About Home Run

Synopis

Baseball all-star Cory Brand knows what it takes to win in the big leagues. But off the field, with memories of his past haunting him, his life is spiraling out of control.

Hoping to save her client’s career and reputation after a DUI and a team suspension, Cory’s agent sends him back to the small town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the only recovery program in town, Cory can”t wait to return to his old life as quickly as possible.

As his young players help him re-experience the joy of the game, Cory realizes his need for freedom from his past and hope for his future … and win back the love he left behind. With this unexpected second chance, Cory finds himself on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption.

Based on thousands of true stories, HOME RUN is a powerful reminder that with God, it’s never too late …freedom is possible.

About the Director

David R. Boyd, A.S.C.

David R. Boyd,A.S.C., is an American cinematographer, Television Director and Camera Operator, best known for his role as Director of Photography and/or Director for the popular television series Friday Night Lights, he also worked as cinematographer on the first three episodes of HBO’s Deadwood. He most recently finished his third season serving as Director and/or Director of Photography for television’s hit series, Walking Dead. David’s work on the silver screen includes work as Director of Photography for the Dolly Parton/Queen Latifah film, JOYFUL NOISE and the Oscar-winning short film, TWO SOLDIERS as well as GET LOW starring Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, and Lucas Black. David has developed a reputation as a highly skilled craftsman who can deliver the goods for everything from topflight cable fare to period features, and his shooting philosophy bears out this flexible attitude.

Director’s Statement

HOME RUN, as a project, whispered in my ear, “Do This!” It’s a clear-eyed look at what’s been passed along throughout time, father to son to grandson. It offers up a way to accept love and let the rest go. As the director I simply endeavored to focus cameras on free hearts and get out of the way, in the hope that this film could be a source of strength and understanding for the many, many good people in the world in need of a helping hand. To Life and Love! – David Boyd

About the Production

After more than three decades of developing faith-based television and film projects, Producers Carol Spann Mathews of Hero Productions and Tom Newman of Impact Productions set out to create a feature film that would offer a uniquely authentic, accessible message of hope. With a team of writers, they spent 19 months crafting HOME RUN, the story of alcoholic baseball star Cory Brand and his journey through fame, rock bottom and redemption. HOME RUN provides a candid look at addiction and transformation, inviting audiences to examine their own struggles and consider the possibility of recovery through Christ.

Mathews and Newman were committed to delivering this invitation as organically and credibly as possible, which led them to incorporate a global, Christ-centered 12-step recovery program called Celebrate Recovery into the story. In order to truly understand and depict the “real” Celebrate Recovery, each member of the HOME RUN production team journeyed through the program as participants. They also worked closely with Norma Murphy, the Oklahoma state representative for Celebrate Recovery, to select compelling, real testimonials shared by other program participants. By integrating the testimonials and their own personal discoveries into the script, they created a powerfully realistic experience for their protagonist…and helped shine the spotlight on the Celebrate Recovery movement. “We want people who feel imprisoned by their choices or habits to know they don’t have to carry that burden alone anymore,” said Spann-Mathews. “We hope people will sit in the theater and see themselves, and will consider that whatever holds them back, God can heal it. Change is possible.”

About Celebrate Recovery

The vision for Celebrate Recovery began with John Baker, a recovering alcoholic and pastor at Saddleback Church. After Baker’s own addiction nearly destroyed his family, he entered Alcoholics Anonymous, began attending church and soon embarked on a spiritual transformation. Over time, he grew increasingly uncomfortable with his inability to discuss his growing relationship with Jesus at AA meetings. He also felt that other believers like him must be struggling with similar issues and addictions, yet there seemed to be no platform for them to share their stories and pursue Christ-centered recovery together.

In a 13-page memo to his senior pastor, Rick Warren, Baker shared his vision for Celebrate Recovery. Together in small, supportive groups hosted by churches, participants would work through eight principles for recovery inspired by the Beatitudes shared by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

After reviewing the memo, Warren encouraged Baker to start Celebrate Recovery at Saddleback Church. Forty-five people attended that first meeting in 1991…and today, more than 19,000 churches around the world have joined Saddleback Church in offering Celebrate Recovery to their own communities.

To learn more, visit www.celebraterecovery.com.