Well, the Film Festival was awesome! Glory to God and to his son Jesus for the success of the 168 Film Festival Apr. 3-4, 2009. For photos and more, see: http://168project.com. Visit our photographer John and purchase a photo of you on the red carpet. https://www.imagequix.com/exec/vando2009/?id=Q9WLF91
So much to tell and so much coming up: KNBC-TV News Coverage of the 168 Film Festival, Biola Media Conference, 168 Wrap Party, Britweek Forum and more. At the end of this rather lengthy note are some comments from a guest columnist and compadre, Gary Swanson on Prayer. Philippians 4 says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
ABOUT THE 168 FILM FEST: We couldn't have done it without our sponsors Media City Church, tubeMogul, EIKI, Resurrection Pictures, Kino Flo, Regent University, Church Production Magazine, AJA, Video Systems, Out of Frame Rentals, Video Symphony, Arri, and Sony.
At the 2-day 168 Film Festival, we welcomed Ralph Winter, Producer of "X-MEN Origins: Wolverine," Zachary Levi, star of "Chuck," and many other celebrities both human and canine. There were 87 on hand from Guide Dogs of America, and 27 actual guide-dogs-in-training in the festival audience. (They came to watch Frank Lozano's "Guided," which tells the story of the families who raise guide dogs for the blind).
We welcomed 3 teams from England, two from Canada and many more from around the USA.
ABOUT KNBC-TV: Please go to the KNBC-TV Link below and thank them for 168 Coverage. Your thanks could mean we get future coverage! Last year over 100 comments were placed! http://www.nbclosangeles.com/around_town/the_scene/168_Film_Festival_Opens_in_LA_Los_Angeles.html
ABOUT PRAYER: After the tremendous success of the 168 Film Project and Festival this year, I am reminded of how God answers prayer. We MUST re-double our prayer efforts for this country and ALL things.
Here at 168, we are trusting God to provide the funds for us to continue with a staff of 3 year-round. Please pray for us and attend a NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER GATHERING near U.
ABOUT TO PARTY: Don't forget the 168 Wrap Party Potluck at the BIG TOP. Sat. May 9th, 5-10PM
17721 Roscoe Blvd. Northridge CA 91325. RSVP: rsvp@168project.com, 818- 557-8507).
We'll bring drinks and dogs! Please bring food according to the 1st letter of your last name:
--------- A-H: Appetizer or Salad, ---- I-R: Main Course, ---- S-Z: Dessert
Our host's home includes a pool, jaccuzi and training compound for Cirque de Soleil. Don't miss the fun.
The party will feature a High Flying Chicken, courtesy Mr. Mike Capozzi (& his brand spankin' new chicken suit) and a special ceremony to honor our amazing volunteers.
ABOUT THE BRITISH COMING: Speaking of volunteers, we need two to serve BritWeek's "Filmmakers Forum: Over There," Friday, April 24, 8:00am-6:30pm, Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. These 2 volunteers will be needed for the duration.
Interested? (Wrap Party or Britweek Vols!) Email info@168project.com and put "Volunteering" in the Subject line. BritWeek's creative forum is about making movies across the pond (meaning the USA). Britweek has graciously extended the industry discount to the 168 community. Tickets are $150 (vs. $200) if you select the "PGA" discount. BritWeek guests include Michael Apted and Kenneth Branagh.
Program Elements: Directing Over There, Pitching Over There, Producing Over There, Playing Over There.
The day-long session will explore the creative challenges and detail ways of bridging the cultural gap between the UK and US markets. Each session will include Q&A and audience interaction with panels comprised of US and UK entertainment industry leaders. See www.britweek.org.
ABOUT THE BIOLA MEDIA CONFERENCE:
I'm sure that when Joe Eszterhas ("Showgirls," "Basic Instinct") got the nod as keynote speaker at Biola's (Baptist Institute of L.A.) CBS hosted Media Conference, there were at least a few evangelists rolling in their graves. It was probably a similar reaction to when Paul (Saul) got the nod from the Almighty to preach the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles.
It proves that almost anyone can be used by God. I for one am very interested to hear what he has to say. We hope to see you there. Please stop by our booth and pickup the 2009 DVD at the conference.
Call For Entries for An Evening of Arts & Entertainment is the leading visual & performing arts showcase for artists creating art from a Christian Worldview. Check out their men's group too!
Peace, John David Ware, Founder/Director
168 Film Project
ABOUT PRAYER (FROM GARY SWANSON): (L.A. residents, check out Gary's Media Industry Bible Study (Tinseltown) in Burbank and on the FOX Lot, it's fantastic! Details at the bottom)
Prayer is a popular subject among Christians who are a part of the media and/or the creative arts community here in Los Angeles. And it should be. But I wonder how much praying we're really doing? Earlier today I received a reminder about the National Day of Prayer coming up on Thursday, May 7th. The reminder came from someone who must be respected for her hard work in various prayer ministries here in our city, and in many other areas of ministry as well. I believe her words came from her heart.
And I began thinking about my heart, specifically my heart for prayer. To be sure, I give prayer a lot of lip service, but in spite of 33 years plus of teaching the Word of God and therefore having some understanding of the importance of prayer, I still don't pray enough. Oh, I talk to God a lot. I should say also that He is almost always a part of my thinking as I make decisions, and I am almost always conscious of His presence with me as I go about my day. But I don't sit with Him enough, and focus on Him enough, to clearly understand the desires of His heart. That has consequences. Many years ago I cut a brief paragraph out of one of those pre-printed church bulletins and taped it to the flyleaf of the second bible I ever owned. It said:
Satan dreads nothing but prayer.
His one concern is to keep the saints from praying.
He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, or prayerless religion.
He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.
The psalmist puts it this way in Psalm 105 verses 1-4: 105:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 105:2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! 105:3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (NKJV)
The mighty Apostle Paul has this to say about prayer in Philippians chapter 4 verses 6-7: 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
I need to get my life back into balance concerning prayer. I also need to put a greater emphasis on prayer in the Tinseltown Studies, something I've been saying but not doing for too long. And whenever I pray, I need to pray as I used to pray when first saved ... diligently, with childlike faith, filled with wonderment. How about you? Pray much?
If you would like to join those of us who regularly attend the Tinseltown Bible Studies as we continue our always unpredictable trip through the Gospel of Matthew, you have two locations and two nights from which to choose:
THE WESTSIDE STUDY gathers on WEDNESDAY EVENINGS at the Twentieth Century Fox Studios next to Century City. The address is 10201 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064. If you would like to join us at Fox, you must be pre-registered. If you have been regularly attending either Tinseltown Study, you are already pre-registered. Otherwise you will need to email us or call us no later than Wednesday at 2pm, using the contact information below, and ask to have your name added to the guest list for Fox. You cannot pre-register by contacting Fox Studios directly, so please do not bother them.
Enter Fox by the main gate at the corner of Pico Blvd and Motor Avenue. Turn right and then left to the main security gate. Tell the guard that you are there for the "Tinseltown Meeting". Everyone in your car must be pre-registered and have identification. If you are properly pre-registered you will be issued a pass and given driving instructions to get you to Building 1. Once there, you may disregard the "reserved" signs and park in any available space.
THE VALLEY STUDY meets on THURSDAY EVENINGS at 825 Evergreen Street on the far west edge of Burbank, about 10 blocks north of Warner Bros Studio. Take either Pass Avenue or Hollywood Way to Verdugo Avenue. Go west on Verdugo Avenue to Evergreen street, which is one block west of Pass Avenue or five blocks west of Hollywood Way. Turn north on Evergreen Street and go 1 1/2 blocks to the address on your left, a one story home on the west side of the street. Normally street parking is readily available within a block of the house.
Both Studies open their doors at 7:45pm to give you time to sample the snacks, snag a bottle of water, and settle in before the regulars finally show up. The actual discussion begins at 8:00. Need more information? Email me at gary@tinseltownministries.org or Judy at judy@tinseltownministries.org. If you prefer, call me at 310-779-7443 or Judy at 310-779-7442. However, if you text message either one of us, we will have to take away your cell phone the next time we see you.
Gary S
