C f o o n t e l e b n t a s T Fantastic
Movie Top 5 ustin es in A r t a e Th
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stins t of Au This lis ie theatres ov best m ou choose y lp e ny it to h the ma g n o am e off r has to
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Alamo Dra fthouse’s Fantastic Fest film festival, a nd its effe ct on Austin
5 Cu l to kn t movies ow a nd lo ve
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Movie Prices Internationally
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A comprehensive list of the price of movie tickets around the world
5 Cul t fi a pla lms that hold ce in of mo the hear ts vie fa ns
Fantastic Fest for begginners
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A guide for anyone attending fantastic fest for the first time
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The gical Technolo n Impressio
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can How Ameri ted ac p im Culture is lm by fi
A not so rece nt release
t) f (Spo o y t i C Light
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and eatres ce h t l a c Lo en ey influ how th e of Austin ltur the cu
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how local Austin video stores ha ve stayed sucessfu l
Letter From The
Editor Hi! Thank you for choosing to read our magazine. The production did not come easy; there was a lot of tears, sweat, and memes. The bonds we made throughout the process are ones I’ll treasure. I have lots of fond memories of all of us rushing to meet a deadline, or laughing as one of us panics dramatically. Making this magazine with Bella, Mihir, and Peter has been insane. I’ve learned to appreciate the magic of Photoshop, and a group member in time of need. Bella was our voice of reason. When I was about to cry because OH MY GOD
THE DEADLINE IS IN FIVE MINUTES, she provided me with support and understanding. Peter let me bounce ideas off of him whenever I asked. Because of him, I write in coherent sentences and my graphics look decent. Mihir kept us laughing. Without his daily jokes, we all would have snapped like twigs every class. His unfailing wit and humor let the group breathe. I’m really proud of my group, and I think you’ll enjoy this. Sincerely, Fritzie Schwentker
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Bella was born in Austin, Texas where her love for movies was evident in the huge film collection she currently posseses. This influenced her decision to join Theater, acting in many plays. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog, Maggie, and watching Netflix. Her favorite TV shows include: SNL, Parks and Rec., Jeopardy, Full House, and Seinfeld. Her favorite artist is Billy Joel, and her favorite song is American Pie. She currently plays the ukelele and is taking lessons on the piano. Some movies that inspired her were: Boyhood, Jurrasic Park, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
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Peter had always loved movies when he was a young child. Growing up in New York City, cultivated his love for movies and his interest in other aspects of movies. In his free time, he loves to watch TV shows, particularly: Scream Queens, Game of Thrones, The Tudors and The Big Bang Theory. In addition, he also is a major Geek in History, and regularly checks the news. He likes to listen to many artists, including: Melanie Martinez, Marina & The Diamonds, Vanic, Lorde, Bastille, Ella Eyre, and Florence + the Machine. He aspires to go to UT and is currently the only freshman in AP Biology.
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About The 4 THE AUSTIN SCENE
Art Credit to Google Images The love for film ran through Fritzie’s family. Her mother is one of UT’s professors in Theater and her father designs theaters. She was born in Austin, Texas and is currently one of the members of the LASA Pride Alliance. She enjoys playing with her dog, Weston, and regularly watch movies on Netflix. Her favorite TV shows are Parks and Recreation and Bob’s Burgers. In addition, she loves to listen to Halsey and Taylor Swift. She hopes to attend Amherst’s College, her parents almamater. Her favorite book is The Paper Magician. She has been to 28 different countries.
e i z r t i e r k t F n e w h Sc
Mihir’s obsession with movies started when he watched the original Star Wars triology with his dad. This lead to his interest in the world of film production, especially memes. He was born in Plano, Texas and is currently a member of the Synthetic Biology club. He enjoys walking his dog and create videos on his laptop. He loves listening to music, but is not loyal to one genre. However, he has a soft spot for rap and hard metal. In addition, he has the uncanny ability of drawing life-like images, but his modesty prevent him from accepting the truth.
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Authors THE AUSTIN SCENE 5
FANTASTIC By Mihir Kolte
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year old Amit Sundaram approaches the Alamo Drafthouse at South Lamar. Outside of the door, there is a line stretching half the length of the building. As he walks past the line, he sees that it is full of Austinites of all shapes and sizes. Although he stands out from the adults in the line, he is here for the same reason as them: Austin’s 11th annual Fantastic Fest. “I had heard about Fantastic Fest from a friend of mine, and decided to go,” says Sundaram. “I was nervous walking in, but I was still excited so see what Fantastic Fest had to offer.” Fantastic fest was created by the founders of Alamo Drafthouse, Tim and Karrie League, Ain’t It Cool News founder Harry Knowles, producer Paul Alvarado-Dykstra and writer/director Tim McCanlies. With the purpose of bringing a genre film festival to Austin, they held the first fantastic fest from October 6th to October 9th in 2005. Since then, it has become one of the biggest genre film festivals in the US. But months before Sundaram had even heard of Fantastic Fest, the film festival’s programming team was already finding and selecting films to be shown. “As a programmer, it’s my job to work closely with the programming team and put together the schedule for the year’s festival: I’ll attend film markets, film festivals and meetings tracking down films which might be a fit for the festival,” says Evrim Ersoy, the Head Programmer of Fantastic Fest who is based in London.
A crowd gathers outside of the Alamo Drafthouse during Fantastic Fest Photo by Mihir Kolte
team. If most of the team is in favor of the film, they will approach the sales agent or distributor to try to book the film for Fantastic Fest. However, with approximately 80 feature films and 40 short films being shown at this year’s fantastic fest, it is not always easy for the programming team to narrow down the film selection. Ersoy says that with all the titles available, it is hard to let go of films. But in the end, the Fantastic Fest team put together their film selection with “ A lot of love, a lot of hard work, and a small dose of madness,” says Ersoy.
Fantastic Fest is more than just films, however. Sundaram, like many others, is here for the Fantastic Arcade. Walking through Alamo Drafthouse, he passes by rows of retro looking arcade machines, each with a different game. He enters the theatre, which is full of mostly If a programmer finds a film that they like, they young adults. The room is filled with chatter and laughter, and in front of the screen is a will share it with the rest of the programming table overflowing with electronics and wires. “I was nervous walking in, Eventually, lights dim even lower, and the screen displays the game logo. An electronic but I was still excited” female voice chimes, “welcome to Videoball,” and the tournament begins.
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Two teams compete at Fantastic Fest’s Videoball tournament..Photo by Bharati Kolte
Videoball is a game designed by Tim Rogers. In the game, two teams of up to three players each take control of a triangle, and attempt to knock a ball into the opposing team’s goal by launching projectiles, and blocking by creating barricades. The tournaments commentators are Adam “Atomic” Saltsman and Jenn “Voice of Videoball” Frank. The tournament has 12 teams of three players each, with team names such as “ Dinner Date,” “The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer,” and “Wizard Sandwich.”
the film makers and the festival attendees,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to interact with filmmakers, with talent, as well as other genre film fans.”
“It’s a great opportunity to interact with filmmakers, with talent, as well as other genre film fans.”
“The game seems simple at first, but it’s deep enough to keep you watching for a while… The commentators were great, [they] really knew Fantastic Fest has been visited by filmmakers how to keep the audience entertained,” says such as Tim Burton, director of films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, and actors such Sundaram. as Elijah Wood, who played Frodo in The Lord of Sundaram attended Fantastic Fest for the first the Rings trilogy. Cerda says she loves how Fantime, but Debbie Cerda, director of community tastic Fest gives her the chance to watch films and industry relations for Film Colossus, has at- she might otherwise not get a chance to see. tended Fantastic Fest since its launch in 2005, Fantastic Fest has changed significantly over as well as many other film festivals. “ … What makes Fantastic Fest unique has to the last 11 years, adding new events such as karaoke parties and the Fantastic Fest Awards. do with the... shared passion between both It has also grown in size. 8 THE AUSTIN SCENE
“[When Fantastic Fest Started] it was all about
the action films [and] the horror films. But it’s evolved, it’s also got some other films going on, [and] it still has a very distinct, unique flavor,” says Alka Bhanot, founder of Indie Meme, an Austin based organization based on building communities around film. But how does Fantastic Fest affect Austin? “ Filmmakers look at Austin as being a vibrant film community, receptive to the genre,” says Cerda , “so in a way … Fantastic Fest has helped to solidify Austin as an independent creative Mecca for talent.” She says that Austin has a lot of talent that visits or lives here in Austin. For example, Richard Linklater, director of award winning film Boyhood, Robert Rodriguez, director of the Spy Kids movies, and Sandra Bullock, who starred in Gravity . “I think Austin’s pretty defined by music and film,” says Bhanot. “[Austin film festivals] have a lot of grants to encourage filmmakers. they’ll give you money to make a film, Commentators Adam “Atomic” Saltsman (left) and Jenn “Voice of Videoball” Frank (right) Photo By Bharati Kolte
they’ll give you money to make a film, and then they’ll give you a venue to screen your film ...so, it really doesn’t get any better than Austin right now.” Bhanot says that people who work in film coming from around the world and staying here keeps Austin’s film culture diverse. People who don’t have a lot of money spend their money on what really matters to them, which is their film and music. Austin is also home to many other film festivals, such as the Austin Asian American Film Festival and Austin Film Festival, to name a few. But it’s not just film festivals than influence Austin’s culture. Films, according to Bhanot, can impact individual people as well. “I think films can make a tremendous impact,” she says.“really well made films, fiction, can tell a story and tell it so well you can learn a lot from them . [Likewise] documentaries … will show you reality that exists which you didn’t know about.” Indie Meme, which screens films from South Asia, has shown a film that raised awareness about organ donation, and even held a fundraiser to support it. Bhanot says that people think about these kinds of things, but when they see them in film it makes them want to get involved Back at the Alamo Drafthouse theatre, Videoball tournament finalists Chicago Snakes and Wizard Sandwich are both struggling to pull ahead. The audience is on the edge of their seats, and a ball flies across the screen, straight into the goal. Amit Sundaram stands up with the rest of the audience as they applaud the new Videoball champions, the Chicago Snakes. “Fantastic fest… was one of the most fun events I’ve been to.” says Sundaram. “The atmosphere, the people, and the games were all great. I would definitely go again next year. THE AUSTIN SCENE 9
TOP MOVIE IN
�.ALAMO DRAFTHOUSEMOVIEHOUSE �. THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE �. Photo by Flickr
One popular and highly rated for its character is The Alamo Drafthouse. Alamo Drafthouse is the top movie theater in Austin. The Alamo plays a variety of movies including new releases, older classics, and also has various quote-alongs and sing-alongs that come every month or so, don't miss out. And that's not all, at this movie theater you will also have a full menu to chose food from during the movie to eat during the movie.
Moviehouse and Eatery is again rated very well on Austin's top list of good movie theaters and just movie theaters in general.
Location-14028 N US Highway 183, Bldg. F, Austin, TX, 78717
This theater is a classic, it has been around forever and it shows the movies that have been around forever. The Paramount allows you to jump into a film world by a magnificent theater and being right in the heart of downtown Austin. While it has many events throughout the year, it is nice to just go see a movie there.
Location-713 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 Photo by Pixabay
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� THEATERS AUSTIN By Bella Roberts
AND EATERY
�. IPIC THEATERS
Photo by Flickr
IPic Theaters is highly rated high class theater that thrives on its proper and classy establishment. This This theater is very friendly and theater has the ability to create a very comfortable please any with a dinner menu outside of the theaters along with a and relaxing time for customers allowing them to couple main theaters that if you are enjoy all of the luxuries of going to the movies. Overlucky enough to get tickets to allow all, it makes for a very fun experience at the movies you to order from inside the theater with film and food too! Location-3225 Amy Donovan Plaza, Austin, TX while you are watching the movie.
�.
Location-Building B., 8300 N FM 620, Austin, TX 78726
VIOLET CROWN CINEMA
This theater is another popular Austin adventure as it is a classy setting downtown that features mostly new releases. And while you are there you can eat great food out in the lounge and even bring it into the movie, but Sourcesthere will be less service and chance for reordering once About Austin-Travel you are in the theater. Culture Map Austin Location-434 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701 City Maps
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Photo by Pexlex
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The Technological H
Impression
e watched with wide eyes at the black screen, fist clenching broken popcorn. Eyes swirling with fear,BY: PETER BAILLO The world is changing. You see it in the streets. Hear it in the air. Much that once interest and anger at the is gone, for the dawn of film is illuminating stupid main character. our somber world. In a flash of time, the serial killer pops out and masculinity to your bladder. award winning movie American stab the shell shocked Whether you knew it or not, Sniper created a huge controvercharacter in the side. A that film had affected your 8 sy with Michael Moore’s tweet, rain of buttered food fall year old self. Nightmares might from the heavens and have plagued you from watching “My uncle [was] killed by [a] on to the cowering boy. that movie or you might never sniper in WW2. We were taught see a particular object the same snipers were cowards. [They] will This might have hap- again. Like your 5 year old self, shoot u in the back. Snipers aren’t pened to you as a young movies has affected everyone heroes. And invaders r worse” child. Watching your in little ways and grand ways. Famous actors and even famous first horror movie with wide eyes full of fear, “[Movies can]create a nation- politicians had to weigh their anticipation, and inter- al conversation about an is- opinion in this national controest. This event only held sue.” Randolph Lewis, Pro- versy. Speaking on monetary two options: You made fessor at the Department of values, American Sniper reaped it through the movie American Studies at the Uni- over $350 million, but how do with dry pants or the versity of Texas, Austin, says. movies affect us monetarily? adrenaline forced your For example, just last year the
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Art Credit t oU
In addition, Ramírez-Berg says that there was a lot of interest in film around the 70s-90s which helped film’s spread throughout America’s culture.
cult Fa
y “In the 70s there was a lot of interest in film particularly on the UT campus. UT was one of the places for older and foreign movies. On weekends every big auditorium had a screening,” RamírezBerg says. “It was very lively.” It was also during this time period when many film companies started to pop up. One such company was the Austin Film SoArt Credit by ciety which was cofounded by RichU ard Linklater and Ramírez-Berg.
T
cu Fa
“[We met] around the mid 80s. ‘84-’85. [I] met Richard Linklater 31-32 years ago. [We] began watching movies together [that were] rich programmed films. He had to rent old films [that were] expensive. Richard decided to screen them and made it cheap. I announced [the] screenings during classes. I showed up and we began to know one another,” Ramírez-Berg says. “[This was the ] beginning of the Austin Film Society. Richard [was] instrumental in starting it.” lty
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lty
“The industry had some films that were affected by the Cold War. ‘Lonesome Dove’ by a local writer was one such film. [It] was a sporadic environment.”
“[It] wasn’t until the end of the 80s and early 90s. Richard Linklater’s and Robert Rodriguez’s success that Austin started to become a film production center” Ramírez-Berg said.
T
This has also been evident in the film industry in America. For example, the iconic action film Rambo was created with a purpose of anti-communist propaganda aimed towards Communism and the Soviet
u Fac
“The industry had some films that were affected by the Cold War. ‘Lonesome Dove’ by a local writer was one such film. [It] was a sporadic environment.” RamírezBerg said, when describing Austin’s Film Industry during this time.
Union (“There is no Honor Here: What Rambo Taught us About Afghanistan”, Meg White) However the film industry started to change around the late 80s and 90s. This was also the time when Austinites: Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez gained popularity.
to
T
Now a days, the average movie price is $8.60 per ticket throughout the country(“Movie Ticket Prices Hit Record High With Popularity of 3D Titles, Rise of Luxury Seating”, Brent Lang) . However, the movie ticket price has not always been as high. Historically, during the Great Depression movie tickets have reached the price of one nickel. Prof. Charles Ramírez-Berg lived in Austin, Texas in a time similar to this, during the 70s-80s when the Cold War created a ‘Russophobia’.
Art Credit
U
“It gave ordinary people a completely new form of low cost entertainment.” Lewis says
Compared to the Ramírez-Berg’s films in the 80s, film had evolved to include many of the features that we enjoy today.
Art Credit by Google Images
“[Film has] gotten more sophisticated as it’s become digital, rather than actual celluloid film, and now almost every movie, in some sense, is ‘animated’— by which i mean that CG has greatly changed what the camera records.” Film es to ness. cials,
also has evolved to use many devicadvertise their movies and spread awareThis has been evident in many commersocial media posts, and youtube videos.
the past decade. I think going ahead we’ll see Virtual Reality become the mode of experienc“Films also clearly promote themselves on so- ing cinema: it’ll be totally immersive VR type excial media, as do actors and actresses and oth- periences in the theater.” Lewis says when asked er media creators,” Prof. Suzanne Scott, As- about modern film’s possibility for evolution. sistant Professor in Media Studies at UT. Maybe in the future when your hair expose your Like all past inventions, there is always room for im- strands of gray hair, and you turn on your flat provement and new features. The end is never clear screen TV to watch the latest movie on Netflix, in sight when exploring the vast possibilities of film. you won’t just be watching the movie unfold but ‘feel’ it unfold. It may seem unrealistic now, but the “Well, we’ve seen 3d become quite common in future often blur the lines of reality and fantasy. Art Credit by Google Images Art Credit by Google Images
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(to know and love)
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
release date: 1999 plot: college students go out witch-hunting why is it a cult classic?: everyone loves a good scary story fun fact: BWP has the highest production to profits of any film rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Photo by: flickr.com
Photo by: flickr.com
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
release date: 1985 plot: five very different strudents get detention why is it a cult classic?: audiences loved their connection with the misfits fun fact: most of the movie was improvised rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
release date: 1975 plot: a couple gets stuck in a strange mansion due to a flat tire. why is it a cult classic?: audiences love the risque feel to the film Photo by: intergalacticrobot.blogspot.com fun fact: Rocky Horror is the longest running film. Ever. rating: 4 out of 5 stars 18 THE AUSTIN SCENE
PULP FICTION
Photo by: flickr.com
release date: 1994 plot: some hitmen get tangled up in their boss’s life why is it a cult classic?: the combonation of gore and action is an audience magnet fun fact: the f-word is used 256 times. rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
ALIEN
release date: 1979 plot: a space crew encounters a nest of aliens. why is it a cult classic?: audiences loved the mixture of gore and science Photo by: flickr.com fun fact: the famous chestburst scene only took one take to film rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Other Great Cult Movies: Mean Girls Clueless Monty Python and the Holy Grail Heathers Anchorman The Big Lebowski Say Anything
SOURCES: IMBD Rotten Tomatoes CNN THE AUSTIN SCENE 19
Photo by Runner1616
A Not So Recent Release By Bella Roberts
A
s the trend of video rental stores faces a decline throughout the nation, one city is able to keep video stores alive by maintaining successful video store business in the local Austin area. Through this success, Austin’s local film stores are somehow able to keep the movie culture alive and thrive with the people of this paramount city by its side.
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Renting from a video store is a pretty rare occasion for most people living in this nation, but in Austin, Texas it has pretty much become the norm for locals. Throughout the lively city, many people continuously rent movies and TV shows from these local video stores despite the somewhat discouraging overtake of online media. One person who might be able to answer this question
“Vulcan [Video] and I Luv Video [are successful because of] the fact that there are a lot of knowledgeable people working there and providing information to the customers that is helpful and allows them to relate to fellow people in their community,” is why a lot of people continue to go back to those places,” says Perren, “They are able to create a sort of loyal following.” Vulcan Video opened in Austin, Texas in the 80’s and has been around ever since. It currently maintains two locations in the city. The stores are full of shelves stacked high with every movie one could hope for: new releases, VHS tapes, foreign films, and more. And according to Connolly, people will pile up with movies in the summertime, as he will get big sales when it comes to people renting one certain movie. “Surprisingly, the Big Lebowski rents a lot, like all the time, you’d think by now everybody would have owned it because everybody really likes it, but it rents all the time, every day,” says Connolly.
Photo by Bella Roberts
and many others is Bryan Connolly, the manager at one of The Big Lebowski is not the only popular trend in the most successful video stores in the city, Vulcan Video. the community. At this point, after the depletion of places like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, He describes one way Vulcan Video holds the ap- places like Vulcan Video are filled with custompeal of customers and how it offers more selection ers just itching to get their hands on some DVDs. and charm than other places. This is because the store is able to communicate an inviting sense of per- One local Austin citizen who is always on this sonality, and Connolly and the staff are able to wel- city’s side in regard to the film industry is Sara Dacome customers with big, open, and insightful arms. vis, a frequent customer at Vulcan Video. Davis is very passionate about keeping these town trea“People actually like to talk to people, they don’t want sures alive and believes in places like Vulcan Video. to just scroll on the Internet,” says Connolly. “It’s nice to go to a place with someone who’s knowledgeable “Vulcan Video appeals to people because it is a local and friendly and can help you find what you want, business and I think that a lot of the Austin community and you can’t get that is based around helping local businesses, and I think esjust on the Internet.” pecially the ones that involve art or music because I experience a lot [of] that throughout the city.” says Davis. Another person who agrees is Alisa Perren, Not only is it the fact that Austin’s culture that has had an an associate profesimpact on the ability for the video stores to thrive, it is also sor in the Department the fact that chains like Blockbuster have not been able to. of Radio-TV-Film at the University of Texas at “Places like Blockbuster faced a lot of higher manageAustin. Perren spends ment that restricted their ability to maintain more reaher time analyzing sonable late fees and things like that, and so again that Photo by Bella Roberts these trends and she accounts for how places like Vulcan [Video] are able to act is able to describe the appeal of the one on one ex- more freely and fit more to the customers,” says Perren. perience that comes along with video rental stores.
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“The mistakes that those [other video stores] made was that they would get rid of a lot of movies or not have everything.” Conolly says. “They would just have newer stuff or have a pretty limited selection, and we never get rid of [anything]. We have the movies we bought in 1985. If it’s not on DVD, we will still have the tape.”
Photo by Melancholymoon
Photo by Bella Roberts And not so surprisingly, Connolly agrees that in some sense, those high financial chains just could not compete with the authenticity and freedom of a place like Vulcan Video.
to 6 percent since 2012, while revenue for online subscriptions to companies like Netflix, Hulu, and Redbox Instant, has gone up from 28 to 49 percent in the last three years, making online sales the majority of revenue from video rentals overall.
This study reveals a lot about how the nation has changed in terms of rentals. It’s hard to deny the fact that in-store rentals are facing a significant decline around the country. While it may seem like almost all of the video rental industry is made up of online subscriptions or specifically store rentals, there are actually many other contributors to the revenue of The fact that these video stores are continuing to video rentals. These include options such as Kiosk be recognized it not hard to notice, especially be- and access to media through cable boxes. While cause of the attention that Vulcan Video got from these rates are also going down, they’re really just talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel, and local Austin res- more competition for the already head to head onident actor, Matthew Mcconaughey in March 2015. line entertainment and video rentals from stores. These two created a comedic representation of how there are still video stores in Austin, and they In Austin, it seems like it will take a while before we have a responsibility to the community and a right see the last of the DVD’s. So many locals are quite to be recognized for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Funnily smitten with the unique character of their neighborenough, the bit helped Vulcan Video cast an even hood video stores and are not ready to let them go. wider net of customers to rent their videos. This celebrity attention also pays tribute to the impact local This is especially true according to Sara Dabusiness in Austin have on the nationwide commu- vis, who recognizes the impact of local video nity. Jimmy Kimmel found the ability to recognize stores. She notices the fact that a lot of the the importance of video stores and how keep- time you just can’t get the same quality or seing them around has significant value to the city. lection online as you can from an actual store. However, many parts of the nation have faced the fact “They [Vulcan Video] have a good variety and they that video rental has gone down exponentially, espe- have a lot of unique offerings,” Davis says. “They cially with the introduction and efficient nature of re- really build and add a lot to the community.” sources such as Netflix or Amazon for entertainment. While video rental sales in Austin continue to be According to a 2015 study done by Statista, the per- successful, they also seem to play a big part in the cent of movie rental revenue in The United States way many define the city. Stores such as Vulcan Vidspecifically is store rental has gone down from 13 eo and I Luv Video (another popular place to rent 22 THE AUSTIN SCENE
movies) fit right into the culture of Austin and it may be because this city really is just that unique. The relationship between these two video stores is quite friendly and consistent in the city, and customers have found a way to share the love for both of the stores.
Photo by Rept0n1x
“They are our friends, I don’t feel like it’s a competition. I think that we have different specialties, like they have an abundance of horror stuff that we don’t have,” says Connolly.
He even goes on to mention how personally he enjoys the different offerings from I Luv Video. “I rent from I Luv Video occasionally, I go by there [and] they have movies that we don’t have and we have movies that they don’t have. They have different types of people that work at both places.” says Connolly, “So it’s never like we’re fighting with them, it’s great that we can all exist in [Austin], and that this town can afford video stores right now is amazing because most towns have no video stores.” The two stores actually help one another through their shared success. This support comes mainly from the community that they inhabit. “[Communities] that [have] a strong base in art and that supports a lot of independently owned businesses, places like Vulcan Video and I Luv Video are then able to be successful and feed off of the culture and people that make up a city like Austin’s culture,” Perren says. While the Austin lifestyle and society does weigh heavily on the entertainment access, it’s hard to disregard the fact that the successful start-ups of certain organizations like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon have found their time to shine in the newly prominent digital world. Their introduction has put so many local video stores around the country out of business, it is hard to imagine these video stores in Austin staying around for much longer, because of the way the industry is moving toward so many new directions.
“More and more people have gone to the web, they feel less of a need to go to the video store because of the instant access and personal control that comes with using the internet for videos and entertainment.” says Perren, “There seems to be a larger platform on the web where everything and anything can be conveyed digitally.” With this more efficient digital access comes the inevitability of flaws. According to Connolly, Vulcan Video takes advantage of these flaws. The store has a much larger selection of movies than an online rental service would. One high advantage Vulcan Video has over its online competitors is that there truly is a commit- Photo by Netflix Media Center ment from the Austin community . “People still would rather buy local, go local,” Conolly says, “We get so many customers still because people, well yeah they have Netflix, yeah they go to RedBox, but they also want to support local business and the video store.” This presents hope for the future of video stores in Austin, and gives some reassurance to those loyal customers on their way to return a DVD right now. Perren seems pretty sure that the norm in the capital city of Texas, will stay the norm. “I think that the video store culture in Austin will stay around for as long as it can while it is still supported by the community and continues to gain the same resources that it does today,” says Perren. So, even with the over arching dark cloud cast by online entertainment that seems to dictate the future of rentals, Vulcan Video is not even a little bit worried about getting outshined. “We’re still doing very well and any obstacles that [might] come our way, we will keep going,” Connolly says. “I don’t see us going away anytime soon.”
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Top 10 Countries with the Most Expensive Averaged Movie Ticket Prices: 1) Saudi Arabia: $60 2) Angola: $21 3) Switzerland: $20 4) Norway: $18 5) Japan: $17 6) Greenland: $17 7) Sweden: $16 8) Denmark: $16 9) Finland: $16 10) Australia: $15
Top 10 Countries with the
Least Expensive Averaged Movie Ticket Prices: 1) Cuba: $0.06 2) Turkmenistan: $1 3) Laos: $2 4) Lesotho: $2 5) Guyana: $2 6) Haiti: $2 7) Iran: $2 8) Burma: $2 9) Sri Lanka: $3 10) Zimbabwe: $3
Movie Ticket Bloombergbusiness.com, Theglobaleconomy.com Nationmaster.com Humuch.com Statstia.com 24 THE AUSTIN SCENE
Prices
Top 10 Cities with the Most Expensive Averaged Movie Ticket Prices: 1) Tokyo, Japan: $23 2) Nagoya, Japan: $21 3) Yokohama, Japan: $21 4) Kobe, Japan: $20 5) Geneva, Switzerland: $19 6) Zurich, Switzerland: $19 7) Bern, Switzerland: $19 8) Oslo, Norway: $18 9) Basel, Switzerland: $19 10) Stravanger, Norway: $17
Top 10 States with the Most Expensive Averaged Movie Ticket Prices: 1) New York: $13.06 2) New Jersey: $10.86 3)Maryland: $10.86 4)Rhode Island: $10.85 5)California: $10.81 6) Massachusetts: $10.77 7)Alaska: $10.50 8) Conneticut: $10.38 9) Hawaii: $10.31 10) Vermont: $9.19
MAP KEY $15+ $9-14 $5-8 $1-4
Internationally BY: Peter Baillo
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“It’s very special to Austin to have [the theaters] in it and I hope that [the city] will continue to treasure those city jewels that they have.”
26 THE AUSTIN SCENE
Photo by Pixabay
(Spot) Light by Fritzie Schwentker
S
o many important things in my life and Photo by UT Theater and Dance memories have happened in theaters. My parents met in a theater, working on a production of Cabaret (the musical). Some of my earliest memories are in the Iden B. Payne Theater at the University of Texas at Austin, where my mom works. Every summer, my mother and I travel to foreign countries to attend an international theater conference. My life as I know it has been built around one thing: theater. I’m especially fortunate in that I The Iden B. Payne Theater live in Austin, a city with a rich theater culture that contributes to the everyday society. of the Salvage Vanguard Theater in Austin. “We need a strong creative sector in Austin to keep “[Theater] has helped highlight Austin as a cre- [the city] an ‘arts town’ and this may be cliche, ative city.” says Jenny Larson, artistic director but [also] to keep Austin ‘weird’. THE AUSTIN SCENE 27
What a
big thriving
city
doesn’t have tor for the city. Tickets for a show at the Saltheater scene?” vage Vanguard, for example, range from five to 35 dollars, while prices for fundrais If you weren’t aware, Austin is somewhat er and special events at any local theater famous for its Keep Austin Weird mentality. can be anywhere from one to 1000 dollars. Started in 2000 to promote small business, Keep Austin Weird is arguably very attribut- “The bars and restaurants definitely benefit able to theater. Local Austin theater explod- from our patrons presPhoto ed in the 90s and the city is still seeing the ence on the streets beby the Rude aftermath. New theater companies popped fore and after a perforMechs up, and began producing edgy and new the- mance.” says Larson. ater, often experimental or activism-based. A great example of this is the Butterfly The Bar, which shares a Rude Mechs space with the Vor- Logo tex Repertory Co. The bar joined the theater in 2011, and later added a food truck in their yard. Now, patrons can share a drink on the patio and grab a bite to eat before catching a show inside. “Theater is weird,” says Alexandra Bassett, managing director at the Rude Mechanicals, an Austin “Theater brings commerce to theater company. “It’s going to be sort of bizarre.” any street it is on,” says Larson.
“Theater is weird. It’s going to be sort of bizzare”
One way that theater “keeps it weird” is The arts aren’t just helping the city. Accordthe venues. For example, the Off Center, home ing to the American Alliance for Theater and base of the Rude Education, when we have theater in schools, Photo by Salvage Vanguard Mechanicals, once Photo by American Theater an old warehouse, is now a theater, an office, and a scene shop. Other places, like the local theater the Vortex, have a bar and theater. Diversity in performance Salvage Vanguard Logo space is key to local theater’s quirky vibe. “They’re just really funky places,” says Bassett. “Each of those spaces have been converted to something else, and that’s inspiring for the work that gets done in them.” Theater also serves as a great economic fac-
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Alexandra Bassett
reading comprehension, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and SAT scores all improved significantly. Students also have an outlet for creativity and self expression. “I think it’s a really good form of self expression for kids, and it’s also a good way to experience what it’s Photo by Fritzie Schwentker like to be somebody else, or to be somebody from a different culture or a different world view.” says Ames Jewart, a student at LASA high school.
Ames Jewart
vibe is through its heavy focus on activist based performance. Austin often uses theater as a way to get across a prominent point. When we look at pieces like Hands up Hoodies Down at the Vortex, a piece centered on the recent
“We are brave, we buck convention, we push against the norm, and we fight for the community.” Austin is, and always will be, an arts city. Whether we see this through graffiti on the side of buildings (think I love you so much at SoCo) or through new work performed at theaters all over the city, Austin will forever be fueled by its arts. “It’s very special to Austin to have that stuff in it and I hope that [the city] will continue to treasure those city jewels that they have.” says Bassett.
Another great example of theater’s contribution to the local
Photo by Vortex Repetory Co.
Photo by Jenny Larson
The Vortex Logo
Jenny Larson
“I think it’s a really good form of self expression for kids, and it’s also a good way to experience what it’s like to be somebody else, or to be somebody from a different culture or a different world view.” THE AUSTIN SCENE 29
FANTASTIC FEST FOR BEGINNERS Do your reasearch
The Fantastic Fest website is a great source of information
Get a flu sh
flu outbre happened be prepa
According to Poptiq and Backstage
Have a plan, but be flexible. If you
skip a screening you were planning to attend, cancel your tickets so someone else can go.
Know where to eat
You can order food at Alamo Drafthouse or eat at a restaurant
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F
Socia
fest is to me and m
By Mihir Kolte Going to Fantastic Fest for the first time can seem overwhelming, so here are a few things you can do to make sure you enjoy your first Fantastic Fest.
hot
Get plenty of sleep
eaks have d before, red
$ FANTASTIC FEST TIPS
alize.
before you go
RESTAURANTS NEAR FANTASTIC FEST
According to Fantastic Fest
Breakfast/Brunch
Bouldin Creek Cafe Counter Cafe The Driskill
Luch/Vegetarian Whole Foods Market
East Side King Daruma Ramen
Tacos/Mexican Food Tacodeli Polvos Curra’s Grill
Burgers/Pizza/Casual
Be nice to the staff
Justine’s Hopdoddy In-N-Out Burger
and remember to tip them. Also, dont be afraid to ask questions
Fantastic s a great chance eet new people make new friends
Barbecue
Have Fun!
Franklin’s Barbecue Smitty’s Market City Market
Coffee/Desserts/Sweets
Sugar Mama’s Big Top Candy Shop Combo Donuts
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