Schooled (film)
Encyclopedia
Schooled is a 2007 American independent
drama film, written and directed by Brooks Elms, and produced by Brian Hennessy and Lorenda Starfelt
. The film follows a traditional East Coast
school teacher (Daniel Kucan
), who becomes involved with a non-traditional, alternative school
in California, which leads to significant changes in his personal philosophy and lifestyle. The film co-stars Alysia Reiner
, and was co-edited by Frederick Marx
, the writer/producer/co-editor of the 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams
.
in Calabasas, California
, where it was nominated for "Best Ensemble Cast." According to the Alternative Education Resource Organization
, the film "stormed education conferences around the globe including: New York, San Francisco, Dallas, and Sydney, Australia." Schooled was also featured at the 2008 European Democratic Education Conference
. The film had its East Coast premiere at the Queens International Film Festival
.
". According to a press release for the film, Schooled writer/director Brooks Elms studied film at New York University
, where he received the Warner Bros. Production Grant, the NYU Film Fest Screenplay Award, and the Steven J. Ross Filmmaker’s Grant from the Hamptons Film Festival.
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
drama film, written and directed by Brooks Elms, and produced by Brian Hennessy and Lorenda Starfelt
Lorenda Starfelt
Lorenda Starfelt was an award-winning independent film producer, as well as a committed political activist and blogger who famously dug up president Barack Obama's in an August 1961 edition of The Honolulu Advertiser while researching her documentary on the 2008 presidential election...
. The film follows a traditional East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
school teacher (Daniel Kucan
Daniel Kucan
Daniel Charles Kucan is a carpenter, artist, interior designer, actor, and television personality on the Emmy Award-winning TV series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition....
), who becomes involved with a non-traditional, alternative school
Alternative school
Alternative school is the name used in some parts of the world to describe an institution which provides part of alternative education. It is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional...
in California, which leads to significant changes in his personal philosophy and lifestyle. The film co-stars Alysia Reiner
Alysia Reiner
Alysia Reiner is an American actress who has appeared in several award-winning films, television shows, and Off Broadway theatrical works.-Off Broadway:...
, and was co-edited by Frederick Marx
Frederick Marx
Frederick Marx is an Oscar and Emmy nominated producer/director. He was named a Chicago Tribune Artist of the Year for 1994, a 1995 Guggenheim Fellow, and a recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Special Achievement Award. Frederick Marx achieved international notoriety for his Oscar nominated film Hoop...
, the writer/producer/co-editor of the 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams
Hoop Dreams
Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James, with Kartemquin Films. It follows the story of two African-American high school students in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players....
.
Production
Schooled was shot on a limited budget in and around Los Angeles county in 2005-2006.Release
Schooled premiered at the Method Fest Independent Film FestivalMethod Fest Independent Film Festival
Method Fest Independent Film Festival is an independent film festival that has currently held over 8 festivals. It is held in Calabasas, California and is dedicated to support the work of those who produce, make and work in independent film and to provide educational opportunities in independent...
in Calabasas, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it was nominated for "Best Ensemble Cast." According to the Alternative Education Resource Organization
Alternative Education Resource Organization
The Alternative Education Resource Organization or AERO is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 to advance learner-centred approaches to education...
, the film "stormed education conferences around the globe including: New York, San Francisco, Dallas, and Sydney, Australia." Schooled was also featured at the 2008 European Democratic Education Conference
European Democratic Education Conference
The European Democratic Education Conference is a biennial conference of the European Democratic Education Community, a European network of people involved in democratic education. The first conference was held in Leipzig, Germany, from July 25 to August 3, 2008...
. The film had its East Coast premiere at the Queens International Film Festival
Queens International Film Festival
The Queens International Film Festival ran from 2003-2009. It is currently defunct and the website has been shut down.-References:*...
.
Reception
In his lengthy online review of the film at DVDtalk, Chris Nielson harshly criticizes Schooled's low-budget production values, while at the same time exploring writer/director Brooks Elms' various themes regarding "democratic schoolsDemocratic education
Democratic education is a theory of learning and school governance in which students and staff participate freely and equally in a school democracy...
". According to a press release for the film, Schooled writer/director Brooks Elms studied film at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, where he received the Warner Bros. Production Grant, the NYU Film Fest Screenplay Award, and the Steven J. Ross Filmmaker’s Grant from the Hamptons Film Festival.