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August 2008 Letter to Potential Partners
I am writing to you today to make you aware of the incredible project I am leading, and ask you for whatever help you are led to provide.
Propelled by faith, a great team, and a great story; I am in the process of producing an inspirational, coming of age feature film that has
hockey as its backdrop.
How did I end up riding atop the hood of this car pinned to the windshield at 75 mph?
Well, I have about 40 years in the game as former player, NHL agent, Junior A general manager, referee, and youth hockey coach. Having
grown up in the “biggest little hockey town in the US,” Clinton, N.Y., it is in my blood.
Recently, this passion (or is it an addiction?) got coupled with the goal I set for myself to unleash my creative talents by writing a novel. I did
so in the middle of the nights over an 18-month period. Thus was born the 640 page book, “Full Force,” a title borrowed from the Van
Morrison song by the same name.
My goal was to get the book published, have it be a New York Times bestseller, and then turn it into a movie over the next 10 years. That
was the plan, at least until several people read the book and said, “Now. We have to make the movie now. The move can impact way more
people, way faster,” they said.
So, I began studying the film industry and determined they were absolutely right. Films like Facing the Giants, Juno, Clerks, Bella, Once,
and The Ultimate Gift all showed that good stories need to be told; and that people are longing for uplifting, purposeful entertainment. I
concluded we could do it. It also became apparent that with the right group of highly motivated and competent people, it would be possible
to accomplish telling this story with only a modest budget.
That’s where we are now.
Operationally, the 640 page “Full Force” novel has been successfully shrunk into an excellent screenplay.
Personally, I have come full circle. I wrote the book to be by myself and not rely on other people to get it done. Now, I am heading up a team
of 20 production people and 50 actors. We are adding new members every day, and this will require me to deal with hundreds of people
going forward. But I have accepted this calling. It is meant to be.
So what is the movie about?
Peter McNamara’s manhood is forged in the furnace of competitive sports. At seventeen, he prematurely leaves home to pursue his goal of
obtaining a Division 1 college hockey scholarship. He carries the conflicting influences of his angelic mother and volatile father with him.
The voices of friends and foes also confront and torment him in some very serious situations. Through it all, Peter presses on, searching
for and trying to take hold of his destiny. Who or what will it take for Peter to get it all together and live up to his potential? Can he do it?
Is it a hockey movie?
Yep, it’s a hockey movie, but it is also a relationship movie. It is filled with complex and emotional relationships between Peter, his family,
his friends, and his foes. Hockey is the backdrop that helps to reveal and shape Peter’s character.
Will it portray hockey in a good light?
The NHL, NHL franchises, College Hockey, and Junior Hockey will be portrayed realistically, but favorably.
Will it portray Dallas, Detroit, and Buffalo in a good light?
Yes. Peter meets a very cool and supportive host family in Dallas. He begins his turnaround in Detroit thanks to a wise and caring coach.
Peter chooses Buffalo over Yale and Michigan because of the community and Buffalo's young coach. Ultimately, Peter finds himself, and
finds peace in the world, as a result of coming to Buffalo.
What is it rated and what is the content?
Although the book is grittier, and probably an “R,” the movie will be rated PG-13. There is no nudity, no F bombs, and no inappropriate God
references. There is some light swearing, mostly among or directed at the young men.
Where are you now?
We have finalized the script. With the exception of a few roles, we have cast almost 40 people from across the country in the film. We have
nearly all the locations. We are pursuing corporate product placement agreements. We have much of the music, including commitments
from some national recording acts. We are going to shoot the film in October here. In Buffalo
And after that?
We are striving to get Full Force into the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in May of 2009 (ESPN sponsors a sports division in this festival).
Before, during, or after that festival; we would like to strike a distribution deal so that it can be released theatrically in November or December
of 2009 to coincide with the escalation of the 2009-2010 hockey season.
How can I help?
Currently, when you say hockey and movie in the same sentence; people say, “Slapshot.” We want to tell a great story and in doing so
improve the image the American public has of hockey. We have been told that Full Force has the potential to be the next Rudy. Since it is
more complex and more about a struggling talent finding his way, we call it “Good Will Hunting on ice.”
By way of background, I have been a self reliant person since I started delivering newspapers at 10 and cleaning a laundromat at at 15
(starting at 5 am). After that, I put myself through college (all 3 degrees). So, it is not in my nature to ask for help, but in this case I have no
choice. For the sake of the message, the Buffalo community, our production team, and the great cast we've assembled; we have to get this
done.
We need your help in opening the right doors to the right people and we are asking for your financial support.
Trust me; we are approaching this movie in the most cost efficient manner possible. We only need $300,000 from an individual or group of
investors to get this film done and out. People can come in at the $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 level. Given the success of
some of the films mentioned previously, the potential to generate a 2x, 5x, 10x return on your investment in the project is not at all
unreasonable. Without publicizing it at all, we’ve had legitimate interest to finance the film already. When its all said and done, our hope is
that it will be financially supported by people who share our belief that the principles we are putting forth in this movie have the power to
change peoples’ hearts, minds, and lives for the better.
Please give me a call at your convenience so that I can share more with you about this worthwhile project. I know about your
accomplishments, heart and commitment to the community; I would love to have you be a part of this.
Sincerely yours,
John M. Hannon, Ph.D.
Producer & Professor of Management
716-998-6000 cell
www.johnhannon.com
I am writing to you today to make you aware of the incredible project I am leading, and ask you for whatever help you are led to provide.
Propelled by faith, a great team, and a great story; I am in the process of producing an inspirational, coming of age feature film that has
hockey as its backdrop.
How did I end up riding atop the hood of this car pinned to the windshield at 75 mph?
Well, I have about 40 years in the game as former player, NHL agent, Junior A general manager, referee, and youth hockey coach. Having
grown up in the “biggest little hockey town in the US,” Clinton, N.Y., it is in my blood.
Recently, this passion (or is it an addiction?) got coupled with the goal I set for myself to unleash my creative talents by writing a novel. I did
so in the middle of the nights over an 18-month period. Thus was born the 640 page book, “Full Force,” a title borrowed from the Van
Morrison song by the same name.
My goal was to get the book published, have it be a New York Times bestseller, and then turn it into a movie over the next 10 years. That
was the plan, at least until several people read the book and said, “Now. We have to make the movie now. The move can impact way more
people, way faster,” they said.
So, I began studying the film industry and determined they were absolutely right. Films like Facing the Giants, Juno, Clerks, Bella, Once,
and The Ultimate Gift all showed that good stories need to be told; and that people are longing for uplifting, purposeful entertainment. I
concluded we could do it. It also became apparent that with the right group of highly motivated and competent people, it would be possible
to accomplish telling this story with only a modest budget.
That’s where we are now.
Operationally, the 640 page “Full Force” novel has been successfully shrunk into an excellent screenplay.
Personally, I have come full circle. I wrote the book to be by myself and not rely on other people to get it done. Now, I am heading up a team
of 20 production people and 50 actors. We are adding new members every day, and this will require me to deal with hundreds of people
going forward. But I have accepted this calling. It is meant to be.
So what is the movie about?
Peter McNamara’s manhood is forged in the furnace of competitive sports. At seventeen, he prematurely leaves home to pursue his goal of
obtaining a Division 1 college hockey scholarship. He carries the conflicting influences of his angelic mother and volatile father with him.
The voices of friends and foes also confront and torment him in some very serious situations. Through it all, Peter presses on, searching
for and trying to take hold of his destiny. Who or what will it take for Peter to get it all together and live up to his potential? Can he do it?
Is it a hockey movie?
Yep, it’s a hockey movie, but it is also a relationship movie. It is filled with complex and emotional relationships between Peter, his family,
his friends, and his foes. Hockey is the backdrop that helps to reveal and shape Peter’s character.
Will it portray hockey in a good light?
The NHL, NHL franchises, College Hockey, and Junior Hockey will be portrayed realistically, but favorably.
Will it portray Dallas, Detroit, and Buffalo in a good light?
Yes. Peter meets a very cool and supportive host family in Dallas. He begins his turnaround in Detroit thanks to a wise and caring coach.
Peter chooses Buffalo over Yale and Michigan because of the community and Buffalo's young coach. Ultimately, Peter finds himself, and
finds peace in the world, as a result of coming to Buffalo.
What is it rated and what is the content?
Although the book is grittier, and probably an “R,” the movie will be rated PG-13. There is no nudity, no F bombs, and no inappropriate God
references. There is some light swearing, mostly among or directed at the young men.
Where are you now?
We have finalized the script. With the exception of a few roles, we have cast almost 40 people from across the country in the film. We have
nearly all the locations. We are pursuing corporate product placement agreements. We have much of the music, including commitments
from some national recording acts. We are going to shoot the film in October here. In Buffalo
And after that?
We are striving to get Full Force into the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in May of 2009 (ESPN sponsors a sports division in this festival).
Before, during, or after that festival; we would like to strike a distribution deal so that it can be released theatrically in November or December
of 2009 to coincide with the escalation of the 2009-2010 hockey season.
How can I help?
Currently, when you say hockey and movie in the same sentence; people say, “Slapshot.” We want to tell a great story and in doing so
improve the image the American public has of hockey. We have been told that Full Force has the potential to be the next Rudy. Since it is
more complex and more about a struggling talent finding his way, we call it “Good Will Hunting on ice.”
By way of background, I have been a self reliant person since I started delivering newspapers at 10 and cleaning a laundromat at at 15
(starting at 5 am). After that, I put myself through college (all 3 degrees). So, it is not in my nature to ask for help, but in this case I have no
choice. For the sake of the message, the Buffalo community, our production team, and the great cast we've assembled; we have to get this
done.
We need your help in opening the right doors to the right people and we are asking for your financial support.
Trust me; we are approaching this movie in the most cost efficient manner possible. We only need $300,000 from an individual or group of
investors to get this film done and out. People can come in at the $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 level. Given the success of
some of the films mentioned previously, the potential to generate a 2x, 5x, 10x return on your investment in the project is not at all
unreasonable. Without publicizing it at all, we’ve had legitimate interest to finance the film already. When its all said and done, our hope is
that it will be financially supported by people who share our belief that the principles we are putting forth in this movie have the power to
change peoples’ hearts, minds, and lives for the better.
Please give me a call at your convenience so that I can share more with you about this worthwhile project. I know about your
accomplishments, heart and commitment to the community; I would love to have you be a part of this.
Sincerely yours,
John M. Hannon, Ph.D.
Producer & Professor of Management
716-998-6000 cell
www.johnhannon.com