AUSTIN – Wow! This week has flown by, with every day having its own set of goals, but as we start to wind down, the only things left to do are enjoy your time and go to the movies! So, let’s get started with...

Day 4:

To start, we were gearing up for one of the events we wanted to try our hand at called the “Pitch-A-Thon,” where you get on stage in front of a series of judges and pitch your show. After you’re done, they critique you on the pitch and project itself.

Unfortunately, the event was only limited to five pitches, and they had already been picked weeks ahead of when we got there. This still helped us out a lot because we were able to watch the pitches others did. So, in a way, we’re prepping for next year.

We also got the chance to see “Arcadian” featuring Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, and Sadie Soverall. The film tells the story of a man working to raise his two sons to survive a post-apocalyptic nightmare. If you saw the last article, you will know that after screenings, the cast and crew come out for a Q&A. So, imagine the excitement of having the actors come out on stage including the legend himself, Nic Cage.

Taking “Project Highwayman” to SXSW - Day 2 & 3: Exiting The Wastelands

Being able to hear Cage and the crew talk about the craft of acting is definitely something to marvel at. I highly recommend the movie when it comes to theaters.

From there we decided to see another movie and we plotted our course to the Paramount to see Dev Patel’s directorial debut, “Monkey Man” from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. It would be the perfect way to end the night! We knew that there was going to be a long line, so we got there two hours ahead. But that might have been too late.

We got closer and closer to the venue, seeing the doors just within our reach, only to be told, moments before we walked in, that the theater was at capacity, and we would not be able to see the movie. Eventually, we made our way to the car and made it home where I crashed in bed after a sad end to the day. But that didn’t stop the momentum for...

Day 5:

The day started like most; getting up early and going to go see a movie! But this day was important because it was Bailey and Isaiah’s last day in Austin. So the one goal of the day was to hit as many movies as they possibly could! So we rushed to the Alamo Drafthouse and split up. Isaiah went to see “Bob Trevino Likes It” and when Jacob asked what he thought, Isaiah said he needed to think about it and immediately called his mom. It’s a coming-of-age film and based on Isaiah’s reaction, better bring the tissues and expect tears to run.

Jacob, Bailey, and I went to see Benjamin Finkel’s “Family”, which talked about a girl coming to terms with her father’s cancer diagnosis while dealing with the horror and pain that comes with caring for a sick parent. It was a story that hit closest to home and allowed me to feel everything that the director wanted me to feel so I made sure to thank Benjamin Finkel on the walk out.

From there, I went to hang out with my girlfriend and my friend visiting the city. I would meet up with Isaiah to go see a movie called “Kryptic” directed by Kourtney Roy. It was the most thought-provoking story we had seen all week with it not being at all linear and highly abstract. This is a film that usually comes out during the section called “Midnighters” which is where the most abstract films premiere. The film itself told a story about a woman looking to find a missing monster hunter. That is all I can tell you because that is all I knew going in.

Be careful though, the movie contains very sensitive material and mature themes. From there we ended the day and tried to sleep away the nightmares from that last movie. Then came the worst part of the trip on...

Day 6:

Taking “Project Highwayman” to SXSW - Day 0: The Long Road Ahead...

Our last time being together in person. Bailey was taken to the airport early in the morning and we dropped off Isaiah later in the day. I then took a little break from movies and spent time at the Creative Industry Expo and picked up some free stuff. From there, I decided to enjoy my Spring Break a little and enjoy some time with family and friends. So onto..

Day 7:

On this day, we would reclaim our pride by landing a front ticket to one of South By’s headline movies “Civil War”. The latest A24 film was directed by Alex Garland and stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Cailee Spaeny. The film is an alternate future story during a fictional second American Civil War which centers on a set of journalists making their way across a war-torn U.S.A.

Learning from our lesson, we got in line three hours ahead this time and were able to get floor seats. After the movie, Alex Garland spoke to us about why he decided to make journalists the stars of the movie. He said it was because they were the real heroes of the story. Showing the horrors of war both overseas and at our front door. The film is excellent and very poignant being released in a few weeks and during an election year. I believe it’s going to be a conversation starter for filmgoers. As long as we remember we have the power to keep this story from becoming reality.

Until then, I will see you next time for the conclusion of this little adventure I have been taking you on. Thank you for keeping up and for being patient with the upload schedule.

Be safe!