First day of filming for "Country Girl." We spent all day at a private house in Vernonia Oregon (friend of the director's). The property is very classic country and will work well for Katie's house where a lot of the first part of the film takes place. It was a beautiful day, sunny and hot. All the outdoor shots look amazing.
Day 2 (July 3)
Filming takes place in Beaverton, Oregon at a local motel. We were scheduled to film a song today (song #3, 'Tired of Waiting") in Forest Grove, but plans were changed to improve the scene. After the motel scenes, we were suppose to film a driving scene with an older couple. Only one half of the couple could make it, so the director made a call to Jane Furman, an actress from his first film (Sophia Jace from "Un-Human"). Jane made it, and fantastically improvised most of her lines with Katie and Rain.
Day 3 (July 4)
Another picture perfect day. The crew set up at Plum Hill Winery near Forest Grove, Oregon for the entire day. First, we would like to thank Plum Hill for it's generosity and kindness. In the original screenplay, the winery sequence was written as a house party. The director's mom suggested he change it to a winery. Amazing choice. With the addition of free extras in the afternoon, the crew filmed the first song (song #5, 'You Get Me'). The crowd was amazing and appreciative of the performance. Special thanks to EJ Baeza for manning the second camera. Special thanks to friends of the cast for stepping into bit parts. Everyone got farmer's tans.
Day 4 (July 8)
The first pickup day (already). After 8-5 work on a Friday, the crew assembles to film two songs in one night. The first is "Tired of Waiting" (missed on day 2). Set on a street corner, the song ended up being filmed in front of the Beaverton City Library with the foundation in the background. The entire scene was sunkissed. Next, the crew headed up to the entrance to Forest Park off Cornell Rd in Portland. There, Andy blasted the music out the back of the car. After two takes, the director got worried and quickly wrapped up the shoot. As the crew was packing up, a police officer drove by. Coincidence? I think not. We split before he decided to come question us.
Day 5 (July 9)
The next day featured the pivotal sequence at the Rhienlander in Portland (NE Sandy and 50th Ave). We would like to thank Hannah and associates for their kindness and consideration in letting us use the restaurant for six hours. We only set the kitchen alarm off once! Dave Beatty, co-writer of the music, made his cameo in the scene. Both Andy and Josh (sound) took turns manning the camera for select shots. The afternoon saw the filming of the film pivotal second song, 'Don't Think Twice.' This is the scene that changes the rest of the story.
Day 6 ( July 10)
Sunday featured a collection of different scenes filmed in one place substituting for many. Marylhurst University was turned into a library, city landmark, agent's office, meadow, and office parking lot. In one not so genius move, the director suggested Katie and Rain climb up a low hanging tree. They had no problem getting up, but getting down was another story. Later, as the sun was setting, the crew filmed the movie's opening scene - a long tracking shot across the meadow. The day also saw Katie perform the first song of the film 'Just Sayin.'
Day 7 (July 14)
The second pickup day. The time crunch of trying to film a two-hour film in seven days meant another after-work pickup. The director walked in to a coffee shop he used in "Un-Human" (Poppa Haven's on Murray Blvd in Beaverton) the day before and secured the location. Thanks to owner Jerry for being very cool. The scene went longer that expected but everything worked out. Next, we filmed the park scene that was cut from July 10th for time purposes. The sun came out as we tried to wrap up. The director considered re-filming the entire scene in sunlight, but decided against it. Because of the day, the only people filming were the director, Jozi, Kate, and Melissa.
Day 8 (July 16)
The fair. Enough said. The climax of the film was to take place a battle of the bands contest. The director called the Columbia County Fair in St Helens, Oregon. The theme for the fair was already set a "Lights! Camera! Action!" and the filming of "Country Girl" made perfect sense. Thanks to Ronda and the entire fair crew. The band Hit Machine provided backing instruments for Katie and Rain to impress the 150 people stepping in as extras for the scene. Katie and Rain performed the song "Fly Away" a record six times for the crowd (not that they asked for it). The weather forecast was for showers. After some answered prayers, the clouds parted enough for the crew to film all the scenes without rain and even a little sun. The director is now barred from talking badly about the weather for the rest of 2011.
Day 9 (July 17)
The scene was originally written to take place a country bar in Portland (to be unnamed here) but the price to film was too high. Instead, a friend of a friend opened up Bernie's Southern Bistro (NE Alberta and 29th Ave, Portland) to the crew on 2 days notice. Special thanks to Kellie and the whole crew at Bernie's. Also, special thanks to the Kate White Band for stepping in and performing as the backing band. Today was the last full day and featured the title song 'Country Girl' (#4 in the film). The scene was originally going to take place outside, but had to move inside because of the rain. Afterwards, the director got in the car with Katie, Rain, and Melody to film the road trip scenes.
Day 10 (July 24)
Third pickup day. The director went out with Kate and Melissa to Sauvie Island to film some shots to go with the songs. They used a Canon 7D thanks to Chuck Vigil. Hot hot day.
Day 11 (July 29)
Fourth pickup day. The director borrowed Andy's camera to film the movie's final final scene at a recording studio in Vancouver, Washington. Thanks to Jozi, Kate, and Melissa for making it all work. Afterwards, Katie and Rain picked up a couple missed shots from the Bernie's shoot.
Day 12 (July 30)
Fifth pickup day. The director again borrowed Andy's camera. This time, he went down to Sherwood to film shots to go with the songs. After numerous suggestions, the director and Jozi ended up filming at four different locations. The last shot filmed in 'Country Girl' was a tracking shot Katie walking - like so many others in the film.