Split Decision

Rebecca Campbell, director at Austin Film Society, leads the Austin Studios forum on June 25. (Photo by John Anderson)

So the Austin Film Society is staying at Austin Studios through 2042. Next step: Explaining their long-term plans. With the green screen of stage three at their backs, roughly 100 attendees at the June 25 public forum at Austin Studios were walked through the pending* contract with the city, which extends AFS' current lease at the site after 2012 for 30 more years, and the resulting facilities plan. As was expected, controversy erupted over the proposed five-year subletting of stage four to Nashville-based Soundcheck Austin. The proposed $975,000 renovation ($500,000 coming from Soundcheck, $475,000 via AFS from a low-interest loan to be paid off by Soundcheck's rent) would convert that space into six soundproofed rehearsal studios and eight vendor offices.

Board member Travis White explained, "One of the factors is trying to keep AFS viable." The stage has been empty for the last year, and AFS has had to dip into its fund reserves for the last two years to cover shortfalls. If Soundcheck did move in, not only would the stage produce more revenue annually than ever before, but it would provide on-site sound facilities and potentially attract more music videos and behind-the-scenes-style productions. AFS staff countered fears that the deal means losing mill space for set construction, as the new contract with the city relaxes the restrictions on erecting new structures. As for any lost stage square footage, that would be restored in 2012 when the studio takes over the neighboring National Guard armory.

Attendees were split about the stage four proposal, and tempers occasionally flared. Some in the film community voiced concerns that it moved the studio and AFS away from their core mission. From the music community, representatives of Austin-based rehearsal facility Music Lab questioned the impact of Soundcheck on their business. Others took potshots at AFS and its decision-making process, with Jay Podolnick (CEO of abortive mixed film and music production facility/housing development Villa Muse) calling it "like the Vatican, where you make up your own rules."

AFS Board President Chris Adams said he understood the strength of the concerns. "I think that the economy has hurt a lot of people," he said. With the revised Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, some fear reduced studio space will mean turning away major productions, but the studio has yet to see any increase in inquiries, and the terms of the new bill are intended to promote small-scale productions and video game design, not just features.

The big message from AFS to the attendees was that the sublease is not a done deal. Due to the scale of the improvements, it has to go back to council, and AFS still welcomes other proposals. "If anyone wants to rent stage four," said Director of Operations Catherine Parrington, "call me."

*The Chronicle initially reported that Austin Film Society's lease with the city was newly signed. The contract is in fact pending. The Chronicle regrets the error.