The University of Texas at Austin College of Communication faculty, students and alumni showcase work at South by Southwest
Associate Professor Andrew Garrison's "Trash Dance" illustrates beauty of garbage trucks, premieres at SXSW Film Conference and Festival
AUSTIN, Texas – March 9, 2012 – Each March, aspiring filmmakers travel thousands of miles to the South by Southwest® Film Conference and Festival (SXSW), vying to become noticed on an international scale. The University of Texas at Austin College of Communication community, on the other hand, typically walks only a few blocks to participate in the festival. This year, the College of Communication's Department of Radio-Television-Film faculty, students and alumni are screening at least 20 films at SXSW.
"Over the years, SXSW has interwoven organically with the UT Department of Radio-Television-Film," said Steve Mims, lecturer who received the 2011 Louis Black Award at SXSW for his film, "Incendiary: The Willingham Case." "Our students and faculty premiere work there and serve as volunteers. It’s a huge benefit to have such a dynamic event in proximity to the university. It's the kind of event that would easily be worth travel costs. SXSW is a huge asset to the department."
One of UT's key events is the world premiere of Associate Professor Andrew Garrison's "Trash Dance" at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at the Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. After the premiere, the director, producer and cinematographer will host a premiere party and RTF alumni gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. at Progress Coffee, 500 San Marcos St.
In "Trash Dance," Garrison and choreographer Allison Orr work with Austin sanitation workers and garbage trucks to create a dance performance. The film follows the daily lives of the employees and the rehearsal process that led to a final performance that features 16 trucks, 24 dancers, a piano, violin and cello.
Garrison hopes viewers will be entertained and moved by the film.
"It speaks about dignity of work and the way that the work we do can be a conscious act of beauty," Garrison said. "Art does not end at edge of a stage or a museum door. The film also introduces you to the people who do this work every day. You know public employees are sometimes attacked as living off taxpayers' money. You get to meet these people and see the effort they put into the job and their personal goals. I hope that makes a lasting impression."
