1 00:00:08,590 --> 00:00:10,589 A $25 million contract between 2 00:00:10,590 --> 00:00:12,029 the City of Austin and the Long 3 00:00:12,030 --> 00:00:13,829 Center is under scrutiny over how 4 00:00:13,830 --> 00:00:16,089 the public money is being spent. 5 00:00:16,090 --> 00:00:17,589 The contracts and the fees inside it 6 00:00:17,590 --> 00:00:19,309 are tied to the city's cultural arts 7 00:00:19,310 --> 00:00:21,149 grants program, raising questions 8 00:00:21,150 --> 00:00:23,549 about transparency and oversight, 9 00:00:23,550 --> 00:00:25,469 the details of the contract, 10 00:00:25,470 --> 00:00:27,309 and Texas Republicans have 11 00:00:27,310 --> 00:00:29,129 revived anti-Muslim messaging 12 00:00:29,130 --> 00:00:31,209 in races across the state as early 13 00:00:31,210 --> 00:00:32,809 voting begins tomorrow. 14 00:00:32,810 --> 00:00:34,229 It's a change in messaging from 15 00:00:34,230 --> 00:00:36,129 elections over the past decade or 16 00:00:36,130 --> 00:00:37,949 so. Why that's the case and what it 17 00:00:37,950 --> 00:00:39,809 could mean for elections coming up 18 00:00:39,810 --> 00:00:41,169 on today's show. 19 00:00:41,170 --> 00:00:43,069 The Austin Signal is a production 20 00:00:43,070 --> 00:00:45,189 of KUT News, hosted by 21 00:00:45,190 --> 00:00:46,319 Jerry Quijano. 22 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:48,159 Real love means working through the 23 00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:50,399 good, the bad, and the funny. 24 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:51,879 It's all explored in a mockumentary 25 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:53,619 from an Austin filmmaker that's 26 00:00:53,620 --> 00:00:54,699 premiering this week. 27 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:56,559 That conversation, coming up next 28 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:57,819 on Austin Signal. 29 00:01:08,430 --> 00:01:10,369 Howdy out there, this is Austin 30 00:01:10,370 --> 00:01:11,789 Signal. Thank you for starting the 31 00:01:11,790 --> 00:01:13,129 week off with us. 32 00:01:13,130 --> 00:01:14,709 I'm your host, Jerry Keconnell. 33 00:01:14,710 --> 00:01:16,729 Let's get started with today's 34 00:01:16,730 --> 00:01:17,509 show. 35 00:01:17,510 --> 00:01:19,669 There is new scrutiny on a $25 36 00:01:19,670 --> 00:01:21,569 million contract between the city of 37 00:01:21,570 --> 00:01:23,449 Austin and the Long Center, which 38 00:01:23,450 --> 00:01:25,389 has, for the past three years, been 39 00:01:25,390 --> 00:01:27,169 running the city's cultural arts 40 00:01:27,170 --> 00:01:28,349 grants program. 41 00:01:28,350 --> 00:01:30,469 Now some city staffers are raising 42 00:01:30,470 --> 00:01:31,809 some questions. 43 00:01:31,810 --> 00:01:33,809 For more, we are talking with Andrea 44 00:01:33,810 --> 00:01:35,309 Balshi as the growth and development 45 00:01:35,310 --> 00:01:37,609 reporter for Austin Current, KUT's 46 00:01:37,610 --> 00:01:38,399 collaborator. 47 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:40,139 On the Austin Signal and a partner 48 00:01:40,140 --> 00:01:41,959 with KUT's newsroom in 49 00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:43,119 covering the city. 50 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:44,319 Andrea, thank you for coming back on 51 00:01:44,320 --> 00:01:45,159 the show. 52 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:46,169 Thank you for having me. 53 00:01:46,170 --> 00:01:48,229 So, you put this 54 00:01:48,230 --> 00:01:50,049 contract under some scrutiny, you 55 00:01:50,050 --> 00:01:51,069 reviewed the contract, what stood 56 00:01:51,070 --> 00:01:52,070 out to you? 57 00:01:52,790 --> 00:01:55,009 I think what is great 58 00:01:55,010 --> 00:01:57,989 about this contract in 59 00:01:57,990 --> 00:01:59,829 terms of reading it is that 60 00:01:59,830 --> 00:02:02,389 it breaks down by 61 00:02:02,390 --> 00:02:04,269 hour how 62 00:02:04,270 --> 00:02:06,349 much each task costs. 63 00:02:06,350 --> 00:02:08,049 And that's not something you always 64 00:02:08,050 --> 00:02:09,809 see in contracts. 65 00:02:09,810 --> 00:02:12,169 These types of contracts are, 66 00:02:12,170 --> 00:02:13,169 according to what I have seen, 67 00:02:13,170 --> 00:02:15,069 according the expert I consulted, 68 00:02:15,070 --> 00:02:15,989 they're unusual. 69 00:02:15,990 --> 00:02:17,369 They're not unheard of. 70 00:02:17,370 --> 00:02:19,589 They're like absolutely dinosaurs 71 00:02:19,590 --> 00:02:21,050 here. That's not what it is. 72 00:02:22,350 --> 00:02:24,229 They are usually 73 00:02:24,230 --> 00:02:25,769 contracts with cities. 74 00:02:25,770 --> 00:02:27,829 They usually set a flat fee 75 00:02:27,830 --> 00:02:30,469 or a percentage. 76 00:02:30,470 --> 00:02:31,470 That way it says, 77 00:02:32,410 --> 00:02:34,329 okay, contractor, I want these 78 00:02:34,330 --> 00:02:35,349 deliverables. 79 00:02:35,350 --> 00:02:37,629 I want this kind of transparency. 80 00:02:37,630 --> 00:02:39,569 I want kind of 81 00:02:39,570 --> 00:02:40,570 reporting. 82 00:02:41,330 --> 00:02:42,669 However you get there, you get 83 00:02:42,670 --> 00:02:45,548 their, but stay under 10%. 84 00:02:45,549 --> 00:02:47,209 This did not do that. 85 00:02:47,210 --> 00:02:48,909 And that's what struck me. 86 00:02:48,910 --> 00:02:50,929 And when I looked at the 87 00:02:50,930 --> 00:02:52,269 numbers... 88 00:02:52,270 --> 00:02:54,109 As a lay person, I said, 89 00:02:54,110 --> 00:02:56,509 I don't understand why it costs 90 00:02:56,510 --> 00:02:58,369 $54 to pay 91 00:02:58,370 --> 00:03:00,489 an assistant, a customer service 92 00:03:00,490 --> 00:03:01,429 person. 93 00:03:01,430 --> 00:03:03,689 Not that it's wrong, I just don't 94 00:03:03,690 --> 00:03:04,469 under stand. 95 00:03:04,470 --> 00:03:06,949 Why does it cost $250 to 96 00:03:06,950 --> 00:03:08,889 pull information for 97 00:03:08,890 --> 00:03:10,769 the city who owns the 98 00:03:10,770 --> 00:03:12,189 information? So, they were 99 00:03:12,190 --> 00:03:14,499 questions, not judgments. 100 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:16,039 And did those seem unusually high? 101 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:17,079 I mean, you said there's not a lot 102 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,019 of examples of this type of 103 00:03:19,020 --> 00:03:21,279 contract, but did those rates seem 104 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:23,139 exorbitantly high? 105 00:03:23,140 --> 00:03:24,979 And to me they did, but I'm just 106 00:03:24,980 --> 00:03:27,099 talking as a person who 107 00:03:27,100 --> 00:03:28,899 looks at the regular world and says, 108 00:03:28,900 --> 00:03:30,160 that sounds high. 109 00:03:32,640 --> 00:03:34,459 Communicated with the Long Center. 110 00:03:34,460 --> 00:03:36,060 They were very open. 111 00:03:37,180 --> 00:03:39,019 They were 112 00:03:39,020 --> 00:03:40,839 very articulate about 113 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:42,779 how they explained where 114 00:03:42,780 --> 00:03:44,379 they came up with these rates. 115 00:03:44,380 --> 00:03:46,679 And they continually said to me, 116 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:48,619 we're abiding by the contract. 117 00:03:48,620 --> 00:03:50,199 The city approved this. 118 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:51,419 This was intentional. 119 00:03:51,420 --> 00:03:53,319 And the reason we did it, the reason 120 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:55,419 why it might seem high to you 121 00:03:55,420 --> 00:03:57,559 is because we're not just using 122 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,499 four people who are paid 123 00:03:59,500 --> 00:04:01,479 under this contract to 124 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:02,709 do this work. 125 00:04:02,710 --> 00:04:04,529 We have dozens of people at 126 00:04:04,530 --> 00:04:06,709 the Long Center who can contribute 127 00:04:06,710 --> 00:04:08,569 to this work as part of their daily 128 00:04:08,570 --> 00:04:09,369 duties. 129 00:04:09,370 --> 00:04:11,589 That's how we keep the overhead low 130 00:04:11,590 --> 00:04:13,629 for the city. 131 00:04:13,630 --> 00:04:15,409 Problematically, with these types of 132 00:04:15,410 --> 00:04:17,648 contracts is that they take a 133 00:04:17,649 --> 00:04:18,989 lot of scrutiny. 134 00:04:18,990 --> 00:04:21,229 And you have a government agency 135 00:04:21,230 --> 00:04:23,229 trying to oversee a contract 136 00:04:23,230 --> 00:04:26,009 with limited people, 137 00:04:26,010 --> 00:04:27,949 sometimes it doesn't 138 00:04:27,950 --> 00:04:30,119 go as tightly, as one would hope. 139 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:31,379 And through your reporting, what did 140 00:04:31,380 --> 00:04:33,379 you hear about the experience of 141 00:04:33,380 --> 00:04:34,539 running this program through the 142 00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:36,099 Long Center for these last three 143 00:04:36,100 --> 00:04:38,139 years, maybe compared to years 144 00:04:38,140 --> 00:04:39,719 past for artists who were 145 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:40,809 participating in it? 146 00:04:40,810 --> 00:04:43,289 Yeah, I heard, you 147 00:04:43,290 --> 00:04:44,569 know, there were secret sources 148 00:04:44,570 --> 00:04:46,489 buzzing in the ears, you know, 149 00:04:46,490 --> 00:04:48,509 talking about this and that later. 150 00:04:48,510 --> 00:04:50,549 But I also did hear from 151 00:04:50,550 --> 00:04:52,589 people, hey, we are getting our 152 00:04:52,590 --> 00:04:54,769 checks cut much faster. 153 00:04:54,770 --> 00:04:57,009 It is much more efficient than 154 00:04:57,010 --> 00:04:58,909 it was under the city in terms 155 00:04:58,910 --> 00:05:00,549 of getting our money. 156 00:05:00,550 --> 00:05:02,369 Now, if you're a musician and you 157 00:05:02,370 --> 00:05:04,489 have bills to pay, that's 158 00:05:04,490 --> 00:05:05,689 really important. 159 00:05:05,690 --> 00:05:07,189 They're not messing with contracts. 160 00:05:07,190 --> 00:05:08,989 They don't care about that unless 161 00:05:08,990 --> 00:05:09,990 you are. 162 00:05:10,950 --> 00:05:12,949 Really having questions, and there 163 00:05:12,950 --> 00:05:14,829 were people having questions and 164 00:05:14,830 --> 00:05:16,439 they came to me. 165 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:17,539 In your story, you mentioned that 166 00:05:17,540 --> 00:05:19,259 this is important, or why does this 167 00:05:19,260 --> 00:05:20,279 matter right now? 168 00:05:20,280 --> 00:05:21,479 Can you tell us about what's coming 169 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:22,569 up next month? 170 00:05:22,570 --> 00:05:23,409 Yeah. 171 00:05:23,410 --> 00:05:25,449 So in 172 00:05:25,450 --> 00:05:27,389 April, so this is a 173 00:05:27,390 --> 00:05:29,249 contract that has a 174 00:05:29,250 --> 00:05:31,409 five year period of possible 175 00:05:31,410 --> 00:05:32,529 length. 176 00:05:32,530 --> 00:05:33,929 So you have your master contract, 177 00:05:33,930 --> 00:05:35,049 which is, thank you for doing the 178 00:05:35,050 --> 00:05:36,989 work. We will revisit in a year and 179 00:05:36,990 --> 00:05:38,989 we will extend 180 00:05:38,990 --> 00:05:39,969 it. 181 00:05:39,970 --> 00:05:41,849 So it can go up to five 182 00:05:41,850 --> 00:05:44,289 years for $100,000. 183 00:05:44,290 --> 00:05:46,149 I do want to clarify something that 184 00:05:46,150 --> 00:05:47,589 I think some readers might have been 185 00:05:47,590 --> 00:05:49,689 a little bit misled by or whatever. 186 00:05:51,820 --> 00:05:53,919 Long Center does not get $25 million 187 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:55,719 to pocket. 188 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:57,079 That's not how it works. 189 00:05:57,080 --> 00:05:59,219 They are distributing like $23 190 00:05:59,220 --> 00:06:01,399 million in contracts and money 191 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:03,659 to the artists, 192 00:06:03,660 --> 00:06:05,719 the musicians, the dancers, 193 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:07,479 you know, the people out there 194 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:09,299 creating the art that 195 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:11,399 Austin is known for. 196 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:13,259 They are getting anywhere over 197 00:06:13,260 --> 00:06:15,159 the years between like a million and 198 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,039 a million five to administer 199 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:18,909 it. They're not running around with 200 00:06:18,910 --> 00:06:20,949 $25 million saying, whoopee, let's 201 00:06:20,950 --> 00:06:22,229 buy some new equipment. That's not 202 00:06:22,230 --> 00:06:23,129 what it is. 203 00:06:23,130 --> 00:06:24,949 And I think that even though we put 204 00:06:24,950 --> 00:06:26,789 it in the story, it's easy 205 00:06:26,790 --> 00:06:29,129 to misunderstand that. 206 00:06:29,130 --> 00:06:30,269 It was also mentioned in the story 207 00:06:30,270 --> 00:06:32,189 that the city had some leftover 208 00:06:32,190 --> 00:06:34,109 money from this grant program 209 00:06:34,110 --> 00:06:35,709 last year that it didn't distribute. 210 00:06:35,710 --> 00:06:36,979 Can you tell us more about that? 211 00:06:36,980 --> 00:06:38,979 So in 212 00:06:38,980 --> 00:06:40,799 2024, there were 213 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,739 some questions and concerns 214 00:06:42,740 --> 00:06:44,019 from the community we could all go 215 00:06:44,020 --> 00:06:45,939 back and read about how the 216 00:06:45,940 --> 00:06:46,939 grants were distributed. 217 00:06:46,940 --> 00:06:49,099 They were looking for transparency. 218 00:06:49,100 --> 00:06:51,019 We also had a lot of different 219 00:06:51,020 --> 00:06:52,939 departments, not just the 220 00:06:52,940 --> 00:06:55,339 economic development department, 221 00:06:55,340 --> 00:06:56,819 but a lot different people all over 222 00:06:56,820 --> 00:06:58,219 the place kind of had their fingers 223 00:06:58,220 --> 00:07:00,099 in this. And so what the city 224 00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:02,079 decided to do was to create this 225 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:04,439 one group called ACME, and 226 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:06,629 they're in charge of 227 00:07:06,630 --> 00:07:07,829 cultural arts. 228 00:07:07,830 --> 00:07:09,829 And so when they 229 00:07:09,830 --> 00:07:12,269 came in as a new department, 230 00:07:12,270 --> 00:07:14,249 they said, okay, as 231 00:07:14,250 --> 00:07:16,849 a New Department, hearing concerns, 232 00:07:16,850 --> 00:07:18,809 we're not gonna give out most 233 00:07:18,810 --> 00:07:20,069 of the grants this year. 234 00:07:20,070 --> 00:07:22,089 We're gonna go to musicians. 235 00:07:22,090 --> 00:07:24,209 We're going to go to 236 00:07:24,210 --> 00:07:25,949 venues. We're go to promoters. 237 00:07:25,950 --> 00:07:28,109 We're to talk to other folks and 238 00:07:28,110 --> 00:07:30,209 determine if we are doing this 239 00:07:30,210 --> 00:07:30,989 the best way. 240 00:07:30,990 --> 00:07:31,769 Do we need to change our 241 00:07:31,770 --> 00:07:32,729 applications? 242 00:07:32,730 --> 00:07:34,349 Do we to change the way we oversee 243 00:07:34,350 --> 00:07:36,110 things? So, you have 244 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:38,719 a bunch of money, let's just say for 245 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:40,679 the live music fund, 246 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,879 which is supposed to come out next, 247 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:43,819 the winners are supposed to be 248 00:07:43,820 --> 00:07:44,899 announced next month. 249 00:07:46,260 --> 00:07:48,819 When you have money that 250 00:07:48,820 --> 00:07:51,159 musicians were really hoping for 251 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,839 to keep them afloat, 252 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:55,539 that's hard. 253 00:07:55,540 --> 00:07:57,979 And so that's why those 254 00:07:57,980 --> 00:07:59,899 grants were not distributed at 255 00:07:59,900 --> 00:08:01,959 that time. So, people are 256 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:03,899 really looking forward to seeing 257 00:08:03,900 --> 00:08:05,820 how they do and if they get. 258 00:08:06,890 --> 00:08:09,029 That money. 259 00:08:09,030 --> 00:08:10,989 So, last year they 260 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:14,009 would have distributed $4.5 261 00:08:14,010 --> 00:08:15,849 million, but since the 262 00:08:15,850 --> 00:08:17,749 tax money from the hotel tax, which 263 00:08:17,750 --> 00:08:20,049 is what funds this, accumulated 264 00:08:20,050 --> 00:08:21,929 over last year, they're going to 265 00:08:21,930 --> 00:08:24,229 give out more money this year to 266 00:08:24,230 --> 00:08:26,249 try and compensate for what was 267 00:08:26,250 --> 00:08:27,389 not given. 268 00:08:27,390 --> 00:08:28,789 Yeah, and this story is in line with 269 00:08:28,790 --> 00:08:30,089 one we had last week about 270 00:08:30,090 --> 00:08:32,229 affordable housing for musicians on 271 00:08:32,230 --> 00:08:34,269 the east side of Austin as well. 272 00:08:34,270 --> 00:08:35,829 And we'll have a link to that story 273 00:08:35,830 --> 00:08:38,089 and Andrea's story as well at 274 00:08:38,090 --> 00:08:39,908 kut.org slash signal 275 00:08:39,909 --> 00:08:41,949 and in the show notes for today's 276 00:08:41,950 --> 00:08:42,749 podcast. 277 00:08:42,750 --> 00:08:44,048 We've been speaking with Andrea 278 00:08:44,049 --> 00:08:45,569 Ball. She is the growth and 279 00:08:45,570 --> 00:08:46,829 development reporter for Austin 280 00:08:46,830 --> 00:08:48,669 Current, KUT's collaborator 281 00:08:48,670 --> 00:08:50,189 on the Austin Signal and a partner 282 00:08:50,190 --> 00:08:52,189 with KUT newsroom in covering 283 00:08:52,190 --> 00:08:53,009 the city. 284 00:08:53,010 --> 00:08:54,089 Andrea, thank you for talking with 285 00:08:54,090 --> 00:08:55,510 us. Thank you so much for having me. 286 00:09:01,940 --> 00:09:03,699 The Islamic faith has become a 287 00:09:03,700 --> 00:09:05,219 talking point among Texas 288 00:09:05,220 --> 00:09:07,319 politicians, especially as we've 289 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:09,139 neared tomorrow's start to early 290 00:09:09,140 --> 00:09:11,039 voting in the primaries. 291 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:12,459 Forrest Wilder of Texas Monthly 292 00:09:12,460 --> 00:09:14,019 wrote about how Republican 293 00:09:14,020 --> 00:09:15,679 candidates are attacking their 294 00:09:15,680 --> 00:09:17,559 opponents by calling them soft 295 00:09:17,560 --> 00:09:19,199 on Islam and pushing their own 296 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:20,839 hard-line stance. 297 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:22,519 Texas Standard's David Brown spoke 298 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:24,339 with Wilder and starts by 299 00:09:24,340 --> 00:09:26,219 underscoring the headline and 300 00:09:26,220 --> 00:09:27,580 subhead to his story. 301 00:09:28,620 --> 00:09:30,479 Inside the Texas GOP's 302 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:32,499 anti-Muslim campaigning, 303 00:09:32,500 --> 00:09:34,019 with national prospects looking 304 00:09:34,020 --> 00:09:35,659 bleak for Republicans heading into 305 00:09:35,660 --> 00:09:37,479 the midterms, the party has dusted 306 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,979 off an old boogeyman. 307 00:09:39,980 --> 00:09:41,979 Say more about that. 308 00:09:41,980 --> 00:09:43,359 Republicans concerned about what 309 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:44,479 might happen here in the mid-terms? 310 00:09:45,810 --> 00:09:47,729 Yeah, that's right. 311 00:09:47,730 --> 00:09:49,449 You know, the midterms are never 312 00:09:49,450 --> 00:09:51,669 great for the party 313 00:09:51,670 --> 00:09:53,789 that's the president's, 314 00:09:53,790 --> 00:09:55,509 and also Trump's approval ratings 315 00:09:55,510 --> 00:09:57,329 are dropping, and some of the issues 316 00:09:57,330 --> 00:09:58,949 that were really salient for 317 00:09:58,950 --> 00:10:00,929 bringing Trump back to power 318 00:10:00,930 --> 00:10:02,449 are waning a bit. 319 00:10:02,450 --> 00:10:04,289 You know the border is quiet, 320 00:10:04,290 --> 00:10:05,809 that's thanks to Donald Trump, but 321 00:10:05,810 --> 00:10:07,249 the salience of that issue has 322 00:10:07,250 --> 00:10:09,389 decreased a bit And 323 00:10:09,390 --> 00:10:11,729 some of the panic around 324 00:10:11,730 --> 00:10:14,029 transgender issues has waned. 325 00:10:14,030 --> 00:10:15,609 And so I think it's not a 326 00:10:15,610 --> 00:10:17,529 coincidence that you're seeing 327 00:10:17,530 --> 00:10:19,809 some of these fears about 328 00:10:19,810 --> 00:10:22,029 the so-called Islamification come 329 00:10:22,030 --> 00:10:23,889 back to the fore as a campaign 330 00:10:23,890 --> 00:10:25,769 issue, a flash point 331 00:10:25,770 --> 00:10:27,699 for Republican candidates. 332 00:10:27,700 --> 00:10:29,139 I want to underscore something 333 00:10:29,140 --> 00:10:30,879 because I can remember—this gets to 334 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:32,699 the boogeyman comment that's 335 00:10:32,700 --> 00:10:34,279 in your story—I can remember when 336 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:35,679 anti-Islamic rhetoric was a 337 00:10:35,680 --> 00:10:37,039 political talking point in the wake 338 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:39,039 of 9-11 and for many years 339 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:39,919 after. 340 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:41,779 But you know, we're talking about 341 00:10:41,780 --> 00:10:43,439 20 years or more ago. 342 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:45,219 Why do some politicians in Texas 343 00:10:45,220 --> 00:10:47,439 think Islam has political salience 344 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:49,869 now in 2026? 345 00:10:49,870 --> 00:10:51,429 Yeah, it is a little strange, right, 346 00:10:51,430 --> 00:10:53,149 because after 9-11, I mean, it's not 347 00:10:53,150 --> 00:10:54,969 hard to figure out why there 348 00:10:54,970 --> 00:10:58,209 would be a panic around 349 00:10:58,210 --> 00:11:00,029 radical Islam in 350 00:11:00,030 --> 00:11:01,389 the wake of 9-Eleven terrorist 351 00:11:01,390 --> 00:11:02,369 attacks. 352 00:11:02,370 --> 00:11:04,449 Now it seems a little stranger, 353 00:11:04,450 --> 00:11:06,389 but I think it has to do, it ties 354 00:11:06,390 --> 00:11:08,389 in with broader fears about 355 00:11:08,390 --> 00:11:09,390 immigration. 356 00:11:10,430 --> 00:11:12,129 The fact of the matter is Muslims in 357 00:11:12,130 --> 00:11:13,989 Texas remain a small 358 00:11:13,990 --> 00:11:15,809 minority group, about 2% of the 359 00:11:15,810 --> 00:11:17,859 state. However, 360 00:11:17,860 --> 00:11:19,179 the percentage is growing, 361 00:11:19,180 --> 00:11:21,079 particularly in certain areas of 362 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:22,459 North Texas, Dallas, Fort Worth, 363 00:11:22,460 --> 00:11:24,779 Houston, and also in Travis County. 364 00:11:24,780 --> 00:11:26,859 And some of the visibility has 365 00:11:26,860 --> 00:11:28,819 increased. For example, there's 366 00:11:28,820 --> 00:11:30,639 Ismaili Center, 367 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:33,099 this 150,000 square foot 368 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:35,139 facility for the Ismailie 369 00:11:35,140 --> 00:11:37,079 Faith that opened in Houston. 370 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,059 Some schools in, for example, Collin 371 00:11:39,060 --> 00:11:41,039 County have, or neighborhoods 372 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,059 have large populations of 373 00:11:43,060 --> 00:11:44,379 South Asian immigrants, many of whom 374 00:11:44,380 --> 00:11:45,299 are Muslim. 375 00:11:45,300 --> 00:11:46,319 And so I think. 376 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:48,339 For some people, that's scary. 377 00:11:48,340 --> 00:11:49,479 And so you see politicians 378 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:51,459 capitalizing on that and trying to 379 00:11:51,460 --> 00:11:52,649 get these lots of the polls. 380 00:11:52,650 --> 00:11:54,529 Is there any evidence that this is 381 00:11:54,530 --> 00:11:56,789 messaging that's being orchestrated 382 00:11:56,790 --> 00:11:59,109 in some way by Texas Republicans 383 00:11:59,110 --> 00:12:00,969 or are we talking about 384 00:12:00,970 --> 00:12:02,569 individual candidates seizing on 385 00:12:02,570 --> 00:12:05,749 something that they think could 386 00:12:05,750 --> 00:12:07,239 benefit them? 387 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:08,539 Well, I don't think it's like 388 00:12:08,540 --> 00:12:09,779 everyone gets in a room and decides 389 00:12:09,780 --> 00:12:11,479 on this. I think it really, 390 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:14,499 the dynamic is that they 391 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:16,639 do polling, they figure out where 392 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:18,299 Republican base voters are. 393 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:19,239 Cause keep in mind, we have a 394 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:20,599 Republican primary coming up. 395 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:22,039 So a lot of this is about the 396 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:23,919 Republican primary, not necessarily 397 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:25,159 the general. 398 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:26,499 And then, you know, everyone gets 399 00:12:26,500 --> 00:12:28,019 the memo, not in a literal sense, 400 00:12:28,020 --> 00:12:29,399 but they all kind of figure out this 401 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:30,899 is what we're running on this 402 00:12:30,900 --> 00:12:32,879 season. Now, to be fair, some people 403 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,079 have been on the Muslim bashing 404 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:36,239 kick for a long time. 405 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:37,639 They're not Johnny Come Lately's 406 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:38,579 other candidates. 407 00:12:38,580 --> 00:12:39,979 They're a little late to the game, 408 00:12:39,980 --> 00:12:40,959 right? They're just kind of jumping 409 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,079 on the bandwagon now because it's 410 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:44,079 the thing that might help get them 411 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:45,080 elected. 412 00:12:45,370 --> 00:12:47,429 Texas has a rather 413 00:12:47,430 --> 00:12:49,529 large and growing Muslim population. 414 00:12:49,530 --> 00:12:51,069 I think the Texas Almanac said it 415 00:12:51,070 --> 00:12:53,569 was something like 400,000 416 00:12:53,570 --> 00:12:54,789 one of the largest that would make 417 00:12:54,790 --> 00:12:56,209 it one of largest Muslim communities 418 00:12:56,210 --> 00:12:57,349 in the u.s. 419 00:12:57,350 --> 00:12:58,829 What about people in those 420 00:12:58,830 --> 00:13:00,689 communities is there any sign this 421 00:13:00,690 --> 00:13:02,689 could backfire against Republicans 422 00:13:02,690 --> 00:13:03,939 in November? 423 00:13:03,940 --> 00:13:05,499 Yeah, it's interesting because, you 424 00:13:05,500 --> 00:13:07,019 know, it looks let's not generalize 425 00:13:07,020 --> 00:13:09,099 too much because Islam 426 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:10,079 is one of the world's great 427 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:11,719 religions. It's the practice by two 428 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:12,499 billion people. 429 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:15,559 It's a extremely diverse community. 430 00:13:15,560 --> 00:13:17,379 Not all Muslims are 431 00:13:17,380 --> 00:13:18,380 immigrants. 432 00:13:18,980 --> 00:13:20,299 So you don't want to overgeneralize. 433 00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:22,099 However, if you if you, if you take 434 00:13:22,100 --> 00:13:24,019 a broad view, it said it's 435 00:13:24,020 --> 00:13:25,739 a mixed community, community, 436 00:13:25,740 --> 00:13:27,679 politically tending to be 437 00:13:27,680 --> 00:13:28,879 social conservative. 438 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:30,559 There are many Muslims who are sort 439 00:13:30,560 --> 00:13:32,339 of natural Republicans who vote 440 00:13:32,340 --> 00:13:34,219 Republican and you know the 441 00:13:34,220 --> 00:13:35,959 folks that I talked to are as you 442 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:37,939 can imagine really upset about this 443 00:13:37,940 --> 00:13:39,559 I won't make any predictions about 444 00:13:39,560 --> 00:13:41,569 what it might do politically But 445 00:13:41,570 --> 00:13:43,509 I think that it's at 446 00:13:43,510 --> 00:13:45,329 a personal level, you know, this 447 00:13:45,330 --> 00:13:47,789 is pretty hurtful rhetoric. 448 00:13:47,790 --> 00:13:49,729 These are folks who were 449 00:13:49,730 --> 00:13:51,649 part of communities who are proud 450 00:13:51,650 --> 00:13:53,529 to be Texans, proud to Americans 451 00:13:53,530 --> 00:13:55,469 who are here for a reason 452 00:13:55,470 --> 00:13:56,869 and feel like they're being attacked 453 00:13:56,870 --> 00:13:58,609 for nothing that they've done other 454 00:13:58,610 --> 00:13:59,869 than their identity and their 455 00:13:59,870 --> 00:14:00,870 existence. 456 00:14:01,740 --> 00:14:03,599 That was Texas Monthly's Forrest 457 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:05,279 Wilder speaking with Texas Standard 458 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:06,859 host David Brown. 459 00:14:06,860 --> 00:14:07,739 We're going to have a link to 460 00:14:07,740 --> 00:14:09,999 Wilder's story at kut.org 461 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,579 slash signal. 462 00:14:11,580 --> 00:14:14,199 And in today's podcast, show notes. 463 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,179 We have more Austin Signal coming up 464 00:14:16,180 --> 00:14:17,439 after this break. 465 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:18,860 We will be right back with you. 466 00:14:29,940 --> 00:14:31,359 This is Austin Signal. 467 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:32,199 Welcome back. 468 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,119 Valentine's Day has come and gone, 469 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:36,019 but for some, the real love story 470 00:14:36,020 --> 00:14:38,099 happens all the days in 471 00:14:38,100 --> 00:14:40,079 between. The good, the bad, 472 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,639 and most importantly, the funny. 473 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:43,939 It's that deeper look that 474 00:14:43,940 --> 00:14:45,439 award-winning filmmaker Holly 475 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,539 Charles Pearson of Austin wanted to 476 00:14:47,540 --> 00:14:49,699 explore up on the big screen. 477 00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:51,899 Her new mockumentary rom-com, 478 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:54,099 Tying Knots, premieres tomorrow at 479 00:14:54,100 --> 00:14:55,579 the Millennium Youth Entertainment 480 00:14:55,580 --> 00:14:57,359 Complex in East Austin. 481 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,179 She spoke with host Myles 482 00:14:59,180 --> 00:15:00,599 Bloxson about the film. 483 00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:03,999 So this film is a mockumentary, 484 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,919 right? And I have to admit, 485 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:07,879 I've never even thought about what 486 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:09,319 that means before. 487 00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:10,739 So for people that might not be 488 00:15:10,740 --> 00:15:12,979 familiar, what is a Mockumentary and 489 00:15:12,980 --> 00:15:14,899 why was that the format that 490 00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:16,139 you decided to choose for this 491 00:15:16,140 --> 00:15:17,219 particular project? 492 00:15:17,220 --> 00:15:18,579 That's a great question. 493 00:15:18,580 --> 00:15:20,239 And so when you think about mocking 494 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,219 something, but also a documentary, 495 00:15:22,220 --> 00:15:24,059 it's this mashup of the two worlds 496 00:15:24,060 --> 00:15:25,799 that we love. We love narrative 497 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:28,119 action, like we love film, 498 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:29,919 we love cinema, but we also really 499 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:31,719 have the guilty pleasure of loving 500 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,059 reality TV and being able to 501 00:15:34,060 --> 00:15:35,999 listen to the confessionals and 502 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:36,859 hear what people were really 503 00:15:36,860 --> 00:15:37,879 thinking in the moment. 504 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,779 And sometimes to me, 505 00:15:39,780 --> 00:15:41,319 it's funnier what's setting in a 506 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:42,359 confessional when people are being 507 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:43,309 Honest? 508 00:15:43,310 --> 00:15:44,929 Than it is actually watching the 509 00:15:44,930 --> 00:15:46,189 action. And so I thought, man, this 510 00:15:46,190 --> 00:15:47,409 is a way to add some texture. 511 00:15:47,410 --> 00:15:48,749 That is so true. 512 00:15:48,750 --> 00:15:50,649 I have to say, like, yes, I do get 513 00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:52,689 a little bit of reality here and 514 00:15:52,690 --> 00:15:54,589 there. How did the idea 515 00:15:54,590 --> 00:15:56,569 for this short film come to you? 516 00:15:56,570 --> 00:15:58,629 Like, was this any, like 517 00:15:58,630 --> 00:16:00,369 real life inspiration possibly 518 00:16:00,370 --> 00:16:01,789 behind this? 519 00:16:01,790 --> 00:16:03,829 I owe my husband 520 00:16:03,830 --> 00:16:06,909 a whole lot of money coming 521 00:16:06,910 --> 00:16:08,589 up with a lot of these ideas. 522 00:16:08,590 --> 00:16:10,589 I was a 523 00:16:10,590 --> 00:16:11,769 later bride. 524 00:16:11,770 --> 00:16:13,369 I was the late bloomer in that 525 00:16:13,370 --> 00:16:15,349 department. We got married right 526 00:16:15,350 --> 00:16:17,369 before I turned 40 years old, 527 00:16:17,370 --> 00:16:18,789 and so that means I was very 528 00:16:18,790 --> 00:16:20,729 established. I was set in my ways, 529 00:16:20,730 --> 00:16:21,749 as was he. 530 00:16:21,750 --> 00:16:24,309 And so there's 531 00:16:24,310 --> 00:16:26,429 just, there's some hilarity and 532 00:16:26,430 --> 00:16:27,559 some levity. 533 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,459 And just a whole lot of 534 00:16:29,460 --> 00:16:30,779 good stuff to write about when you 535 00:16:30,780 --> 00:16:32,699 think about folks over the age of 536 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:34,999 40 trying to, I 537 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,939 guess, merge their lives together. 538 00:16:36,940 --> 00:16:38,939 And so I thought, man, this reminds 539 00:16:38,940 --> 00:16:41,539 me so much of traditional sitcoms, 540 00:16:41,540 --> 00:16:42,919 where there's always, week to week, 541 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:44,239 there's some sort of situational 542 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:45,959 drama or comedy. 543 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,479 And what drew you to create a film 544 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:48,109 that centered 545 00:16:48,110 --> 00:16:50,029 Black love how important 546 00:16:50,030 --> 00:16:50,939 is that? 547 00:16:50,940 --> 00:16:52,759 You know, I think that we've gotten 548 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:55,219 really, really used to 549 00:16:55,220 --> 00:16:57,379 centering black 550 00:16:57,380 --> 00:16:58,499 trauma. 551 00:16:58,500 --> 00:16:59,959 You know all of this, what some 552 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:01,279 people will call like this trauma 553 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,499 porn, drama born thing 554 00:17:03,500 --> 00:17:04,999 when it comes to black love and 555 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,078 black life and what social 556 00:17:06,079 --> 00:17:07,739 oppression has actually done to the 557 00:17:07,740 --> 00:17:08,838 black family. We think about 558 00:17:08,839 --> 00:17:10,139 disenfranchisement and all these 559 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:11,979 things. But studies are showing 560 00:17:11,980 --> 00:17:13,338 that we're getting married, we're 561 00:17:13,339 --> 00:17:15,098 staying married, and we just so 562 00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:16,139 happen to be doing it a little bit 563 00:17:16,140 --> 00:17:17,559 later in life. So I thought it was 564 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:19,118 super important to show some 565 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:20,608 positive images. 566 00:17:20,609 --> 00:17:22,269 Love and people working things out 567 00:17:22,270 --> 00:17:23,509 in a way that doesn't have to be 568 00:17:23,510 --> 00:17:24,509 dramatic. It can actually be 569 00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:25,169 hilarious. 570 00:17:25,170 --> 00:17:26,449 That's very true. 571 00:17:26,450 --> 00:17:28,088 And in the film, you also touch on 572 00:17:28,089 --> 00:17:29,789 beauty standards within the black 573 00:17:29,790 --> 00:17:31,729 community. What made that an element 574 00:17:31,730 --> 00:17:33,489 you wanted to explore? 575 00:17:33,490 --> 00:17:35,429 I'll say this, the story is 576 00:17:35,430 --> 00:17:37,029 told, I'm a black woman, so of 577 00:17:37,030 --> 00:17:38,309 course I'm telling it specifically 578 00:17:38,310 --> 00:17:39,989 from my point of view. 579 00:17:39,990 --> 00:17:41,349 Yes, it's about beauty standards, 580 00:17:41,350 --> 00:17:43,289 it's how a 581 00:17:43,290 --> 00:17:44,469 black women has to go out into the 582 00:17:44,470 --> 00:17:45,889 world to be accepted and wanting to 583 00:17:45,890 --> 00:17:48,149 be more accepted at home. 584 00:17:48,150 --> 00:17:50,009 But I think that any person 585 00:17:50,010 --> 00:17:51,669 who's ever been in love can relate 586 00:17:51,670 --> 00:17:52,979 to the fact that. 587 00:17:52,980 --> 00:17:54,939 Once it gets real, once you're 588 00:17:54,940 --> 00:17:55,959 at home, there are these 589 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:57,299 expectations that we kinda gotta 590 00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:58,599 throw out the window. 591 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:00,319 And I might need to slide that CPAP 592 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:01,699 machine on and you're gonna, you 593 00:18:01,700 --> 00:18:02,979 know, sometimes you're going to feel 594 00:18:02,980 --> 00:18:04,879 a few prickly hairs on my legs and 595 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:06,519 there's just a time for me to say, 596 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:08,619 hey, this is all of me and I can't 597 00:18:08,620 --> 00:18:10,139 present the fantasy all the time. 598 00:18:10,140 --> 00:18:12,159 And so we just so happen to see that 599 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,479 with this black couple who 600 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,359 starts off their marriage and he is 601 00:18:16,360 --> 00:18:17,999 used to seeing his woman's hair a 602 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:19,279 certain way, we'll say that without 603 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:20,559 ruining the full plot. 604 00:18:21,650 --> 00:18:23,089 That's so real, and that's so 605 00:18:23,090 --> 00:18:24,569 important. I've been talking with 606 00:18:24,570 --> 00:18:26,409 filmmaker, director, and creator 607 00:18:26,410 --> 00:18:28,249 of the mockumentary tying knots, 608 00:18:28,250 --> 00:18:29,829 Holly Charles Pearson, about her 609 00:18:29,830 --> 00:18:32,029 upcoming event on February 17th 610 00:18:32,030 --> 00:18:32,989 at the Millennium Youth 611 00:18:32,990 --> 00:18:34,489 Entertainment Complex. 612 00:18:34,490 --> 00:18:36,169 You have an incredible cast in this 613 00:18:36,170 --> 00:18:37,669 film. I have to say that. 614 00:18:37,670 --> 00:18:39,609 And casting couples, I'm sure that's 615 00:18:39,610 --> 00:18:41,449 not easy, but the couple 616 00:18:41,450 --> 00:18:43,529 you chose has such 617 00:18:43,530 --> 00:18:45,309 a natural chemistry. 618 00:18:45,310 --> 00:18:46,909 So can you tell us about your 619 00:18:46,910 --> 00:18:47,809 casting process? 620 00:18:47,810 --> 00:18:48,479 Yeah! 621 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,459 And let me say this, I 622 00:18:50,460 --> 00:18:52,119 do think that I was just really, 623 00:18:52,120 --> 00:18:53,739 really lucky. We were really, really 624 00:18:53,740 --> 00:18:55,579 blessed I was 625 00:18:55,580 --> 00:18:56,779 having this conversation with a 626 00:18:56,780 --> 00:18:58,199 friend the other day about how 627 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:00,219 difficult it is when you watch the 628 00:19:00,220 --> 00:19:01,979 pilot of your favorite show. 629 00:19:01,980 --> 00:19:04,259 Typically the first few episodes 630 00:19:04,260 --> 00:19:05,859 are a little wonky and people are 631 00:19:05,860 --> 00:19:07,579 trying to find their place. 632 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:09,839 And so I was 633 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:11,759 concerned, as any writer would 634 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:13,579 be, that how is this couple 635 00:19:13,580 --> 00:19:15,059 not only gonna be hilarious and find 636 00:19:15,060 --> 00:19:16,639 their comedic timing, but are they 637 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:18,199 gonna look like they're in love? 638 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:20,199 And so I really have to tip my 639 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,019 hat to Crystal Lester and 640 00:19:22,020 --> 00:19:23,919 Brandon Goss for just being really 641 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:24,859 amazing. 642 00:19:24,860 --> 00:19:26,859 We also, not only were 643 00:19:26,860 --> 00:19:28,539 they super talented, but we decided 644 00:19:28,540 --> 00:19:30,379 to be intentional about how 645 00:19:30,380 --> 00:19:31,539 we rehearsed and getting them 646 00:19:31,540 --> 00:19:33,279 comfortable with each other's bodies 647 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:34,359 and all of these different things, 648 00:19:34,360 --> 00:19:36,219 not just because there was 649 00:19:36,220 --> 00:19:37,859 a lot of slapstick comedy and 650 00:19:37,860 --> 00:19:39,699 physical comedy, but also 651 00:19:39,700 --> 00:19:40,639 because I wanted them to look 652 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:42,259 natural being able to hug each other 653 00:19:42,260 --> 00:19:43,499 and love one another. It was really, 654 00:19:43,500 --> 00:19:44,599 really important that they were 655 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,369 believable. And aspirational so that 656 00:19:46,370 --> 00:19:48,489 we could laugh at ourselves on 657 00:19:48,490 --> 00:19:50,039 screen. And I didn't mention this. 658 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:51,299 Earlier, but I had the opportunity 659 00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:52,079 to see the film. 660 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:53,359 That's clearly how I know that there 661 00:19:53,360 --> 00:19:54,659 was chemistry there, right? 662 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:55,719 A lot of chemistry. 663 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:56,919 Yeah, and it was perfect. 664 00:19:56,920 --> 00:19:57,920 Perfect editing, 665 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,159 like just comedy timing was 666 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:02,659 perfect as well. 667 00:20:02,660 --> 00:20:04,379 Yeah. So what challenges did you 668 00:20:04,380 --> 00:20:06,929 face while making this film, if any? 669 00:20:06,930 --> 00:20:09,009 So, I'll say this, there's 670 00:20:09,010 --> 00:20:10,849 the challenge, the 671 00:20:10,850 --> 00:20:12,609 common challenge that independent 672 00:20:12,610 --> 00:20:14,249 filmmakers have, right, just 673 00:20:14,250 --> 00:20:16,569 independent music, you know, 674 00:20:16,570 --> 00:20:18,689 a musician's, I mean, it's funding. 675 00:20:18,690 --> 00:20:20,529 But I'll this, I think there is 676 00:20:20,530 --> 00:20:21,849 a way to be respectful of your 677 00:20:21,850 --> 00:20:23,429 audience and not cut corners that 678 00:20:23,430 --> 00:20:25,389 are going to impact the quality of 679 00:20:25,390 --> 00:20:26,669 what you shoot. 680 00:20:26,670 --> 00:20:28,609 And so, what we had to do was 681 00:20:28,610 --> 00:20:30,489 just, we had do a lot 682 00:20:30,490 --> 00:20:32,329 of really strategic planning to make 683 00:20:32,330 --> 00:20:33,409 sure that. 684 00:20:33,410 --> 00:20:34,869 When folks see it, it doesn't look 685 00:20:34,870 --> 00:20:36,849 low budget, even if what we had 686 00:20:36,850 --> 00:20:38,669 to work with was a smaller budget 687 00:20:38,670 --> 00:20:39,969 than what we would have liked. 688 00:20:39,970 --> 00:20:42,249 And so it really was about inviting 689 00:20:42,250 --> 00:20:43,609 folks in to make sure that we're 690 00:20:43,610 --> 00:20:44,829 blocking, making sure that they're 691 00:20:44,830 --> 00:20:46,689 comfortable. And so a lot of that 692 00:20:46,690 --> 00:20:48,729 was flying in our talent from LA 693 00:20:48,730 --> 00:20:50,609 and it was spending a full 694 00:20:50,610 --> 00:20:52,449 eight hours on a 695 00:20:52,450 --> 00:20:54,149 20 page script. 696 00:20:54,150 --> 00:20:55,669 It was just making sure that by the 697 00:20:55,670 --> 00:20:57,509 time we shot and we're spending 698 00:20:57,510 --> 00:20:59,169 money, that we could get things 699 00:20:59,170 --> 00:21:01,189 done. We did it in over a weekend. 700 00:21:01,190 --> 00:21:03,459 We probably had about 13 hours. 701 00:21:03,460 --> 00:21:05,439 Total in our space, 702 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:06,539 which is unheard of. 703 00:21:06,540 --> 00:21:07,439 That's impressive. 704 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,099 It's impressive, but it was like 705 00:21:09,100 --> 00:21:10,079 theater and I do have a theater 706 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,199 background, so I've directed several 707 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:13,859 stage plays, written and directed. 708 00:21:13,860 --> 00:21:15,679 And so I'm so used to rehearsing 709 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:17,279 over and over and over so that it 710 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:19,099 becomes a part of your body and 711 00:21:19,100 --> 00:21:20,799 so it feels very fluid and movement. 712 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:22,839 And so that way, once we get on set, 713 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:24,719 you're not searching for anything, 714 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:26,499 except for a new way to maybe 715 00:21:26,500 --> 00:21:27,879 deliver the line that you're already 716 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:29,359 comfortable with. So a lot of it had 717 00:21:29,360 --> 00:21:30,639 to do with planning and so I would 718 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:32,219 encourage anyone doing anything 719 00:21:32,220 --> 00:21:33,209 independently. 720 00:21:33,210 --> 00:21:35,289 To rehearse, rehearse rehearse and 721 00:21:35,290 --> 00:21:37,469 have a plan A through Z and 722 00:21:37,470 --> 00:21:38,749 that's exactly what we did. 723 00:21:38,750 --> 00:21:40,029 And so we were able to save money 724 00:21:40,030 --> 00:21:41,749 that way. But that was a challenge 725 00:21:41,750 --> 00:21:43,829 that I think actually forced us into 726 00:21:43,830 --> 00:21:45,149 better planning. 727 00:21:45,150 --> 00:21:46,039 I love that for you. 728 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:47,239 And you're a planner, so. 729 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:48,029 That's great. 730 00:21:48,030 --> 00:21:49,289 Planner. 731 00:21:49,290 --> 00:21:50,989 And your event is coming up on 732 00:21:50,990 --> 00:21:53,009 February 17th, but it's not a 733 00:21:53,010 --> 00:21:54,469 typical film screening. 734 00:21:54,470 --> 00:21:56,209 So what can people actually expect 735 00:21:56,210 --> 00:21:57,719 if they attend the event? 736 00:21:57,720 --> 00:21:59,839 Yeah, no, I love having 737 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:01,279 fully immersive events. 738 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:03,359 I want you to come and watch 739 00:22:03,360 --> 00:22:05,179 a film and then have something to 740 00:22:05,180 --> 00:22:07,179 chew on, something to talk about. 741 00:22:07,180 --> 00:22:08,959 And so first of all, we're being 742 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:10,319 hosted. We're co-hosted by the 743 00:22:10,320 --> 00:22:12,459 National Black NBA Association 744 00:22:12,460 --> 00:22:14,239 of Austin, also the National Society 745 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:15,179 of Black Engineers. 746 00:22:15,180 --> 00:22:16,879 They are joining us as co- hosts. 747 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:18,459 They're having a VIP opening 748 00:22:18,460 --> 00:22:19,719 reception where they're networking 749 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:20,999 and having food, and then they're 750 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:22,759 gonna have a night at the theater. 751 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:23,760 We're also... 752 00:22:24,500 --> 00:22:26,699 Being supported and partnering with 753 00:22:26,700 --> 00:22:28,519 Water Your Plants, which is 754 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,519 a group of curators of intentional 755 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:31,659 events and they thought this was 756 00:22:31,660 --> 00:22:33,539 great because ultimately we're going 757 00:22:33,540 --> 00:22:35,359 to watch this film but then have 758 00:22:35,360 --> 00:22:37,379 an opportunity, right, during the 759 00:22:37,380 --> 00:22:38,939 centennial Black History Month 760 00:22:38,940 --> 00:22:41,199 because this year is our 100th 761 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,399 year and right after Valentine's 762 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:44,959 Day to say, hey, let's talk about 763 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:46,439 love and very specifically black 764 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:47,839 love. And so we're gonna play the 765 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:49,759 newlywed game, we're gotta have some 766 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:52,039 rom-com, black movie trivia, 767 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:53,719 we're do all of those things. 768 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:55,459 And finally, where can people go to 769 00:22:55,460 --> 00:22:57,059 learn more about the film and the 770 00:22:57,060 --> 00:22:57,939 event? 771 00:22:57,940 --> 00:23:00,279 On Instagram at tyingknotsfilm, 772 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:01,639 where you can learn more about the 773 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:02,879 screening and where we'll be after 774 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:03,880 this. 775 00:23:04,290 --> 00:23:06,489 That was award-winning filmmaker 776 00:23:06,490 --> 00:23:08,389 Holly Charles Pearson of 777 00:23:08,390 --> 00:23:10,409 Austin. She was talking with Miles 778 00:23:10,410 --> 00:23:12,289 Bloxson about her new film, a 779 00:23:12,290 --> 00:23:14,369 mockumentary romantic comedy called 780 00:23:14,370 --> 00:23:15,409 Tying Knots. 781 00:23:15,410 --> 00:23:17,569 Again, it premieres tomorrow at 782 00:23:17,570 --> 00:23:18,909 the Millennium Youth Entertainment 783 00:23:18,910 --> 00:23:20,529 Complex in East Austin. 784 00:23:20,530 --> 00:23:22,169 We're going to have a link with more 785 00:23:22,170 --> 00:23:24,449 information at kut.org 786 00:23:24,450 --> 00:23:26,449 slash signal and in 787 00:23:26,450 --> 00:23:28,369 today's podcast, Show Notes. 788 00:23:28,370 --> 00:23:30,489 And that is it for today's. 789 00:23:30,490 --> 00:23:32,409 Show. Thanks for starting the Monday 790 00:23:32,410 --> 00:23:34,609 here with us on Austin Signal. 791 00:23:34,610 --> 00:23:36,529 We will be here with you every 792 00:23:36,530 --> 00:23:38,769 weekday at 1 o'clock. 793 00:23:38,770 --> 00:23:40,729 Thank you to Kristen Cabrera and 794 00:23:40,730 --> 00:23:42,669 Rayna Sevilla for their help with 795 00:23:42,670 --> 00:23:44,169 today's episode. 796 00:23:44,170 --> 00:23:45,649 And I'm your host Jerry Kehannel. 797 00:23:45,650 --> 00:23:47,209 Thank you for spending some time 798 00:23:47,210 --> 00:23:49,349 here with. We'll talk to you 799 00:23:49,350 --> 00:23:50,350 tomorrow.