Swarms of people flood the downtown streets of Congress rushing to the Paramount and other venues. Badges gleam in the sun as lines form waiting for the screenings to start.
The Austin Film Fest kicked off Oct. 23rd and like the years before Andrew Nourse took his animation classes to the festival exposing them to the great films and experiences it offers.
“Exposure, getting that feeling that there is a lot of people out there doing this stuff,” Nourse said. “Being in that environment can be very inspirational.”
Nourse said that he can use the festival and relate it back to the classroom to greater teach his students about crucial aspects of filmmaking.
“We are so used to seeing things on a computer or on TV but were not engaged were not there communicating with the people that are on the TV or video,” Nourse said.
“To actually be there and having the opportunity to voice an opinion or ask a question changes you, it lets you realize its real and that its not just a video or a TV show that it exists and that has an impact.”
Seeing animation in a new light is an important reason why Nourse sends his students to the festival.
“New knowledge of the industry and a new outlook and inspiration for future projects. The potential of collaborating and how students can grasp the idea of working together on an idea,” Nourse said.
By sending his students to the festival Nourse hopes to expand and expose his students to the bigger picture of the animation world.
“The panels are really cool and what I think taught us the most was actually seeing the films and doing the interviews with the people that made the films it really taught us a lot,” senior animation student Shrinath Rao said.
Seeing the films and talking with the filmmakers Rao said exposed him to a different level of filmmaking and animation.
“There was a movie called the ‘Dam Keeper’ the art style and technique really complimented each other,” Rao said.
Rao said that the film inspired him and was good for him to see.
“[The film festival] exposed us to different types of animation,” said senior Samantha Greybill. “I also learned that there is a lot more people in the animation business than I thought.”
The film festival taught the students new ideas and showed them a bigger picture of the industry.
“Having that feeling that I can be a creative person and actually base a career off of it and that Austin is a really cool town with a lot of opportunity and creative people,” Nourse said. “It’s always been a positive experience for my students.”