struckbylightning:

[L-R] Chris Colfer and Melissa on the set of Struck By Lightning (Photo used with permission), Chris Colfer and Jenny Herrick on the set of Struck by Lightning (x)

Struck By Lightning isn’t autobiographical, but writer/star Chris Colfer wrote a number of roles for people from his own high school experience.

Colfer, who was heavily involved in speech and debate in high school, first used his script for Struck By Lightning in an Original Prose and Poetry event. What’s more, Colfer gave his actual high school speech and debate coach, Mikendra McCoy, a spot in the film. McCoy, more than just coaching him, has been named several times as Colfer’s biggest inspiration in high school. “I made her come out and play the Science teacher in the film because she was my savior,” he said. “She had to be a part of it, because she was there when it all started with my old Speech and Debate OPP.” [x]

Also making an appearance in the film is Colfer’s high school AP European History teacher, Jenny Herrick. Colfer also credits Herrick with being a confidant and one of the most influential people in his life, along with McCoy and his family (his cousin, Amy Nabors, makes an appearance as a reporter in the film too!). She tweeted from set on August 3, saying, “Watching @chriscolfer do his thing! So proud!” [x]

Melissa, Colfer’s “best friend in high school” whom the character of Malerie is largely modeled after, also appears in Struck By Lightning. Melissa has a small speaking part in the movie - you can spot her saying, “I believe in creationism!” in a classroom scene. ”[Chris] wrote me in literally the night before we shot the scene,” she recounts. “It was an amazing experience and I love that Chris thought enough to actually include me in something so big.”

“[Melissa] totally called herself out,” Colfer said. “She was like, ‘Yeah, Malerie’s based on me, huh?’ And I’m like ‘Yeah.’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, I know. It’s alright.’ And I’m like, ‘Great! Glad I have your blessing!’” [x]

Just like Malerie is in the Writers Club with Carson in the film, Melissa was Colfer’s co-editor in his actual high school Writers Club. “[Writers Club] was fun!” Melissa told us. “I loved [Chris’] ideas and he really inspired me. I loved it!”