Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Cox.
Hi Brian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Twelve years ago, I taught high school video production in between stints as a stay-at-home father of two elementary schoolers. Then one year, over Thanksgiving break, my daughter and I made a movie with her Playmobile characters. Her creativity and humor in that production made me want to continue supporting the creativity of children of that age. I had participated in other after-school programs as a counselor and saw this project with my daughter as a calling to start a non-profit filmmaking program for young people. Since Film Kids started, my two children have joined the clubs, then served as counselors for the clubs, and now some of the program’s founding members are students in film programs at colleges across the country. It’s been quite a ride for us all.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
It has not been a smooth road. There is no printed guide to starting a non-profit, to my knowledge. For the first three years, I made every decision in a vacuum with no colleagues to advise me. Discovering the legal and paperwork aspects of starting a business and the subtle art of marketing and building relationships with young people and families were a few of the challenges. With a business, there’s always a sense of more to be done. It has taken me a long time to learn that a day’s work is all I can complete and that running a business is an ongoing continuum, not a single deadline-driven project.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Film Kids, my non-profit video production program for elementary school students, has completed over 1500 films in twelve years. We are known for pulling off tight, character-driven stories in various genres with at least a touch of comedy infused into every film.
Our films are entertaining! It makes me so proud to see young people collaborate and create a film entertaining to a larger audience than just their families. We’ve shown films nationally at Alamo Drafthouse as trailer material. We’ve had films screened in at least a half dozen film festivals. Sometimes a professional filmmaker sees one of our films, and more than once, I’ve heard, “Wow, that’s better than some of the stuff I’ve watched on Netflix.” And I say, “Yeah, it’s good.” Not good for kids making movies. Good for movies in general. Another thing that makes me proud is to see young people become professional collaborators through our program. Art is a channel for growth, and filmmaking requires many life skills for a project to be successful. I see young people learn to express their creativity confidently, listen, and give credit to the ideas of others. It grows over time to the point where I feel more like their colleague than their instructor. You can see it in so many of our films. I call it The Mark of the Film Kid.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
To collaborate, all someone has to do is reach out. Austin is a filmmakers’ community, but we also have collaborated with other non-profits and individuals who bring ideas to the table. One of a small business’s strengths is the ability to quickly change direction and give energy to an opportunity when it arises. As a program manager, I try to remain open-minded to collaboration opportunities. You never know what seed will bear fruit!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.filmkids.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/film_kids_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5XpTSVd88gUdo019m4ArA/videos
- Other: https://vimeo.com/filmkidsbest
Image Credits
Film Kids Summer Camps 2021 and 2022
