The Texas Film Commission has actively been in existence since 1971, yet there has not been any published study that examines its history, how it functions, or its impact on the film industry in Texas. Using information gathered from magazine and newspaper articles, the State laws of Texas, letters from people associated with the Texas Film Commission, and interviews, this study explores these aspects of the Film Commission. Texas has been popular as a filmmaking state since the early 1900's. It was through the interest of the State legislators that a film commission was established in Texas. Guidelines for the Texas Film Commission are described in the State Statutes of Texas. The goal of the Texas Film Commission is to encourage and promote both out-of-state and in-state production. It does receive assistance in promoting Texas as a filmmaking state from other State agencies, but is solely responsible for increasing Texas' popularity with filmmakers through marketing seminars and advertising campaigns.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is the ascertainment of the attitudes of members of the Texas film industry toward the film curriculum offered in Texas institutions of higher learning. Based on the findings the following conclusions have been reached. There is not a high regard overall for film-studies programs in Texas institutions of higher learning within the film industry. This may be overcome by an interaction of the professional film community as an active participant in curriculum planning and development. Of prime consideration should be an association of film schools coordinating programs in cooperation with the Texas Film Commission. An effective curriculum for film-studies education may be organized by utilization of learning modules. This plan would organize the learning experiences in a functional manner and would move toward involvement of a career nature.