MTV's "Made" making the rounds in Ann Arbor, seeking teens with a dream
MTV’s show “Made” is making casting calls at local high schools this week, taking Ann Arbor by storm with three appearances in two days. And Community High School’s principal, Jennifer Hein, thinks that’s no accident: “Ann Arbor Public Schools have been very receptive to the opportunity,” she said, recalling that this is the second time “Made” has stopped at her school.
She was standing outside of a room referred to as “the Boneyard,” which didn’t look particularly bony or otherwise desolate through the vertical windows on either side of the door. That was all the view available, though, because the MTV representative who sat alone with a laptop inside wasn’t to be disturbed.
Hein continued, “I’m all for it. I think it’s a completely positive experience - (the kids) get to learn about the industry, about marketing, about communication - and then it’s just a great memory for them. You ask, ‘What’d you do at school today?’ and they can say, ‘Oh, I tried out for a TV show.’”
The show tries to help teens realize a particular dream, and Ann Arbor has had success in the past: Huron High School student Dylan Wood was featured on the show in 2006, which followed the pursuit of his goal to become a fashion designer. Last week, a casting call was held at Ypsilanti High School.
At Community High this afternoon, the 15 to 20 hopefuls began lining up a few minutes before lunchtime, leaning against a cheerful mural as they dug through their bags for the required permission slips, registration forms and photos. Aspiring skateboarder Jamal Hunter headed up the queue, figuring that even though he’d never been on a board, “I’ve seen everyone else do it and thought it would be cool.” He was followed by would-be equestrian duo Andrea Manoppo and Liya Palmer, who said they were both horse-crazy as kids but have never ridden any sort of animal - or even taken on the responsibility of a pet.
Michaela Cormien and Clare Lauer both want to learn about ballroom dancing, although for different reasons. Cormien recently took a beginner class and loved it, saying she thought the intensity of the show would be a good way to learn quickly. “I don’t want to be stuck at the beginning level forever. And maybe I’ll get to wear one of those shiny costumes!”
Lauer, however, says she can’t dance to save her life. "It’s kinda embarrassing - I took a hip-hop class and I was just awful.” How’s she going to like bringing her bad groove to national TV, then? “I’m not embarrassed about messing up,” she explained. “If you watch the show, everybody’s bad in the beginning, unless they lied to the producers. But I’m not going to give up.”
There were two chefs in the crowd, too. Billy Collins makes a signature whitefish dish, and he’d like to be an executive chef (“after college,” of course). Poom Boonsin got the culinary bug at the tender age of four and says he’s always been surrounded by cooking…but not allowed to do it. “They always say, ‘Go do your homework’” when it’s time to make dinner, he laments. “Even now, I have a job in a restaurant, but I’m not allowed to cook. I’m only allowed to wash the dishes.”
French exchange student Pauline Guimard wants to be a rapper (in English, not French - contrary to a rumor that was going around further up in the line), as does Nick Margolis. Jacob Wright wants to learn about becoming a voice actor and says he plans to pursue learning about that vocation regardless of whether he makes it on “Made.” Allison Dettling wrote on her form that she wants to learn about modeling, but she can hardly say that with a straight face. “I thought it would be funny because for one, I’m short, and I’m so not a model. I just wanted to try something new. And I think it’d be cool to be on TV.”
Tamara Parks has a particularly specific vision of a documentary she’d like to make for a senior gift, thinking a video would be a better idea than, say, a needlepointed pillow to commemorate the end of high school. “I know how I want to do it, but I need help. I’d like to capture all of our emotions, you know - maybe some of our cheers, maybe the diving team diving off the board…just a little bit of everything for us to refer back to.”
Jamie Payton is equally focused: she’s there to get publicity for a benefit production she’s helping organize with the Black Student Union and the Huron Valley Boys and Girls Club, the proceeds from which will be donated to SOS Community Services and the Salvation Army. “It asks ‘How can MTV help?’” she said as she gestured to her densely-filled-out form. “We do all kinds of activities. We’re trying to get regional and national attention to expand our programs, like getting BSUs in elementary and middle schools because right now they’re just in high schools and colleges. Here, will you take this?” she asked, handing out enveloped press releases to anyone who will hold out a hand. “I’ll give you a flyer, too, when I get out. They’re really great.” This girl just might be self-“Made.”
Following its stop at Community High School, "Made" was slated to move on to Huron. Pioneer is scheduled for Thursday.
Leah DuMouchel is a free-lance writer for AnnArbor.com