Austin turns out for SAG watch party

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A crowd of more than 100 people gathered Sunday night to watch the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild awards broadcast from Los Angeles as part of a fundraising event for the Texas Motion Picture Alliance.

The cocktail party and viewing held at ND@501 Studios was co-hosted by Austin Actors Conservatory, which provides professional actor training and a variety of workshops . It was founded in 2008 and is made up of SAG and American Federation of Television and Radio artists who live in Texas. Proceeds from Sunday's event all go to TXMPA.

The event was one of three held in the state to unite Texas industry professionals, to gather with television and film fans in Austin, Houston and Dallas. Austin attendees had their moment in the spotlight via a live stream to the parties held at the same time in the other cities.

“We had a great turnout this year, surpassing last year’s attendance and fundraising,” TXMPA president Susan Fowler said. “The success of our 2012 SAG Awards parties demonstrates TXMPA’s statewide reach and legislative impact.”

Food, beverages, gift bags and a silent auction, along with a "best dressed" contest, helped set the festive mood at the second annual viewing party. More than 40 items were up for bid, including:

• hotel stays
• Violet Crown Cinema gift bags
• Alamo Drafthouse gift bags
• Directors Works and posters from D7 Studios
• Solaro Estate private wine tasting for six people

The event was catered by Texas Kitchen Divas, a company that specializes in production catering for on-site locations of film and television crews.

Three men were tapped to take part in the men's portion of the contest, and Jeff Grossman chosen the winner as the audience clapped and cheered for each contestant.

The winner of the ladies' best dressed contest was young Sydney Michele, who thanked her parents and her agent for their support. Her attire had a nostalgic flair, complete with mink stole around her shoulders and a swirled taffeta dress.

TXMPA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 as an advocate for the film, video, commercial, interactive and digital media production industries in Texas. The organization works to build a strong community of industry professionals, educate the general public and provide competitive economic incentives.