Austin Area Talent celebrates the 2010 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Made for Television Movie for Temple Grandin. This film has also received the following 2010 Emmy Awards: Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special (Mick Jackson); Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Alex Wurman); Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie (Leo Trombetta); Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (David Strathairn); Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Julia Ormond); and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Claire Danes). In this winning film Claire Danes is remarkable as Temple Grandin. In the movie the audience sees that Temple, who is autistic, is not disabled but abled differently and brilliantly.

Temple Grandin also has 2010 Emmy Awards Nominations: Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Austin’s Beth Sepko, David Rubin, Richard Hicks); Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie (Richard Hoover - Production Designer, Meghan C. Rogers- Art Director, Gabriella Villarreal - Set Decorator); Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Movie (Geordie Sheffer, Charles Yusko);
Outstanding Main Title Design (Michael Riley, Zee Nederlander Dru Nget, Bob Swenson). Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Movie, Non-Prosthetic (Tarra D. Day, Meredith Johns); Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Bryan Bowen, Vanessa LaPato, Paul Curtis, Petra Bach, Bruce Tanis, Ellen Segal, David Lee Fein, Hilda Hodges); Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special (Christopher Monger, Merritt Johnson; and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a
Miniseries or Movie (Catherine O'Hara).

Temple Grandin, a woman in her 60's with autism, has been known as one of the leading figures in autism advocacy. She has been a role model who has shown both the struggles and successes that can come from autism. As a young person, she was different and misunderstood. However, Grandin went to college and eventually earned a PhD in animal science. She has ultimately also became an advocate of humane slaughterhouses. This passionate film of her life is richly meaningful.

This project has been filmed in the Austin area. Regional talent, including many University of Mary Hardin-Baylor film students, alumni, and faculty, have been cast for multiple scenes with Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara, and David Strathairn in this film about Dr. Temple Grandin. Those of us from UMHB, who have been involved in this project, have been pleased to support it and to be part of such a fine autobiographical and inspirational story. We have been impressed with the leads, support cast, crew, and directors involved with the production of this film. 

It has been a joy and a privilege for us Greater Austin talent to participate in and support many such outstanding projects produced in Central Texas. Many of us, who are cast and crew, in the Central Texas film community continue to work hard at raising the bar of our performances so that we can continue to draw and participate in such worthwhile television and movie productions. We are grateful to our regional casting directors and agents for their diligence and support.

See Dr. Diane Howard's recent film reviews, recommendations and publications.