Eden Hall Student Lands Role in Much-Anticipated Film

As if she wasn't completely over the snow after the brutal Western Pennsylvania winter she just experienced, Isabel Muschweck, 10, marvels over how winter was recreated on the set of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

"There was this snow scene where they made a bunch of fake snow, and it looked so real," says Muschweck. "It was really cool."

Muschweck landed the plum role of the young Candace in the movie based upon one of the most popular young-adult books in recent years. Older Candace is played by Nina Dobrev. Muschweck was one of several local children cast.

Filming began a couple of weeks ago and is still ongoing in neighborhoods around the Pittsburgh region. The book was written and the film is being directed by Stephen Chbosky, an Upper St. Clair  native. The film is set for release in 2012.

Muschweck filmed her scenes over four long days, including a night that began at 7 p.m. and didn’t end until 3 a.m. In spite of the late night, Isabel Muschweck's mom, Susan, says her daughter was a consummate professional and had no problems staying awake and "on."

Isabel Muschweck is no stranger to the camera. She landed her first TV commercial when she was just 12 months old, and has been in a number of commercials since.

Earlier this year she was chosen to appear in a """  commercial with Hines Ward that ultimately did not air because the Pittsburgh Steelers  did not win the Super Bowl..

"They had filmed a version with Hines Ward and a couple of children from Pittsburgh and a version for the Green Bay Packers,," says Susan Muschweck. "Which version went to press depended upon which team won."

Isabel Muschweck enjoyed her time on the movie set, saying the "crew was huge and everyone was really nice," but she has a lot of other things going on as well.

In a few weeks her theater school, Wexford Acting Studio, will hold auditions for its fall show, "Beauty and the Beast." She also takes classes at Wexford Dance Academy, is a member of the chorus and plays flute in the Eden Hall band.

This summer, Muschweck, who will be in the fifth grade in the fall, has a full schedule of camps, trips and swimming planned. But she'll still take time to go on auditions and try to expand her acting resume as well.

As for the future, she's looking forward to seeing herself on the big screen when the movie comes out.

"I can't wait to see how it all comes together," she says. "You can't really tell when you're doing it and are on the inside."