Meet Alyne Harding | Film Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyne Harding and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For Austin, I really didn’t know what I was getting into, but I knew I needed a change. Having just finalized a bitter divorce, after years of longing to get back into something creative, I jumped at the first chance I had. I’ve basically been learning on the job every since.

For the Dallas project, I couldn’t stand to see Texas lose another 48HFP city. The 48HFP gives locals a chance to stretch their creative wings and, like I did with producing the project, learn and polish the craft as they go.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Life has never been easy for me, despite some extraordinary privileges. I’ve amazed two shrinks with the stories of my life, and both have affirmed that I’ve survived incredibly well, all things considered. I think the key to my success has been the following:

1. Show up
2. Don’t be afraid
3. Try and try again
3. Failure IS an option
4. Trust yourself
5. Look beyond the surface
6. Think outside the box
7. Luck is where you find it

I was raised by a socialite and a blue-collar worker who no one expected to stay together. I grew up with a brother with special needs in a culture that was not my own. I’m a study in contrasts and nothing like what others assume. That is my strength,

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It’s been a long time since I actually lived in Dallas, but I’ve always loved the Stockyards! Recently, I discovered Dallas Makerspace, which is amazing, and Cane Russo Wood Fired Pizza, which was phenomenal. I always stop at Eatzi’s when I’m in town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many who I owe a debt of gratitude to, but top of the list would be Elizabeth Reeder Neubauer. “Reeder,” as I will always think of her, was the dance counselor at a camp I attended for three years, starting at age 11. While I didn’t take her class until my last year, I always saw her as a role model — we all did. She was just so cool! Cocky, confident, irreverent, super smart… everything a Gen X pre-teen could dream of becoming.

Facebook reconnected us decades later. I briefly worked for her when her assistant was on medical leave. During that time, she was focused on editing a short that had evolved out of a 48HFP. I can’t be certain, but I’ll bet our connection put me over the top in consideration for the Austin City Producer position. It turns out, Reeder’s team had the distinction of being the “most disqualified team in 48HFP history!”

My third year, I was very close to recruiting 48 teams — a number that would unlock the Genre Project in Austin. It was a day or two until kickoff and I had 46 teams with one registration unfinished. I noticed that Reeder’s team, Studio E,” was missing, so I called her. She’d been planning to sit this one out due to various personal challenges. I understood and wasn’t about to push, but she heard the disappointment in my voice and asked what was going on, so I told her. She thought a second and said, “tell ya’ what… if that 47th team finalizes their registration, you call me. I’ll sign up. It may be me and my dogs and a cell phone, but I’ll get you your 48th team.” I was so touched and thrilled. A few hours later, team #47 was official and I called her up. She registered hours before Kickoff.

At the screening several days later, during a Q&A session, someone asked every team what made them sign up. Reeder’s response was, “when Aly calls and says ‘do it,’ you do it.” I nearly cried! The authority she bestowed on me in that statement was so powerful. People treated me with more respect after that, and I think I must have carried myself with more confidence, too.

More recently, Reeder and her husband relocated to Nova Scotia, but she’s still always a phone call away. Last year, she performed the duties of Judge for our very first Film de Femme Genre Project.

Website: https://linktr.ee/noblwish

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4URPSNpE5vE3qvf23cp9LA

Other: Basically, everything can be found on the Linktree site.