Photos and story by Ramón Hernández

"Lights! Camera! Action!

Those three little words spell money for the Alamo City’s economic and they spell magic for local movie goers who will enjoy seeing their city as the background for two films that will be shot in San Antonio in July.

These two new film productions are "Los Tres Pérez" and "Taking it."

The first is a remake of "Los Tres García," a Mexican musical starring Pedro Infante, Jorge Abel Salazar, Víctor Manuel Mendoza and Marga López.

López is the U.S. born blonde cutie that goes to Mexico and because of her beauty is wooed by the three García brothers whose screen grandmother is played by Sara García.

In the remake, the female lead is a brunette and comes to the United States where she is courted by the three handsome singing Pérez brothers.

All the singing parts in this production will be portrayed by Tejano singers. Among the contenders are for the female lead are Leslie Lugo, Lariza, Patsy Torres plus Cristal Martínez and Diana Treviño of Bandidas. However, there will be casting call and vocalists do not have to be recording artists.

Isaac Bazan, Ram Herrera and Javier Galván are the first two Tejano artists that have stepped up to the plate to play the García brothers. René René is a possible contender for the grandfather part and Belle Ortíz might reincarnate Sara García’s role.

The remake of this movie is the brainchild of Jorge Flores, also the executive producer. Roger Danny García, a former radio program director, is the film’s director with Roger Velásquez onboard as assistant producer.

The casting call begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23 and it will be held at Body Art Tattoos at 2109 Buffalo Street.

The second film to be filmed here is "Taking Over" and according to screenwriter René Salazar, "is based on personal real life experiences, plus that of his family members, friends and other people in the hood."

"The basic plot is about an outside gang leader named "Rellick" – that’s killer spelled backward --that tries to take over the city. What he does not realize is that the small barrios, although being rivals, have stronger bonds and they join together to go up against Rellick’s large gang.

Doug Kirkman plays the intruder; and Johnny Pérez and Lyssette Maldonado head the rest of the ensemble. Theirs is a story within a story of love and redemption as they are faced with the choice of which path to follow.

This movie, which also stars noted established actors Pepe Serna and Jesse Borrego, also includes cameos by Little Joe and Rubén Ramos. Other actors in this film which Rubén Resendez co-wrote are Vince Bromo, Manny Santana, Alex Chávez and executive producer/actress Brandy López.

León Rodríguez and Jesús "Chuy" Carrera will be behind the scenes respectively serving as director and set coordinator.

Does all this mean Texas will soon be known as Hollytex or San AntoWood?