By NANCY McCAULEY BRANSTETTERSpecial to The Oakland Press
The state’s tax incentives for filmmakers have been a boon for Michael Knight in more ways than one.The Walled Lake personal trainer not only got a job in a movie, but the exposure brought some new clients to his gym.
“We received a call at my gym, asking for a huge, menacing figure to play a part in an action film,” the 6-foot-6-inch Knight said, smiling.“I auditioned and got the part. And now, some of the actors are working out at the gym.”
The matchmaker on the other end of that phone was casting director Janet Pound of Pontiac. She and her partner, Kathy Mooney of Troy, cast several local actors for “Red Dawn,” including Nicholas Yu of Livonia as the Chinese delegate who has the job of convincing captured Americans that the invaders are their friends and the U.S. government is the enemy.
“Red Dawn” is the story of a group of teenagers who fight back against Chinese and Russian solders who invade the U.S. The original film helped launch the careers of Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson and Jennifer Grey. It was the first movie in film history released with a PG-13 rating, because of violence.
The remake of the 1984 film was shot in various locations around the state, including downtown Pontiac and several others in Oakland County.Even downtown Detroit, doubling as Spokane, Wash., was transformed into a police state with Russian and Chinese soldiers in uniform exhausted by combat scenes. The sculpted, imposing Knight is their ruthless leader, Col. Ivanov.
The cast of the remake also includes Chris Hemsworth (“Star Trek”), John Peck (“The Wackness”), Adrianne Palicki (“Friday Night Lights”) and Connor Cruise (“Seven Pounds”), who is the son of actor Tom Cruise. All, including local actors Knight and Yu, hope “Red Dawn” will again draw large audiences.
“Janet met me a couple of years ago while I was working a concession stand at The Performance Network,” Yu said. “She asked me if I would like to sign with a talent agency. I really didn’t know what to think.“She has me working as a presenter at auto shows, and now I’m in my first film. It is a blessing,” he added.
“Red Dawn” is the 18th film casting project for Pound and Mooney. The women formed their casting company in the spring of 2008 after the Michigan film incentives were put in place. Their casting credits include “Gran Torino,” “Whip It,” and HBO’s “Hung.” They are now casting “Cedar Rapids.”
“I love casting. It’s like solving a puzzle. You have to find just the right look and ability for each part,” Mooney said. “It is challenging, exhausting but very satisfying.”
Pound said the casting company acts as the ambassadors for Michigan.“I think people would be surprised to know we always urge the director, producers and cast to take time to see Michigan while they are here. One production coordinator from Los Angeles fell in love with northern Michigan and is looking at beach property.”
The duo has helped hundreds of Michigan’s seasoned professional actors land speaking roles in films made in the state. They work closely with local talent agencies to find actors, and often attend local theater performances to scout for talent.
“What an incredible job,” Pound said. “We love the actors and get to be the conduit to their dreams.”
After shooting in Pontiac, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Highland Township, Milford Township, Harper Woods, Mount Clemens, Grand Ledge and Detroit, “Red Dawn” is expected to wrap up in mid-December. The company has employed more than 300 local people, from caterers to skilled labor and extras.
