Ah, synergy, that mystical commingling of the good with the better to create the best. At least that’s how I think it works. Austin, a town where not having your own Web site and/or short film marks one as being so out of the loop that you might as well pack it in and move to the hinterlands of Amarillo, is on the receiving end of yet another powerful dose of the film/multimedia elixir of the gods, this time courtesy of those relentlessly forward-thinking folks at AntEye.com. Based in L.A., AntEye “is designed to inspire content creators to develop and submit different genres of programming” — short films or videos in categories such as action, animation, comedy, documentary, drama, erotica, and others — which will run as streaming video on their Web site where other creators and surf-in viewers will then be able vote on them. The hook? AntEye is offering 32 (!) production deals to create “pilot” programming, each budgeted up to $100K, and digital film production deals, budgeted up to $250K, with the pilots to be sold to studios or used as content on the AntEye Web site. What does this mean to you, the struggling, cash-strapped video auteur? Simply put, a chance (or two, or 32) to turn pro literally overnight, or at the very least to get an A.D.-One-clad foot in the door. Streaming submission sites aren’t all that new anymore, but unlike others, AntEye appears to have the backing to take prospective content providers beyond that all-important first step of having their work seen by the public. To that end, the AntEye RV — a “mobile digital studio” — is in town through April 14, and will be at the Millennium Center (1156 Hargrave), 3-5pm today, April 7. (After that they’re hanging at 2703 Guadalupe (April 9-11) and at the 2100 block of Guadalupe (April 12-14). Much more information on the company and their nefarious scheme to help you get rich and famous overnight is available at http://www.anteye.com… In a marginally related note, Austin Cinemaker Co-op is presenting a salon titled Frame By Frame: The Art and Technique of Film Animation, Sun., April 16, 5-9pm, at the ArtPlex (1705 Guadalupe), featuring hands-on animation techniques taught by the likes of Bob Sabiston (Flat Black Films) and Ben Davis (Conduit). Admission is $7 general/$3.50 for Cinemaker members. Questions? Call 236-8877 or e-mail cinmakr@texas.net… Barna Kantor‘s Center for Young Cinema is presenting its second semester-end screening of new student works at the Alamo Drafthouse, Sun., April 9, 11am. The program will showcase eight student films ranging from narrative to experimental pieces shot on Hi-8 video, mini DV, and Super-8 film. Admission is $3. For more info, call 469-0114 or e-mail cyc@501studios.com… Frankly, I know for a fact that bongos don’t carry well underwater (don’t ask), but that doesn’t appear to be stopping Matthew McConaughey, the Austin Film Society, and The Austin Chronicle, who are co-sponsoring a screening of the actor’s new, presumably bongo-free WWII submarine epic U-571 at the Metropolitan Theater, April 20, 8pm. The event is a benefit for the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund, an annual grant which since 1986 has awarded $180,000 to 81 emerging filmmakers. Tickets are going fast at $125 (with private reception) or $15 (with slightly less private reception) to Film Society members. Tickets will be available to the public for $20 starting April 13. (At only $20 a year, we suggest you scurry out and join AFS ASAP).
This article appears in April 7 • 2000.