Not Bitter about Byno
To the editor: This is in regards to the article regarding Judge [Jack] Byno ("Purity Politics, Feb. 21, 2002). I am sure no one has ever felt excitement over the receipt of a traffic ticket. At the same time why would someone take the time to explain how poor little them was treated so unfairly? I also do not understand why sending a child to school has come under such scrutiny. This may seem old-fashioned, but when did it become OK for high school kids to reproduce, and then to use this as an excuse for a lack of attendance at school? I commend Judge Byno for sending children to school. Maybe he doesn't present his verdicts with that nice candy coating that we're accustomed to, but if because of him one more child will graduate, then his tactics are obviously successful. And as for the bitterness toward the judge for receipt of a "stupid traffic ticket," I guess we've all been bitter for this same reason at one time or another, but it's just not a newsworthy story.
Shannon Merrill
Who's Where on Transit
To the editor:In the article "Standing Outside the Light" (Feb. 28, 2002), regarding the Tarrant County Democratic Party, Dan McGraw wrote that, "Arlington has debated for years whether to invest money in public transportation. The city is now weighing whether it will use money for public transit or for a new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. It is not hard to see where the parties would split on that issue." The implication is that Democrats support public transit while Republicans support stadium construction. That statement doesn't seem to be supported by many facts. Look east to Dallas. Who championed the American Airlines Center? Democratic Mayor Ron Kirk. As a matter of fact, the Dallas arena vote would've failed had it not been for support in Oak Cliff and South Dallas. Republican strongholds were generally against it. Sure, there was opposition from Democrats as well. But people from both parties were on both sides of the issue. The situation is repeated in Houston's arena deal. The project is championed by Democratic Mayor Lee Brown and chiefly opposed by Republican Party Chairman Gary Polland. The strongest opposition comes from Republican strongholds, while many strongly minority/Democratic populations voted overwhelmingly for it. A third example: Cleveland, where Democratic Mayor Mike White championed the Gateway Project and the New Cleveland Browns Stadium. So it is hard to see where the parties would split on the issue of public transportation vs. new Cowboys stadium. There were many, many good points in that article, but that characterization stuck out at me, and I thought I needed to respond for the sake of accuracy.
Ryan Paige
Dairy "Victims"
To the editor: "What would you think if someone was flying a helicopter over your property and you couldn't do anything about it?" complains a board advisor for the Texas Association of Dairymen after the City of Waco filmed industrial dairy animal waste polluting Texas watersheds ("Mucking Up the Country," March 7). This "poor-me" tone of victimhood is typical of giant polluters, particularly industrial agri-businesses. These industries can't get enough taxpayer subsidies and government favors. If their operations ruin the lives of innocent people living downstream and downwind, potentially causing serious bacterial or viral afflictions, killing wildlife, and destroying freshwater, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, the polluters are the victims. People who have lived near a cattle feedlot, industrial dairy, hog factory farm, slaughterhouse or rendering plant know firsthand how sickening and miserable they can be. This doesn't even address the ungodly cruelty waged against animals inside these facilities or conditions faced by workers. For a while, agri-polluters have gotten away with it because they've mainly affected low-income people of color, who often work these harsh, dangerous jobs and have lived with the filth, pollution, and resulting diseases and injuries because they're trying to survive economically. Now, as giant agri-industries get even bigger, while still hiding behind cute Bessie-the-cow and Farmer John faŤades, everybody is being affected. Finally, cross-community coalitions are fighting back. Ethical, small-scale family farms are part of the future's salvation. The rest lies in the fact of a million new vegetarians each year. And dairy? Soy milk sales grew an explosive 60 percent from 1999 to 2000 and show no signs of abating. People everywhere are eating cleaner, feeling healthier, and voting with their dollar, reaching for choices that don't hurt others or future generations.
Jarid Nidal Manos, Executive Director
Bedeviled
To the editor: For the last time, pagans are not devil worshippers! I'm not sure what Mr. Shay ("Moor Debate," March 7, 2002) was inferring in his piece on Caelum Moor, but to use the "5,432 mid-sized devil worshippers" phrase in the second sentence of the story, three paragraphs before pagans were even mentioned, lays the groundwork for a stereotype that is offensive and wrong. Furthermore, the article was, in my opinion, biased toward the Christian view. It included quotes and concerns from the Christian side, but the most the pagans received was the line about "some self-proclaimed witches" who expressed interest in the site. I'm sick of intolerant and uneducated conservatives painting pagans as sick, evil, blood-sacrificing freaks. Pagans didn't create the devil, the Judeo-Christian belief system did. We've been around a lot longer than 2,000 years. Besides, Christianity "borrowed" a great many pagan traditions and holidays. As for the issue at hand, I won't argue that they may have been trespassing on the grounds to hold ceremonies, but part of the belief system is that the whole of the great outdoors is a sacred place, and to celebrate and meditate close to nature is important. And, if this is truly a country in which we are free to practice whatever religion we choose and the stones are on city (i.e. public) property, then it seems to me that there shouldn't be an issue as long as permission is sought. These Christians believe they should have the right to publicly pray at public events, I believe we should have the right to privately hold ceremony at public places. Perhaps the City of Arlington and Norm Hines could seek monetary help from the numerous pagan organizations in the area (and yes, there are a few). It could be beneficial to all to have a wonderful piece of art displayed and a sanctuary for those of us who seek answers from somewhere other than a book and a steepled building. Stonehenge is a tourist attraction and is also used by pagan orders on various religious days throughout the year. In any event, I think Mr. Shay and his editors should apologize. We are more numerous than you might think (funny you should have an advertisement for a favorite shop of pagans on the same page), and we're very tired of being attacked when all we want is to be left alone.
John Lamberth
Editor's note: Kevin Shay is innocent. The phrase "devil worshippers" was inserted during the editing process in an attempt -- apparently unsuccessful -- to appear clever, as the next writer says. There was no attack on pagans in the article.
Redeviled
To the editor: Regarding the article on the "Moor Debate," is the real issue art or religious intolerance? In my own opinion Mr. Shay, in trying to appear clever, has only succeeded in facilitating the controversy. The fact that Mr. Shay used the term "devil worshippers" is what prompted me to respond. First allow me to enlighten anyone who may be caught up in this misunderstanding. In order to be a "devil worshipper" one must first subscribe to Christian beliefs. According to the custom of all Christian groups I have come into contact with, any religion other than Christianity is considered "pagan." It may be of interest to know that Judaism, the root of modern Christianity, began as a henotheistic religion -- i.e., believing in one god without denying the existence of others. Just because beliefs or religions such as Wicca do not center on "God" does not justify intolerance. What these "religious conservatives" are basing their attack on is just as much a religion as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism, and yes, even Christianity. The real issue is how to reinstate this magnificent specimen of art into the public eye. These select few that are warning of "pagan" practices and ceremonies need to be reminded that they practice their religious rituals freely, and there is no argument that they should not be allowed to do so. That right is extended to all religions. The park-like appearance of the area promoted the gathering of people who wanted a place to go in the middle of the city, that didn't seem so urban, a place to appreciate art, and it should have remained so without unjust persecution. It is unfortunate that Norm Hines would concede the relocation because of religious objections. As the article said, there has been no complaint from civilians or police officers of "devil worship" throughout the tenure of the original site. The fact that this is still an object of controversy is pitiful. It was and always will be art. My point is this: Believe what you will, live and let live, and appreciate what is truly beautiful, for in the end happiness is not found if our eyes are closed.
Jennifer Sanders
Lights, Camera, Reaction
To the editor: I appreciated Jeff Prince's balanced and well-researched story on the current slowdown in local film production ("Lights, Camera, Inaction!" March 14, 2002). This is a nationwide problem, but it hits harder here with so many depending on this industry for their income. Fort Worth does love to have movies shot and provides excellent municipal cooperation. (The tv movie pilot for Walker involved simultaneous holdups of several Fort Worth banks, with an exploding fuel truck on a blocked-off downtown street serving as a distraction. The city said it wouldn't charge for the fire apparatus shown in the scene as the filming took place during regular hours. I'm still trying to figure out what "regular hours" are for a fire department -- presumably when stations at full complement could better cover in emergencies). That extra interest led to eight years of a series that not only produced steady employment, but showed the contemporary western image that Fort Worth cultivates to a billion viewers each week around the world. Our equal promotion of Dallas and Fort Worth has put a slight dent in Hollywood's always referring to this market as just "Dallas." However, we still have to work a little harder to persuade visiting producers to either headquarter in or make extensive use of Fort Worth locations, because of the not entirely inaccurate perception that most of the crews are based in Dallas -- adding a half-hour commute each way for weary crew members who are frequently working 10-12 hour days. Fort Worth corporations and ad agencies can further expand their own crew base in the same way Dallas did, by using more of our excellent Fort Worth production companies and talent for their commercials and corporate films. Tarrant County residents will recognize familiar locations in four large features shot here with the assistance of the D/FW film commission that will soon be coming out. The Ballpark in Arlington has a starring role in The Rookie with Dennis Quaid as pitcher Jim Morris. In Serving Sara, with Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley, you'll find The Will Rogers Center (monster truck rally), American Airlines Training Center (cockpit and cabin simulators for in-flight scenes, something most cities can't offer), and Westlake's Circle T Ranch (bovine artificial insemination, enough said). Slap Her, She's French with Piper Perabo also used the American Airlines Training Center as a West Texas airport, as well as the cinematically ubiquitous Tarrant County courthouse. Later in the year, you'll recognize Six Flags over Texas in Spy Kids 2. However, as in Austin, one answer to the loss of larger production to foreign competition is the development of talented young filmmakers of the Jon Keeyes variety who want to work in their own hometown. (We got the lead on the vacant high school Jon shot in American Nightmare from Bill Miller, who represents Cleburne on the film commission.) About the same time Jon was shooting not too long ago, there was a slew of other low-budget independent features also being filmed in Fort Worth by DFW (mostly Tarrant County) native sons and daughters. These included Hiatt Bass' Seventy Five Degrees in July; Dan Millican's The Keyman, with stunning performances by Adam Baldwin, Tom Wright and Ellen Locy; Charles Acosta's Pendulum; and Shawn Griffith's The Riff, in which the late Caravan of Dreams doubled as a New Orleans black jazz club (the latter two now available on video). While American Nightmare's horror film genre isn't a category that generally leads to Oscar recognition, I was tremendously impressed with the production values achieved on a very limited budget -- especially direction, cinematography, editing, music, some of the performances, and even an occasional intellectual observation in the dialogue. These films can and do make money when distributors invest the huge amounts that are required for promotion and advertising, as well as for production itself. With the "hipness" elements of Sundance Square and the rudiments of a DFW independent film buzz from Dallas' relatively young Deep Ellum Film Festival and what Michael Price has begun slightly farther west, Fort Worth does have the potential to become Austinesque. All it might take is a local few investors willing to take a chance on the city by helping any one or two of these talented people on their way to becoming the next Richard Linklater or Robert Rodriguez.
Roger Burke
To the editor: Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know about another film, The Keyman, which was shot in both Dallas and Fort Worth and recently completed. I wrote and directed the 35mm film starring Adam Baldwin (Full Metal Jacket, The Patriot) and raised the $500,000 budget. (You mentioned the difficulties of fundraising in Fort Worth, which is true -- most of my investors came from outside the state.) We shot at the same time as Acosta's Pendulum. At our first distributor screenings in L.A., we attracted six offers for distribution, and currently Mainline Releasing is working on both the domestic and foreign sales. I have done several Dallas screenings and had the first Metroplex screening in Grapevine at the Cinemark Tinseltown. The next screening will be an Austin premiere at the Paramount Theater on April 2.
My production company, Serendipitous Films, Inc is headquartered here in Tarrant County (www.the-keyman.com or www.s-films.com). Currently, we are fundraising for the next project, Pure Motive. I live in Tarrant County, graduated from UTA, have worked here for years in the shadow of Dallas.
Bedford
To the editor: I think your article was a great overview of the issues surrounding feature film production in North Texas. I appreciate your evenhanded approach to the current controversies surrounding the industry. Your short history of how Austin grew in the '90s is right on the mark. The reality is that we will most likely have to start small to regain our crew base as well as to recreate an image of a culturally hip, yet cost-effective place to make movies. There is a lot of potential in this region just waiting to be realized. I grew up in the business here, and I am committed to doing whatever I can to help North Texas regain a leadership position in feature film production. A lot of challenges face us. However the analogy that I have used a lot in recent times is that, while Austin has become the Vancouver of Texas, there is no reason the Metroplex cannot become the Toronto of Texas. A marketing strategy aimed at pushing this region's strengths is the best place to start.
Bill Schwarz
Editor's note: Schwarz was photography director on the locally filmed Pendulum, which won the 2001 Deep Ellum Film Festival's Best Dramatic Feature and is currently available on video.
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