Film crews here for rodeo week

By Gene Deason/Brownwood Bulletin
July 25, 2005

Brownwood will serve as the backdrop for a short film being filmed this week, production officials with long-term family ties to the city have announced.

Writer/director Allison Cook, an Austin native currently enrolled in the Graduate Film Program at Columbia University in New York, said the film, "Junior," will be screened this fall in New York, and then on the film festival circuit.

"I am very excited to be shooting in Brownwood and involving the local community," Cook said. "Everyone we have contacted for assistance has been extremely helpful."

Jack Humphrey, the film's producer, echoed her sentiments.

"We are so grateful to the local residents and businesses that have welcomed our production with open arms," he said.

Humphrey and Cook are the son and daughter-in-law of area residents Dr. John and Lou Humphrey.

The film's cast and crew, made up almost entirely of actors and film professionals from Austin and Brownwood, will be shooting in and around Brownwood from Thursday this week through Monday, Aug. 1. An important scene will take place at the Brown County Rodeo, where the film producers will be shooting on Friday night.

The production team has been coordinating its plans with Terry Edgar, president of the Brown County Fair Association, Humphrey said.

"Junior" is the story of Toby, a 16-year-old city youth who travels to a small town to spend the summer with his father. While Toby lives with his mother, a lawyer, his dad Darrell struggles to make a living as a ranch hand.

In addition to the rodeo, several local businesses will serve as locations for the production, Humphrey said. They include Citizens National Bank, Traveler's RV Park and Commerce Square. Local restaurants, including Underwood's, Subway, Steve's Market and Deli and Section Hand -- are supporting the production with meals for cast and crew. LaNita Richmond at the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce has provided advice and guidance.

They said anyone interested in appearing as an extra in "Junior" may send an e-mail with a personal description to junior at fivewells.com.

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This article appeared in the Brownwood Bulletin on Monday, July 25, 2005. [link]