Detroit Actor And Michigan-Based Production Company Both Finding Success On The Big Screen

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's an amazing story about a Detroit-based actor who's now getting accustomed to being in the spotlight.

Shane Carson hadn't even thought about becoming an actor until a blog post he wrote about the former ABC-TV show "Detroit 187" generated a lot of attention on social media.

"After tweeting it out for maybe about a week, I get a message from this one guy, and he says hey Shane, man, we like your style, your positiveness, the love of Detroit, how would you like to be on the show?"

As a result of that tweet, Carson started his acting career with "Detroit 187" as an extra, went on to become a featured extra and then a stand-in. He's come a long way since then and is now appearing in the upcoming movie, "God Bless the Broken Road."

"I am a process server in the film," Carson said. "That particular role, I auditioned for a different role and I ended up not getting that role, but I was still very thankful. I shared a scene with the lead actress in the film; her name is Lindsay Pulsipher."

Pulsipher stars as Amber, a grieving widow whose husband was killed during combat in Afghanistan. Stephen Afendoulis is the film's executive producer.

"She (Pulsipher) had a tremendous lead role in the "Hatfield and McCoys" and in "True Blood," Afendoulis told WWJ's Terri Lee.

Also starring in the film is recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks, and although she and Carson don't share any time onscreen, she left a strong impression on him.

"We talked about 10 or 15 minutes, and she really had some great energy," Carson said. "She was very, very down to earth."

Also playing a starring role in the film: the Berlin Racetrack in western Michigan, which Afendoulis says, plays a very important part in the script.

"The whole Berlin community really stepped up and supported us, and I think they were proud that we were kind of showcasing their life, because it is a very special place," Afendoulis added.

With much of the film being shot in Manistee and Grand Rapids, there are a number of other Michigan locations featured in the film as well, including the now-closed Rosie's Diner.

"It's a wonderful diner," according to Afendoulis, "that was purchased from New Jersey and relocated to Grand Rapids, and really was a special place in Grand Rapids for many, many years."

"God Bless the Broken Road" is co-written and directed by Harold Cronk, founder of Michigan-based 10 West Studios.

"10 West is committed to making both faith-based and family entertainment," Afendoulis said. "We had a couple of films that came out recently that were kid's adventure films, one just this past year called Pirate's Code, and another one about two, three years ago called The Adventures of Mickey Matson."

Along with those films, the two very popular "God's Not Dead" films were also directed by Harold Cronk. As for "God Bless the Broken Road," it's tentatively scheduled to be released by the first quarter of 2017.

And getting back to Carson, he tells WWJ's Terri Lee that he's just getting started. In addition to "God Bless the Broken Road," he's an associate producer and has a supporting role in "A Parent's Worst Nightmare" starring Dean Cain.

Afendoulis says he's not surprised by Carson's success.

"He's two things: one, he's a very accomplished actor, and two, he's a very good person. He's exactly the kind of actor that 10 West loves working with."

Fans can keep up with Carson's busy career by following him on Twitter @WowShane. Learn more about 10 West Studios by clicking here.

See you at the movies!

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

Member:
Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA)
Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS)
African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
Digital Arts, Film & Television (DAFT)

Editor's Note: Cover Photo courtesy of Shane Carson and "God Bless The Broken Road."