As the first day of production draws near (three weeks and counting) I am close to having my cast and crew in place. I spent the last three days watching the audition tapes, reviewing headshots and resumes and have made my casting decisions. For those of you who have not heard from me, don’t worry, I just have not had a chance to call or email you.

In addition to casting, I’ve been busy with filling crew positions – not just filling them but searching for the right people for this project. This has proven to be a difficult task but a rewarding one as well. Last week I secured a stunt/FX coordinator by the name of Joe Fury. What a great name for a stunt man. Anyway, he’s been in the business for over 20 years and actually has a stunt school where he trains up and coming stuntmen. Check out Joe’s website at http://www.fallguy1.com/. In addition to this I am in talks with a composer who I have worked with in the past as well as a production and post sound guy who has his own sound studio. Things are really coming together.

With schedules being finalized and flights being book, it finally feels like Cowboy Smoke is ready to go into the shooting-phase. The wait seemed like forever and somehow it feels like I’m running out of time. Before I know it, I’ll be in Texas and everything will be that much more real.

I had lunch with Will on Monday here in LA. It was great to finally sit down with him and talk. Our conversation touched on all subjects relating to the film and his excitement was really contagious. I was able to take a look at Will’s production books. He showed me a breakdown of the shooting schedule, some script changes, storyboards and a ton of location stills. We talked about wardrobe, stunt coordination, rehearsal and some of his stylized goals for the film.

When it comes to picking projects and working with certain directors, I find that the best directors have some unexplainable spark. It’s an excitement or passion that goes beyond just shooting a movie. Will definitely has that spark. He’s so excited and energized, that you cannot help but be drawn in. It’s important to have that in your director because, after all, you’re going to have to trust him completely when you’re in your most vulnerable state (on the set). Trust is so important. He’s trusting that you’re bringing something to the table and you’re trusting that he’s going to pull out your absolute best performance. If that spark is lacking, it’s hard for any actor to trust what they’re doing. My gut feeling is that this is going to be one hell of an experience. Will’s got that spark and it’s only going to build from now until we shoot. I can’t wait.

I have my work cut out for me because it is not going to be easy deciding who to cast. We had so many talented people, with great looks come in and audition over the weekend. Due to the fact that I will be traveling quite a bit in the next couple weeks all those who came in and auditioned should not expect to hear anything for at least a week and a half.

I really got a kick out of watching the actors come in and bring the script to life. During the audition each actor had the opportunity to read their sides three times. The first reading I simply asked the actor to read his or her part how they felt. During this reading I was grading the actor’s ability (talent & skill). During the next reading I gave the actor direction on the characters scene objective and for this reading I was grading the actor’s ability to take direction. For the final reading, I asked the actor to read his or her lines the opposite of what they had done on the previous reading. For example, if the actor had read his or her lines in a way that would intimidate and inform, I asked the actor to beg and grovel for the next reading. During this reading I was checking for the actor’s flexibility. Everyone that came in did a great job and I honestly mean that. I have never been so pleased with a casting session.

We finished the first day of casting here in Victoria and I am extremely excited. We had a great group of characters that came in, about 50 all day, and if we have as many talented people show up tomorrow then I am positive we will have a full cast in place. Unlike past experiences I really enjoyed myself. If you get a chance and would like to audition, please come by tomorrow 1-3pm at the Leo J Welder Center for Performing Arts.

Just so that everyone is aware, casting is being held this Saturday (10-4) and Sunday (1-3). I realize that there was some confusion because I had posted the correct days but the wrong dates. Sorry about that. I have had several people ask me how the audition will be run. Basically you will show up, sign in, be given a set of sides, then wait to be called. Pretty simple. Also, as of right now the film is not SAG and it does not appear that we will be heading in that direction.

Also I would like to note that Cowboy Smoke has acquired a DP. His name is Stephen Acevedo and I think he is wicked talented… you can check out some of his work at http://steveacevedo.com

One last thing, Wendy has been working hard on the Cowboy Smoke myspace page so check it out when you get some time at http://www.myspace.com/cowboysmoke

Here is a short list of roles we will need to cast. As you can see, there is something here for everyone.

MEN
AGENT AMBROSE – (male, 20-40) FBI AGENT who wants to capture Wesley Cash.
AGENT ROTH – (Male, 20-40) FBI AGENT - Wants to complete the assignment so he can go home.
BOBBY- (Mexican male, over 50) Native Mexican living the American Dream but exists with the fear he could be deported at any time.
2 x HASSEN’S BODY GAURDS - (Male, 30s) Privately hired muscle, They want to protect their employer Senator Hassen From any harm.
CONVENIENT STORE CUSTOMER – Wants to know why people are interested in the Cowboy Smoke video game.
DOC - (male, 70s) Wants to run the ranch without having to baby-sit.
DON – (male 30-45) Convenient store owner who wants to be able to take a day off without the store falling apart.
DOS – (Mexican Male, 18-22) Wants to finish up his chores so he can chill and smoke a joint.
FELIX - (Mexican male, 20s) Wants to make his cousin Indio proud.
HAND - (male, 20-47) Wants to make Doc happy.
HASSEN (male, 50-85) Wants more money, power, but no longer willing to take risks.
INDIO (Mexican, 20s) Wants to run the family business. Sees his dad slipping and believes he can do better.
JAIME (Mexican male, 60s) Wants to see his daughter, and be with her.
JAKE (White male, 26-45) Cody’s little brother. Wants to live up to his brother’s image.
YOUNG JOE (male, 7-12) Wants to play Cowboy with his friends.
ILLEGAL KIDS IN TRAILER (5-15) Want to be with their parents.
KENNETH (60+) Wants to have one last adventure before he dies.
COOK (male, 20s) Wants the loud waitress to leave him the quit bother him at work.
MECHANIC (40-60) Wants to fix Wes’ shower so he can go home for the day.
NEON MOON COWBOYS (Male, 18-45) Want to get drunk and have a good time.
PABLO (male, 30-50) works for Cody.
STANLEY (male, 30-55) Ranch foreman who wants to hire a cowboy with experience.
SUMMERS RANCH COWBOYS x 7 This is their life. They’d walk through fire for
Cody, Bum, or Jake.
TEENAGER Stoner kid on his way to play Frisbee golf. Wants to see Joe beat the game.
7 x TEENAGERS Convenient store kids, want to see Joe beat the game.
TEXAS RANGER #1 Wants to kill Wes
TEXAS RANGER #2 Wants another cup of coffee.
5 X TOUGH COWBOYS Want to kill the Young Man and his Sweetheart.
TRAVIS SR. (male, 55) Texas Ranger who wants to secure his sons future so he can retire
VICENTE (Mexican male, 20s) Wants to make sure his father makes it to America safely.
15 X VAQUEROS (Mexican males, 17-55) Illegal immigrants who want to work off their debt.
3 x MINUTEMEN (White males, 20-55) Want to kill illegal immigrants.
FEMALE
NEON MOON BARTENDER (Female, 20s)
ELYSA – (Mexican female, 18-30) Loves America, it gives her hope, has empowered her and she does not want to give that up.
BUM’S COOK (female) Wants to finish cooking breakfast so she can go visit with her newborn grand daughter.
MOTHER ILLEGAL (Female, 45-65) Wants her grandson to come back to life.
NEON MOON SLUTS (Female, 18-39) Want a man with money to come in and take them away from this trailer park hell.
INDIO’S MISTRESSES x 3 (Mexican females, 18-45) Indio’s mistresses.
CHILDREN
3 X KIDS – COWBOYS (10-15) White boys ages 5-12, playing Cowboy & Indians
“Indians”
5 X KIDS – INDIANS (4-10) Mexican boys ages 5-12 playing Coboy & Indians
LARRY (male, 30-40) Wants to find someone who can break horses because he’s got too much on his plate.

AN OPEN CASTING CALL FOR COWBOY SMOKE, A FEATURE FILM TO BE SHOT IN THE VICTORIA AREA, WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA COMMUNITY THEATHRE AUGUST 12^TH & 13^th

Time and Location
Saturday (8/13), 10-4
Sunday (814), 1-3
People will enter from the main entrance at 214 N Main Street, Victoria, TX and sign up in the lobby. Auditions will take place in the Rehearsal Hall.

Bandwagon Films is pleased to announce the production of its second feature length film, Cowboy Smoke.
Bandwagon Films is a Texas based Production Company committed to producing cutting edge films in the state of Texas. Bandwagon Films commitment will be in the form of its second feature length film, Cowboy Smoke. The film will be directed by talented up and coming writer/director Will Moore. Moore’s first feature film, Wesley Cash, was made for the astonishing low price tag of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) and is currently being distributed through Vanguard Cinema. At present Cowboy Smoke has commitments from actors Matt Johnston, host of the popular discovery channel series It Takes A Thief, and Chad Mathews, the title character from Moore’s first film Wesley Cash and Mike Lutz who has been seen on Fox’s Malcolm in The Middle and NBC’s Crossing Jordan.

Cowboy Smoke in is a modern day action western that is inspired by the gritty and some times ultra-violent spaghetti westerns of the 1960’s who’s protagonist were motivated by personal gain rather than social obligation. Among the themes explored in Cowboy Smoke are illegal immigrant smuggling, father-son relationships, societies morals vs. personal morals, crime, poverty, and the American dream. In the vein of stylized modern action westerns like Desperado, Once Upon A Time in Mexico, and Kill Bill 1 & 2; Cowboy Smoke will blend rich unique characters, high octane action with a story that addresses an important social issue, illegal immigration.