Rodeo arena to be used as film set this Sunday

The end might finally be in sight for Ken Howie, the creator behind "Feek's Vision," a documentary that tells the story of the award-winning Tooke Bucking Horses. "Feek's Vision" has been Howie's passion for the last few years as he has traveled all over the country to interview rodeo greats such as Larry Mahan, Ty Murray, Deb Copenhaver, Harry Vold and Mel Potter, in addition to filming at numerous rodeos.

Since July 7, Howie has been hard at work at the Tooke ranch getting some of the last shots he needs for the documentary. In addition to filming, he has been building a 1940s replica arena, near where the Tooke family held rodeos some 80 years ago.

This Sunday, September 1, Howie and crew will be capturing scenes in the replica rodeo arena from 9:30 a.m. to sundown.

Everyone is invited, Howie told the Eagle on Tuesday. But some guidelines need to be followed.

"People need to come in period correct clothes, circa 1940. They should arrive by 10 a.m. so I can get the first scene set up."

They day promises to be unlike any other rodeo.

"It will be like a typical movie set," he said. "There will be long waits between shots and lots of time to chat with your neighbor."

No cell phones will be allowed. All who attend must park at the house and wait for a wagon ride that will take them over a hill to the set.

The set looks remarkably similar to pictures Howie has from 1940s rodeos at the ranch. Though he used some modern tools to build it, many of the techniques were the same as those used long ago.

Howie built a moon-shaped arena. The remainder of the perimeter will be fenced off with period correct cars and wagons. He said that's how they did it then, and has photos to prove it. Though he has some cars and wagons lined up for Sunday, the set could still use more he said.

The arena is constructed of woven wire, old lodge poles, old timber and some newer rough-cut pine which he has given an aged look. As an artist, Howie took his time to carefully place each and every pole, making sure that curves and gaps lined up exactly as he had envisioned.

Some of the bigger pine poles came from the Logging Camp Ranch in the Badlands west of Amidon, North Dakota. The ranch is owned by the Hansen family, people Howie said he has known his entire life. Those poles were harvested in June.

Ash arena rails were donated to the set from Paul Brence. They were disassembled from a set of corrals that were around 100 years old. Neil Kittelmann also gave Howie some timber that he used for arena rails.

Bud Powell donated, and even cut some of the lumber that Howie has used on the set. Howie explained that not only did Powell donate the lumber, he delivered it to him, along with lunch, a few weeks ago.

Though Howie has spear-headed the replica arena construction, he has also received help from many friends and locals. Rod Dolyniuk and Scott Iverson, his friends from North Dakota, helped initially. J.O. Tooke and his daughters helped set poles and brought over a skidsteer to dig holes. Ches Meyer and Ryan Bruski helped for a day and Toby Tooke helped another.

Theresa Howie, Ken's wife and producer, has also helped a great deal during the building of the arena. She has made numerous trips back and forth to the ranch over the last few months with supplies and has done some hands-on work in the arena.

"Tim [Tooke] has been stellar," Howie said, adding that Tooke has helped whenever he had the time.

The arena has taken nearly two months to complete. It may seem like a long time, but pales in comparison to the amount of hours he has spent on the entire documentary. Howie said that he wouldn't even want to know how many hours he has logged on the project.

On Sunday, Howie's build will be tested. Mac Tooke is bringing eight horses and four riders for the rodeo reenactment. All will come out of the single chute Howie carefully crafted to look like it was built in the 1940s.

Anyone interested in attending Sunday's rodeo reenactment should contact Theresa Howie at (701) 495-1705 or email [email protected] to RSVP. Vintage clothing is a must. Any attire newer than 1945 will not be permitted within view of the cameras. The crew is also still actively seeking 1940s vehicles and wagons.

Attendees should be at least 10 years old and all must sign a liability release on arrival. Parking will be near the homestead at the Tim Tooke ranch. Call Theresa Howie at (701) 495-1705 for more information.

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