Independent Film ‘9’ Finishes Filming in Centralia

The Portland-based production company Limbo Films, along with independent director Kimberly Warner, finished filming the short film “9,” a dark, coming-of-age film about a young ballerina, early Wednesday morning in downtown Centralia.

A cast of 20 ballet dancers, including the lead actress, Willa Clare Truby, 12, Portland, performed scenes for the movie on Magnolia Street between Pearl Street and Tower Avenue.

The dancers filled Magnolia Street for a performance scene late Monday night.

Truby was the focus of filming on Tuesday night as the crew had the young ballerina spin in circles with smoke and flames billowing around her.

The scenes matched the dark genre Warner envisioned when she wrote the film two years ago.

Warner said she scouted out Centralia in March and knew the downtown area was the exact backdrop she needed for the film, including the historic storefronts and Lewis and Clark Hotel.

“We came here and said, ‘This is it,’” Warner said. “This town has opened its heart to us.”

When the film is finished early next year, Warner said she wants to have a screening in Centralia.

The film crew began shooting Monday afternoon and continued to shoot until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

The crew already filmed the first half of the film in Portland.

The budget for the independant film is $20,000.

Warner contacted the city of Centralia in April to request a special event permit to close Magnolia Street. The permit was granted at no cost.

Warner also had to notify all the impacted businesses prior to filming.

“Who needs a Warner Brother’s Hollywood backlot when we can transform a street 90 miles away from home?” Warner wrote on the film’s website, 9film.tumblr.com.

Warner has directed one other short film, “CPR,” and was the production designer for the independant films “Legacy” and “The Light.”