Austin School of Film Lands in Lockhart for Experimental Film Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin School of Film & Spellerberg Projects Present

Direct Animation on 16mm: A One-Day Cameraless Filmmaking Workshop

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 PM | Lockhart, Texas

Lockhart, TX — Austin School of Film, in partnership with Spellerberg Projects, announces a beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop introducing participants to the vibrant world of direct animation on 16mm film. Taking place Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 12:00–4:00 PM at Spellerberg Projects in Lockhart, this immersive afternoon invites people of all backgrounds to explore one of the most tactile and expressive forms of analog cinema. No prior film experience is required.

Also known as cameraless filmmaking, direct animation transforms 16mm film stock into a surface for experimentation and play. Working without a camera, participants will create moving images directly onto clear film leader and vintage found footage (1950s–70s) using paint, ink, collage, scratching, and other material interventions.

Drawing inspiration from experimental pioneers such as Len Lye, Norman McLaren, and Stan Brakhage, the workshop emphasizes contemporary, process-led approaches to abstract image-making. Over the course of a single day, participants will build rhythmic, textural sequences frame by frame — focusing on exploration over perfection and creative risk-taking over technical polish.

Workshop Explorations

• Painting and scratching directly onto film

• Working with clear leader and archival footage

• Frame-by-frame animation principles and foundational FPS concepts

• Creative considerations unique to analog film practice

About Spellerberg Projects

Spellerberg Projects is an artist-run contemporary art center located in Lockhart, Texas, approximately 40 miles southeast of Austin. Founded in 2016, Spellerberg Projects showcases a diverse range of experimental and non-commercial contemporary art and support artists at all stages of their careers.