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Lights, Camera, Riverhead
June 28, 2007. By John Stefans

Riverhead went Hollywood big-time, and with big names, early this month when shooting began on the film "Phoebe in Wonderland" at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School. It will feature Elle Fanning, Felicity Huffman, Bill Pullman and Patricia Clarkson, all major stars.

They were still there this past Sunday, including actor William H. Macy, who dropped by the school to be with his wife, Ms. Huffman, of "Desperate Housewives" fame.

Riverhead cops were also on hand, diverting traffic from Roanoke Avenue whenever filming was set to begin in front of the school. There were a lot of gawkers, including a reporter, who got to learn that some of the so-called beautiful people can also be pleasant, down to earth and quite nice.

Last weekend, for example, Mr. Macy and Ms. Huffman could be spotted together at a picnic table in the school's playground. Doing nothing to belie their reputation as one of Hollywood's warmest couples, they were seen eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with some of the Roanoke students who had been chosen as extras for the film.

Two weeks ago, when a day school was in session, Ms. Fanning's older and — at least for now — more famous sister, Dakota Fanning, visited the set to be with her sibling. How cool must that have been for the fourth- through sixth-graders who attend Roanoke?

"It was a phenomenal experience for the kids," said Roanoke's principal, Debra Rodgers. "Elle has been in the hallways talking to our students. So have Felicity and Patricia. It's been wonderful. They signed autographs and have really opened themselves up to our students."

Ms. Rodgers said she and Ms. Huffman had bonded a bit during the three weeks. "She told me, 'What a great feeling there is in this building. Everybody seems to be happy,'?" Ms. Rodgers said. "She just loved our school."

"Phoebe in Wonderland" is a comedy, described as a play within a play. The lead, a rebellious girl who clashes with authority, is cast in a school production of "Alice in Wonderland." Characters in the play, including Mr. Pullman, suddenly materialize as people in her own life. Phoebe seeks guidance from her unconventional drama teacher, played by Ms. Clarkson. Ms. Huffman plays Phoebe's mother.

Many of the scenes were filmed in Roanoke's auditorium, which, according to Ms. Rodgers, was the feature that most attracted the professional location scouts.

"They just fell in love with the auditorium, and what's not to fall in love with? It's such an incredible space," Ms. Rodgers said. "The director came out to take a look, and here we are."

Ms. Rodgers said she first had to seek permission for the filming from the Board of Education, which quickly agreed. The production company, Silverwood Films, also had to sign an agreement with Riverhead police and pay the town a fee for police overtime.

Ms. Rodgers recounted a story about the first day the cast arrived. "Elle dropped a tissue in the hallway, and four fourth-grade girls grabbed it and tore it neatly into four pieces so they could each keep one. They promised never to get rid of it," Ms. Rodgers said.

Ms. Rodgers also told of having to assemble at the last moment a group of 25 students to be extras in a hallway scene. The request, she said, had come in at 2:30, 30 minutes before dismissal time. They asked, Can you do it?

Ms. Rodgers said she quickly called up to her three fourth-grade teachers, James Richardson, Jackie Buono and Joe Jackson, and gave them permission to use their cell phones.

"I told them, the first 25 parents you can get in touch with and get permission for their kids to stay, that's who we'll use," Ms. Rodgers said. "I asked, 'Can you make it happen?' They said, 'You bet we're going to make this happen for the kids.' And they did." That scene shot until 6 p.m., with parents arriving to pick up their children.

On Friday, the last day of school, many in the cast and crew were outside the building waving goodbye to the students boarding buses. "All in all, it's been an absolutely wonderful partnership," Ms. Rodgers said. "It's amazing how two very different worlds can come together and work together."

Silverwood Films was co-founded by Douglas Dey, who lives in Southold and was said to be insistent that the movie be shot in the area. Among Silverwood's recent hits was "Half Nelson," which earned an Academy Award nomination for its lead actor, Ryan Gosling.

Daniel Barnz wrote "Phoebe" and is also directing the film. His past writing credits include "Sugarland," starring Jodie Foster.

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