AJ Michalka, star of the Christian-themed movie “Grace Unplugged” that has been filming in Birming­ham since mid-August, started her singing career in church.

She plays the character Grace Trey, a teen church singer who strikes out on her own to land a re­cord deal in Los Angeles. She cuts off contact with her parents, includ­ing her father, a former rock star turned worship leader at a small town Alabama church.

“As soon as I read this, I felt Grace was a part of who I am,” Michalka said. “I connected with her immedi­ately when I read the script.”

Michalka, 21, has appeared in the movies “Secretariat,” “Super 8,” “The Lovely Bones” and the upcoming “Jesus in Cowboy Boots.” She sings in the group 78violet with her sister, Aly Michalka. The sisters pre­viously performed as Aly and AJ and were featured stars on the Disney Channel.

“We grew up singing in church, leading worship,” Michalka said. “That’s how I started,” Michalka said during a break in filming a scene at Liberty Park Baptist Church. “I feel like I’m back in church.” James Denton, who was a worship leader at a church before he became a professional actor and a star on “Desperate Housewives,” plays Johnny Trey. Both Michalka and Denton sing and play guitar in the movie. That worked perfectly for writer-director Brad Silverman. “It’s really exciting when you get art imitating life,” said Silverman, between takes of scenes shot Wednesday at WorkPlay.

Read More…

If you live in the Alabama area you’re not gonna want to miss this.

Do you want an opportunity to be a part of Grace Unplugged, and get an amazing concert as well?  Please see the information below to be an extra in one of the most important scenes of the film!  Chris Tomlin, Jamie-Grace, AJ Michalka, and James Denton will all be there for this scene of the film! We will also be doing some amazing drawings for tickets to the premiere of Grace Unplugged!

Date: September 4, 2012

Time: 5:00pm

Location: Alabama Theater 1817 3rd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203

Please bring wardrobe options, dress should be as if going to an indoor concert.

Please download and fill out the “release form” from this link http://www.coramdeostudios.com/release.pdf

For minors, please download this form http://www.coramdeostudios.com/minorrelease.pdf

Extras and crew members keep posting pics from the Grace Unplugged set. All I can say is keep them coming! Also I posted two pics up of Aly & AJ back when they went to the One Direction concert. Enjoy!

Links:
- Grace Unplugged > Behind the Scenes [+16]
- Fan Meetings
- Personal Photos

Just added a bunch of new pics to the photoshoots section. Thanks to AlyMichalkaFan for the gorgeous Nylon and Maxim photos.

Links:
- 2011 > Nylon Guys Photoshoot [+1]
- 2010 > Chris Fortuna for Maxim Mag [+8]
- 2011 > Amanda Elkins for Zooey Magazine [+2]

Here is the news the girls have been hinting about on twitter! It’s very exciting!!

Acting/singing duo Aly Michalka and AJ Michalka may star together in a comedy series next. The two sisters topline a half-hour project, which has sold to Fox. It hails from writers Matt Dearborn and Adam Goldberg, Happy Madison and Sony Pictures TV.

On the untitled single-camera comedy, which has received a script commitment, Aly and AJ Michalka will play versions of themselves. Finally out of the house and into their first apartment, Aly and AJ’s exciting new lives are interrupted when their mother unexpectedly moves in with them.  Breaking In co-creator Goldberg and Zeke and Luther co-creator Dearborn will write the script and executive produce with Happy Madison’s Doug Robinson. Aly and AJ Michalka will serve as co-producers.

The two sisters first hit stardom as pop rock duo Aly & AJ (now 78violet). They made their acting debut as the stars of the Disney original movie Cow Belles, which was co-written by Dearborn. The two also co-starred together in MTV’s Super Sweet 16: The Movie. Additionally, AJ recurred on the CW drama Hellcats which starred Aly. The Fox comedy project extends Aly’s relationship with Happy Madison — she just wrapped the company’s Grown Ups movie sequel for Sony Pictures. AJ recently wrapped the indie feature Jesus In Cowboy Boots. Aly and AJ Michalka are repped by CAA and just signed with Principato-Young Entertainment.

The new project reunites WME-repped Goldberg with Fox where he and Seth Gordon created comedy series Breaking In, also produced by Sony TV and Happy Madison, on which Dearborn served as a consulting producer. The network also bought a period comedy pitch from Goldberg, Happy Madison and Sony TV last year.

Source: Deadline

So what do you guys think? I think it’s an excellent opportunity for the girls so fingers crossed it doesn’t fall through like some previous projects. I have to say I’m intriguded by the idea that they will be playing themselves. And the fact that the show is a comedy is a bonus. Can’t wait to see the girls show off their comedy skills.

The gallery is constantly being updated with new pictures the girls have posted on their Twitter/Instagram accounts. So remember to check the gallery even if there hasn’t been an update on the main page.

Links:
- Official Twitter Account
- Instagram Accounts
- Personal Photos

I found an audition submission an actress named Evelynn Christina Tonn has posted online. I know it’s not AJ’s audition but it gives you a taste of what the Grace character could be like. Near the end of the video she sings a song and I’m wondering if it will be in the movie or she chose to sing as an example of her talents. If you recognise the song let us know. Also she has posted some other audition footage on her channel for other characters in the film if you want to check that out.

Luckily for us the people who are currently working on Grace Unplugged are kind enough to share their on set pictures with us. So here are a few of behind the scenes pictures taken with AJ. Also I’ve started to move the movie set twitter pics to the behind the scenes categories in the gallery. Make sure you check them out for projects like Grown Ups 2, Jesus In Cowboy Boots, Breaking In, Long Time Gone and Nerd Machine: Trailer Park Heroes!

Link: – Grace Unplugged > Behind the Scenes [+12]

If you would like a chance to be in the film as an extra read on!

Read More…

Grace Unplugged now has an official facebook page. Click here to visit it and remember to like the page in order to spread the word about the movie! Hopefully in the upcoming weeks they will post on set pictures so we can get a behind the scenes look! According the Aly & AJ’s mother, Carrie, the trailer for the movie will be released next year.

The movie also has a twitter account and you can follow them at @GUthemovie. At the moment they only have one tweet which they posted a year ago but fingers crossed that will change while shooting the movie.

AJ just tweeted the news that she has been cast alongside Kevin Pollak to star in “Grace Unplugged”. The movie is to be shot in Alabama this August. Here is the basic plot:

Grace is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter whose dad Johnny was on top of the Billboard charts – once. 20 years ago, he had one hit, then crash-landed, a one-hit wonder. Then Johnny found Jesus. Now he ministers as a music pastor at a local church and Grace, his gifted daughter, helps him out.

Until one day, without warning, Grace flies to Los Angeles to try her hand at a music career. Johnny’s former manager Bob Mossy discovers the beautiful, highly talented girl. With his help, she starts performing in local clubs and her fame starts rising.

Is she prepared to walk away from her Christian faith to achieve her dream of Hollywood stardom? Will she reject her faith or rediscover it?

Even though it doesn’t say we can be safe to assume that AJ’s role is of the lead Grace. So what do you think of the storyline? Can’t wait to see her sing in a role again!