Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Lee Austin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After leaving the tech world in 2022, I’ve spent the last three years in school, earning my Associate’s in Radio, TV, and Film from ACC and now finishing up my bachelor’s at Texas State in December 2025. Serving on the board of Women in Film & TV Austin helped me meet so many people quickly, but driving into Austin for every meeting, networking event, or collaboration got exhausting.
I tried joining a creative collective, but it wasn’t close enough for me to use regularly. So I decided to build the kind of space I kept looking for, right in the Hill Country with neighbors like Beerberg, Jester King, Treaty Oak, Lucky Lab Coffee, plus just a mile from my house! That’s how Big Country Studios was born…conveniently named after my neighborhood.
It’s a cozy spot where writers can escape their homes, skip the distractions, and grab a free coffee while they work. Yes, the coffee here is always free, but you might have to brew it yourself. That’s how casual it is!
And since I know how expensive studio rentals and headshots can be, I made sure photographers and actors could access lights, backdrops, and studio space at affordable rates.
Now we host everything from headshots and cosplay shoots to production meetings, table reads, and even film shoots. Big Country Studios is simply a place for creatives to create, tucked away in the hill country.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since we opened on August 1, 2025, we’ve definitely had a few growing pains. I’ve been balancing school, freelancing, and film projects, so I haven’t had the time to really promote Big Country Studios the way it deserves. We’ve been slowly giving tours and meeting with prospective clients, and I know things will pick up once I can put more energy into outreach.
Even though we keep our rates as affordable as possible, a lot of creatives are still piecing their income together gig by gig. Coming up with money for co-working or studio rentals isn’t always easy. That’s why I try to pay it forward and work with any budget. I never want cost to be the thing that stops someone from creating.
And honestly, one of my favorite parts of this whole venture is the company. I love having people in the space, talking through ideas, swapping stories, and chatting about upcoming projects. It makes the studio feel alive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a writer at heart. That’s where I feel the most alive, even on the days it makes me want to pull my hair out. I’m especially drawn to stories about women with some years and wisdom behind them, because we don’t see nearly enough of that on screen.
I recently wrote and directed a short called Pressure Points, which wrapped in October and will start its festival run in February. That experience reminded me how much I love directing and how much I want to do more of it.
Thanks to my tech background, producing also comes pretty naturally to me. My brain loves logistics, organization, and problem-solving. And after completing a 200-hour script supervising workshop, I’ve gained a strong understanding of continuity and what editors need, which really shapes how I approach set life.
What sets me apart is the mix: writer, director, producer, and scripty, all rolled into one—with a clear focus on telling honest, layered stories about women my age.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was painfully shy. Honestly, I still carry some of that with me as an adult. Networking used to terrify me, so I’d latch onto the one person I knew in the room and follow their lead. But over the past three years, I’ve pushed myself to do the uncomfortable thing: introduce myself, meet new people, dabble in public speaking (yikes!), and actually exchange info with follow-ups.
It’s gotten easier, and it’s paid off. That’s how your network grows… and sometimes you even walk away with new close friends. I definitely have.
Contact Info:
- Website: hhttps://westofweirdproductions.my.canva.site/big-country-studios
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigcountrystudios/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinjanelle/
