Lessons from Loss

I lost my best (canine) friend recently and it's been a season of grief for me.

I have found a new dimension in my closest friends and also in some acquaintances.

God says He will never give us more than we can handle. He also said that a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken.

Put these together with all the other notes on community and it's pretty obvious that we need each other.

Having a dog provides so much in the way of fellowship, and virtually none of the problems (gossip, betrayal, jealousy) that dog owners can sometimes retreat into the dog bubble.

When the animal dies, there is a tendency to appreciate friends more. To want to be around and to need people more.

Maybe that's why dogs live about 12-15 years. Maybe it prepares us for saying goodbye to humans as they die. Hard to say, but though I do not plan to get another dog anytime soon, I am profoundly glad for the furry little creatures that the Lord has given us to enhance the joy and ameliorate the pain of this life.

I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Goodbye Frankie

I feel like a brick has hit my head hard.

I'm in a daze, having lost my best friend in a very short time. Frankie (aka. Franklin B. Dog) has been my dog for 11 years, a loving mutt who really appreciated being rescued.

I am writing about this because it helps me to grieve. Also, as a writer, I need to express all the richness and detail of my life, including love and grief. It also helps to know that others loved him and love and support me. I hope it helps you. The sun also rises.

A short history of the diagnosis and the end:

He was 12 years old and I knew he was slowing down. But, the end was so very abrupt that I had no time to process before he was gone. The fact that he had virtually no time to suffer is comforting.

Friday April 24th I took him to Bank of America in Burbank. The tellers get mad at me when I fail to bring him. He was a little sluggish, but he had no remarkable symptoms. As we left, he refused to come down the stair. I knew something was wrong, but I was in a hurry. I carried him to the car and quickly deposited him in my apartment so I could run to the airport to pick up my mom, who was visiting for a few days.

From the airport, mom and I went to an event and then to a movie (a really bad one). When we got back home, I had to carry Frankie out to pee. He didn't want to move and the facts about his health that I had blocked out came rushing back. I took him back inside and went to bed, preparing to take him to the vet in the morning.

Sat. April 25th at 5:30AM, I awoke to sounds of Frankie's grand mal seizure. I ran over to him and prayed over him and the seizure stopped.

At 8:00AM, we arrived at the vet and Frankie immediately had another seizure. The vet kept him for awhile while we went home.

We were scheduled to pick up the dog at 12:30PM. I didn't like the fact that the girl on the phone wouldn't tell me what was wrong, but she insisted I speak with the vet, who was not available. When I arrived, the vet (whose English is much better than my Korean, so we used English) told me he was really bad and I needed to make a decision. He said I could spend 10s of 1000s to discover what was wrong (he suspected poisoning or a brain tumor) and then put him down, or we could put him down. Mom and I talked (thru the tears) about options as we watched Frankie stumble around the kennel room, drunk from the narcotics. But, at least the seizures had stopped.

We asked for some oral Phenobarbital for when the shot wore off and took him home to ponder the inevitable. I stopped at the pastry shop next door to the vets and bought a raspberry tart for Frankie with tears streaming down my face. I'm sure they get a few such purchases each month from despairing pet owners like me buying a last meal.

We went home and Frankie soon had another seizure. That was the fleece that I had set to tell me if I must say goodbye to my faithful friend today. Oh, God must it be today. The answer came, yes today.

So, I called the vet and arranged to meet him at 7 to say goodbye to my dog.

I called all the neighbors and those I could think of that really liked Frank. If I forgot you, please know I wasn't thinking straight.

We swapped some Frankie stories and my little boy got the rest of the pastry, some chicken noodle soup and several hot dogs. He was happy.

Later in the vets office, I held my beautiful beast as the pink liquid coursed into his catheter. There was no noise or light or fanfare. He simply lowered his great head for the last time and slept.

Franklin B. Dog was a home maker, a sleeper, a slacker and a lover of people. He served as the erstwhile mascot for the 168 Film Project and was a great actor, who did not get distracted and was nearly perfect at hitting his marks. He was the perfect canine companion for me, a single man with too many goals and dreams for one lifetime.

I found him in 1998 when I was looking in the paper for the date of a Lloyd Cole Concert. There I saw a pic of a freak of nature. It was a dog with an enormous head and three legs. The SPCA had taken his pic and neglected to photograph his fourth leg. Since he was depressed, living in the institution, he had lost a lot of weight so his head looked Enormous. Mystery solved.

I went down to look at him, knowing I didn't want or need a dog (though I always had them growing up).

He was an intimidating-looking dog, so I asked them how many people he had mauled. None (but). But what I asked. Under the breath, they mumbled the fact that he likes to chew things up. I don't care about that, I said.

After they dropped their objections about me living in an apartment and after they were satisfied that I wasn't spending the $75 to acquire a fighter, they gave me the keys and let me play with him. I fell in love with him completely.

The next 11 years were wonderful. He gave me many laughs and a few tears, some anger (chewed up my couch, a Bible and many other things) and a real satisfaction that comes with caring for an animal.

We also made a couple of short films together, "New Best Friend" for the 2003 version of the 168 Film Project, and the soon to be released "The Chronicles of Hernia: the Lion, the Ditch and the Studio," due very soon (www.chroniclesofhernia.com).

Among his talents were acting, opening doors, frisbee catching, climbing trees. back scratch, back rub and much more. He tried to save me once by pulling in the tow rope after I had finished wake boarding. He let me into my office more than once when I had locked myself out.

I am sure that the Lord Jesus made Frankie specifically for me. Thanks be to the Lord for letting me enjoy him for 11 years. And for arranging for mom to be here to help me through the whole ordeal. Not exactly the vacation either of us had planned, but exactly what was needed. True difficulty is experienced alone.

As for the problem of time, I heard on the radio that the Lord gives us all the time that we require. If we don't have enough time, than could it be that we are doing something we shouldn't.

For the immediate future, I know I am working at about half strength. So now, much more than normal, I have no doubt from whence my strength, success and power come from.

KNBC-TV, Parties, Prayer, Biola, Britweek

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

168 Film Festival is Here April 3-4

Well,

It's been a long trip through the turn in of all the films, nominations and jury procedures.

Very exciting, the list of awards presenters for the 168 Film Festival.

All the nominations are on the website and the winners are selected and sealed on 18 categories of awards. Here's the latest on the parties, promos and paparazzi. Hope you can make it.

Please pray all goes well and that the power of these visual parables reaches past the curtains towards the open window.

Peace,

John



168 Film Festival 2009 Scheduled Events

Friday, Apr. 3, 10AM-9PM
(United Community Church 333 E Colorado St. Glendale, CA 91205)

Saturday, Apr. 4, 10AM-Close (Awards Show 9:30pm-10:30pm)
(Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203)

Tickets ($10-35, VIP $65): http://store.168project.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc
818-557-8507. –OR- 818-243-ALEX http://www.alextheatre.org

$1 Raffle: Win an iPod Touch & hundreds of dollars in food and services from Area Restaurants and Merchants! (Must be present to win)

Glendale Participation: Angela's Bistro, Aoba Restaurant, California Pizza Kitchen, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Islands Restaurant, Lunchbox Restaurant, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse.

Others: MB2 Raceway Sylmar, Knitting Factory Hollywood

Parties: To Celebrate the Filmmakers!
Friday After-Party: 9pm to midnite Aoba Restaurant 239 N. Brand Blvd. JAPANESE-THAI FUSION AT 20% OFF!
Saturday After-Party:10:30pm-Late - Celebrate down under at the OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE 146 S Brand Blvd. (1 block south of Alex Theatre)

Extended Clip Reel: http://168project.ning.com/video/168-clip-reel-2009-4-min
Nominations: http://www.168project.com/news/196.cfm

Prize Package: Valued at $7500 for award winners!
-TubeMogul will provide a lifetime Business Account for the BEST PICTURE award winners
-AJA Kona 3 I/O Card Value for the BEST PICTURE award winners (value $3,000)
-Out of Frame Prize: $1000 in production support rental credit
-Kino Flo Rental Credit $1,000
-Video Symphony donated $1500 in tuition for the Best Editor of 2009
-The Best Film Team will meet one-on-one with “X-MEN-Origins: Wolverine” Producer Ralph Winter
-Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio: Donated Master Class Tuition for Best Actor/Actress

Awards Show Scheduled Presenters Include:

Ralph Winter, Producer: “X-MEN Origins: Wolverine”
Howard Kazanjian, Producer: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
Zachary Levi, Star of NBC’s “Chuck”
Sy Richardson, Actor: The Coroner on "Pushing Daisies"
Michael Lehmann Boddicker, renowned synth player, grammy-winning composer
Brian Bird, Writer/Producer: "Touched by an Angel," "Not Easily Broken"
Gary Hall, Senior VP of 20th Century Fox Television
Rick Fry, Pastor of Media City Church
Kim Dorr, Talent agent and Pastor of Arts


Sponsors: Tubemogul, Eiki International, Regent University, AJA Video Systems, Resurrection Pictures, Out of Frame, Church Production Magazine, Kino Flo, Video Symphony, Arri and Sony




Friday April 3rd Screenings

Screening #1 – 10:00AM

Team 81 FAMILY MATTTERS (Unlimited Doc) Producers: Owen Kingston, Judith Kingston, Jon Wadsworth
Team 16 THE WAY HOME Producer: Cheryl L. Farr
Team 65 DISOBEDIENCE Producer: International Interns Inc.
A 168 Classic from 2008 HOME Producers: Mark Blaney, Jackie Sheppard
Team 40 UNTITLED PROJECT Producer: Christopher J. Boghosian
Team 37 LOST FOUND Producer: Kathy O’Brien
168 Behind the Scenes Documentaries
Team 29 INHERITANCE Producer: Mikki Hall
Team 51 GRANDMA, YOU’RE FIRED Producers: Barry Thurston Jr., Emmett Loverde
Team 82 GOODBYE Producer: Kayla Tabish

Lunch – 11:45AM

Screening #2 – 1:00PM

Team 28 JUST LIKE YOU Producer: Adekunle Ilori
Team 83 MEET ME ON THE INSIDE Producer: Don Wahl
A 168 Classic from 2008 STAINED Producers: Joshua Weigel, Aaron Moore, Jeff Bartsch
Team 74 PASSION FOR PURPOSE (Unlimited Doc) Producer: Pete Brown
Team 10 LIKE FATHER Producer: Steve Puffenberger
Team 39 AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM (Unlimited Doc) Producer: Don Weisbrod
Team 14 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MJ Producer: Mary Burkin
168 Behind the Scenes Documentary
Team 19 MORE THAN ABLE Producers: Jantin Manntai, John Lockmer
Team 66 JASMINE Producer: Richelle T. Sanchez

Break – 2:50PM

Screening #3 – 3:10PM

Team 68 SURFACING Producer: Tommy Stork
Team 46 WHERE TO BEGIN AGAIN Producer: Chris Lambert
Team 56 MOUNTAIN OF TRUTH Producer: Stephen Maiorana
A 168 Classic from 2008 WHILE YOU WERE AWAY Producer: Vance Elliot
Team 33 PESACH: A PASSOVER STORY Producers: Ben Boquist, Kristen Van Valkernburg, Doug Boguist,
Michaele Lavigne
Team 67 HOTLINE Producer: Shira Fry Dillon
168 Behind the Scenes Documentary
Team 9 PAPER FLOWERS Producer: Alicia Hottle
Team 1 LISTEN UP Producer: Jim Foust


Dinner – 4:55PM

Screening #4 – 7:00PM

Team 3 LOVE ECHOES Producer: Elena Bueca
Team 42 REVEALED Producers: Sam & Shawn Calvillo
Team 78 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Producer: Stephen Byrd
Team 8 LOVE NEVER TIRES Producer: Mike Capozzi
A 168 Classic from 2006 INTERROGATION Producers: Don LaFontaine, Paul Pape

Break – 8:15PM

Screening #5 – 8:30PM

Team 23 RONNIE’S RESTAURANT Producers: Clint Loveness, Alan Tregoning
Team 7 LELA Producer: Lynda Stein
Team 71 CHINESE ANTIQUE Producers: Anthony Ma, Jennifer Ng, JC Chang
Team 24 HIDDEN TRUTHS Producers: Tim Lowry, Mark Chang
Team 57 OBEDIENCE Producers: Mathew Abate, Caleb G. Brown, Naomi Kasa


Saturday April 4th Screenings

Screening #1 – 10:00AM

Team 54 PUSH Producer: Jordan Easton
Team 61 REFLECTIONS Producer: Pat Daugherty
Team 76 JACK’S PLUMBING (Unlimited Doc) Producers: Isaac Anderson, Jack Parker
Team 32 THREE OF CLUBS Producer: Mike Shields
168 Behind The Scenes Documentary
Team 70 WHO DID WHAT WITH KENNY MARCUS Producer: David Waddell
Team 22 ONE Producers: Geoff Hall, Tim Woodford, Ben Small
Team 53 BY THE BOOK Producer: Mark Gentz
Team 44 SHADES OF GRAY Producers: Marc Stone, Rochelle Wornardt

Lunch – 11:50AM

Screening #2 – 1:15PM

Team 60 CONCEPTION Producers: Kurt De Vries, Rick Ellis
Team 30 ASHA TO ASHES Producers: Jonathan Perkins, Sonia Mari
Team 73 BROKEN Producers: Alexander Smothers, Patrick Ingram, Chris Wycoff
Mike Wech
Behind the Scenes of 168 Films
Team 80 PULLIN’ TEETH Producers: David Gaw, Nick Ganas, Justin Dial, David Martinez
Team 72 DADDY’S GIRL Producers: Susu Keepman Lee, Eric Lee
Team 20 FATHER OF THE MAN Producer: John O’Neal
Team 43 ASHES TO APPLES Producer: Richard Juden

Break – 2:45PM

Screening #3 – 3:00PM

Team 64 THE LAST OBEY Producer: Derek Butler
Team 63 GOD MOVES (Unlimited Doc) Producer: Deana Spyres
Tema 34 HIMIG Producer: World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific
Team 35 PUTTING THE ASH BEHIND YOU Producers: Ryan Johnson, Mark Blitch, Adam Kitchen,
Danny Owens
Team 25 JOSEPH’S WHEEL OF DESTINY Ian Eyre
Friday Night Audience Winner

Dinner – 4:15PM

Screening #4 – 5:55PM

Team 69 GRIP Producers: Chris Ackerman, Brandon Chandler, Josh Holt
Maddy Curley, Scott McLean
Team 55 THE LAST LAUGH Producers: R. McCall Jones, Susan S. Shearer, Amber Deegan
Team 58 THE TEST Producer: Pat Smith, C.A.T.C.H.
Team 45 GREAT OAKS Producers: Laureen Trujillo, Jason Lewis, Sharon O’Leary-Martin
Team 49 ABEL’S WHEELS Producers: Rebekah Score, Sara Messer
Team 52 HELP WANTED Producers: Ryan Skeete, Kelly Allard, Jacob Snowden,
David Skidmore
Team 79 THE CALL Producers: David & Jarusha Kiang
Team 50 STEALING HOME Producer: Nathan Bettisworth

Break – 7:35PM

Screening #5 – 7:45PM

Team 58 WHEELCHAIR ANGEL (Unlimited Doc) Producer: Don Maynard
Team21 UNSCRIPTED Producers: Jonathan Brown, Jackie Sheppard, Luke Walton
Team 48 STILL BORN Producers: Andrew Librizzi, Chad Gunderson, Benjamin Dane
Todd Terry
Team 2 GUIDED (Unlimited Doc) Producers: Frank Lozano, Monique Newman
Team 13 UP IN THE AIR Producers: Chris Roberts, Doug Folsom, Wes Llewellyn
Team 18 SAVING LEVI Producers: David Bradshaw, Michael Ramsey
Team 26 LOVE IS GOOD Producer: Theo Love

Break – 9:20

Award Ceremony – 9:30

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce our screening blocks for 2009. Click: Screening Blocks.
Here is the link to the festival sneak preview extended trailer (4 min. version) Click: Trailer. This is much longer than normal trailers so that we show you the many voices of those involved.

My hat is off to the filmmakers, for their amazing efforts to make this year our finest yet. We had 83 entries resulting in 67 finished films for the April 3-4 screening! These artists have put their body, heart and soul into their work to entertain you and the Creator.

The 168 Film Festival has become an annual happening in the Christian community, with over 2,000 patrons year. It is a one-of-a-kind, must-attend opportunity for you to invite secular friends.

Come and see what everyone will be talking about for a long time, the culmination of efforts for 67 teams that finished their films.
Please understand, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE AWARDS. It's not about screening on Saturday night either. People in the know appreciate that all of these films (finalist or not) have something special to offer BECAUSE they are built on the word of God. I encourage you to see them ALL - Friday and Saturday.

The theme for 2009 is "FAMILY BUSINESS." Everyone has some kind of family. Some families resemble Norman Rockwell paintings and some leave much to be desired. According to the Psalms, "God is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows" (Psalm 68:5); "God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land" (Psalm 68:6).

From the joy over a newborn to a father's sorrow over a prodigal, take a journey with us as we explore the complexities of the very basic structure for human life - the family. (Not for children under 12).

Thank you for supporting us in prayer and by attending the film festival. This film festival is changing the world through the media, one short film at a time.
Peace,

John

168 Entries at their Peak in 2009

The sky is falling and your house is on fire! Huh?

I guess someone forgot to inform the filmmakers of this factoid.

In fact, we have surpassed our all-time peak (in 2008 we had 82 entries) with a record number of 83 entries to the 168 Film Project. Praise Jesus.

Sponsor prizes are coming in fast at this point, now up to $6500 for the winners of the 168 Film Festival Awards. The focus is on finding tools for filmmakers to use in a win-win situation for all parties concerned. Sponsors to date include: Sony, Arri, Kino Flo, Out of Frame, Regent University, Church Production Magazine, EIKI, Resurrection Pictures, Video Symphony. We have been able to secure very inexpensive insurance for teams as well as deals on locations and gear.

The LA teams got their foundational scripture verses on Tuesday night and there were shouts of joy and looks of bewilderment as teams lauded the fact that they had a plan to illustrate the verse or bemoaned the fact that they had to start all over.

This year, teams seem to have a certain spiritual maturity about them that was not as strong overall in previous years. There has been a genuinely sweet spirit at all the events over the last 6 weeks. We have treated filmmakers to insights from Mark Clayman, producer of "The Pursuit of Happyness", Brian Bird, writer of "Not Easily Broken", Luke Schelhaas, writer/producer "Smallville" and "Law and Order", Ralph Winter, producer "XMEN Wolverine" and many others.

The next event is one of my faves, the Casting Audition on Sat. 2-14-09. 300+ actors come and line up for a chance to wow the producers with a 25-second monologue geared toward getting a same-day callback. Up to 20 teams are expected at the audition, meaning potentially 80 roles up for grabs. Not a bad ratio.

Prayers for the actors and the filmmaking teams are in order as they grind out a 11-minute miracle in 168 Hours.

Honestly, if you go and see the latest Oscar contenders, you'd be tempted to give up and say, "ok I'd better grab all I can because this is all there is. No afterlife, nothing. When they shut the lid on my casket, it's lights out and game over." Our 168 Hour MEDIA MISSIONARIES are definitely out to shake things up in an age that desperately needs films with a message of hope.

Peace,

John

Sundance Review

My experience at Sundance was fascinating!

We had an excellent crowd for the 1st annual "168-Dance" at St. John's Anglican Church. We showed 5 films and talked unashamedly about faith and filmmaking. Pastor/Actor Doug Folsom and Director Wes Llewellyn (UNBOUND, A GOOD DAY, CROSS WALK, THE MOMENT AFTER 1-2) were on tap to explain their films and filmmaking style. Also making an appearance were filmmakers Jeff Bartsch and Chris Roberts (Vote for the cat now at voteforthecat.com).

It was a very interesting to watch Doug Folsom show his film and tell his new congregation about his role in the 168 Film, "I Believe," in which he plays a hypocritical, self-deceiving priest who displays all manner of unsavory sins on camera, including alcoholism and inappropriate contact with women in counseling.

We had a good laugh as he told them of his heart for them and how he hoped to never disappoint them as his character had. He asked for prayer for his purity and commented on the myriad temptations that face each and every pastor, priest and teacher worldwide. Pray for your Pastors!

The foundational verse of the film was "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." James 2:18-20.

John and Ed Priddy of the Windrider Christian Forum were very kind to allow me to set up a display at their forum at the Mountain View Church. Each year, Windrider invites college students from Christian Universities to come to Sundance, watch the films and engage the culture. They are now the largest single ticket-buying block at Sundance and I was honored to be a part of their excellent program.

Windrider showed several films and held a Q & A with the international group of filmmakers.

At Sundance proper, I saw some great films ("Sin Nombre, "Yes Men Fix the World") and some not so great films. I am happy to say that I would put the best of the 168 Films up against the Sundance Shorts ANY DAY OF THE WEEK! That made me feel good.

"168" Films, for the most part do not wallow. They do not celebrate base and debauched themes.

Many of the films at Sundance celebrate darkness and hoplessness. There are also many gay films featured prominently.

Going to Sundance truly reinforces the mandate we have: to change the world thru the media. It is so very important, for they who control the stories control the culture. And recently, darkness has held sway in the media, be it tv, film or the web.

As we wandered Main Street, my friend and I met a gay man who desperately wanted connection and to be heard. He wanted to tell his story. 50-year-old Corey's parents (from Salt Lake City, Utah) are devout Mormons and they are ashamed of him.

He told us how he'd bought a flat some years ago, and how his lover had poisoned him, trying to kill him and steal the house. Corey was in a coma for some time and though he has recovered, his thoughts are muddled and confused. He is desperate to know God, but he has much trouble discerning what is real and what is lies and distraction.

We talked to him for quite awhile and it was so beautiful that it made me tear up at one point. Absent from our interaction was any sense of baggage or judgemental attitudes on either of our parts. He accepted us for what we were, concerned humans looking out for our wounded, confused brother.

He allowed us to pray for him right there in the middle of Main Street. We prayed that he would receive clarity from the Lord in Jesus' name and that his family and he would reconcile themselves.

I gave him my card and I hope to hear from him and to encourage him to continue seeking all the time. I told him to seek and he will find, knock and the door will be opened.

Thank you Jesus for using me thus.

Pray for Corey.