A couple of days ago, I was driving on City Park Road headed toward Emma Long Metropolitan Park, which sits right on Lake Austin.  It's a relaxing drive on a winding road, and it was a beautiful October day.  As I came around a corner, I noticed that there was a police car following three trucks very closely.  They were moving at a crawl, which seemed odd to me. 

Later, as I was headed back up the same road to leave the park area, the police car had its lights on and all three of the trucks were pulled over.  I got a good look at the policeman, and something seemed out of the ordinary to me.  He looked scraggly with a large mustache, rather than the normal clean-cut appearance that I am used to seeing.  Then I realized that the trucks had lots of cameras mounted on them.  They were shooting a movie scene!  How cool is that? 

Austin was named #2 on the list of Top 10 American Cities to be a MovieMaker by Moviemaker Magazine.  Austin has actually held this position for three straight years.  This is not surprising to me, considering the number of movies that have been created in central Texas over the years.  Here is a list I found.  The magazine praised Austin, saying, ""each year, the Austin Film Commission manages to outdo itself in bringing exciting new programs and initiatives to city, from the smallest detail to the biggest."

One very large-scale project is underway east of the city.  Villa Muse is going to be developed on almost 1,100 acres of land near Webberville, which is about 15 minutes east of downtown Austin.  The project is to include a full-blown movie studio, recording studio, 70,000-seat amphitheatre, and it is predicted that it will add about 4,000 jobs to the local economy.  Additionally, developers are planning to surround the studio with homes in various themes.  Residents who purchase these properties will be living on a "residential backlot", with movies being filmed along the streets. 

This promises to be a very exciting development for Austin, and it will likely change the entire landscape of the area east of town.  The scope of the investment is estimated to be around $2-3 billion.

If you are interested in moving to Austin to pursue your dreams, please feel free to call or email me anytime.  I would love the opportunity to help you find the right home or investment property.  I can be reached at 512-796-7653 (cell) or jason@austintexashomes.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

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27 Comments on Do you wanna be in pictures? Maybe Austin, Texas is the place for you!

OCT
06
2007
359,301 Points 59 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Jason, that's quite an extensive list of films that have been shot in your area.  Of course, with all the sites and monuments of D.C., just about every film involving spies, the government, etc. has some footage shot in the D.C. area.  It was always cool to watch The X-Files on t.v. and spot recognizable places in D.C. and the close-in suburbs.  

It sounds like a great development that is coming to the Austin area that should boost your local economy.  Let me know when you sell Brad & Angelina a home!

2:46pm • #1
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
BRIAN - Thanks for your comments.  It is cool when you recognize local places (or even just places that you have been) in movies or on TV.  I have a good friend who is a partner in this new development, and he is planning to refer business to me and/or get me in on the action somehow when things start selling out there.  It's weird that you mentioned Brad and Angelina.  I had a recent dream in which I served as their buyer's agent!
2:48pm • #2
415,927 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog
That is so cool! We've had a few in Daytona, but nowhere near that many. We don't even get MTV here for spring break anymore, since the city decided to gear the tourism more toward families.
3:07pm • #3
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
LISA - I am glad you liked this post!  Yes, Austin has attracted quite a few directors and a few stars as well.  As most people know, Sandra Bullock still lives here in Austin, and she now owns a great restaurant called Bess Bistro near downtown.  I am a little surprised that MTV stopped going to Daytona, but I guess it makes sense if they are doing an "image adjustment".  Thanks for commenting!
3:21pm • #4
114,537 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jason: That's awesome. A couple of Hemet locations were used in film (Seabiscuit, Fast and the Furious), and Bill Murray sat down next to my brother in a bar once, but I can't say we have the burgeoning movie biz. That's cool.
4:53pm • #5
259,431 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jason,

Interesting...that should change your area quite a bit.  Coming from the Hollywood area, and the beach I know what these movies, and all the crews, can do to the local economy, as well as giving a name to an area.

5:15pm • #6
120,680 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

We've had movie folk coming here, filming, and falling in love and buying places here for a long, long time now.  One thing I've consistently heard is how they like it here because we don't make a big fuss over them - they get to be "just folks" for the most part.  The restaurant and beer garden in Walburg just up the way is a big attraction, Salt Lick, too. 

Bartlett, also right up the way, with its store front and brick downtown streets, is a favorite for filming old time small town scenes.

That new development will sure liven up sleepy Webberville!   (Population 300 by the 2005 census - let's see, that will increase the population by how many times?)  Couldn't view the video for some reason - I'll try again in the morning.

 

 

10:57pm • #7
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

JOEY - Honestly, I think it's more exciting to think about meeting Bill Murray (who is one of my all-time favorites), even briefly.  By the way, I do a pretty decent impression of him from "Caddyshack" as well as Todd from the old SNL skits with Gilda Radner.

KATHY - The sheer size of this project does promise to change things a lot around here, especially in that particular area.

TRICIA - Thanks for stopping by to comment on this post.  I always thought the square in Georgetown was very much like the one from "Back to the Future".  As for Webberville, they are in for a big shock in the next couple of years.  I think that should be a very strong investment area, especially since prices are still quite low.

11:17pm • #8
112,170 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Hey Jason -- very cool post. It's always fun to watch the making of a movie especially when it's in your own town or city. Over the years there have been a few movies done here in the Mesa/Phoenix area. Most of the cast typically head up to Scottsdale if they are sticking around to film for a few days! A movie in the theater now is one that was done here in Phoenix and mainly in Mesa on an old base that was converted to our ASU East Campus and housing for students and young families that are going to school. The movie is "The Kingdom" with Jamie Fox. At the time of the filming I lived fairly close and it was interesting that they had to put out notices one week to let us know that they were going to be blowing up the set, valued at thousands of dollars to build and to not worry and be too alarmed!! The filming crews were awesome as the locals were allowed to watch at a distance to see some of the making of the movie. Unfortunately, it is rated "R" so it probably is not a great movie for a family outing of course!  I am undecided if I will make it just yet to see it. But nonetheless always cool to see a movie made in town. That's very cool you will be getting a movie studio in Austin....you might get to see a few premieres!!
11:29pm • #9
OCT
07
2007
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
CANDACE - Thanks so much for your enthusiastic comments.  I am excited about the prospect of having a real movie studio right here in our backyard.  They mentioned that they are planning to have the largest water tank for filming in the United States (I assume for ocean scenes, etc.).  "The Kingdom" looks interesting, but I will probably see it via Netflix.  I hope to have the opportunity to watch some more scenes being filmed - maybe I can be an extra sometime, although I have heard that it's not very glamorous work.
12:00am • #10
130,730 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
You ought to be in pictures!! A handsome McBlogger like you. Don't just watch the thing happen jump out of your car and get in the movie.
12:27am • #11
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
ALAN - You're right - next time I will do that.  I really should have been more proactive!
12:33am • #12
393,150 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Jason:  So, if am I to read between the lines, soon we will all see you as one of the next "super hero's" on the screen.  Well, we need to come up with a name for you.

What an awesome development for the city of Austin.  That sounds so very exciting.  And the prospect of 4000 new jobs... how wonderful is that ? 

1:16am • #13
270,988 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog
JASON:  This is a very interesting project.  I'm not sure that I'd want to live on a movie set, but I'm sure that others will.  Anything that can create that many jobs for the local economy can only be good for the area, and in turn good for you.  More jobs = more money in the area = more need for housing.  Sounds like you're in a good situation even if you don't move in to movie town.
1:22am • #14
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
ADAM - I won't be moving there myself, but I have a good friend who is a minor partner in the project, and we are supposed to get together and discuss the residential side sometime soon.  He said that he wants my help, and he doesn't trust anyone else to assist him.  It is still early in the process, but it could be a great thing for my career when it comes to fruition!
1:38am • #15
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
KAREN ANNE - I would love to hear the name that you would come up with for me as a superhero.  Name away!  Yes, this is a very exciting and interesting development for Austin, and it promises to bring a rather large ripple effect on the local economy.
1:41am • #16
1 Featured Post
Hi Jason, that's a great post, very well put together and very interesting.  I've never been to Austin, but I've probably seen it in a movie or two!  I loved "What's Eating Gilbert Grape". 
10:34am • #17
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
SHARON - Thanks for your time and for the great compliment.  I was trying to make my Localism post a bit more interesting.  Austin is a great place to live and work, and you're right - you probably have seen it a time or two in the movies.  One of the more recent movies that I have seen with recognizable Austin landmarks is "Office Space", which is hilarious in my opinion.
5:37pm • #18
OCT
08
2007
1 Featured Post
Absolutely adore "Office Space" and I've seen it over and over!  Love the mumbling stapler guy.  When I'm having technical difficulties, I always remember the scene where they take the machine out into a field and assassinate it.  So now I know that was most likely a field somewhere in Austin, Texas!
11:32am • #19
130,284 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jason, no kidding? I'm making a phone call to a friend who's an out of work actor here in FL. Hollywood must be stopping in TX now, they aren't knocking on our door anymore :( Good for ya'll bad for us!
11:36am • #20
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

SHARON - I also liked the "field destroy" scene in "Office Space"!  I like how it was presented like a mafia slaying.  Great movie!

LYSA - Send your friend to Austin.  Sorry to hear that they aren't there as much anymore.  I believe the studio is set to open in 2009.  Thanks for your comments!

11:50am • #21
OCT
09
2007
130,730 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Jason:

 

just wanted to say Hi and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COWBOYS!!!! Talk with you later

1:17pm • #22
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Go Cowboys alright!  I think God just wanted them to win that game.  I have never seen anything like that before.

1:47pm • #23
DEC
21
2007
195,145 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jason: That is a huge list of movies. I had no idea that so much had been done there. That is really cool!! Thanks for pointing me to this post. :-)
8:27am • #24
DEC
22
2007
652,019 Points 108 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
ELIZABETH - You are welcome.  Austin has really come into its own as a spot for making movies these days.  Thanks for checking out this post!
1:44am • #25
FEB
22
2008
130,730 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Jason:

Great post. I found this post on the Austin/ California connection., I think you and I are the king of this group so why not moderate. I seledt me and you aa the Featured posts for the month. Ha.

3:22pm • #26
JUL
13
2008
285,319 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jason,

You mentioned 'Office Space' and I just loved that movie. Did you know the place that Jennifer Aniston 'worked' was actually the "Old Alligator Grill' on South Lamar?!?  They even have some photos on the walls of the stars that were taken while they filmed in Austin. Oh yeah the food and drinks are good as well.... and the waiters don't wear 'flair'!

Betina

11:59pm • #27

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Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Austin, TX

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Austin Texas Homes, LLC

Address: 3636 Executive Center Drive, Suite 210, Austin, TX, 78731

Office Phone: (512) 796-7653

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