Rankin Inlet (Oct 02/06) - A move to the big screen might be in store for a group of Rankin Inlet students.

A recent production of Robin Hood by the Missoula Children's Theatre, a touring playhouse, was recorded by American filmmakers for possible inclusion in a documentary.

"Missoula Children's Theatre is right in our home town and, when this opportunity came long, we really didn't know much about the extent of what it does," said Rob Whitehair, who filmed the Rankin production earlier this month with his wife Pam Voth.

"When we saw the transformation that happens with these kids, it just captivated us," said Whitehair, who hails from Missoula, Montana.

Rankin was the fourth of 10 Missoula productions the couple will be filming. The play directors tour North America, helping young actors stage productions in their communities.

Whitehair said they hope to have the project completed by June of 2007.

"That's a long time to work on a film like this, but we wanted to get as diverse a group of communities as we possibly could to clearly illustrate how far-reaching Missoula has become during the past 34 years.

"Regardless of the geographic area, socio-economic conditions, culture, race, whatever, Missoula works across the board."

Voth said watching the interaction between kids and the Missoula directors has been a wonderful experience.

She said the most beautiful images captured by her camera lens come from real life.

"I see real expressions on real faces, so there's no need to make anything up," said Voth.

"The plays are so important to the kids because they're going to have their friends, family - their whole community out watching them."

She said the couple's background in wildlife filmmaking has helped them "blend in" during Missoula productions and not be a distraction to the kids.

"It's exciting for the kids to see cameras around, but more of them try to get on my side of the camera to see what I'm looking at."