"Train Dreams" filming comes to Tekoa

TEKOA - The film crew for "Train Dreams" filled Henkle Street Wednesday, May 8, bringing in spectators to watch movie making magic unfold.

Crew members could be seen dumping dirt across the road for the first scene, which featured extras being thrown out of "The Mercantile," Tekoa's old bank building that had been remade into a general store.

Amongst the crowd was the drama class from Oakesdale, who were able to take the day off school to watch as the scenes were filmed. The class got to talk about the film with a crew member who explained to them that the film was an adaptation of Denis Johnson's Pulitizer Prize-nominated novella.

Oakesdale students were able to see the set in the Empire Theatre Building and crew members kept busy preparing the outside of the historic theatre for the next day of filming, Thursday, May 9.

"It was great to watch actors having to rehearse their scenes over and over again just like we do," said Oakesdale drama student Jenna Rawls.

Oakesdale drama student Charlie Henning said that watching them film made him want to be an actor.

Lead actor, Joel Edgerton could be seen walking out of the remodeled bank holding a loaf of bread several times, as crew members scattered across the set yelled "Cut," or "Running."

Assistant Locations Manager Pete Moroz said that it was the Empire Theatre Building that brought the film crew to Tekoa. "Then we thought we would film in some other locations."

The day saw an end with a scene being filmed near the W. Brotherton Seed Co. Inc., where the film crew had set up base in the lot at South Ramsey Street.

Hay bails were set up in the back to look like an old western and a horse drawn carriage made it's way for the scene.

Several Tekoa kids could be seen coming to see the action take place, one exclaiming "Nothing this exciting ever happens in Tekoa," with the other responding "Except Slippery Gulch of course."

Local business Eclair's Coffee and Company was able to be a part of the filming Thursday, May 9, being remade to look like a lounge.

Eclair's owner Melinda Wilkins said that the crew, cast, and everybody involved in the film was courteous and professional. "I can't say enough about how well it was organized," Wilkins said.

Wilkins said that the experience was fantastic and very exciting.

"As for my building, It's always nice to have a little excitement after 13 years here," she said, "They were just wonderful people to work with."

"It was a truly amazing experience," said Tekoa Mayor Roy Schulz, "the film company was incredible fitting in and making things work."

"It's definitely going to be talked about for a long time," Wilkins said, adding that it's one of those opportunities you don't get very often.