Making a movie is like a stagecoach trip

OK Buckaroos,

Here we go again. I know it’s been awhile and a long road.

A couple of years ago I stood on the stage at The Paramount Theatre in front of nearly thousand Jerry Jeff fans and before I introduced Jerry Jeff that night for his 70th Birthday Bash show, I thanked the fans for their interest in my documentary OK Buckaroos and I also promised we would finish it and get it out. The making of any documentary must be fueled by passion – some might say a healthy dose of insanity - AND ARE FULL OF SURPRISES. Well I’m here to tell ya I’m still crazy, with ample passion and gratitude but we are not done yet.

Our film has screened well in numerous public and private settings but before we can go to an official release we still have work to do, although with a little editing clean-up, it’s primarily in the area of licensing and clearances for all the amazing archived scenes and the 29 songs I put in the film. I have assembled a new team with the sole focus of fund raising to finish, license and achieve the widest distribution possible and now we have asked for the fans help. Please spread the word and more importantly visit us on Kickstarter. Or if you like to talk to us about an equity position contact Beau Ross.

We are looking to a series of Sneak Previews across the US as part of our fund-raising and overall marketing efforts. If you know a theater in your area and feel strongly about the film showing there please contact us with that information.

Thanks for hanging in there. I’m thinking about my entry below quoting Truffaut from November 9th 2009!  "Making a movie is like a stagecoach trip. First you hope for a nice ride. Then you just hope to reach your destination."

So true.

Dare of an Angel

There was a small “meet and greet” social in September for investors and my filmmaker friends working on the project with me. So I threw together a little 10 minute short film that was somewhat reflective of where I was going with the feature film. I used white on black type with lyrics from different Jerry Jeff songs to sort-a drive the piece. At the end of the evening Jerry Jeff took me aside and suggested that we just go back in and pick some songs that he would perform solo and informally to achieve the same narrative structure. He thought it might be better. Oh Yeah! We now have a handful of these gems throughout the film. Thank you JJ.

I think the three artists we cast for third party exposition in our film couldn’t have been better. Ray Wylie, a contemporary of Jerry Jeff,was “there” and while providing valuable insight he adds a great deal of wit and will provide the viewer with some “chuckles.” Bruce Robison is very thoughtful, articulate and knowledgeable. He reveals a strong link for the next generation of singer-songwriters that followed Jerry Jeff and the original Outlaws. Finally, Todd Snider the third generation in this music genealogy is a walking encyclopedia on Jerry Jeff. His inspiration and respect for our film’s “hero” was very impressive. When you think about the fact that he was 7 years old when Viva Terlingua was released, he has obviously done his research. The tradition continues!

I'm remembering the film Day for Night, Francois Truffaut's elegy to cinema. Truffaut actually plays the lead character, Ferrand, a director making a movie, and narrates the film. In one scene he comments, "Making a movie is like a stagecoach trip. First you hope for a nice ride. Then you just hope to reach your destination."

After over thirty years of filmmaking, believe me, I get it. The creative process is an arduous one and there are many days of doubt, frustration and confusion…… especially when you are down to those final stages....the patina, if you will. But you keep punching through (I know JJ would back me on that) because in the end you find the beginning again...and it's a wonderful feeling. The email below that we received last week from Eric Lindstrom of Spokane, Washington, reminded me of the beginning and why we are making this film! Thanks Eric.


Hello Folks,


Well to begin with I realize that JJ probably never reads any of these emails but I just have to tell somebody this.  I'm 58 yrs old and a bass player, I spent most all of the 70's and early 80's on the road playing honky tonks throughout the northwest, midwest and 4 providences of Canada, singing and playing JJW songs.


This adventure to this day has made me one of the wealthiest men on this big blue marble. JJW’s SPIRIT and honesty in song writing and story telling, outlook on just doin’ it, has kept me going for decades now. I was fortunate enough to attend in 2000 JJW’s Birthday Bash. Holy shit I got to see 2 guys that if I had a last wish, would want to sit down and have a beer with - Jimmy Buffet and JJW.
I couldn't hold back my emotion - another great thing to take to the beyond with me.


I'm writing this in response to the documentary film being made. To me Jerry Jeff is the flag bearer of hope, understanding and LIVING LIFE to its’ fullest unknown expectations. What a gift I have received from this man channeling the Spirit of music. I only wish I had the words to explain how JJW’s music has helped me through the rough roads of life!!


LIFE AS WE KNOW IT,
From the heart, thank you JJ.


Eric Lindstrom
Spokane Wash.


PS. still playin’ and singing your songs

We've added some new scenes for your enjoyment - Ray Wylie and the Red Neck Mother story. Ray has added so much to the film and he provides a perfect balance with our Bruce Robison and Todd Snider interviews. Ray is truly an old spirit and you can't help but feel some connection to something larger than the moment when listening to him.

He was talking to Marty and me off camera the day we interviewed him and he said, "never second guess inspiration," then turned to me and said, "but you can always re-write." Hmmm, sorta sounds like Truffaut.

Director's Statement

I first met the Walkers in 2000 when I was called into to direct a branding and image campaign for Time Warner Cable of Central Texas. There was some apprehension with the creative on the campaign for not being Texas enough. When the president of the company posed the question, “What if Patrick got Jerry Jeff Walker to perform in the spots, would that make it Texas enough?” The answer was obvious. Thus began a decade long relationship with one of my musical heros. Yes, I remember the impact when I first heard Viva Terlingua on the radio as a young filmmaker growing up in Dallas and then made my obligatory pilgrimage to Luckenbach.  Last summer I filmed a July 4th concert and once again watched the 67 year old desperado, his voice filled with the grit of the Dust Bowl, lift spirits with songs that cut to the essential heart of life. I went to my friend, Susan Walker, with a desire to do “something” with this beautiful concert footage. Susan handed me several large boxes of 40 years of archives and the trust to do “something”. So here we are. It’s a privilege.

Director, Patrick Tourville and editor, Sean Schiavolin review scenes with Jerry Jeff.

Here are a couple photos from Ray Wylie shoot. "Executive Producer, Marty Garvin and Director, Patrick Tourville get off camera insights from the sage of the Hill Country." Ray brings a wonderful perspective to the film in his two hour interview.
 

Patrick Tourville with Ray Wylie Hubbard.

 Executive Producer, Marty Garvin and Director, 

 Patrick Tourville get off camera insights from the sage of the Hill Country.