"Steve Mims is a great film teacher. 
 
When I take a class I usually expect to learn a few memorable concepts that become a part of my tool kit.  With Steve’s class, I feel I learned so many key ideas.  I use the whole course – all the time! 
 
Steve is very clear in the way he explains technical, aesthetic and storytelling concepts so they are easy to grasp and apply immediately.  If you are thinking of taking a filmmaking class, I really encourage you to take this one.  It is the perfect balance of fun and rigor.  I learned something memorable every week!
 
Steve is one of the most encouraging teachers I have ever had.  He really makes you believe in your story and your ability to make a film. He teaches the core filmmaking and storytelling lessons in a direct and memorable way."

Vicky Boone, writer/director/producer

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"I've learned many valuable lessons from Steve over the years, but none
more so than this: filmmaking should be fun. Any aspiring filmmaker
should start with an instructor who believes that and infuses every step
of the process with it - only then will your career begin on the right
foot."

Brady Dial, producer, Trinity Films

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"If anyone asks me how to learn about film production, first I tell them to take REEL WOMEN's workshops, then I refer them to Steve Mims and Austin FilmWorks. In fact, even though I've been a writer and producer for many years, it is only after taking Steve's classes myself a couple of years ago that I feel like I can truly call myself a 'filmmaker'. The short film I wrote, produced, directed and edited for my class project premiered at SXSW 2006 and is now on the festival circuit, playing most recently in Santa Fe and Las Vegas."

Sherry Mills, Executive Director, REEL WOMEN

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"Steve Mims' Austin Filmworks class was the ideal introduction to filmmaking for me. In the seven years since, Steve has not only been an enthusiastic supporter of my work but a mentor and friend as well."

Miguel Alvarez, ESTEBANDIDO PRODUCTIONS award-winning filmmaker, University of Texas at Austin

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"I was a complete film novice when I took Production I and II and I came out of the classes with a lot of experience and my first two short films. The classes are taught at a level that is akin to the classes I am now taking in graduate school, but are very accessible even if you are just starting out."

Courtney Davis
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"Thanks for putting together such a great film production course. I appreciate the hands-on training with equipment and the way you crammed so much relevant information into such a short time. Your course gave me the experience I needed to make "Driven by the Sun," my first feature length documentary. I'd recommend Austin Filmworks to anyone wanting to start a career in film. I especially look forward to taking other classes as they become available. Keep up the good work."

Tom Michero
(P.S. Not only did your class jumpstart my new career as a filmmaker, it gave me back a full head of hair and the confidence to lead a happy, productive life.)
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“AFW’s Production 1 and 2 classes are very comprehensive film and videoproduction courses. As a motion graphic designer, these two courses helped me build a soild foundation in all three stages of production which that in turn help benefit my company and the creative crew I manage and direct. Learning from Steve was an enjoyable and beneficial experience.”

Charlie Wan, SUKA, co-founder
WWW.SUKAEXPERIENCE.COM
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"As I sit and ponder what your class did for me, several things come to mind. Here are just a few.

1. Aside from giving me an unparalleled creative outlet, Austin Filmworks gave me a working knowledge of film and video which I have used to enhance my law practice. I now have a skill that very few attorneys (if any) have in the video presentation of injury cases. My work looks great, it's edited thoughtfully, and my clients appreciate the professionalism.

2. I'm embarrassed to show videos that I shot prior to taking Steve Mims' class. Likewise, I am proud to show video that I have shot (and edited!) after taking the class. It ain't slides of Yellowstone no more! A striking difference.

3. Steve Mims moves about the classroom like a cat. A true professional in a dog-eat-dog world.

4. Whether you take this class for fun or for the profession, you will come out of the class with great skills that not many folks have. It's a great class and gives you the opportunity to get what's in your brain out onto film or video.

5. Today, digital video technology is accessible and affordable. Austin Filmworks gave me the skills to make the most out of the technology. It's a great class with great instructors.

6. I love Steve Mims. He's the greatest. He's a stud. He's funny.

Love and Kisses,
Len Gabbay

"Everything I know about filmmaking I learned by taking Steve Mims Production I course! From there, I joined forces with Vicky Boone (who made her award-winning short in his Production II class) and we went on to make our first feature film, Fall to Grace.  Steve’s classes gave me not only the knowledge I needed, but also gave me the confidence to make my passion for filmmaking a dream come true. And Steve is the funniest guy you’ll ever meet." 

Mari Marchbanks, Writer/Director FALL TO GRACE,Green Room Pictures

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"Production 1 & 2 at Austin Film Works were among the most satisfying educational experiences in my life. Creating films is a deeply rewarding creative process and Steve Mims has the experience and skills to make it available to anyone. I make films every chance I get and constantly draw on the resources I gained from Austin Film Works. I acquired more than just information and excellent skills – I also made lasting contacts with other independent film makers with whom I still collaborate frequently. Just remember to laugh as Steve’s jokes – it makes him feel good."

Clark Richards

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"As a high school film teacher, I've had the luxury of summers off AND
of getting to bask in the blistering rays of Steve Mims' Intensive Film
Production Workshops. They're rigorous and fun and very humbling. Thanks
Steve. You're awesome!"

Patty Nilsson, The Guthrie Center, Houston, Texas

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"Steve is the consummate professional who takes film seriously even though
he has a great time teaching it. He's thorough and knowledgeable and
incredibly informative. I appreciate all you've taught me and use it often
in the classroom."

Michael Radler, The Guthrie Center, Houston, Texas

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" A quick note to recommend Austin Filmworks production classes to you. Before I took Production 1, 2, and 3, I was that guy at the party who told the off color jokes. Now those jokes seem much more appropriate as I am not just a filmmaker, but a feature filmmaker, having written and directed In Flagrante, the first ever feature film produced in the Production 3 course. These courses give you the practical training you need to both make films, and work as crew on other people's films. And it's a bargain in time and money, quickly getting you hands on in both video and film production. And Steve's not paying me to write this. Plus he owes me money and I still write this. I must really mean it.

Tom Chamberlain
proud alumnus
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"I wanted to take a class that would cover the film making process and give me a good foundation to start using digital video as an medium for story telling and documentary. The Production I class on film making at Austin Filmworks was just what I was looking for. Steve Mims and his staff were knowledgeable in all aspects of the process and provided useful creative input. It was a great class!"

Laura Toups
Soaring Hawk Productions
Urban Design Group

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Once in Austin, (Kat) Candler took film classes through Austin Filmworks, where she made two short films, The Bathroom and Avenue K. Her experience at the film school proved to be incredibly rewarding. “ I had a great time,” Candler said. “The best part about those classes — or any classes for that matter — is that you meet people that you continue to work with.”
Since her classes at Austin Filmworks, Candler’s filmmaking career has skyrocketed.

UNIVERSITY STAR, Texas State University

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