Shooting of 'Worlds Apart' taking place close to home

Even as DVD copies of "Sideways" fly off the shelves, a new movie is being filmed in the Santa Ynez Valley. And while Paul Giamatti and Sandra Oh might not be on the set, stars of a celestial nature are a part of the film.

The independent film, directed by Bryan Michael Stoller, is titled "Worlds Apart" and began shooting this week.

The movie features Christopher Knight ("Brady Bunch," "Surreal Life 4") as an astronomer who falls in love with a woman (Meadow Williams) from another planet. Adrianne Curry ("America's Next Top Model," "Surreal Life 4") and "The Bachelor's" Andrew Firestone also star in the romantic comedy.

"In addition to the professional actors, we've already signed a lot of local extras," said movie representative Gloria Everett.

Last weekend the open casting call drew more than 100 local residents looking to make it onto the big screen. The list of sought-after extras included everything from middle-aged wealthy investors to 12-year-old versions of the lead actors.

Dozens of aspiring valley thespians were chosen for the movie, which will film scenes in classrooms, restaurants and at nearby Zaca Lake.

"Oh, I've done this before," said Kelly Hudson Hyde, one of the extras who gathered at the Zaca Creek Restaurant for filming on Tuesday. The Lompoc resident has made a habit of trying out for parts on locally filmed movies.

Her friend, Ann Wright of Lompoc, was not so nonchalant.

"I've never done this, but I've wanted to do something like this all my life," she said, citing the excitement and the chance to rub elbows with celebrities as her motivation.

"We were looking for a new look without going too far from home," said Everett, when asked why the film was being produced in the valley. "Plus, we're kind of looking at it as a film retreat."

Another reason may be that director Stoller has some familiarity with the area, having collaborated with Michael Jackson on a previous film, which was shot at Neverland Ranch.

"Worlds Apart" will conclude shooting in May.

April 22, 2005