Mark Bristol Talks ‘Accidental Tourist’ And Storyboard Artist Background

Now playing in theaters, Accidental Texan centers on Erwin (Rudy Pankow), a young actor stranded in Texas after his car breaks down. Coming to his aid is an oil driller named Merle (Thomas Haden Church), and Merle offers Erwin a possibly life changing deal. Erwin is hired to help Merle out of bankruptcy and lay claim to a piece of property that will strike oil. Director Mark Bristol talked to deepest Dream about his debut feature. Working years as an in-demand storyboard artist helped him prepare for Accidental Texan!

Having Thomas Haden Church as part of the ensemble was a definite plus for Mark Bristol. The chemistry Church has with co-star Rudy Pankow leaps off the screen, and that relationship started way before the cameras started rolling.

“Thomas, who’s the most giving and inviting actor, he and I would talk on the phone for hours, for three months leading up to production,” said Bristol. “Developing our own trust and bond. When Rudy first arrived, Thomas took him out to where we were going to build the oil rig and on the in the farmer’s field. They (chopped) grass together and laid out the marks by which the set was going to be built. It just gave them a chance to sort of form a bond and that we’re all in this together. Thomas did such a great job of opening that door to Rudy.”

Bristol also clears up a misconception about a storyboard artist’s skillset. Knowing how to draw and frame a scene is just the beginning, and the diverse talents of storyboard artists lends itself to directing.

“A storyboard artist – you’re sketching out shot by shot a film, television commercial, or music video,” said Bristol. “YMany people think, well, you can draw and you love movies. Those are your talents. Well, it’s so much more than that. You have to also be immensely versed in cinematography and editing and writing and directing. In blocking, you have to know all of these facets of cinema. It’s your job in many cases to design how a scene is developed and built and how one scene becomes a sequence. And (that) sequence becomes an act. So you’re learning so much of that. And you have all of those skill sets to really become a successful storyboard artist. So then the step into the director is in many ways quite easy.”

I absolutely love Accidental Texan – check out my review on this week’s CinemAddicts:

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Full interview with filmmaker Mark Bristol:

Accidental Texan, co-starring Carrie-Anne Moss, is now playing in theaters. Let us know your thoughts on Accidental Texan!