Independent feature film uses favorite local backdrops

“Pictures up!”

“Rolling sound!”

“Action!”

Dozens of background actors are cued into motion as lead actress Ann Dowd weaves through the crowd, making her way toward a cabin up the North Fork.

A camera slowly wheels down a track, capturing her every move, while director Anna Kerrigan watches the live playback on a wireless monitor.

A few moments later, everyone is called “back to one!” and the whole scenario begins all over again.

It’s all part of the process to film “Cowboys,” a family drama set in Northwest Montana starring Emmy award-winner Dowd, alongside actor and comedian Steve Zahn and Jillian Bell of “Workaholics.”

The feature-length indie will be filming at locations throughout the Flathead Valley through early October and Kerrigan hopes to show the movie at the Sundance Film Festival next year.

“It’s a father-son movie and a family drama, but with elements of adventure and action,” the L.A.-based director said.

Last Sunday morning, filming took place at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, about 17 miles up the North Fork Road in Columbia Falls. As the crew unloaded lighting and filming equipment from a box truck, around 30 background actors began trickling in, carrying their wardrobe options in bags and suitcases. They lined up before racks of clothes and changing tents, and were outfitted in either civilian garb, various law enforcement ensembles or search-and-rescue gear. Then it was a game of hurry up and wait until they were called to the set.

Many of the actors were newcomers to the film scene, having spotted ads on social media seeking movie extras, while others had auditioned for speaking roles.

“I filled out the questionnaire, took a couple pictures, sent them in and forgot about it. Three weeks later I got an email,” Kalispell resident Jeremy Carpenter said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, done anything like this, so it’s a new experience and that’s fun.”

In addition to the background actors, many of the day-player roles — actors with one to a handful of lines — were sourced locally. Casey Pobran, owner of Rocky Mountain Entertainment Agency, said she received 160 applications for various extra parts, and approximately 80 of those were chosen, including 20 day-players. The film also employed fixer Travis Bruyer, a local law enforcement consultant, and a number of production assistants.

“It’s nice to see how much Montana-based production that they actually used versus outsourcing it from other states,” Pobran said.

Kerrigan wrote “Cowboys” with the Flathead Valley specifically in mind, having spent several summers in the area at a friend’s lake house during her youth.

“Every year was just the countdown to when I could countdown to come back. I just thought it was so magical and amazing and I loved the people here,” Kerrigan said of the Flathead Valley. “I wrote specific locations into the movie that I’d been to as a kid.”

In addition to the Flathead National Forest, the team will film at the Blue Moon Nite Club, the Kalispell Eagles, Sykes Diner and the Western Outdoor store.

“When we were on set the other day, the store opened and a couple kids walked in and recognized Steve Zahn from the dad in the ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid,’” Pobran said, noting that she’s enjoyed “watching those little fan moments of excitement…because it’s Montana it doesn’t happen very often.”

But with its vast and varied terrain, Montana is no stranger to the silver screen. Perhaps the most well-known film associated with the state is Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It,” which was shot in South-central Montana. A little closer to home was the 1989 drama “Always,” starring Richard Dreyfuss, which was filmed in and around Libby and Central Washington. Roughly 500 Libby residents were recruited as extras for the film and played wildland firefighters.

To incentivize more filmmakers to take advantage of the state’s beauty and affordability, the Montana Film Office links filmmakers with local resources and awards grants for Montana-based productions. They were also a strong proponent of the Montana MEDIA Act, which provides a hefty 20% tax credit for production expenditures, among other compensation. Last year, Kerrigan received a $50,000 feature film grant from the office to support in-state filming operations, which helped to make “Cowboys” possible.

There are still challenges associated with producing a film in such a remote and mountainous location — anything from transporting gear across difficult terrain, to navigating waterways and being mindful of wildlife.

“They made us go through a bear talk, which terrified everyone. Our cinematographer, when we were scouting, was convinced that we were going to get eaten by a bear,” Kerrigan said. “It’s been really fun and crazy to shoot in the wild.”

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss may be reached at 758-4433 or mreiss@dailyinterlake.com.