All seniors had the opportunity to participate in a two day to week long experience called Career Opportunities on Location, COOL Week for short. COOL week is a structured, work-based interactive practice for seniors  in Leander ISD. Last week I got the pleasure of working at Texas Film Commission at the Office of the Governor. I went into Texas Film Commission, and according to the website of the Texas Film Commission their job is to “support our state’s global position as a premier production destination across all media industries.” I chose this company because I wanted to expand my knowledge on film.

The Governor’s office is by the capital, which not only required me to drive downtown each day, but also dress business professional. This, however, did not damper my attitude toward the experience in general – the paid parking however took a ding. On my first day I was introduced to the my co-COOL week buddy, Nick Lagenfeld, a Cedar Park student. Lagenfeld had a much more prominent interest in film than me. Our first task was to read a movie script (that had already been released) and write down what locations each scene could be shot. Lagenfeld and I then had the opportunity to peruse through the Texas Film Commission’s huge database of locations. We chose locations and then got to watch the finished movie and see where they actually shot the scenes.

Not only did we get to peruse through the huge database, we got to add something to it as well. Our photos of Colorado Street will forever be accessible to producers and film creators. Another perk of being with the Texas Film Commission was getting a very up close and personal tour of The Paramount Theatre downtown on Congress. The Paramount Theatre is one of the only theatres in Austin that still uses celluloid film and the original projectors. Overall, my very short time at Texas Film Commission was well spent and I completely recommend any underclassmen to participate in COOL Week.