2006 busy year for filming in Spokane
North by Northwest, the Spokane film production company, has a full slate of feature films lined up in Spokane this year – and that doesn’t even count “Home of the Brave,” which begins shooting next week.
“I believe we’re going to make at least three and maybe four more films,” said Rich Cowan of North by Northwest. “It’s going to be a pretty busy year here in Spokane.”
Nothing will happen until after “Home of the Brave,” starring Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, Christina Ricci and 50 Cent, wraps in April.
After that, the following projects are on deck:
• “Zygote” – A medical thriller. No actors have yet been announced, but Cowan said they will cast “name” actors in the lead roles. This will be a North by Northwest production, like 1999’s “The Basket,” as opposed to a for-hire production job, like “Home of the Brave.”
• “Renaissance Girl” – A romantic comedy which takes place at a Renaissance festival. Casting is not finished, but name actors will also be involved. This will be another North by Northwest production.
• “Stuck in Neutral” – A previously announced North by Northwest project based on Terry Trueman’s young-adult novel about a 14-year-old with cerebral palsy.
• Numerous for-hire projects – Cowan said that his company is mulling about 10 feature films, including a “National Lampoon” comedy, any of which could come to fruition this summer or fall.
When will shooting begin? Cowan said it will depend on the actors’ schedules, once casting is complete. They won’t necessarily be filmed in the order listed above. We can expect to see the busiest action during the summer months. We’ll keep you posted.
Four more years for Preu
The Spokane Symphony announced on Thursday that music director Eckart Preu and associate conductor Morihiko Nakahara have signed contract extensions.
Preu is now signed through the 2009-2010 season. His previous contract was set to expire at the end of the 2006-2007 season. Nakahara is signed for two more years, through the 2007-2008 season.
“We think this is particularly important to the orchestra because it means the conducting team that has worked so well for our orchestra … will be in place as we make plans to move into the Fox Theater for concerts in the fall of 2007,” said board president Cate Moye.
For those of us in the audience, it is terrific news. Both Preu and Nakahara have proven to be exceptionally fine communicators, as well as outstanding musicians.
A ‘DaVinci Code’ forum
The Tinman Gallery in Spokane will host a panel discussion on the art and history of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel “The DaVinci Code” on March 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Ruben Trejo, artist and professor emeritus at Eastern Washington University, will be the panel chair. The evening will also include a demonstration of Renaissance painting techniques and the iconography of religious painting.
The evening will start with a light buffet at the Tinman, 811 W. Garland Ave., and will then move next door to the Blue Door Theater for the discussion and demonstration.
Tickets are $15, available at the Tinman Gallery; preregistration is recommended. Call 325-1500 for information.
Ballet Spokane appointment
Phaedra Jarrett has been named the associate artistic director of Ballet Spokane. Jarrett, who has been dancing for the past five years with Oakland Ballet, recently moved to Spokane. She will also be a dancer with the company.
Janet Wilder continues as artistic director.
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