HBO's Temple Grandin movie première is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2010, 8 p.m. (EST). This project was filmed in the Austin area. Regional talent, including many University of Mary Hardin-Baylor film students, alumni, and faculty, were cast for multiple scenes with Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara, and David Strathairn in this film about Dr. Temple Grandin. UMHB students (Ashley Cook, Brittany Golden, Ariel Sheffield, Ashley Ramirez, Laura Gebhart, Rachel Jeske, Brianna Edwards, Sarah Hughey, Candice Green, Ashley Biederman, Chelsea Martinez, Jenna Keefe, Teaven Barnum, Jordan Cash, Casey Cox, Travis Mitchell, Zach Raygoza, Jake Tatum, Nathan Jenkins, Garrett Smith, Luke Cielonko, Alex Adcock, and Kendall Doles) have especially performed as a core group of students in Temple Grandin's high school days. Brittany Golden has been selected as their team leader. David Dunlap, UMHB alumnus, was cast in board room scenes with Claire Danes, as Temple Grandin. Dr. Dave Howard and I have been on the set for days of filming of Temple Grandin's undergraduate graduation. Cast as parents, we have enjoyed scenes with Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara, and David Strathairn. Those of us from UMHB, who have been involved in this project, have been pleased to support it and to be a part of it. This movie is an inspirational, autobiographical story. We have been impressed with the leads, support cast, crew, directors. There has been committed dedication to this film and a production atmosphere of congeniality, artistry, and diligent work.

Temple Grandin is a 61-year-old woman with autism. She is known as one of the leading figures in autism advocacy. As a child, she was derided by her classmates for being different. She was nicknamed "tape recorder" because of her tendency to repeat things numerous times. However, Grandin went to college and eventually earned a PhD in animal science. She ultimately also became an advocate of humane slaughterhouses. She is a role model who has shown both the struggles and successes that can come from autism. This passionate, autobiographical film of her life is richly meaningful