Carol McClure, Chris Peresky, Curtis Lee Vest, Michael Carluccio in “Do Not Pass.” (Photo: Jerry Richart)

JULY 11, 2010—BRIGHTON, MI—Great lakes, cherries, Motown records…and cars. Michigan is famous for many things, none more so than its automobiles—especially the flashy classics. 

This month, two Michigan classics were united in the picturesque countryside of Brighton. An old classic: A 1960 Plymouth Fury convertible, was featured in a new classic: Michigan’s homegrown “Midnight Hour” TV series. Principal photography on “Do Not Pass,” the latest episode of the popular series, wrapped on Sunday, July 11 near Kensington park. 

The story revolves around Will (Chris Peresky), a young man whose girlfriend (Kim Koltyk) is killed by the seemingly driverless Fury. Turning to his sheriff uncle (local nightclub singer Michael Carluccio) for help opens a festering rivalry between the sheriff and Will’s drunken father, Sam (Curtis Lee Vest)…one that widens to deadly proportions as a link between the fiendish Fury and an undiscovered crime comes to light. 

Up and coming local actors Carol McClure and Miranda Tully rounded out the cast, as Will’s sympathetic aunt and a decidedly unpleasant woman from Sam’s past, respectively. 

Richard LeValley, Michael Carluccio, Paul Kouba (hidden), Curtis Lee Vest, Brion Dodson, Ian Wolfe, Eric Dodson

Filmed in a mere two days, “Do Not Pass” was brought in early (despite many environmental challenges) by a top-flight team of Detroit-based film makers. Well photographed and featuring stylized images beautifully realized with the aid of gaffers Richard LeValley and James Meyers, the episode marked the debut of Paul Kouba as alternate director of photography. First assistant directors Eric Dodson and Jane Elizabeth Randall collaborated with second assistant director Ian Wolfe to create an efficient production capable of resolving challenges as quickly as they arose. All were indebted to script & continuity supervisor Erica Hermann for providing crucial insights which enhanced the shoot and overall efficiency. 

Two briefly seen but memorable FX makeups were created by Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi. Working in a portable, outdoor “workshop,” Hiltz transformed his subjects into works of grotesque art. Fans of stills photographer, Jerry Richart, can expect to catch tantalizing glimpses of the make-ups in soon-to-be-released publicity stills. 

“Do Not Pass” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm in October on Comcast channel 52 and WOW! channel 18 in select cities. See the Air Dates page of www.themidnighthour.tv for details. 

###