(MENAFNEditorial)
It’s a story of grit determination passion and perseverance. When Joe Ellis battling terminal colon cancer coached Surry County (Va.) High School to the 2005 state basketball championship his unyielding resolve touched the lives of many.
And Cathy Durant of Atlanta in association with Devine Communications Video & Film Production and D. Ellis Enterprises Inc. wants to bring it to the silver screen.
Durant a former TV News Producer who has directed documentaries TV shows and music videos is about to embark on her most ambitious project ever Going Out a Champion the Coach Joe Ellis Story . This full-length motion picture directed by Cathy Irby Durant will tell the true story of Ellis’ final days and how his players as well as the entire community and the media rallied around the ailing coach. Ellis died eight weeks after the state championship game.
The film is based on the true story novel written by Doris M. Ellis. Dominiqiue Wilkins former Atlanta Hawks star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame will play Joe Ellis and Bea W. Bliss plays the role of Doris Ellis Joe's wife and wind beneath his wings. Plus a host of Hollywood Stars.
“This is an extraordinary saga one that transcends basketball” said Durant. “It’s much more than just a sports movie it's a love story between Joe and Doris and the Surry County VA Community. Joe was a very special person and when he died more than 3000 people attended his funeral packing the school gym that's named in his honor.
“People from near and far lined the streets of Surry County to say goodbye to the town's hero. This film will keep the legacy of coach Joe Ellis and his Surry County championship team alive.”
Durant is planning to produce a first-rate Hollywood-type film and needs significant funding to make it happen. She estimates that $700000 plus matching private funds is needed for film production crew and cast.
In order to generate the $700000 Durant has launched an Indiegogo campaign which can be viewed at www.indiegogo.com/projects/going-out-a-champion-the-coach-joe-ellis-story-feature-film
Donations of any amount are welcome. For contributions of $18 or more backers will receive perks such as coffee mugs T-shirts caps gym bags and hoodies. For $200 you can attend the reenactment of the 2005 Virginia State High School Basketball championship game at Virginia Commonwealth University as a Featured Movie Extra sitting in a floor seat at court-side.
Durant is also seeking corporate sponsorships of $10000 or more.
“At the end of the championship game people who knew of Joe's Illness were shedding tears of joy as he smiled and held up the trophy as Virginia State High School Basketball champion” Durant said. “It had become a national story. It was like a scene out of a Hollywood movie.”
Nine years later Durant is working hard to make that happen.
For additional information visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/going-out-a-champion-the-coach-joe-ellis-story-feature-film; the Going Out a Champion Facebook page www.facebook.com/goingoutachampion; or Durant’s website www.cathydurant.com
Durant can be reached directly at cathydurant1@gmail.com
Contact Name: Cathy Irby Durant
Company Name: Devine Communications Video & Film Production
Email Address: cathydurant1@gmail.com
Website URL: http://www.devinecommunicationsvideofilmproduction.com
City: Atlanta
State: GA
Zip Code: 30328
Country: USA
Phone Number: 404-585-0812
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