Counterweight Productions LLC Launches Fundraising

WILTON, Conn., Feb. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Counterweight Productions LLC (www.counterweightproductions.com), a new film production and distribution company focused initially on documentaries and started by John Ruane, 11-time Emmy award-winning producer formerly with NBC Sports, has a passion for soccer and just launched an aggressive $50,000 fundraising effort through Indiegogo (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/beautiful-game-documentary-series--2/x/522314) for its first feature-length film, "Beautiful Game." Ruane began following soccer in the 1980's, saw the growth of soccer leagues worldwide and knew the sport's intense international appeal would yield a documentary that could be a film masterpiece. Focusing his lens on the people of Brazil and their love of the game that has gained monumental attention since 1970, when Brazil won its third World Cup, with Pelé, Ruane's beautifully shot trailer for his film shows the joy, passion, improvisation and greatness that comprises soccer in Brazil.

Ruane traveled to Brazil in 2012 and 2013 and was immediately captivated by the history of Brazilian soccer. Ruane was interested in understanding Brazil through the history, art and stories of soccer and its interrelationship with music and dance. Ruane also studied three generations of Carlos Alberto Torres, the captain of the 1970 Brazilian World Cup champions. He wanted to weave in stories about fans and freestyle soccer players and show how the game became uniquely embedded in Brazilian culture and depicts the phenomenon of how Brazilian soccer's appeal spread around the world. Following Brazil's ignominious defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the future of Brazilian soccer - and the self-image of Brazil and its fans - will come into sharper focus when the 2016 Olympic Games are held in Brazil for the first time ever.

The initial fundraising effort to ensure the completion of the film will last through March 6, 2015. Interested investors can visit the Counterweight (Beautiful Game) website (http://www.counterweightproductions.com/) to view a short trailer of the film and learn about the offering. Potential donors can visit the 'Beautiful Game' Indiegogo page to see available perks and make a donation: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/beautiful-game-documentary-series--2/x/522314. People are being asked to help even if they can't make a donation, as just sharing the link on social media platforms will dramatically help get the word out.

ABOUT JOHN RUANE, FOUNDER & CEO

John Ruane founded Counterweight Productions to produce and acquire feature-length films for an international audience. John is an 11-time Emmy Award winning producer who honed his talent over the course of 30 years in the media business, including 20 years at NBC Sports. Counterweight is focused on distributing high quality, meaningful filmed content that generates social impact. Counterweight is developing a series of four feature documentary films about the beautiful game focused on Brazilian football. Details on all four films can be found at www.CounterweightProductions.com.

JOHN RUANE 203-246-1000 or STEVE GAYNES 203-767-6645