Top, his wedding unfolding in the hills of Hebron last week was really a scene for Book of Ruth, a biblical feature film being shot, in part, on Minnie Claiborne?s beautiful Sky Ranch in Lebec. Below left, (l-r) Bari Moulin with Sherry Morris (Ruth) from the Book of Ruth. Right, cast members of Paramount?s feature Star Trek include (l-r) Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk) and Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard ?Bones? McCoy).
Reported by Katy Penland
Minnie Claiborne’s Sky Ranch in Lebec doubled as the hills of Hebron Friday, Dec. 5 as scenes from Book of Ruth, a Biblical feature were filmed. Mountain locations were also used recently to produce trailers for Paramount Pictures’ forthcoming Star Trek feature.
The Tehachapi Mountains turned pink behind a joyful wedding scene for Book of Ruth as the sun slipped in the west late last week. Reel Frog Productions’ crew rushed for their final setup of the day as the wind rose and the temperature plummeted. Actors and extras tried not to shiver when director (and co-writer) Stephen Patrick Walker called “Action!”
Ruth was played by Sherry Morris, who co-starred with Dan Haggerty of TV’s Grizzly Adams fame and Carman, who played Boaz. Principal photography began in Arkansas for the Pittsburgh-based production company.
Associate Producer Mark Moulin, who lives in Pinon Pines with his wife Bari (a teacher at Gorman School), suggested the rolling hills around Frazier Park as a location that could look like Israel. He also arranged for local extras Jonathan Seta, Denise and Patrick Swope, Howard Tipton, Mary Anne Stadolla, Roger Jensen and Laurie Bierman.
Star Trek Remake in Town
As the promotional drive for Paramount Pictures’ Star Trek hits warp speed, Rick Davis of the Kern County Film Commission reports that advance buzz for the picture is being generated by a new set of previews entering theaters now. Scenes filmed at Tejon Ranch and the Pastoria Energy Facility in Lebec are seen in the promos.
“I’d say about half of that trailer was filmed in Kern County,” said Rick Davis of the Kern County Film Commission. He estimates Paramount and Bad Robot Productions contributed about $2 million to the Kern County economy during their work.
Feature roles during the Book of Ruth company’s five day visit were played by two Mountain Community businesses: Dream Castle of Frazier Park catered meals on location and Best Rest Inn, Lebec, gave actors and crew a comfortable home with facilities for makeup, hair and wardrobe.
Book of Ruth will have a limited theatrical release near Easter 2009 before airing on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Walker said. The film will also be available on DVD through Reel Frog Productions.
The full trailer for Star Trek can be seen on the internet at the Apple Movie Trailers www.apple.com/trailers site. Star Trek is scheduled for a May 2009 theatrical release.
This is part of the December 12, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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