Local Girl Lands Role in Much-Anticipated Film

As if she weren’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," Isabel said. "It was really cool."

Isabel landed the plum role of the young Candace in the movie based upon one of the most popular young-adult books in recent years.  Nina Dobrev plays the older Candace. Isabel was one of only two local children cast; the other was the young boy who plays the character of Charlie as a boy.

last month and is ongoing in neighborhoods throughout the Pittsburgh region. Stephen Chbosky, an Upper St. Clair native, wrote the book, and he is directing the film, which is set for release in 2012.

Isabel filmed her scenes over four long days, including a night that began at 7 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.

"One of the other children in the movie had to be awakened and perked up with a spray of water to the face," Susan Muschweck said. "Isabel stayed awake and ready the entire time."

Isabel Muschweck is no stranger to the camera. She landed her first TV commercial when she was just 1-year-old and has been in several commercials since then. 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," Susan Muschweck said. "Which version went to press depended upon which team won."

Isabel 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 conduct 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, Isabel, a rising fifth-grader, 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.

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 said. "You can't really tell when you're doing it and are on the inside."