Actor and musician Carson Lueders chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about starring in the new faith-based film “Beyond Belief,” which will be released on August 28th.
The synopsis is: Set in the 1980s, “Beyond Belief” follows Andy (Carson Leuders), a teenage rocker chasing his dream of making it big while struggling to cope with the loss of his father. When a mysterious voice urges him to “run,” Andy is drawn into an unexpected journey that challenges his ambitions, tests his faith, and forces him to decide what kind of life he’s truly meant to live.
Filled with heart, humor, and the iconic music of Petra, Beyond Belief is an inspiring story about hearing God’s voice, trusting His plan, and discovering that His dreams for our lives are often bigger than our own.
The film was directed by Johnny Meier, who co-wrote the screenplay with Darren Scott Jacobs and Joe Sanders.
‘Beyond Belief’ experience
On his experience starring in “Beyond Belief,” he remarked, “Honestly, my experience was really cool. I think it was cool for me to look at Andy and see how human he is, dealing with all these trials and tribulations throughout the film.”
“One of my favorite parts was being able to relate to some of those things personally, and to portray someone who encounters these real experiences and see how he navigates them,” he noted.
“It’s my first bigger project, so it’s definitely exciting to see everyone’s reactions and hear what people think about it,” he added.
Working with Johnny Meier as director and co-writer
On working with Johnny Meier as director and screenwriter, he exclaimed, “Johnny was amazing. When you look at making a movie, you really can’t build a better team. It was obviously my first movie in a bigger role as the lead, and Johnny made me feel like I was part of the creative process rather than putting all that stress and pressure on me.”
“By the time we got into the flow of things, everything felt automatic on set. Johnny is amazing, and all the guys on set were incredible. Our cast and crew were amazing,” he added.
Lessons learned from the screenplay
On the lessons learned from the screenplay, he reflected, “I think it taught me that, as an actor, you have to bring your own perspective to the story. I was able to connect with Andy a lot, and that was important because it meant I didn’t have to fake anything.”
“I don’t know if I just got lucky with having so much in common with Andy as a character, but being present really helped me connect with the other actors. It was a really cool experience. It taught me mindfulness,” he noted.
“I’m excited. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. Honestly, it has been a long time coming, so at this point it feels surreal. I also love seeing all the classic songs from Petra getting a resurgence,” he said.
Carson on the full circle moment that involves Petra
Carson continued, “Petra is amazing. It’s funny—I don’t know if many people know this, but my dad actually listened to Petra growing up. Isn’t that a small world? It’s kind of a full-circle moment for him, seeing his son in a movie featuring Petra.”
“Those guys are so cool, and they’ve inspired so many people across generations. It’s awesome to see them now inspiring the next generation of people who may not know who Petra is. Seeing their music transcend generations is really special,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Carson revealed, “Accepting the Blessings that God has given me.”
“I think it’s really cool to look at where I’m at in my life. I feel like God had a plan in bringing this script and this role to me. It’s really meaningful that I’m able to inspire others. Sometimes you don’t know what your purpose is, but simply trying to lead by example and be a positive light can really speak to a lot of people,” he elaborated.
“I’m hoping this movie does that. I’m just really grateful for the experience. It has been awesome for me,” he admitted.
Superpower of choice
On his superpower of choice, he said, “Growing up, I was really into Iron Man and all the technology behind his suit. With all the technological advancements these days, I think it would be so cool to fly around and help people out.”
“I love how Iron Man goes all over the world helping people and fighting for what’s right,” he added.
Carson on his ‘Chicken Girls’ experience
He recalled his experience doing “Chicken Girls.” “That series gave me a real opportunity to grow as an actor. ‘Chicken Girls’ was awesome. I hadn’t really done much before that, and the cast and crew made it such an awesome experience because so many of us were friends,” he said.
“I don’t think we really knew what acting was back then, but maybe that’s why the series did so well — it had an authenticity that people could connect with. It was an awesome experience,” he added.
Working with photographer and filmmaker Joshua Shultz
Carson had great words about working with photographer and filmmaker Joshua Shultz. “Joshua Shultz is awesome. Friends like that make this industry so special because you are able to connect and collaborate on art. One of the true blessings of being in this industry is building genuine friendships,” he said.
“Every relationship you make becomes a friendship, and I definitely consider him one of my best friends. Joshua has known me for such a long time. He is so talented, a true visionary. He met me when I was so young, so it has been really cool for him to see me evolve into who I am today. We’ve both grown and evolved together, and that has been very special,” he explained.
Success
On his definition of success, he said, “Success, to me, means being purposeful in someone else’s life. I think we can get so caught up trying to achieve success for ourselves, but what’s important to me right now is being present every day and connecting with other people.”
“It’s easy to get wrapped up in chasing success, but ultimately it’s important to recognize the bigger picture. Having a positive impact on others is where I feel my purpose is right now,” he added.
Message for his fans
For his fans and supporters, he said, “I would like to tell them that I love them so much and I truly appreciate them.”
“So many people have supported me for years through different seasons of my life, and I’m really excited for them to see this film. I couldn’t have done any of this without them. They inspire me to keep going, and it means so much to know there are so many people who support me,” he elaborated.
“So, really just thank you. I love you all, and I’m excited for you to see ‘Beyond Belief’,” he added.
Closing thoughts on ‘Beyond Belief’
Carson remarked about the new faith-based film, “The one thing I want people to take away from ‘Beyond Belief’ is the importance of holding on to your faith.”
“I think that’s one of the film’s biggest messages. During times of uncertainty, we all have to lean on our faith and ultimately trust God with whatever chapter He has planned for us. We don’t always know what that chapter is, but faith is our anchor through it all,” he concluded.
To learn more about Carson Lueders, follow him on Instagram and TikTok.
