HOPE FLOATS: Production, Cast, and Soundtrack Information

*Please be patient while this page loads because there is a wav on it. This wav is an extract of Garth Brook's "To Make You Feel My Love" from the film's soundtrack!*

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*About the production*

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•Steven Rogers' original screenplay was set in Arkansas, but Obst and Bullock, both of whom enjoy strong Texas ties, decided to film HOPE FLOATS in the Lone Star State. The majority of filming took place in Smithville, a small town about an hour outside of Austin.
•Bullock explains the reason for choosing Texas as the production's home: "I wanted to find a place where the people had a sense of pride and honesty about who they were. Texans have a great sense of humor about life that I haven't quite figured out, but which I nonetheless find very appealing. There is a special atmosphere that is almost palpable and an energy that says 'Home'. I wanted that feeling in the film. It's certainly not something that could ever be created in a studio."
•Location scouting was an almost eerie experience, for Smithville was laid out just as it read in the script. "It was remarkable how we found the various locales " a haunted house, retirement home, school and bar " just as they had been written," says Obst. "It was almost as though we had been there before."
•The central location was Birdee's family home. Her father had been a taxidermist and the character's house subsequently was filled with stuffed animals, a constant embarrassment to Birdee during her youth. "I think Ramona could only accept the stuffed animals in the house by making them fanciful or unique, so she dressed them in ways that made them acceptable to her," explains production designer Larry Fulton, referencing the bizarre collection of animals seen adorned in various costumes.
•Not only did Smithville serve as a spiritual haven from the stresses and strains of the modern world, it also seemed to be an oasis of calm during some turbulent Texas weather. When filming began in early May amid some of the worst storms in recent history, Smithville somehow remained relatively unscathed. In fact, the filmmakers were shocked to find, when returning to Austin after a trouble-free day of filming, that the city and some adjacent towns had been hit by some of the worst storms ever: the town of Jarryl was obliterated by a devastating tornado, electricity was out, roads flooded and television stations were off the air.
•Everyone on the film was deeply disturbed by the tragedy. Led by Bullock, they collected money and provisions to help the survivors.
•The bad weather continued throughout May and June, with abnormally high rainfall and cool temperatures. Flooding became a serious problem, and there were many days where the crew drove through blinding rain and winds only to find the sun shining when they arrived at the location.
•The uncertain weather was evident during a key sequence in which Birdee and Justin kicked up their heels at a traditional dance out in the beautiful Texas hill country. To prepare for the scene, both Bullock and Connick had spent many hours learning the two-step with choreographer Patsy Swayze. Connick, for one, really needed the practice. "I had lied to everyone when I did the audition," he jokes "and told them I was one of the founders for the two-stepping association of America, so I could get this gig. In reality, I had never done it before in my life. So I was pretty awful when I started the film, but I practiced a lot at different bars and dance halls around town " and of course working with Patsy was sensational."

*About the Main Cast Member*

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•SANDRA BULLOCK's (Birdee, Executive Producer) motion picture breakthrough came with the 1994 blockbuster "Speed." Her performance as the unwilling bus driver 'Annie' led to a string of starring roles. •Her next two features, "While You Were Sleeping" (which earned her a Golden Globe nomination) and "The Net," were both critical and popular successes. She subsequently starred in "A Time to Kill," "In Love and War," "Two If By Sea" and "Speed 2: Cruise Control." Bullock made her debut as a writer/producer/director with the short film "Making Sandwiches," in which she starred with Matthew McConaughey. The short debuted at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. HOPE FLOATS is Bullock's feature film producing debut. •She is currently filming the fantasy-thriller "Practical Magic," produced by her company Fortis Films, which Bullock launched to help support the talent of up-and-coming filmmakers. Bullock is also set to star opposite Ben Affleck in the comedy "Forces of Nature," and will be heard as the voice of Miriam in the upcoming animated feature "Prince of Egypt." •Bullock's additional roles have included "Wrestling Ernest Hemingway," "The Thing Called Love," "The Vanishing" and "Demolition Man."


*Hope Floats Soundtrack - Company Press Release*

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•"Hope Floats" Soundtrack CD Soars With Superstar Lineup Produced by Don Was Soundtrack Debut From America's Biggest-Selling Solo Artist, Garth Brooks Featuring All-New Recordings From the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger & Martina McBride, Lyle Lovett, Deana Carter, Trisha Yearwood and The Mavericks, Plus Songs By Bryan Adams, Sheryl Crow, Jonelle Mosser and More.
•The first two singles from the "Hope Floats'' soundtrack spotlight two of America's biggest-selling artists:
•Mega-multiplatinum recording artist Garth Brooks marks his first-ever soundtrack contribution, performing a heartwrenching cover of Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love.'' "Just to get to work with and know Don Was and Forest Whitaker was my greatest honor on this project,'' said Brooks.
•Bob Seger-penned "Chances Are,'' marks the first time the multiplatinum-selling artist has recorded a duet, performed on "Hope Floats'' with Martina McBride. "Chances Are'' is also the first new song from the Detroit rocker in three years.
•Created by multi-Grammy-winning producer Don Was (Bonnie Raitt, Rolling Stones, Brian Wilson) with executive producer Forest Whitaker, the soundtrack was conceived of as a unique collection of artists and music that comprise a complete album unto itself, in addition to being a keepsake from the film.
•"The idea was really to find the appropriate mood for each particular spot in the movie that required music, and then to make the best record out of it,'' said music supervisor/producer Was. "Popular music is for life outside of the theater. I wanted to take all the associations that one has with the textures of popular music and make it work with the emotional content of the film.''
•The music of "Hope Floats'' is the first complete soundtrack produced by veteran Don Was.
•The "Hope Floats'' soundtrack album features an unbeatable lineup of new recordings, destined to be one of the biggest soundtracks of 1998:

Bryan Adams -- "When You Love Someone'' (acoustic version)
Garth Brooks -- "To Make You Feel My Love'' (written by Bob Dylan)
Deana Carter -- "What Makes You Stay'' (classic new song written for the film by Mike Reid, who also penned Bonnie Raitt's memorable hit, "I Can't Make You Love Me'')
Sheryl Crow -- "In Need'' (previously available only as an import)
Lyle Lovett -- "Smile'' (newly recorded timeless classic written by Charlie Chaplin)
The Mavericks -- "All I Get'' (newly recorded song)
Lila McCann -- "To Get Me toYou'' (new song written for the film by hitmaker Diane Warren)
Jonelle Mosser -- "Stop in the Name of Love'' (cover of The Supremes' original chart-topping hit)
The Rolling Stones -- "Honest I Do'' (newly recorded Jimmy Reed tune)
Bob Seger & Martina McBride -- "Chances Are'' (first-ever Bob Seger duet)
Gillian Welch -- "Paper Wings''
Whiskeytown -- "Wither, I'm A Flower'' (newly recorded song)
Trisha Yearwood -- "Make You Feel My Love'' (her first soundtrack recording since her Grammy and Oscar contender ``How Do I Live'')

•The film stars Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr.. "Hope Floats'' is a very special drama from director Forest Whitaker, the "Crying Game'' actor who made his brilliant theatrical directing debut with "Waiting to Exhale,'' the box-office smash that yielded one of the best-selling multiplatinum soundtrack albums of all time.
•Hope Floats is the dramatic story of Birdee Calvert (Sandra Bullock) who always liked surprises until her husband's infidelity shatters her life like a nuclear bomb. Heartbroken and totally humiliated, Birdee packs up her young daughter and moves back home to Smithville, Texas, with her eccentric mother (Gena Rowlands).
•The one-time high school beauty queen's life becomes complicated as she tries to deal with her crumbling existence. As Birdee deals with renewed relationships and personal demons, she gradually learns to be true to herself. Eventually she discovers things she had almost given up on: love, acceptance and a life full of hope.
•The Twentieth Century Fox film was directed by Forest Whitaker, produced by Lynda Obst ("Sleepless In Seattle,'' "The Fisher King,'' "One Fine Day'') and executive produced by Mary McLaglen ("One Fine Day,'' "The Client,'' "Sommersby'').
•The film stars Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr. and Gena Rowlands. Executive soundtrack producers are Don Was and Forest Whitaker. Gary Gersh, president & CEO, and Liz Heller, executive vice president, served as executive soundtrack producers for Capitol Records. Capitol Records will release the original soundtrack album on May 19. The film opens nationwide on May 29.

All information from the "Hope Floats" site.

*UPDATE On 3 Songs Missing From The Soundtrack*
(I get asked these questions all the time!!!)
1. The one song they played in the drive-in scene in HOPE FLOATS is called "Back When We Were Beautiful" by Matraca Berg, and that it's on her CD called "Sunday Morning to Saturday Night".
2. And the lip synching song from the film is called "Can't Get Next to You" from The Temptations' "Puzzle People" album of
about 30 years ago. Probably available on CD reissue or Temptations Greatest Hits.
3. The song from the trailer is called "Lightning Crashes" by the band Live, off their CD "Throwing
Copper."

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