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

Gross USA:

$300,633

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

Great Film | Better Than Expected

I'm a big Christopher Guest fan and honestly went into this film expecting to be disappointed, but wound up being pleasantly surprised. Chalk was very entertaining, often hilarious, at times touching, and even managed to pull everything together to actually tell a story pretty well. The development of the Mr. Lowery character from start to finish was great. There were only a handful of actors in the film (the rest were real students, principals, teachers, etc.) and they were great. Troy Schremmer was excellent. Anyhow, I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys finding comedy in the ridiculousness of life or basically anyone who enjoys good mockumentaries. Or, people who are teachers or are related to teachers and know that world. Two thumbs up.