AFF 2010: 'By Way of Helena,' or That Other Script Reading

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There's a lot of buzz about the script reading for the raucously funny The Hand Job on Sunday at the Rollins Theatre with Bill Hader, Colin Hanks, Jessica Alba and others. But earlier during the conference, AFF held another, quieter script reading on Friday in the stuffy little Maxmillian Room at the Driskill. What for? By Way of Helena, a twisty western revenge thriller as yet to be produced. 

Earlier in the day, screenwriter Matt Cook participated in the Black List panel, as his screenplay for By Way of Helena was voted one of the best unproduced screenplays of 2009 on The Black List. Immediately following, Black List founder Franklin Leonard introduced Cook for a reading of his script.  Helping Cook was an eclectic mix of well known and lesser known actors.  The entire lineup at the front of the room, in order, was Cook, Jason Newman (Silas, Clem), Lauren Wolf (Maria), Richard Dillard (Saul, Governor Ross), Yesenia Garcia (Marisol), DB Sweeney (David), Jeff Fahey (Abraham), Savannah Welch (Naomi), Karl Anderson (Isaac), Shannon McCormick (George) and John Spong (Narrator).

Unfortunately, the official photos from the reading haven't been made available, and because of the rushed nature of the script reading, which started late, there were no introductions of the talent in front of the room. Local actor Karl Anderson is pictured above with Dano Johnson of Collection Agency Films (creators of the sponsor bumpers before each AFF screening this year). Anderson had a lot of fun with his role as Isaac, second string heavy of the film and bad boy son of the sinister Abraham.

It was intriguing to watch the actors with the level of involvement with the world of the script. Yesenia Garcia was the most emotive of the group, and as well she should; Marisol was the emotional compass of the script, the heart's desire of both husband David and Abraham. Sitting next to Sweeney, the pair were able to infuse the reading with some physical acting as well as voice acting. Anderson and Welch, who sat together, also got into the spirit on occasion as the script allowed.

It turns out the casting of the script reading is a lesson in connection and local talent. Filmmaker and actress Garcia was contacted by Miguel Alvarez, who was helping out the fest. Miguel had a short play at SXSW and Cine Las Americas (Mnemosyne Rising), and his documentary short Veterans screened at AFF this year. Garcia was recently seen on Austin screens at the Jenn Garrison Prize Whores 10th anniversary screening last month, which featured the short Checkout, in which Garcia had a role. Turns out, she worked with Jenn and with Karl Anderson on another short, The Ticket. Yesenia also has a media company, so we'll probably be hearing more from her in the future, too. When asked about getting involved, Garcia mentioned Alvarez asking her, and doing it for the fun of it, because Austin has "such wonderful creative and talented people."

I'm kicking myself for not being more aggressive about taking pictures after the reading, but I did meet Anderson before a screening later that weekend, and he graciously let me take his picture above. I'd show you the one of him alone, but being a hot and humid day, it ended up more like a mugshot and while not Nick Nolte bad, it wouldn't be fair, even if he clearly relished playing a guy who should be locked up.

Not being a Hollywood insider, I'd never seen a script reading before, and the idea of seeing potentially the "next big thing" read before it gets produced was fascinating. Even with the room being stuffy, narrow and with columns blocking the view of the 11 people reading, I'd love to see how By Way of Helena translates to the big screen. I hope AFF does more script readings next year, hopefully again with local talent mixed in. 

Loved it!

I was there for the script reading of By Way of Helena, and I must say - WOW! What a fantastic reading and an amazing screenplay. I have had the fortune of seeing other script readings but not with such a large cast. They really pulled it off!

Sadly, I had to leave early and because of the late start I never got to hear the end. I was gutted! My only advice to AFF would be to allow for 2 hours for a script reading as they really do take the length of an actual movie and time for Q&A is pretty cool too.

Congrats to Matt Cook - I see all good in his future.

I hope they do more, too, but

I hope they do more, too, but not in that room.