BRUNCH & HANG: ATX Women in Film, TV, and Creative Industries (RECAP)

What do you get when you put women across film, video, and creative industries in one room? Last Saturday, we hosted dozens of women within Austin’s film, video, and creative industries for our free quarterly meet-up that we (Motion Media Arts Center) produce in conjunction with other women-led/women-run organizations. The goal of our quarterly meet-up (which btw: are completely free & open to any area woman to attend) is to meet, connect, and learn about women directly in our creative communities. From emerging media creators and student filmmakers to industry professionals and those new to town ⁠— each event has a little of it all!

Slime, Blood, and Gutz: An Intro To SFX Makeup

What better way to spend a weekend than getting creative with industry pros?

Getting Weird with SFX Makeup

Today, we’re sharing some photos from our SFX II: Monsters & Wounds advanced workshop, where students used both DIY tricks and professional grade makeup to achieve their looks & learn through project-based class assignments & exercises. Our 12-hour follow-up workshop to Intro to SFX dives deeper into monster & wound SFX make up effects and is designed to push students to create more complex special effects while working exclusively with “monster” themes & concepts.

Practical Make Up Effects For Any Budget

As we approach 2020, it is no surprise digital effects have their place in the independent film industry but what about make-up? In our opinion, not only does practical sfx makeup often looks more “real” but is also more cost effective on most indie film sets. Today, we’re sharing some photos from our Intro to SFX workshop, where students used both DIY tricks and professional grade makeup to achieve their looks. This 12-hour weekend workshop is designed to give students an in-depth introduction to special effects makeup with direct guidance and feedback from professional MUA Jennifer Cunningham

How to Make Your Film Look More Cinematic On A Budget

Lighting has come to be an important component of cinema's visual design. It is widely recognized that in film, as elsewhere, it can create a substantial emotional impact. Film lighting plays a key role in the storytelling process but shooting projects on a budget can mean limitations on your gear. So how can you maintain a “cinematic” look without a truck full of lighting equipment?

The Power of Podcasts & Audio Storytelling

If you’ve ever asked for a podcast recs from friends — you may find yourself immediately supplied with a lengthy list of “must listens”. It’s easier than ever to find and listen to literally thousands of podcasts on any topic imaginable. Podcasts are amongst the most prominent cultural phenomenon in the United States, but why are podcasts so hot right now AND how do you turn your idea into an audio story?

Unscripted Storytelling: Learn The Art of Doc Format

Documentaries are a way to connect communities and provide life changing information. They spotlight important issues, people, or causes and be created in different formats from short films to social media content. Viewers can access docs on a wide variety of digital platforms such as Instagram or Facebook and in traditional screening settings. It is the beauty of unscripted storytelling that engages the viewer to the topic at hand.