We all know the stars seem to shine bigger and brighter here in the Hill Country, but look closely and you’re apt to see stars in the daytime, too.

"Reel" stars, that is: movie stars, television stars, producers, directors and all the crew members who make the films we enjoy. Glen Stephens has brought them here to central Texas. Although Stephens now spends much of his time on the West Coast, his 750-acre Hat Creek Ranch just outside Menard, Texas is home . . . and home is where the heart is.

Stephens and wife Cathy, grew up in the highland lakes area and both graduated from Marble Falls High School. For over 20 years, Stephens was a master electrician, in the construction and home building business, but he also pursued his dreams. He now has four completed movies to his credit and is hard at work on more ideas and projects.

Stephens’ first movie, The Wooly Boys, was filmed in North Dakota, Minneapolis and other Minnesota sites. Available on DVD, it is a humorous family film which tells the story of a sheep-herding cowboy, severely ill, whose daughter tricks him into going to a hospital in the big city. This triggers a mischievous adventure when his teenaged grandson helps grandpa break out of confinement. The cast includes Peter Fonda, Kris Kristofferson and Keith Carradine.

At various times, Stephens has written, produced, directed and been involved with all aspects of filming. Recently, he added actor to his job description . . . when a hired actor’s flight was delayed, Glen stepped in and appears at the very end of the "trailer" preview of his latest movie, Hoboken Hollow. The trailer itself brings you to the edge of your seat - or rather cringing at the back of your seat - and leaves you with chilling, prickly goosebumps.

Hoboken Hollow, recently finished filming, is a suspense/horror movie, loosely based on true events which happened on a remote ranch in the Hill Country. It is the story of drifters who are picked up and offered jobs by a family who ...

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