The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
My All American Austin premiere
11.12.2015 | Football
Cast and crew from the motion picture "My All American" stroll the red carpet during the movie's Austin premiere.
The red carpet was rolled out, lights were flashing, stories were shared, and the Paramount marquee on Congress Avenue in Austin read, "My All American - Sold Out."
Wednesday night, prior to the official box office release of My All American on Friday, November 13, a special premiere was held at Paramount Theatre Austin. Stars of the movie, Finn Wittrock, Sarah Bolger, Justin Street and Rett Terrell, walked the red carpet as media and fans snapped photos.
"It's not until you come down to Austin," said Finn Wittrock, leading actor in the role of Freddie Steinmark, "[that] you talk to people, and you start to understand the real significance of the story and how much of a story that happened in 1968 is still incredibly relevant today."
A large sense of pride could be heard in each actor's voice while discussing the film. Freddie Steinmark, safety for the Longhorns and member of the 1969 National Championship team, graced us for a short, but incredible life. His legacy in the burnt orange, sporting No. 28, is no less felt today than in the midst of his career in Austin.
"It was not like you were playing something that's long past," said Wittrock. "You felt like it's still very much alive. The team still touches [Steinmark's] picture before their games. You realize that the story isn't dead. We're not telling an ancient history here. We're telling a living history."
Along with the career of Steinmark, whose story of triumph and tragedy is the basis of the movie, those involved created an historical depiction that everyone is able to relate with today. Players from the championship team and Steinmark's family have helped carry his legacy through, making way for his story to be told to a wider audience.
"The people who were involved, even from the financier point of view, the people in Texas, it was a special movie to be part of," said Bolger, who plays Freddie's girlfriend, Linda Wheeler. "Freddie Steinmark is a person who has touched so many people's lives, and still to this day, people get emotional talking about him. It's an important story, and I'm so glad that I'm part of telling it."
Prior to filming, Bolger had little to no knowledge of American football. Born in Dublin, Ireland, the actress learned of the rich tradition of University of Texas football while walking UT's campus, listening to stories of the past.
"This is a unique scenario. We got to film at UT, and I got to talk to the person I play on the phone to help embody her as best as I could," said Bolger. "I think that's a rarity. Linda, herself, at the beginning of the movie does not know a lot about football, so I learned as the character learned, which was a big help."
A native of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Steinmark also immersed himself into the world of burnt orange, as the undersized dynamo was given the opportunity to play football for the University of Texas in 1967. His relationship with former head coach, Darrell Royal, formed quickly and solidly, thus paving the way for the unique bond they held even after Steinmark's death from cancer in 1971. Steinmark's other relationships with teammates Bobby Mitchell, also his roommate and high school friend, and James Street, guided him through the highs and lows during his time at Texas. They each held a special bond that was clearly illustrated in the film.
"It's a beautiful story," said Street, who played his father, James. "I couldn't have imagined this day if I tried to. This journey has just been the journey of a lifetime."
Because the story hits home for so many who are from Austin or for those with a connection to the University of Texas, executive producer Bud Brigham, generously brought the production of the movie to the city, which added a special sense of purity and authenticity to My All American.
"The most important part about the film is that it was such a good story we didn't have to change anything, so there was accuracy," said Street. "We went to the true-to life-places. You go there, and you just already feel the energy and the spirit of this story. So it made things a lot more real. I know me and all of the actors got the scope of how cool this story was for the city and for the guys and for everyone involved."
Director Angelo Pizzo knew the task at hand for the success of the movie and wanted to create a realness for all audiences. Pizzo's talent brought to the screen Steinmark's story, and there was not a dry eye in the crowd of Longhorn legends and those closest to the film at Wednesday night's premiere.
"I arrived here four years ago to begin the research, and it feels like the most beautiful full circle to be able to share this and to celebrate this effort that took a lot of people to put together," said Pizzo. "This [movie] just all came together, and it was a beautiful experience from start to finish. The chemistry was there.
"This was really the best filmmaking experience I've ever had, and that's because of people like Bud Brigham and the support and passion of the UT family, whether that be Freddie's former teammates and family or the university."
