Duke City Fills in for Salt Lake City

The Duke City has doubled for cities like Los Angeles and Munich. In the forthcoming Hallmark movie “Beyond the Blackboard,” the city doubles for Salt Lake City circa 1987.

“We wanted a location that had everything for us,” says Andrew Gottlieb, producer for the movie. “We had great weather, a great crew and spectacular locations. That’s why we chose Albuquerque.”

Gottlieb says producers of the film physically scouted three locations — New Orleans, Toronto and Albuquerque — that all had access to a railyard.

“We needed a railyard, because most of the movie would be filmed there,” he says. “It landed up being our home base for the film and were able to transition it into the school that housed the homeless children in the film.”

“Beyond the Blackboard” was filmed entirely in Albuquerque last summer and will air April 24 on CBS.

Gottlieb says the true story is based on Stacey Bess’ book “Nobody Don’t Love Nobody: Lessons on Love from the School With No Name.”

The film centers around a 24-year-old first-time teacher, Bess, played by “Brothers & Sisters” star Emily Van Camp, who overcomes her initial fears and prejudices and makes a difference in the lives of the homeless children she teaches in a shelter’s makeshift classroom.

With the school year already under way and her teaching options limited, Bess finds herself accepting a job at “a school with no name,” where she is expected to teach homeless children from grades one through six in the same classroom.

The film follows Bess’ character as she struggles to gain respect and voice her concerns for the children.

Van Camp says she didn’t know what she was getting into when she signed up for the film. She says she didn’t know anything about Bess’ story but quickly learned about her compassion for children.

“Stacey’s work is amazing, and she changed so many lives,” she says during a recent interview. “It’s been an honor to be able to portray her in a movie.”

Gottlieb says crews worked hard at getting Albuquerque to resemble Salt Lake City, especially the shots that needed to look like winter. It was a challenge because shooting was taking place in summer.

“We had all of the actors in long sleeves, and we were creating snow outside,” he says. “In a perfect world, we would have shot in winter, but the scheduling didn’t allow it. All of the actors were troupers and endured the conditions.”

Gottlieb is no stranger to Hallmark movies. “Beyond the Blackboard” marks his 18th film as a producer.

“These films are really great because they have a message,” he says. “An entire family can sit down, enjoy the film and learn something. This story is one of inspiration, and I feel very confident with our final product.”

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com.

‘Beyond the Blackboard’ WHEN: 8 p.m. April 24 on CBS, Channel 13