Archive for the ‘Hallmark Hall of Fame’ Category

Front of the Class will be on The Hallmark Movie Channel this weekend two different times.

Friday, March 29th at 6pm (EST)
Saturday, March 30th at noon (EST)

Check local listings to confirm.

Be sure to look for my cameo appearance with my wife right after the orchestra concert when I’m getting up from my seat and heading to the stage. You’ll see us in the background as some of the teachers in the room.

That scene took about 8 hours to film. It was a long day, but the director said, that was the one scene he had to get right to make the movie really be successful.

You be the judge! Did they get it right?
Enjoy watching Front of the Class! It’s my favorite movie of all time and I hope it will become your favorite too.

Cheers,
Brad

Click Here to buy Front of the Class Now!

Be sure to check out this Hallmark Hall of Fame movie: A Smile as Big as the Moon. It is based on the book by Mike Kersjes and it is a true story. Tom Rickman wrote the screen play. He is the same guy who wrote the screen play for my movie, Front of the Class.

This movie should be a reminder to all of us to never give up, follow our dreams, and always dare to go where others can’t even imagine.

Check out ABC on Sunday, January 29th, 9pm EST.

Check out some news stories at these three links:

http://hallmark.com/online/hall-of-fame/behind-the-scenes.aspx
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/01/a_smile_as_big_as_the_moon_pre.html
http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/01/video.html

Movieguide Awards

The Movies Nominated

Click here to see pictures from the event: Dominic Scott Kay (pictured), Tom Rickman, Brent Shields, Andy Gottlieb, and Cameron Johann all in attendance repsenting Front of the Class.

We have officially learned that Front of the Class didn’t win the Faith and Freedom Award. That award was given to John Adams and The Medal. But we did win a special award which was not on the program for Outstanding Movie About a Disability. Members of the team got up to speak at the ceremony!

What an amazing 2 weeks I have just had. First we saw the movie at the Kansas City Premiere with the Hallmark Executives. Then we went to the LA Premiere with all the big name actors, writer’s guild members and Front of the Class team. Next was the Atlanta Premiere were we watched the movie with family, friends, and local actors. To top it off, I had a chance to see my movie, on my TV, in my lazy boy, in my jammies, in my own home like the rest of America saw it (with commercials).

I’m very proud of this movie. Jimmy Wolk and Dominic Scott Kay played me better than I play myself. Peter Werner (director) and the rest of his team put together one heck of a movie. Hallmark Hall of Fame is an amazing company and I could not ask for anything more. The 234th presentation of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie was ten times better than I could have ever wanted.

The emails that have come POURING in is a sign of the impact this movie has made across our nation. The positive energy that came from the viewers is something I will forever cherish. The support of my friends and family is something I’ll savor. And the lessons we will all take away from Front of the Class shall be legendary.

Although some will say this is the end of an amazing experience, I believe this is the beginning of an incredible journey. My mission is to make a difference one day at a time. I hope that others will help me achieve this goal. With a positive attitude, a passion for life and never giving up…….we can all achieve our dreams like I have.

Thanks for tuning in to CBS to watch Front of the Class. The movie will be out on DVD in late January in Hallmark stores around the country. In the meantime, grab your book copy of Front of the Class now so you’ll have it around from many years to come.

Thanks for all the support and let’s continue the celebration.

Cheers
Brad

P.S. Yes Nancy and I do love Milli Vanilli !!!!!

I’m pleased to announce that Front of the Class is now available in paperback.  Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin you’ll find Front of the Class in stores across America.  The release comes 2 weeks before the airing of Front of the Class as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on CBS on December 7th.  In the book you’ll find a new epilogue and a few more pictures.  Grab the book now as I hear it has a great ending.  It could be a great holiday gift for someone you know.

Click here to buy the book

I know my agent is still shopping around the book for other rights so if you’re interested, please contact her: Sharlene Martin, Martin Literary Management

Cheers

Let me introduce to you Helen Ingebritsen. Helen plays the role of Susan Scott in Front of the Class. Susan was my mentor when I first started teaching at Mountain View Elementary. Susan and I had a similar philosophy of education. We partnered up on a lot of projects to help make our lessons better for the kids. We took her experience and expertise with curriculum and my creativity and youth and put them together for a winning combination. She was a great mentor for me and we continue to keep in touch today.

Helen plays this role well. She was a delight to meet and I had a chance to see her act in just a few scenes. She had the look of a teacher and was very energetic about playing this role. I’m excited to see how things turn out. You’ll see in the movie that her support helps push me through my first year of teaching. Every first year teacher needs someone like Susan. I think you will enjoy her role in the film. Cheers

This is Joe Chrest, playing the role of Jim Ovbey in Front of the Class. I had a chance to chat with Joe for a while and he was a very nice guy. He’s been in a lot of films, most recently in “The Secret Life of Bees” which is about the be released. And of course how appropriate that the real Jim is a bee lover and makes his own honey right outside his home.

Meet Dianne Butler, playing the role of assistant principal to Brad Cohen in Front of the Class. Hilaie Straka is the AP who finally hired me on my 25th interview. Dianne was a very nice lady and did a good job acting as Hilarie. Of course, more make-up, more jewelry, a better wardrobe and a younger actress would have pleased Hilarie more, but life goes on.