Convicts escape, make way to Brock, Texas

[Dumi]

Published: July 24, 2006 11:51 am

Convicts escape, make way to Brock, Texas

Danie M. Huffman

[email]dhuffman@weatherforddemocrat.com[/email]

After being convicted of murder and an attempted bank robbery, two convicts broke out of Fox River Penitentiary in Illinois and made their way to Brock this week.

Top brass and suits filed into the Parker County Commissioners Court Monday to discuss the actions of federal agents trying to recapture Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows.

Commissioners agreed to shut down Grindstone Creek Bridge in Brock to help the men searching for the pair.

Only the suits were not agents themselves, but directors and producers of Prison Break, a prime time Fox Network television series.

The bridge was closed for two days for the set of the show.

Mark Roach and Georgia Smith, both of Brock, own land on either side of the bridge. They were paid a daily amount for the use of their land and donated the funds to the Brock Dennis Volunteer Fire Department.

Smith said watching the show being filmed was the most exciting experience of her life.

Roach watched from afar, and sitting casually under the shade in his dozer said, “no big deal. It’s just another exciting day in Brock, Texas.”

Brock firefighters were used on the set after a fiery car crash and could be cast as extras in the series.

Mike Turpin, Brock Dennis fire chief, said the crew filmed the firefighters extinguishing the car after it caught fire from crashing over the bridge onto a creek bed below.

“It was a memorable experience,” Turpin said. “It opened my eyes as to what TV is all about. There is an incredible amount of work and details which go into producing a movie.”

Turpin said the firefighters were also on the set as a safety backup crew in addition to the set crews.

He added, “The working stiffs in production were surprisingly a great group of guys.”

Garry Brown, producer of the show, said he was pleased with local officials and how accommodating they were to the entire crew.

“We stated our wishes and plans,” he said. “They were completely on board with us. We got the full assistance of Larry Fowler, the fire department and the city and county [officials]. They let us know what they expected from us. It was just a very successful partnership.”

Brown shot locally for an episode of Walker Texas Ranger once, and said he knew Parker County was a good spot for his current project.

“We sent location scouts out two weeks ago and I personally went up in a helicopter, but we came up short each time,” Brown said.

“We needed a ravine along a curved road which was not heavily traveled,” Brown said. “This is the only hill country in the area and we searched a 60 mile radius.”

He said Precinct 3 Commissioner John Roth suggested Grindstone Road and thought the location was perfect with the added plus of the bridge along the side of a curve.

The first day on the set included a special effects crew, which hashed out details and using all precautionary measures, operated a pulley system for the car as it went over the bridge and burst into flames.

Stunt doubles Bryon Weiss and James Armstrong doubled for Lincoln and Michael.

The pair were cast for 21 episodes of the show and said other than the 110-degree heat, they found the area and people to be friendly and accommodating as well.

Wade Williams portrays the head prison guard Brad Bellick for the series.

Williams said filming in Brock was not the hottest day he spent on a set.

“I was on the set of Erin Brockovich in the Mojave Desert,” Williams said. “That was hotter.”

He said the series is expected to be available on DVD next month.

Roth said having the cast and crew here brought a lot of revenue to the area. “They all stayed in local hotels and ate at our restaurants,” Roth said pleased. “They are making a donation to the fire department and the Brock School.”

The scene shot in Brock is slated as the third episode in the second season, and will air sometime in early September on the Fox Network.

Thanks for the article. Good read.

Wade Williams portrays the head prison guard Brad Bellick for the series.

Williams said filming in Brock was not the hottest day he spent on a set.

“I was on the set of Erin Brockovich in the Mojave Desert,” Williams said. “That was hotter.”

You know, I watched Erin Brockovich the other day. I was surprised to see "Bellick" on there as one of the characters. I pointed it out to my husband, and he just laughed at me because I have such an obsession.

[Dumi]

Hopefully he isnt the jealous type! LOL

Nah, he isn't. It's an innocent obsession.

lol