Lights, Cameras, Action! Highlights from the 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy

When Vision Forum asked me to choose one of their new albums to review, my immediate response was to accept the Let Freedom Ring: 13 CDs from the Philadelphia Faith and Freedom Tour, being a PA transplant; but my husband said “No way, didn’t you say we should send DS to their Film Academy? Get the movie album!” Even after reminding him that DS was no were near the age to attend the Academy, hubby insisted that Lights, Cameras, Action! Highlights from the 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy was the definite way to go; besides he’d listen to all 19 CDs with me…

Well, having a deadline negated hubby from listening (he heard about half of one) but I was totally blown away with the content included on these CDs! DS has been begging for the CDs and I think I will hold them out as the proverbial carrot if you know what I mean, if hubby doesn’t snag them for his car ride into work.

Why was I so impressed? Part of it may have been I underestimated the Christian Filmmakers Academy, I just didn’t realize how professional they really were nor did I understand the vast amount of information they would convey.

I learned so much about film making starting with the very basics of frame composition and camera selection to uses for color grading and even some stunt secrets – baby powder, who knew? How to avoid common mistakes for beginning directors, how to help your actors, contacts for networking, they even touched on proper padding for stunt professionals, camera angles, storyboarding, marketing and distribution!

What didn’t I like about the album? Speaking as a newbie here and really not knowing about the film industry other than as a consumer, what I know has come from DVD Special Features and what my DS has taught me with his stop motion films or camcorder shorts, my biggest disappointment was that it was only the Highlights. Next was that since we were discussing film, it would have been nice to see the clips under discussion; I realize however, that this may have not been possible due to copyright issues. So, I had to be content with PDFs of the slides used during the lectures.

Even more impressive than the massive technical information was the fact that, sometimes while listening, I felt as if I was in church. I know we are to live our lives through the lens of Scripture, but knowing that and doing that are two different things. I was extremely humbled hearing from men who truly see God as the center of all things, are excelling in their selected field, and are willing to educate others.

The Biblical foundation they laid certainly applied to film, but so much more: the arts in general, writing, comics, painting, graphic novels, and video games – all areas DS and other young men are interested in; not only in the creation of, but for the viewing of as well.

Certainly listening to successful producers, directors, and actors whom have movies in the theaters, on cable, and in DVD distribution; extolling the virtues of Christ while imparting the importance of maintaining and promoting a Biblical world view add credence to what many of us parents are already teaching our aspiring artists.

Thank you, Vision Forum and Christian Filmmakers Academy! We’ll be looking forward to next years CDs.

Jamestown vs. Plymouth Providential Differences

You might not agree with everything that I say, nor I with you; but we still can be friends. This is the foundation of America. We view things differently but choose to work together. This too, is Dr. Paul Jehle’s premise; when he asserts that God orchestrated the spiritual foundations of our country through Plymouth and Jamestown.

The Providential Nexus of Plymouth and Jamestown by Vision Forum Ministries is not an argument over which town began America, but a call to today’s Christians to unite and fulfill God’s ultimate plan for America.

From the summary blurb (below) I had been expecting a documentary comparing the historical significance of Jamestown and Plymouth followed by some startling evidence as to how the two were entwined. Instead, Dr. Jehle delivers a sermon with a poignant reminder of our spiritual foundations. He uses historical evidences, concerning the towns, as an insightful object lesson to drive the point home: that regardless of doctrinal or worship differences, if we agree on the fundamentals of the Gospel then we have enough to unite and fulfill God’s purpose.

In all Dr. Jehle does well with defending his argument with historical information, not being a scholar myself, I trust Vision Forum to be correct on these points. That being said, The Providential Nexus of Plymouth and Jamestown would be an excellent video for anyone studying American History and a wonderful way to introduce pastors and congregations to the idea of a community worship service and/or missions initiative.

To obtain your copy of The Providential Nexus of Plymouth and Jamestown by Vision Forum Ministries click on the Vision Forum button or link to the right.

From the back of The Providential Nexus of Plymouth and Jamestown:
Was the Jamestown Settlement founded for solely commercial purposes? Was the Plymouth Colony formed simply to establish religious liberty? For centuries, there have been tensions among historians about the legacies of these two early settlements, resulting in a geographical turf battle over which colony gave birth to the American ideal. Jamestown claims to be America’s birthplace. Plymouth claims to be America’s hometown. So how do we reconcile the two? In this illuminating message, Dr. Paul Jehle clarifies many misconceptions and demonstrates that while Jamestown and Plymouth had real differences, each had vital strengths that the other needed — and that, over time, God would providentially weave together these elements to form the greatest nation in the West.