After months of wondering, debating, doubting, and finally believing, Tit 4 Tat Productions (the producing partnership of Tiffani Thiessen and R. Dean Johnson) began principle photography on the set of Just Pray at Disney’s Golden Ranch. At the helm was first time director, Tiffani Thiessen, whose acting career and television persona well preceded her. But on June 24th, 2004, she stepped forward and set in motion a career re-invention while also creating a little piece of cinema that seems to have dispelled any nay-sayers who questioned her ability and whether she could do it. She did it. And her efforts have been rewarded as the film has enjoyed a tour on the 2005 film festival circuit racking up some impressive numbers.
“wow…this is more than we ever expected…all we really wanted to do was tell a beautiful little story…receiving this award far exceeds any expectations we ever had…”
- Tiffani Thiessen, Director
- The film was accepted into the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival which are unofficially rated by Chris Gore as two of the top ten festivals in the world.
- Of the 2,000 plus festivals worldwide only 47 are recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as being qualifying festivals for Oscar nomination consideration. Just Pray was accepted into three of those festivals – Palm Springs, Rhode Island and Los Angeles.
- At Rhode Island, the film won BEST SCORE and will be guaranteed a spot on the National Recording Arts and Sciences ballot for Grammy nomination consideration.
- In Palm Springs, the film received a coveted Jury commendation by winning second place in the BEST LIVE ACTION category.
- At it’s world premiere in Greensboro, NC, at the Carolina Film Festival, a second place award was earned in competition against both full length and short films in the Independent Narrative.
- With almost 1,800 short film submissions to Robert DeNiro’s critically acclaimed Tribeca Film Festival, Just Pray was one of 96 films chosen to screen at the event. Even better, the film was then one of twenty that were narrowed down and chosen for the Jury competition. The film was featured on NBC’s New York Today.
- And for the fun and joy that festivals bring, the Desert Sun Newspaper (Palm Springs) selected the film as the recipient of its second annual BEST FAMILY FILM award.
- Honored with a Prestigious ARTIOS Award during the 22nd annual show in Los Angeles on November 1, 2006. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in casting based on originality, creativity and the contribution of casting to the overall quality of a project.
- Just Pray Qualifies for Official GRAMMY Nomination Consideration - The National Academy of recording Arts & Sciences Committee has placed Paul Doucette’s Score from “Just Pray” on the official ballot for the 2007 Grammy Awards.
“…Thiessen has captured the theme in an understated and elegant way…Just Pray shows great promise for Thiessen’s future behind the camera…”
Michael Janusonis, The Providence Journal
