LOCAL FILMS
San Marcos filmmaker premieres 3rd feature film
Filmmakers have made the trek to California to make movies for decades, but San Marcos native Jeffrey Garcia has created his own version of Hollywood in his hometown. “MEAT MACHINE” is the third full-length feature film from DREAM-ATOMIC, a production company founded by Garcia. The film was shot on loca- tion in San Marcos with a majority of the cast made of local artists and residents with a budget just under three thousand dollars. The film was written, shot, edited and directed by Garcia with acting and production support from his close friends. The movie took about two years to complete and was filmed on Hi8 tape. The soldout world premiere was at We Luv Video, a movie rental store in Austin. The event opened with a short film “Body Language” by Austin filmmaker Duncan Smith and ended with a live performance by Fog-Dart, a music project by lead actor Furly Travis.
MEAT MACHINE is an ensemble movie featuring nearly 100 actors.
“99% of the cast is made up almost entirely of San Marcos residents. Co-workers, random townies and TXST kids,” Garcia said. “Even local celebrities like Furly Travis and Grady Roper grace their gums for the silver screen. I’d be remiss if I did not mention the efforts put forth by the talents of Steve Jones, Shauna Nunn and Paxton T. Gilmore, too.”
Although there are many characters and side stories, they all come together in a final climax. “It’s about an Atomic Bomb dropping on San Marcos, Reedville in the movie, and not a single resident knowing about it. It’s really crazy, offensive and jam packed with characters and grotesque situations. Some say it’s a masterpiece,” Garcia said.
Filming took about two full years due to scheduling conflicts and funding since it was mostly a DIY production.
“[Production was] arduous, chaotic, stressful and long. But being on set is always fun. Definitely my favorite part of production. It’s like being on a field trip every time,” Garcia said.
Travis has worked with Garcia for years, starring in both his short and feature length films.
“I started acting seriously when I was approached by Jeffrey Garcia to be a lead in his film Terrence,” Travis said. “I fell in love with acting and really believed in Jeff and his vision.”
Travis has played characters of all shapes and sizes for DREAM-ATOMIC productions as well as acting in other independent local films and his own skits and short films. For MEAT MACHINE Travis played one of the main characters.
“I played Dr. Calypso, the mad scientist trying to save Reedville with very unorthodox methods to achieve victory,” Travis said. “I felt it may be some of my best work.”
We Luv Video is a non-profit video rental library and screening space in Austin, Texas.
“I’m very thankful for their support,” Garcia said.
The venue hosted the world premiere to a packed crowd. The event was free and open to the public, but RSVP’s immediately filled up. Cast, crew and supporters of Garcia’s work travelled to the screening to see the film for the first time. The audience also included cast and friends of Smith who opened the event with his short film “Body Language,” which was a thriller with a dramatic score instead of a dialogue.
“The screening was packed and not a single soul left. The place was filled with gasps and laughs,” Garcia said.
After a roaring applause from the audience, Furly Travis closed out the event with an abstract beat set under his musical project, FogDart.
As for the future of MEAT MACHINE, Garcia hopes to spread the movie far and wide.
“I’m submitting to festivals and reaching out to venues for possible one-off screenings. Maybe we’ll get a tour going,” Garcia said. The support for Garcia’s filmmaking is evident, with Travis saying, “alI I know is that I am ready for the next filming adventure.”
One can find updates on the film and screenings on its instagram page @meatmachinemovie. Explore Jeffrey Garcia’s films on his website jeffrey-garcia. com or on his instagram @jayfreegarseeuh. Follow Furly Travis’s acting escapades and other art happenings on his instagram at @furly_travis. Check out Austin’s only video rental store and catch a local screening at We Luv Video, see their instagram for upcoming showtimes @weluvvideo.
