Powell High School students got a taste of show business on Friday when Crazy Mountain Productions came to visit. 

Crazy Mountain Productions formerly Studio ODA 406 aims to tell stories that take place in Montana and Wyoming that are actually filmed in Montana and Wyoming and have just opened an office near Powell. Junior Michael Ray and Jamie Lee both have experience in the entertainment industry and are currently finishing “Loco” a series filmed in Laurel, Montana, that they hope will air on Netflix.

They are also filming “Reride” a film based on a soon to be released novel by Ray. For the film, Crazy Mountain Productions has shot footage in the K-Bar, worked with Northwest College’s rodeo team and the Cody Nite Rodeo.

Crazy Mountain Productions took part in Northwest College’s Career Fair last week before joining Powell High School’s acting classes later in the day. The classes had an inside connection, as Harlie Riddle — the daughter of PHS assistant drama director Christi Greaham — works for Ray and Lee as a producer.

The studio’s goal is to promote a film environment that values equal workload and a willingness to learn. All actors for Crazy Mountain Productions are required to spend one day behind the camera and behind the scenes workers must play a small part in the production.

“Our whole concept is to get people exposed to it, living it. That’s our goal,” Lee said.

When Ray, Lee and Riddle talked to Powell High School’s acting classes, they emphasized the importance of business knowledge and a willingness to work with students who may be interested in a career in film.

“You’ve won the lottery, now you’ve got to do something with it,” Ray said at the beginning of his presentation.

Ray, Lee and Riddle praised filming and acting as careers but criticized Hollywood’s treatment of those who aren’t starring in or directing a project.

Ray also encouraged students to be themselves and own who they are. Ray repeatedly brought up his mixed heritage and why he wouldn’t get offended when called controversial terms during his time in Hollywood.

“It’s my response that makes the word powerful and that’s my tool,” Ray said. 

He told students that if they asked Lee for a chance they would get it, but they needed to be prepared and committed.

Crazy Mountain Studio’s time extended 30 minutes after the school day in order to talk to all the students who wanted to have a one-on-one conversation. Students such as Emma Bucher came away from the interaction inspired by the opportunities that they can make for themselves in the industry.

“There’s a lot more opportunities in small towns than I thought there would be and I feel a lot more comfortable now knowing there’s a place I can start,” Bucher said.