Life of Kyle Prohaska

Standing Firm at Lifeway in Cary, NC

September is going to be a very busy month for me.  September 7th is when Vintage begins, which is a local college ministry I’ll be serving in.  Those will be every tuesday, and it’ll be my first opportunity to lead an e-group which is basically a small group for guys/girls.  I’ve never done anything like that, so it’s going to be new ground for me and I’ll have much to learn.  Also I move in a month, so anything I need to get done to be ready to move will need to be done, and I have to go figure out what furniture I’m going to get very soon.  Although I have already picked them out pretty much I need to buy in advance to make sure they can be delivered properly.  I can’t buy much at first, but I can get something.  I’ll be traveling to Ohio for a screening of STANDING FIRM at the end of the month, then rushing home for another locally.  On top of that is any new work that comes along, and the day to day stuff I normally do.  Doesn’t sound like much to some I’m sure but for me it’s a lot.  August was busy too, but September will be busy in it’s own way.

I’ll be ending out August and starting September by creating and finished a new site for a Christian film in about 3 days.  It’s going to be a very quick job, and I’ll be working extremely hard a few days straight to get it completed.  I’ll share more about it when it launches in the beginning of September.  Tomorrow I’ll need to go in the morning to get new tires put on my car (joy…that hurts the checkbook), then off to Darien Lake for the rest of the day but I won’t be staying too late.  Darien Lake is a theme park in case you didn’t know  I promised I would go spend some time with my cousins there that I haven’t done anything with in ages.  It’s a bad day for it with my car needing what it does, and that website job needing to be started.  I’ll be working on it into the night if I hope to meet my friday deadline.

Sales for STANDING FIRM remain solid, and continue to go up from what I can see.  I’m actually floored by the response.  We’re #52 at ChristianBook.com under DVD - Movies which is up from #60 two days ago.  Amazon.com just ordered some more, and I know that ChristianCinema.com only has 8 left already.  They just switched from Backordered to 8 left sometime today, which means they had so many on Backorder that whatever stock they just got in was almost eaten up completely by previous orders, so they’re out again almost.  I can’t believe it’s been #1 on that site for a straight week now, that’s insanity.  I’ve never seen a film like this (budget, first film, etc.) do that.  God is amazing…He really is.  Whatever projections or guesses I made for sales, I was WAY off.  That’s always a good problem to have.  Finally if you search for the film on Amazon.com we’re at the top of the search pool.  This was good to see since we were buried by some old work-out videos for a while there, and it probably hurt us a little.  Some people likely searched for it and didn’t see it right away and therefore went somewhere else.  You’ll notice that photo up top.  That was sent to me by a friend on Facebook who snapped it at his local Lifeway store in Cary, NC.  I couldn’t believe that they had put it on two racks, that’s unexpected.  They also put it next to what is most likely selling the best there (To Save A Life) so that’s great placement!  Supposedly they just put it out, so that means there’s a lot of stores out there that aren’t carrying it yet, but will likely do so soon.  I know some were disappointed they went in and they didn’t have or they had to order it, but that’s the nature of things when you’re a small movie like this.  I made the thing in my bedroom for pete’s sake, it’s no FIREPROOF lol.  We’re beyond Blessed that the stores even have the ability to carry it and have it in their system to order let alone put it on a shelf.  The DVD will slowly roll out, I have no doubts of that, and more and more people will catch wind of this little film from NY.

I’ve continued the online social-marketing for the film as strong as ever.  This isn’t something you stop doing, and I’ll continue to do so until I don’t have time anymore.  The film just passed 13,000 Followers on Twitter and is building towards 14,000 already.  If I have anything to say about it we’ll hit 50,000 by the end of the year.  Ambitious?  Maybe…but I’m an ambitious guy  The fan page on Facebook just broke the 16,000 mark too, so that’s exciting.  By the way, if anyone has a film they want some social media marketing for (or a business or whatever…even their personal Twitter) I have proposals and quotes available for such a thing.  I’ve grown the Glowing Nose Twitter account from 25 Followers to 3100 in just 10 days or so.  The Ace Wonder Twitter account has doubled in less than a week, and on and on it goes.  You won’t find numbers like that for anything in the Christian market (Movie wise), not even really big movies.  Someone will take notice sooner or later, that’s the goal.  Hopefully this can farther become a source of income for me as time goes on.  I would love to continue doing websites, graphics, and social marketing for this market (Christian), because the more I learn from doing it for others and becoming successful, the greater effectiveness I’ll have when another film of mine comes around!  If you know any filmmakers that might like my services, even if it’s just a website, or DVD menus or anything…let me know!

It’s crazy knowing what could come about this year from the film, especially the testimonies.  I think my life is about to change.  Actually it already has.  Changed how?  I’m not so sure, but 2011 is going to be a very…very interesting year.  Eph 3:20-21 …amen.

I’m not sure if I’m ready for this.  I went on a men’s retreat for my new home church The Chapel this past weekend.  It was a great time!  Played some sports, heard some speakers, and soaked in the beautiful scenery out in the woods of NYS.  All of it was going great, except I couldn’t help but check my phone a lot.  Friday night there was a screening of Standing Firm at the Calvary Church of Costa Mesa in California.  I had a friend go and report to me how it went, what the response was, etc.  I’ve never personally seen my own film with a large group of people, so naturally I was nervous even though the screening was 3hrs behind me and 3000 miles away.  I didn’t hear anything the whole night until I went to bed.  My phone vibrated and I checked the text.  There wasn’t much in it since texting is hard sending large amounts of information.  But what it did say is that “three people came to Christ.”  At that moment my head hit the pillow.  That one text made the last three and a half years worth it.  Every hour spent up late had been worth it.  Every single difficulty and tear shed in creating the film had now been shed with purpose.  I don’t mean to say that creating the film because God told me to wasn’t enough, but to see an eternal result and know that it had impacted someone FOREVER was a sobering and humbling thought.  I was very quiet Saturday, because I just needed to soak in it for a while and praise the Lord in my head/heart.

Here’s what another had to say who was at the screening:

“It was a great film! Great story, acting, direction, editing, etc. and my church absolutely LOVED it! Best of all, I could hear people afterwards praying along with our pastor to receive Christ. A couple a few feet away turned to me and said, “We need more movies like that!”  Teens actuallly started CHEERING excitedly at the end of the film last nite b/c of the power of its message! That’s rare in So California. Keep up the great work, Kyle!”

I can’t really articulate what this week has been like for me.  The film has been selling very well from what I can tell, with every online retailer undershooting how much of STANDING FIRM to have on stock.  Everyone sold out, it was insane.  The film continues to stay at #1 on ChristianCinema.com.  There are few films I’ve seen do that for that long, and they were big movies.  Since the stock was out everywhere else I sent everyone to ChristianMovies.com since they are the only ones who had it, and it shot to #1 there in just 24 hours.  All my Twitter accounts have exploded in the last week as well.  The movies Twitter has grown past 12,000 Followers, and my personal nearing 8000.  The other accounts I have for other things have gone up an insane amount as well, in the hundreds and hundreds a day across the board.  I’m so incredibly Blessed right now, there isn’t really any other way to put it.  God is pouring out something special here, and I’m so undeserving of it.  I’m so unholy, and so wicked.  Why me Lord?  Why do I get to enjoy this?  Even if I was faithful with everything 100% of the time in creating the film (which I wasn’t), I STILL don’t deserve what I’ve been given or might be given in the future.  This whole “deserve” and “self-respect” business is over with for me.  Apart from Christ I can do NOTHING.  I have nowhere to point but above for the results taking place right now, it’s all Him…it always was.

Tomorrow the film is being screened at my old home church of Niagara Frontier Bible Church where I grew up my entire life.  That’s the church that provided almost every actor and crew member we had, and they’ve waited patiently to see the film.  The buzz is very high and everyone is excited.  I’ll have unsaved family there, and others are likely to have the same.  I hope I don’t vomit beforehand, because I might want to.  You can bet on me being in the back biting my nails the entire time, because I’m going to be a basket case the entire time.  I have a confidence folks will enjoy it, I’m just not sure I’m emotionally prepared for it all.  I hope someone gets saved tomorrow, I would melt.  On a worldly note…as an artist I always wanted to hear if only once in my life the claps of a crowd for something I slaved over.  It’s something I’ve dreamed about as a kid, and while I didn’t make this film for that reason, I have a feeling everyone will go bonkers after the credits roll tomorrow.  I’m not sure I’m ready for that.  Three and a half years wasn’t enough.  There’s a big question mark in my life right now because I’ve basically completed my life’s dream except for getting married and having children.  Where do I go now?  I know I need to go forward, but it’s still an incredible thought to know that at 22 this is happening.  Again, why me?  God doesn’t have to Bless, but HE DOES.  What a God we serve!

Don’t you dare ever think that because you’re young that you can’t make a difference for the Kingdom.  Don’t think because you’re older that you can’t make a difference in the name of Christ.  Don’t listen to it, it’s all rubbish!  Today is the day to begin a good work in His name!  Are you going to wait until you’re out of high school before you make a difference for Christ?  College?  When your kids are out of College and out of the house?  Today I’m 22, tomorrow I will be 44, the next day I’m 90.  Life is fleeting!  Blink and it’s gone!  I don’t mean you gotta go out and make a film to impact folks either.  Impact them with YOU.  Don’t be the “tomorrow” guy.  What assurance do you have that tomorrow will ever arrive or you with it?

Please pray for tomorrow.  I have unsaved family coming, and I’m terribly nervous, excited, scared, queazy, and everything in-between.

Christ is King, it’s his film, and it’s for His Glory.  May He make much of it tomorrow, and the next day and the next day.  I look forward to the future, without a clue what I’m doing or where I’m going, but I suppose that’s why it’s called faith?

Blessings - Kyle Prohaska

I’m a filmmaker now?  Really?  Weird…it’s just weird.  Today is one day after one of the most significant days in my young life, probably my entire life.  Graduation from high school was cool but excitement lasted about 5 seconds, until I realized that I was going back to school that fall for college.  I dropped out, and after a ton of different events God dropped the passion for STANDING FIRM in my lap.  I had given up on filmmaking, at least for many years, because it seemed “impossible.”  Luckily, my Lord doesn’t work within the bounds of “possibility” but “impossibility.”  I always wondered what it would be like to wake up in the morning and know that in lots of different locations around the US, something I worked on and toiled over was sitting on a shelf ready to be bought and enjoyed by someone.  To be honest I didn’t know how to feel.  I was exhausted having been up late many days in a row and the day was very boring.

It felt like any other day.  When you spend over three years on something, release day just feels like another day on the grind getting it sold, marketing it, answering emails and voicemails, etc.  I think it’s slowly sinking in now, in the last hour.  I realized having gotten a few reports from friends that STANDING FIRM was sold out everywhere except for ChristianMovies.com and ebay.    How is that possible?  God is good!

I’ll be frantically trying to make sure that things are set for the weekend before I leave Friday/Saturday for a mens retreat.  I’m excited to get to know some of the men at the new church I started attending a number of months ago.  The Chapel at Crosspoint will be my new spiritual home until God moves me again.  My new home on Oct 5 will be only minutes from there, and I’ll also be serving there in their young adult ministry called Vintage as an e-group leader starting in September.  A whole new season of life is coming, with an even bigger announcement coming sometime later.  What a crazy year this has been huh?  I started off 2010 taking the plunge and beginning to work for myself doing websites, online marketing, etc. and now the film is out and stretching it’s legs, I’m moving soon, I started a wonderful relationship with Denise, ugh so much stuff!

I’ve also had all sorts of things rolling through my head in the past number of weeks about this industry, where I see it going, where I feel called to move within it and how, and how to proceed.  It’s an exciting time for me, and I can’t point anywhere but Christ for the why, what, or who.  It’s all God.  It’s ALL God.

God is teaching me more and more how unworthy I am of being a tool for His Purpose.  On top of that, my ability to even be a tool is a given Blessing, it’s not of me.  It astounds me every time I see a Christian speaking about their “part” of their salvation, or how they had a “hand” in it.  We’re seriously kidding ourselves if we think that as dead people (spiritually) that we could make ourselves alive.  Did Lazarus bring himself out of the ground?  Yes, I’m talking about Calvinism folks.  Some of you might not agree, and the more I look out into my sphere in influence the less support I see for it.  Just sharing what I see and what God’s been teaching me the past few years.

On Sunday we’re having the screening at NFBC (my home church for 21 years) where many unsaved folks will be there (from my family and others).  It will be the first time I’ve watched the film with an audience, and also the first time I get to publicly thank everyone for their support of the film.  Rob (the lead in the film) will be giving the Gospel.  I wish I had started this earlier but everyone please, pray for that night.  I could care less for handshakes and pats of recognition, they’re over in moments…as soon as the warm is gone from my hands or the sting from my back.  I’m looking for some eternal results here.  The night will be heavy and sorrowful  if everyone is all smiles and claps, but walks out having suppressed the truth of God’s Word.  I pray God moves on the hearts of folks there, and I hope you do as well.  Salvation is a work of God and God alone, and I hope by His Grace and Mercy that a harvest is reaped.  We shall see…

Only what’s done for Christ will stand.  What good is your film to the Father if those who watch it enjoy it then walk out having not heard about his son?  You think God is going to even mention that kind of film to you on the day of judgement when He asks what you did with what He gave you?  I’m almost certain that if it’s mentioned it will be with wrath and disappointment.  How is it a filmmaker can call himself a Christian, and have all the money needed to present the Gospel in a narrative, easily understood and without cheese, yet neglect to do it in the name of “marketability” or “stepping on toes?”  Does anybody have a problem with that?  Disagree if you wish, but these are the kinds of things that keep me up at night.  God is wrecking me week after week about these kinds of things, and where Art comes into play in the lives of the believer and what my responsibilities are in being given the ability to create.  Again, disagree if you must, but I just can’t deny these kinds of things anymore.  It’s actually quite funny because while talking to my mom the other day I told her I realized how much more conservative, fundamental, and passionate I’ve become in the last few months.  I don’t really know what to say.  God has lit a fire under my rear end I guess.  Just sharing a bit of my heart, hopefully that’s ok with you folks

If you haven’t purchased the film yet, check out ChristianMovies.com to get it, your support is appreciated.

Also if you have time and you’re on Facebook, become a fan, and use the “Suggest to Friends” button under the image to the left to invite your friends and family.  We need your support!

Only two days before my first feature hits shelves, wow.  This upcoming week is going to be pretty busy, not even with a ton of events, just mentally busy.  I have 4 radio interviews to do, packages to ship out, some online interviews to approve, and I’m ending out the week on Friday/Saturday at a men’s retreat for men at my church where I’ll not only get to bond with a bunch of folks I don’t know (not my strong point), but also plug the film there for those attending (reason for that coming after a while).  So yea it’s going to be pretty interesting to see how I handle the week.  Also not today but next sunday we’ll be showing the film at my old home church.  Lots of folks there are waiting to see it, and it’s going to be a pretty difficult night for me.  I’ve been stewing over what I should say while I’m there.  I know what I should say really, but it’s how to say it and being able to keep my composure.  It’s a bigger night for me than it is for some others.  I can’t wait to thank everyone publicly for their help, prayers, etc.  Also I’ll be biting my nails as that screening will be more personal and critical than the others since people who are there were in it.  My unsaved family will be there as well (the local ones) which makes me doubly nervous to show the film let alone get up there and say something about it before and possibly after showing it.  Rob (lead role of Dave Corwin) will be sharing the Gospel as well after the film.  Please, PLEASE be in prayer about the impact this film could have and that God would move mightily in Rob that night.

Also pray for just the ability to get through this week with my mind intact.  There is much to keep going at one time, and sometimes I get behind.  I’m looking forward to my online interview at ChristianCinema.com being released soon, that’s been a long time coming.  Also the film hit #2 at the site today, right behind Letters To God.  I find that to be pretty incredible!  God is good.  There is this other interview for a small blog I did just a day ago.  It was only 5 questions, but I absolutely poured my heart and soul into this thing.  I’m looking forward to sharing that.  While it’s bound to shock a few, I think it’s a good outlet for me to express what I really think of this Christian filmmaking industry, where I see it going, and what I think about that.  I think it could be one of the best “articles” I guess you could say that I’ve ever written, and it’s a compilation of what I think about what I’ve seen these past few years having gotten involved with this industry, met many in it, read what they have to say and spoken to some on the phone, read forum posts by those who are either in this industry or plan to enter it, and much more.  There is much to say and I didn’t really spare anything.  It might shock a few, and possibly even cause some division for those who support me.  Do I have your attention now lol?  We’ll see what happens.

As this month comes to a close I’m also only weeks away from moving into a new place.  You know what’s funny?  The thing that’ll probably be the most difficult in this process is changing ALL my address stuff to my new address.  I have the PoBox for Praise Pictures everywhere, and I’m likely going to feel the repercussions of that for a long time.  When I move I’ll need to go setup a PoBox for me personally, and for the business and keep them separate.  Luckily the Post Office is around the corner from where I’ll be living, so that’s good!  Lots of change coming as you can see, and I look forward to it.

Some have already begun reviewing the film on various websites because sites have started shipping the film already.  If you’ve seen the film, I would appreciate you reviewing it.  ChristianCinema.com requires you have an account to review it, but ChristianBook.com, and Parable.com don’t.  I’ve gotten the film onto Amazon.com finally, and no reviews are present yet.  No Spoilers please! I hope you’ll take a few moments out of your day to submit your reviews to those locations.

Counting down the hours…g’night!

Today was another exciting day with it’s own unique blessings.  Just one week from now STANDING FIRM hits shelves in Christian bookstores everywhere.  Thanks for a special friend (Thanks Randall!) at The American Family Association, I have 3 interviews on the radio next week on American Family Radio (AFR), with a fourth that’ll air a little later after the release date.  This is very cool news and I’m really happy to have some stuff lined up like that.  Also did my interview over the phone for ChristianCinema.com.  It’ll be transcribed and posted sometime next week.  It’s funny because I remember a few years ago getting ready to do the interview with them but telling Angela to scrap it since I knew that it was too soon and the film was far from completion.  So now after all this time we finally got it done!

The new site for Bringing Up Bobby went live today as well.  This is a comedy made by two good friends Chris & Nick Staron from Ohio.  Chris especially has been a great blessing in the past few years, being a great encouragement at times and lending some healthy real world advice when it was needed.  Their film was picked up by Provident Films recently with an impending Oct. 5th release date.  I was hoping for a long time that their film would be recognized by someone larger and here they are with the film releasing everywhere in just a few short months.  God is good.  The new website is fantastic by the way, I’m very excited to see how this film does for them.  They have a lot of passion and talent but had never really gotten enough steam pumping to keep making films.  It’s tough to do well in this business and continue making projects, so I hope this gives them the boost they need to really soar!  Congrats guys!

I saw two posts on Facebook recently about STANDING FIRM.  The cool thing about them is they’re both from different countries.  One guy is in Zambia and the other in Brazil.  They’re both looking for the film.  I’m looking forward to all that God could bring with international distribution, it’s going to be great to watch Him work.  Twitter & Facebook are doing pretty well for the film, with the impending release date.  STANDING FIRM is nearing the 16,000 fans on Facebook, which is pretty awesome considering the films buzz and size.  The film on Twitter is probably a few weeks away from 10,000 followers, and that blows my mind.  Even my personal Twitter sits with almost 6,000 followers.  This social media marketing is really working.  It makes me wonder what could be done on another film, with such a great base started, and with the knowledge I have now to start from scratch that I didn’t have when this film began.  Who knows what could be built!  I’m looking forward to finding out.

2011 is likely to be a really exciting but scary year.  I won’t have a project coming out, but one that’s already out.  I’ll be relying on whatever work comes in because of it, or whatever work I currently have that could continue.  If I’m going to do another film, 2011 will be the year to start writing and developing.  I really want my next script to be strong and leaps and bounds beyond STANDING FIRM as a narrative.  It’ll take a lot of work to get it there, but I’m really excited to start.  I’ve had “the itch” for a while now.  Today I think I felt it more than any other previously, just how real this is.  I don’t think it’s hit me, that I have my first film hitting shelves in a week.  I know it intellectually and I’ve even been in tears over it already, but somehow it still isn’t real.  Maybe it won’t be real until I wake up that morning.  Although, that morning won’t be unlike any other morning, not really.  I’ll still be in my PJ’s, still drinking my morning meal-shake, still checking my emails and rubbing the crust out of my eyes (enough humanity in there for you?  Too much lol?).  It’s funny how you wait your entire life for a certain moment, and then it hits and you’re just like “oh, so that’s it huh?”  I’m not there yet, but I can feel it coming.  Maybe I’m wrong about all this and it’ll hit me like lightning?  Maybe that day will be unlike any other I’ve had before?  Who can know such things?

All I know is that I’m excited and terrified at the same time.  I can’t wait to see what the future could bring because of the release, and I’m so incredibly stoked to see how God moves in people’s lives when they see it.  It’s a humbling thing to know that it’s out of my hands at this point, pretty much.  Nothing more to do besides promote it as best I can, and watch God work.  This film could swing two ways here.  Either it’s going to have a good amount of impact, sell a certain amount, then slow down and sell a thousand or two a year from now on (if that).  Or, it could become something truly special and something unique.  I have a feeling it could be the latter, but it’ll be a slow burn.  The film will slowly creep into more and more awareness from word of mouth.  I’m ok with that!  I don’t know why I think that, but I’ve just felt “weird” lately, like even I’m not prepared for what could be.  God has the wheel, so regardless there’s comfort.  Am I wearing my seatbelt? *click* …yep, now I am.

Catch you next time.

Also, some food for thought about what I was trying to say towards the end of my last post.  Give God Glory in all things, and run fast…and run hard…because it’s actually wrong not to.

This is what MY GOD can do!

So it’s 11:38pm and I’m sitting here writing.  I just checked ChristianCinema.com again.  One of the biggest Christian movie/video sites on the internet.  Look what I saw (to the right).  There you’ll find Letters to God and To Save A Life, two of the biggest Christian movies that will come out this year, both released a matter of days ago.  Both cost millions to make and market, with huge distribution companies behind them and loads of support from all over.  Then you have The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.  That’s Rich Christiano’s new film, another huge seller this year and probably one of the biggest Christian movies of the year as well.  Then sitting at #5 you have a film called STANDING FIRM, a film that was made in the bedroom of a nieve and inexperienced (now) 22 year old kid who felt a calling (an 18 year old at the start), cast/crew’d by a slew of passion filled volunteers, and a wealth of support on all levels by folks in the community and all over the internet.  The film isn’t even out yet, it has 10 days to go.  THAT’S MY GOD!  It just gets me all pumped up, seeing what God had done and could be ramping up to do.  Ugh my blood gets flowing hard, let me tell you what!

I realize that ChristianCinema.com isn’t the standard for how the film is selling around the US right now, but it sure tells me something.  Perhaps I’m just blowing this out of proportion and if so I don’t even care.  God is good, and is faithful and dragged this film kicking and screaming to the finish line.  Not a single attack from the enemy has stopped it.  No wickedness from anyone involved (including me) or uninvolved caused it to fail.  It IS DONE, and IT IS RELEASING. What a feeling, amen.  I feel like 2 Timothy 4ing this post (if I can say it that way) but I’ll refrain ha ha

The church screening kits start shipping monday morning, and that’s an awesome feeling.  I can’t wait to get testimonies from Pastor’s around the US (and some foreign) on how the screenings went in their congregations and what souls were saved through the film.  It’s going to be a humbling and emotionally gratifying to see.  That’s really what I’ve been waiting for.  Yes I talk about the business side here a lot and worries on that end and so many other things but the main goal here, the goal that started this project was getting the truth of God’s Word to those that need to hear it.  Man I can’t wait for some of those initial life changing stories.  The reviews thus far have been amazing to read, and I’m so thankful the film is being enjoyed by people.

All of this is only the beginning, and that’s an incredibly sobering thought.  This film might have been made in NY and made via the help of volunteers from NY, but God has taken it and will continue to take it far and beyond NY and into the homes and lives of countless people around the nation and the globe.  HE IS GOOD!

And any recognition or hand shakes that might come my way I’ll happily except, but only with the understanding that any ability I have, any skills I may possess, and any “determination” that it took to bring this film to the finish line and beyond was only because God supplied it, and injected it into this otherwise lifeless and wretched body.  Praise Him!

Kyle Prohaska,
Writer/Director/Producer of Standing Firm…and a wretched sinner whom God chose in eternity past for a time such as this to be used for HIS GLORY.  I am unworthy of such things.

I feel a little unproductive lately.  I have some packages I need to ship out overseas but I’ve yet to get those out.  Perhaps I’ll feel better once I do?  Every day feels like I’m trying to catch up.  That’s not a fun feeling so hopefully Wednesday is a better day where I accomplish some stuff.  I got some emails from some pastors in KY, KS, ON, TX, OH, MD, and MS about watching the film via the screening room so they can decide on whether or not STANDING FIRM is something they want to show to their congregation.  I’m hoping for many more to sign up and show the film.  It’s going to be very cool to see how many churches in the next 6 months end up showing the film.  The fact that every single sign up or inquiry about them are from varying states tells me something.  I guess I’m doing something right…we’ll see.

I thought a lot today about what I would make next if I had the chance to.  I’ve had some story ideas rolling around in my head and fleshed out one, but I’m not sure if it’s the direction to go in.  There’s another idea cooking that me and Denise talked about a lot today, and it has potential.  I just want to get this film out and selling before I cloud my mind with something else.  There’s so much I need to do better next time around and it’s going to be a far more difficult process next time.  While talking to a friend the other day on the phone, I spoke about the need to have a real budget next time.  As surprising as it may seem, Standing Firm didn’t have a budget.  It was money spent over a long period of time to gather equipment, and spend more and more money as time went on.  Various expenses in the tens of thousands that eventually ends up at X for the cost of the film.  That’s basically how things went, and now next time around I have a good idea of what something will cost, and that’s a good thing.  Something I have to have next time in the budget is a slice of the pie for me.  That could be taken the wrong way I suppose.  However, anybody who wants to see another film from me will probably understand that they take countless hours of time over a long period to develop, shoot, complete, shop around, distribute, and market something…and not only does it not come that cheap to actually do, but paying those who do it is a must.  If I even do half the jobs I did on Standing Firm on the next film, a decent portion of that budget (for staff) will need to come my way.  I can’t make another film if I can’t support myself, an eventual wife or family, etc.  It’s out of the question.  Nobody can live like that, so next time being able to pay myself to make the film (not just get something IF it sells) will be mandatory.

I’m working on the bible study guide for the film as well.  Two of the portions are completed, and many more to go.  I’m guessing 8 total, which is a good amount without going overboard.  There’s a lot of layers (message wise) to Standing Firm and it’s hard to pick which things to focus on.  Also on the 8th of August I’ll be presenting the church screenings and the film itself to a group of local pastors.  I’m extremely nervous and have yet to put together anything to give them or present.  I’ve been swamped.  Prayers for that are appreciated.

Lots of other irons in the fire, and the film is only 20 days from release.  The boxes for the church screening kits have arrived, the posters should ship to the house on the 6th, and everything else is here and ready to go.  I just need to get some adhesive labels and things should be ready to rock.

Be in prayer about foreign distribution as some are ready to go and waiting on their materials from me, and others are in progress/negotiations.  So far it looks like it’s possible we’ll not only be in the US/Canada but Australia, New Zealand, Africa, South America, the UK, and if I play my cards right even the Asia market.  It’s a lot of emailing and talking with folks and stress can be high at times, but hopefully we’ll get there.  If not then that’s ok, nobody can say I didn’t try!

Also I’de like to share my heart for a moment. One of my greatest worries for the next few months especially, is the recognition, thanks, and praise that COULD come from the films release.  Just locally I know that there will be a certain amount, and I’m thankful that those who live here and have been waiting are excited for the release.  However, I need prayer to cover me in these times.  I don’t want to be presumptuous on what the film could become or what kind of recognition it could get, that isn’t what I’m trying to do.  I’m just worried that if God chooses to Bless it in such a way, that I will get pigheaded, prideful, arrogant, egotistical, etc.  I’m terrible at taking compliments.  Online and email it’s a piece of cake, but in person it’s a real nightmare for me.  I don’t know what to say, I start to sweat, and it gets really bad really fast.  I say stupid things, and I’m bad at thanking someone back for their thanks (without them feeling like somethings “off.”).  It takes time to cultivate that, and I just want to be in the spirit and not in the flesh.  I want to accept any kind words that come my way with humility and with a fear of God.  Perhaps even mentioning this at all makes me sound prideful, but I’m legitimately asking for prayers about this.  I’ll need help with it.  I don’t feel prepared for it at all.  I’ve been so focused on just finishing the film that I’ve yet to prepare for the waterfall it could bring.  We’ll see…I trust the Lord with this.

Till next time, adios.

Be thankful for what you have, and I’m not just talking about money…

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/lasttrainhome/

Today was a much better day after yesterdays disaster. My body was energized, my brain was turned on, and I was ready to rock and roll. I made some headway on the STANDING FIRM DVD cover today, something that needed a little bit of an overhaul (on the back) and I ran it past almost a dozen people. I got thumbs up all around, so that’s good news. Some had some great comments that I took into consider so thanks! (you know who you are). I’ll need to get cracking on the DVD label tomorrow or Saturday, which is almost done but needs to be checked out and finalized. I would say the cover is 99%, unless I catch something or have an epiphany of some kind, it’s what it needs to be. I just hope that it prints properly, and doesn’t come out looking weird for whatever reason. That’s a nerve-wracking thought, having all of those copies being made in a few weeks, and not being able to know 200% that it’s perfect.

The Behind the Scenes are almost done, I think I have about 2 more days left of solid work to get it finished.  I’ve finally figured out a way to put it together I think.  Hands down this is my favorite part of buying a DVD.  I enjoy BTS videos, Commentaries, and the films themselves.  I could be wrong but from watching how this thing is currently over the past few days, I think this documentary of making this thing could be just as inspiring if not more so than the film itself.  It made me tear up a lot today watching it over and over and fixing stuff, watching people talk about how they saw God move in their lives and in the lives of those around them.  I can’t wait to hear what you all think about this thing.  It may surprise a few, but it’s almost as long as the film is, and I’ve edited it from start to almost finish in a little over a week.  That’s hilarious to me when the whole film took me FOREVER to edit together.  I don’t know when I’ll do my commentary, but it’ll have to be in a few days max.  That’ll be an interesting experience for me.  After that it’s onto the DVD menu’s and getting the DVD authored.  I’ve never burned and authored a dual-layer DVD before, but I think I’ll be just fine.

I’ve looked at DSLR’s really carefully lately and today I had a friend (thanks John) send over to me a segment from a video he did in full quality…the original file off the camera.  I’ve looked at lots of stuff like this, but this is a medium shot interview style, out in the sunlight under a cloud blanketed sky (much like STANDING FIRM was in most outdoor scenes).  That kind of light makes almost any camera (properly exposed) look amazing and really give a filmic feel.  I’m not 100% sold on these DSLR’s yet for feature usage but I’m leaning towards that possibility on my next film.  I watched the clip at full 1080p on my Plasma and it really looked great.  The biggest thing for me is the codec it’s compressed in and the bit-rate, but it’s pretty high.  My goal will probably always be DVD, so the resolution and even the codec setbacks can be of smaller importance than someone looking to go theatrically with something.  I shot STANDING FIRM in HDV (which is low bit-rate amongst many other things) so really the DSLR wouldn’t be much different.  The greatest advantage to using it would be the more filmic bokeh, the better chips, the file-based capturing system, lens options, and the weight.  Those are pretty great advantages, so we’ll see where things end up.  I need a DSLR soon anyways because I’m sick of not having a great still camera.  I want a pro still camera, not some powershot garbage.  We shall see where I land financially in a little bit.

Lots to do tomorrow, catch ya on the flipside…

Today was an interesting day.  One of those days when I realize just how close my deadline is for the film, and how much I have yet to finish.  My biggest worry I think is just the lack of time to polish and MAKE SURE that things are good.  It’s nerve-wracking for me to know I’ll be literally doing the last of the last things last minute, unless something radical happens and I get this BTS stuff done really fast.  After all this time I find myself slaving over this last bit of the “product” to round out the DVD package.  The subtitles are another thing.  They will be done in 5 days and even if I send the check tomorrow, I won’t get them completed until the 24-25th which is really close to be deadline.  What if the format doesn’t work as it should?  That means no subtitles on the film…because they won’t have time to fix them.  Lots of little things that could go wrong here, prayers appreciated.

Editing this documentary for the BTS is like a giant puzzle and I feel like I’m on a timer.  There’s probably 7 hours of interview footage between everyone, and it’s difficult knowing what piece to put where, how to separate what is said into logical portions of the video (story, characters, shooting, etc.).  I really think this will be a great thing to watch and for me to watch personally to remember the film so much weight goes with it.  I have some credits to finalize as well that I need to make some phone calls for.  I’m waiting on my Dove review which should be in next monday, then hopefully I can get a quote from Dove to use on the back of my DVD cover.  I’m lucky to have squeezed through with the endorsements I have, because they’re really good and the Lord was on my side there…BIG TIME.  If I can nab one more that’ll be great.  I’ll be recording my commentary for the film sometime soon, early next week is likely.  Lots to do…please pray for me.

I posted one of the first images from Ace Wonder today on the blog.  This film is a marketing dream when it comes to promotional material.  Expect to see that image from the film showing up on all sorts of things, because it’s the iconic image for the film, I hope it stays as such.  It can be used on almost anything and look fantastic.  Looking forward to seeing things develop over time If nothing else, the film is going to look fantastic.  I played with the 4k image from the RED I was given, it’s beautiful to work with in Photoshop.  My hat goes off to James Burgess for shooting the film so beautifully!

Denise came over later today and we watched Toy Story 2.  I haven’t seen it in years and on Blu-ray it’s incredible.  I watched Toy Story 1 with commentary earlier today and forgot how good it was.  Toy Story 2 is now in my top films I think, it’s the PERFECT sequel.  I never stopped laughing at how clever it was and all the stuff that’s in it that’s so brilliant.  What a wonderful job that must be.  I can’t imagine the roaring laughter when some of those ideas in the movie were hatched.  Perfectly crafted story too, which if you know the backstory on the making of the film (it being rewritten last minute because it was crap) then the film is even more impressive!  Definitely a great movie…

I also looked at apartments today in the area to figure out when I would want to move and where.  It’s going to be a tough decision process but I look forward to having my own place.  I can’t wait to decorate it too, and make it my own.  My office especially I’m excited about.  A new editing desk, new speakers, and I can finally put these movie posters I bought on the walls.  I have a fully cast signed Raiders of the Lost Ark poster (40×27) and The Shawshank Redemption cast signed, also 40×27.  Those are my prized processions when it comes to movie memorabilia.  I need to get good frames for them!  I also saw this today, which is a MUST BUY.  When to move and where and how to pay for it all…fun times.  It’ll come soon enough, perhaps this fall after things settle down a tad?  If they don’t settle down…whatever I’m gonna move anyways.

Till next time folks…peace out.