Chalk (2006)

An improvisational take on the high school experience, told from the educators' point-of-view.

Director:

Mike Akel

Writers:

Chris Mass, Mike Akel

Stars:

Troy Schremmer, Janelle Schremmer, Shannon Haragan

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Troy Schremmer	...	Mr. Lowrey
Janelle Schremmer	...	Coach Webb
Shannon Haragan	...	Mrs. Reddell
Chris Mass	...	Mr. Stroope
Jeff Guerrero	...	Mr. Guerrero
Jerry Jarmon	...	Mr. Jarmon
Kaytea Brock	...	Miss Brock (as Katie Brock)
Dan Eggleston	...	Mr. Eggleston
Glen Lewis	...	Coach Lewis
Wendy Campbell	...	Mrs. Campbell
Jacqueline Seaborn	...	Mrs. Townsend
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Carlye Bonner	...	Teacher
Jeffrey Travis	...	Math Teacher
Greg Wise	...	Carlos Hernandez

Storyline

Life in the trenches of that most honorable and frustrating profession...teaching. It's the start of a memorable new year at Harrison High. The self-conscious Mr. Stroope is convinced that his time has come - this year he will be furnished with the golden title of "Teacher of the Year," if only his smarter students would stop using words that he can't understand. Peek into Mr. Lowrey's History class and you'll see that he's struggling to even call himself a teacher. Woefully inept due to a complete lack of experience and social skills, he earnestly stutters his way through class. The only interaction his students offer him is when they steal his chalk. Men aren't much interested in the spunky and officious Coach Webb, but "not all P.E. teachers are gay" and she pines for some romantic company. Her once best friend, the newly appointed assistant principal, Mrs. Reddell, doesn't seem to have time for her either, as her new power post is all-consuming; battling egos, enduring teacher ...

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | high school | mockumentary | 

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Taglines:

Real teaching leaves a mark.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,289, 22 June 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$300,633, 30 September 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

SomeDaySoon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References 55 Days at Peking (1963)

User Reviews

conflicting feelings

While this is, I think, an excellent film, the way the teachers are portrayed, and the culture within the school is hard to believe.

If this is accurate in terms of the skills the teachers have and the hostile culture within the administration, it is overwhelmingly disturbing. It makes me sad for our future.

Perhaps it is a tribute to how good a movie this is that is stirred up this strong of a response... nothing about it makes me excited or hopeful for the institution or the process. Many teachers I know do evoke these feelings in me, and I hope, in the classroom. So this creates a sort of cloud of conflicted emotions for me.

More than worth watching, just curious if anyone has the same sense.