|
From YouTube to Hollywood
Local Catholic teen gets role in independent movie
By Gina Keating, gkeatincs@cox.net
May 1, 2008
Mickey Zobel lives in Phoenix, but he’s shooting a movie in Iowa which is called “South Dakota” — and he owes it all to his 15 minutes of fame on Internet juggernaut YouTube.
Well, it’s more like a couple of minutes, but who’s counting?
YouTube is a popular Web site for viewing and sharing videos on the Internet.
Zobel’s antics of fake commercials, portrayals of super heroes, various instructional videos and general silliness led to thousands of views, and a Hollywood opportunity.
You heard it. Hometown boy makes good on his promise to become employed, only he’s on a payroll for an independent project by Los Angeles-based filmmaker Bruce Isacson.
Zobel, a 15-year-old sophomore at Arcadia High School, is deliriously happy.
Cut.
This is actually the end of the story. Here’s the beginning:
Zobel only recently caught the acting bug when he enrolled in an improvisational class in middle school.
He enjoyed the attention he received and decided to put himself “out there” with the encouragement of his friends.
“I was never scared,” Zobel said. “I didn’t know I was that funny.”
Or talented, perhaps?
It doesn’t matter if he’s playing a shepherd, portraying a priest or wearing a doughnut costume for parish skits at St. Theresa in Phoenix, he puts everything he has into each character.
Zobel could be yelling, “eat this green bologna,” and you’d be mesmerized by his delivery, dazzled by his squeaky-clean good looks and delighted by his jovial personality.
Hollywood undoubtedly agrees, and he has big-name backers.
Comedian Andy Milonakis, of MTV2 fame, chose Zobel’s rap song from 1,000 entries to be featured on his show.
Zobel, who had never rapped before, entered the contest after seeing the first episode. He spent his 14th birthday filming his rap song in Hollywood.
“It was a good experience and a lot of fun,” Zobel said. “I got a taste of fame.”
Back in Arizona, he conspired with his sibling, Lily, to shoot more videos to post on the Web. His parody of a Justin Timberlake song resulted in a call from MTV for permission to use his video.
Alas, a Hollywood agent called after his niece told him about Zobel’s video posts. The family made a good faith decision to let Rod Paul represent their son, which led to eight scripts.
“We have passed on scripts that were objectionable to our morals and values,” his mother, Tami, said. “We won’t compromise who we are as Catholics.”
So when Lucas Grabeel, who plays Ryan in “High School Musical,” wanted to cast Zobel for a pilot he was directing, it was a thumbs up. Not only did get he get cast, but Lily and little brother, Guy, were also flown in for the shoot with Disney Channel celebrities.
“I didn’t go with any expectations. It was the best experience of my life,” Zobel said.
Until now, that is.
Zobel is on location in Iowa filming a docudrama about high school sweethearts who find out they’re going to become parents.
The subject matter sent up a parental red flag, until his father read the script.
“He had tears in his eyes,” Tami said. “He told Mickey the reason he wasn’t chosen for other movies was because he was supposed to be in this one.”
Zobel will run between scenes to his tutor, which isn’t a huge stretch for him. He was home schooled for seven years.
And he’s even got the hometown advantage going for him. His mother’s side of the family resides in Iowa.
Perhaps they’ll surprise him on the set with a birthday cake when he turns 16 this month.
As for making memories, this is the stuff dreams are made of.
|
