Teton High School students have an opportunity to be in the movies Saturday. They’ll need to stop by the school office today to get the necessary release forms.
Scenes from the upcoming flick “Druid Peak” will be filmed at the high school beginning at 7 a.m., said Jeff Petriello, a producer for the film now a week into principal production.
“We’ll be doing two small scenes involving the high school and students,” Petriello said.
Here are excerpts from the synopsis of the film, written and directed by Marni Zelnick:
“Druid Peak is a coming-of-age story about a troubled teenage boy who finds his place in the world tracking wolves in thewild lands of Wyoming.
“Sixteen year-old Owen Wagner (Spencer Treat Clark) is a bully with a mean streak. Growing up in coal country West Virginia, he is shipped off to live with his father, a biologist working on Yellowstone’s wolf reintroduction program.
“On a failed attempt to escape the park, he has his first encounter with a Canadian gray wolf. The creature’s deep, penetrating gaze startles him — stirring something long dead inside his own self.
“[His father] encourages Owen to collect some basic data about the wolf he saw and its family pack — the Druid Peak pack. Owe’s small assignment grows into a passion and his own life becomes deeply tied to the Druid Peak wolves and their struggle for survival.
“When a change in government policy threatens the animals, Owen must decide how far he will go to protect the wolves, his father, and the place he has finally come to call home.”
The scenes filmed at the high school, including exterior shots showing the beauty of the area, come near the end of the movie, Petriello said. While students enter the building, Owen spots his love interest, Zoe, played by Rachel Korine.
Petriello said the scene then shifts to a chemistry classroom for the first day of school, where Owen appears to be a troublemaker. But the scene will show the difference between this school’s experience and his problems in West Virginia, his new life versus his old.
The movie won’t be specific about exactly where this takes place, but anyone who’s been in the valley will recognize the scenes.
Students in the film are encouraged to wear their Teton High School gear, he said.
About 50 students are needed for the scenes, said Katie Yarbrough, student body president. She and Lydia Hanson, student body vice president, are coordinating the student-recruitment effort. Contact Yarbrough at (208) 881-1390 or email katie.yarbrough@yahoo.com.
“James Franco’s production company, Rabbit Bandini Productions, is an executive producer of the film,” said Petriello. “They are providing us with support in both pre- and post-production.”
Petriello praised THS Principal Jeff Brandt and Teton School District Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme for being “so gracious and open to help. It’s difficult to find schools willing to participate.”
“It’s a great opportunity for the kids,” Brandt told the TSD board Monday.
“This is a chance for the kids to be involved with something bigger than they’re used to,” said Petriello.
An additional scene will be filmed locally, with Spike Minczeski, director of Teton Aviation, flying a wolf-tracking plane, Petriello said. The date for that filming depends on the weather.