This comes to us from:
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director
Rhode Island Film & Television Office
One Capitol Hill, 3rd Floor
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-3456 PH
401-222-3018 FAX
The Rhode Island Film & Television Office is very proud to announce that BROTHERHOOD, the critically acclaimed winner of a 2007 Peabody award, has been picked up for a third season and will continue to be shot on location in Rhode Island. The drama stars Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish and Fionnula Flanagan and was created by Blake Masters. It is Executive Produced by Blake Masters, Henry Bromell and Elizabeth Guber Stephen.
BROTHERHOOD marked the first Showtime series to receive exposure on a broadcast network when its' corporate sibling CBS aired the pilot in primetime, and is the first television series to be filmed entirely in the State of Rhode Island. The premium cable network has ordered eight more episodes to be shot on location in Providence and East Providence, as well as other towns and cities within the Ocean State.
" 'BROTHERHOOD' is one of our shining hours at Showtime - a drama series that is among the highest-quality shows offered anywhere on television," stated Showtime's Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt.
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, welcomes the groundbreaking series BROTHERHOOD back to the Ocean State, adding, "Historically, this is the first television series to be filmed entirely in Rhode Island. It highlights what a remarkable success can occur when city and state officials work in conjunction with the private sector to foster a healthy environment for creative talents to shine. The return of BROTHERHOOD will provide additional opportunities for our talented and dedicated local workforce. In the previous two seasons, BROTHERHOOD has employed over 300 local full-time crew members and produced more than 225 speaking roles for local actors, along with approximately 3,000 extra and walk-on roles. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Showtime executives, producers, cast and crew for making our beautiful state their location of choice."
In 2005, the General Assembly passed aggressive motion picture and television tax incentive legislation to bring more movie and TV productions to Rhode Island.
Governor Donald L. Carcieri signed that legislation into law.
"The decision to film a third season of BROTHERHOOD in Rhode Island is a tribute to a good story and a great place to tell it," Governor Carcieri said. "Rhode Island is proud to welcome this project home, and the State Film and Television office should be credited for putting our State in front of the Hollywood decision makers."
Speaker of the House William J. Murphy, who sponsored the incentive along with President of the Senate Joseph A. Montalbano, said, "It's great news that Showtime has decided to shoot a third season of BROTHERHOOD entirely in Rhode Island. The production was the first one to take advantage of the General Assembly's film and television tax credit legislation, which has been a tremendous success. We welcome them back to film more scenes in our House chamber and offices."
"It is exciting to have Showtime's BROTHERHOOD back in Rhode Island for the filming of its third consecutive season," said President of the Senate Joseph A. Montalbano (D - Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket). "For two years Showtime has experienced the numerous benefits of filming in Rhode Island first hand, and it goes without saying that the on-location production has lent a significant authenticity to the program. Our state's small size and big beauty have made Rhode Island an attractive shooting location for multiple productions, both large and small, in the few short years since we adopted film tax incentives. We look forward to many more years of hosting BROTHERHOOD and other productions here, which in turn will bring more jobs and other opportunities to all Rhode Islanders."
Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline remarked upon hearing the news, "I congratulate Blake Masters and the entire crew of BROTHERHOOD for a great achievement in an incredibly competitive industry. BROTHERHOOD is a tremendous source of good, steady jobs that pay well for our local actors and production professionals. It has been a pleasure to work closely with the BROTHERHOOD team at every level of city government and we welcome them back for a third year."
The Rhode Island Film & Television Office is currently hosting HACHIKO, starring award winners Richard Gere and Joan Allen. The motion picture is being directed by Academy award nominee Lasse Hallstrom. HACHIKO is filming primarily in Bristol, Woonsocket and the University of Rhode Island.
Most recently, the Twentieth Century Fox/Spyglass romantic comedy feature film 27 DRESSES, starring Katherine Heigl and filmed primarily in Rhode Island in 2007, opened in theaters across the nation on Friday, January 18, 2008 and earned over $22 million in its first weekend. It will be distributed to a worldwide audience in the next few weeks.
The Rhode Island Film & TV Office is a division of The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. For additional information on any of the past or current productions filming in Rhode Island, please visit our website at www.film.ri.gov.