Filmmaking, Identity & Resistance: El on Crafting Safe Spaces

In this episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, Joel Austin sits down with El, a non-binary filmmaker from Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss creativity, identity, and resistance during politically turbulent times. El shares insights about their film projects including "Cam Girl" and "Going Native," while offering wisdom on how to create art with limited resources. The conversation explores how marginalized creators can carve out safe spaces, build community, and maintain artistic practices despite feeling under attack from multiple fronts.

El provides valuable perspective on the thriving underground art scene in Atlanta, the realities of sex work portrayed in their project "Cam Girl," and how creators can start small while pursuing ambitious creative goals. This insightful discussion offers both practical filmmaking advice and philosophical reflections on finding joy and purpose through creativity during challenging times.

⭐ More about El: 

• El’s Website: https://www.iantrutt.com/
• Cam Girl: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAwFZtFKqliZA8fhu1OiOjVGRS4e1zFvL
• Going Native: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COb4HNCzq1g
• El’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ian.the.writer
• El’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian.the.writer

 

⭐ More Resources from this Episode: 

• FOSTA-SESTA Legislation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOSTA-SESTA
• Yellow Tinted Glasses: https://www.instagram.com/yellowtintedglasses/
• The Harvester: https://youtu.be/GbbprRV-2-s?si=J0k9Vxlr5WHfg623
• Sara and the Animals: https://youtu.be/OChmMxNb7WM?si=TE89Z-rwrnyTYz8I

 

🎭 Joel Austin is an actor, writer, filmmaker, and podcaster living in Los Angeles, CA. He teaches at UCLA Ext. and produces Beyond the Walled Garden with Joel Austin. He releases multiple videos and shorts every week. Find more about him below. 🎭

 

⭐ More about Joel Austin:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joel_austin?sub_confirmation=1
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joelaustin.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whyisjoelaustin
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1792430/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_joel%2520austin
• Site: https://joel-austin.com
• Email: joel@joel-austin.com

 

⭐ More about Beyond the Walled Garden:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkghuyUIQo2L5-X-gsEDwoVKDYuCYruc4
• Podcast Platforms: https://beyond-walled-garden.podbean.com/

#FilmmakingIdentity #CreativeResistance #IndependentFilm