The upcoming romantic comedy Blue Valentine is being shot in Wayne County and other parts of Pennsylvania. 

 
The major feature film stars Michelle Williams (Dawson’s Creek) and Ryan Gosling (The Notebook). Shooting is set to begin later this month.

Jamie Patricof, one of the producers, said the Director Derek Cianfrance really liked the areas they’d visited in Wayne County, and Pennsylvania as a whole. Patricof says the scenery along with the Keystone state’s tax incentives in making a movie were “very important.”

Patricof says the making of a film is generally a two-year process, with Blue Valentine projected for a 2011 release.  

An open casting call, for both actors and non-actors, is being held on Monday (April 13) at the Wayne County Visitor’s Center, Commercial Street in Honesdale, from 1 to 8 p.m. If you can’t make it, but would like to be considered, you’re asked to email: your name, age, current location, picture and contact information (phone and mail) to BlueValentineCasting@gmail.com.
If you have any questions, you’re asked to call the casting office at (212) 219-5094.

Roles range from paid speaking parts to extras.  

 Wayne Delaware Manor
The staff at Wayne Delaware Manor, Beach Lake, is thrilled that their location has been chosen for a day’s worth of filming.

Administrator Sandy Kline says it’s her understanding the lead characters meet at the personal care home. One is visiting a relative while the other’s family member is moving in.

“I’m really excited, just because we’re small and we don’t get a lot of hype,” Kline said. They do a lot of good things at the manor. but generally don’t “blow their own horns.”

“This is really good for us,” she said. Filming is due to take place towards the end of the month. “I’m hoping that a couple of my residents get in ...That they’re walking down the hall. I don’t know what (the director) has planned, but I think that would be really neat.”

Kline’s thinking about playing The Notebook this weekend during movie hour at the manor, figuring the residents would enjoy watching Ryan Gosling. She says she read the Nicholas Sparks book and loved it. 

The Lodge at Keen Lake     
Joyce Keen DeBastiani, co-owner of The Lodge at Keen Lake, says someone stopped by two weeks ago to take pictures of her lodge on Route 6, in Canaan Township.

“They came in and took pictures for consideration in the movie,” she said. Now it’s the director’s decision. Keen DeBastiani says they need to figure out,  “Is it the right setting for the story? And you know I hope it is,” she said with a friendly laugh.

Either way, Keen DeBastiani says she’ll be respectful of their decision. “They’re the professionals. We want to respect their creative decision.”

Keen DeBastiani was so mindful of the director’s privacy that she didn’t breathe a word about the film, even to her children, until she knew it was okay. 

“Oh, Michelle Williams! I love her,” was her 15-year-old daughter, Page’s response.
“You think of Heath Ledger, and Michelle Williams goes hand-in-hand,” Keen DeBastiani said.  “My niece knew right away. My kids knew right away, when I was allowed to tell them. I kept this under wraps.”

“The actors are two very well-known actors,” said Donna LaBar, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce executive director. “It’s going to be an exciting and positive experience in Wayne County. And I’m looking forward to that.”

“To me, wonderful things are happening here,” said Keen DeBastiani.

Acting parts available
Here are the roles for “Blue Valentine” which are being cast in Honesdale:

FRANKIE PERIERA – 4 to 7 yrs. old to play 5.  DEAN and CINDY’s daughter. Blonde, sensitive, charming, and a bit scrappy, she is a real kid rather than cute and precious. Very much Daddy’s little girl, she is a bit confused by the tension between her parents.
BOBBY ONTARIO – E-L20’s. Attractive, appealing and athletic, he is a wrestler and was Cindy’s former boyfriend before she met Dean. Authentic wrestler or athlete a plus….
JERRY HELLER – 60’s – E70’s. CINDY’s father. A former Army Colonel, he is a tough, intimidating and formidable man who has softened over time, becoming a doting and loving grandfather to FRANKIE. Think Seymour Cassel…
GRAMMA FRANCIS – 80’s. CINDY’s grandmother and JERRY’s mother. Frail and delicate, she suffers from Alzheimer’s. Must be comfortable with nudity.
GLENDA HELLER – 50’s. CINDY’s mother and JERRY’s wife.  An alcoholic, she is an unhappy, working class suburban housewife stuck in a small Pennsylvania town. Often verbally abused and intimidated by Jerry.
CHARLEY – L30’s. African American, hefty build. DEAN’s buddy, he tries to cheer him up about his relationship with CINDY. Few lines…
CURTIS –20’s. Any ethnicity. A mover, he DEAN’s supervisor and friend who shows him the ropes when he starts working at the moving company.
DR. SAM FEINBERG – 30’s – 40’s. Handsome, confident and well groomed, he is doctor at the clinic where CINDY works. He is much more interested in CINDY than simply professional.
MARIA GUEVARA – 50’s. A robust Hispanic woman who does not speak English, she is a patient at the clinic where Cindy works. Must be comfortable with nudity.
MR. SANED – M30’s-L40’s. Any ethnicity.  Dean’s boss at a moving company, he is a big guy who is physically imposing. He’s been a professional mover his whole life…Authentic mover a plus….
JO – 30’s. Female. Any ethnicity.  Receptionist at the moving company where Dean works.
FEMALE PROFESSOR – 40’s – 50’s. Any Ethnicity. Gives a lecture on doctor-patient care and relationships.
FEMALE DOCTOR – M30’s – 50’s. Any ethnicity. An abortion doctor, she is calm, supportive and non-judgmental.
MIMI –30’s-40’s. Any Ethnicity. Receptionist at the clinic where CINDY works.
FEMALE PRINCIPAL – 50’s. Any ethnicity. Introduces an elementary school Halloween parade. Not very experienced in public speaking. Few lines…
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE –40’s-E60’s. Male. Performs CINDY and DEAN’s wedding ceremony at the Municipal Courthouse. Few lines..
GROCERY STORE CHECKER – Any age, any ethnicity. Female. Clerk at the local grocery store. Few lines…
CONCIERGE – M30’s-50’s. Male. Any ethnicity. Concierge at the local motel. Few lines….
AMANDA – Mid-Late teens. High school teenage girl that helps Dean out and gives him a ride. One  line,