Texas-inspired indie Automatic returns for Austin's South by Southwest Film Festival March 14-18, 2005
NBC Daytimer Travis Schuldt makes silver screen debut

Austin, Texas' South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival and Conference has accepted feature film AUTOMATIC, an independent shot in Houston, TX. The entry spurs a Lone Star state return for the Texan producers and cast to celebrate the film's world premiere. Screening sessions are scheduled for Monday, March 14 - 9PM at The Dobie Theater, Wednesday, March 16th - 6:30 PM at The Alamo Theater and Friday, March 18th - 11:30 AM at The Alamo Theater.

Now in its 12th year, SXSW is an annual celebration of film - a weeklong opportunity to view, discuss and explore all aspects of film creation and production, from screenwriting through distribution.

In AUTOMATIC, an ensemble cast of three reckless men and three drifting women follow various paths of content and contempt within the droning, repetitive confines of suburbia. When these six people attempt change, their lives are turned upside down. This confusion, pooled with the commonality and insecurity that life on the outskirts breeds, leads to a series of questionable decisions that destruct morals and reinforce an existence that refuses to change. Everything turns right side up...or wrong side up. It's AUTOMATIC.

Travis Schuldt, formerly of NBC's sudsy daytime drama "Passions," makes his silver screen debut as `Randall Dunn,` a player losing his financial means to play. Writer and producer Jay Thames portrays `Will Marcus,` a lonely young man already stuck in a dead end job with no hope in sight. Brandy Howard is `Sam Miller-Sliva,` a temptress of a half-sister. `Sara Miller,` a dutiful wife yearning for something more is played by Jennifer Ferguson. Rounding out the ensemble are familiar faces Sean O'Bryan (Phenomenon, Big Fat Liar) as `Brad Miller,` and Jamie Anne Brown (The Notebook) playing `Austin,` a nomadic vixen any man would want.

AUTOMATIC was shot over a 19 day period with a Panasonic SDX 900 camera using various innovative methods (including a tripod equipped with a deflated basketball) which gives the film its signature look and style.

Schuldt and Thames, the principals in 35 Terrace, produced the film with private equity financing. AUTOMATIC, written by Thames, was directed by Jonathan Walls (Playing for Change - showing on The Sundance Channel in June/July). 35 Terrace is a Los Angeles, CA based independent film production company.