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The line between politics and entertainment can be thin and easily crossed. Al Franken, Fred Thompson and Ronald Reagan come to mind.
Mark Hackel, Macomb County's top elected leader, isn't changing careers -- though the politician with movie star looks takes small film roles occasionally.
The latest is "Urban Myths," a ghost story in search of financing. The independent film about paranormal activity (see trailer below) is produced by a former Macomb Township resident, Mitch Hotts reports in The Macomb Daily.
“A young lady who used to work in our department contacted me to say she was making a movie and asked if I had any interest in a role as a police officer,” Hackel said. “I read the script and it seemed interesting, so I decided to do it.”
Filmed mostly near Gladwin this past summer, “Urban Myths” is the story of a group of high school seniors who head out on a spring break camping trip to check out a series of myths the had heard about. They stumble on a haunted Indian burial ground when scary paranormal activities begin to happen. . . .
Hackel, who served as a deputy and the Macomb County sheriff before becoming the county’s first-ever executive, plays the role of Deputy Matthews in the film. It was a comfortable role for him -- he even wore his old uniform as a costume.
Mark Hackel still fits into his old Macomb County Sheriff's Department uniform. (Photo by Anne Nicolazzo)
The county exec worked without pay to help producers who're scrambling to finish the project. An Indiegogo pitch has raised just $400 of its $50,000 goal so far, with 25 days to go.
"There is still so much left to do," says the crowdfunding appeal from Mirror Dog Productions. "There are more scenes to film and then it all needs to be edited together into this awesome story."
In his article, Hotts quotes writer-director Kim Marie of Rochester.
A Chippewa Valley High School graduate who studied theater at Macomb Community College before moving to Los Angeles for several years, she met Hackel while working with the Explorers program and as an area volunteer firefighter.
Two years ago, Hackel had a cameo in "Mary's Buttons," a locally filmed historic drama co-produced by Joel Paul Reisig of Birmingham.
