Learning Resources and hand2mind - Holiday Movie Set with their Employees Extras

by Learning Resources | 15 Feb 2024

General

(film crew sets up in LR warehouse)

While chatting with Rick Woldenberg (in cover photo with lead actress Tamara Feldman) and his team at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, they mentioned that Learning Resources and hand2mind were the focal set of the Christmas movie about a reporter on an assignment to do a puff piece about a Christmas toy manufacturer and the charming toymaker who inspires her to search her heart and find true happiness. The film premiered on HULU during the holidays. The majority of the movie was filmed in the suburbs of Chicago, working with Learning Resources and hand2mind was a no-brainer for production, and the company was more than happy to offer its warehouse, personnel, and even its own CEO to support in the production process. Rick said in his role as an extra was to be in the warehouse with a clipboard counting inventory, which is ironic since LR does not use clipboards nor do they manually count as everything is computerized.

“It was our pleasure to host the production team, cast and crew of Reporting for Christmas at our warehouse and offices,” said Sari Winick, Learning Resources and hand2mind Chief Marketing Officer. “Over 60 of our employees served as extras in the film, which was fun for everyone, and much appreciated by the film’s production team. Since the release, we have held several watch parties at our offices, and celebrated the fact that ‘our movie’ was a top 10 release on Hulu this past Christmas season. Participating in the movie was a great experience for everyone at our family of companies.”

(Learning Resources and hand2mind parking lot)

Below is the press release along with more information about this awesome event!

LOCALLY PRODUCED “REPORTING FOR CHRISTMAS” TO PREMIERE ON HULU NOVEMBER 1ST

CHICAGO, IL – The uplifting, family-friendly holiday movie Reporting for Christmas will premiere on Hulu November 1, 2023, where it will be streaming exclusively this holiday season. The film will also be available to rent or purchase on major TVOD/EST platforms, including Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu.

Reporting for Christmas follows idealistic reporter Mary Romero on an assignment to do a puff piece about a Christmas toy manufacturer and the charming toymaker who inspires Mary to search her heart to find true happiness.

The film was directed by award-winning, Chicago-based filmmaker Jack C. Newell (Christmas with Felicity) and stars Tamara Feldman (The CW’s Gossip Girl, Walker), Matt Trudeau (NBC’s Chicago Fire, ABC’s General Hospital), Kelvin John Davis (Showtime’s The First Lady, NBC’s Chicago P.D.), Maura Kidwell (Hulu’s The Bear, USA’s Sirens), D.B. Sweeney (The Cutting Edge, Eight Men Out), and more.

Reporting for Christmas is primarily set in the fictitious town of Brunswick, Iowa, but most of the movie was shot on location in Historic Downtown Long Grove, which Fox News named one of "The ten best Christmas towns in America" in 2021. Long Grove staples Brothers’ Field, Country House, Enzo & Lucia Ristorante, Sock Monkey Museum, and The Village Tavern are among the many local businesses featured in the film.

Additional photography took place at educational toy manufacturer Learning Resources and its sister company, hand2mind, in Vernon Hills with CEO Rick Woldenberg and his family making cameos. Filming also took place at The Cherry Tree Inn B&B in Woodstock, which cinephiles will recognize as the iconic bed & breakfast from Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day, as well as various locations in downtown Chicago, including WTTW’s Chicago Production Center and Italian Village Restaurants.

Reporting for Christmas is the second holiday title from Very Merry Entertainment, a joint venture between the Illinois-based Throughline Films and Argonaut Entertainment Partners. Throughline partners John W. Bosher and Chris Charles produced the film. Argonaut’s Jonathan Bross, Long Grove’s own Michael Okun, Vanessa Shapiro of Nicely Entertainment, and Feldman served as executive producers along with Ted Reilly, Kelly Aisthorpe Waller, John Waller, and Markie Glassgow of Chicago Media Angels.

Post-Production was done at Journeywork Entertainment and Noisefloor in Chicago. Nicely is handling worldwide distribution and arranged the premiere on Hulu.

“Long Grove and the surrounding area couldn’t be a more ideal backdrop for Christmas movies,” said Bosher. “We’re grateful to all the communities and businesses for welcoming us with open arms.” The producers remain true to their word by creating local jobs in addition to providing everyone involved exposure to a global audience. “We’re huge fans of Hulu and couldn’t be happier partnering with them for the release of this film,” added Charles.

For more info on Reporting for Christmas, go to: www.nicelyentertainment.com/catalog/reporting-for-christmas

Embed Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fubo4Yk9ooE

Download Trailer: www.vimeo.com/824124364

Photos: www.bit.ly/48vDMxm

IMDb: www.imdb.com/title/tt22167232