Clawson native to direct independent film in metro Detroit

By Jeremy Carroll
C & G Staff Writer

CLAWSON — David Mitchell has other stories he’s written and other scripts ready to go, but for the 33-year-old Clawson native, getting a film made about metro Detroit with actors from the area first was important to him.

“I started writing this four or five years ago,” he said from Los Angeles. “I’ve written others but I wanted this one to be my first full-length (film).”

Mitchell will direct his independent film, “The Myth of the American Sleepover,” later this summer and will holding open casting calls in both Royal Oak and Pontiac for all the acting roles.

“We could have filmed elsewhere, but I really didn’t want to do that,” he said. “I really wanted it to have the feel of the neighborhoods and way it looks there. I have an emotional connection to it.”

The casting call is looking for locals between the ages of 14 and 21, male and female, to fill both feature and supporting roles.

The movie follows four characters as they navigate through metro Detroit during the night on the final weekend of the summer.

“It’s really a coming to age story,” Mitchell said. “It’s kind of along the lines of ‘American Graffiti.’”

Mitchell, born in Rochester, later moved to Clawson and was a 1993 graduate of Bishop Foley High School. He did undergraduate work at Wayne State University before earning a film school degree from Florida State University. He has worked on editing commercials and movie trailers in Los Angeles since.

“I would work during the day and write at night,” he said.

The film is self-financed and has a small budget, so all those on the crew and acting will not be paid upfront, but if it ends up making money, those hired will get paid, Mitchell said.

“The main goal is to just make this film and have people see it,” he said. “I just believe in it so much. I want to share it with people.”

He said making independent films is a labor of love, and in addition to actors, the crew is looking for volunteers and site locations, as well.

“No one on the film is getting paid,” Mitchell said. “All of the money is going to actual production of the film.”

Mitchell, along with one of his co-producers, will hold a casting call 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, 320 W. Seventh Street, Royal Oak. They will also hold a casting call noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Ruth Peterson Senior Center, 990 Joslyn Road, Pontiac.

No experience is necessary for the parts, and potential actors will be asked to read a scene from the film. Mitchell said they plan on holding a second audition in March, and possibly in the future, as well. The film will be shot this summer.

For more information, e-mail at info@americansleepover.com or visit www.americansleepover.com.

You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Carroll at jcarroll@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1110.