Pick6
09-11-2009, 04:46 PM
Last year’s Gainesville State School-Grapevine Faith Christian football game that had movie written all over it is, indeed, being made into a movie.
OneHeart, based on events surrounding that game, is planned to hit theaters in fall 2010. Producer Steve Riach, of Colleyville-based Eterne Films, said he plans for the movie to be filmed locally beginning early next year.
The game, played in Grapevine last November, received national attention for the way Faith fans rooted for the visiting Gainesville State team.
Gainesville State is a maximum-security correctional facility, and the Tornadoes typically have no fans other than school personnel and volunteers. In the final game of the 2008 regular season, Faith fans and cheerleaders formed a pregame spirit line for Gainesville State players to run through and then sat on their sideline and cheered for them by name.
The Tornadoes lost 33-14 to end their season 0-9, but their two touchdowns scored during the second half matched their total for the previous eight games. After the game, players were so excited from the unexpected support that they doused their coach with a victory-like, squirt-bottle shower.
"I think it has all the elements of an incredibly captivating story," Riach said. "It has drama, intrigue, it’s got a dark side, and it’s got redemption. And I think all those elements based around a true story make it a story that has all the elements to be successful and to contain a powerful and uplifting message for the audience."
Lane Garrison is writing the screenplay, and Riach said he is in discussions with a potential director. Cast members are expected to be signed over the next couple of months.
Riach has received a surprisingly high number of inquiries from directors, actors and musicians who want to be part of the movie even without seeing as much as an overview of the story line. He said investors have shown a similar response.
OneHeart is in the second of two investment phases to meet the film’s expected $5.5 million budget. Riach said coaches and players from the Dallas Cowboys have joined the project, and many of the potential investors he has met with around the country have previous knowledge of the game.
"People are touched by the story, want to participate, and want it to be powerful and have an impact," Riach said.
Garrison brings an intriguing background to the movie. He was a starting receiver at Richardson Pearce in the late ’90s, so he knows Texas high school football well. He also was released from prison in April.
Garrison, who played David "Tweener" Apolskis on the television series Prison Break,spent more than 19 months in prison after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and providing alcohol to a minor.
He said the hopelessness and darkness of prison life he experienced helps him relate to Gainesville State players.
"Providing hope for young people, giving them a second chance, letting them know somebody loves them — that is something I am experiencing presently," Garrison said by telephone from California.
Garrison hopes to visit the area later this month to talk with coaches and players from the game.
Riach said an initiative is being developed to turn publicity from the movie into means for helping incarcerated and at-risk youth.
"The story transcends a football game," Riach said. "It’s not a football game. Football just happens to be the setting.
"It’s a story about the fabric of people’s lives, and the back story of the people adds an amazing element to the story. This is a story about human lives and the impact they can make on other people."
ONLINE: www.oneheartmovie.com
http://www.star-telegram.com/358/story/1597403.html
OneHeart, based on events surrounding that game, is planned to hit theaters in fall 2010. Producer Steve Riach, of Colleyville-based Eterne Films, said he plans for the movie to be filmed locally beginning early next year.
The game, played in Grapevine last November, received national attention for the way Faith fans rooted for the visiting Gainesville State team.
Gainesville State is a maximum-security correctional facility, and the Tornadoes typically have no fans other than school personnel and volunteers. In the final game of the 2008 regular season, Faith fans and cheerleaders formed a pregame spirit line for Gainesville State players to run through and then sat on their sideline and cheered for them by name.
The Tornadoes lost 33-14 to end their season 0-9, but their two touchdowns scored during the second half matched their total for the previous eight games. After the game, players were so excited from the unexpected support that they doused their coach with a victory-like, squirt-bottle shower.
"I think it has all the elements of an incredibly captivating story," Riach said. "It has drama, intrigue, it’s got a dark side, and it’s got redemption. And I think all those elements based around a true story make it a story that has all the elements to be successful and to contain a powerful and uplifting message for the audience."
Lane Garrison is writing the screenplay, and Riach said he is in discussions with a potential director. Cast members are expected to be signed over the next couple of months.
Riach has received a surprisingly high number of inquiries from directors, actors and musicians who want to be part of the movie even without seeing as much as an overview of the story line. He said investors have shown a similar response.
OneHeart is in the second of two investment phases to meet the film’s expected $5.5 million budget. Riach said coaches and players from the Dallas Cowboys have joined the project, and many of the potential investors he has met with around the country have previous knowledge of the game.
"People are touched by the story, want to participate, and want it to be powerful and have an impact," Riach said.
Garrison brings an intriguing background to the movie. He was a starting receiver at Richardson Pearce in the late ’90s, so he knows Texas high school football well. He also was released from prison in April.
Garrison, who played David "Tweener" Apolskis on the television series Prison Break,spent more than 19 months in prison after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and providing alcohol to a minor.
He said the hopelessness and darkness of prison life he experienced helps him relate to Gainesville State players.
"Providing hope for young people, giving them a second chance, letting them know somebody loves them — that is something I am experiencing presently," Garrison said by telephone from California.
Garrison hopes to visit the area later this month to talk with coaches and players from the game.
Riach said an initiative is being developed to turn publicity from the movie into means for helping incarcerated and at-risk youth.
"The story transcends a football game," Riach said. "It’s not a football game. Football just happens to be the setting.
"It’s a story about the fabric of people’s lives, and the back story of the people adds an amazing element to the story. This is a story about human lives and the impact they can make on other people."
ONLINE: www.oneheartmovie.com
http://www.star-telegram.com/358/story/1597403.html