I’m Austin Coombs-Perez, an independent filmmaker from Culver City, California, also known as "The Heart of Screenland", a motto that resonates with me and my production company I founded at age 19.

I’m a freelancer in Los Angeles, with projects ranging from narrative, documentary, music videos, and more. At times I’m a "1 man crew", wearing hats as Producer, Director, Editor, Camera, Sound, and Composer.

Watching TV at age 3, I’d ask “how do I get in there with them?” My mind didn’t grasp that the cartoons were animations being broadcast — I thought the characters were actual creatures living inside my big old TV, and they are my friends putting on shows all day. This same desire to jump inside the screen has never left me; I started making my own home movies as soon as I could.

I chose to forgo my college plans, continue my video business, and create my first feature film StarJuice, a screenplay I started as a senior in high school.

Meanwhile storyboarding, the DP Joji Baratelli pitched an experimental concept, we weren't sure if it had been done. We mounted the camera on its side 90 degrees. (4:3) becomes (3:4). Then mount anamorphic lens 90 degrees, adds 2X squeeze, makes (6:4), or (3:2) 1.5:1. We did some tests and fell in love with the look. ARRI digital anamorphic but not widescreen.

Sound designer Mark Larry (The Revenant, Tenet, The Matrix, American Sniper) joined on as his last film! He recently sent me a list of his top 5 personal favorite films he worked on from "first time directors":

1. Drugstore cowboy
2. Starjuice
3. Bottle Rocket
4. Bound
5. Project X

Larry Williams (Co-Founder of VA program New Directions for Veterans) voice acts the role of Bruce (the alien), his first time working on a film. His program has a 98% success rate of helping thousands of veterans find housing, sobriety, and a career that helps them re-enter civilian life.

Poster Designer Dan Harahan (Scarface, Chinatown, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) collaborated on the StarJuice poster and hand drew the logo.

Growing up in Culver City, my neighborhood is the set of The Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, so many magical films that changed art and life as we know it. My great-grandmother Esther Tweeten Coombs was seamstress to Judy Garland, and worked on many films with her, including work on Dorothy's blue and white checkered dress in The Wizard of Oz.

I look forward to continuing what David Lynch calls "The Art Life", at my mountain studio “The Moon Drive Art House”, and eventually building an indie film ranch, creating more original work that inspires us to lead with curiosity and deepen understanding toward our loved ones and neighbors.

We hope to come celebrate art and cinema together with you!!