Mythic Journeys

JULY 15—DECEMBER 18, 1998
MYTHIC JOURNEYS: The Film Archives of the Southwestern Writers Collection
SOUTHWESTERN WRITERS COLLECTION

Guide to Film Archives

Exhibition Bibliography

Mythic Journeys: The Film Archives of the Southwestern Writers Collection features a special behind-the-scenes look at the works of celebrated filmmakers from Texas and beyond, including Bill Wittliff, Tommy Lee Jones, Sam Shepard, Larry McMurtry, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall, Severo Perez, William Broyles, Jr., Anjelica Huston, Horton Foote, and many others.

The exhibition showcases fascinating bits of movie memorabilia, such as the gunbelt and boots worn by Robert Duvall as Capt. Gus McCrae in Lonesome Dove. At the same time, viewers get an insider's look at the process by which movies are made: from the first handwritten drafts of the screenplays to the casting notes, location scouts, costume and set designs, storyboards, budgets, props, call sheets, shooting scripts, continuity photos, memos, editing logs, publicity, and awards.

The rich archival material on display reveals the often complicated interactions between the artistic, technical, and business aspects of filmmaking, and it pays homage to the long, ardous journey that writers and other film professionals undertake to bring their vision to the screen.

The motion pictures represented include Lonesome Dove, Paris, Texas, Legends of the Fall, Apollo 13, The Last Picture Show, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Trip to Bountiful, Silent Tongue, 1918, Fool for Love, ...and the earth did not swallow him, The Cowboy Way, Country, Red Headed Stranger, Raggedy Man, and The Good Old Boys-—which marked Tommy Lee Jones' screenwriting and directing debut.

Also exhibited are highlights from the Collection's extensive screenplay holdings-over 500 scripts ranging from "Thelma and Louise" and "Forrest Gump" to projects still unfilmed, such as the screenplay for Cormac McCarthy's novel All the Pretty Horses.

Special focus is given to the achievements of Chicano Cinema, particularly the work of filmmaker Severo Perez, who wrote and directed the highly-acclaimed independent film ... and the earth did not swallow him, adapted from the novel ...y no se lo tragó la tierra by Tomás Rivera. Both Perez and Rivera are Texas State alumni, and Perez will present a special screening of his film at TxState on September 23rd, which will be followed by a reception for Perez at the Southwestern Writers Collection.

Mythic Journeys: The Film Archives of the Southwestern Writers Collection will remain on view through the Fall semester. Early next year, the Southwestern Writers Collection will present a special exhibit and celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the Lonesome Dove miniseries.