Father Geek here... This ol'San Antonio boy (grew up there from 1947 to 1965 when I moved to Austin) is happy as can be. They've been building on the set for Ron Howard's ALAMO out west of Austin for quite a while now. Buuuut there was no real offical word on what was happening, just workmen's rumors for the most part, and a large area out near Dripping Springs under a heavy security watch.

However, today this bit by Joe O'Connell appeared on Page 2 of The Austin American Statesman newspaper... It speaks for itself...

Crew Members Sought for ALAMO remake

WANTED: Crew Members for Ron Howard's remake of "The Alamo."

That notice went up on THE TEXAS FILM COMMISSION's Web site Friday along with a fax number for job seekers to send resumes. The fax line was immediately deluged.

The Film Commission said shooting is expected to run from September to Feburary, and a set is under construction near Hamilton Pool west of Austin. But the movie is not yet cast, or even officially greenlighted by Disney. In Los Angeles, the movie's production office is still referring questions to a publicist who has yet to be hired.

Howard apparently is scoping a wider tale of Texas than just the San Antonio Battle. Earlier this month, he quitely traveled to Goliad to visit Presidio La Bahia, the site of the signing of the first Texas Declaration of Independence and the Goliad Massacre, during which Mexican Dictator Santa Anna ordered all prisoners of war killed.

Father Geek back... John Sayles and Howard have been working out the writing of this epic for some time now and have been seeking advice from "In-the-know" Texans around the state and even here at Geek Headquarters, sooooooo I am very happy that its reached this stage. The Texas Film Commission is not one to shoot their mouths off prematurely, or draw their guns half-cocked... Its happening, it doesn't matter what the "Hollywood spin" on the issue may be, Its Happening. YEEEEEEE-HAAA!!!

Here's the offical notice...

ALAMO

Feature (studio)

Location: Austin, TX

Start Date: Fall

Wrap Date: February

Executive Producer: Todd Hallowell

Producer: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer

Director: Ron Howard

Production Manager: Kathy McGill

Production Coordinator: Mika Saito

Hotline Notes: Crew positions will be paid. Crew resumes can be faxed to the production office.

Casting: NOT accepting Headshots and Resumes for Casting at this time.

Production Office Fax: (512) 264-2263

(IMPORTANT: CREW RESUMES ONLY, PLEASE.) PLEASE NOTE: This number is correct and the fax machine is working. They are experiencing an extremely high volume of faxes -- please keep trying.