Hollywood, Texas

How to join the cast of 'Yellowstone' spinoff '1883: The Bass Reeves Story' filming in North Texas

'1883: The Bass Reeves Story" is being filmed around Fort Worth

Facebook/Fort Worth Film

Houston fans of the hit TV shows Yellowstone and 1883 will have the chance to act in the shows’ newest spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, at the end of January.

The new series' talent agency, Legacy Casting, announced on Facebook that they're seeking people, ages 16-50, to cast as Union and Confederate soldiers for scenes being shot in North Texas.

Casting director Andrei Constantinescu says they are also seeking Native American, specifically Black Seminole, men and women.

“But really, in the world of extras, we’re looking for all body types, ages, etc.,” Constantinescu says.

The agency is hoping to cast hundreds of non-speaking background actors and extras for some of the show’s scenes. For Civil War scenes, several hundred actors will be needed, they say, while some town scenes may require only a few hundred. Exact DFW shooting locations have not yet been revealed.

The new six-part series will be a sequel to 1883, about the titular character, a former slave who became one of the first Black U.S. deputy marshals west of the Mississippi River in 1875. Reeves, who will be played by British actor David Oyelowo, is said to have killed 14 outlaws and apprehended more than 3,000 criminals during his time as a marshal.

Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone and 1883, will be the executive producer of Bass Reeves and is expected to direct two episodes. Sheridan is an honorary Fort Worthian who attended Pascal High School and lives on a ranch in Weatherford. This is not his first project in North Texas, of course. 1883 was filmed around Granbury and Fort Worth, partially in the Stockyards, in 2021 - much to local spectators' delight.

Those interested in being cast should create a profile with MyCastingFile, where Legacy Casting posts all its casting calls. For non-speaking background extras, there are no auditions. Those cast in Bass Reeves will be selected primarily based on the photos or videos applicants use in their MyCastingFile profiles, Constantinescu says.

Filming in Fort Worth is set to begin in late January. The agency plans to have wardrobe fittings until then. Pay will fluctuate at around $100-$150 per day, depending on the role, Constantinescu says. The base rate is $96 per 10 hours. Most background actors will only work one day, but those cast in a major scene may be required to be on set for multiple days.

While the pay may not look that appealing to some, Constantinescu says the job will be “a lot of fun” and a possible career advancement opportunity.

“If you’re interested in film, if you love to know what it’s like behind the scenes, this is a great experience for you,” he says. “Or if you want to make a career out of film and don’t really know where to get started, this is an awesome place to start because you can watch the process and start kind of making connections, as well.”

There are no COVID-19 vaccine requirements to be cast in the show. However, all cast and crew will be tested for the virus several times per week, Constantinescu says. Background actors will also be required to take a COVID-19 test before going to costume fittings.

For questions about casting, email extras@legacycasting.com.

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New Parks

54,000-acre Hill Country ranch to become Texas' 2nd largest state park

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Sitting roughly 350 miles west of Houston, nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful hill country wildlife and nature at a Texas manageable drive of about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

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