Brown County Rodeo backdrop for new film

By Celinda Emison / Reporter-News Staff Writer
July 28, 2005

So you want to be in the movies?

You might get your wish if you head to the Brown County Rodeo Friday night. The rodeo will be the backdrop for a short film titled ''Junior,'' which is being shot in Brownwood Thursday through Monday.

The 42nd annual Brown County Rodeo kicks off today at the Earl Q. Wilson Rodeo Arena.

The movie is written and directed by Austin native Allison Cook, 31, a student in the graduate film program at Columbia University in New York.

"Everyone we have contacted (in Brownwood) for assistance has been very helpful," Cook said.

Jack Humphrey, 32, said a production team has been coordinating the Friday night scene with Terry Edgar, president of the Brown County Fair Association.

"The rodeo is the centerpiece of the story," said Humphrey, who was raised in Brownwood until he moved to Austin in 1987. He and Cook are married.

The movie is the story of Toby, a 16-year-old city kid who leaves his mom, an attorney, to spend the summer with his father, who struggles making a living as a ranch hand.

Humphrey said scenes also will be shot at several area businesses.

"Allison had Brownwood in mind when she was writing the script," Humphrey said. "We are still casting the local parts."

The 15-minute short film will be screened in New York this fall and will then go on the film festival circuit, Humphrey said.

Even if you don't make it to the Friday night shoot, the rodeo will be the place to be all weekend in Brownwood as will the cast and crew of the movie.

The rodeo begins at 8 tonight and will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, ladies breakaway roping, steer wrestling, ladies barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.

The rodeo parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Brownwood. The parade will travel from Brownwood Coliseum at 500 Baker Street, down Center Avenue and back up Fisk Avenue to the coliseum.

Terry Walls of Stephenville will supply the stock for the rodeo and announcer Ben Clements, is also from Stephenville.

If you go ...

What: 42nd Annual Brown County Rodeo
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
Where: Earl Q. Wilson Rodeo Arena on U.S. Highway 377 South
Admission: $7 at the gate, $5 in advance for adults; $3 at the gate and $2 in advance for children.
Advance tickets are available at Scott's Casual and Western Wear at 1003 U.S. Highway 183, in Early; Citizens National Bank at #1 Carnegie in Brownwood and KOXE Radio at 300 Carnegie in Brownwood.
Proceeds benefit: The Brown County Youth Fair Association

Casting call: To be considered as an extra for the movie "Junior," send an e-mail describing yourself to junior at fivewells.com

Contact Brownwood staff writer Celinda Emison at (325) 641-8804 or emisonc at reporternews.com.

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2005 The E.W. Scripps Co. and the Abilene Reporter-News.
This article appeared in the Abilene Reporter News on Thursday, July 28, 2005. [link]