Herandez

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

Fantastic Mr. Fox was Anderson’s first stop-motion film and is based on the story by British author Roald Dahl. Both the film and book are childhood staples for much of the younger genarations.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Often regarded as his best film, The Grand Budapest Hotel shows Anderson’s directorial precision and acute timing. It has garnered many awards, most notable of which are its four Academy Awards and five BAFTAs.

THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS

One of Andersons older films, and certainly his first big hit The Royal Tenenbaums features a witty yet somber depiction of a dysfunctional family in the 1970s. The film features a stacked cast that make up a colorful band of characters.

ISLE OF DOGS

Isle of Dogs is Anderson’s second experiment in the world of stop-motion and can be hard to describe without using the word weird. It features a dystopian world where a band of mutts plot to overthrow a Japanese dictatorship.

THE FRENCH DISPATCH

Anderson’s most recent film, The French Dispatch is a collection of separate narratives told in the form of newspaper feature stories. It features a stacked cast, but didn’t resonate with many audiences.

Women in Film A History and Analysis

WWomen have been making significant contributions to the film industry for decades, often innovating and pushing boundaries. Women have made lasting contributions to the industry, but are often overlooked and devalued in comparison to their male counterparts. This lack of female representation, specifically focused on women of color, have made the film industry a difficult one for women to find work in. Women in modern film have made significant strides in this industry, and are continuing to make the industry a more inclusive one.

Throughout history, women have consistently been leaders as well as trendsetters in film, but this progress is often

Austin Film Society conference. Photographed by Heather Leah Kennedy

covered up, and happens behind the scenes. An example of one of the first women to take the silver screen by force was the icon Marilyn Monroe. Monroe showed her exemplary skills as well as influence on other women in movies such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like it Hot, directed by Howard Hawks, and Billy Wilder, respectively. Along with her performance in these films, her charm and ability to entrance the public considerably influenced her rise to fame. These influential acts as well as performances helped to define a generation.

Rakeda Irvin, the Director of Community Education at Austin Film Society devotes her career to providing educational opportunities for people interested in working in the film industry. Her position helps her to educate young people, specifically women interested in working in fields related to the film industry. Throughout her time in this position, she plans to continue to implement an expanded workforce. She also plans to put an internship program into place at the Austin Film Society for young Austinites looking to explore the industry. She gave this advice to young people, particularly women, who want to get involved in the film industry: “If you’re in school, enroll in classes that will help you develop your skills, meet collaborators, and express your creativity.” Her position helps these people expand their horizons and opportunities in order to improve the film industry.

Today, women like Zendaya and Angela Bassett are continuing to make their mark on the industry. Zendaya has become a breakout star in recent years, with roles in films such as Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman, as well as the hit

HBO series Euphoria. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett has been a force in Hollywood for over three decades, with memorable performances in films like What’s Love Got to Do with It and Black Panther. Especially as women of color, Zendaya and Angela Bassett have not only faced discrimination in the industry for their gender, but their race as well. Their roles in these blockbuster movies prove the ability of women all over the world to succeed in the film industry. “Especially being a young woman in this industry, a young Black woman in this industry, your opinion is not taken as seriously. Or maybe I don’t have the knowledge of film or the time or the experience, or whatever the case may be. But I’ve never felt that, not from day one with Sam,” said Zendaya about director of Euphoria, Sam Levinson. These tremendously influential performances as well as interviews pave the way for younger people interested in the film industry.

Gali Rosen, a student in the Department of ly being a young woman in this industry, a young Black woman in this industry, your opinion is not taken as seriously. Or maybe I don’t have the knowledge of film or the time or the experience, or whatever the case may be. But I’ve never felt that, not from day one with Sam,” said Zendaya about director of Euphoria, Sam Levinson. These tremendously influential performances as well as interviews pave the way for younger people interested in the film industry.

Gali Rosen, a student in the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of Texas revealed that her biggest inspiration in the film industry is Emma Watson. Works such as the Harry Potter series and Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Little Women inspired Rosen to expand her education regarding film. Rosen’s inspiration from Watson comes from her advocacy for

“If you’re in school, enroll in classes that will help you develop your skills, meet collaborators, and express your creativity.”

- Rakeda Irvin

herself. “Watson stands up for herself, even though the public doesn’t always agree with her,” says Rosen, regarding Watson’s step back from acting due to feeling “a bit caged”. Emma Watson’s experience in the lm industry proves the restraints put on women have limited their experiences and have limited the industry as a whole.

ese women, along with many others, are proving that women have a place in the lm industry and are capable of creating powerful, thought-provoking, and entertaining lms. As the industry continues to evolve and change, it’s important to remember the contributions that women have made and will continue to make. With more and more women breaking into the industry and telling their stories, the future of lm looks bright and exciting.

e experiences of these women not only prove the capabilities of women all over the world, but also prove the discrimination they face in the lm industry, speci cally. Although progress has been made regarding the acceptance of women in powerful positions, especially women of color, there is still much progress to be made. Women like Zendaya, Marilyn Monroe, and Angela Bassett prove the accomplishments and potential of women in these roles.

“Watson stands up for herself, even though the public doesn’t always agree with her,”

- Gali Rosen

ory’s Top 3

Hi ory’s Top 3

Influential Women in Film

Most Influential Women in Film

1.

3.

2.

Zendaya

Marylin Monroe

Angela Bassett

3.

2.

Zendaya

Marylin Monroe

Angela Bassett

1. Zendaya

1. Zendaya

The name “Zendaya” is surely a recognizable one for anybody interested in modern film. Zendaya Coleman grew up in Oakland, California, and was always interested in theater as a child. She started out as a Disney star, featuring in shows like K.C. Undercover and Shake It Up!. Since her Disney debut, she has been featured in many Marvel films, including blockbuster Spiderman: No Way Home. Zendaya’s career does not stop at just acting; along with Zendaya dabbling in the music industry, she also directed and starred in her own film in 2021, called Malcolm and Marie. The actress continues to pave the way for women of color in the film industry, and has made tremendous strides in reshaping the norms of the industry.

The name “Zendaya” is surely a recognizable one for anybody interested in modern film. Zendaya Coleman grew up in Oakland, California, and was always interested in theater as a child. She started out as a Disney star, featuring in shows like K.C. Undercover and Shake It Up!. Since her Disney debut, she has been featured in many Marvel films, including blockbuster Spiderman: No Way Home. Zendaya’s career does not stop at just acting; along with Zendaya dabbling in the music industry, she also directed and starred in her own film in 2021, called Malcolm and Marie. The actress continues to pave the way for women of color in the film industry, and has made tremendous strides in reshaping the norms of the industry.

2. Marilyn Monroe

2. Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) is considered a pop culture icon by many. Her performances in many films (including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like it Hot) made a lasting impact on the film industry and would pave the way for women like her in the future. Monroe struggled with a difficult childhood, but she persisted. Monroe studied with Lee Strasberg (director and “chief American exponent of method acting”) in New York City and continued to make her mark in her debut drama Dangerous Years.

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) is considered a pop culture icon by many. Her performances in many films (including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like it Hot) made a lasting impact on the film industry and would pave the way for women like her in the future. Monroe struggled with a difficult childhood, but she persisted. Monroe studied with Lee Strasberg (director and “chief American exponent of method acting”) in New York City and continued to make her mark in her debut drama Dangerous Years.

3. Angela Bassett

3. Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett, born in New York City, has made her mark on the film industry through various performance in blockbusters. Bassett has been present in the industry since the 80’s, making her debut in F/X, a 1986 action film directed by Robert Mandel. Bassett was an accomplished student in both her high school and college years, attending Yale and graduating with a Bachelors degree in 1980. She then received a Master of Fine Arts in 1983. She performed in plays in New York City until eventually making her debut in the film industry. In more recent years, Bassett has appeared in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda For-

Angela Bassett, born in New York City, has made her mark on the film industry through various performance in blockbusters. Bassett has been present in the industry since the 80’s, making her debut in F/X, a 1986 action film directed by Robert Mandel. Bassett was an accomplished student in both her high school and college years, attending Yale and graduating with a Bachelors degree in 1980. She then received a Master of Fine Arts in 1983. She performed in plays in New York City until eventually making her debut in the film industry. In more recent years, Bassett has appeared in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda For-

The Reel Austin Cinema Expirience

By Mayya Zaslavskaya

Vestibule of the Austin Film Society Cinema

Photo by Mayya Zaslavskaya

AA movie theater.

The lights dim and a brilliant array of colors illuminate the room. The audience is drawn into a world of flashing movement and entranced with the story that draws them close into the intricate characters and scenery. They feel that they are transported into another world, and forget about anything other than the perfectly curated plot.

With the big screens and flashing lights, it is easy to forget that there are people working behind the scenes to provide the best movie theater experience possible for the average viewer. Managing and working for the administration of a local Austin cinema takes tons of effort and skill. There are many things that happen out of sight of the viewer that bring them the ultimate and authentic experience of watching a movie in a cinema.

Cody Franklin has been the manager of the AFC Cinema for over six years. According to Franklin, most people working for movie theaters are avid film lovers and have been since a young age. “I’ve been a big fan of film ever since I was a little kid,” said Franklin “We had cable and I’d just watch as much as I could. And then when I went to

college I got a radio-television film degree from a university in north Texas.” The passion for film and desire to contribute to film culture has been the major pushing factor for Franklin to pursue a career in cinema managment.

James Jennings, the head of the Austin Bob Bullock IMAX and Texas State Theaters said that his love for film started off as the simple indulgence of film media. As the future movie theater administrator grew older, he began harnessing his passion for movies by getting cinema related jobs. “One of my first jobs when I was seventeen was working in a movie theater,” said Jennings “I did it because I liked movies and got to see movies for free because I worked there. It was a lot of fun. And, while I’ve done other things since, I always wind up back in movie theaters.”

involves scheduling movie sessions, being able to work with customer complaints, as well as cooperating with people who do other jobs at the theater. “My job is a lot of paperwork,” said Jennings “I do everything from negotiating the contracts for the movies we show as well as overseeing the maintenance of the equipment and the technicians who run it and making sure that they’re up to date on their training. And, we deal with everything like finding film.”

The job also requires a lot of other skills and abilities not obvious to be needed in movie theater management at first glance. Bethany-Jo Hernandez is the Administrative Assistant at Violet Crown Cinemas and has worked in the company for ten years. “You have to have patience to have my job and a lot of knowledge of how a cinema operates. It takes vision, a good team, and tenacity,” said Hernandez “You have to push to make things happen and not let any red tape bring you down or make you give up. You also have to provide what people can’t get at home.”

The journey to become a major cinema manager in a city like Austin is not always simple. There are several qualifications and skills necessary for the work. According to Jennings, the job requires not only proficiency in sound, light, tech, and managing skills, but also requires mastery in areas of work such as communication and being able to negotiate and plan for movie contracts. It also

Many smaller movie theaters of Austin have to face competition with widely known cinemas such as the Alamo Drafthouse. For this reason, local scale movie theaters often decidee to appeal to specific audiences to achieve financial success and keep in business. “We [Violet Crown Cinemas] are geared more towards a more mature audience. You will not see any children’s films playing at the cinema. We focus on first run films [new releases like John Wick and certain Marvel films] and independent films,” said Hernandez “We will play films that you won’t see at an AMC because we prefer art house and indie film over the big budget stuff.”

Another approach to keeping

“I did it because I liked movies and got to see movies for free because I worked there. It was a lot of fun. And, while I’ve done other things since, I always wind up back in movie theaters.”

- James Jennings

small cinemas in business is having a unique viewing experience that can’t be achieved in other movie cinemas. “The big giant screen. That’s probably the biggest difference [between our movie theater and others]. Because you can go to other places and you’re going to have twelve channels

surrounded like we do. You can go to other places that will have a laser powered projector like we do,” said Jennings “But, there’s not another place in town with a screen as big as ours. And, I think that’s probably the biggest difference and what sets us apart from everybody else.”

Being stationed in Austin

provides unique opportunity for local movie theaters. Austin is a wonderful and different place for film lovers and cinemas, as described by Jennings. It has an extensive film culture and appreciation that has been cultivated for many decades. Being based in Austin allows for a lot of non mainstream movie directors and indie films to find their way to the screens of local cinemas and even be shown in film festivals, which are a staple of Austin’s yearly celebrations. “Austin is so cool because it’s not like every other place. People come here to make movies. We’ve had screenings for people like Robert Rodriguez, who films here. And we get things like South by Southwest where they come in and they’re debuting our films,” said Jennings “And, those films wind up coming here. It’s a very different place than being in Dallas or something. More people, I think, enjoy the film better because they know that it’s being done locally.”

Although many cinema managers and administrators enjoy their jobs and genuinely appreciate what they do,

Bob Bullock State Museum, building of the Bob Bullock IMAX

Photo by Mayya Zaslavskaya

there are undoubtedly challenges that they have to face everyday to give audiences what they are looking for, as described by Franklin. Sometimes things go wrong or there is an unsatisfied customer that they need to take care of. The AFS Cinema works hard to tend to the needs of customers and provide a satisfactory experience for their wide range audiences. “It’s a seven day twenty-four hour kind of job. Even though I have weekends off, I still get text calls about problems and stuff like that, which I’ve gotten used to so it’s fine. But, it’s also

because even though it’s a digital format, there’s still a chance there’s something wrong with it. We’ve had things happen where films come in and there’s problems with them…” said Jennings “Probably the hardest thing about running a theater is when we fail and someone has a bad experience.”

When asked to talk about the rewards of his job, Franklin explained that even though running a movie theater is a hard and time consuming job, it is overall a positive experience for the people who decide to go down that path and succeed. Movie theaters create unique and authentic atmospheres that are overall very positive and uplifting. “You get a finished product every day, you get to see people happy, you get to know all the members here,” said Franklin “Also the staff is just, you know, everyone is kind. It’s a nice place, the theater.”

“I love everything about film!

The cinematography, the music, the story lines! Essentially film is another form of escapism from our regular daily struggles but sometimes you can learn valuable lessons or feel less alone when watching characters navigate situations familiar to your own life,” said Hernandez “I love Violet Crown because everyone on every level of the company is deeply passionate about what they do.”

Keeping in mind how much hard work is put into showing movies may help a person appreciate their local movie cinema more when they next decide to sit back and indulge in the marvelous and complex art of film and its presentation.

dealing with twenty-five different personalities and sometimes there’s a little bit of friction,” said Franklin “I’ve done really well with the staff that we have right now. And, then you have some of the challenges like customers who come in and they’re difficult.”

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and movie theater administrators have to sort out issues as quickly as they can to not hinder the viewers from getting to see the movie they payed money to indulge in. “Because believe me, it happens, people get in a hurry and you mix up the order of the film, or you put it in backwards and there’s no sense. So, that’s kind of carried over into modern times

“You get a finished product every day, you get to see people happy, you get to know all the members here.”

- Cody Franklin

Film Reels in the AFS Cinema

Photo by Mayya Zaslavskaya

FAVOR ITE

CINE MAS OF