Film studio rep scrounges ET oil field relics for California oil film

A representative from Paramount Studios was in Kilgore recently looking for oil field equipment circa 1905.

Several local residents took Michael Scheer around town, showing him derricks, drill bits and all other types of equipment used in the early days of the oil field.

Kevin Walker, location specialist for the Texas Film Commission, said Sheer is scouting for a film that will be made in Marfa beginning June 1.

"There Will Be Blood," will star Daniel Day Lewis and will be directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson also wrote the screen play from an Upton Sinclair novel for the movie.

"The film is the story of the early days of oil exploration in California," Walker said. "The area around Marfa is similar to that of Bakersfield, Calif., during that time."

This is not Anderson's first directing gig. His credits include "Punch Drunk Love" with Adam Sandler, "Magnolia" with Tom Cruise and "Boogie Nights."

He has also written and directed "Saturday Night Life" episodes.

During his trip to Kilgore, Speer visited with local residents and took pictures of various oil field-related items.