Posts Tagged 2010
My Thoughts – 2010
So 2010 is coming to a close in just 23 hours, wow. What a year this has been! How could I possibly sum up my thoughts on an entire year of hardship, anxiety, growth, blessing, opportunity, etc.? I’ll give it a shot. Denise and I began dating just before 2010 began, about 24 hours beforehand I believe so this is a fitting time to write this. I had never dated before, never kissed anyone, etc. I knew when that ball dropped in downtown Buffalo last year that a special year was about to begin. Today as I write this I’m 22 days from getting married. Insane right?
STANDING FIRM was in it’s finishing touches with me shopping it around to distributors and being turned down by them all until around June I believe when someone finally said yes. It took some time but a deal was made and I began scrambling to finish up the contents of the DVD. The 1-hour long documentary had to be finished up in just a few days, the subtitles were late and I needed those completed (the money to get them done was a challenge as well but God provided), the DVD menus and authoring was difficult and required me to fool around a lot with things, etc. I recorded two commentaries in a matter of hours to get them ready for the disc and plugged those in. On July 4th, 2010 just before the disc needed to go out I got it finished and had the final copy in hand. That was after much trial/error. They were sent off to the replicators and thanks to my parents I was able to get the first order of the discs made and shipped out. Words can’t really express how I was feeling around that time, you’ll have to go digging back into the archives of this blog to find out. It was numbing to be honest and I can remember many tears. I wasn’t sure how to feel after a little over 3 years of agony to get it completed. My faith grew amazing amounts, but boy was it a battle every step of the way. God had shown his faithfulness…it was great.
Denise and I grew closer and closer this entire year as we got to know each other better and continue talking about the future, and I fell in love with her more and more every month. On August 24, 2010, STANDING FIRM hit shelves in Christian Bookstores around the US. The DVD soon found its way into Christian stores in Australia, New Zealand, and just recently South Africa, with Brazil and a few other countries coming soon. The response so far only 19 weeks out from release has been incredible. During these last 4 months there’s been a ton of online interviews and articles done on the film, the AFA gave us tremendous support around release time with a handful of radio interviews that helped out quite a bit, and a few magazine reviews and various other press came in as well. Online I continued to market the film hours a day up until now and will continue into the next year. Facebook especially became a tremendous help with getting the word out. I attribute a huge percentage of the sales as a result of the Facebook marketing. We’re moving towards 70,000 fans strong for this little film, which doesn’t mean 70,000 units sold (not even close, LOL), but I look at it as an investment in another films marketing. I’ve found many who have become fans through various techniques haven’t purchased the film yet, can’t find it locally (which has me contacting them individually or broadcasting it via the page to tell them), or are planning to get it in the future. It gives me hope that the film will continue to do pretty well as the new year begins. If we can get everyone paid off in 2011 I think that’ll be an amazing accomplishment. We’ve already paid for a lot of things that were contracted to be paid, but we still do have about 50% of the way to go before we’re out of the RED. God’s already taken the film to a place I never would’ve imagined so I’m grateful for any and all results we get!
In October was the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival in Texas, and wow what an experience that was! I met a ton of new friends and spent much time with old ones during the Academy and Festival. The response to STANDING FIRM was really good and although we didn’t win, I heard nothing but good things from everyone, and I grew as a man that week…I’m certain of it. During the academy I was able to spend a little bit of down time with Stephen Kendrick and pick his brain. We got on the issue of marriage (go figure…NYT Best Seller of The Love Dare sitting in front of me and we got on the issue of marriage…who would’ve thought? *wink*) and I told him I had planned to propose that next day to Denise. Needless to say Stephen had a lot of advice to give and I was honored to have him have a little bit of a hand in the engagement. Perhaps I’ll tell that story sometime on the blog, because he had more of a hand in it than you might expect. Hearing a man like that give me a hug and say “I’m proud of you” practically melted me right where I stood and I was a blubbery mess for a while afterwards. Praise God for men like him…
Luckily…Denise said yes (lol) and we started the wedding plans that leads us up to today. In about 8 hours I have to get up and go pick out a cake. It’s amazing to see so many wonderful things happen this year. Who am I to be so Blessed? God had grown me more this year than any other years combined since I was saved in 2005, I’m confident of that. I’m not the same guy I was in 2009, and thank goodness for that! What a mess I was compared to know, and the fact I’m still a mess should tell you just how messed up I was then. I’ve been thinking about being a husband since I was younger, and from my teens preparing and trying to plan as best I could how I might provide for my family and my wife. Now just a week ago Denise has quit her job, we’re finishing up planning the wedding, and on Jan 22, 2011 we’ll become one flesh and she’ll be coming to work at home for the business and put her writing/organization skills to work. We were debating early in the month if this decision was really the right one because I would have to be supporting her, and right after we made the decision final more and more work started pouring in and now I find myself booked solid till mid-March at a minimum. God is already taking care of us and helping me help take care of her, and we haven’t even started our marriage yet. PRAISE GOD. I couldn’t be happier or more Blessed to have a God fearing woman moving into my home.
I hope this blog has been an encouragement to you this past year, and I hope you continue to read it into the new. I’ve loved the encouragement it has brought me, and I’m happy to see that according to what I’ve heard…it brings encouragement to others. I’ve posted over 650 posts on this site, and by God’s Grace they’ll be more to come! To quote Stephen Kendrick: “I think if you came and spent more time with us (the Sherwood team) the less impressed you’d be with us and the more impressed you’d be with who our God is.” I hope that’s what this blog can do with so many of you. It’s true that because of the movie being released that I’ve had people emailing me or calling or asking questions or getting excited and that’s all fine, but please know that anything I have whether it be success or talent or ability or whatever else it’s because of Christ and it’s for His Glory and not mine. I could drop dead and turn to dust tomorrow and yet God will accomplish all he needs to accomplish in 2011 without me. I’m just here to do the Will of the one who sent me. I’m just the messenger.
Below are my two life verses that I’m pretty confident I’m sticking with. The first is what was used the entire time I was making the movie to keep me strong and give me strength, and the other is just an overall life attitude I want to hold in all things until the day I’m dead. I hope they’re encouraging to you.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24
Lets believe God for big things in 2011…to God be the Glory FOREVER.
Back To Normal
Well SAICFF 2010 is over now and I’m back in NY. I was a bit depressed to be going home, and so was Denise. The community and fellowship experienced that week was contagious, and the thought of going home to my desk wasn’t a fun idea. But, life goes on, and SAICFF 2011 will be here before I know it I’m sure. Also, coming home meant cold weather. It was high 50′s when I left last week and I came home to 30′s. Snow is right around the corner. NY winters are very harsh, and I’m not looking forward to it, especially with driving!
Even so, it was nice getting back into my apartment. Having my own place is awesome and I like it the more I’m here. When I woke up this morning, I had slept for 8 hours. After getting only a few hours of sleep a night all last week, 8 hours was like sleeping for a day. I woke up really energized too like I had slept much longer, probably because my body is used to running on much less. I wonder how well I would actually handle a stressful and taxing shooting schedule on a future feature. Headaches are a constant concern, and I got a few of them while in San Antonio. It’s amazing how instantly irritable I become when I have one, lol. It’s so hard to hide how I’m feeling, especially on my face. I wear my emotions on my cuff a lot of the time, which can be a good and bad thing.
September/October were a killer on the bank account with all the expenses between myself moving, a few personal purchases, and the business. Things are going well though, and STANDING FIRM looks to be turning into something pretty successful on the business side. We still have some ground to cover, but things look really great so far and I’m pleased to report I’m able to finally pay some of the contracted people I had that were involved with the film like my composer and a few investors that helped bring the film to the finish line. To put it into perspective, the expenses between myself and the business in October was the same as what I usually made in a year a few years ago (in gross). So if that puts it into perspective then good. Even with lower cost films, the numbers always seem to come back and bite you and take longer to pay than you think. I’m really dreading taxes this year, because I have a ton of work to do to make sure I can take care of everything properly. Between Federal/State combined, the cost is going to be very high I think and even if I’m doing pretty decent right now with my own contracted work, I expect a good chunk to disappear at the end of the year.
However, God is Blessing since I’ve gotten some great work in the past 2 months and some more this month that should be really great. I had a DVD cover that I did for a film just before I left for San Antonio and two 1-sheets which are advertisements for the product. I’ll also be doing the website for it and a bit of online marketing. I’ve been contacted by a friend to do the new poster for his film, with a theatrical target sometime in 2011. There’s a possibility I could end up reworking that poster into their DVD cover, but it depends on their distribution. Work for Ace Wonder continues as usual with some new things to implement this month if all goes well, and I’m working on another site that’s close to being done for someone else. I hope work can stay semi-consistant like this, that would be fantastic.
For those of you who’re just starting out doing freelance, don’t be discouraged. Word does get around eventually, it just takes a bit of time. Hopefully sometime soon I can put together entire packages for people where I can do posters, dvd covers, dvd menus and authoring, and websites and online promotional items all for one price tag. That would be amazing…I would love doing that! Just gotta find someone with the right budget size. 
Another milestone today as STANDING FIRM reaches 27,000 fans on Facebook, up over 3000 from the beginning of last week. I’m still going to push for that 50,000 mark by the end of the year if I can. I only have 2 months to try and do it, but I think it’s possible! I’m working on an article that includes 10 Tips for Online Facebook Marketing so be on the lookout for that. Hopefully it can help you other filmmakers out there with creating an effective fan page from the ground up.
God is Blessing right now, and STANDING FIRM continues to sell very well wherever it’s available. I just got word today from a friend that called me that he saw the film on the shelf at a Family Christian. That’s the first word I’ve gotten about it actually being in their stores and not just on their site so that’s great. I should have an interview coming out on Examiner.com that was done while I was in San Antonio (short blog post about it here), and I did an on-camera interview for ParablesTV as well which I’m not sure whether or not I’ll see that but it was still fun. An online review site called me today saying how impressed they were with the film and they wanted to help with some web banners. Little by little, word seems to be getting around about this little film! I feel like I’m in the midst of a five loaves and two fish type of story. To God be the Glory for that! It’s amazing what He has accomplished through all of this…
Till next time folks,
Kyle Prohaska
SAICFF 2010 – The Film Festival Day 3
Today was the last day of the festival. STANDING FIRM screened very early at 8:30am at the Municipal Auditorium so I wasn’t very optimistic that many would brave the early morning to be there. I was a bit surprised though at how many turned up. The screening just like the first went very well with everyone enjoying it (based on the comments after and reading the crowd). People have been very gracious throughout the festival as a whole who’ve either seen it already or waited to see it at the festival and enjoyed it.
We had lots of time today to relax a bit more in regards to the schedule so that was enjoyable. Geoffrey Botkin wanted to talk with me since the Academy but we were waiting till the right time and today was it. I met him at his presentation on the other facility and since he had to go do an interview before we had a chance to chat I spoke with his son David for quite a long time. That was probably one of my favorite conversations I had the entire week. We were so similar and the dialog was extremely edifying and encouraging. I look forward if I’m able to getting to know David a bit better as time goes on. Afterwards I was able to talk to Geoffrey and he just wanted to ask some more personal questions like where I live and how I grew up and how I met Denise and some other things. It was very simple light hearted conversation. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous but I think the conversation was good. I’m glad to have had even the little time that I had to share my heart a bit and formally thank him for what he’s been doing the past couple years with the festival.
Afterwards me, Denise, and my parented headed off to lunch. On the way we stopped at the Hyatt because I actually had left my bible at the Academy and wanted to check the lost and found. The lady who had the key wasn’t around so I’ll have to wait and see if I can still get it otherwise I need to buy another ASAP.
Relaxing was the next step after eating before the awards ceremony. I think I needed that. No running around and nowhere to be, just chilling at the hotel for an hour or two. After not too long I got ready and Denise went to her room to get ready and we headed on our way to the closing ceremonies of the festival. Everything was fantastic, and I’m thrilled for all the winners and those who were recognized as runners up. STANDING FIRM didn’t win anything and it wasn’t a finalist but I came into the festival being pretty confident that it would be the case. I know why and I won’t share it here. Lets just say that who I was and some of the things I might have written about in the past, isn’t who I am now and above all I’m just thankful to understand and know that moving forward. STANDING FIRM will always be the stepping stone, particularly from a technical standpoint. Everyone here has been so nice and their sincerity in taking interest in whatever it is I do next is exciting for me. These are a ton of people I respect so to leave after this entire week and feeling a mutual respect is gratifying. There are plenty of individuals here to look up to and to learn from. The people are the real heros of this festival, and the greatest value I think. I’ve never gotten so much support from my peers before. I wish I lived near some of them to collaberate! That’s always a source of frustration, but that’s ok. God has me where he has me right now and there isn’t much more I can do. Who knows what he has down the line, but I have a feeling that after all that transpired this week at the Academy and Festival, it’s going to be something very good.
One thing Geoff brought up while we talked was he mentioned family. I was talking about how the people at the festival were the key to this entire thing, and the networking. He brought up the issue of family. Not just father and mother to children but brothers and sisters in Christ to one another. We’re all one giant family here, whom God has brought together for a common goal of making His name great in the world and magnifying Christ. It’s my prayer for any of you who went this year that you would put Christ first in everything that you do from this point on (if you haven’t already done that). That you would aspire to create films for the Glory of God but not only that but that the stories you tell would be prepared with prayer. It’s easy to get a great idea, get attached, and make it your God instead of Christ. The Lord knows what kind of films we need to be making and we need to be seeking him on those things not just hoping to make great movies. If they aren’t for the Kingdom then what good are they in the grand scheme of things? I look forward to what kind of fruit is produced over the next year and what shows up at next years festival. It’s going to be interesting!
To God Be the Glory for this week and for making it so incredibly memorable, encouraging, and edifying. The 2009 SAICFF was called the greatest week of my life last year, but I think this one definitely tops it. The time spent with Stephen Kendrick and what I learned from him, the great new friends I think I’ve made, the Blessings and comments from folks who saw the film, becoming engaged to my wonderful girlfriend Denise (woo!), and various other things easily help this week top the last Festival/Academy. I’m so looking forward to another, and maybe in future festivals bringing along film #2 to enter, with MUCH IMPROVED this time when it comes to theology (I’m reformed in case that wasn’t clear, lol), cinematography, story structure (big one…biggest one), acting, music, and everything in-between. STANDING FIRM was always intended to be the “Flywheel” of Praise Pictures, and from what I can tell that is absolutely the case. Praise God for that! Don’t miss out, come next year. We’d all love to have you.
Blessings,
Kyle Prohaska
