The Client: Televersemedia for ESPN Films - The Greatest Game Ever Played

Televersemedia is a multiple Emmy and Peabody Award-winning, full-service production company, with a dominant market share in original content for the web, mobile, and broadcast sectors. The company produced The Greatest Game Ever Played for ESPN Films.

The Greatest Game Ever Played / Connecticut

People who were at Yankee Stadium on December 28th, 1958, will tell you they knew they were witnessing something special. The Baltimore Colts and New York Giants squared off that day to decide the NFL championship in a game that soon entered legend as The Greatest Game Ever Played. The game itself featured 17 future Hall of Famers, multiple dramatic comebacks, and the only overtime finish in league championship history.

Even bigger than the game, however, was the context. Football didn’t yet have the popularity of baseball or boxing, and the 1958 Championship proved to be a turning point for the sport. 45 million people watched the game on television, and many millions more were soon to become fans.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the contest, ESPN Films produced a feature length film that combined newly shot and archival footage. Jeff Taylor, president of Televerse Media and a producer on the film, brought in Dorfman Capital because of the firm’s unparalleled knowledge of film production tax credits available in the state of Connecticut. “Dorfman Capital knows the Connecticut Film Tax Credit Program inside and out,” says Taylor. “Because they were able to deliver a compelling offer and close the transaction quickly, we brought The Greatest Game Ever Played to Connecticut.”

Bob Dorfman was particularly pleased to have been involved in the production of a film about the seminal game. “I remember watching it in 1958, especially since it was the first game I ever watched. I was 7 years old and my cousin had purchased a new color TV. We sat there entranced. It was an emotional experience for me as a young boy, and I fell in love with football along with the rest of America. It really was the greatest game ever played!”

The Results

Jeff Taylor, president of Televerse Media and a producer on the film, brought in Dorfman Capital because of the firm’s unparalleled knowledge of film production tax credits available in the state of Connecticut. “Dorfman Capital knows the Connecticut Film Tax Credit Program inside and out,” says Taylor. “Because they were able to deliver a compelling offer and close the transaction quickly, we brought The Greatest Game Ever Played to Connecticut.”

Bob Dorfman was particularly pleased to have been involved in the production of a film about the seminal game. “I remember watching it in 1958, especially since it was the first game I ever watched. I was 7 years old and my cousin’s family had purchased a new color TV. We sat there entranced. It was an emotional experience for me as a young boy, and I fell in love with football along with the rest of America. It really was the greatest game ever played and it meant a lot to me to be an integral part in telling the story!”

Testimonials

“We are very pleased to be working with Bob Dorfman and Dorfman Capital in executing our film tax credits. Bob’s expertise helped to quickly facilitate and complete the transaction.” Jim Barisano, Chairman, WheelsTV

Watch the Video Interview here

(AP photo / December 28, 1958) - Baltimore Colts fullback Alan Ameche (35) rushed for 59 yards on 14 carries during the 1958 NFL championship against the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium. He scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning play in overtime.	Blocked field goal - (AP photo / December 28, 1958) - New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff (70) puts his hands up to block a field goal attempt by Baltimore Colts kicker Steve Myhra in the first quarter.
From ESPN: interview portion of the film. From Left to Right - Frank Gifford, Gino Marchetti, Tom Coughlin.