Two Auburn students received the opportunity to appear in the movie "Selma" set to release January 2015.
JaMichael White, senior in radio, television and film, and Markell Houser, junior in industrial design, are set to appear in the film depicting the 1965 voting marches from Selma, Georgia to Montgomery that took place at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement.
The movie was filmed in Atlanta and Selma and is produced by Oprah Winfrey, who will also have a leading role in the movie.
According to White, he discovered the opportunity online and attended an open casting call in Selma. He received information on what possible roles he could play in the movie after submitting a headshot and application.
White was selected to be one of nine individuals to act as a student militant group.
"It really just fell into my lap," White said. "It is a blessing how it all played out."
With plans to pursue a career in acting, White said he feels the long days and number of hours he spent on set well prepared him for the future.
While he did not have a main role, he gained acting experience on set.
The characters White and his companions portrayed in the film sing and stand with Martin Luther King Jr. as advocates for a change.
"It was convicting to be a part of something that was so huge in the '60s," White said.
After filming for a week with long hours, White said he appreciates his first on-screen role and the opportunity to build his portfolio.
Ric Smith, media studies professor, said he is proud a student from his department is already achieving such success.
"It is a great compliment to him," Smith said. "JaMichael is taking what he has learned in class and applying it to the real world."
According to Smith, students in media studies do not take acting classes, but learn the discipline that goes into filmmaking.
Houser, like White, said he feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to appear in the film.
After hearing about the opportunity on WSFA News, Houser, who has grown up hearing about the Civil Rights Movement, applied to be an extra.
"I thought it would be only fitting since so much of the film is my history," Houser said.
Born in Selma and growing up in Montgomery, Houser felt a personal tie to the film.
Houser served as an extra during the marching scenes, where he stood toward the back, and marched with other cast members in Montgomery toward the capitol building.
Although his role did not require a costume, and he did not plan on being featured in the film, Houser said he believes the film will serve as a learning opportunity for those who do not know about the Civil Rights Movement.
Houser said he looks forward to the day where he will be able to pause the film and point out his role in the scene.
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