07.05.2023

🎬 Get an inside look at Hollywood through iconic movie art

People looking at an art exhibition at the Harry Ransom Center

Explore the beauty and complexity of moviemaking during the “Drawing the Motion Picture” exhibition. | Photo by Pete Smith, Harry Ransom Center

Houston — ahem, Austin — we have a problem. This movie exhibition is too good.

Go behind the scenes of your all-time favorite films from the silent era to present day at “Drawing the Motion Picture: Production Art and Storyboards,” on view now through Sunday, July 16 at the Harry Ransom Center.

The exhibition tells the story of more than 100 years of cinema history through rare concept paintings, set designs, scripts, and more. Think: “Top Gun,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” More than 50 movies are showcased, representing iconic films by legendary directors like Tim Burton, Martin Scorsese, and Spike Lee.

Each featured piece of artwork, curated from the Center’s archival film holdings, provides viewers with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the creative process behind filmmaking. Oh, so that’s what Alfred Hitchcock was thinking.

Two women posing in front of "The Red Shoes" storyboard. — “The Red Shoes” storyboard, enlarged on the gallery wall, feels larger than life and immerses visitors in the magic of movies.
|
Photo by Pete Smith, Harry Ransom Center

Whether you’re a movie buff, budding filmmaker, or just curious about Hollywood, you’re bound to give this exhibition rave reviews.

Must-see highlights of art-turned-cinema we’re adding to the list include:

Hein Heckroth’s vision for the ballet sequence in “The Red Shoes”
Mini storyboards from the “Apollo 13" shoot on NASA’s reduced-gravity aircraft
Storyboards that helped “Mad Men” achieve its meticulous mid-century style
Storyboards that diagram complex action scenes in “Return of the Jedi”
Concept paintings from Robert Wise’s “West Side Story”
Rare storyboards from the climatic scene at Griffith Observatory from “Rebel Without a Cause”

Bonus: The Paramount Theatre will also screen three films featured in “Drawing the Motion Picture” as part of its Summer Classic Film Series: “Malcolm X” (July 11), “The Red Shoes” (July 12), and “Raging Bull” (July 13). Buy tickets.

Admission to the Ransom Center, open Tuesday-Sunday, is always free. Pro tip: Ask for a complimentary Family Guide, full of exhibition-related activities to help immerse your kids in the magic of moviemaking.

See you at the exhibition

Asked

Which movie, featured in “Drawing the Motion Picture,” was released first?

A. “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”

B. “Top Gun”

C. “Return of the Jedi”

D. “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”

Check your answer

Events

Wednesday, July 5

Alejandra Oliva: “Rivermouth” | Wednesday, July 5 | 7 p.m. | BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | Free | Learn from the author about immigration to the US through her book.
The Wheel Workers | Wednesday, July 5 | 8-11:45 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $10 | Roominghouse Madrigals and Thanks Light will also perform at this midweek concert.

Thursday, July 6

Reconnecting with Nature Through Yoga | Thursday, July 6 | 9:15-10 a.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin | $15-$45 | This is the first class in a three-part series centered on movement, mindfulness, and meditation.
“Box” | Thursday, July 6-Saturday, July 8 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. #122, Austin | $16-$26 | Experience the harrowing story of Henry Box Brown, the abolitionist lecturer and early magician who escaped slavery by mailing himself to freedom.

Friday, July 7

Jurassic Quest | Friday, July 7-Sunday, July 9 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $19-$36 | Kids can explore and ride life-size animatronic dinosaurs at this event, which features bounce houses, crafts, and fossil digging.
blink-182 | Friday, July 7 | 7:30 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $125-$1,750 | The award-winning group is bringing together its original band members for the first time in almost a decade.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Festival

For the first time in 10+ years, SXSW raised pay for musicians. Domestic bands will receive $150 more per set (for a total of $350) and solo acts will receive $50 more per set (for a total of $150). Artists can also trade payment for a festival wristband. (Austin American-Statesman)

Read

Zilker Theatre Productions will partner with BookPeople for its upcoming run of “Matilda the Musical.” Before seeing the free summer production — which runs from Friday, July 7-Saturday, August 12 at Zilker Park — kids can participate in a book club themed around the Road Dahl classic. Sign up online.

Now Open

Ninja Nation, one of the largest youth obstacle course arenas in the US, opened this weekend at 6500 N. Lamar Blvd. in North Austin. The 15,000-sqft facility contains rock climbing walls, a vertical wall, monkey bars, and other training obstacles. (CultureMap Austin)

Drink Up

Butterfly pea flower tea, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and Desert Door Original Sotol ... just try and name a more delicious drink. Taste the “Purple Martin” cocktail at Desert Door Distillery throughout Drink Up Month, and don’t forget to mention ATXtoday at checkout for a 10% discount.

Environment

You may have noticed the sludgy green stuff floating on Lady Bird Lake. Don’t worry — it’s totally natural. The plant, colloquially known as fanwort, thrives in warm water and is not poisonous like its co-inhabitant, toxic blue-green algae. (KXAN)

Giveaway

To celebrate our revamped referral program, we’re hosting a special giveaway until Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The top referrer will receive $500, and one additional person who refers at least one friend will automatically be entered for another $100 giveaway. Find the referral section at the bottom of this newsletter.

Shop

Drink

On a water bottle hunt? Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling insulated bottle is the Owala FreeSip — it’s thoughtfully designed, leak proof, and keeps drinks cold.

Travel

Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).

Outdoors

The perfect outdoor string lights do exist, and they’ve got a secret weapon: solar power. Light up your yard with a 50-ft strand.

Eat

🍦 We all scream for ice cream

Get a taste of Austin as a flavor of ice cream

Five cups of various ice cream flavors and toppings from Amy's Ice Creams in Austin, Texas.

Which flavor are you eager to try? | Photo by @amysicecreams

Recently, we asked you to come up with a unique ice cream flavor that describes Austin and utilizes one-to-three locally sourced ingredients. After reading all of your responses, it’s safe to say that our mouths are watering. Here were some of our favorites:

A smooth, creamy vanilla base sweetened with Texas wildflower honey from Good Flow Honey that is swirled with cold brew from High Brew Coffee and mixed with chunks of chocolate longhorns from Lammes Candies. Called “Rush Hour.” - Matti P.

A Mexican vanilla ice cream topped with pieces of churros from Churro Co., pistachios, and whipped cream. Called “Churro for it, churro got it.” - Liz S.

Peach ice cream swirled with Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce. Called “Burning Peach.” - Kate B.

The only thing we need now is a local ice cream shop to make one of these flavors a reality. Bésame, Lick Honest Ice Cream, Amy’s Ice Creams — we’re looking at you.

2 more Austin-inspired flavors

Share ATXtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_5}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

Answered: A. The correct answer to our Quiz is “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” a beloved film by Steven Spielberg released in 1982.

From the editor

City Editor Figi and I got to check out the world premiere of “Box,” now playing at the Ground Floor Theatre. I thought the story — which is a re-imagining of the life and love of Henry Box Brown, a 19th-century abolitionist and magician who mailed himself out of slavery — was fascinating, emotional, and full of depth. The show runs until this Saturday, July 8 — get tickets.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY