Independent film company shoots in Marion
Managing editor
The movie is a “boy meets girl” story but the real story behind the film is the professional film crew coming to Kansas — particularly Marion — to film.
The movie, “The Last Days of Shaniko,” is a historical fiction, Western-style movie set in 1945 in Central Oregon. There is a real Shaniko, Ore., but a recent water rights fight kept the crew from filming there.
Instead, director Laura DeBar of North Carolina searched for historic hotels. She was looking for a hotel that was historically significant and constructed of limestone. A quick search on the Internet landed her in Marion and filming at the Historic Elgin Hotel Bed and Breakfast.
She and 20 others arrived May 29 and 30 to set up filming opportunities. Actual filming in Marion was completed Thursday.
The film is about the Oregon town — known in the early 1900s as the “Wool Capital of the World” — which became a ghost town. It features young heroine Zippora Wheeler who is haunted by the memories of her dead husband and range wars she witnessed as a child. A handsome drifter named Wade comes to town and he struggles to convince her to face the present.
The scenes that were filmed in Marion had local residents sheep farmers and entrepreneurs.
Marion Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin has been assisting the production company since they decided to come to Marion.
“They were looking for a couple of tough cowboys and businessmen,” Kjellin said.
Even though Kjellin said he had no plans to be in the movie, he stepped up when the director asked he be in the film, as did his brother-in-law and local banker, Greg Bowers.
Marion High School graduate and theater veteran Brett Billings was told by Mary Beth Bowers, Greg’s wife, about the movie. Billings asked if he could visit the set. After his visit, the director asked if Billings, who is home from college, would consider being in the movie. He was given the role of Dux, one of the more important roles.
Billings said he was enjoying his time in front of the camera but it was different from what he had experienced.
“I’m not sure about this medium,” he said.
Chuck McLinden and Nick Kraus played cowboys.
On June 2, the crew was filming on Third and Santa Fe streets, near the Elgin. Each shot took longer to set up than to actually film. With only one camera, the scene would be set up multiple times with the camera positioned differently to film different angles of a scene.
In one scene, the business men and Wade, played by Nevin Millan, were talking about land that was for sale in front of the Elgin. Wade is being sought by three cowboys, who come strolling up the sidewalk. When they spy Wade, they begin to chase him. In the chase, Billings’ character leads the raid with Kraus and McLinden following and McLinden shoving Kjellin out of the way.
Numerous takes were needed. The cast and crew did several practice runs and then, after a few adjustments, the scene was successfully shot.
One scene required the firing of a gun. Prior to the scene, Marion Police Officer Clinton Jeffrey, camera operator Marco Naylor, and actor Jackson Bolt inspected the gun.
The camera crew and actors were full-time bonafide professionals. Others who helped with sound, lighting, makeup, and costumes were college students and acquaintances of the crew.
After wrapping up filming Thursday night in Marion, the group went to Abilene to film for a couple of days.
Release of the film is anticipated in the fall. Distribution plans may include museums, festivals, and television such as the History Channel, IFC, and PBS. Best American Shorts has already agreed to distribute the film as part of its series syndicated on satellite television venues and university stations nationwide.
Although the production company and actors were filming on a shoestring budget, Kjellin hopes this will be a springboard for more movies to be filmed in Marion.
“From an economic development perspective, I saw this as a ‘sample’ to the film industry to demonstrate our community as film-friendly,” he said. “When we get others, they’ll have larger budgets and will spend more time and money with us.”
Even though the production was a whirlwind of activity in the short time crews were here, with little time for interviews, the troop was pleased with the accommodations and hospitality.
“We had a good time and appreciate all of the efforts made by the Marion community,” DeBar said.