By: debbie lynn elias
Making its Los Angeles debut at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival, within just a few frames, CHALK immediately became one of my top picks as a “Must See Festival Film” even then. But luckily for all of you, I wasn’t the only one impressed with this funny, quirky and sooo realistic look into the classroom from the faculty point of view. After winning the Jury Award at LAFF, as well as others at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, Cinequest, Florida Film Festival, not to mention an Independent Spirit Award nomination for the John Cassavetes Award for Best Film Made Under $500,000, CHALK now hits the big screen in limited release this weekend with subsequent nationwide release to follow.
Think of CHALK as a teachers version of “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” – humorous with a serious undertone about the teaching profession. Directed by Mike Akel and written by Akel and Chris Mass, the film is an invigorating and “educational” look into the school year of Harrison High School in Texas. Honing in a few faculty favorites like Mr. Stroope, Mr. Lowrey and Assistant Principal Reddell, we are treated to the “inside scoop” of what we, as students, always suspected was going on inside the faculty lounge.
First year rookie Mr. Lowrey is the perfect example of why so many students consider history boring. Met with silence on this first day of class, one gets an inkling of things to come. Completely inept and with an irritatingly discernible stutter, he has no skills either as a teacher or a social being and fails so miserably to connect with his students, one wonders how or why he ever became a teacher. Telling of his abilities is the constant “disappearance” of his chalk from the blackboard tray. On the other hand, fellow history teacher Mr. Stroope is so self-absorbed and full of himself that he believes himself to be the best teacher in the entire public school system – anywhere – and waits with bated breath for the announcement that he will be named “Teacher of the Year.” In his dreams!! Unfortunately for Mr. Stroope, despite all that delusional grandeur, he not only has no clue how to spell the words, but undoubtedly draws a blank at their meanings or context usage. And of course, hasn’t the majority of students at one time or another suspected or wondered about the sexual preferences of their female gym teacher? At Harrison High things are no different and Coach Webb spends all of her time trying to convince faculty and students alike that just because she’s aggressive(to the point of yelling at fellow teachers for not giving out late slips to students), has short hair and “teaches” gym, she is not gay; in fact, she longs for a stable loving romance. And everyone takes a cue from the first year Assistant Principal, Mrs. Reddell, who is fresh off her teaching duties as choir teacher/leader. Putting her trained voice to good use, she is never without her walkie-talkie as she chases through the halls after kids skipping class a la “Cops” or better yet, “Reno! 911.” (Oh, perish the thought!)
A cast of virtual unknowns, the four main leads are played by actors while the rest of the cast are actual students and teachers who get in on the fun with ad-libbing and their basic school day routines. As his character appears for his first day of teaching, so does Troy Schremmer as he tackles the role of Mr. Lowrey. Obviously incorporating first-time film naivete (although he did have a recurring role on “Days of Our Lives”and is a theater trained) into that of a first time, first day teacher, he is enjoyable, laughable and fun from his dejected, head-hanging frustration to his aimless searching and “who stole my chalk” inquiry, while gracing the character with an admirable determination and dedication. Also notable is Janelle Schremmer as Coach Webb. A trained theater actor, this is her first film role and she throws herself into the character with energy and aplomb. Co-writer Chris Mass also appears as the self-beloved Mr. Stroope and plays the part to the hilt. He is so convincing, as I saw the film for the first time I had immediate frightening visions of at least 5 former teachers of mine who he could have easily been portraying, particularly when he chastises one student in class for knowing more than him. A challenge not just for the Schremmers and Mass, but also for Shannon Haragan who plays Asst. Principal Reddell, was the lack of script. Given their theater training, all were used to having dialogue in hand so the CHALK experience and having to “create” on the spot was something surreal. According to Janelle Schremmer, “They would call out ‘action’ and we would say, “What? What do we do?’ But that’s why the comedy is so brilliant. You can’t script a lot of this stuff.”
And brilliant it is. Written by Mike Akel and Chris Mass and directed by Akel, the success of CHALK comes from the mundane everyday experiences garnered by writer/director Mike Akel and Mass, themselves former teachers, and their desire to tell a story that sheds light on a disheartening statistic – why 50% of teachers quit within the first three years of entering the profession. With a goal in mind, emotional objectives, basic scene structure mapped out and at best, minimal dialogue, the film is a mockumentary-style (with basic undeniable truths) capitalizing on the seemingly trivial and petty events in the educational setting, providing something for everyone to relate to, and gives new meaning to the expression “day in, day out.”
Take the simple task of using a paper cutter. Yes, they do still exist and trust me, they aren’t always that easy to operate. After all, you have to line up the paper on the little grid squares, make sure you don’t have too much paper under the blade, and then cut the paper without cutting yourself. If you had to do this day in and day out, very single day of the school year, wouldn’t you get a bit aggravated? Imagine what this tedium does to the psyche of the faculty. Despite the comedy, however, it is also a sad commentary on the budgetary restrictions of our schools as paper cutting is used as a paper saving method. And how many of you remember when “dancing” was added to gym class? For many, including myself, this is a flashback to terror. But what happens when supposed techno-clubbing is taught by someone like Coach Webb whose style of dance is more like a cross between “Disco Duck” and “Peppermint Twist”? (Thankfully teachers may now just refer students to weekly tv watching assignments of “Dancing With the Stars.”) My particular favorite, and one that had tears of laughter streaming down my face, involves a reverse spelling bee where teachers vie for the championship of who can spell student slang.
Punctuated with those all important classroom milestones, the prom, homecoming, vacation, long weekends, pep rallies, parent teacher conferences, how many weeks left until summer, vacation (bears repeating), we get insight into the myriad types of teachers out there and what makes them tick. Should I be a good teacher or a nice guy? Lesson plans or loafing? Homework or house party? And we get a look at ourselves as students through the eye of the camera, either driving teachers to distraction or pushing them onward in their own pursuits to challenge and cultivate our young minds while retaining their own sanity.
Shot on location in June 2004 at the very high school where Akel himself once taught, his intimacy with the school itself and classroom setting is undeniable and welcomingly refreshing. The familiarity he has with the project and setting translates to the screen and is a major factor in the popularity and a connection of the public thus far with the film. An 18 day shoot, post-production wasn’t complete until September 2005. Particularly impressive is that the film belies awareness of the camera by the actors which together with post-production interviews adds to the credibility, realism and documentary feel.
A purveying irony threads throughout that affords an appreciable level of humor without turning the film or teachers into a mockery. A common ground for all to relate I guarantee there’s a teacher here that will touch a chord in each and every one of you. As eloquently stated by Mike Akel, “While the temptation in portraying the American high school is to be cynical, our goal was to remain honest, respectful and hopeful.” Nice job, Mike. I give CHALK an “A.”
Troy Schremmer: Mr. Lowery Janelle Schremmer: Coach Webb Chris Mass: Mr. Stroope Assistant Principal Redell: Shannon Haragan
Directed by Mike Akel. Written by Mike Akel and Chris Mass. Rated PG-13. (85 min)
