Crews and actors are being seen all over the Castlegar area and production has begun on the film Hollow in the Land. Directed by Scooter Corkle, a Castlegar native and Stanley Humphries grad, filming commenced this week.
Local casting for the movie took place several weeks ago and many area residents will be making their debut acting appearances in the film. Lots of youth were needed to fill roles, as were large groups of extras for several scenes including one to be filmed in the hockey arena.
The lead role will be played by Glee star Dianna Agron. Other actors include Shawn Ashmore known for his appearances in The Following and X-Men, and Michael Rogers known for Beyond the Black Rainbow.
Filming is taking place in a wide range of recognizable Castlegar locations including the bowling alley, high school, hockey arena, Hi-Lite, Lions Head, down town and several outdoor rural locations.
Corkle, who also wrote the script, is enjoying being back in his hometown. "It's awesome. Everybody has been super nice, super pleasant and really gung-ho about wanting to be involved," said Corkle. "It is a little bit surreal. Seeing the old folks, the old friends, the old stomps; kind of changed, but not really."
Corkle desires that both the movie and the way it is filmed align with the Kootenay spirit. "We are trying to make it as Kootenay as possible," said Corkle. "We are coming in with a get it done attitude. Keep it indie, keep it small and really adapt our style of filming to keep it in that realm."
The storyline revolves around a young pulp mill employee Alison Miller who is raising her young brother Braydon in the shadow of the family scandal that has blighted their lives and landed their father in prison. But when Braydon is sought for a murder he may not have committed, Alison launches her own investigation to find her missing brother and unearth the truth; only to find herself on the lam from the law and in increasing danger with every twist and turn of the case.
Last week Castlegar News was pleased to publish a mock front page towards the back of the paper that will be used in a scene in the movie.
This story and the accompanying photos will be updated regularly over the remainder of the filming.