Sundance Show Shooting in Central

Article by Mia Freneaux
Photo by Lindsey Pyburn
    When Maurice Browning’s sister Ethel called to tell him about the strange note pinned on the door of his parents’ house, no one knew what to think.  It was a letter from a film production company asking if they could use the old place for a location for a new miniseries.  After several weeks of discussion, Sundance TV had received permission from the Browning family to use the property to film a 6 episode season of “Hap and Leonard”, the story of 2 men who form an unlikely friendship and solve crimes together in eastern Texas.  “We were all surprised,” shared Maurice’s wife Sharon, “The Brownings have always been just regular people.  Who’d have ever thought this would happen!”   The 9 Browning children, who have a tradition of eating breakfast every Monday morning with their spouses and friends at the old homestead, invited members of the production crew, who hail from all over the country, to join them.  “We all just felt like friends after awhile,” Sharon said.  
    “Hap and Leonard” is based on a series of books by Joe R. Lansdale, and narrate the adventures of Hap, a man imprisoned for resisting the draft during the Vietnam War, and Leonard, a Vietnam vet.  Though apparently opposites in every way, the two men become close friends.  Set in the 1980’s, the venue is still Texas, though Louisiana is being used to portray a Texas of 30 years ago.  “We were looking for a property that was somewhat remote, with no nearby neighbors, to represent Hap’s home, and the Browning house fit the bill,” Elston Howard related.  Mr. Howard is the Location Manager for the series, with experience that reaches back to his first movie, “JFK”.  A native Louisianian, he spoke with appreciation of the rigors the actors were enduring filming in the hot, humid Louisiana landscape.  The episodes were also filmed in locations including St. Francisville, Denham Springs, and other Livingston Parish spots.  With favorable revues, they hope to return to film a second season.  In answer to the all-important question, he said with a laugh, “I’ll let you know if we need any extras next time.”  The series will debut in 2016 on Sundance TV.  
    Filming ends this week – the crews will pack up, the staff move on to post-production, and the old Browning homestead will be returned to its former appearance.   With fun-filled memories of their “film experience” and newfound friends, the Browning clan will return to their normal routines.  The old house is now preserved on film, and in the memories of those who have shared in a bit of its life.  On hearing the stories of times gone by – family meals, home grown vegetables, raising cattle – one crew member sighed and said,  “I’d have loved to have grown up in a place like this.”
    Central Speaks would like to thank Mr. Howard, the Brownings, and Rachael Roth for their assistance in presenting this information to the Central community.