It seems Hollywood actress Aunjanue Ellis was in good hands as she prepared for her upcoming film, “Good Hands.” Thanks to Clarkston resident and passionate concert violinist Jessica Enderle, Ellis, who plays the wife of Cuba Gooding Jr., is learning about making music with a violin.

“Gifted Hands” is the inspiring, true story of nationally known Detroit pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson, played by Gooding, 41. Carson, who grew up in the inner city, was inspired by his single mother to attend Yale University and the University Of Michigan Medical School. Following that stint, at the age of 33, Carson became the director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland.

While at Yale, Carson met a beautiful violinist and his future wife, Candy, portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis.

Between the daily scramble of performing and giving private violin and viola lessons, Enderele, who celebrates her 27th birthday later this month, turned Ellis into an extraordinary violinist, or at least made her look like one.

“Aunjanue is a bright, wonderful person, but she doesn’t even read music,” says Enderle of her teaching experience with the 39-year-old actress. “I knew I had my work cut out, but I liked the challenge,” she adds.

A challenge indeed. With only a few hours of coaching, the filming began last fall? Ellis was expected to play the violin like a professional. Enderle worked tirelessly on the actress’ technique and facial expressions.

“She wanted her face to tell the story, but with musicians, the music does the talking,” explains Enderle, who has been a professional violinist for more than a decade, and begged her parents for lessons after seeing the Disney movie Fantasia as a child. Enderely loves performing and teaching and had confidence her new pupil would learn quickly. “We needed to calm her expression, and work hard on her technique. She was a great student,” she continued.

Enderle not only coached Ellis, but she was also asked to hire other musicians to perform the music for the scene. Playing with the musicians while watching Aunjanue play was intense, but there were a few light moments, Enderle recalls.

“Cuba was very funny and made jokes about his 1960s costume and Afro wig looking like it belonged in an Austin Powers movie,” Jessica recalled.” While I wore ridiculous costume- red tights, camel-colored high heels, a miniskirt with bright colors, and a peach blouse with gigantic sleeves and tons of big fake jewelry,” she added.

Actress Sarah Neubauer of Dearborn played a nurse in the film. She, too, found Gooding to be in good humor over the period costumes. “Cuba was super nice to everyone,” recalls Neubauer, “and he took moments to really say hey and acknowledge the work everyone was doing. He even graciously took stabs at his costumes. And who knew there was so much attention needed for fake sideburns? Sarah added.”

Both Enderle and Neubauer experienced Hollywood’s typical makeup and wardrobe ordeal, and then sat for hours just to film 45-second scenes, one in a hospital, the other in a concert hall.

Enderle was proud of what she and Ellis accomplished. “I knew she could do it,” the music teacher says. “She may not have hit all the right notes, but she looked great playing.” And in Hollywood, if it looks right on the screen, then it is right.

“Gifted Hands” will appear on TNT television network Feb. 7 as a Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation.