Courtney Buck, who plays Candy Morgan in "Uncommon," talks about the faith-based movie and how she got the role.
Tell us about the plot of "Uncommon"?
Uncommon is the story of a high school that fights for the political correctness to
defend their privilege to worship. My character is Candy Morgan and she's the head of
the drama department and she's required to perform in order to qualify for a college
scholarship the following year. When the school drops all the arts programs due
to budget costs, Candy seeks the help of the only faculty member willing to save her
career who happens to be the school janitor. Along the way, he teaches her life long
lessons and about standing up for what you believe in, it just reminds us that God uses uncommon people for his
glory.
How do you feel the message of the movie relates to your generation?
My generation is taught to accept everything and just focus on whatever
makes them happy. No one wants to actually accept the consequences of living in sin.
Young people who hold tight to their faith are afraid to speak up for fear
of being mocked or even being punished for having a different moral view on the hot
topics we have surrounding our society today.
What advice would you give to young people who are afraid to take a stand for their beliefs?
Never be afraid to stand up for what's right, people who live in darkness see
our light and it hurts their eyes. They will do all they can do to feel
comfortable again in their darkness, but my advise is to not let them
dim your light and shine bright. Their eyes will adjust to you and maybe a fire
will catch to them, but never change who you are to fit someone else's mold.
In the film you worked with Erik Estrada, who many know from the popular TV series, "CHiPs," how was that experience?
He is such a fun person to be around, positive and full of energy at all times.
This is my first real movie and working with the big dogs can be a little
intimidating, but he just made me feel so at home and he's just a really great guy.
You said this is your first real movie, how did you get the role?
I live in Florida and the movie was filmed in Virginia and I actually came across
what I call "God Luck," meaning that God really put me in the right place at the
right time. I was in Virginia for a funeral and my mom and I had been praying about
what I needed to do with my life. I knew I wanted to perform and be an entertainer
but I had no idea of how to break into the entertainment world without risking my
morals. I was praying that God would open up a door for me and not even 2 days later I
got a call from a friend who lives in the same state that the movie was being filmed
in. She was like, "Courtney you're not going to believe this, but I have this role for
a film that is just perfect for you." She knew that I lived far away and wasn't
going to ask. She told God if the role was for me, he will make a way for me to get there
and I was there, it really was just God.
Where can we find "Uncommon," and what do you hope people get out of it?
You can pick up the movie at all major retailers such as Target, Walmart and any Christian
retail stores. I hope people learn to not be afraid. Stand up for what you believe in. You can share Jesus in so
many ways and that's what makes it so special.
