Sisters Country answers casting call

More than 250 area residents with their eye on Hollywood dreams showed up on a cold and blustery day at Sisters High School for an "extras" casting call for the indie feature film, "The Wait," being shot in the Sisters area this summer.

They came with grandparents and pregnant moms and kids in strollers, all for the opportunity to be discovered and cast as an extra in the upcoming production, slated to begin June 14.

"The Wait" is a drama about two sisters returning to a small town after their mother dies.

Simon Max Hill Casting, of Portland, ran the show from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and was satisfied by the abundant turnout. The previous day was reserved for primary casting at Sisters Art Works. Casting coordinator Crystal Walen said the day had gone well.

"We saw about 54 people and they were all for speaking roles," she said. "Most everybody came from either Sisters or Bend and had submitted a head shot and

résumé prior to the filmed auditions."

Kari Dunn, of Redmond, came with her friend Jan Erickson and 11-year-old Delos Erickson after she saw it on the morning news show.

"It was just a little blip," she said. "We're all movie buffs and Delos is a musician and thought it would be fun to try out."

"I made a little movie, a Ghostbusters spoof with my friends called Ghostbusters #48," said Delos. "I was the director and the cameraman."

People trickled through the high school doors all morning, carried in by high hopes and brittle winds. Once inside, they were directed to a table of stat cards with a short application on one side and a number printed on the reverse. After personal data and statistics were completed, applicants were ushered to a side wall where an assistant had them hold up their number for a "mug shot." Those with acting résumés for any potential principal roles not yet filled were encouraged to leave their material and await a possible call-back. Extras selected for the film will be notified within the next few weeks, after review by the director.

"We're looking to fill out a few scenes in the screenplay that call for a playground scene and another set at a swimming pool," said Walen. "There's also a few scenes of the main characters shopping downtown. They all need to have a realistic feel to them and require people in stores, walking around, drinking coffee and talking."

The producers and coordinators are looking at a small crew of 28-35 persons, miniscule by Hollywood standards, but typical of intimate indie shoots where the budget constraints and spartan cast allow for a film to be shot more economically.

Emerging Portland director M. Blash will helm the film from a screenplay he wrote. In 2006, Blash was the recipient of the Director's Fortnight Award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for his first film, "Lying." The low-budget film, starring Chloe Sevigny and Jena Malone, explored the nature of white lies and their innumerable consequences amid a group of upstate New York friends.

By noon, nearly 200 people had filled out their stat cards and had their pictures taken.

Sporting his trademark wildman beard and moustache, Ed Endsley of Bend came out to lend his face to the casting team.

"I read about it in the paper and at Film Oregon Alliance," he said. "I've been an actor and commercial photographer in the area for 35 years. I'm a model in stock and print and have done regional TV and Internet commercials. Plus I am a character, so that seems appropriate."

Line producer for the film, Brett Cranford, remarked at the beauty and uniqueness of the Sisters area: "It's small enough that we can incorporate the town and get them involved with the process of filmmaking," he said. "Everybody gets to be a part of it and hopefully it's a good experience for both parties."

Judilyn Markel, from Sisters, came out with her kids, Dustin and Dina.

"It sounded interesting and so this is a great way to learn and be adventurous," she said. "It encourages the kids to get out and try something new. That's important."

Simon Max Hill will be back in town in a couple weeks for more principals casting. Those interested in remaining cast or crew positions can submit material at http://www.filmoregon.org.