Movie This Weekend

On Sunday night at 9:00, ABC is airing a movie called, "A Smile as Big as the Moon".  It's a true story about a special education teacher who dreams of taking his students to space camp.  I'll be watching (and crying I'm sure - since I'm super sappy) and hope you do to.  Here is an article from JDNews.com about two of their local special needs children who received rolls in the movie.

Special needs students land part in movie

January 18, 2012 5:34 AM


ANIESA HOLMES - DAILY NEWS STAFF


Two local special needs students are making their acting debuts in a television movie that will air this month.

Jacksonville residents Jessica Martinez, 25, and Kristofer Imhoff, 22, will be featured in “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” a Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions movie that will air on Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

"A Smile as Big as the Moon" is based on a book written by former high school football coach and special education teacher Mike Kersjes, who teams up with teacher Robynn McKinney to bring a group of special needs students to Space Camp in 1988.

“I never acted in anything before but I was happy,” Jessica said.

Jessica’s mother Jeanette Martinez said the opportunity came by complete chance several months ago after a friend informed her of an upcoming casting call for the film.

“They were looking for young adults to play as special needs (characters),” Jeanette said. “I sent them a picture of Jessica and said that she doesn’t have to act it because she lives it every day.”

They received a phone call from a casting director and headed to Wilmington for auditions.


“When we were there the director (James Sadwith) enjoyed meeting us so much he decided to go a different route and use actual special needs kids instead of just people who act special needs,” Jeanette said. “He asked if we knew any other kids who could be a part of it.”


Jessica, who has Down syndrome, and Kristofer, who is autistic, are both students at the Adult Day Activity program for special needs students at IQuOLIOC Inc. in Jacksonville. Jeanette asked IQuOLIOC owner and director Tammy Cleveland to assist with getting more students involved. Students Norma Petrackis, Eric Shepard, Raymond Hamrick and Brandon Rhodes were selected as day extras for the movie.


“Kris and Jessica were what they called featured extras,” Jeanette said. “They filmed the entire time and were just like the regular cast, and some of our other kids were day extras.”


Cleveland accompanied the students for filming in Wilmington and at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., from Sept. 28 until Oct. 29, where they had the opportunity to experience space flight simulators and even got their very own space suits to take home. They also had the chance to meet and work alongside actors John Corbett and Jessica Schram, who play Kersjes and McKinney, respectively. Cleveland said she was impressed that her students never complained and enjoyed the demanding experience.
“They had very long days; they would start between five and seven in the morning and we didn’t leave until five in the evening,” Cleveland said.


Not only were the students excited about being featured in a movie, but they also took advantage of having their own trailers on set and other additional perks of being an actor.


“I was excited about being at our hotel and going to the pool and all of the food,” Kristofer said.


Jeanette and Cleveland plan to invite family and friends for a private red carpet movie premiere on Jan. 29 at the Jacksonville Country Club to congratulate the actors on a great performance. Jeanette said that she hopes the experience will encourage Jessica, Kristofer and others who have special needs to pursue their dreams.


“It was the experience of a lifetime, and when Jessica came back she said ‘I want to do this again,’” Jeanette said. “That tells you how wonderful everyone was. Working with kids in general can be hard and special needs kids can be really difficult, but love and compassion was shown to all of them.”

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,