Life of Kyle Prohaska

Plenty of wonderful congratulations messages have come in lately regarding the completion of the film and it’s impending release date.  Lots of warm comments of encouragement and excitement on Facebook, Twitter, and by email.  It’s great to see that, because it helps the reality of the films end sink in.  On the other hand, it just forces me to look forward to what is yet to be done.  For months and months you’ve read tons of posts about the challenge in just getting the film completed, let alone in stores and ready to release.  Now it’s time to move onto the next challenge!

Church Screenings are going to be my next big project, and finding churches interested.  There are thousands of churches in the US, and most of them easily accessible via email or phone, but how do I get to through to them?  It’s a tough question to answer and I’m doing my best to come up with a solution.  The full page article/review in the August AFA Journal on STANDING FIRM had a phone number and the Praise Pictures website on there for those interested in the screenings and I did get a random phone call just yesterday from a lady in TX interested in one.  I gave her the website quickly and she thanked me and hung up.  As I’ve said before, my current cell will likely become the full-time business line with me getting another phone sometime later this year.  It’ll just be ringing too much and I’ll want to keep it for business and business alone.  We had a lot of churches sign up to receive information about the screenings when they became available, to the tune of 325 or so.  Almost 40 of those were out of the country in places like Brazil, Egypt, The Netherlands, UK, Kenya, etc.  That’s God folks, and I hope the response is good.  I sent out an e-blast to all those who had signed up but have only received a few sign up thus far.  At first I was discouraged but I understand it’ll take time.  Churches especially have to get things approved by leadership and all sorts of things before they’ll pull the trigger on it, so I’m lucky I even got any initial signups at all!  The screenings are going to be important for revenue reasons as well.  Just like any film, even a film as cheap as this one was to make, we’re still in a lot of debt and it will take time to climb out.  The expenses lately have been high too, higher than I ever would’ve thought.  Considering the “budget” we had to shoot the film with, it balooned severely once it came time to really finish it and get all the post done, and with the church screenings and materials for that, shipping of product to the stores, etc. the numbers just keep going up and up.  Welcome to the life of the indie filmmaker!  I’m burning a hole in my pocket in hopes of actually getting a good return.  That’s the game, and it’s a scary one but I think God will Bless the film.

I posted an update on a Christian film fan page I run recently and a lady responded with a comment that said “give it for free.”  I was advertising a product for someone.  My gut reaction to that comment wasn’t a good one.  I think people assume because something is for the Glory of God and it’s goal is to reach others for the lost, that it should always be free.  What kind of sense is that?  If I gave STANDING FIRM away for free not only would I be in financial ruin but I would never be able to make another film.  I’m sure I’ll get some folks who object to the church screening prices, but I tried to answer that kind of comment in the FAQ you’ll find at the bottom.  It’s just insane how people think sometimes.  Most that ask about the film and make their little informed comments have no idea about the cost of actually making something like this.  It would make their head spin, and this kind of film folks…is at the very BOTTOM of things.  Even after all of this time and money spent this thing is dirt cheap when compared to its “rivals.”  Insane to hear I’m sure, but that’s reality.  I can’t imagine spending what some others do on films, it boggles my mind.

Lots of great promotional things are happening in regards to the film with radio stations, websites, magazine/print, and a few other things.  There are some great opportunities coming in August, and I’m very excited.  I’ll also be mailing in STANDING FIRM on friday to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival to be entered into this years competition.  We’ll see if I get in or not, you never know!

Some possible work has come in as well over the last week in the web/marketing department.  I really hope I can do this consistently as a career.  I really do like doing sites for films and making graphics and such for films.  We will see what comes of these few contacts that have come up, it’s always a question mark until I get something tangible.

Lots of exciting things going on, please pray for me that I can keep my head on straight in all of it.  It’s a lot to think about at once!

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF STANDING FIRM HERE - http://bit.ly/sfondvd

One of the great things about Sherwood Pictures films is seeing actors you recognize from previous movies. For instance, Coach Grant Taylor (Facing the Giants) had a remarkable resemblance to Jay Austin (Flywheel). And chances are you’ll never see firefighter Eric Harmon (FIREPROOF) and death-crawl wiz Brock Kelly (Facing the Giants) together in the same room!

In Courageous, the next movie from Sherwood, there are five main characters: four sheriff’s officers and their friend Javier. Of those five, you will instantly recognize two of the actors from previous Sherwood productions.

Ken Bevel, who played Lt. Michael Simmons in FIREPROOF, returns to the screen as Nathan Hayes. Alex Kendrick, who played both Jay Austin and Grant Taylor, is Adam Mitchell in Courageous. Alex is also once again directing the film. The shooting schedule was designed to give him a couple of weeks behind the cameras before he gets back in front of them!

Kevin Downes (Shane Fuller) and Ben Davies (David Thomas) are playing the other main officers, while Robert Amaya is playing Javier.

While many of the actors in Courageous are Sherwood members, others have been brought in from outside. We’ll be introducing you to the cast and crew in the coming days and weeks.

SOURCE: http://www.courageousthemovie.com/blog

Chris Carpenter was a visitor on the Courageous set Tuesday. A youth pastor with the Albany Rescue Mission, it is Chris’ life before he began following Christ that made him a valued partner.  Chris is a former gang member who committed his life to Christ while in prison. He now counsels kids to turn away from the lifestyle that grabbed hold of him when he was just 13 years old.

“I didn’t have a father in my home. I was looking for love. I was looking for identity. I ended up having to go to the streets to learn how to be a man,” Chris says. “I was in the gang for 20 years. I did a lot of bad things that I have now repented of. Jesus Christ totally changed my life.”  The county sheriff recommended that Chris connect with Sherwood to bring an air of authenticity to the Courageous storyline that deals with gangs. Co-writer Stephen Kendrick showed Chris around the set before sitting down with him to read through key parts of the script.

Having grown up without his father’s presence, Chris is excited to be helping out with a movie that will make an impact on fathers across the country and around the world. More than that, Chris is glad he’s been given new life to impact not only his own children, but also kids around Albany.

“I went against my own promise that I’d be there for my kids,” Chris says. “Now, I’m in my kids lives. And when I talk to kids in the community, I tell them they can change through Jesus Christ.”

For more about Chris, be sure to check out the video on CourageoustheMovie.com of Stephen and Chris talking. And when you see Courageous, remember to pray for Chris and his ministry to kids.

Monday morning begins in the parking lot of a factory in Albany, Georgia. This is the gathering place for the Courageous cast and crew as they embark on a seven-week production journey.

Yet before any equipment is unloaded and any scenes are filmed, the team gathers for the first of 35 devotionals that will remind them daily to whom this movie really belongs.  Pastor Michael Catt leads the first devotional, exhorting team members to pray for one another throughout the filming process. “You have to have each others’ backs, and you need to be praying the best for each other. We need the hand of God on all of this.”

And thus begins the first Sherwood movie since FIREPROOF. Focusing on the importance of fatherhood, Courageous is the story of four law enforcement officers committed to making a difference in their families.  Today’s scenes were all filmed at Coats & Clark, the largest yarn and crochet thread factory in the U.S. Workers at the factory served as extras during one of the scenes, and plant manager Bobby Boone will be prominently seen in the film.

After watching what was shot on Monday, producer Stephen Kendrick was pleased with not only the look of the film, but also the acting.  “It feels really good to see God confirm on the set what He was telling us to do in the auditions,” he says. “It was great way to start!”

SOURCE: http://courageousthemovie.com/blog/2010/04/filming-begins-with-prayer/

Here’s a news video from Albany, GA about the next film from Sherwood…some information in the video reveals that half of the actors in the film are actually professional actors from outside the Sherwood family.  This comes as a surprise because until now, that information wasn’t available anywhere.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Enjoy!

From the Courageous Movie Blog:

Sunday evening falls on Albany, Georgia. For many in this town of 75,000 people, it’s nothing more than a prelude to the start of another workweek.

For the people of Sherwood Church, however, this Sunday evening is ripe with anticipation and awe. After all, Monday, April 26, 2010 is the beginning of their next God-given adventure.

Courageous begins its seven-week production schedule at 8 a.m. Monday. But as is the case with any ministry of Sherwood, the real launch was through prayer during their Sunday evening service. Senior Pastor Michael Catt and the leaders and members of the congregation prayed for the cast, crew, staff members, volunteers that will be involved with the film—Sherwood’s first sinceFIREPROOF. During the powerful time, Pastor Catt prayed:

“Once again, we bring before You our five loaves and two fishes. You’ve given us the people we need to make this movie. Help us to capture the message You’ve given us. We pray for the courage to do what is right.”

You can hear Pastor Catt thoughts at CourageoustheMovie.com. And be sure to keep updated on all things Courageous on this blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, and by email.

If it’s Monday, it’s the beginning of a new adventure!

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May God Bless Courageous and their entire production! - Kyle

SOURCE: http://courageousthemovie.com/blog/2010/04/praying-for-courageous/

My interview with Neil Boron Live today went great! I was very nervous to be honest, and the fact I woke up today with a cold didn’t help. God helped me out though and I think the whole conversation was very good. Give it a listen and be sure to check out Neil Boron Live on WDCX 99.5FM 3pm-6pm Monday-Friday.

Thanks Neil for the opportunity!

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