ADAMS TWP — Lights, camera, action — not the typical words one would hear when Rob Carmody and his players are on the basketball court. But this week, they fit perfectly.

The Mars boys basketball team will be part of a film entitled ‘Promised Land’, which is currently being filmed in the Pittsburgh area. The Planets will take part in a scene depicting a high school basketball game. Shooting for the scene begins Monday near Vandergrift.

The film will feature Matt Damon as a sly businessman who aims to take advantage of a rural town’s residents. It is being directed by Gus Van Sant. Damon and Van Sant have teamed up before, in the 1997 film ‘Good Will Hunting’.

For Carmody, it’s the break he’s been waiting for.

“I didn’t want to start my acting career too early,” said Carmody with a laugh. “I didn’t want to be a child star who ends up on VH1.”

The Planets’ opportunity began several months ago when Debbie Buzard, mother of junior guard Mitch Buzard, was notified that the movie’s casting department was in search of two high school basketball teams to appear in the film.

“Debbie Vogel has been involved with several movies filmed near Pittsburgh,” said Buzard. “She knew my son was on the varsity team at Mars and she told me about the movie.”

Debbie Buzard first contacted Carmody to see if the team had any prior commitments during the scheduled filming.

The Planets weren’t booked for anything.

“I said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” said Carmody. “All the guys know who Matt Damon is and not many people get a chance to be part of a movie. The guys seemed excited about it and it’s a neat thing for them.”

“I emailed a team photo to the casting department and apparently, they loved the look of the team,” Debbie Buzard said. “It was about three weeks ago that we found out that we were chosen.”

Between 11 and 13 Mars players are taking part, though the squad has not been given many details.

“We’re pretty much in the dark as to how long the scene will be and how prominent a role we’ll have,” said Carmody.

“I do know that the players will not be wearing their Mars uniforms,” said Buzard.

Buzard hopes the team members taking part enjoy the opportunity, on and off camera.

“They get to see how a movie comes together,” she said. “It’s a good life experience.”