Let’s Make Some Short Films

I am wanting to make a few short films.

I’m still hoping to work on the 12-page, sci fi-thriller I wrote called “The Experience” sometime this year. But that will require a trip to MO.

I’m thinking more along the lines of 1-3 scenes, 1-2 characters in local places. Things that can be done in an afternoon or evening. Things like this: “Carjacked.” Just a couple minutes. Maybe funny, maybe serious. Maybe spiritual, maybe not.

I have a scene i could shoot in a small chapel. Something I worked up as a corollary to the “Flawed” script I’ve got percolating on the the back burner. Would primarily but one person, monologue. With intercut clips. Lots of movement. It would be an interesting scene to hoot, allowing for some experimentation in style and interesting as a part of the other scripts universe, so to speak.

And I’m casting about for more ideas, more scripts. I posted about this on Facebook the other day and got a few people who responded asking to be a part of it. Of course, I went right into a very busy work week. I’m hoping things shake out schedule wise after the 4th of July. Maybe the end of July.

Meanwhile. If you are in Central Florida, and just want to be a part of a short film or two… no money, just fun and getting better at making movies… let me know. We need actors and crew. I’ve got some gear. Need ideas and scripts. (simple scripts we can shoot in a day)

Let’s make some movies.

 

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Life Update

I wish I had more news to report. A few months ago we had 3 issues which needed to be resolved. They get more important as we progress.

1. Car. My car died. We needed one. God provided one through family.

2. House. We felt that it was time to sell our house. We put it on the market. Had a contract in 6 days. Then had a bad appraisal, but the buyer paid over the appraised amount so we could still get out without losing money. We didn’t make any money, but we didn’t lose any. Not bad in the Central FL housing market.

That’s stuff I have already written about.

3. Job. I am still under-employed. Meaning I have a job I am over qualified for that doesn’t pay enough to really live on. That, plus an unpredictable schedule (all days, any hours, some weeks overtime, some weeks just a couple days) make it difficult to plan any productions or even feel settled. Also, the unsteady nature of the hours will make it hard to get a new mortgage.

So I need a new job.

I’d take just about anything that paid more and had a regular schedule. But lately I’ve been looking into church work. I went through the interview process with one church a few months ago, but we just couldn’t get a peace about saying yes.

Frankly, it’s sometimes hard not to second guess that decision. But when I dig down to it, I still think it was the right one.

I left the Pastor of Media position at FBO because I felt I had to in order to follow God’s call on my life. I was recently asked if I regretted that. I told the person that I didn’t. I certainly miss somethings about the job, and I definitely miss the regular pay check. But I couldn’t do that work, with the required responsibility and hours, and produce Peculiar. Something would have suffered. Leaving was the right thing for me.

A couple years later, I still feel the call to produce religious media with life transforming messages. I believe I can do that with any job that has a semi normal schedule. I find that I miss quite a bit about working in ministry jobs. I really like doing freelance work for churches. I still volunteer some Saturday services at FBO, just because I like doing it.

I think my resume scares some people. You see a guy with over a decade of church media experience up and quit a couple years ago, you probably have questions. And you wonder why he’s applying for another church job.

Tell you what, just ask me. I’d be happy to sit down and talk about what God has been doing in my life. That’s just not going to be clear in a resume or cover letter.

In the mean time, we search, and pray, and wait. And I go to work at an imperfect job I have now because some money and health insurance is sure better than unemployment.

2014 Driving Vacation

We just got back from what I’m calling the 2014 Driving Vacation. I spent over 60 hours in the car. We drive from Florida to Tennessee to see family. Then I drove from TN to Washington DC for a planning meeting with other NRB Film Committee members. Then back to TN. Then to Missouri to see more family. Then back to TN, and finally back to FL.

I think we did that in 7 or 8 days. I’ve actually lost track. I could look at the calendar but I’m still amazed that we made it back.

How did we cope? After everyone gets tired of being in a small space together, how did we survive?

A combination of audio books and hard candy kept me awake when I was driving alone.

For the family times, we use a small 13″ LCD TV and iPods/iPads to play movies. The van has plenty of 12 volt power outlets, and a small converter powers the TV.

I also have a small 12 volt refrigerator to carry drinks. We’ve even packed lunches in it before.

That’s a lot of road time, no matter what you do. I would not recommend following in our footsteps.