For director Mark Bristol, casting is an art. Literally. The veteran storyboard artist wanted a top-notch cast for his second feature, but without a studio budget, how could he convince high level actors such as Thomas Haden Church (Sideways) and Carrie Anne Moss (The Matrix, Memento)?
In addition to writing a personal letter to each actor, Bristol enclosed a hand-drawn illustration of the performer as their character in his distinct storyboard art style. For decades, Bristol has storyboarded blockbusters and classic films for directors such as Terence Malick, Christopher Nolan and Christopher McQuarrie, so he’s a master of the craft. Moss was charmed. So was Hollywood legend Bruce Dern.
“After we wrapped, I was walking him back to the van,” says Bristol. “And he turned to me and said, ‘You know, kid, I got your letter and I really liked your drawing, and I saw you were a storyboard artist. And that intrigued me because many years ago I worked with another director who loved his storyboards. Do you know who that was?’ And I asked him who, even though I knew. And he said very bluntly: ‘Alfred Hitchcock.’ And then he said, ‘Good job, kid,’ hopped into the van, and drove off. Even his departure was so iconic!”
Based on the novel, Chocolate Lizards, by Cole Thompson and adapted by Julie B. Denny, The Accidental Texan follows a Harvard grad (Rudy Pankow, Outer Banks), stranded in small-town Texas, who takes a job on an oil rig. A Texan himself, Bristol knew just how he wanted to film the landscape.
“It was very important to me that we shoot the film in a wide aspect ratio to emphasize the story of man against nature.”
Even though he was directing, Bristol was never tempted to skip the storyboarding step, which he calls a “stress test” for the script.
“Through the storyboarding process, you produce the real final draft. You get to work out the transitions and figure out the flow.”
Attracting an all-star cast is just a side benefit.
The Accidental Texan opens Friday at the Laemmle Monica Film Center on 2nd Street.