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July 1, 2009 – Our Town – OWU

Shown during the filming of ‘Cowboy Dreams’ (l-r) Bill Engvall, Steve Briscoe ’77, and Danny Trejo.

Photo courtesy of Locked Horns Productions

Film by OWU Alumnus Premieres at Hollywood Film Festival
‘Cowboy Dreams’ comedy-western features comedian Bill Engvall

Steve Briscoe ’77

Photo courtesy of Locked Horns Productions

The eight-minute short film “Cowboy Dreams” premieres July 25 in Hollywood at the 13th Annual L.A. Shorts Fest, the largest short film festival in the world. Films selected for this festival also qualify for Academy Award nomination in the “Best Short Film” category. The film’s writer and co-producer, Steve Briscoe ’77, has been on a long journey that included stand-up comedy and film-making, since his graduation from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Briscoe decided to attend OWU following a recommendation from then-CBS President Frank Stanton ’30. At the time, Briscoe’s father, Ralph, was working as president of the CBS communications and technology group.

“The students and people at Ohio Wesleyan helped change my perspective of life. Everyone had different backgrounds, and it broadened my horizons,” says Briscoe, a psychology major at OWU. “I was struck by the beauty of the campus. And I value the friendships I made at OWU.” He also has fond memories of his time on campus, and various escapades with his frat brothers at Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Since graduation, Briscoe has worked performing stand-up comedy and has produced a number of short films for HBO and the SciFi Channel. While doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, he worked with Dennis Miller, Robert Schimmel, and Bill Engvall. He also performed in venues ranging from Alaska to the Caribbean, and appeared in television programs including “Evening at the Improv” and “Star Search.”

Now relocating to Phoenix, he lived for 15 years in Buffalo, where he worked in freelance advertising and raised his children, Stephanie (24), Spenser (22), and Michael (20), with his wife, Denise. He wanted his children to grow up outside of the L.A. culture.

The comedy-western film “Cowboy Dreams” is the story of a retired gunfighter plagued by the recurring nightmare of his formerly violent life. Engvall, a long-time friend, has the lead role.

Up next, Briscoe has just completed a script for a full-length feature film that also will feature Engvall. While the topic is still a secret, Briscoe says, “It will be a good Bill Engvall vehicle.”

For more information about “Cowboy Dreams,” visit the Locked Horns Productions Web site.

– Linda O’Horo