UT graduate shoots short film in, around Pflugerville

By Marcial Guajardo

Managing Editor

A filmmaker who received some recent tips from Richard Linklater and actors in “Wedding Crashers,” “Teeth” and “Friday Night Lights” were in Pflugerville last week, collaborating on a short film.

Screenwriter/director Bradley Jackson filmed scenes from the short “The Man Who Never Cried” in Pflugerville. Scenes were also shot in Hutto, Georgetown, Round Rock and Temple.

“The Man Who Never Cried” is one of four finalists in the Doorpost Film Project’s 2010 Short Film Contest. As a finalist, it won $40,000 toward the making of the film, with a chance at winning a $100,000 grand prize.

“You never know how things are going to go with a film,” Jackson said, “but I think we’ve got some really good stuff. I think it’s there.”

Jackson’s career appears to be nearing “there,” with steady work since graduating from the University of Texas three years ago. The 25-year-old made previous impressions in the Doorpost contest with his comedic shorts “The Biggest Weakness,” “Play Land,” and “I Love You, Will Smith.”

His “Playing Chicken” short, shot in downtown Elgin, won the Audience Award and Best Narrative Short in the South by Southwest Click Film Festival.

His “Cougar Chronicles” short, meanwhile, caught the attention of Eloise DeJoria, a former Playboy Playmate and wife of Paul Mitchell hair product guru John Paul DeJoria, who are Austin residents. Eloise DeJoria was one of the stars of “Cougar Chronicles.”

“It is what you think it is,” co-producer Andrew Lee said with a smile about “Chronicles,” which focuses on a young man’s attraction to an older woman.

Jackson has now put together an experienced cast and crew. “The Man Who Never Cried” stars Keir O’Donnell of ABC’s “My Generation” and “Wedding Crashers,” Jess Weixler of the critically acclaimed movie “Teeth” and Madison Burge of “Friday Night Lights.”

Having teamed with several fellow UT film students on previous occasions, Jackson used a casting director for the first time in “The Man Who Never Cried.” However, producers landed O’Donnell because another “My Generation” lead is friends with both O’Donnell and Rick Diaz, Jackson’s cinematographer.

Weixler was recommended to the script by one of Jackson’s mentors, Dan Ireland, a filmmaker who discovered Renee Zellweger. And Lee landed his friend, Burge.

“Man Who Never Cried” make-up and hair artist Meredith Johns worked on Robert Rodriguez’ “Machete” and production designer Chris Stull was listed as an assistant art director in Frank Miller’s “Sin City.”

The Doorpost Project, with a mission to help filmmakers hone their craft, connected Jackson to Linklater (“Slacker,” “School of Rock”). Jackson met with Linklater and took away tips on how to work with his cast on a production.

“The Doorpost in general has inspired me,” Jackson said.

Jackson recently came up with the idea for “The Man Who Never Cried,” which as its title suggests, centers on a man unable to shed tears. Like his latest short, many of his favorite films mix fantasy and reality, said Jackson, citing “Big Fish” and “Amélie” among others.

As one of this year’s Doorpost finalists, Jackson said he saw his $40,000 prize as a chance to make a film that toyed with fantasy.

“It’s funny, too,” Jackson said flatly.