ORANGE : City’s Plaza Becomes Set for Movie

Don’t be fooled when you tune into the USA cable channel sometime this June and see a small Wisconsin town that serves as the setting to a movie called “The Minutes.”

It’s not Wisconsin. And it’s not Hollywood. It’s the city of Orange.

Orange was chosen by movie producers for its old-style buildings and circular plaza with the fountain in the middle.

On Monday, the plaza was abuzz with “Cut!” and “Roll!” as lead actors Mare Winningham (“Wyatt Earp,” “St. Elmo’s Fire”) and Nick Chinlund were filmed in several scenes.

More than 100 extras were also used in the movie, which is about a factory that contaminates the town’s drinking supply, making residents “kind of slow,” said Lori Corbett, a city employee who served as the liaison between the film crew and the city.

Carlos Gallegos, the owner of Hank’s Barber Shop, might just see himself on the big screen yet.

“I trimmed this one guy’s hair, supposedly,” he said. “Actually, I faked trimming it, but I hope they use it. Now, I’m going to look forward to seeing it.”

The movie is supposed to take place in the small town of Lyman, Wis., during hunting season. Hence, Wisconsin license plates were placed on cars, extras walked around with hunting rifles, stuffed deer were in pickup trucks and bushes were planted at the bottom of the palm trees.

“This place looked like Alaska,” noted Pam Budke, a Chamber of Commerce employee.

Rod’s Liquor Store became a gas station, the Wells Fargo Bank became the Bank of Lyman, and Orange Camera and Photo, in a flash, was temporarily turned into a cellular telephone store.

Vick Gould, the owner, got $150 for the shoot, in which Winningham and Chinlund purchased a cellular phone.