168 and Burton Center for Arts and Technology

Dr. Fred Eichleman and John David Ware

I'm out of town this week (9/16-19/12) teaching in Salem, Virginia at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology, a vocational school designed to prepare students for immediate post-high school employment.

The school features four-year courses of study in Mass Communication: TV & radio production, print media, marketing, legal and ethics. If you prefer, they also offer performing arts such as choral, dance, musical theatre or speech communication.

Not your thing?  Try the school of Auto Service Technology (race car fabrication and all facets of the racing industry) Motorsports Technology, Engineering or Floral Design.  This is a fun school.

No, it's not a substitute for regular high school, it's an addition to it.  And yes, I'm a little jealous, but I am hiding it well.  The people here are very warm and friendly.

My hosts are Dr. Fred and Mrs. Carolyn Eichleman, rockstars of the blackboard.  They are retired, but they are very active in their 70's, publishing the Point North Tidings Newsletter among other things.  This tells the news of Christians in the arts who are making a difference.  Carolyn and Fred are big fans of the 168 Film Project and make great use of the 168 films for their weekly Bible study.

Their daughter Carol Webster is a drama teacher at the Burton School.

As you may have guessed, I am not here to teach their pit crew.  As the Burton Guest Artist, I am teaching a 3-day intensive on writing, production, acting, directing and everything else you might want to know about the business.



John David Ware Teaches at Burton Center for Arts & Technology

I humbly stand on the shoulders of friends from whom I have learned so much.  Special thanks go to Brian Bird, Derrick Warfel, Key Payton, Luke Schelhaas, Bruce Nahin and Kevin Sizemore.

Of course there is a dual purpose of recruiting students for the Write of Passage Screenwriting competition, BTW ONLY 2 WEEKS TO DEADLINE (Oct. 1).

I have been cramming their minds full of great info, which they are hungry for.  After the first day of three, one girl confessed to being so overloaded with ideas that she found it hard to concentrate.  "I can't shut off all of these ideas," she said excitedly.

So, I'm happy to be doing a reasonably good job.  My gift is exhortation, if nothing else and it is wildly satisfying to teach these young men and women and watch the lights go on.  Find (and fund) your gifts and give them away.


Peace,

John David Ware

Variety Family & Faith Summit Review

The Variety Family Entertainment and Faith-Based Summit was Thursday, June 21, 2012.

Kudos to Variety for seeing the need and providing an event of this caliber.  The biggest draw at these events as usual is the networking opportunities.  In person is still the best way to forge relationships.

The lineup of the program was impressive, making one wonder what they will do for an encore.  The room was sold out to the point of standing-room-only seating (Is that an oxymoron?) and there were many new folks to meet.

To see the Variety Review: Click Here "Biz takes notice of family, faith-based media" Variety summit features sneak peek at Mark Burnett's 'Bible' mini

John David Ware and "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett

Mark Burnett flew in from Morocco with a clip from his 10-hour mini-series called "The Bible" (due in 2013). 

Burnett spoke enthusiastically about the huge, often untapped potential of faith-based productions.

My philosophy of approaching the famous and the "put-upon" is simple.  Don't ask for anything but advice.  Don't give a card unless it is asked for.  I got advice from "The Apprentice" creator and "Survivor" producer.  His words ring in my ears as they are the same words I heard at the start of 168, ten years ago.  They are not discouraging, but they are sobering, "You have chosen a very hard road for yourself," he said.

He is correct.  Route 168 has been a very hard road.  But where is the glory to God in an easy victory?  He doesn't like a fair fight if you haven't noticed.  He uses the weak things of this world to influence the strong.  Judges 7:4 says, "But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there"  (NIV).  In the end, the Lord used only 300 men to defeat the "multitudes" of the enemy.

It's clear that Hollywood still does not know what to think of the whole "faith thing" (no, it was not all Christians at the summit).  Some were surprised at the way the show skewed more toward Faith instead of pondering the ins and outs of the "Family Genre."

Variety's "Family Entertainment and Faith-Based Summit " Logo shows the "Family" part of the equation first.  

Dick Rolf of the Dove Foundation said, "Family" is not a genre.  If it were, then the "Family Genre" would be excluded from the Comedy, Drama, Action-adventure and other genres.  It's not a genre it's a market segment," he said.  

And it's a big one.  Financially speaking, Family is much more lucrative and much easier to sell than faith--ask Disney.  

So, why did the summit skew so heavily toward Faith?  First, because Faith weighs heavily on people's hearts; they want to please their God in their work. Secondly, because it's SO HARD to get it right!  It's so hard to walk the line between compelling entertainment and compelling people to faith and making them feel "preached up."

The very message most central to survival is the one that many refuse to hear in any medium!  So, the artistry with which we produce could be the difference between life and death for some.  Do you believe that?  Does it give you a new focus?

So, what is a Christian film.  The more I hear the banter about what a Christian film should be, the more I'm convinced that we don't know.  At least there is no consensus.

To me a Christian film is whatever the Lord lays one's heart to produce, whether that be a "full tilt boogie come to Jesus party" film or a gritty human drama without the invocation of His name or an altar call.  Truly, I believe that Jesus can use many kinds of vehicles to reach humanity.  Further, I believe we are still in the infancy of what the Lord can and will do thru the medium.  So, we press on. 

Yes, the usual questions were asked on the Variety panels, "Who's got the money and How do I get some?"  But, there were few questions asking "How can we be different?"  or "How can we show our love for God."  Hello?

Pastor David Jeremiah said that our constant struggle to be relevant is the precise thing that makes us irrelevant to the eternal.  But, Jesus taught in parables, hmmm.

Yes, there are arguments on either side of the content debate, but we should never be ashamed of the Gospel.  Sometimes the gospel presentation in films is artistically shameful, but truly, few are willing to attempt this magnificent and near-impossible feat of a compelling "Gospel Film."  Many of the "willing" are also new and inexperienced artists; and Mel Gibson and a few courageous others.  Is it falling on your sword?  Is it pleasing the Almighty?  Or is it making hundreds of millions of dollars?

Many still believe that there's no money in faith films.   This is clearly wrong, but we must be willing to pay the price to make them and to make them great.

Here's a thumbnail of Variety's Family and Faith Show.  It featured analysis on the Faith and Family Film Market from the Dove Foundation and Movieguide.  Notables were Ralph Winter, Producer, X-Men:Wolverine, X-Men: The Last Stand, Corbin Bernsen, Actor/Producer (Psych, The Big Year) Ben Simon, Director, Brand Marketing at Wal-Mart, reps from Sony Pictures, Fox Home Entertainment, Hallmark Channel, GMC TV, Alcon Entertainment, Believe Pictures, Mpower Pictures, Mission Pictures International and Paradigm Talent Agency.

Some of the fresher questions and ideas explored were: What is the right balance between a compelling plotline and content that fits audience values? Brand placement, High-profile biblical projects (Noah and Moses) from directors Darren Aronofsky and Steven Spielberg.  The mainstream success of Soul Surfer.  Pitching broadly-targeted non-religious themed projects to the faith-based demographic – i.e. Relativity’s Act of Valor, TLC’s Sarah Palin’s Alaska, Alcon’s Dolphin Tale and Sony’s The Vow.  The panels continued with Crossover between larger family audiences and the faith-based demographic, Film Finance for Family and Faith-Based Entertainment: Brands, Investment Angels, Family Content Advocates and the necessity of aligning with certain family-friendly organizations, church groups, pastors and bloggers.  

After the summit, I met with a good friend who encouraged me to look at the audience for my project and the financial numbers (count the cost) and pray without ceasing and involve wise counselors in planning the attack.  Failing to use these tools is foolishness, an unwise use of resources.

Our directive is to keep meeting together as one body to encourage each other and to carry out the will of Him who made us.

As another friend said at the show, nineteen faithful (to evil) changed the world on Sept, 11th 2001 (by flying planes into the World Trade Towers).  What could 19 faithful to Jesus Christ do in 2012?

Finally, I learned some new terms and reinforced some old ones.

Regarding Faith and Family Entertainment: 

Multi-Generational means your film is something that the whole family can watch with Grandma and not have to excuse themselves because they are embarrassed (i.e. the rental car segment of "Plane's Trains and Automobiles").

Value-Affirming means you only offended the Baptists and either the Presbyterians or the Lutherans (with points for both), Faith Friendly means you didn't say anything too terrible or too good either, Faith Impermeable is the term for Hollywoods most mindless tripe ("Showgirls" or Friday the 13th Part 17), Faith Fried is a southern kinda film that is a little greasy but ultimately satisfying, Faith Tossed is a film with just a schmattering of God-but No Jesus, Faith Glazed is like a cruller--the message is pretty syrupy and might give you a stomach ache if you have too much, Faith Garnished is where the story is completely independent of the faith message (like the kale on a salad bar), Faith Seared is when you get a southern baptist preacher involved and it gets loud, and Faith Tartar is the term for for a RAW, RED MEAT KINDA FAITH that is not necessarily refined, but it is really really real ("Machine Gun Preacher" and "To End All Wars").

Corbin Bernsen Interview at Faith 'N' Film Summit 2012

         Corbin Bernsen, Filmmaker

The 2012 FAITH ‘N’ FILM SUMMIT Featured:

A Worship Service with Shane McCollum, Jennifer BoGray,

Comedy with Michael Jr., Interviews with filmmakers Corbin Bernsen and Kevin Sorbo, “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” A message from Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of Movieguide.com.

The panel discussion was moderated by John David Ware and entitled: "Show Me the Money: Funding Faith and Family Motion Pictures in 2012.”  The focus was on strategies in funding and what can indies learn from the studios (for a budget range from $200K to $15 million)?

Panelists included Genesis Capunitan, Senior VP Revolution Street Productions and Kurtzman/Orci Productions, Bobby Downes producer and founder and CEO of ChristianCinema.com and Chris Morrow, founder of EchoLight Studios.

Feature Film “25 Hill” screened by Corbin Bernsen, in which a father and son build a Soap Box Derby Car, but the work is cut short when dad is called to active duty in Afghanistan.  

The Faith 'N' Film Festival at NAB featured these "168" films: "Refuge," In Baghdad, a man is obsessed with a mysterious neighbor. Producers: Paul e Luebbers, Joel VanderSpek; director: Michelle Steffes (Los Angeles, CA)  WINNER: BEST FILM FNF FILM FESTIVAL, "InInk," A mysterious woman is the key to sacred scripture. Producer/director: Chris Wiegand (Dallas, TX), "Static," An astronaut's daughter misses her father. Producer: Brandon Carmichael; director: Luke Boney (Plano, TX), "Last Shot," An assassin asks, "Who cannot be redeemed by the hand of God?" Producer: Emil Pinnock; director: Damaine Radcliff (Burbank, CA), "Godless," A world without God, a girl without hope. Producer/director: Dwayne Tarver (a Write of Passage Film) (Perris, CA), Making of "Mirror Mirror" Behind the Scenes on a 168 Film. Producer: Doug Braddock; director: Steve Murray (Silverdale, New Zealand).

INTERVIEW WITH CORBIN BERNSEN:

In addition to eight years on "LA Law," Corbin Bernsen has appeared on "Seinfeld" and "The Larry Sanders Show" and has been nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe awards. He starred in "Hello Again," "Disorganized Crime," "Shattered" and as the Cleveland Indians' third baseman-turned-owner Roger Dorn in the popular "Major League" films. Corbin appeared with Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang."

His many other film credits include "Judgment," "Tales From the Hood" and "The Great White Hype." He has two faith-based films ("25 Hill," "Barlowe Mann") due to be released in 2011. Corbin lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Amanda Pays and their four sons.  

Quotes are approximate.  JDW is John David Ware and CB is Corbin Bernsen.  His latest films are "Barlow Man" and "25 Hill."  Reading an article on the Soapbox Derby moved Corbin to write "25 Hill" to help generate sponsorship for the Derby, headquartered in Akron, Ohio.  His 4 kids inspire him to make moral movies with a spiritual bent to them.  

Having interviewed him and watched Corbin's process in filmmaking over the last year, I (JDW) have some insight into his 'psyche' and what he's trying to do (pun intended, Corbin stars in a USA Network series called "Psych").  

JDW: I tell people right or wrong, that Corbin is working out his spirituality on the screen for everyone to see.  It's such a beautiful technological age to be able to watch you do that.  What have you learned spiritually in the year since we've talked?

CB: Wow, this is gonna get deep.  I was raised as a Christian Scientist.  I had a foundation and like so many people, things just drifted away.  I always had a sense of God, a sense of Christ in me.  But, kind of like an atrophied muscle.  I hadn't been to the gym.  I am working it out.  My son, who's pretty much an atheist, he's 24.  We're at a family restaurant in Akron, OH on Easter morning, and he says, what do you need all that stuff for.  He's the art director on my film, so I know God's working his magical ways.  All these smiling people came over from church in their Wal-Mart best and the were so nice.  So I told my son, you can either have these people who've been in church and are touched by Christ, or you can go to the neighborhood where the shooting was the other night.  Which world do you want?  And he said, "You know ok, I get it."

What I'm trying to work through is...I don't wanna preach to the choir.  There's a massive group of people (and I'm that person) who want God, want Christ...they've been so distanced because of things that have happened.  But they want this in their lives.  They wanna bring this peace that was so integral to the foundation of this country.  One of my next movies is going to be an exploration of just being free to say God and give it to God.  I want people to feel free to... re-investigate faith in their lives.

Republican or Democrat, I don't care what you do, (It's by) the goodness in us directed by some moral barometer that is driven by faith in God and belief in human decency, that we will succeed.

JDW: Do you think America is redeemable, & if so, is it through Christianity or through film?

CB:  I believe in people.  I believe in this great gift from God (which is life).  I believe in all people...I believe it's all redeemable.  We just have to reach inside and touch that moral ground that God gave all of us, the smile, the joy.  We've just gone so far astray. 

 It's not even about morality.  It's about reaching in there for one second and 

As I say to people, you are witnessing my journey...watching me still working this stuff out.  I'll be honest with you, I'm still working this out...My journey is to lead people to the grand canyon and look at the magnificent sunrise with the reds and greens and blues and say... if you don't see God in that...If you just take one second to smell a rose and say, 'Wow, that's magnificent.'

JDW: People want miracles everyday and if they look around, they would see them.

CB: Everyday!  Every moment, look at your child... I look at and marvel at the way my beard grows or my hair (what's left of it).  I'm amazed at shaving.  I will probably be driven to insanity by marveling at the miracles of this incredible thing.

If people could just start (doing that) and as an extension of that, even if it's a placeholder, this is where I get into dangerous ground, just for a moment you call that God.  Just give it over to God.  Don't "pearly gates" it, don't "white beard" it.  People wanna get back to that. 

I'm doing this for me and that's the process of my films. 

Corbin talked about his worldview of film worldview: I believe there should be a Christian at the table, not because I want them to be right or I wanna change everyone's point of view.  92% of all people believe in God, I want that point of view at the table, if for no other reason than to have a good discussion.

JDW: With all your busy schedule, how is the juggling of family and producing and shooting?

CB: I simply do the things I love.  I love acting and it pays the bills.  I'm 57 and my dad just died and I got 1/3 of his ashes in a bag and I was looking at it and asking "Is that it?"  Does it stop at this ziplock bag?

I have four sons and I want to leave them with a world (that's better than this one is now).

My biggest problem is that I have a wife that doesn't get it (my struggle to understand faith).  She lives a Christian life and she's blessed for it, but she doesn't question it.  I'm given to fits of trying to take it all apart.  It's really important that in this world that's crumbling around us, that we have to have some faith back in our lives.

I don't even wanna address the hard issues.  I have great friends who are gay and I'm working through my thoughts on that and abortion and capital punishment...and that's the hard part of it, when you really start applying these beautiful, wonderful principles to these hard facts.  I'm not sure there are answers.  

JDW: Where did you get this kid in your film, Nathan Gamble, he's tremendous?  He's got better lines than you do.

CB: We had a big casting session and he wasn't my top choice, but something about him.  He was in "Dolphin Tale."  He's an incredibly gifted actor at 13.  It was if his dad died in Afghanistan.  It wasn't until the end of it that he told me he was Christian.  I didn't even know it through the whole film.  This kid just blows everyone away!

JDW: Is the Soapbox Derby saved?

CB: They just picked up a sponsor for 3 years, so... (APPLAUSE)

The movie comes out on July 2nd.  

JDW: How are you financing your films?

CB: I rob banks with a big cross on my chest.  (LAUGHTER)

JDW: That's deplorable, Corbin.

CB: It would be easier (MORE LAUGHTER).  I stay outside of the Hollywood system.  I raise money in these communities.  We have meetings and I get potential investors together.  Basically it's been pockets of money in these small towns.  "Rust" and "Barlow Man" were both funded by these small Canadian towns.  I talked to the economic development director and he said he could raise $500,000, so I was on the next plane and we shot "Barlow Man." 

JDW: We've got to wrap it up.  What would you like to leave us with?

CB: I am looking for one really rich Christian.  I really enjoy going into the communities, but it adds 6 months to the process.  And it does require being in touch with 20 people and letting them know everything you are doing, which is not bad, but I'd love to have a film fund.  But, He's making me work it.

JDW: How many pictures are on your slate that you wanna produce?

CB: I have one very funny Christian romantic comedy, "Christian Mingle," which is around the Christian Dating Website.   I was listening to Michael Jr. and I wanna do a film, "Good Cop, Christian Cop." Like "Good Cop, Bad Cop."  If one doesn't work, we'll try the other way.  

JDW: So Corbin, if we come up with a script for "Good Cop, Christian Cop," would you make it?

CB: You got a camera there, you got Michael there and me here, I say, 'let's do it.'

JDW: I want to thank you for coming.  I know you have to get up to Canada to shoot "Psych."

CB: Yeah you gotta pay the mortgage, but I really have enjoyed this and I really appreciate you having me here.  I look forward to seeing the film again.  Every time I watch it I get something new out of it.  They're my own movies, but they still inspire me to do more.

JDW: Well you inspire me and I think all of our audience as well, Corbin and we are really excited about watching you and watching what you do working out your salvation, working out your faith with fear and trembling as you make these films to inspire the world.  

CB: I wanna say one thing.  Dr. Ted Baehr has been my counselor through all of this and if it weren't for him, I might've given up.  He just keeps me being true.  

JDW: Any parting thoughts?  Do you have to leave?

CB: No I wanna watch everything that's going on.

JDW: Sweet, then you'll get to watch five 168 films and I promise, you'll be amazed.

CB: I was thinking I wanna do that.

JDW: Wow, you mean do a 168 film?  How about one with Michael Jr, Jenn Gotzon & Maggie Elizabeth Jones?

CB: As long as we win, man.  (LAUGHTER)

JDW: We'll I can't guarantee that...

CB: I do have a parting thought.  For anybody who's Christian, just invite people in, don't tell 'em what to be.  Just show them the beauty...take a rose and give 'em roses.

MORE DETAILS ON THE SUMMIT ARE FORTHCOMING, STAY TUNED.

Faith at NAB Show: Kevin Sorbo, Corbin Bernsen This Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Jennifer BoGray jennifer@168project.com OR John David Ware 818-843-6060, john@168project.com

KEVIN SORBO, CORBIN BERNSEN AND TED BAEHR TO PRESENT AT THIS WEEKEND’S FAITH ‘N’ FILM SUMMIT

NAB Show hosts summit this Sunday in Las Vegas

Photos: Michael Jr, Dr. Ted Baehr, Kevin Sorbo, Corbin Bernsen (L-R Clockwise)

LAS VEGAS, April 10, 2012 – The 168 Film Project is, once again, partnering with NAB Show to offer the Faith ‘N’ Film Summit, a day of networking and education from a faith perspective. The event will be held on Sunday, April 15, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Las Vegas Convention Center - Room S219. The announcement was made today by John David Ware, Founder of the 168 Film Project.

Tickets for the Faith 'N' Film Summit are $50 and include access to NAB Show exhibits. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/FNFSummit-2012 (Code EP01). For the Faith 'N' Film Summit Agenda, visit http://tinyurl.com/FNFSchedj-2012. For more on 168, visit www.168project.com.

"The community has no shortage of talent," noted Ware, "And the strength of this year's crop of faith and family films is a testament to the growth we have seen in the genre. With our partner NAB Show, we are very excited to bring the discussion of how these films will be financed in 2012 and beyond."

Slated to present at this year’s Summit is actor/writer/director, Corbin Bernsen. In addition to his newest show “Psych,” Bernsen has appeared on eight years of "L.A. Law," "Seinfeld" and "The Larry Sanders Show," and was nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe awards. He starred in "Hello Again," "Disorganized Crime," "Shattered" and as Cleveland Indians' third baseman-turned-owner, Roger Dorn, in the popular "Major League" films.

Bernsen is scheduled to screen his latest film, "25 Hill," a story about a 12-year-old boy whose Soap Box Car Derby dreams are threatened when his father is sent to war in Afghanistan.

Also scheduled to appear is actor/author Kevin Sorbo, who played the title role in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” and Gene Roddenberry’s “Andromeda.” Sorbo acted in the films “Soul Surfer,” “Kull The Conqueror” and “Meet the Spartans.” His many TV appearances include “Just Shoot Me,” “According To Jim” and “The O.C.”

Sorbo will discuss his book “True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal-and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life.” During the height of his TV career, he suffered three strokes. He was playing the world’s strongest man while feeling like its weakest.

Sorbo continues to act in movies and television and heads the mentoring program, A World Fit for Kids, a non-profit organization providing gang, drug and dropout prevention for teens.

Sought after speaker Dr. Ted Baehr will be on hand to discuss the state of the soul of the entertainment industry. He is the chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission and founder/publisher of Movieguide.org, a website that evaluates motion pictures and other entertainment products from a conservative Christian perspective on suitability for families.

Comedy sensation, Michael Jr’s clean comedy (“The Tonight Show,” “Comedy Central,” “The Late, Late Show”) will tickle audiences without making them turn red.

The Faith 'N' Film Summit is produced by the 168 Film Project, an incubator for filmmakers, which includes worldwide filmmaking and writing competitions. All work is based on randomly assigned Bible verses.

A Faith 'N' Film panel discussion, "Show Me the Money: Funding Faith and Family Motion Pictures in 2012," features Genesis Capunitan, SVP of Revolution Productions/Kurtzman Orci, Bobby Downs, founder & CEO of ChristianCinema.com, and Chris Morrow, chief global strategist at Echolight Studios.

“The Faith ‘N’ Film Summit encourages storytellers and filmmakers to use their skills and resources to elevate the consciousness of audiences to God-inspired or life affirming values,” said Genesis Capunitan. “This is one of those great opportunities that should not be missed.”

Screenings include short films from the 168 Film Project's annual speed-faith film production competition. All are welcome, including the worldwide community of faith, church media professionals, filmmakers, artists, pastors and ministries seeking excellent faith-based content.

For more information or interviews with Founder John David Ware, please contact Jennifer BoGray, jennifer@168project.com; 168 Film Project at 818-557-8507, info@168project.com.

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About 168 Film Project

The 168 Hour Film Project is a competition where producers have 168 hours (1 week) to film and edit an 11-minute movie based on a theme and a Bible verse. All films are created during production week and premiere at the annual 168 Film Festival.

About NAB Show

NAB Show, held April 14-19 in Las Vegas, is the world's largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With more than 90,000 attendees from 151 countries and 1,500+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, the NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.

Mere Mortals?

I went to a Burbank McDonalds today for my dose of preservatives and hot coffee. As I salivated up to the counter I saw a greater ugliness than I can remember since grade school.

There was an extremely large woman in line who ordered and left. The counter girl laughed at her in such a malicious way that it made me wonder just how far we ever do get from the playground. From laughing at those who are different from us and making fun. From inflicting the kind of scars that don't heal in most cases. From driving our fellow humans past their limits. If she heard or saw her detractor, I don't know.

All I know is I said nothing.

As the girl laughed and looked at me for my order and validation of the her reaction to the human she'd just seen, all I could do is to look away and get my money out. Maybe it was enough.

This coupled with the news that my young friend's amigo at Burbank High School has just hung himself makes for a pretty rough start to this day.

Will you please please pray for these things?

Will you try to make a difference in this world TODAY, NOW, FOREVER?

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.

The reason for the rash of suicides in our schools is that we have taken the Lord Jesus Christ and prayer out.

It it up to us.

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”
- C.S. Lewis

168 FILM PROJECT FILM TURN-IN FRIDAY 2-24-12

Producer Mark Blitch's set in Dallas, TX 2012 (Photo by Lynda Stein)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Jennifer BoGray

818-557-8507, jennifer@168project.com

John David Ware, 818-557-8507, john@168project.com

TEN-YEAR-ANNIVERSARY OF 168 FILM PROJECT

FILMMAKERS TO DELIVER SHORTS ON ‘PROMISES’-THEMED BIBLE VERSES

80+ Teams From Around the World Mold Randomly Assigned Scriptures Into

Quality Cinematic Entertainment

Best Films to bow at the Faith-N-Film Summit at NAB Show in Las Vegas

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 22, 2012) -- God may have rested on the seventh day after a stunning six-day spurt of creativity. But not so for the over 80 filmmaking teams from across the U.S. and as far away as France who entered in this year’s faith-based speed filmmaking contest, the 168 Film Project.

Celebrating its ten-year anniversary, the 168 Film Project is anticipating a record-breaking number in attendance for the festival. The 168 Film Festival screenings will begin on Friday, March 30, which will be followed by a full day of screenings on Saturday, March 31, concluded by the Awards Show that evening at 9 o’clock PT. Tickets can be purchased at www.168project.com.

An estimated 1,500 film professionals and amateurs alike, began the seven-day process, or 168 hours, to shoot a short film of 11 minutes or less based on a luck-of-the-draw Bible verse plucked from scriptures that relate to “Promises,” this year’s theme.

According to founder and director John David Ware, "God’s promises are among the most plentiful expressions in the Bible and He keeps every one of them as a testimony to Himself and His love for us. This year’s 168 journey explores the importance of being faithful to others as the Lord is to us."

“We will soon find out how these effective filmmakers have done in putting the finishing touches on these films that will earn them nominations and a good screening at the 168 Film Festival (March 30-31) in Los Angeles.”

Entertainment professionals involved include jury members Michael Flaherty, President of Walden Media and Howard Kazanjian, Executive Producer of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and Producer of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” and festival awards presenters Casey Bond, co-star with Brad Pitt in “Moneyball” and Grammy-Award-Winning composer Michael Lehmann Boddicker.

The Best Films of the 168 Film Project will be shown at the Faith-N-Film Summit this year during the 80K attendee NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Summit will take place on Sunday, April 15, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in room S219 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Speakers include Ted Baehr, Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE, and Genesis Capunitan, SVP of Development of Revolution Street Productions/Kurtzman Orci. The Summit panel discussion topic is “Show Me the Money: Funding Faith and Family Motion Pictures in 2012.”

For more information, a complete list of filmmaking teams and their assigned Scripture verses, and/or to schedule an interview with 168 founder and director John David Ware, please contact Jennifer BoGray, 168 Events Director, jennifer@168project.com; 168 Film Project at 818-557-8507, info@168project.com or visit www.168project.com.

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145 S. Glenoaks Blvd. #159, Burbank, CA 91502 818-557-8507 www.168project.com

Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?

"Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?"...

What, you expect an answer?

On Jan. 23 in Burbank, CA you shall have the answer at our 3rd of 4 VIP Mixers with writer/producer Brian Bird. We will interview him and then enjoy some focused networking exercises designed to pool resources and get folks connected on a 168 Filmmaking Team!

Film Project Team Entry Deadlines:

International Team Entry Deadline: Jan 23rd.

USA TEAM ENTRY DEADLINE: FEB 1.

To Register Click Here

Brian Bird

168 VIP Mixers - Mondays: 7-10PM

Free, all are welcome! Find your crew or join a 168 team!

Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave, Burbank, CA 91502. rsvp@168project.com

Mon. Jan 23rd:

"Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?" with Brian Bird,

Writer Producer, "Touched By an Angel."

Mon. Jan 30:

"Show me the Money: Acquiring funding for Motion Pictures" with "Star Wars" & "Veggie Tales" Producers: Howard Kazanjian & Terry Botwick.

Info & Bios below

Our full calendar follows the VIP Mixer descriptions. Please have a look.

Jan. 23rd VIP Mixer Description: "Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?" The answer is ABSOLUTELY, but there are some very special KEYS that open the door. Learn what those keys are and how to acquire them in an interview and Q & A with veteran writer-producer and 168 board member Brian Bird. Brian loves encouraging filmmakers of all levels.

Brian Bird's writing and producing credits include "Not Easily Broken" (2009), adapted from the novel by T.D. Jakes, for Sony/Screen Gems; and "The Shunning" (Sony Affirm 2011), "Saving Sarah Cain" (2008) and "The Last Sin Eater" for (20th Century Fox 2007), in partnership with Michael Landon Jr., "Bopha!" for Paramount (1993), along with 250 episodes of network TV, including "Touched By and Angel" and "Step By Step," and the recent pilot for NBC, "Gametime."

He is currently prepping, "The Confession" & "When Calls the Heart" for the Hallmark Channel, and the feature film "Captives," the story of 2005's Atlanta hostage crisis in partnership with Ralph Winter ("X-Men") and Ken Wales ("Amazing Grace").

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Mon. Jan 30 VIP Mixer Description: "Show me the Money: Efficiency in Acquiring Funding for Motion Pictures" with Howard Kazanjian (pending availability) and Terry Botwick. Many empires come just one phone call short of being made. We are all salesmen/women and we must not only develop salesmenship, but also the ability to know when to hold/fold or run. Learn the art & science of the deal and hear the true stories behind some of the films you know and love.

Howard Kazanjian

Howard G. Kazanjian is a filmmaker, former Vice President of Lucasfilm, LTD & respected author, The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne; in 2009, Thunder over the Prairie: The True Story of a Murder and a Manhunt by the Greatest Posse of All Time. He is most well known as producer of 1983's "Star Wars: - Return of the Jedi" & "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (exec. prod.), director Steven Spielberg.

Terry Botwick

Terry Botwick and Ralph Winter ("X-MEN" Producer) are Partners at 1019 Entertainment. Terry's core expertise lies in both the creative and the business side of the entertainment industry. Prior to forming 1019 Terry was President of Vanguard Films & Animation which was principally owned by John Williams (Shrek) and Starz Media where they produced Space Chimps for Fox, President and COO of Big Idea Productions (VeggieTales) where Terry Executive Produced Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, Partner Thunderpoint Studios a film finance and production company,SVP of Programming for CBS, President of Distribution and National Programming for the Hearst Corporation and Vice President of The Family Channel. Mr. Botwick has had P&L responsibility for more than $100 million along with business and creative oversight of more than 1,000 hours of movies and television.

168 Calendar 2012:

THEME "PROMISES, PROMISES"

168 MONDAY NIGHT VIP MIXERS (4): Mondays: 7-10PM. Get on a team or find your crew! Jan. 9th, 16, 23 & 30. Location Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave., Burbank, CA 91502 (MCC)

AMOEBA NETWORKING MIXER: Sat, Jan. 21, 1-5PM. All are welcome to this spectacle! A giant outer circle revolves to meet the inner circle, then the circles divide and meet each other, just like an amoeba. Engulf & Communicate! Snacks provided. Location: MCC

Scotty Dugan

Scotty Dugan Memorial Service Sat. Jan. 21, 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM.

Grace Community Church Chapel 13248 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA 91352

Reception to follow. All are welcome.

CRAFT OF HOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP: Sat, Jan. 28, 9AM-5PM. Hollywood experts teach: writing, acting, producing, lighting, directing and sound. Foundational for beginners, fine points for pros. Mandatory (SoCal) producers mtg 8am. Guests include Casting Director Ronnie Yeskel ("Pulp Fiction"). $50, $79 day of. Location: MCC

TEAM SIGNUP DEADLINES: Int'l Teams: Mon., Jan. 23. USA Including SoCal: Weds, Feb 1.

VERSE ASSIGNMENT: This marks the start of Pre-Production Week.

Int'l Teams: Monday, January 30, 2012, 7-9PM (Verse assigned via email). USA Teams (outside SoCal): Sunday, February 5, 2012, 7-9PM (Verse assigned by phone or email)

SoCal Teams: Mon, Feb. 6, 7-9PM. Location: MCC

LA CASTING: Sat, Feb. 11. Location TBA. Invitation only. Info soon...

PRODUCTION WEEK START:

Cameras roll at 11AM Local Time - No Earlier! Int'l Teams: Fri, Feb. 10.

USA Teams (outside SoCal): Thurs, Feb. 16.

SoCal Teams: Fri, Feb. 17. Exception: Unlimited Docs begin production (verse chosen/fee paid) anytime.

FILM TURN-IN DEADLINES: Int'l Teams: Fri, Feb. 17 - Must be overnight postmarked by 11AM (Local Time).. USA Teams (outside SoCal): Thurs, Feb. 23 - Must be overnight postmarked by 11AM (Local Time). SoCal Teams: Fri, Feb. 24 - 11AM. Location: MCC.

UNLIMITED DOCUMENTARIES: Must be received in Burbank, CA by Fri, Feb. 24.

168 "MAKING OF" DOCS TURN IN DEADLINE: 5 min. max. TRT

Int'l Teams: Fri., Feb. 24 - Must be overnight postmarked by 5pm (Local Time).

USA/SoCal Teams: Fri., Mar. 2 - Must be in either overnight postmarked or dropped off at 168 office by 5PM: 100 E. Cedar Ave. Burbank CA 91502

OSCAR PARTY: Feb. 26, 2012 Time & Location TBA

168 FILM FESTIVAL 2012: March 29-30: Hope Theatre in San Fernando CA, March 31: Alex Theatre in Glendale.

FAITH 'N' FILM SUMMIT AT NAB: April 15, Las Vegas. Guests include Kevin Sorbo ("Young Hercules")

MCC= Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave., Burbank, CA 91502 / See website: www.168project.com.

Information subject to change