Winner - BEST PROMOTIONAL MEDIA!

The ‘Best Promotional Media’ Award went to The Lamplighter Guild, a 5-minute film that explains the vision of this one-week art school founded by Mark Hamby in which students learn the elements of radio theater production, including voice acting, sound design, script writing, music composition, and more from experts in the industry. Producer Phillip Telfer offered these thoughts on receiving the award.

“John-Clay [Burnett] and I are both very grateful for what Doug Phillips and Vision Forum have done to invest in filmmakers,” Telfer said. “When I was invited to attend the [Christian] Filmmakers Academy back in 2007, I had no provision at all for filmmaking. Last year, John-Clay and I, along with Colin Gunn, had a feature documentary film, Captivated. That opened the door for [us] to take some of the things we have been learning here and share it at Mark Hamby’s Lamplighter Guild. So we talked about it and also took that time to make this promotional.”

"The Eleventh Coin" - FA 2012

I was blessed with the opportunity to be one of the leading teachers at the 2012 Filmmakers Academy in Austin, TX. FA is a week long film camp that gives students a hands-on opportunity to walk through the full process of creating a short film. You can view the short film at the end of this post.

This year they opted to produce a silent film due to time constraints and location logistics.

We had two units, Unit A filming the Bible-time side of the storyline, and Unit B (my group) produced the modern-day side of the film.

 Just remember, this is a project made primarily by students in one week.

'Twas The Week Before Christmas - FREE

FREE viewing is for a limited time only!

TO PURCHASE & DOWNLOAD visit store.reelcastproductions.com

SYNOPSIS

In an unexpected turn of events, a young boy learns the truth about Santa and sets out in an wholehearted endeavor to honor the true King of Christmas! This heart-warming short film emphasizes Who our focus should be during the Christmas season!

Forgotten Christmas

Soon we’ll be reminded of the greatest story of all time. If you look hard, you may find the main character, Jesus Christ. He's resting quietly, hidden among the inflatable snow globes, the singing Christmas trees and the jolly mall Santas.

Have we forgotten what Christmas is all about? Have the snowmen, presents and colorful lights obscured the true reason for celebration?

ForgottenChristmas.org

180 Promo

Recently I got to interview Ray Comfort as part of the Captivated documentary I have been working on! (our film crew shows up in this video around 2:05)

While at Living Waters we got to see the full version of a new project they will be releasing later this year.

My summary? Two words....VERY POWERFUL!

"Twas The Week Before Christmas" - Movie Download

Synopsis:
In an unexpected turn of events, a young boy learns the truth about Santa and sets out to honor the true King of Christmas! This heart-warming short film emphasizes Who our focus should be during the Christmas season!

You can view a short clip from the movie here. Click Here to read more about the movie on the store site!

A while back I also did a couple Behind-the-Scenes articles about this project, you can read them here Christmas BTS Article 1 - Christmas BTS Article 2

- ReelCast Productions Download Store - 

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF)

I know, I know, this blog post is WAY over due. Better late than never though right? In case you missed it, you can read my review of the Filmmakers Academy here.

This year the Festival was divided between two locations.

Each feature film along with the special evening events were held at the large Municipal Auditorium.

All the other films were screened between several rooms at the usual Henry B Gonzales Center. (feature films were also shown here)

SPECIAL EVENTS

THURSDAY NIGHT they had a couple special things for opening night!

First, there was a thought provoking lecture by Geoff Botkin analyzing the "family-friendly" film, Finding Nemo.

Secondly, was the screening of the new short (50min) film Divided. This well produced documentary effectively addresses the highly controversial issue of age-segregated Sunday School and Youth Groups. - Movie Website

FRIDAY NIGHT they screened a rough cut version of the highly anticipated feature film Ace Wonder! Needless to say that even incomplete, this film went over very well with the audience! - Movie Website

FILM AWARDS

After an exhilarating three days of scheduling/scribbling in the Festival book, watching films, talking to friends, re-scheduling...more scribbling, watching films, and staying up late..talking even more, the Closing Ceremonies FINALLY came!!

Best of Festival Jubilee Award — with its $101,000 cash prize — went to: Agenda: Grinding America Down, a documentary that traces the alive-and-well socialist agenda, from its roots established by Karl Marx and other radical revolutionaries to the present day, demonstrating how Communist ideals have largely captured America and uprooted the once-great foundation of our nation. Available on DVD.

This documentary is practically a "MUST-SEE" for every American. This is not a movie about wacky people and their cooky conspiracy theories, this uses REAL facts and REAL documents to make a point that is needed, but not often heeded. HIGHLY recommended!

~John-Clay

Best Feature Film Award went to": The Penny, a drama/thriller directed and produced by Nathan Webster of Filmweavers. The 88-minute film follows a series of disconnected strangers whose lives unexpectedly collide in what proves to be more than just a "coincidence." Available on BlueBehemoth and also DVD.

If you like mind bending creative storytelling, this is a movie for you. Course I'm a bit bias because I helped shoot the movie :) - Regardless of that little fact, it should be noted that this film was an instant favorite at the festival (and with my family) for it's high production value, intriguing storyline, and good acting. Highly Recommended!!

~John-Clay

Audience Choice Award went to: The Runner from Ravenshead, a delightful film from Little Crew Studios that features an all-child cast played by the Seege children, ages 3 to 11. Their father, Joel Seege wrote, directed, and produced the film. The Runner from Ravenshead also got the runner-up nod in two other award categories: ‘Best of Festival’ and ‘Best Feature’. Available on DVD.

This was by far one of our favorite films from the festival, and it has quickly become a favorite with friends as well!! We describe it as "Little Rascals / Pilgrim's Progress / Indiana Jones." With a well crafted script full of comedy and drama, brilliant acting, incredibly cute kids, and a majestic musical score...this is one movie you DON'T WANT TO MISS!

~Burnett Family

Best Documentary Award went to: George Washington Carver: An Uncommon Way. The film, narrated by Dr. Voddie Baucham, was directed and produced by Ken Carpenter of Franklin Springs Family Media. This marks Carpenter’s third ‘Best Documentary’ Jubilee Award. Available on DVD.

Best Dramatic Short Award went to: The Mitt, a ten-minute film produced and directed by 19-year-old Sam Siske of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. - Available on BlueBehemoth

Young Filmmaker’s’ Award went to: Small Talents, a humorous fourteen-minute film based on the Parable of the Talents and challenges viewers to decide for themselves how they will dedicate their talents to God. Available on BlueBehemoth.

- You can read the full "Festival Award Press Release" here -

Vision Forum also has a "Festival Winners DVD Set" available for purchase - here.

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Academy (SAICFA)

Wow, what an incredibly encouraging week! I've attended every SAICFA-Festival event since 2005 and I've enjoyed it every time! Just a quick note here for those unfamiliar with all this...you can register for the Academy and Festival seperately if you wish to attend only one event but they have always been held during the same week so it just kinda makes sense to go to both. (Academy is held the first half of the week, and the Festival is held the last half)

Highlights for me at this years Academy were the lectures by Kirk Cameron "Acting" - Steven Kendrick "Directing Actors" and "Behind the Scenes of Courageous" - Geoff Botkin "Story Structure" - Isaac Botkin "Christopher Nolan vs. Steven Speilberg" -  Doug Phillips "Radioactive" where he critiques Food, Inc., Avatar, The Cove, 2012, the Al Gore documentary, and more.

"[the Academy] included messages on Epistemology for Filmmakers, comparison of the acting styles of Marlon Brando with Jimmy Stewart, an amazing Christ-exalting dialogue with Kirk Cameron that ranks as one of the most inspirational messages in the history of any Vision Forum event, discussions on managing sets, unions, and a rousing, hilarious and very practical session on screen tests and acting."

-Doug Phillips

KIRK CAMERON

STEVEN KENDRICK

"Stephen took us on a first look at his latest film “Courageous,” but the substance was a no-holds bar homage to absolute duty of the Christian filmmaker to make hard choices that honor Christ, and the blessings which come from it...The maturity and excellence of the story-line, production values, acting and structure of “Courageous” was so significant, that those of us who had the privilege to be present knew we were watching the birth of something that promises to make headline news as it blazes across the nation blessing millions and changing lives for Christ."

-Doug Phillips

At the 2010 Christian Filmmaker's Academy, Stephen Kendrick (the Producer of "Flywheel", "Facing the Giants", and "Fireproof") presented a keynote message entitled " 'Courageous'-The Vision, The Story, The Lessons." Here's a snippet.

We also got to see several rough clips from their upcoming film Courageous. Let me tell ya...it's going to be REALLY good!! - Movie Website

GEOFF BOTKIN

"Geoff Botkin Wows Us With a Brilliant Discussion on Structure, Story Arc and Beats of a Well-Drafted Script."

DOUG PHILLIPS

"[Avatar] is definitely anti-coporate...it's a very personal film in the sense that when I was a kid...in high school it was the start of the environmental movement, and I made a film in high school about pollution...In the years since, trying to get documentaries funded about the environment - you can't raise any money to do that. Nobody wants to buy that stuff. So I thought if i make a big, spectacular ation science fiction film, I can embed these themes in a movie that people are going to see for other reasons. It's absolutely subversive."

-James Cameron interview on "The View", Feb. 17, 2010

"...the effectiveness of Hollywood pantheists and environmentalists to subvert culture through media, and, second, the absence of a thoughtful response in film from the Christian community because we have abandoned the dominion mandate, and failed to mount an army to take the field." Watch the clips.

I found this bag sitting on a table, and in light of the "Radioactive" lecture...I took a picture of it ;) Now don't get me wrong, I do believe it is important to take of this wonderful world God has given us, but I also believe that there is balance. Taking care of the earth shouldn't be more important than people.

OTHER LECTURES

Isaac Botkin gave a very interesting lecture comparing two very successful directors!

"The Art of Scoring Films," with Oscar-winning composer Bruce Broughton.

A lecture by the young men behind the new EffectsForge company.

David Cook talks about his new film Seven Days In Utopia starring Robert Duvall. Movie Website

- stay tuned for a review of this year's festival!

- - - -
Lots of pictures and video used from "Doug's Blog"

SAICFF WINNERS

BEST OF FESTIVAL
Agenda

BEST FEATURE FILM
The Penny

AUDIENCE CHOICE
Runner From Ravenshead

Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger

SYNOPSIS:

Jimmy Valiant (Brant Harris) is a maverick young soldier-for-hire. When an anonymous client recruits Jimmy to shadow a controversial Texas State Senator, Jimmy initiates an investigation that uncovers some startling truths, and brings him face-to-face with the last man in the world that he ever wanted to meet again.

Jimmy soon finds himself caught up in a conspiracy that threatens to undermine everything that he has come to trust.

PRESS RELEASE:

Today we release a teaser trailer for the short film Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger. Taking you panning through the halls of the Texas State Capitol, roaring in a Ferrari over the hills of Canyon Lake, and racing down the San Antonio Riverwalk, this film has been an adventure to make and promises to be an adventure to watch.

In early August I joined hands with a group of friends and filmmakers to begin production of a short action thriller. What began as an idea for an elaborate promo has grown into a production all its own. A tale of spies and suspense, vengeance and justice, set across Texas’s broad stage.

I greatly enjoy both dramas and documentaries. We have some really incredible and important dramas and documentaries being produced, and I’m proud of the teams that are making them, but I also believe that Christian films should not be limited to these two genres. Right now we may be seeing perhaps a disproportionate number of documentaries and dramas rolling out. It’s time Christians tackled some of the other genres and utilized their special storytelling advantages. While some might consider an action thriller a challenging genre to pick for a Christian film, we think it’s a natural.

Over the next several weeks, we hope to reveal more to you about this film, but in the meantime, we welcome you to visit the film’s web site www.jimmyvaliantthemovie.com later today, sign up for the latest on Twitter, and join our fan base on Facebook.

- Be sure to check out the movie page on Facebook to see lots of behind the scenes pictures!

www.jimmyvaliantthemovie.com