“As the Bell Rings” Sitcom Shorts Premiere August 26 on Disney Channel
via Disney Channel press release:
“AS THE BELL RINGS,” SITCOM SHORTS
ADAPTED FROM DISNEY CHANNEL ITALY’S HIT SERIES,
TO PREMIERE SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 ON DISNEY CHANNEL
LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2007 . . . “As the Bell Rings,” sitcom shorts based on Disney Channel Italy’s hugely popular short form series “Quelli dell’Intervallo,” will premiere SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 (two episodes airing at 8:25 p.m. and 8:55 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel U.S. This marks the first time Disney Channel U.S. has adapted a programming format developed by an international Disney Channel.
Filmed utilizing one stationary camera, the 15 vignettes (2-5 minutes each) introduce six friends — Tiffany, Danny, Charlotte, ToeJam, Brooke and Skipper. The stories follow their exchanges, antics and occasional tween drama in the school hallway during classroom breaks.
In making the announcement, Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide, said: “Each adaptation of this series is a proven winner, and its bite-sized format is ideal for showcasing wherever and whenever our young viewers want to consume it, from television and online to mobile platforms and portable devices.”
Disney Channel Italy’s series has inspired locally-produced adaptations that currently air on Disney Channels in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, and soon on Disney Channel Australia. By the end of the year, it will premiere across Europe and, on a global basis, 779 episodes will be produced.
In “As the Bell Rings,” the action takes place in a school corridor, just outside the principal’s office where the window into the students’ world is literally the window of the school building. The students use their break time to chat, conspire and collaborate on various school happenings, including Tiffany’s quest to enter a teen fashion design contest; ToeJam’s discovery of a survey he mistakenly believes was completed by Charlotte; Skipper’s intention to impress his friends by trying out for school mascot; and Brooke’s declaration that she’ll run for student body president.
The series was filmed at Del Valle High School in Del Valle (Austin), Texas.
Starring are Demi Lovato (“Barney & Friends”) as Charlotte, Tony Oller (“I Flunked Sunday School”) as Danny, Seth Ginsberg as ToeJam, Gabriella Rodriguez as Brooke, Collin Cole as Skipper and Carlson Young as Tiffany.