There's a new movie coming out later this year called 'Jurica Road', and a lot of the filming was done right here in Pearland.
First off, let me introduce you to one of the lead actors...Pearland resident Johnny Ray Gibbs. He plays Warthog, a member of the "Hounds of Jurica" motorcycle club...As well as the bartender in the picture right below here. Johnny Ray reached out to us late last year about a new film called 'Jurica Road' that was being made in and around Pearland...And he asked if we wanted to come on set and check it out. I've personally never seen a movie being filmed, so it was a no-brainer to accept his invite.
The set was actually at Two Dogs Saloon on Main St. It seemed perfect for the biker-gang references and characters in the movie, which is why Johnny Ray suggested it to the Director.
"The owner of Two Dogs, Kathy Hill Coler, was very generous in letting us use her bar," said Johnny Ray. "She even loaned us one of her real bartenders, Stephani McLelland, to keep her regular customers happy...Who by the way got to perform as extras for the bar scenes. Kathy herself even played a customer."
Brazoria County PCT 3 Constable Buck Stevens was also on hand to help with traffic during a wicked bike scene.
The folks behind 'Jurica Road' are Producer Susan Nwokedi, Director/Writer Don Okolo and Assistant Director Curtis Vonn. Nwokedi is a filmmaker with more than 15 years of film and entertainment industry experience in acting, screenplay writing, producing and directing. Okolo is a professor at Texas Southern university and an award-winning filmmaker.
They were obviously VERY busy during that day of filming at Two Dogs Saloon, but they still took the time to say hello and answer a couple of questions before putting their game faces on and the "ACTION!" commenced.
Some of the other actors in 'Jurica Road' are Dominic Pace, Chaz Taylor, Timothy Eric, Craig Whitford, Carl Bailey, Michael Scanlin and Lacey Cash. Chaz wasn't in the scene they were shooting while I was there, so I got to chat with him for a minute. He hails from the Houston area and used to be a pro wrestler just like his late father Tugboat Taylor.
Outside of the bar scenes, a huge chunk of 'Jurica Road' is being shot at a private location just south of here, which used to be a youth camp. It's abandoned and run down now, but Johnny Ray is hoping to fix that if the movie does well. "The place is owned by an elderly pastor...A very nice gentleman," said Johnny Ray. "If this movie is a success, I made my self a promise to go back and restore that beautiful old youth camp."
For those asking what 'Jurica Road' is about, here's a quick synopsis of the flick...
Tony’s car breaks down on a long stretch of desolate roadway…on a rainy night, to boot. A beacon of light in the distance, in the far reaches of vast savannah, giving him hope that there is help after all. Tony, and his nine-year old sister, Bobbie, finally reach the barn with the glow of light, and enter, looking for help. They had, inadvertently, walked into hell fire. The encounter that follows is searing and heart-wrenching…almost unimaginable in its scope.
Thank you to Johnny Ray and the cast/crew of 'Jurica Road' for allowing me to visit during shooting and letting us tell your story. All of us here at PDC wish y'all great success.
The movie should be out sometime this summer, so look for it. In the meantime, follow their progress on the 'Jurica Road' Facebook page -->
www.facebook.com/jur icaroad/