Austin's SXSW Festivals

Posted by Linda J Bottjer Mar 5, 2007

If you possess a talent you understand the occasional need to be around people who think like you.

Nothing wrong with your family and friends - but Uncle Bud who spent 40 years at the one accounting firm doing basically the same thing day after day, year after year is never going to appreciate your doodling storyboards drawn during dull quarterly meetings.

Same thing with your sister Sue, who urges you to forget your music, and get a county job for the benefits but never mentions the mind numbing boredom! Or Fred, your college buddy, who urges you to quit messing with trying to create the next great game software and put all your money in high yielding bond securities instead.

All well meaning folks but non understand the basic principal of an artist. When the muses call – they need to be answered!

Luckily, with world-wide participation in over 50 venues from March 9 –18th, the SXSW (South by Southwest) festivals can help you claim, enhance and market your calling.

Most events require advance paid registration – but some are available for walkup fees and others, podcasted daily, are free.

What kind of information is offered?

Here’s a random sampling;

FILM PANELS

· A conversation with Bill Paxton

· Mini talks on screenwriting, editing, directing actors and casting

· Latino filmmaking

· Building an online fan base

INTERACTIVE PANELS

· The real story behind Snakes on a Plane

· Getting a job in the game industry

· Using RSS for marketing

· Bootstrap your startup

MUSIC PANELS

· Keynote – Pete Townshend

· Touring on a shoestring budget

· Interview with Emmy Lou Harris

· A field guide to indie labels

FILM SCREENINGS:

· Monkey Warfare

· Them

· Mulberry St.

BANDS

· Cyril Neville and Tribe 13

· Gutta Gang

· Debate

· Pagoda

Also the Interactive and Film (IF!) trade fair offers more solutions and stimulation to whatever your muse is whispering in your ear.

For more info: http://2007.sxsw.com/