If you’re in the mood to support local indie filmmaking – and, c’mon, when are you not? – we highly recommend you stop by Scholz Garten (1607 San Jacinto) between 7:30 and 10 pm to drop some coin at a benefit fundraiser for 17-year-old filmmaker Emily Hagins upcoming horror/comedy My Sucky Teen Romance.
Hagins is already something of a legend in the Austin indie film community and beyond. She was only 12 when she directed the feature length zombie opus Pathogen, which in turn spawned the Slamdance/Fantastic Fest documentary fave Zombie Girl: The Movie, helmed by co-directors Justin Johnson, Aaron Marshall, and Erik Mauck.
Hagins’ sophomore effort, the downbeat ghoster The Retelling was by her own account a filmmaking experience plagued with more than its share of troubles, which led her to opt for comedy over horror – sort of – this time out. Currently in pre-production, Hagins is utilizing the online production fundraising site IndieGoGo.com with additional funding coming from you (yes, you!), her potential audience.
Tonight’s benefit features Austin singer-songwriter Elizabeth McQueen and, possibly, some stray zombies and/or teenage bloodsuckers (hey, you never know, right?)
From the event’s Facebook page:
Elizabeth McQueen, fronting her longtime band the Firebrands, will play a benefit show at Scholz’s Garden on Wednesday, July 21 to raise money for a local filmmaker and debut her new music video for “You’re To Blame”. The video, directed by teen filmmaker Emily Hagins, will be shown along with the trailer for Hagins’ upcoming feature, My Sucky Teen Romance.The movie, currently in production, is being financed through a grassroots fundraising effort. McQueen, a longtime supporter of Hagins’ films, offered to turn her show over to a benefit for the film. Besides the concert, there will be a silent auction of film and music items, including props used in Hagins’ first movie, Pathogen. There will also be a raffle to win a walk-on role in the new movie. The musical concert is free.
McQueen, whose regular gig is with Asleep At the Wheel will be rocking her new material from her soon-to-be-released “The Laziest Gal in Town”. Backing McQueen are the super-tight Firebrands: Andrew Nafziger on lead guitar, Lindsay Greene on bass, David Sanger on drums, Floyd Domino on piano, and Jonathan Doyle on saxophone and clarinet. Special guest Emily Gimble (piano) will be sitting in for the Scholz’s Garden show.
My Sucky Video Pitch from Emily Hagins on Vimeo.
This article appears in July 16 • 2010.