What started as a regular school day in North Vancouver turned into something straight out of a movie. Adam Sandler and a Netflix film crew showed up at Sutherland Secondary School, making a surprise appearance.
Portions of the upcoming production were filmed on campus, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at how movies come together.
According to TUDUM, Sandler is in Vancouver filming his new movie, Time Out. Based on the film L’Emploi du temps, the movie follows Vincent, a laid-off family man who goes to extreme lengths to hide his job loss from his loved ones.
A front-row look at movie magic
Sutherland Secondary students were surprised by a visit from Sandler last week while he was filming the movie, with portions of the production shot on campus throughout the day.
According to a LinkedIn post shared by the school’s principal, Mark Barrett, the students were given a rare chance to see the film industry in action. From crew setups to on-site filming, the production offered a real-life look at what it’s like to work in the film industry.
“It was incredible to see the excitement and energy throughout the building,” Barrett wrote,
Barrett also highlighted the value of the experience for the students, “It was meaningful for our students to see that industry up close and to better understand the scale of collaboration, creativity, and professionalism involved in bringing a production to life.”
And to top off the whole experience, a few students were even pulled into the action as background performers, including drama students and student-athletes, which made the whole thing feel even more special.
Staff and students embraced the day by showing up in baggy shorts and oversized T-shirts, fully committing to the “Adam Sandler Day” theme.
More than just a movie set
The visit also gave the students a closer look at British Columbia’s growing film industry, which plays a major role in the province’s economy and creative workforce.
Moments like this are becoming more common across Western Canada, with Alberta and British Columbia continuing to grow as major hubs for film and television production.
One of the most memorable parts of the day came when Sandler himself took time to interact with students and staff. According to Barrett, “he took hundreds of selfies throughout the day” and made a point of engaging with students whenever possible.
It’s not every day a celebrity shows up at your school, and even less often do students get to experience a film production happening right in front of them. I think it’s safe to say this is one “spirit day” no one will forget anytime soon!
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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