Clarkston High School students Mitchell Biggs, Alyssa Harbaugh, Luke Hodgson and Ryan Weaver spent the last year taking their acting skills from the stage to film in The Messenger’s Box, which is set to be released on DVD this holiday season.
The Messenger’s Box is about Jake Casper, played by Hodgson, an ordinary high school student who finds a powerful, extraordinary box in the attic of his grandfather’s antique store. Jake must learn the purpose of the box and the power within in it in the faith-based movie.
“It is about how God’s miracles can save people,” said Harbaugh.
“It’s also about modern day miracles, too,” Biggs added. “Most people think miracles are a thing of the past. The author’s goal was to show God is still alive and well.”
“Jake struggles with his own identity and being bullied by the thugs led by Ritchie,” Hodgson said about his character, Jake. “He is also coping with his grandpa’s death because there were very close. He is hesitant to acknowledge his loss. Jake’s biggest obstacle is to solidify himself in a world filled with adversity.”
Biggs plays Jake’s best friend, David.
“He is a very fearful person,” Biggs explained. “He’s not the brightest, but he cares about Jake and he recognizes Jake is going through hardships he doesn’t share. Sometimes he is the voice of reason making sure Jake doesn’t do something that gets him into a bad situation.”
Harbaugh plays Anna, Jake’s love interest, who just moved to the area.
“She is really there to support Jake and provide a Christian prospective,” she said.
Weaver plays a thug who is part of the group following the main antagonist, Richie.
“Our job is to be his friend and support him through his cancer and also help him believe the heck out of Jake,” Weaver said.
Harbaugh and Hodgson became involved in the film, directed by Waterford resident Gary Bosek, when they were given audition slips from their theater director, Jeff Tice.
“We auditioned then they wanted more people to become a part of it and play different characters,” Harbaugh said.
Both spread the word to their friends and Biggs and Weaver became a part of it.
“I met Gary at a diner with Luke,” Biggs smiled. “I auditioned in the Starbucks’ parking lot. He gave me some situations and I acted them out.”
Weaver explained he was originally going to be an extra after Bosek and Chase Murphy, the first assistant director, came to the drama club’s musical looking for extras.
“Gary came up to me and said ‘you would be really good for this punk, thug role.’ I said okay. I showed up and became the main thug,” he said.
All four enjoyed the process of making a movie and learning something new about the process.
“The process itself was amazing,” Weaver reflected.
“I not only have the aspect of acting but have seen the production side. It was definitely a great experience for anybody, like myself, interested in acting and also the process of movie making. Also, I got to do it with these three and other amazing people so it was a great experience.”
“It was really cool,” Harbaugh added. “For me it was seeing the technical side of production ? audio, lighting, all of those various components because I really enjoy the technical side of theatre as well as performing on stage. It a great experience as the first film I have been involved in.”
For Biggs, it was different than being on stage and he rarely felt nervous doing takes.
“With those lack of nerves it was easier to get into the character. I could play David to the best of my ability without being concerned about messing up and everybody noticing,” he said.
Hodgson was impressed by the dedication from everyone involved in the project including the actors and crew members, which were all volunteers.
“It speaks volumes about the character of the cast and crew,” he smiled. “It’s incredibly moving not only was this completely volunteer based but it came to completion because so many movies in Michigan either studios don’t come here or nothing gets finished. The dedication everybody put in was admiral. The result is something I can say I am proud of.”
All four added to check out The Messenger’s Box when it is released on DVD.
“It’s very unique. It does deal with new things in the genre and it’s fun for the whole family,” Biggs said.
Harbaugh added though it is a Christian faith-based movie it has a lot of different aspects which will interest viewers not as faith-based.
“A major strength of The Messenger’s Box is its ability to not exclude a non- Christian based,” Hodgson said. “In terms of its plot and character base it is much more accepted in our community and the openness of a more Christian perspective within that community where it is more accepting.”