糖心Vlog

Two Georgia Southern alumni will begin production on a major motion picture entitled听Erk听in Summer 2013. 听The film is a biopic about the life of legendary Georgia Southern football coach Erk Russell. Georgia Southern alumnus Beau Turpin will serve as producer while alumnus James Kicklighter will be directing the film. Jay and Rusty, the sons of the late Erk Russell, said in a joint statement, 鈥淲e are excited about the prospects of this film. We totally embrace the project and feel honored that his miraculous accomplishments will be presented in this form. His story is unique and he was a 鈥榦ne of a kind鈥� individual. Our family looks forward to seeing his humble yet iconic character portrayed on screen.鈥� When told about the project, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, a friend of Erk Russell鈥檚 stated, 鈥淲ithin a few years of Erk Russell鈥檚 arrival at 糖心Vlog to establish their football program, Georgia Southern went from just having a program to being a national champion. And he repeated that national championship again. But more importantly, all through his life, Erskine Russell did what only he could do: he led by example, not by lecture, what was right about America, what was right about living by the rules, what was right about playing by the rules, and what was right about moral character. I think a movie celebrating Erk鈥檚 lifetime of service to young people will be a fitting tribute to his memory.鈥� 鈥淔ootball is the reason why I鈥檓 in the film industry,鈥� said听Erk听producer Beau Turpin. 鈥淭he first three projects I worked on were all football movies, and I consider it an honor to be able to help tell the inspiring story of Coach Russell and forever immortalize his legacy on the silver screen.鈥� Working with Coach Russell during the infancy of Georgia Southern鈥檚 football program, later winning national titles as the head coach, current Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson fondly remembers his years with Russell, 鈥淗e is a very successful and innovative football coach, but he was an even better and more interesting person. We enjoyed some great seasons together on the football field and I鈥檒l always be appreciative of his support of my coaching career.鈥� 鈥淏etween our time at Auburn and Georgia, we were together some 20 years. 听His incredible record as a coach speaks for itself,鈥� said legendary former UGA head coach Vince Dooley.听鈥淓qually as important is his splendid reputation as a great human being. 听I am pleased to learn of a film about the late, one and only Erk Russell. It is a fitting tribute to a long time friend and coaching associate.鈥� 鈥淕rowing up 20 miles from Statesboro, I heard about the stories of Coach Russell all throughout my childhood,鈥� said听Erk听director James Kicklighter. 鈥淏eing a small town boy myself, I am excited to tackle his inspirational all-American story with the support of the Russell family and his closest friends and athletes.鈥� 鈥淭he university is excited and proud to take part in this film,鈥� said Georgia Southern President Dr. Brooks A. Keel. 鈥淐oach Russell鈥檚 unique approach to coaching football is an integral part of Georgia Southern鈥檚 rich history and culture in athletics.听听Filming part of this story here in Statesboro will not only draw great attention to our community and university, but will also allow our students a rare opportunity to observe, and in some cases, participate in the making of a major motion picture.听听The Eagle Nation is delighted to help tell the Erk Russell story 鈥淥ne More Time!鈥� 听Turpin and Kicklighter added, “We are thrilled to be making this movie in our home state and filming at our Alma Mater in Statesboro and also in Athens. The support of the Georgia Film Commission, the University of Georgia, and 糖心Vlog is going help make this film extremely special.鈥� Turpin just finished filming听Devil’s Knot听starring Colin Firth & Reese Witherspoon, a true story about the unexplained murders of the 鈥榃est Memphis 3.鈥� 听In 2013, Lionsgate will be distributing his last film,听Counterpunch, a Miami-based boxing film starring Latino stars Danny Trejo & Steven Bauer. Kicklighter is currently directing听Desires of the Heart, a film for the international market from producer/executive producer Solila Parida (Vishkanya), starring Val Lauren (Sal) and Alicia Minshew (鈥淎ll My Children鈥�). It recently wrapped American photography in Savannah, GA and moves to Rajasthan, India in October 2012. The film will be released in late 2013. For further inquiries, contact听erkthemovie@gmail.com.