The Session: Austin’s Own Psychological Thriller

Austin, Texas is a great place for an indie filmmaker. We have multiple film festivals like the Austin Film Festival and South by Southwest. Enter The Session,  a film created by a group of  University of Texas students and graduates. They are a dedicated bunch of  artists who are carving their own way within the Texas film scene. They call themselves Red Herring Productions.

Currently the team is working day and night to craft a story they think can compete in the Texas film circuit.  “It’s a labor of love,” says producer Laura Herring. ” I’m doing it because I love making films. I’d say that it’s the general feeling of a good many people on this boat.”

Meet Laura. She’s a UT graduate and an awesome producer.

So What is The Session? Get This:

America is under attack. Some say terrorists, but others say it’s something else. Everybody is in a panic and nobody knows what’s going on. Amid the confusion and terror of a national threat, one therapist named Clara must unravel a mystery to bring it all into focus. One day Clara is assigned a patient whom she cannot see.

Every session of therapy must take place through a one-way glass mirror. Soon Clara realizes that her patient is involved with the national emergency. In fact, he may be the center of it. As this mysterious figure admits his plan to commit suicide in a matter of days, Clara learns that the fate of the whole country rests with him.

…Sounds awesome, eh? The film is shaping up to be something remarkable. Every member of Red Herring Productions is giving their all to make it so. Speaking to the filmmakers has given me a keen insight into the amount of passion and drive needed to put together a film for the Austin film circuit by later this year.

Being featured at SXSW or any similar film festival would put Red Herring Productions on the map. Ms. Herring describes it, “The job market is still pretty rough and even in the film world it can be pretty tough to land a paid gig for many of my fellow UT grads. By making this film, I’m essentially creating my own job.”

Red Herring Productions is an extremely dedicated team of artists from across the city.

I can’t help but think how people like Laura Herring and the her associates represent what is great about Austin and its artists. All it takes is a dream, some grit and a team of dedicated people to come together. National economy be damned. I can’t wait to see The Session hit screens when it wraps up in November. I am proud to see my fellow Austinites and Texas alums create something original in an industry marred by economic strife and bad 70’s remakes. I’m looking at you, Land of the Lost.

Supporting the Artists

I asked Laura Herring how I could get involved. With a small laugh, she fired back a few ways that the Austin community can show its support.

• Like Red Herring Productions on Facebook! Likes and comments feel good to overworked artists. It makes ’em feel appreciated. Plus, that’s where the crew will post their progress and behind-the-scene footage.
• Follow @RedHerringProds on Twitter! Every re-tweet helps spread their art to a larger audience. They’ve got the art. You’ve got the audience. Let’s make this happen.

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Dustin Vegas

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