Local musician and all-around good guy Kevin Renick tells me that one of his songs has been chosen for the soundtrack of the new George Clooney movie “Up in the Air.”

The movie, which had a sneak preview at last week’s Telluride Film Festival and which will officially premier in Toronto this week, was mostly shot in St. Louis last winter. It’s about a corporate “downsizer” who confronts the consequences of job loss and loneliness

After director jason Reitman gave a talk to students at Webster University, Renick raised his hand during the Q&A, said he was a job-loss victim who had written a song called “Up in the Air” and asked if the director would listen to the cassette. Remarkably Reitman said yes.   (Even more remarkably, Kevin wrote the song at least a year before the movie was announced.)

When he didn’t hear back from anyone, Renick figured he was out of luck.  But a few weeks ago he was told by “Up in the Air” music producer Randall Poster that the song was being considered for the soundtrack and was asked to sign some legal documents. And then the good news was confirmed in reports from the Telluride screening.

Keep in mind that the soundtrack for Reitman’s “Juno” was a surprise hit that elevated the career of Kimya Dawson and the Moldy Peaches.

I will be telegraphing Renick about this once-in-a lifetime break as soon as my sled dogs reach Toronto. And I’ll be seeing the movie on Friday.

“Up in the Air” opens in selected cities in December. Here’s some footage: