Austin Film Tools . About AFT
 

Thanks for visiting the Austin Film Tools online site.  My name is Michael Morlan.  I am the owner/operator of AFT.  I'm a camera operator, gaffer and director of photography in the Austin, Texas region.  I also occasionally conduct seminars on lighting for those new to the craft, as well as write an occasional article on various aspects of film and video production.

I've been actively involved in industrial, commercial, and narrative production since 1988.  I got my start as a 3D animator for a large architectural firm in Houston and quickly took on the roles of editor, director, and producer.  After a couple years as a freelance broadcast designer, I moved to Austin in 1995 to work as a writer, director, and animator for Origin Systems, a computer game developer.  I got serious about building a narrative film career in 1996 when I attended a local film production seminar taught by Steve Mims and lit my first 16mm film.  I still proudly sport a frame from that first film on my business card - a picture of Death peering through a keyhole to his "patient" on the other side.  Since then, I've shot, lit, written and directed a variety of short-form productions for others and myself - and learned a lot along the way.

You can browse my portfolio at michael-morlan.net.

In 2003 I realized the production gear collecting in my garage could benefit others when I'm not using it myself and started renting it out.  In January of 2005, I took the next step, adding $25,000 of grip/electric tools to  build a 1-ton package.  But, I needed a catchy name.

And so began Austin Film Tools.

You won't see the latest digital video cameras in my inventory (although I have cross-rental deals with other shops and rep private owner's gear.)  I believe there are other shops better prepared to stock, support, and maintain these very delicate tools in a constantly changing field of format choices.  I prefer to focus on gear that is rugged, easy to use, and needed on every film set.  Every set needs a light, right?  You will see a growing list of lights, grip, sound, and camera support gear. 

Austin Film Tools is the gear I want on my set.  Now, you can have it on your set too.