Friday, June 28, 1996

Snyder native making independent film in Taylor County

By BOB LAPHAM
Arts Editor

Finding a World War II artillery shell is pretty old hat for the ranchers of South Taylor County.

But just such a discovery shook up a film crew in the area making a feature film. The set of "Blood Trail" was shut down for several hours that day last week despite a particularly important shooting schedule.

Unlike that old shell unearthed when crewmen were hollowing out a campfire basin, however, the film's makers don't think they've got a dud on their hands.

In fact, large expectations have been launched on a small budget this summer.

When you're talking about feature filmmaking, that's a tough nut to crack. And the closer the independent filmmakers come to wrapping up location shooting, the more it seems the odds are against them.

Not to the principals, though.

The film is being shot on nearly inaccessible ranch land about 10 miles west of Coronado's Camp.
Barry Tubb, co-writer, director and star, expects to finish the Taylor County filming today despite searing heat, artillery shells and whatever else filmmaking gremlins can dream up.

The closer the people involved get to "a wrap," the more they insist they've got the makings of a winner.

"We're proving that you don't have to have a lot of money to make a good picture," Tubb said. "Just good friends. I've been callin' in a lot of favors."

The film is an action drama "about cowboys and Indians, made by cowboys and Indians."

Part of that definitely is true. Larry Mahan, six times winner of the Professional Rodeo All-Around World Champion Cowboy, has a co-starring part along with Snyder native Tubb. So does Tuff Hedeman, a former world champion bull-rider. And Ty O'Neal, Abilene's ranked high-school rodeoer when he's not making movies for Disney (1994's "Mighty Ducks 2" and "D3: The Mighty Ducks," to be released in the fall).

They came to the rolling ranch land to help one-time rodeoer Tubb make his first movie. It's almost all been on location in Taylor County, mostly on the Lee Guy Ranch. The exception is one last shot expected to be filmed near Fluvanna on the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River.

It will be a scene in which Tubb jumps off a 70-foot cliff.

"Um-hum," the TV and film star replied with a nod, when asked if he was doing his own stunts. "Everybody is."

Nearby this hot afternoon, while a reporter was nosing around and taking photos, was an interesting mix of actors and mostly Austin-based technicians.

Young, strikingly beautiful Magali Amadai, for instance, is making her big-screen debut playing an Indian maiden. The French model is familiar to TV watchers these days because of a Schick commercial, in which she slashes a razor (containing a Schick blade we are led to believe) across her pretty face half-covered with shaving cream. She chides men for making such a fuss over shaving with "those other" razors and blades.

Tubb is one of several Snyder High School graduates to have made a name in entertainment, going back to 1965 graduate and Emmy-winner Powers Boothe. Tubb graduated in 1980, headed for Hollywood, and by age 19, was a regular on the TV cop drama "Hill Street Blues."

Then he was tapped for the co-featured role of a jet fighter pilot nicknamed Wolfman in "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise.

Acting never has been Tubb's ultimate goal.

"This is what I wanted to do from the start," he said, his hand sweeping around a set that included a tent, a wagon and a line of horses. "Make films. I've got five screenplays ready to go."
"Blood Trail" was co-written with R.J. Preston, an Oklahoman who also has a role.

The film is about a couple of Indian grave-robbers who infiltrate sacred Cheyenne grounds. The spirit of an Indian whose resting place they disturb takes over the body of the villain - played by Shawn Howard, a "Highlander" series stunt double getting his chance as a featured player.

He goes on a killing spree, each time leaving his "calling card" - a bloody handprint.

Tubb and Mahan play grizzled lawmen, among several who join forces to track the killer. O'Neal, 17, plays a kid of the Texas-Oklahoma Territory, circa 1870, who intends to be a U.S. marshal. This is his first exposure to serious lawman challenges.

Tubb never has ventured far from his Snyder roots, except for about 18 months when he and "Top Gun" co-star Kelly McGillis were a romantic item.

"The darkest days of my life," Tubb grumbled, when one of his crew brought up the subject.

O'Neal has dyed his hair a strange orange-red for his portrayal. Costume designer Jerry Worsham - the Snyder High theater and drama teacher who helped Tubb, Brad Maule and others stir professional acting interest - and set costumer Strelecki, also of Snyder, have fashioned for O'Neal a braided hairpiece that will extend nearly to his waist.

Clearly, O'Neal - Ty McClary when he attended Wylie High - is one of the most popular people on the "Blood Trail" set. He spends the long intervals between rehearsals and shooting talking with anyone available - his director, fellow actors, grips, technicians and, especially, wranglers. He, Mahan and others have donated their own horses for the film.

"It's interesting to watch Ty," Mahan said with a smile. "These days, it's hard to find a young person who can sort of weave his way - do this and do that - and fit in so well, all around."

Mahan, who has acted before - he was in director-star Tommy Lee Jones' TNT original, "Good Ol' Boys" - said he's particularly impressed by Tubb.

"Hollywood needs more people like him," Mahan said, adding that Tubb knows what he's doing, doesn't get riled easily and has a way of getting the most out of any situation.

The day of this particular shoot was to have been a wrap just after sundown for Mahan, who was expected at his "summer" ranch near Pueblo, Colo., the next day. The ex-rodeo star also has a ranch near Kerrville. The set was ready for rehearsals when the World War II artillery shell from Camp Barkeley days was found.

Assistant director Susan Prince of Austin shut down the set, and it wasn't until about 1 a.m. when Mahan's work was completed.

So what happens now?

"The main thing is to retain control (of your project)," Tubb replied. "Never give up control. And I won't.

"We're shooting it to get a PG-13 rating. Then we'll try the film festivals."

Possibly next winter's Sundance Film Festival, inaugurated by actor-director Robert Redford, he said. But for certain, the Cannes, France, Film Festival in May 1997.

"It's been interesting to watch this one develop," Tubb said.

Especially as the "dailies" have been processed, and seeing the veteran technicians from Austin and Los Angeles react. You can tell the difference, the increase in their interest, he said.

"This one is going to be good," his co-star, Mahan, added. "Really good."