Two weeks ago I saw a casting call on a local Facebook group for a Western movie filming in Columbia State Historic Park and immediately thought of my girls. With their passion for movies—one of them even considers Tombstone a favorite—and their involvement in a Filmmaker Club, I knew this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. On both filming days, my girls’ main action was to walk… And, I’m telling you, a simple stroll turned into the most epic ten-second walk I’ve ever seen. 🤩 This blog post will be about this super unique experience.
Experiencing firsthand how movie magic is made up close.
The film they were recording is called West of the Sun. My daughters were two of the many kid actors in this Western series, and over the weekend, we got a behind-the-scenes look at an independent film being shot in our very own community – Columbia State Historic Park. The whole production took place over one weekend. On Saturday, we were at the park for a quiet day of filming with a small cast and crew. That was when my daughters took their first “walk across town”.
Then came Sunday. The Main Street of Columbia State Historic Park was transformed into a bustling 1872 town. Over 50 background characters, from gunslingers to townspeople, filled the streets. The energy was electric. My daughters took their second “walk” through a vibrant, lively scene, and it was a completely different experience. It felt like they weren’t just in a film; they were a part of a living, breathing time capsule.
It takes a Village
The whole weekend wouldn’t have been the same without Angela, the owner of The Columbia Clothier & Emporium as well as the Fallon House Ice Cream Parlor. I had the pleasure of “robbing” tourists with her during Columbia’s past event last year, but this time, I saw her in her element. Her store, bursting with period clothing, became the main hub for costumes, and she expertly dressed dozens of people, bringing the 1872 world to life. Her ice cream shop was the main hangout for everyone, and also a background for one of the movie’s saloon scenes.
Personally, I found the young crew from the film truly inspiring. They were really passionate and dedicated, working tirelessly in the 95-degree heat, and providing an exceptional experience for all of the actors! Their creativity and drive were a refreshing reminder of what people can accomplish.
I took my camera to capture some behind-the-scenes moments of this independent movie and was truly amazed at what I saw. I’m so glad we got to experience what it takes to make a project like that alive, especially right now when both of my girls are working on their own independent film. It was a weekend we’ll never forget, for sure!
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I participated in the following scenes:
Saturday
– Diggins background actor walking into town with female at my side
-Saloon scene talking with saloon girls
Sunday
– Town street scene entering from the corner of the Douglas Saloon
– California Store acting as store clerk
-Town Mob scene carrying a pitch fork