Hartland
on center stage for 'High School' movie

Varsity
cheerleaders chosen to be part of local filming

Friday, December 19, 2008

By Jason Deegan

The Livingston County News

For a movie that's being filmed on location throughout the
Howell area, "High School'' could feature a substantial Hartland flavor
in several sports-related scenes.

Eight Hartland High School varsity cheerleaders - Lydia Quella,
Kristi Waite, Lauren Hamlin, Jessie Tierney, Katie Cummings, Lauren Steele,
Haley Bourdeau and Amber Tustian
- and five Eagle wrestlers - Brandon Kesterson,
Ross Kantola, Sean Hultberg,
Doug Baughman and Charles Putz - were hired as
extras for the movie starring actors Michael Chiklis
and Adrien Brody. The movie centers around two high
school seniors, a class valedictorian and a "stoner,'' at a mythical
high school who are about to graduate.

Hartland cheerleading coach Paula Cunningham said her athletes
earned rave reviews during more than 18 hours of filming last Saturday and
Sunday. The girls were chosen from a team photo and bios sent in by
Cunningham.

"They stunted all day long. The (organizer) was impressed
that they didn't drop any stunts,'' Cunningham said.

Bourdeau said they
received a round of applause after more than 12 hours of work Saturday.
Cummings said she did so many flips her wrists had veins popping out.

Location Manager Jimi Woods said this
week that local production work on the movie will be completed Sunday.

"We will stop filming on that day and we'll shoot a couple
of days in LA, and that will wrap (the film) up,'' Woods said.

He said that with the exception of the wintry weather, the
production process in the Howell area has run smoothly. "It's been
great,'' he says. "(The weather) has been a
problem, but you just deal with it.''

The girls said they enjoyed learning about the inner workings of
the movie business. They were treated to hair and makeup sessions and fitted
for red, white and blue uniforms.

"It was a lot of work and tiring, but very cool,'' Quella said. "I can see how
they say living in the glamorous life (of movies) is harder than you think.''

The cheerleaders were cast in two scenes: In the Parker High
School gym where they worked with actress Alicia Sixtos
on cheer stunts and at a bake sale. Although none of the girls has a speaking
role, they were assured their cheer exploits would make the final edit.

Bourdeau said the
cameras were shooting from all angles, leading her to believe they will be
more than just background extras. "We pretended it wasn't there, but you
were a lot more aware of your facial expressions,'' she said.

None of the girls knew how much money they made, but that made
little difference. "It was worth it to me. I don't have a job, so any
money will be good,'' Tustian said.

Like many local residents directly or indirectly involved in the
$9.5 million production, the girls can't wait to see it in theaters.

Woods said it's usually takes about a year after shooting ends
before a movie is released for showing to the public, which would mean early in
2010.