| Along with the many economic and lifestyle | | | | Troublemaker Studios, is located in Austin and |
| benefits Austin offers its residents, in recent | | | | houses the largest green screen in all of Texas. |
| years it has also become a popular location for | | | | An adjunct facility, Troublemaker Sound, is also |
| Hollywood productions. The low cost of filming | | | | located in the area and provides post-production |
| combined with the numerous historic landmarks | | | | editing and sound for Rodriguez's films. |
| and picturesque natural scenery of the Austin | | | | Troublemaker Studios is currently producing |
| area makes it exceptionally attractive for | | | | Machete, derived from the previous film |
| producers seeking that special Texan atmosphere. | | | | GrindHouse and starring Danny Trejo in the title |
| Abundant local accommodations and Austin's | | | | role. |
| unique and friendly style ensure that these special | | | | The popular television series Friday Night Lights is |
| visitors come back time after time. Some of the | | | | also filmed in and around Austin. Recounting the |
| most notable productions are found below. | | | | stories surrounding a small town high school |
| Screenwriters and directors Joel and Ethan Coen | | | | football team, the series focuses on the effects |
| began their rise to stardom in 1984 with a little | | | | of high school sports on students, teachers, |
| film called Blood Simple. Filmed in and around | | | | coaches, and the town at large. Critically |
| Austin, this stylish noir showcased the talents of | | | | acclaimed, the series struggled at first, but soon |
| an up-and-coming actress who would go on to | | | | found a local core audience due to its realistic |
| star in numerous other Coen productions. Frances | | | | portrayals of Texas small-town life. |
| McDormand's debut performance as the sensual, | | | | More recently, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, |
| faithless wife ensured her future success. | | | | Whip It, was loosely based on the Lonestar Roller |
| The groundbreaking and exceptionally popular | | | | Girls, a roller derby company based in Austin and |
| miniseries Lonesome Dove was also filmed in the | | | | owned by the women who perform for it. |
| Austin area, taking advantage of the unspoiled | | | | Critically well received, several scenes for this |
| natural surroundings and local color. Lonesome | | | | movie were shot in the Austin area. |
| Dove has an additional connection to the Austin | | | | Austin resident Mike Judge wrote and directed the |
| area, as its screenplay was based on a book | | | | 1999 comedy Office Space; primarily filmed in |
| written by acclaimed western author Larry | | | | Austin, it is now regarded as a cult classic. |
| McMurtry whose son, James McMurtry, is a | | | | Satirizing the office environment and computing |
| roots-rock icon and an Austin resident. | | | | firms in general, it starred Ron Livingston and |
| As a longtime Austin resident, Robert Rodriguez | | | | Jennifer Aniston, with Gary Cole and Stephen |
| has produced a number of motion pictures in the | | | | Root in unforgettable supporting roles. Released to |
| area, including the popular Spy Kids trilogy, | | | | tepid critical and audience response, it has gained |
| GrindHouse (with Quentin Tarantino), The | | | | in popularity each year since its release, and was |
| Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl, Sin City, | | | | awarded the #73 spot on Entertainment Weekly's |
| and The Faculty. His production company, | | | | list of the 100 best films from 1983 to 2008. |