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SXSW Filmmaker Spotlight: A Slacker Scam Artist Goes Too Far in 'Buzzard'

Adam Minnick came to Austin from Michigan about nine years ago to work in the semiconductor field – after his photography plans did not take off.

"Buzzard" is his first step into the film world. A world he entered when an old college buddy asked him to be the director of photography in the feature film he was working on. "Buzzard" debuted at SXSW Film.

KUT talked with Minnick about the film and his unlikely path to filmmaking:

On "Buzzard":

"I think the one-sentence line we've been giving is: Slacker, 30-something, who works in an office. He's a small-time scam artist who gets in over his head with a specific scam and it takes a very paranoid and, ultimately, violent turn."

On His Path to Filmmaking:

"(Joel Potrykus, the director,) pretty much persuaded me to come from Austin for six weeks. I left my family and we went and made a film. And it turned out to be the most incredible, artistic experience of my life."

On the Cinematography of the Film:

"Joel made it very clear that we were going to a lot of in-your-face close-ups. It's really 'hanging out' with the character the entire time."

On Premiering at SXSW:

"I got in my car and left Austin and made a film for six weeks. And I couldn't be happier that it's having its world premiere in Austin at SXSW. The entire crew, Joel included, are just thrilled. We turned down some other large festivals – that will remain nameless – to have its premiere here. Joel felt, and we all felt, that SXSW in Austin was the absolute best place to have our world premiere."

Laura first joined the KUT team in April 2012. She now works for the statewide program Texas Standard as a reporter and producer. Laura came to KUT from the world of television news. She has worn many different hats as an anchor, reporter and producer at TV stations in Austin, Amarillo and Toledo, OH. Laura is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, a triathlete and enjoys travel, film and a good beer. She enjoys spending time with her husband and pets.
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