"What Oberon has successfully done," says Hoeger, "Is bring together a mid-western disciplined business approach, primarily under the direction Tom (Oberon Chairman, Thompson Rogers) and a previously loose alliance of Nebraskans who have achieved success in the film business."
"That alliance is expanding," explains Hoeger, "For example writer, Don Winslow, introduced Oberon to experienced Hollywood producer, Peter Heller ("Bones", "Like Mike"). He, in turn, recruited the casting director who got the attention of FULL RIDE's stars." Heller also pitched FULL RIDE's foreign distributor PorchLight Entertainment.
As the Director of Second Unit Photography for Nebraska's Academy Award Nominated Writer/Director Alexander Payne, Andy Anderson earned the respect and friendship of Jim Glennon, the Director of Photography for Payne?s films shot in Nebraska- "Citizen Ruth", "Election" and "About Schmidt." Glennon became an associate producer for FULL RIDE and lined up key representation with one of the top Hollywood agencies, TGA (The Gersh Agency) which brokered the deal with the WB. Other Nebraskans with success in or close ties to the film industry that made important introductions for Oberon include writer, Richard Dooling; Production Designer, Sandy Veneziano; and Attorney, George Krauss.
Producer Andy Anderson explains what separates FULL RIDE from other films made in Nebraska. "This is a Nebraska owned film. The money from the sale of this film, not just from the production of it, will come back to Nebraska. We look forward to negotiating video and DVD rights and promoting the film to other cable outlets. This sale proves that a film financed, produced and shot in Nebraska is capable of reaching national and international markets."
FULL RIDE tells the story of an athletically talented, but misdirected teenage boy who is recruited to play football in a Nebraska all-star bowl game. His teammates, coaches and a strong-willed young woman change the direction of his life. A love story develops between the film's two stars, Meredith Monroe and Riley Smith. Monroe?s credits include five seasons with the popular WB series "Dawson's Creek" and several movies. Smith has an important role in the current film "Eight Legged Freaks" and is a featured cast member in "Raising Dad" on the WB Television Network.
The movie is based on the original story and script by former Nebraska Cornhusker player George Mills. Over 2,000 local extras were used in the production. The film wrapped principal photography in May of 2001, and editing took place at Oberon?s downtown offices in the summer and fall of 2001. Mike Hill edited FULL RIDE immediately after editing the Academy Award winning film "A Beautiful Mind." Hill
won an Oscar for editing "Apollo 13."
"We wanted our first film to be a Nebraska story. This is the beginning of an ongoing plan to bring film and independent production to Nebraska," says Hoeger "Oberon is part of a world-wide trend to decentralize entertainment production from the traditional setting-- Hollywood."
