As Austin’s skyline continues to evolve, there is one iconic place that has resisted the looming development (for now): world famous dancehall the Broken Spoke. The new doc Honky Tonk Heaven has been in production for two years, and now seeks help with finishing funds to complete the project.
Filmmakers Brenda Greene Mitchell and Sam Wainwright Douglas have been collecting interviews with Spoke mainstays Willie Nelson, Dale Watson, and Ray Benson, as well as proprietor James White and his family. They’ve also shot hours of footage of dancers and locals, and the film looks to be a loving tribute to the heritage and cultural impact of this Austin institution.
But they still need help. Mitchell and Douglas have started a Kickstarter page, seeking $60,000 for editing and post-production costs. With only 23 days to go, they currently have only a fraction of the money needed to finish the film. So if you’ve ever danced the two-step, enjoyed that world-famous chicken-fried steak, or just enjoyed an evening of ice-cold Lone Star and traditional country music, head over to Kickstarter and pony up. For more info on the project, visit www.brokenspokefilm.com, and for more on White and his determination to keep the Broken Spoke afloat, see “Waltz Across Texas,” Aug. 2, 2013.
One in a Crowd is a series intended to showcase Texas film and tech projects that are crowdfunding their way to a goal, be it distribution, a prototype, or production costs. If you have a project that we should know about, email us at filmflam@austinchronicle.com.
This article appears in October 16 • 2015.