Unless you're shooting a remake of the black and white classic "Last Picture Show" or "How The West Was Won", West Texas doesn't jump out at you as a place to create intense drama, as a place to go to create ANY kind of drama, unless you enjoy wide open spaces, cows, and oil fields. Not that it isn't a fine place to live and raise families. It's just not at the top of the 'best film locations' list of the DGA (not that such a list actually exists - but if it did!)
I was in Lubbock with a television crew, covering Billy Graham's West Texas Crusade. We had flown in six studio cameras (back when each one was the size of a small refrigerator!), a full remote control room, and enough television cable to circle the state (well, not quite the state...but a lot!). Our control room was set up in a semi tractor trailer behind the grandstands of the University football stadium where the Graham meetings were being held. As we prepared for the opening night, storm clouds began to darken the sky. The forecast was for rain -- predicted for just about the time Billy Graham would be speaking. We wrapped the cameras in plastic, erected umbrellas over the viewfinders, and hoped the the forecasters got it wrong. They didn't! As thousands of Texans crowded into the stadium it began to drizzle. By the time Dr. Graham stood up to speak it was a steady rain. By the time he was half way into his message, it was a 'Texas gully-washer'. Translation: a torrential downpour. The rain was pounding so hard on the metal roof of our control room I could barely communicate with my crew on headset. My cameramen were spending more time wiping water from their lenses than lining up shots. On stage, someone held an umbrella over Dr. Graham as he persevered on to the end of his message. By now the football field between the stage and the grandstand was a small lake.
Dr. Graham ended his message and then gave the invitation that he has given in cities around the world, for those desiring to have a personal relationship with God to come forward, stand in front of the stage, and join Dr. Graham in a prayer. The choir began to sing "Just As I Am" as Dr. Graham stepped back from the podium and waited. I aimed my cameras toward the aisles. I need not have. No one moved. The choir sang another verse. Still the field was empty. Then Dr. Graham stepped forward and said "I'm GLAD that it's raining, tonight!" ('You're the only one', I thought to myself!) He continued. "...Because if you come forward tonight in this miserable rain across this wet muddy field, you'll know that you were serious about giving your life to Jesus Christ. Your decision will mean a lot more to you than if it were dry and you were comfortable. So I'm glad it's raining!"
The choir began to sing again. And still no one moved...until, I saw him...a boy...not more than twelve or thirteen...a crutch under each arm, rain pouring down on his face...walking across that wet muddy football field toward Dr. Graham. It was the most moving moment of the seven years I directed Billy Graham crusade telecasts around the world. I cried. Just about everyone in the control room cried. Half the stadium was in tears. And then, taking their cue from the courage of this young man, dozens, then scores, finally hundreds of others got out of their seats and followed his example. It was a moment I will never forget -- nor will the thousands of people who sat in that football stadium to witness the faith of a young cripple boy who inspired hundreds of others to follow him to find God on a cold stormy night in West Texas. It may never make the list of great film locations, but it was one that night, and I'm glad, eternally glad, I was there!
