Aaron Moskal: Lapeer East student goes Hollywood

A chance visit to Royal Oak last summer may have infected Lapeer East High School junior Aaron Moskal, with the movie bug.

Moskal, 17, of Metamora Township has made a number of appearances as an extra in movies being shot in Michigan. Coincidentally, he is currently a student in Bill Spruytte’s American Film Studies elective class at East.

Last summer, Moskal accompanied his father to work in Royal Oak and while visiting in Royal Oak stumbled across the filming of a Lifetime movie “Prayers for Bobby” and was asked to be an extra.

“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Moskal said. “In my first scene there was a crane camera, a huge machine aimed at you, and they said ‘don’t look at the camera, pretend it’s not there’”

Before that, Moskal’s closest movie encounter was a trip to Flint to watch the filming of “Semi-Pro” from a distance behind barricades.

That volunteer spot, one that ended with a scene where it was Moskal and movie star Sigourney Weaver in the same shot, ignited an interest in moviemaking for Moskal.

Since that time, he has been an extra hired for a Drew Barrymore movie, “Whip It,” along with other feature films, “High School,” “All’s Faire In Love,” and “Youth in Revolt.” Some of those feature films will soon be in theaters.

Moskal has worked with a number of high profile movie types, including Sigourney Weaver, Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Jimmy Fallon, Kirsten Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Ray Liotta, Christina Ricci, Ann-Margret and Adrien Brody.

In February, he was invited to and flew out to California for the premiere of “Friday the 13th.” His new acting connections have also landed him an invitation to the Saturday, February 28th, opening of “America,” at the Charles H. Wright Museum. Moskal was asked to be an extra in that movie, but was unable to do so. Cast and crew from “High School” garnered him the invite. It was his first trip to Hollywood, but not likely his last, Moskal said.

While he loves acting, and is only a few more appearances away from his Screen Actor’s Guild card, Moskal really wants to work behind the camera in the production and direction. Moskal is hoping for a starting job as a production assistant.

While acting may seem glamorous, Moskal said it is mostly hard work.

“It’s not very glamorous,” Moskal said. “You work very long hours, you get up early and work until late at night. Sometimes you do the same thing over and over again and spend a whole day doing one scene.

In addition to Mr. Spruytte’s class, Moskal said he appreciates the support of East teacher Mrs. Jan McKeachie.

Also supporting Moskal’s acting is his parents, Alan and Cheryl Moskal.