"Austin-set" series will shoot in... Los Angeles!

Bah ha ha! I curse you, Austin!

Hat tip to Joe Gross at the Austin American-Statesman for this scoop:

Rob Lowe will star in Fox series 9-1-1: Lone Star, a spin-off of Ryan Murphy’s show 9-1-1. It will be set in Austin, but shot in Los Angeles because they look exactly the same. Cough cough.

More from The Hollywood Reporter: "The series follows a sophisticated New York firefighter (Lowe) who, along with his son, relocate to Austin and must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in his own life."

I expect to see Rob at at Joan's on 3rd in West Austin, ur, Hollywood, soon.

Urban Cowboy' TV pilot to lens in Austin

The 1980 film Urban Cowboy is being dusted off and set in the modern day for a Fox television series. No word on casting yet, but  the pilot will shoot in Austin in September with Craig Brewer, who also brought us a Footloose film remake, behind this re-imaging of a modern Cissy and Bud.

If picked up for series, it could air as soon as mid-season or not pop up until next summer. No major casting has been announced (will John Travolta's hairpiece and Debra Winger's smirk make cameos?), but we can expect the pilot to be loaded with twangy music.

Meanwhile, John Ridley's American Crime is gearing up for its second season shoot in the Austin area right now. Yes, right this moment. Learn how to be an extra over at Brock Allen Casting's Facebook page. You soon will find extra info for Urban Cowboy there as well.

Killen plays 'Mind Games' earlier than expected

So sometimes Austinite Kyle Killen, whose Dallas-shot series Lone Star was cancelled by Fox after only two episodes in 2010, sees his new (not-Texas-shot) show Mind Games premiere early (Feb. 25) when ABC pulls Killer Women after two episodes (the first of which was shot in Austin). Got that? There will be a quiz later.

'Little in Common' won't shoot in Austin

If you read my post earlier this week musing on whether Rob Thomas' Little in Common will shoot in Austin if picked up as a Fox series, the answer from show line producer Patricia Fass Palmer is "nope." The shoot for the show, which is set in Austin, would take place in Los Angeles. Expect word on whether the show is picked up next week. My gut says it will be given its strong cast and easy comparisons to Modern Family.

NEWS FLASH: Some sources (including Variety) say the series pickup is eminent.

Rob Thomas sets little league pilot

Austin resident Rob Thomas has sold a pilot to Fox titled Little in Common. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it's about families whose children play little league sports.

It's not all the guy behind Veronica Mars has in the works.

'The Good Guys' is gone for good

Fox has not officially canceled Dallas-shot The Good Guys; they just won't order more episodes that the 20 that have already aired. With a reduction in episodes ordered for Chase, the television flurry in Big D looks to be drying up. More from me on this Saturday in The Dallas Morning News.

'Lone Star' sinking quickly

The ratings are in for the second episode of Fox's Lone Star, and they are even worse than the dismal viewership for the first episode. It doesn't bode well for the Dallas-shot series.

'Lone Star' dumped after one episode?

I saw the pilot in Dallas at the Studios at Las Colinas where it's shot, and it looked fresh and promising. Apparently I was one of the few people who saw it. The Hollywood Reporter says the first episode's ratings were so low that it's almost assured of being canceled immediately. This despite major efforts by Fox to get interest percolating early.

THR sez: "The ratings for Star were so bad that there was no silver lining to find on this mushroom cloud. The 4.1 million total viewers who showed up was a shockingly low number, especially given it had a strong lead-in from the season premiere of "House," from which its audience tumbled 68%. 'Those are Friday night numbers on a Monday night premiere,' said Brad Adgate, a veteran TV analyst with Horizon Media. 'That's a nice cable audience.'"

Entertainment Weekly wonders if the pilot episode is waiting on many viewer's DVRs: "Given how competitive the first night was for the 2010-11 TV season, there’s a good chance that many viewers recorded Lone Star so they could watch the ultra-addictive Dancing with the Stars or the CBS comedies live instead. On top of that, viewers are still in the sampling stage; its too early for anyone to commit to new shows. Fox recognizes that viewers need time to find Lone Star, which has the added benefit of being popular with the TV critics."

Is the show worth saving? Yes. But will Fox give it a chance? Stay tuned.

My DMN article about the 'Lone Star' sneak

Lone Star's Eloise Mumford (left) talks with fans at the pilot screening Saturday at The Studios at Las Colinas.


Here's the article about the sneak peek viewing of Fox's new Dallas-shot series Lone Star from today's Dallas Morning News.

'Lone Star' shows off its pilot

Eloise Mumford and Mark Deklin interviewed by FOX4's Clarice Tinsley.


The red carpet at the Studios at Las Colinas.


Mark Deklin knows which beer to drink.


The desk of Jon Voight's grizzled oil man.


Jon Voight's car ready for action.

A select audience at the Studios at Las Colinas in Irving got a sneak peek at Fox series Lone Star on Saturday. Nineteen Texas cities with Fox stations had events like this, with show creator Kyle Killen appearing in Austin.

The Dallas-area event featured show actors Eloise Mumford and Mark Deklin. I also got a very quick look at the set (that's Jon Voight's desk), which is still being constructed.

Look for report on the event in Monday's Dallas Morning News.

Andie MacDowell joins 'Lone Star' cast

Interesting news out of the Dallas TV series mecca: Andie MacDowell has joined the cast of Lone Star.

Here's the description of her character:

MacDowell plays Alex, a 40ish-to-50ish art appraiser with an unpredictable streak who catches the eye of Clint Thatcher, Jon Voight's character. In reality, she will prove to be more dangerous than anyone realizes.

Also just joining the cast is Rosa Blasi (Strong Medicine).

Oh, and if you want to be an extra on the show, send an email to Kina Bale at lonestarextras@gmail.com.

'Lone Star' tries to go viral

Lone Star's Adrianne Palicki, James Wolk and Eloise Mumford

Fox is doing some interesting early promotion to get the word out on new Dallas-shot series Lone Star (see info on being an extra below). That includes putting DVDS of the first episode in issues of Vanity Fair, and a glitzy premiere of the show last week at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. (Here are photos of the cast from the event--including a now-dark-haired Adrianne Palicki (Palicki talks about a return to Friday Night Lights here).

Other avenues include cruise ships and hotels. Plus Vanity Fair will also stream Lone Star through its iPad app.

Note that the show's title again is two words instead of Lonestar. The pilot shot as Midland. Why can't TV shows pick one name and stick with it?

Here's a description of the show:
“Robert/Bob Allen” (newcomer James Wolk) is a charismatic and brilliant schemer juggling two identities and two women. As "Bob," he lives in Houston and is married to "Cat" (Adrianne Palicki, Friday Night Lights), the beautiful daughter of “Clint” (Jon Voight, 24, Midnight Cowboy), the patriarch of an ultra-wealthy Texas oil family. More than four hundred miles away in the suburban west Texas town of Midland, he's "Robert," living a second life with his naive girlfriend, “Lindsay” (Eloise Mumford, Mercy, Law & Order: SVU).

And here's the extras casting call for Friday:


Lone Star (FOX) starring Jon Voight, David Keith, and James Wolk is seeking the following extras for scenes shooting this Friday, July 30. If you fit the specs and are available, send photo and contact info to lonestarextras@yahoo.com. DO NOT SUBMIT IF YOU CAN'T COMMIT TO THE ENTIRE DAY!

Detective and Police Officer types - Men and Women late 20s-50s. All ethnicities. Previous law enforcement or military experience a plus, but not required.

Shoot Date:
Friday, July 30

Call Time:
TBD (you should make yourself available for the ENTIRE day which means morning,
afternoon and evening)

Location:
DFW

Pay:
$58/8 plus time and half for overtime

Send you photo and contact info to lonestarextras@yahoo.com

'Good Guys' off to poor ratings start

The Dallas-shot series is a lot of fun, but the first two episodes of the Fox show have tanked in ratings. Can The Good Guys find an audience? Stay tuned (and hope others do, too).

Four TV series shooting in Dallas at once?

That's the word as I hit the road for a press conference with the guv, Dallas mayor and Fox execs Wednesday at Dallas City Hall. More tomorrow. A fourth series shoot is expected to be announced that will add to The Good Guys, Lonestar (formerly Midland) and Chase.

Fox picks up 'Midland'

Midland pilot picked up by Fox! The pilot shot in Dallas. Will the series? With the title expected to change to Lone Star, I'd bet on it.

Jon Voight stars in the show, which is an odd oil biz/polygamy drama.

Crew call for 'Midland'

Crew info for TV pilot shooting in Dallas:


If you are interested in working on a pilot for a new Fox drama called “Midland,” please send your updated resumes ASAP to dallas.film@dallascityhall.com and note “Midland Crew” in the subject line and position applying for. We’ll make sure and pass them along to the production team. Casting information will be posted as soon as we receive it. Please do not forward actor head shots/resumes at this time.

They are in the process of gearing up, securing office space and beginning to hire crew now so don’t delay! The project will shoot March 16-April 1st, so please submit only if you’ll be available during that time frame.

Crew positions will be Paid. Resumes can be sent to:

midlandtcftv@yahoo.com

Make that three TV pilots shooting in Texas soon

This will run in tomorrow's Dallas Morning News:

Three television pilots set to shoot in Texas: two in Dallas, one in Austin

BY JOE O’CONNELL

Two major network television pilots are expected to shoot in North Texas this spring and a third is headed to Austin, offering clear indications that television production is the big prize from recent increases in the state’s filming incentives program.

Midland, a drama for the Fox network will shoot here March 16 to April 1, Janis Burklund, head of the Dallas Film Commission, confirmed in a Facebook posting that called for potential crew members to email resumes to dallas.film@dallascityhall.com. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show is “a soap set against the backdrop of an oil business that centers on a polygamist living a double life.”
The pilot will be directed by Marc Webb—who will also helm the next Spider-man film—from a script by The Beaver screenwriter Kyle Killen. No cast has been announced.

Also shooting here in March is the NBC pilot Chase from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, which the network describes as about “a crucial fugitive apprehension team comprised of U.S. Marshals that tracks down the nation's most notorious criminals.” Reports have Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives) portraying a preppy marshal.

In Austin, Generation Y, the documentary-style story of a group of twentysomethings that flashes back to their high school days 10 year earlier, is set to shoot for ABC in March, said Bob Hudgins, head of the Texas Film Commission.

Hudgins said the sudden onslaught of television production can be credited largely to the influcnce of producers Garry Brown and Nan Burnstein. Brown worked on Walker, Texas Ranger, and was instrumental in bringing Prison Break, The Deep End and currently shooting Code 58 (formerly known as Jack and Dan) to North Texas. He will also produce Chase, but not Midland. Burnstein produces Austin-shot Friday Night Lights, which begins filming a fifth season there in April. Neither could be reached for comment at press time.

“These things don’t happen by accident,” Hudgins said. “It’s really those line producers who are our biggest advocates right now.”

Gen Y was strongly considering a North Carolina shoot before Burnstein’s advice and assistance turned the tide, Hudgins said.

The Texas Legislature in 2009 increased the size of financial rebates given to filmmakers based either on total in-state spending or as a percentage of wages paid to cast and crew who are Texas residents. Texas offers up to 15 percent of in-state spending or up to 25 percent of wages, with both figures increased slightly for filming in areas deemed underutilized. Previously, the state offered 5 percent rebates.

“It’s because we have an incentive that these things are falling into place,” Hudgins said. “They know we have the crews and we have the capacity to get these things done.”

TV shows jump start Dallas film scene

My latest SHOT IN TEXAS column from the Dallas Morning News talks about the shows The Deep End and Jack and Dan,which are waking up the North Texas film scene.

Dallas gets Fox show "Jack and Dan"

Bradley Whitford


A shorter version of this appeared Friday in the Dallas Morning News:

Fox’s new series Jack and Dan will shoot 13 episodes in Dallas starting in January, adding to a growing television presence in North Texas.

The show features Colin Hanks (Tom's son) as a straight-laced detective who is paired with a drunken partner portrayed by Bradley Whitford (West Wing). Originally plans had the show set in Los Angeles, but the setting will now be Dallas, said Janis Burklund of the Dallas Film Commission.

That is in contrast to the ABC series The Deep End which is currently shooting six episodes—with a potential of more--in Dallas but is actually set in a Los Angeles law firm.

“It’s really going to show diversity of Dallas,” Burklund, said. “It’s not just going to be old stereotype of Dallas.”

Filming all around Dallas will continue for 96 days into June with a conservative estimate of $1 million in local spending for each of the episodes shot. Local production offices are expected to open immediately, and at least one local casting director has already been contacted by show producers.

Increased incentives for filming in Texas played a factor, but those almost didn’t keep Atlanta from luring the series, which Dallas has been courting in some form since June, Burklund said. The difference appears to be a combination of a strong crew and cast base, and heavy cooperation from city officials who offered whatever they could to sweeten the deal, including deals on hotels and longer-term housing.

“The city is using its full capacity to make this a very good thing,” said Bob Hudgins, head of the Texas Film Commission. “It’s pretty amazing to have two series shooting in Dallas and our friends at Friday Night Lights in Austin are chugging along.”

The state’s film incentives program offers rebates to filmmakers based either on total in-state spend or as a percentage of wages paid cast and crew who are Texas residents. Burklund said Fox is leaning toward the latter, which would require at least 70 percent of cast and crew by Texans.

Texas’ incentive is up to 15 percent of in-state spend or up to 25 percent of wages, with both figures increased slightly for filming in areas deemed “underutilized.” Georgia, in contrast, offers a 30 percent tax credit.

“The creatives were wanting to be here,” Burklund said. “Luckily we had them on our side fighting for it.”

The show was created by Matt Nix (Burn Notice), and the 13-episode order was made by Fox without a pilot episode being shot, an unusual show of confidence by the network.
Burklund announced the show Thursday amid a pile of boxes in the Dallas Film Commission offices. The commission is set to relocate today from the auspices of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau to the city’s Office of Economic Development in City Hall.