This year’s Austin Film Festival, the largest screenwriters’ conference in the world, features Nicole Gillette’s film “Across the Table,” and the weekend’s speaker lineup included screenwriting Professors John Strauss and Weiko Lin.
The nonprofit film festival began in 1994, with the purpose of recognizing the art of storytelling in film and television. It started on Oct. 26 and goes through Nov. 2, consisting of conferences and over 175 panels that range from roundtables, to pitch sessions, to workshops.
Gillette ’22, who earned her degree in film and television production, created her thesis film “Across the Table” during fall 2020. “I wrote the script my junior year, and I wanted to make it into a film but hadn’t really taken any steps to do so until the summer of 2021,” Gillette said. “I was initially just going to shoot it as a passion project, but it became something bigger.”
“Across the Table” comedically follows sisters, Sam and Johanna, who find out a new boyfriend, Harry, who was brought to the family dinner has history with the other sister.
“I tend to write stories about family dynamics and draw inspiration from the nuance of dynamics.” Gillette said about the film’s inspiration. “It came from the idea of two opposites being trapped in a room together, how they escalate the tension, and how they get out of it.”
Surprisingly, Gillette did not plan to take this film any further than a class project. “I wrote this script as part of one of my screenwriting classes, and it was just an additional assignment given by a professor to write for fun with no limitations,” said Gillette. “It was so well loved by my professor that he said, ‘We need to make this.’”
Once Gillette spoke to producers and gathered a crew to make it happen, she quickly got the ball rolling. “Across the Table” was developed in December 2021, shot during March of 2022, and went through the post-production process shortly after, finishing up in May.
Being from Texas, Gillette knew of the festival, but having her work noticed among many submissions still shocks her. “I was really excited that my first selection was from my home state,” Gillette said enthusiastically. “It’s a pretty exciting thing because I didn’t think I’d be able to get in a festival like that. I was elated.”
Gillette isn’t the only LMU face at the Austin Film Festival. John Strauss, LMU’s assistant professor of screenwriting, hosted two panels: “The Room Where It Happens” and “The Arts, Craft, and Business of Film & Television.”
“It’s always exciting when people gather from all different walks of an industry,” said Strauss, “and I really don’t know what to expect going into it. The great thing about festivals like this is that you can meet people who will change your life. I urge my students to attend as many events as possible.”
Strauss hopes to make connections and lasting relationships while at the festival, and he is also determined to help make a name for LMU’s School of Film and Television and our film students. “I want more of our students winning awards and being in festivals,” he emphasized. “I would love to see LMU continue to get recognized for the incredible talent that’s in our midst.”
Associate Professor of Screenwriting Lin was also prepared to present two panels over the weekend, both roundtables on the art, craft, and business of film and television. However, he was unable to attend.
Not only are Austin Film Festival participants rewarded for their work, but they are provided with immense mentorship and guidance through the nitty gritty of the film industry.
“[The festival] covers everything from directing, to screenwriting, to business related things, which I didn’t get much exposure to until the end of college” Gillette explained. “It’s also helpful for networking with people across the country and being around other emerging filmmakers.”
As the days throughout the festival progress, Gillette will find herself learning more about the industry that she is greatly passionate about.
“My best work comes from when I’m not trying to make something that someone else has already made, not trying to appeal to a crowd, and pouring my heart into it” Gillette expressed.
No matter how many words Gillette will have to write for a script in her career, she has three phrases that will always stick with her: “love yourself, love other people, love the craft.”
