Coupeville, on Whidbey Island in Washington State, is the setting for the
imaginary town of Maria's Island. It is the location of the 'downtown' shots,
as well as Verbena Botanicals, Sally's store. The buildings on Front Street
in Coupeville were painted white to give the look that the filmmakers wanted.
Below is an article on the filming from a local newspaper. Do you have any
further information or images of the filming in Coupeville? Please contact me.
For more information on what to do and see in Coupeville, and on Whidbey
Island, see the links below.

Come to Coupeville

Whidbey Island, Washington

 

Coupeville goes Hollywood again
Warner, Universal crews 'invade' Whidbey

By MARY EVITT, Staff Writer
(Skagit Valley Herald, April 13, 2001)

COUPEVILLE -- The stars -- Hollywood style -- are out again in Coupeville.

The town's waterfront has been transformed into a New England village for scenes
in Warner Bros.' "Practical Magic," starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and
Aidan Quinn. The story involves two sisters who employ their psychic gifts to
find true love.

And on nearby Ebey's Prairie, Universal Pictures is filming "Snow Falling on Cedar,"
starring Ethan Hawke, Sam Shepard and James Cromwell. The movie is based on a book
by David Guterson of Bainbridge Island. The story centers on a Japanese-American
man accused of murder following World War II, an era when his family and friends
were confined to internment camps.

Extras and visitors milled on Coupeville's Front Street last week as the Warner
crew wound down filming "Practical Magic."

The action is scheduled to shift to Friday Harbor later this week for four more
weeks of filming, said Amanda Brant, the movie's publicist.

Not everyone was overjoyed about relinquishing parts of San Juan County Park
to Warner Bros. The county issued a permit for construction of a set in a meadow.
The action was appealed to the hearing examiner, who upheld the county's decision.

Not to worry, whale-watchers.

"The trail is still open to the whale-watching area, as is the beach, boat ramp
and a limited part of the camp site," said Donna Wuthnow, parks superintendent
for San Juan County.

Filming is expected to conclude by mid-May. In the interim, visitors may expect
congestion in the park area, Wuthnow said.

Meantime, Coupeville has had its share of naysayers and enthusiasts.

"People have been incredibly friendly and respectful of the filming," Brand said.

The set stilled and hush fell as Bullock appeared on Front Street Thursday.
Extras sprang into action, walking across the street. A cyclist and a car whizzed
past as Bullock entered "Verbena's Botanicals," one of the make-believe stores.

This wasn't Kari Schaeffler's scene. An extra, the Oak Harbor resident watched
the action out of camera view.

"I got to sneer through the window at Sandra Bullock, walk down the hill past
cheering children and visit the market," she said.

"It's interesting and lots of fun," Schaeffler said.

But there's plenty of waiting around between shots, she said. The pay is $40
for eight hours, plus time-and-a-half for overtime.

This will be the first paycheck earned by the movie's youngest extra.
Three-week-old Tainner Westbrook slept as mother Pam Westbrook held the infant
during a lull in the action.

Bob Voss sipped a beverage at Captain's Galley as he waited for his next scene.
The cement worker of Coupeville looked the part of an outdoorsy farmer's market
vendor with his tanned face and bright blue eyes.

Voss is impressed by Warner's attention to detail. The produce in the impromptu
market is all fresh, premium quality, he said.

Captain's Galley owners Harry and Deanna Nevard are like most other business
operators on First Street. Warner Bros. is paying them for painting the historical
town white and remodeling some buildings to fit the movie's theme.

The only problem is visitors think the town may be closed down.

Not so, Deanna Nevard said.

Sure, the set is closed during in filming. But between shootings, most stores
and restaurants are open for business.

The lounge remained open at the Captain's Galley to serve food and beverages
to the public. Warner Bros. rented the upper floor as a cozy spot for extras to
hang out between scenes.

Deanna Nevard said the experience has been interesting, a chance of a lifetime.
And on the business end, she hopes people will be intrigued and visit Coupeville
in the future.