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MARY ONDRAKO Times Leader Scranton Edition Editor

Residents of Northeast Pennsylvania are getting a golden chance to appear in a Hollywood movie.

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Gosling

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Williams

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A new independent feature film will be holding open casting calls in the region beginning next week.

“Blue Valentine,” a romantic comedy starring Oscar nominees Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, is scheduled to begin shooting scenes later this month through June in the Honesdale area in Wayne County, said Adam Caldwell, casting director Cindy Tolan’s assistant.

Specific shooting sites have not yet been decided, he added.

Auditions are being held Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton, and Monday, April 13, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Wayne County Visitor Center, 32 Commercial St., Honesdale, in the Chamber of Commerce Community Room.

Williams, the film’s leading actress, is a former “Dawson’s Creek” cast member and was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Alma, wife of the late Heath Ledger’s character in “Brokeback Mountain.”

Filming for “Blue Valentine” was postponed after Ledger, who was her former fianc� and father of her 3-year-old daughter, Matilda, died on Jan. 22, 2008, from an accidental drug overdose, about a month before production was scheduled to start.

She learned of Ledger’s death while wrapping up filming for “Mammoth” in Sweden and reportedly took time off from working to grieve.

At the time, the movie was considered to be on shaky ground, but it appears to be on track now and could be a good opportunity for someone in the region to show off their talents.

The movie follows a young couple – Cindy, a small-town college girl, and Gosling, who was nominated for an Oscar for “Half Nelson” and also starred in “The Notebook,” as Dean, a recent New York City transplant, as their relationship begins and eventually starts to falter.

The couple examines the highs and lows of their marriage on their 10th wedding anniversary. The movie is directed by Derek Cianfrance and is based on his short film, “Lately There Have Been Many Misunderstandings in the Zimmerman Home.”

Casting officials say they are looking for people of all ages from all walks of life and no acting experience is required.

“We’re not looking for anything in particular, which is great. We want as many people as we can cast,” said casting agency intern Lauren Port.

Anyone unable to attend the casting calls can still be considered by e-mailing: bluevalentinecasting@gmail.com.

Include your name, age, residence, phone number, e-mail address, and a current photograph of yourself. For more information, call the casting office at (212) 219-5094.