Well here's a fella that just had his first film hard on. There is nothing quite as great as a fantastic filmmaking experience. That sense that you are working for a common goal, the Mickey Rooney "Let's Throw A Show" excitement. The fact that you'll bend over backwards to do whatever it takes to be involved in a film. Here is an idyllic film experience to whet your appetites, and damn if I am anxious to see this here HAPPY, TEXAS flick...
I recently had the opportunity to work on a small independent film called "Happy, Texas" and I thought you might like to hear the inside word on it. And, taking a cue from your page, I'll give you my insights and inner monologues on the whole experience.
The film was written by Ed Stone, Phil Reeves, and Mark Illsley. Mr. Illsley is also the director. I'm not sure what else these gentlemen have worked on in the past, but they are consummate professionals and all around nice guys.
The film stars Jeremy Northam (of Emma and Mimic), Steve Zahn (That Thing You Do), Ally Walker (t.v.'s The Profiler), Ron Perlman (Alien Resurrection), M.C. Gainey (Con-Air and Breakdown) and William H. Macy (Fargo).
The filming took place in Piru, Califonia over 26 days (which ends this Sunday). Piru is a small town located north of Hollywood off Interstate 5 deep in orange grove territory. The main source of employment in the area is a Sunkist orange plantation. But, this whole area doubles for the town of Happy, Texas, which is where our story takes place...
Bob (Gainey), Wayne (Zahn), and Harry (Northam) are convicts who escape from a prison van somewhere in Texas.
Hot on the trail is Texas Marshall Nalhober (Perlman). Bob is a mean son-of-a-b who beats up Wayne, steals the prison van, and heads off into the desert. Wayne and Harry decide to team up and head off in another direction, hoping Nalhober will go after Bob.
The pair make their way to a nearby town and steal a Winnebago from 2 gay men who travel from town to town teaching would-be beauty contestants how to sing and dance and win beauty contests. Wayne and Harry high-tail it out of town, only to break down in the middle of the night near Happy, Texas (the town without a frown).
They are picked up by Sheriff Chappy Dent (Macy). No sooner can you say "mistaken identity," Wayne and Harry are thought to be the pageant instructors. So, now they must pose as a gay couple in order to avoid the law. Complicating the situation is the fact that both Wayne and Harry fall for two different women in the town. One is Joe (Walker), who runs the only bank in town and the other is Ms. Schafer, who runs the beauty pageant. Of course, Chappy just happens to have a crush on Harry as well. And then Bob shows up to rob the bank and all hell breaks loose.
The script is oustanding. Very funny and touching, with the right amount of action thrown in and very real characters. The producers kept comparing it to "an American Full Monty" and I think that rings true. It's a great little movie with a super cast and beautiful cinematography. I got to see some of the dailies and they are gorgeous. But I'm getting ahead of myself. How did all this come about?
I live in Montgomery, Alabama. One of my friends is a professional stuntman who just moved back to Alabama from Los Angeles.
The stunt coordinator on this film called him and offered him the job of doubling for M.C. Gainey (Swamp Thing from Con-Air). My friend jumped at the chance and asked me if I wanted to go.
I packed my bags and headed out west in a heartbeat. I was going to hang out on a real life movie set. Too cool. When we got there, the cast and crew were friendly and inviting and I immediately felt at home. No Hollywood egos on this set. It was what I imagine the perfect set should be. Everyone a true professional, doing their job to the best of their ability and everyone thinking of the FILM. Sure, money was tight (only 1.5 million budget) but the food was great, the town was friendly, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
And the best part was, I got a job doing stunt work! I actually got paid to work on a movie! All for just showing up one day! The stunt trailer was next to the actors' trailers, so between takes I got to know the cast pretty well.
Mr. Macy brought his dog, Walter, to the set everyday and sat outside his trailer with us and drank beer, played harmonica, and just chatted. A great, down-to-earth guy.
Jeremy Northam was hysterical. Very laid back and sophisticated.
Steve Zahn was kind of shy, but I would catch him sitting outside his trailer playing guitar every now and then.
Ally Walker is very friendly, always smiling and laughing.
But the best by far had to be M.C. Gainey. This guy is a nut! He had a thousand stories, each one funnier than the next. His girlfriend, Beth Williams, plays in a rock band (The Beth Williams Band) and we all went to see her at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. She rocks! If you live in L.A., keep your eyes peeled for her. She's great. Think Bonnie Raitt cranked up to 11.
Anywho, my experience was unbelievable. I got to hang off the side of a tow truck while it was driving down twisty back roads, all while towing a winnebago. And my friend got to jump out of window while being shot at. It was amazing!
And I got a SAG card out of the deal! How cool is that?
The film should be out this fall (if all goes to plan) and judging from the script, I'd recommend it to anyone. The dailies looked great and the cast and crew put everything they had into it.
Remember the name "Happy, Texas." It's gonna be a great film!
Just call me "The Big Bag of Oranges"
