Chasing a Dream
Encyclopedia
Chasing a Dream is a made-for-television movie. Filmed in the Ventura County area
of California
, the movie premiered on Hallmark Channel
on April 25, 2009, and stars Andrew Lawrence
and Treat Williams
.
star Cameron (Andrew Lawrence
) is traumatized when his best friend is killed in a car accident that he feels responsible for. When Cam learns that his best friend (a track
star) was working on breaking the sub-four minute mile, he decides to honor his friend’s memory by accomplishing the goal for him. Cam is met with strong opposition from his football coach and father Gary (Treat Williams
), who feels he's throwing his sports opportunities away. The father-son disagreement begins to tear the family apart, but Cam continues to pursue his goal, hoping to put his friend’s memory to rest at last.
in Simi Valley, California
. Some of the running scenes where Cam jogs along the street were filmed on the street outside the Larry Levinson studios, also located in Simi Valley, California
. The party scene was filmed in the parking lot of the studio.
Star Magazine gave it 3 stars, saying that "Lawrence and Williams capture the father-son tension" well, and that Lawrence's performance is "moving." The magazine concludes: "This straightforward drama packs a strong emotional punch."
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
of 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...
, the movie premiered on Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
on April 25, 2009, and stars Andrew Lawrence
Andrew Lawrence (actor)
Andrew James Lawrence is an American actor. He is sometimes credited as Andy Lawrence or Andy J. Lawrence.-Career:...
and Treat Williams
Treat Williams
Richard Treat Williams is a Screen Actors Guild Award–nominated American actor and children's book author who has appeared on film, stage and television...
.
Plot
Senior high school footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
star Cameron (Andrew Lawrence
Andrew Lawrence (actor)
Andrew James Lawrence is an American actor. He is sometimes credited as Andy Lawrence or Andy J. Lawrence.-Career:...
) is traumatized when his best friend is killed in a car accident that he feels responsible for. When Cam learns that his best friend (a track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
star) was working on breaking the sub-four minute mile, he decides to honor his friend’s memory by accomplishing the goal for him. Cam is met with strong opposition from his football coach and father Gary (Treat Williams
Treat Williams
Richard Treat Williams is a Screen Actors Guild Award–nominated American actor and children's book author who has appeared on film, stage and television...
), who feels he's throwing his sports opportunities away. The father-son disagreement begins to tear the family apart, but Cam continues to pursue his goal, hoping to put his friend’s memory to rest at last.
Cast
- Treat WilliamsTreat WilliamsRichard Treat Williams is a Screen Actors Guild Award–nominated American actor and children's book author who has appeared on film, stage and television...
as Gary Stiles - Joanna GoingJoanna GoingJoanna C. Going is an American actress.-Early life and education:Born in Washington, D.C., she is the oldest of six children of Lorraine M...
as Diane Stiles - Andrew LawrenceAndrew Lawrence (actor)Andrew James Lawrence is an American actor. He is sometimes credited as Andy Lawrence or Andy J. Lawrence.-Career:...
as Cam Stiles - Kevin KilnerKevin KilnerKevin Kilner is an American television and film actor.Kilner was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Dorothea, a kindergarten teacher, and Edward Kilner, who worked in advertising sales and insurance. He made his first television appearance on an episode of The Cosby Show in 1989...
as Lou, the track coach - Jake McLaughlin as John Van Horn
Filming locations
The track sequences and high school scenes were filmed on location at Royal High SchoolRoyal High School (California)
Royal High School is one of three public high schools in Simi Valley, California. Royal is part of the Simi Valley Unified School District and is located on Simi Valley's west side....
in Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
. Some of the running scenes where Cam jogs along the street were filmed on the street outside the Larry Levinson studios, also located in Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
. The party scene was filmed in the parking lot of the studio.
Critical reception
A reviewer at BlogCritics had mixed feelings about the film.Star Magazine gave it 3 stars, saying that "Lawrence and Williams capture the father-son tension" well, and that Lawrence's performance is "moving." The magazine concludes: "This straightforward drama packs a strong emotional punch."
External links
- Chasing a Dream at Hallmark ChannelHallmark ChannelThe Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
- Chasing a Dream at Hallmark ChannelHallmark ChannelThe Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
's Press Site - Chasing a Dream On Location Behind-the-scenes video
- Interview with Writers at RW Racing News