‘Admissions’ set to film in Inland Northwest

Moviemaking will return to the Inland Northwest on July 16 when North by Northwest begins filming “Admissions” in several locations, including Gonzaga University and Washington State University’s Pullman and Spokane campuses.

The film will star well-known actors Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air”) and Andy Garcia (“The Godfather: Part III”). On the movie website IMDb, the plot is described as “A man and a woman fall in love while taking their kids on a college admissions tour.”

North by Northwest has completed more than 40 films, many filmed in the Inland Northwest, but “Admissions” will be the first feature film the Spokane-based company has undertaken since Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law the Movie Competitiveness Bill last April. The law, which provides financial incentives and rebates for making movies in the state, had expired in 2011, making it less financially feasible to make movies here.

“Because of that bill, more than 50 crew members are back to work, making a living, and off unemployment,” said Marc Dahlstrom, line producer with North by Northwest. “Out-of-town actors, producers, director and crew will be spending a month in town and they all have to eat, rent hotel rooms or houses, rent cars and spend money.”

Scenes will also be shot at the Masonic Temple in downtown Spokane and at St. Aloysius Church on the GU campus, Dahlstrom said.

The film needs some extras. Dahlstrom explained: “We’re shooting a scene on Saturday, July 28 on the Gonzaga campus that requires several hundred extras. We’ll be looking for extras between the ages of 18 and 28 willing to run into a pond. Apple is providing product placement for the film, so we’ll be raffling off some Apple products for those willing to show up. They should plan on spending most of the day with us, and they will get wet.”

If interested, email North by Northwest at nxnwextras@gmail.com.

History revisited: The West Memphis Three

Monday, at 6:30 p.m., The Magic Lantern Theatre, 25 W. Main Ave., will host a free screening of the film “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.” It tells the story of the “West Memphis Three” – three Arkansas teens convicted of murdering three boys in 1993. The young men were released from prison after serving 18 years when forensic evidence threw into question the validity of the convictions.

After the screening, Mary Pat Treuthart, Gonzaga law professor and co-host of Spokane Public Radio’s “Movies 101” will lead a discussion of the documentary.

On July 21, Jason Baldwin, one of the imprisoned men, will be in Spokane for an evening of “music, food and education.” That event begins at 4 p.m. on the Saranac Building rooftop, 25 W. Main. Both events are sponsored by PJALS Inland Northwest Death Penalty Abolition Group. For more information, go to www.pjals.org.>

Singing Broadway in Coeur d’Alene

Tickets are $25 a person; $20 for groups of 15 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.traditionsof christmasnw.com or at New York Bagels and Deli, 226 W. Ironwood Drive in Coeur d’Alene.

On July 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Webster will teach a vocal class for experienced singers 14 and older. Cost: $75. Inland Northwest vocal coaches can audit the class for $25. Students are asked to prepare two vocal selections.

For more information, location and class schedule go to www.traditionsof christmasnw.com and click on Doug Webster fundraiser or call (208) 661-6010.

Lovers, madmen – and students

Students in Eastern Washington University’s Theatre Program will showcase what they’ve learned this summer during their intensive actor/voice training course with New York City voice teacher Dianna Schoenborn.

On July 20, Interplayers Professional Theatre will host the students’ performance of “Lovers & Madmen” described in a press release as “William Shakespeare’s scenes of madmen and passion.”

For reservations, call (509) 455-2459 or email boxoffice@interplayers.com. Tickets are $10.