Governor Bush Announces Grand Prize Movie Role in Read Together, Florida Essay Contest
March 29, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today announced that middle school students participating in the Read Together, Florida essay contest based on Carl Hiaasen's family book, Hoot, will have the chance of winning a walk-on role in the book's motion picture adaptation filming in Florida this summer.
"Read Together, Florida continues to grow, engaging Floridians and building appreciation for reading," said Governor Bush. "In addition to encouraging children to read and share Hoot, by Florida author Carl Hiaasen, our middle school students can now compete to become part of the movie being filmed in Florida."
The film is being produced by Walden Media (Holes, Because of Winn Dixie), Frank Marshall (The Bourne Supremacy, Seabiscuit) and Jimmy Buffet, with shooting scheduled to begin production in July. The Hoot movie script was written and will be directed by Wil Shriner (Frasier). New Line Cinema will distribute the film. Deadline for contest entry has been extended to April 22. Involvement with the movie, including a visit to the set and a walk-on role, is made possible by New Line Cinema, Walden Media and The Kennedy/Marshall Company.
Read Together, Florida is the state's one book/one state reading project held annually that encourages all Floridians to read and share one book title. This year's selection, Hoot, is appropriate for family reading. Hoot tells the fictional story of young Floridians who choose to take a stand when environmental and growth issues arise in their small town. Read Together, Florida runs from March 1 to April 30. Community activities tied to the book will take place across the state for readers of all ages.
This year's project includes a writing contest for middle school students that offers the opportunity to rewrite the book's ending. A first, second and third place winner will be selected by a panel of educators, business and literacy leaders across Florida. The project is managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation.
Prizes include:
Grand Prize- The grand prize winner will receive a walk-on role in the motion picture adaptation of Hoot, which begins filming in July. The student, his or her parent/guardian, and the winner's teacher will also be invited to visit the set. The winner will also receive a $1,000 scholarship, with an additional $1,000 cash award going to the student's school. The winning essay will be printed in Beginnings, a journal for first-time writers published by Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College, and the winning student will visit Governor Bush in Tallahassee to be presented with the journal. Scholarships will be provided by Washington Mutual.
Second Place- The second place winner will receive a $500 scholarship, a $500 cash award to the student's school, a gift certificate from Barnes & Noble, a signed copy of Hoot and a certificate of participation.
Third Place- The third place winner will receive a $250 scholarship, a $250 cash award to the student's school, a signed copy of Hoot and a certificate of participation.
Read Together, Florida, the one state/one book literacy promotion, is a project of the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative, managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation. The annual project is sponsored by Washington Mutual. Participating organizations include the State Library and Archives of Florida, the Department of Education's Office of Just Read, Florida!, the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College, Scholastic, Starbucks Coffee Company, Random House Children's Books and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, as well as local libraries and bookstores across the state.
Founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films' Dimension label, and Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks the imagination and curiosity of kids and provides parents and teachers with materials to continue the learning process. Walden Media is a subsidiary of AFG.
New Line Cinema is an independent film company with divisions devoted to production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures. New Line is also known for its Oscar®-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy. Together with its subsidiary, Fine Line Features, New Line is a unit of Time Warner.
For more information on the essay contest, or to access a list of activities, visit the official website by logging onto www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org during the months of March and April.
