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Principal photography on Paramount Pictures' "The School of Rock" began on Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 in New York for producer Scott Rudin. A contemporary comedy starring Jack Black and Joan Cusack, the film is directed by Richard Linklater from an original screenplay written by Mike White, who also co-stars along with Sarah Silverman. Steve Nicolaides is the film's executive producer.

Black stars as a hell-raising guitarist with delusions of grandeur. Kicked out of his band and desperate for work, he impersonates a substitute teacher and turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock and rollers. Cusack portrays the principal of the private school where Black is prepping the kids for a Battle of the Bands.

Linklater has directed such films as "Waking Life," "The Newton Boys," "Before Sunrise," "Dazed and Confused" and "Slacker," among others.

Rudin most recently produced "The Hours," starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman. His prolific list of producing credits includes "Changing Lanes," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Wonder Boys," "Angela's Ashes," "The Truman Show," "In & Out," "The First Wives' Club," "Searching for Bobby Fischer," and "The Firm," among many others.

Screenwriter Mike White's feature film credits include "The Good Girl," "Orange County" and "Chuck and Buck." He has also written for the TV series "Pasadena," "Freaks and Geeks" and "Dawson's Creek."

Rogier Stoffers is the cinematographer, Jeremy Conway is the production designer and Sandra Adair will serve as editor on the film.

SOURCE: Paramount Pictures