Univ. Of Miami Not Cooperative In Making Of New ESPN Film
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Billy Corben (r) Says The Univ. Of Miami
Would Not Grant Him Interviews |
ESPN's "30 for 30" documentary series returns on December 12 with director Billy Corben's film "The U," which chronicles the rise to prominence of the Univ. of Miami's (UM) football program, but Corben indicated that UM "refused to participate" in the production of the film, according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. UM would "not allow the filmmakers to interview" current coach Randy Shannon, former AD Paul Dee or former President Tad Foote, though "old sound bites from Foote appear in the film." Corben indicated that former coach Dennis Erickson and several former UM players who appear in the 60-minute documentary "said they disregarded UM's request that they not grant interviews." The piece centers on the UM football program from '83-91, when it won four national championships. UM VP/Communications Jackie Menendez said that the school "declined to allow the interviews or participate in the project because Corben wasn't willing to allow UM officials to read the script in advance." But Corben said a "documentary doesn't have a script." He noted that he sent UM a "two-page synopsis on the project" instead. Corben: "It upset me to no end. I felt disrespected and unappreciated by my alma mater." He noted UM Assistant AD/Communications Mark Pray told him, "You should rethink even doing this project." Corben: "It was a display of rudeness, disrespect and ignorance." But Pray said, "I have no recollection of saying he should rethink the project." Jackson notes UM still plans to hold an on-campus screening of it on December 10 (MIAMI HERALD, 11/24). Following the airing of "The U," ESPN's "30 for 30" series will return on March 14 with Dan Klores' documentary "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks." The series then will continue to debut new documentaries on Tuesday nights starting on April 13 (ESPN).
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