Ormand Crowder, Joleene Torri and Kelly Mosley (and some Hollywood types) star in "Lesser Miracles", a new independent film shot locally.

There was a little bit of Tinsel Town in the Sierra Valley this week as director Rory Walsh brought a crew to town to film the potential blockbuster "Lesser Miracles". Locals finding parts in the production include Joleene Torri and Ormand Crowder, but there are some down-southers in the film, too.

Kathryn Lyn relaxes before filming at McCaffery's Country Store

 Kathryn Lyn stars as "Riley," a lovely but troubled woman who, after surviving a car crash, begins to hear a voice.   That’s pretty much always trouble, particularly when it’s "a voice" instead of merely "voices".

Riley Carpenter: nasty bruise

According to director Rory Walsh, the voice begins to make predictions, and worse, they’re accurate. At first, Riley is dubious, but eventually, she becomes convinced. The voice tells her, of course, that her family is in great danger, and yep, they are. Following the voices the young woman finds herself doing things she couldn’t imagine, all to save her family, and all at the direction of the voice.

Edgy: Director Rory Walsh discusses his film

Walsh says he’s directing the project because "it’s about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances." He says, there are no heroes or villains, just people reacting to life as they experience it. The big challenge for him is that the film is shot from a "female point of view," an exercise which expands his abilities as a director.

The film features other names which aren’t local, but which you might well have heard of, including Cameron Bender, who has a considerable resume, as Riley’s husband Morgan Carpenter. Also well known is Haley Mancini, as Denice Baker. 

Technology: Terrance Stewart and assorted grips set
the camera


The production brought a lot of activity to the area, particularly to the Harvey place, the Martinetti Ranch, Calpine, and of course Jean (and Jerry’s) Sierraville Country Store, where Riley meets two "chickies," played by Kelly Mosley and Erica Cimoli.

 
Not your usual movie lot: Candace Walsh applies makeup
which will help the camera pick up the star's features:
Here, Erica Cimoli prepares to be Girl in Store.

The Prospect reporter was able to watch the painstaking filming of a single, very brief scene, in which Sheriff Junkins, played by Ormand Crowder (who, it turns out, has ham as a main ingredient) makes a purchase from the haunted Riley, and Kelly and Erica giggle through some purchases and minor shop lifting.



Ormand Crowder as Sheriff Junkins, and Kathryn Lyn as Riley Carpenter: "You take care, now."

First the crew set up camera, lights and sound, and the mood in the store was jovial. Adding to the authenticity is the fact that the Country Store stayed open during filming, with interested customers making purchases from regular store folk, all the while trying not to stare at beautiful Kathryn Lyn, who was made up to have a nasty looking bruise on one cheek bone.