Making movies and memories

 

“They're gonna put me in the movies
They're gonna make a big star out of me
We’ll make the film about a man that’s sad and lonely
And all I gotta do is act naturally” – Buck Owens, “Act Naturally”

I forgot my hat! After all the stress and fuss, I forgot what was arguably one of the most important parts of my attire north of my drop-front breeches. Going back to get it will make me late – very late!

More about that in a minute. You see, July has been a big month for movies, at least for me. And not just movies in the theater. As a Texas Revolution reenactor, I have recently been cast as an extra in two short films. Trailers for both came out this month – one of which I really needed my hat for.

In terms of Hollywood blockbusters, I was thrilled to see the trailer for “Project Hail Mary,” which hits theaters next year. I’ve listened to the book by Andy Weir three times already and cannot wait for this movie!

In the theaters now are two movies I’ve been anxious to see – “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” I’m also interested in “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” but will probably wait until it streams on TV before I watch it.

I took Sandy to see “Superman” last Sunday and we were largely disappointed in it. Oh, it had its moments, but for the most part it relied too much on CGI effects, foul language, and a convoluted plot. I just hope “The Fantastic Four” lives up to the potential shown in the trailers.

Speaking of trailers, that brings me back to my hat. You see, I have a felt top hat that I use for reenactments of the Texas Revolution. It has been a centerpiece of my reenactment attire for several years now. I wore it in February when I spent a Saturday as an extra in a short film about the Goliad Massacre called “Visions of March.” It’s a film by Eric Rodriguez and is currently being shown at film festivals. It should start streaming online sometime in the coming months.

I loaned my top hat to a friend to use during Vacation Bible School at church. I got it back from him the day before I was scheduled to go to Gonzales to be an extra in the short film “Texas Legacy in Lights.” It’s a 24-minute film about the 1835 Come and Take It battle between residents of Gonzales and Mexican troops who have been ordered to take back a small cannon the government had given the townsfolk for protection from the Indians.

The film will be projected on the side of the Gonzales Memorial Museum using state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping technology. Its $370,720 budget was funded by the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation and Gonzales Main Street and it was filmed by Austin Film Crew founder and director John Franklin Rinehart.

As part of the casting process, I had to send in photos of me in various reenactment outfits and they were very specific about which one they wanted me to wear. I had a two-hour drive to Gonzales on a Thursday morning in June. I was halfway there when I realized that I had left my top hat at home. As that was an essential part of my outfit, I had to have it. I called my wife in a panic and asked if she could bring it to me. We would meet halfway in between.

Cell coverage was spotty where I was, so communication was difficult. I called Sandy again when I got to the place where I thought we would meet. That’s when I discovered she wasn’t home when I called. She had to run back to the house, get my hat, and was ready to head my way. I kept driving east and we eventually met in Caldwell. At this point I was due to arrive in 30 minutes with a 90-minute drive ahead of me.

I raced to Gonzales, checked into my hotel room, and then sped to the filming location west of town. When I arrived, I discovered why it is said that making a movie is a lot of hurry up and wait. Even though I was over an hour late, I still had plenty of time before they needed me. I put on my gear, placed my hat on my head, and met with Kerry Hellums for approval of my outfit.

Hellums looked me over and said it was OK except for my hat.

“It’s too formal,” he said.

He had me go to wardrobe to get one of theirs. I don’t know what expression my face may have betrayed at that moment but I quietly obliged. For two days those of us serving as extras filmed scenes that will last only seconds on the wall of the museum. I did get to spend time with friends, including Kyle Jones of College Station who is the secretary of the William J. Bryan Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

“Texas Legacy in Lights” will premier Oct. 2 in Gonzales to help kick off the annual Come and Take It Celebration. Kyle and I invite you to join us there. I’ll be easy to spot. Just look for the guy with the brown felt top hat!