How big is the Film scene in Houston? (Dallas, Austin: job transfer, theatre)

[CA Dreamer]

Hi everyone,

I currently live in Dallas and am looking to move in Houston for the short-term prior to moving to LA in a couple years. I am currently applying for a job down in Houston but I have started acting up here in Dallas & wanted to get a feel for how big a scene there was down in Houston?

There is a fairly "present" acting/film scene here in Dallas (moreso indie, commercial, etc) and I wanted to develop some sort of resume (currently just have one film under my belt which I had a minor role in and did some voiceover).

Before I get goofed on by anybody (my buddies give me crap any chance they get lol), I am really really struggling/waffling with the idea of just jetting to LA. However, I am a "semi-responsible" 27 year old and I understand that securing a decent paying job (40-50k) in LA is extremely competitive. If I could secure one that could get me 40-50, I would move to LA no question. I intend to move to SoCal in the next 1-2 years either as job transfer or via MBA. I just wanted to get a feel for how "present" the film scene in Houston. I currently treat acting as a hobby akin to working out, etc. but I want to develop and add to the acting resume so that I have at least something under my belt prior to moving to West Coast.

Thoughts & suggestions would be appreciated.

[diablo234]

Houston does not really have a "film" scene.

I would suggest looking at either Austin, Atlanta, New Orleans, or even Albuquerque.

[westhou]

If you want to build a film resume than I would avoid Houston. There are filmmakers here but not nearly as many as you would find in some other cities. Get connected to some of the area universities (UH, Rice, HBU, UST, TSU, PVU) and see what the film students have to offer you.

[texas7]

theatre maybe but not film

[Metro Matt]

Not in Houston.

Now cities such as Austin & Shreveport are hotbeds for film producers.

[newton22]

There is a film scene in Houston, but it's fairly indie/underground.

It definitely does exist and anyone who tells you otherwise has never been involved in film in Houston. We have a Houston Film Commission and there's also an annual Houston Production Guide with hundreds (albeit most are small) of production companies and crew members.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by newton22

There is a film scene in Houston, but it's fairly indie/underground.

It definitely does exist and anyone who tells you otherwise has never been involved in film in Houston. We have a Houston Film Commission and there's also an annual Houston Production Guide with hundreds (albeit most are small) of production companies and crew members.

That said, this city is still far better for someone interested in stage productions.

[dallasboi]

I think Dallas and Houston are about the same in this department.Dallas is no Hollywood...Nowhere in Texas for that matter..I could be wrong though(before anybody decides to cut me).

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by dallasboi

I think Dallas and Houston are about the same in this department.Dallas is no Hollywood...Nowhere in Texas for that matter..I could be wrong though(before anybody decides to cut me).

I wouldn't encourage anyone to move anywhere in the south, if they're serious about a career in film; not even Atlanta, unless they're looking to be featured in the next Tyler Perry disaster.

[Nightman_Cometh]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

I wouldn't encourage anyone to move anywhere in the south, if they're serious about a career in film

You must not be familiar with the film scene in Louisiana...