Gonzales, TX, USA - May 22, 2025 - Texas Legacy in Lights, the world’s first permanent, narrative-driven, live-action projection mapping film, proudly announces its all-Texas-based, highly experienced film crew ahead of the project’s highly anticipated launch. Set in historic Gonzales, Texas, the birthplace of the Texas Revolution, this one-of-a-kind cinematic installation brings the city’s heroic legacy to life through an immersive 3D visual and sound experience unlike anything seen before.
Texas Legacy in Lights is the first permanent U.S. projection mapping installation to use historically accurate, live-action film production techniques. With participation from local historians, reenactors, and descendants of Gonzales revolutionaries, the project represents a powerful blend of community-driven storytelling and technological innovation.
Spearheaded by John Franklin Rinehart, a native of Gonzales and founder of Austin Film Crew, Texas Legacy in Lights will feature a 33-minute projection-mapped reenactment of the Battle of Gonzales on the façade of the Gonzales Memorial Museum. Rinehart’s Texas roots and award-winning portfolio with clients such as Walmart, Dell, and Intel bring authentic vision and top-tier cinematic execution to this unprecedented tribute to Texas history.
“As a proud Texan, it means everything to me to build this project with an all-Texas crew. This film is about our heritage, and it should be created by the people who live it every day. We’ve assembled an incredible team of talented professionals from across the state, and together, we’re not just telling the story of the Battle of Gonzales — we’re proving that Texas has the talent, passion, and drive to lead in film production. My hope is that this project shines a spotlight on the opportunities that exist here and inspires more productions to invest in Texas filmmaking.”
John Franklin Rinehart
The production team reads like a Hollywood red carpet—only with deep Texas roots:
• Alison Freer – Lead Costume Designer (credits include Captain America: Brave New World, Rebel Moon, Nickelodeon, Amazon Originals)
• Jessica Isam – Head Makeup Artist (The Chosen, Fear the Walking Dead, Reagan)
• Wes Aylor – Head of Special Effects (Alita: Battle Angel, Zombieland: Double Tap, Friday Night Lights)
• Pat “Shaggy” Welsh – Field Producer (Snoop Dogg, DMX, Empact Films)
• Lukcy Charms – Co-Writer and Singer-Songwriter (known for human-centered, musical storytelling)
• Graham Hutchins – Motion Designer and VFX Artist
• Kerry Hellums – Historian and Armorer (The Patriot, Gettysburg, The Last of the Mohicans)
• Misti King – Associate Producer
“I grew up in Texas and recently moved back to the state after living and working in Hollywood for the past 20 years,” says Alison Freer. “It’s a treat to work on a project close to home — and close to my heart. My endless years of learning about Texas history are finally paying off!”
“As a native Texan, this project is deeply meaningful to me. Texas history has been a part of my life since I was young—not just through school, but through my mom, who was a Texas history enthusiast and took me to historic sites all over the state. I'm very excited to re-create the historical looks of heroes who helped shape both Texas and America,” said Head Makeup Artist Jessica Isam. “Texas Legacy in Lights is unlike anything I've worked on—its history told in a way that people can truly feel. And being surrounded by a team that’s just as passionate makes it all the more inspiring.”
Scheduled to debut in October 2025, with a soft launch in July, the show will run twice nightly, six days a week, projecting a 96-foot-wide by 32-foot-tall 3D cinematic experience. The accompanying sound system, designed by a former NASA media engineer, spans 90,000 square feet, featuring underground subwoofers and speakers camouflaged by native Texas plants to create an all-encompassing auditory battlefield. The Gonzales City Council officially approved the state-of-the-art project on March 13, marking it as a milestone in heritage tourism and immersive storytelling.
“I'm grateful to be a part of this project and look forward to seeing it come to life in October,” said co-writer Lukcy Charms.
“I’ve known John for the better part of two decades and I’ve been involved with historical interpretation and film industry for better part of 40 years,” said Armorer Kerry Hellums. “Gonzales’ struggle needs to be told truthfully. Life is in the blood of Texas.”
“As someone whose family settled in Texas in the 1840s, I have a deep personal connection to the roots of the state,” said Associate Producer Misti King. “This project speaks to my love of history and preserving the stories that shaped who we are.”
Texas Legacy In Lights is slated for soft launch this July with a grand opening scheduled on October 2, 2025.
MAIN WEBSITE: TEXASLEGACYINLIGHTS.COM
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