Houston filmmakers get shot with Hollywood execs

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- When we think of making movies, Hollywood comes to mind. But filmmakers right here in Houston are working to change that. There's a growing community of talented moviemakers in Texas, and their films are gaining national attention.

What could be the plot of a big-budget motion picture is actually the subject of a documentary made right here in Houston.

"An astronaut who had already done two missions for NASA got diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. With the help of NASA, he was able to keep the diagnosis a secret," filmmaker Zach Jankovic said. "My message is to inspire people that have Parkinson's disease, but also any disease... That you can still reach for the stars and you can still do great things."

Jankovic tells Rich Clifford's story in "The Astronaut's Secret."

"I had known about Rich's secret for as long as it's been around because my dad diagnosed him back in 1994," Jankovic said.

The documentary is one of six films chosen by judges to be in the Texas Filmmakers Showcase. It's a collection of the state's best films presented to Hollywood film executives, then shown in screenings around the state.

"It was kind of like, 'How did I sneak in here with all of these talented filmmakers?'" Houstonian and animator Brandon Ray said.

Ray says he used "anything made of paper" to create his film by the same name.

"Paper is one of the hardest things to manipulate in a 3D space and it's very fragile. I've got to make it and film it fast and hope it turns out well," Ray said.

His short film is actually a music video set to the music of Texas Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Bill Carter.

"It's such an amazing song that even today I still get goose bumps at particular parts of it," Ray said.

It's something all the filmmakers in the showcase hope that people will watch and be moved.

"I think anyone who decides to come out to the showcase will be pleasantly surprised by great work that's taking place in Texas, and I just hope this is the beginning," Jankovic said.

You can see these two films and others at the Texas Filmmakers Showcase Wednesday night at Sundance Cinemas.

For more information and to watch movie the trailers, visit the Houston Cinema Arts Festival's website.