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. 

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JUNE 30, 2010—NOVI, MI—While Michigan’s film incentives attempt to reinvent the local economy with visiting big-studio production dollars, a similar metamorphosis is taking place at the grass roots level. From writer to producer, and actor to location scout, Detroit’s burgeoning film community is throwing caution to the winds and grasping the reins of their destinies.

Director Lee Martin (right) admires the handywork (Natalie Baxter) of Jason Hiltz (center) on "The Midnight Hour." (photo by Jerry Richart, www.distinctiveimage.net)

One such craftsman is Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi. A life-long horror film buff, Hiltz recently decided to turn his skills as a TV and film FX makeup artist into a full-time business. “I became interested in it after I saw an FX stage show at Universal Studios in Florida when I was 12,” he says. “When I got home I went to the library and checked out every book on makeup they had. Basically, I learned to do FX makeup on my own.”

Gaining notoriety on the locally produced “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour” TV series, Hiltz quickly parlayed his passion into a metro Detroit success story. His ghoulish work on the cult hit show has led to offers from other productions, large and small. The experience has proved invaluable.

“I wouldn’t say that anything about FX is really easy. But it does get simpler to do things as you repeat processes,” he says. “I pace the shop making sure I have everything I need. When the actor is finally in my chair, I try to prep them by making small talk and keeping things light to put them at ease. Sometimes it backfires—the actors start talking too much and they won’t hold still!”

Hiltz’s decision to take control of his career and follow his dream exemplifies a growing trend throughout the midwest. While thousands of laid off workers find themselves unable—or unwilling—to return to their former career paths, an increasing percentage have decided it’s time for a change. With an influx of motion picture and TV productions invading the wolverine state, behind-the-scenes disciplines are taking on a new relevance.

“Ultimately, I would like to move into a larger shop and start pulling projects with large budgets,” he says. “I don’t need to be famous or rich…I just want to do what I love. FX makeup is the kind of job you never want to retire from!”

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His role in the episode, “Do Not Pass,” gives the balladeer (often compared to Frank Sinatra and fellow cool-cats Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Neil Diamond), a chance to wear a different hat—literally. In a dramatic turn as a small town sheriff attempting to unravel the connection between a 1960 Plymouth Fury and a series of grisly homicides, Carluccio will put his considerable skills as an actor to good use.

“We found ourselves with a compelling cast,” says series creator Lee Martin. “Michael will share the spotlight with up-and-coming Chris Persky. Their scenes together promise to be very impactful.”

A lifelong music and movie fan, Carluccio is no stranger to dramatic intensity on screen. His favorite films include “Rocky,” “Chariots of Fire,” and “An Officer and a Gentleman.” His favorite TV shows currently include modern classics “Seinfeld,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and of course, “The Midnight Hour.”

Until the cameras roll on “Do Not Pass” in July, Carluccio will keep busy doing what he does best—entertaining people. You can see him yourself at Tirami Su Italian Ristorante in Shelby Township. Contact him at Please Login or Register to read the rest of this content. for details.

“Do Not Pass” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm in October, 2010. See the Air Dates page for details.

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Natalie Baxter (photo: Jerry Richart)

JUNE 13, 2010—OXFORD, MI—The third season of Michigan’s first and only homegrown dramatic TV series was off to a memorable start June 12-13 as a team of local filmmakers gathered at a remote location in Oxford to film “Prisoner of Love.”

The story of a severely disfigured teenager (Natalie Baxter) whose mother (Chere Bernhard) moves into the country to hide her daughter from onlookers—only to meet a far worse destiny—“Prisoner of Love” weaves horror, suspense and kinky romance into a grisly and unforgettable tale.

Michael Lazzara and Richelle Leigh Walsh provided the show’s offbeat romantic interest, foiled by disapproving “dad,” Gary Lindell. The resulting confrontation was matched by another powerful battle between Bernhard and Baxter, ending in what can only be described as one of the series’ most memorable climaxes.

Special makeup effects were created by Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi and gave the series one of its all-time best “monsters.” Gaffers Richard LeValley and James Meyers were behind the episode’s richly saturated hues, their work recalling Mario Bava’s films of the early to mid ’60s.

(Top) James Meyers, Richard LeValley, Jason Hiltz, Ian Wolfe (2nd row) Chere Bernhard, Eric Dodson, Kevin O'Connor, Jane E. Randall, Lee Martin (foreground) Natalie Baxter, Michael Lazzara (photo: Jerry Richart)

“Prisoner of Love” was lensed by director of photography Eric Dodson, whose stylish compositions made the most of a 150-year old farmhouse, barn and scary silo. Audio engineer Kevin O’Connor collaborated with him to capture the show’s engrossing dialogue with his crisp, clear recordings.

The production was greatly enhanced by the efficient, dynamic participation of 1st assistant director Jane E. Randall and 2nd assistant director Ian Wolfe. Their site supervision and production documentation expedited filming and will prove invaluable to the post-production process.

“Prisoner of Love” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm on greater Detroit Comcast and WOW! systems throughout September, 2010. See the Air Dates page of www.themidnighthour.tv for details.

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JUNE 6, 2010—TROY, MI—Great Lakes Cinema announced today that talent recruited from its May 14 casting is already being secured for summer episodes on the hit local TV series, “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour.”

Candidates prepare for their readings on May 14. Photo: www.distinctiveimage.net

A capacity crowd of applicants participated in the casting, many of them responding to media coverage the event received in The Detroit News, The Oakland Press and on WXYZ TV-7, WDIV TV-4 and FOX 2 newscasts. The resulting surplus has afforded producers enough talent to populate the shows’ third season, which begins filming this month.

“We’ll still be featuring familiar faces in upcoming episodes,” remarked series creator Lee Martin. “We’ve promised to bring back the best of the best and we’ve kept that promise. However, much of the new talent we’ve harvested will be showcased in lead and supporting roles starting this summer.”

Local actors Gary Lindell, Chere Bernhard and Michael Lazzara are among the first candidates to be brought into the spotlight. They’ll be joining series veterans Richelle Leigh Walsh and Natalie Baxter on the set of “Prisoner of Love,” the series’ third-season premiere episode, filming this weekend. The story concerns a young woman whose face has been marred by a severe birth defect and the turmoil that enters her life—and the lives of those around her—when she discovers her mother’s plan to have her institutionalized.

Actor Michael Lazzara appears in the season three premiere, "Prisoner of Love."

Los Angeles native Lazzara is a world traveler whose exploits have recently brought him to Michigan State University for his master’s degree in business administration—and the “Midnight Hour” show. “Life is short, you’ve got to live each day like it’s your last,” he says. “Because you never know what tomorrow brings!”

The show’s producers have also begun casting July’s episode and will be focusing on confirming local talent for its autumn lineup within the coming weeks. “We’re scripted six months ahead,” continues Martin. “So we’ll be able to cast the remainder of the 2010 calendar year as soon as time permits. The important thing is that the quality of the talent recruited last May is among the best we’ve seen yet.”

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Jan Cartwright, Phillip J. Hughes

MAY 23, 2010—WYANDOTTE, MI—The home of a former steel mill worker became the ghostly setting for “Toby’s Room,” the latest episode of Michigan’s first and only locally produced dramatic TV series.

Lead player Jan Cartwright, a veteran of many local stage and film productions, brought her unique skills as a character actress to her role as Edie, a domineering wife whose love/hate relationships with her two sons drives the story. By day, Cartwight’s activities are decidedly more conventional. “I’m a professional photographer,” she says. “I own the Bounce Photography studio and specialize in portrait and event photography. But I love acting as well.”

Joining her were Phillip J. Hughes and Alex Munteneau as her emasculated husband Sherman and least-favored son Billy, respectively. Local FX makeup artist, Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi, made a memorable guest appearance as her preferred son. “Toby’s Room” is set in motion by Billy’s return home after a three-year stretch in boarding school. Finding his mysterious parents still at odds, he discovers the house is also inhabited by an unseen guest whose presence becomes undeniable after a session with a Ouija board and an unforgettable bit of magic in the reflection of an old, ornate mirror.

Kevin O'Connor, David Kennedy, Sandy Carpenter, James Meyers, Phillip Hughes, Jan Cartwright, Derek Hanna, Donna Terwillinger, Eric Dodson, Brion Dodson, Alex Munteneau (seated), Jamie Lynn Turner (seated)

Staffed by a team of up-and-coming local filmmakers, “Toby’s Room” features the work of numerous recent graduates from the Lifton Institute for Media Skills in Allen Park. Eric Dodson served as sound engineer while gaffers Richard LeValley and James Meyers provided the show’s beautifully saturated hues. 1st AD David Kennedy kept filming ahead of schedule and wrapping early with the help of 2nd AD Derek Hanna and script/continuity supervisor Jamie Lynn Turner. Set designer Donna Terwillinger joined forces with property master Sandy Carpenter to create ghostly manifestations to great effect.

“Toby’s Room” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm on select Comcast and WOW! systems throughout August, 2010. See the Air Dates page of www.themidnighthour.tv for details.

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MAY 10, 2010—AUBURN HILLS, MI—While wind, rain and even hail whirled through Metro Detroit, a dedicated team of professionals wrapped filming of “Queen Bee,” the season two finale of the locally produced hit TV series, “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour.”

Lead player Alice Gandee was joined by series veterans Natalie Baxter, Richelle Leigh Walsh and—as the queen bee herself—Angela Roberts. “This was one of the strongest casts we’ve had in a long while,” commented series creator Lee Martin. “Each actor found their character and brought it to life, right on cue.” The set was graced by a special Mother’s Day visit from Doreen Gandee, Alice’s mother and a longtime fan of the show. “I wish ‘Midnight Hour’ was on where I live,” she lamented. “I’d watch it every week, I love it—unfortunately I only have a few of them on DVD.”

The half-hour show was filmed in a mere two days by one of the sharpest crews in the series’ history. The show’s two directors of photography were supported by gaffer Jim Meyers and audio recordist Johnnie Luna to form a tight unit monitored by assistant director Eric Dodson and script supervisor Donna Terwilliger. Special gear was provided by gaffer Richard LeValley and newcomer Jeff Hornsby assisted as production assistant. Series veteran Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi, created the episode’s chilling makeup effects and—in a memorable opening sequence—an actual tazer gun. Although their first time working together as a unit, the team bonded quickly and achieved broadcast-quality footage with ease. “We actually wrapped two hours early,” laughs Martin. “That’s doesn’t come without a highly skilled crew.”

MAY 6, 2010—REDFORD, MI—While the weather warms and recreational car owners remove the drop-cloths and dust of winter, a black and red 1960 Plymouth Fury begins prowling the streets of southeastern Michigan.

In “Do Not Pass,” an upcoming episode of “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour,” the furious-looking Fury—touted as “’Christine’s’ kid sister”—will become the leading protagonist in a tale of supernatural mystery and shock. Scheduled to lens July 10-11 along metro Detroit’s few remaining stretches of two-lane highway, area drivers are already noticing the striking car zooming past them on warm, dry days.

“It’s a good idea to get the motor primed and the seals lubricated after a long winter in storage,” remarks grass-roots mechanic Gary McClachlan. “That’ll keep the seals from dry-rotting and leaking.”

The script calls for the driverless car to terrorize small-town citizenry through a number of creative means, while a young man begins to uncover the mystery behind its malevolent life—and lethal agenda.

Port Huron-based actor Edward Sytkowski, who has appeared in smaller roles on “Midnight Hour,” will make his starring role debut as “Will,” a young man juggling the desires of his girlfriend with his domineering father’s (Curtis Lee Vest) drunken attempts to regain his son’s respect.

Producers are searching for suitably rustic stretches of paved two-lane highway and wooded countryside in which to film the episode, including the exterior of a small farmhouse or cottage.

“Do Not Pass” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm throughout October, 2010. See the Air Dates page of www.themidnighthour.tv for details.

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APRIL 27, 2010—TROY, MI—Quality local actors will have a shot at their 15 minutes of fame on the locally produced TV series, “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour” this May.

The show will be holding an open casting at One Source Talent Agency in Troy, MI from 3:00-6:30pm on Friday, May 14. Actors with experience in lead and supporting roles are encouraged to show series producers what they can do.

“We’re looking primarily for character performers,” says series creator Lee Martin. “We’re especially interested in chameleon types who can portray personalities radically different from their own.”

The goal of the casting will be to fill lead and supporting roles in the series’ summer and autumn lineup of episodes. For the lucky ones, work will be available in short order. “We have opportunities that begin in June,” continues Martin. “We shoot during the second weekend of each month from 10am-10pm both days, and have roles available each month through November.”

Actors who are cast should be prepared to memorize a lot of lines—verbatim. Each episode’s script runs 22 pages and talent is expected to show proficiency. “The only way you’re going to get through a half-hour show in two days is for the actors to know their lines fluently. We recently placed a ban on scripts being present on set, to remind talent that they’re expected to study prior to the lens date. If they’re not off book, they’ll be replaced.”

Producers also want to ensure that what they see is what they’ll get. “We’ll be reminding talent that if we cast them, we expect them to be recognizable when they arrive on set. Radical changes in type can have a profound effect on the decision-making process,” Martin says.

Actors up for the challenge are encouraged to contact Great Lakes Cinema for a monologue, which they must memorize and present at the casting for consideration. Scripts will not be permitted inside the casting room.

One Source Talent is located at 3250 W Big Beaver, Troy, MI 48084. For directions to their facility, contact (248) 816-7900.

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APRIL 14, 2010—GARDEN CITY, MI—Michigan-based actors Luke Richmond and Jeffrey Hart Peterson, who played rival siblings last year in an episode of “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour,” have been teamed again for another episode.

In “A Birthday Wish,” the two will again be at odds, but with the usual plot twists and turns series fans have come to expect. As Tony, a terminally ill man with a plan for survival, Peterson will be confronted by Richmond, a scheming friend of the family who feels Tony’s demise can’t come soon enough. But things aren’t what they seem and a ghastly oracle holds the key to a life without end.

A veteran of many local screen productions and print ads, Richmond has grown into one of the midwest’s most reliable young leading men. Indie screenwriter Peterson has also been featured in numerous short and feature films of late, developing into a fine character performer.

The episode includes blazing effects during a sinister birthday party scene, and grisly makeup effects created by the show’s resident artist, Jason Hiltz of Howling Mad Studios in Novi. “The script is a lot of fun,” comments Peterson with a knowing wink.

“A Birthday Wish” is to be filmed in Garden City at the home of local character actor Eric Tuchelske. A skilled child actor is also being sought for the supporting role of “Tracey,” whose birthday party fuels the story’s supernatural spell.

The pairing of Richmond and Peterson echoes a similar reunion between “Blood Sacrifice” co-stars Natalie Baxter and Richelle Leigh Walsh, which will take place May 8-9 on the set of the teen-flavored shocker, “Queen Bee.”

“A Birthday Wish” will air Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm throughout November, 2010. See the Air Dates page of www.themidnighthour.tv for details.

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