Hallmark writes original 'Note'
Holiday TV movie to star Genie Francis
By JOHN DEMPSEYThe Hallmark Channel has commissioned "The Note," a holiday-themed TV movie to star Genie Francis and Ted McGinley and premiere on Dec. 8.
Co-produced by Lightworks Pictures (a Faith & Values company) and WildRice Prods., telepic concerns a lonelyhearts columnist who stumbles on a note written to an unidentified child by a passenger who dies in a plane crash. The columnist's editor tells her to go all out to find the child before Christmas and write about her progress in the column.
Hallmark Channel, one of the most aggressive cable nets in greenlighting original movies, plans to do up to 30 in the next year. Hallmark and Lightworks will own "The Note," said Joel Rice, of WildRice, one of the exec producers. But in most instances, Hallmark will buy just the exclusive basic-cable window to its pictures, allowing producers to retain the ancillary rights.
Rice's co-exec producer is William Spencer Riley. Maura Dunbar is the exec in charge of production for Lightworks. The director is Doug Barr, and Paul W. Cooper has adapted the novel by Angela Hunt.
Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972390.html
~~Angie
I loved "The Note". Will they let you help? I have read it at least three times. How close will the movie be to the book? :)
ReplyDeleteAngie - I am sooooo excited about this. "The Note" was the first book of yours that I read. Given me by a friend, it is still (after having read all the others) one of my favorites of your creative efforts. Heartiest congratulations - my family and I look forward to seeing it in December. Clyde
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about that as well - how close is the screenplay to the book, and do you have a say?
ReplyDeleteI have seen a script, but I am also aware that scripts can change even as the cameras are rolling. I know that the script changes the location, but most of the major details remain. At this point I am pretty much out of the picture.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, if you've read it, THE NOTE is a parable story--a prodigal daughter story, in fact. The thing that is most important to me is that the aspects of the parable remain true.
And I have one final hope--no matter how the movie differs, I am hoping that the movie will drive sales of the book--because the entire Truth is in the book, and reinforced by the discussion questions.
I have heard--but this may change--that the air date will be Dec. 22. I'll let you know if I hear anything different. I would expect them to be filming any day now, so let's pray for the process.
General Hospital's Luke and Laura--LOL! I never would have believed that "Laura" would be playing "Peyton."
~~Angie
Angie
ReplyDeleteAre you going to take part in the Fall Reading Challenge? It is being sponsored by Katrina at Callapider Days. Her blog is www.callapidderdays.blogspot.com
Yay for you!
ReplyDeleteAnd for us!
Does it benefit you? Other than increase in book sales? I mean, do they pay you to use it or anything like that?
i am so excited about the movie: "the note" finally becoming a reality! unfortunately, however, we don't get the hallmark channel. sometimes hallmark movie dvd's are sold after the fact. will this be the case on "the note?" i hope so! i have waited so long for this movie!
ReplyDeleteOops--if I'd read the Variety article more closely, I'd see that THE NOTE is supposed to air on December 8th.
ReplyDeleteand yes, I think it will be available on DVD eventually. Not sure when, though.
Angie
I believe that all Hallmark movies are put to DVD....sometimes its just hard to find them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so excited! I can't wait to see it. The Note was the second of your books that I read, and its the one that hooked me on your writings.
BTW, ever hear of Hollywood Prayer Network... you may be able to alert them to this wonderful development to add to their prayers for Hollywood.
What awesome news!
ReplyDeleteWOO--HOO! I love The Note and I've loved Genie Francis--ever since I was a soaper addict. Although I've been on the wagon for 25 years.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm a mild trekkie I love her husband, too. Er, uh, William Ryker was his character's name--what is his real name? Anyone?
Jonathan Frakes is Genie's husband's name.
ReplyDelete