Nick, Par pair again in 'Snow'

'Rugrats' collaborators reteam for Koch debut

By ANDREW HINDES

Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures started production Tuesday in Alberta, Canada, on "Snow Day," their first collaboration since the highly successful release of "The Rugrats Movie."

The under-$20 million family comedy toplines '70s icons Chevy Chase, Pam Grier and John Schneider ("The Dukes of Hazard"), along with youngsters Mark Webber, Zena Grey and Schuyler Fisk.

Taking place over a single magical winter day, the pic follows the five members of an ordinary American family, each of whose lives are changed in some way.

"Snow Day" is the feature debut of director Chris Koch, whose TV credits include episodes of Nick series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" and "Kablam!" The screenplay is by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi.

Nick president of film and television Albie Hecht produces along with Julia Pistor. Raymond Wagner is the exec producer.

"It's our first live-action family movie, and we'll bring our own left-of-center style to it," said Hecht, who said the film would be a step up in terms of budget and production values for Nickelodeon.

"Snow Day" is the fourth feature collaboration between Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount. It follows the modestly budgeted live-action pics "Harriet the Spy" and "Good Burger," and the animated hit "The Rugrats Movie," which has grossed over $96 million to date.