Filmmakers issue casting call

Budding thespians of all talents may want to mark Saturday, May 22, on their calendar when Sisters High School sets the stage for an open "extras" casting call starting at 9 a.m. for an independent feature film to be shot here in Sisters and Black Butte Ranch this summer.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience.

The film will be directed by M. Blash and is titled, "The Wait." It's a drama revolving around a "puzzling call from a psychic which catapults a family into a heightened state of waiting for their recently deceased mother to be resurrected."

Shoot dates for the film are tentatively scheduled for mid-June to mid-July. Negotiations for the lead roles are still ongoing and have yet to be announced.

Line producer Brett Cranford just got in from Los Angeles and is familiarizing himself with the locations being used in the film.

"We're set up out in Black Butte Ranch and happy to be here. I love Sisters," he said. "We have a small crew here now and it will grow over the next few weeks with a June 14 target start."

The production team is also hunting for actors and actresses to fill a number of principal roles with character breakdowns ranging from "Dad in Candy Shop," "Beautician," "Handsome Host" and "Lodge Manager." The casting director is looking for fresh, unique faces that are "character-ey." The more interesting the better. These roles are only available online through the www.

filmoregon.org Web site.

The film plans on hiring many crew positions as well that can be applied for via the Web site. They prefer to hire locally so anyone who qualifies is urged to apply. They are in need of several key production jobs including grip, gaffer, sound mixer, boom operator, hair and makeup, wardrobe assistant and unpaid interns who may qualify for school credit. A complete list of all crew jobs and casting needs is available at http://www.filmoregon.org.

Monterey Morrisey of Film Oregon Alliance is excited for the chance to showcase Sisters as a viable location for film and television projects. He expects it to be a great opportunity for Central Oregon to present itself to the world.

"Economically it's going to be a real boon for Sisters," he said. "I can't wait. Let's put our best foot forward."