Studio Resident Feature: June Third Films

Following the Fun

“One thing we say over and over to ourselves is ‘follow the fun,’” says Sam Mohney, one-half of the Austin directing duo known as June Third Films that has taken up residence in one of ArtUs Co's studios. “I think we use that as our North Star—as long as we’re making something that we would want to watch ourselves, we think it’s a worthwhile project.”

June Third Films is a pandemic-born project and the brainchild of Mohney and Huay-Bing Law.

“I remember we were both feeling restless from not working on anything,” Law reflects, “So we started meeting up once a week as an excuse to get some projects going–for some motivation and accountability. Once a week, turned into twice, then eventually every day, basically. We call ourselves workout buddies.”

The company name is a nod to the pair’s earliest collaborations during their time in graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin: Law’s thesis film shot by Mohney, titled “June,” and Mohney’s pre-thesis film shot by Law, titled “Third Shift.”

“We have hundreds of first draft names that never saw the light of day,” Mohney asserts, “but we still use them with each other.”

The range of projects the two have worked on cannot be boxed in. As Law puts it, they “dabble in a bit of everything.”

Law (far left) and Mohney (center left) during production of their short documentary “TEXAS TO TOKYO: HURLEY SISTERS” in collaboration with Texas Monthly.

Currently, Mohney and Law are working on narrative pieces. This differs from their more recent projects, which include a documentary for Texas Monthly on the ballet dancer Harper Watters, a feature on skateboarder Jordan Santana (Law: “She taught me how to ‘shred.’”), a debut music video for their friend Rajinee, and a series of experimental pieces where local dancers perform to voiceovers of poems written by local poets.

“Unfair to choose a favorite,” Law concludes.

Anyone who has ever worked on a group project before knows that it takes a great deal of a certain type of compatibility to work so closely and so cohesively. This is especially true in creative fields, where styles, visions, working habits, and even goals can differ in every possible way. If the right things do not align, it is easy for a team project to never survive past the idea stage. And yet, June Third Films’ creators seem to only grow more excited with each completed project.

“For us, I think we have the same creative goals and have some overlap in sensibilities,” Law explains. “I’d say there’s also trust in each other’s instincts, and the process of figuring things out is fun.”

“What he said,” Mohney agrees.

As for their differences, what does each bring to the table?

“Patience, optimism, height,” Law says of Mohney. “Lots of other things, but those are the first three that come to mind.”

“Encouragement, ambition, structure,” Mohney says of Law. “Also a crazy—but genius—idea to buy and mod a cargo van to use on all our shoots.”

Law (far right) and Mohney (center) during production of their short documentary “TEXAS TO TOKYO: MICHELLE CARTER” in collaboration with Texas Monthly.

Even with a modded van, the pair both value the stability of having a designated studio space to bring their visions to life.

“For me, I think it helped make our company real and concrete,” Mohney explains. “It gave me a place to go everyday to focus on creativity, work and fun.”

Law breaks down their creative process as best he can, while acknowledging that it varies depending on the type of project they are working on.

“Generally speaking, one of us might have a nugget of an idea, or something we’re interested in developing,” he says. “Then we’ll ping-pong it back and forth in the room, and find the overlap in what we’re both interested in. […] When we’re actually shooting, it’s pretty collaborative and loose. […] When someone has an idea, we’ll usually just try it without overthinking it, and hand the camera back and forth willingly. Same goes for post [production].”

“I think a lot of it is committing to an idea in the moment,” Mohney adds, “and then constantly trying to find new ways to make it better. That goes for writing, prepping, shooting, editing—basically everything.”

Both Law and Mohney agree that they have gained more confidence and trust in their instincts since founding June Third Films, and both enjoy the creative process.

“Geeking out on things we like,” Law says of his favorite part of the process. “Learning from things we don’t.”

“Watching your idea come to life,” Mohney reveals as his own favorite part. “It doesn’t always work out, or look how you imagined it, but when it does, it’s a pretty great feeling.”

Not to mention that being able to freely collaborate with fellow creatives in almost the same ways as pre-COVID times has given June Third Films newfound inspiration.

“Being able to work with other artists again,” Law names as something he is particularly proud of recently. “Making work again and finding joy in it.”  

“Just seeing how much we’ve grown as artists in one year,” Mohney adds. “I’m excited for what’s next.”

Want to see more? Check out their work at https://www.junethirdfilms.com/ or @junethirdfilms on Instagram.

Written by Kaiti Neuman.