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Projects and Partners I Hope You Dance 
I Hope You Dance is a song that won the Billboard Magazine Award for most performed song in America amongst numerous other major awards (Grammy, CMA, etc.). The # 1 hit was performed by Lee Ann Womack. M17 will produce a trilogy of transformational stories inspired by the chart topping "I Hope You Dance." This series of original dramatic films will be produced by Emmy winning producer Mark Wolper and Spencer Proffer, who will also produce and supervise all music connected with the series. The hit song was adapted as a best-selling book and over the years has become an anthem for high school graduations, weddings and other life milestones. Now, it's illuminating and hopeful message will be woven through three movies, each reflecting the theme of overcoming adversity with grace and humanity. The first film will serve as the anchor and prototype to make a series of annual films based on the song's sensibilities, lyrical and spiritual themes. The Wolper Organization pioneered the Hallmark Hall of Fame television franchise. We hope to follow that model with our series of inspirational, poignant, music anchored I HOPE YOU DANCE stories to the screen. Wolper and Proffer intend to cast name, accomplished actors in the key roles, and surround them with cameos from the music world in both acting and musical performance roles. Judith A. Proffer, M17's Vice Chair and head of its film, television, literary and charitable arms, will serve as the Co-Producer of the various properties for the franchise. M17 strategic partner Phillipa Sledge will serve as Co-Executive Producer of the feature film and Executive Producer of the Documentary. From the time the song/record were released to multi-platinum success years ago, to when Oprah Winfrey held the table top book of lyrics up on her show, this work has become an American classic message of hope, self empowerment and joy to millions. When one Googles the title, they will see the song is used in all forms of celebratory events from the Nobel prize ceremony, theme for the NY Firefighters, weddings and even therapies to help those in need of spiritual and faith lifts. Our plan is to make an important film in the spirit and demographic of films such as Ordinary People, Crazy Heart, The Blind Side, Sideways, to name a few prototypes. The hit song was adapted as a best-selling book and over the years, has become an anthem for high school graduations, weddings and other life milestones. In fact, the book goes into the NY Times best seller list every holiday season, given its connection to people. Prior to launching our feature, we will produce what we plan to be an inspired and moving documentary on how this particular song has impacted the lives of so many and continues to be an inspiration for those who get moved by it. I Hope You Dance (lyrics)
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder Womack told The Today Show, "You can't hear those lyrics and not think about children andandand hope for the future and things you want for them. And those are the things I want for them in life. I want them to feel small when they stand beside the ocean." She also said, "Sometimes I have fun and lighthearted things. But even "I Hope You Dance." I was so shocked to see the way the kids got it. Whenwhen I say kids, I mean, you know, like teen-agers. And we saw a big difference in our audience andand the young kids that were coming out to the shows and really into "I Hope You Dance." It turned into like a prom and graduation theme."[4] Womack told The Early Show, "I thought it was very special. It made me think about Aubrie and Anna Lisa. And II didn't knowI can't predict if something's going to be a big hit or not. But it certainly hit home with a lot of people, connected with a lot of people and took me a lot of new places that I had not been able to go before and took my career to a new level." Womack told Billboard, "It made me think about my daughters and the different times in their lives. As a parent, you just hope those are the kinds of things you will make your children think of. But it can be so many things to different people. Certainly, it can represent everything a parent hopes for their child, but it can also be for a relationship that's ending as a fond wish for the other person's happiness or for someone graduating, having a baby, or embarking on a new path. It fits almost every circumstance I can think of."[6] In another interview with Billboard, Womack said, "When a song really connects with so many people, it's because they felt something when they heard it. This song makes you think about and feel for the people you really love in your life. Who doesn't have someone like that in their life?"[ In 2006 Womack told Billboard about an incident at the Country Radio Seminar and said, "I made some new friends at radio, caught up with friends that I had known since the beginning of my career and was able to enjoy a few drinks. Unfortunately, the next day I was performing at the MCA luncheon in front of a crowd of radio folks and, feeling a bit under the weather, I completely blanked out on the lyrics of 'I Hope You Dance,' of all songs. Lucky for me, most of the audience was hung over too and had a good sense of humor about it."[ I HOPE YOU DANCE STATISTICS (partial): In addition to being atop the charts for six weeks and certified Double Platinum {2 million units} (as recorded by Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert), the song won the following awards:
Billboard & Radio Charting I HOPE YOU DANCE (Sanders/Sillers) Lee Ann Womack with Sons Of The Desert (MCA):
The Wolper Organization The Wolper Organization, under the leadership of David Wolper and his son Mark Wolper, has been responsible for the creation of over 500 films, which have won more than 150 awards, including two Oscars, 50 Emmys, seven Golden Globes, five Peabodys, and recognition and retrospectives from The Festival De Cannes and other respected international film festivals. David Wolper is also credited for creating the television miniseries, with 1967s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, and for creating the docudrama, with that same years They've Killed President Lincoln. Currently, the Wolper's have over 25 hours of longform programming in development at various broadcast and cable networks. They are producing the runaway hit Penn & Teller's BULLSH*T!, hosted by the famous magicians and devoted skeptics for SHOWTIME. Throughout its history, The Wolper Organization has created innovative and breathtaking ways to bring important and meaningful stories to the public. With an emphasis on quality, the Wolper's have found ongoing success in the entertainment business. Mark Wolper has been producing for television and film for over 20 years and, as president of the Wolper Organization, he has been involved in some of the most influential projects in entertainment including the Academy Award(r)-winning "L.A. Confidential" starring Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger; the multiple Emmy(r)-nominated mini-series "The Mists of Avalon" starring Anjelica Huston, Julianna Margulies and Joan Allen; the miniseries Queen, which was nominated for eight Emmys; and the Emmy-winning Murder in Mississippi. "The Thornbirds," starring Richard Chamberlain and Amanda Donohoe; and the Emmy(r)-nominated and NAACP-winning mini-series "Queen" starring Halle Berry. Mark Wolper began his producing career for television and film in 1981 as an independent producer working with studios such as Warner Bros., Showtime Networks, MGM and Disney on a variety of projects ranging from short films and documentaries to mini-series and foreign feature films. Wolper has steered the Wolper Organization into feature film production with Murder in the First, starring Christian Slater and Kevin Bacon; Surviving Picasso, starring Anthony Hopkins; and the Academy Award(r)-winning L.A. Confidential. In 1987, he joined his father David Wolper, himself a well-known figure in the entertainment industry who founded the company in 1958, in leading The Wolper Organization.
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