News Article

Sony Pictures Television Movie "Unanswered Prayers" To Film in Virginia

Television Movie, Produced By Garth Brooks to Film in Richmond Area

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Rita McClenny
Virginia Film Office

RICHMOND - The Virginia Film Office announced today that Woodridge Productions, Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, will film Unanswered Prayers, a made for television event movie. Unanswered Prayers is based on the popular Garth Brooks song of the same name. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard and R&R charts. Lifetime Television has cast Samantha Mathis (The American President) and Eric Close (Without a Trace) in the lead roles. The movie will begin filming in September, and will air in late November of this year. Following the release, Unanswered Prayers, will be distributed widely on DVD in the United States and overseas.

"Unanswered Prayers is a part of the Governor's Jobs and Opportunity Agenda," Virginia's Lieutenant Governor William T. "Bill" Bolling commented. "We are honored that the producers of Unanswered Prayers have decided to film this wonderful production in Virginia and we look forward to working with them. Our ability to secure this production is a direct result of the investments we made earlier this year in the Governor's Motion Picture Opportunity Fund and our film tax incentive programs. As these programs continue to grow, so will our ability to attract major projects and larger film investment to our state."

The film explores the themes of marriage, family, community and second chances with love. This is the story of a happily married father living the American dream. When the woman who was his high school sweetheart returns home, he must face his past and will be presented with a choice that could change his future forever.

The film's Executive Producers are Lisa Sanderson, Producing Partner & CEO of Red Strokes Entertainment and multi-Grammy-winning country music artist Garth Brooks. Certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as the #1 selling solo recording artist in US history, Brooks has sold more than 128 million albums and has won every accolade the industry can bestow on an artist. Garth Brooks headlined President Obama's Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial and currently plays 15 weekends a year at the Encore Theatre, Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. The film is being produced through Red Strokes Entertainment.

Executive Producer Lisa Sanderson commented, "We are honored and proud to produce Unanswered Prayers in Virginia and thank you so much for welcoming us to your great state."

The media production industry employs 4,000 Virginians and had an economic impact in 2008 of $378 million.

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For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.