The feature-length documentary for Jimmy Wayne’s Project Meet Me Halfway approaches actual feature length! From hundreds of hours of footage, much of which originated with Jimmy himself as he walked halfway across America from Nashville to Phoenix, plus an exclusive interview with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Pat Alger* and many others, we are building a compelling account of an amazing journey.

Jimmy put his time, his career, his influence and his body on the line to bring awareness to a serious and pervasive issue in America today: foster teenagers who in most states at age 18 age out of the system and lose all financial and foster family support. They are expected to make it on their own. Many become homeless, become victims and perpetrators of crime, and cost society money instead of contributing to it. All in an effort to survive, instead of getting the additional preparation for life they need.

Thanks to Jimmy’s efforts during and since his walk, two more states have upped the age to 21, making all the difference in the world to their foster kids. This documentary will help extend his work even further while telling this remarkable story.

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*Nashville Songwriters Foundation wrote: “Pat Alger was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Allen Reynolds.  One of country music’s most soulful singers Jimmy Wayne performed a medley of the Alger songs ‘Goin’ Gone,’ ‘True Love’ and ‘Small Town Saturday Night.’  Music icon Garth Brooks closed out the set with performances of ‘Unanswered Prayers,’ ‘That Summer’ and ‘The Thunder Rolls.’”

Spot reel.

Congratulations to good friend Jimmy Wayne on the release of his first novel, Paper Angels.  Kudos, too, to our own Stephen Bowlby — narrator for the audio book version! Paper Angels is an inspiring read, drawn from Jimmy’s childhood experiences with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program.  And here’s the shameless pitch:  they’ll make great Christmas presents and available wherever fine books are sold!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jimmy Wayne’s 2010 Walk To Become Documentary

i25productions Will Begin Shooting in Nashville in July

Nashville TN July 11, 2011 – Jimmy Wayne will soon become the subject of a documentary based on his Project Meet Me Halfway, a 1700-mile, seven-month walk across America he undertook in 2010.  The journey was made to help raise awareness of America’s youth in Foster Care who age out of the system, and without any support, may become homeless.

Colorado –based i25productions, inc.  is set to begin filming in Nashville in mid July. The film will highlight Wayne’s experiences during his seven-month journey from Nashville to Phoenix, and the people, places and pieces of Americana he encountered along the 1700-mile trek.

“Having i25 get on board is a great opportunity for us to spread the message even further,” Wayne said. “I am incredibly grateful that the people involved in the company understand the plight of these foster children who age out of the system and are left without any options, and want to help America better understand that these kids need our help. They didn’t put themselves in this situation But there they are. It’s up to us to help them.”

The film will be directed by Stephen Bowlby and produced by Susie Scott, the principals behind i25. Southern California-based Jonathan West, ASC is the Director of Photography.“It’s astonishing to discover the extent of this issue throughout the US and how it devastates so many young lives,” Bowlby said. “We want people to understand what’s going on in their own communities, right under their noses, so they can intercede on behalf of our youth.”

Said producer Scott. “What an opportunity to produce a piece about an American tragedy — a broken foster system resulting in homeless youth — through a great American story — Jimmy Wayne’s homelessness, success and sacrifice to help change the system.  We are eager to begin production and hope this film will shine an even brighter light on the issue until sweeping changes are made.”

“Most of my career has been in theatrical, scripted TV series and movies,” West said. “But the most satisfying and memorable projects have been the documentaries, where we have explored real life dramas and social issues.  The goal is to enlighten and improve the human condition; to lend one’s creative energy to projects that really matter and might make a difference in some way.  I’m thrilled to be involved with this one.”

About i25productions, inc.

i25productions, inc. is a Colorado-based production company with offices in Denver, Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. It was formed in October 2000 by principals Stephen Bowlby and Susie Scott to address commercial and industrial needs of clients they had worked with over the years. They have shot in locations around the world.

About Jonathan West, ASC

Cinematographer Jonathan West has won a number of Emmys for his work on a variety of television shows, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and CSI.  He has served as Director of Photography on a number of hit television shows, including Charmed, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Profiler, to list but a few.

CONTACT: Jennfier Bohler/Alliance

615 292 5804

jenny@jb-alliance.com

i25productions, inc. just wrapped another week of film production for Marie Callender’s latest round of TV spots.

Marie Callender's Lemon Meringue

i25productions, inc. just wrapped on two more film days for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers- a great way to close out production year 2010. The mouth-watering food commercials were written by Red Robin’s advertising agency, Periscope, headquartered in Minneapolis.  

We continue to work with Jimmy Wayne on Project Meet Me Halfway – Jimmy Wayne survived a turbulent, abusive childhood. He was shuttled to a series of foster homes. He was a homeless teen, living by his wits on the street until a North Carolina couple named Russell and Beatrice Costner took him in and gave him a family. Before Russell and Bea, Jimmy was homeless and close to hopeless. He remembers the feeling of being without a family, without a home. He began Project Meet Me Halfway to raise awareness of the fact that too many youth — especially those that are aging out of the foster care system — are facing circumstances similar to those he faced.

Jimmy walked halfway across the country to raise awareness about youth who age out of the foster care system with nowhere to go.  Click HERE for more information about Project MMH.

Jimmy Wayne in the studio

Susie Scott visits with Jimmy Wayne in the studio

This is a video we did for Jeffco Action Center

This is a video we did on children in poverty and education.

A video on Evergreen Country Day School emphasizing education in all academics including arts in Colorado.

This video contains coverage about the Citation CJ3.

An Open Window