In the fight scene between Skip and Digger, the grease fryer actually contained water in which a production assistant blew bubbles to simulate boiling grease.
The script was written with the dry, brown summers of central Texas in mind, but a heavy rainfall a few days before filming turned the landscape green. Prior to the rain, the Blanco River flowed at a bare trickle; afterwards, water gushing over the dam provided a dramatic backdrop to Skip's wilderness escape.
Co-writer Ray Spivey conceived the idea for the story while visiting Larry McMurtrey's bookstore in Archer City, Texas.
Mike Gassaway, who plays Chester, only became an actor after attending a shoot of the TV series "Friday Night Lights" in which his daughter was an extra. While watching the shoot, he struck up a conversation with someone involved in production who offered him a chance to appear in the show.
The only cast member not living in Texas at the time of filming was Chris Warner, who plays Digger. Chris, though, was born in Texas and played high school football in Killeen.