Another amazing day at the film Academy, but I have to say I had a blessed time hanging out with the guys at the Grace House. It's an interesting house when you have 17 guys living there.
Had another fun day meeting some wonderful brothers and sisters. Met a guy, John-Clay Burnett, from OK who had worked on Ace Wonder and Pendragon. Nice guy I could see working with in the future.
The academy started the day with a great lesson from Geoffrey Botkin on avoiding directorial Mistakes. Again, I just enjoyed the Christ-centered nature of his advice, even down to the business plan. He gave us some great advice on why films don't succeed.
Botkin's second session of the day was just a technical lesson on structuring your story and character arcs. This layout and walk through will probably be the best technical advice I receive all week. He laid out what I need done at what page.
After lunch Geoffrey's son, Isaac, spoke on visual storytelling. He made 7 points to remember as you produce your films.
1) Editing
2) Composition
3) Color
4) Lighting
5) Symbol
6) Costume design
7) Set Decorations
One really cool moment was when they Skyped composer Bruce Broughton in for the academy. He was the composer for Silverado and many other productions. He has 24 Emmy nominations and 10 wins, the current record. He gave advice for the composers in the audience and how directors can work with composers. I'm such a schmuck though that most of it went over my head.
There was an afternoon symposium on documentaries that was inspiring. Two young men that have been working on a variety of documentaries spoke and that was quite encouraging. After hearing the reasons for making and starting as a filmmaker with a documentary I think I'll end up focusing my first project in that arena.
For the evening session Doug Phillips spoke on the poison of the environmental pantheistic promotion through movies. He spoke about hoe we've turned our worship from the creator God to Mother Earth (and Al Gore) and that whoever you worship is your sovereign. Along with The Cove and Avatar he also pointed out some of the dangerous evolution and Marxist elements of Food, Inc. (He did say it pointed out some real problems though).
I continue being amazed at the leadership of this group of people. I had dinner with a large group including John Moore (http://acewondermovie.com/) and Collin Gunn (http://indoctrinationmovie.com/). What a blessing it was not just to talk about films, but to talk about making the gospel central in our films. The discussion flowed freely and honored the Lord. No egos, no sense of pride in self, just brothers and sister is the Lord desiring to honor Him in all things. The LORD is good and mighty and more generous than I could ever imagine.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
San Antonio Independent Christian Film Academy Day 1
Today has been quite a world-wind. I woke up at 4:45am and headed to the airport and after a a brief layover in Chicago I made it to San Antonio, TX.
I finally got to go to the world famous Whataburger. It was pretty good, but I was so rushed I didn't get to enjoy it much.
What a blessing it was to finally meet the guys from http://IllBeHonest.com I haven't had much time to talk to them yet. The Grace house, where I'm staying, has 17 guys living there. It is pretty packed. It'll be a blessing getting to know them.
Sadly I missed the first session because of my late flight and that was the only session that Kirk Cameron was going to be doing. Looks like he headed on out and I won't get to meet him.
I did make it for the afternoon session and I must admit I've been blown away. I knew that it would be a Christian conference, but I never expected it to be so Christ-centered.
The speakers have truly been a blessing. More than anyone I'm amazed by Stephen Kendrick. While appreciating the films he has made (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof) I wasn't sure how Christ-centered he was, but from what I heard tonight I was convinced otherwise. Kendrick is one of the best speakers I've ever heard. I see why his movies have been so successful. He is a wonderful story teller for the Lord.
Besides the Christ-centered nature of the messages I've also learned a lot about how to direct actors and how to handle bad actors.
Here are the 7 points Kendrick focused on:
1) Pray Diligently!
2) Cast Wisely
3) Train Thoroughly
4) Direct Strategically
5) Creatively over-come weak Acting
6) Critique Brutally
7) Re-Edit Creatively
Of course he expanded on all of these, but you'd have to be here to get all of that.
During the dinner break I ran into a nice family, the Scott Family, from Houston. They attend Dr. Voddie Baucham's church. It is always a great blessing to meet the family of God. No matter where I go I find brothers and sisters in Christ and with them I have immediate connection. The Scott kids have a video in the semi-finalist section for the film fest in the Young Filmmakers category. It is a stop action film called “What is Duty?” I look forward to seeing it and you can see the trailer at: http://www.saicff.org/festival/program/films/entry/?id=f10093
For the after dinner session Kendrick spoke about his own testimony and about Sherwood Pictures latest film, Courageous. This movie focuses on fatherhood. After seeing the clips I can't wait to see the entire production and want to encourage the men to start planning now to go see it.
Watch the trailer at: http://www.CourageoustheMovie.com
It's been a wonderful day of blessings in the Lord. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the rest of the week.
I finally got to go to the world famous Whataburger. It was pretty good, but I was so rushed I didn't get to enjoy it much.
What a blessing it was to finally meet the guys from http://IllBeHonest.com I haven't had much time to talk to them yet. The Grace house, where I'm staying, has 17 guys living there. It is pretty packed. It'll be a blessing getting to know them.
Sadly I missed the first session because of my late flight and that was the only session that Kirk Cameron was going to be doing. Looks like he headed on out and I won't get to meet him.
I did make it for the afternoon session and I must admit I've been blown away. I knew that it would be a Christian conference, but I never expected it to be so Christ-centered.
The speakers have truly been a blessing. More than anyone I'm amazed by Stephen Kendrick. While appreciating the films he has made (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof) I wasn't sure how Christ-centered he was, but from what I heard tonight I was convinced otherwise. Kendrick is one of the best speakers I've ever heard. I see why his movies have been so successful. He is a wonderful story teller for the Lord.
Besides the Christ-centered nature of the messages I've also learned a lot about how to direct actors and how to handle bad actors.
Here are the 7 points Kendrick focused on:
1) Pray Diligently!
2) Cast Wisely
3) Train Thoroughly
4) Direct Strategically
5) Creatively over-come weak Acting
6) Critique Brutally
7) Re-Edit Creatively
Of course he expanded on all of these, but you'd have to be here to get all of that.
During the dinner break I ran into a nice family, the Scott Family, from Houston. They attend Dr. Voddie Baucham's church. It is always a great blessing to meet the family of God. No matter where I go I find brothers and sisters in Christ and with them I have immediate connection. The Scott kids have a video in the semi-finalist section for the film fest in the Young Filmmakers category. It is a stop action film called “What is Duty?” I look forward to seeing it and you can see the trailer at: http://www.saicff.org/festival/program/films/entry/?id=f10093
For the after dinner session Kendrick spoke about his own testimony and about Sherwood Pictures latest film, Courageous. This movie focuses on fatherhood. After seeing the clips I can't wait to see the entire production and want to encourage the men to start planning now to go see it.
Watch the trailer at: http://www.CourageoustheMovie.com
It's been a wonderful day of blessings in the Lord. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the rest of the week.
Friday, October 8, 2010
5 responses for the Christian community to the suicide of gay teens.
I was just reading more about the gay teen suicides. There were 6 in one week alone and that is just the ones that were on the news and caused primarily by harassment or bullying.
It's so hard to respond to situations like this. On one hand we must be sympathetic and on the other we cannot come across as supporting an unrepentant homosexual lifestyle.
The issue is really much more complex when we take the time to think about all the angles.
Below are some random thoughts I've been trying to put together concerning the Christian response.
1)No matter what the reason Christians should be on the forefront to stop all bullying and harassment. While all men are sinful we are also all created in the image of God. So no matter the reason for bullying (i.e. sexuality, body type, mental capacity) we should stand against it for the sake of the gospel. Sadly, many of the teens mocking these teens went to a weekly youth group. As much as we disagree with someone we have no right to degrade their personhood.
2)We MUST stop coarse joking in public and private about homosexuality. This isn't simply about peoples feelings, though that should play a part as we want no barriers to the gospel. It is about the how ugly and horrible sin is before a holy and righteous God. It is not something for us to laugh or joke about. Even in private we must guard our language. I remember so vividly standing next a pastor's wife on the 4th of July as she said we should let all homosexuals join the military so they could “go over there and die.” This came from a woman I respect immensely and had no idea at the time I had been caught in homosexual sin.
3)We must promote justice. While this is a very emotional issue we must guard against letting that cloud the law of the land. Some people are calling for truly intense punishment for those responsible for bullying and harassment because of their motivation. Instead we must remember that motivation should play little, if any, role in punishment. The one that stands out the most is the roommate of Tyler Clementi who film him engaged in homosexual acts and broadcast it online. While this jerk must be punished severely in accordance with the law he broke we cannot call for great punishment than if he had pulled a similar stupid stunt with a straight roommate. We serve a God of justice and must remember that.
4)We must stand against those who would call truth, intolerance. On almost every forum I visited people were bashing Christians for being intolerant of homosexuality. We cannot let their intolerance of biblical truth hold the narrative. While there are many people going around claiming the name of Christ and with the same tongue tearing down homosexual persons that is not the intent of the true Christian's heart. We speak out against homosexuality because Scripture does. We do so because we care about every homosexual person and want them to know Christ. We must speak this truth with such love that it will be clear that their hatred is of the truth of the gospel and not just the attitude of an individual.
5)And most importantly above all else we must preach the gospel. To every child, teen, adult, and elderly person; to every homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and straight person; to Budhist, Baptist, and Baha'i person; no matter the gender, race, religion, or sexual identity, there is only one message every person on this planet needs to hear and that is the good news of Jesus Christ. They need to know Him, love Him, adore him, and worship Him alone. They need to see themselves as they are broken and sinful. They must hear the call to repent and trust in Christ. None of the rest matters without the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Christ, our Hope
Jason Vaughn
It's so hard to respond to situations like this. On one hand we must be sympathetic and on the other we cannot come across as supporting an unrepentant homosexual lifestyle.
The issue is really much more complex when we take the time to think about all the angles.
Below are some random thoughts I've been trying to put together concerning the Christian response.
1)No matter what the reason Christians should be on the forefront to stop all bullying and harassment. While all men are sinful we are also all created in the image of God. So no matter the reason for bullying (i.e. sexuality, body type, mental capacity) we should stand against it for the sake of the gospel. Sadly, many of the teens mocking these teens went to a weekly youth group. As much as we disagree with someone we have no right to degrade their personhood.
2)We MUST stop coarse joking in public and private about homosexuality. This isn't simply about peoples feelings, though that should play a part as we want no barriers to the gospel. It is about the how ugly and horrible sin is before a holy and righteous God. It is not something for us to laugh or joke about. Even in private we must guard our language. I remember so vividly standing next a pastor's wife on the 4th of July as she said we should let all homosexuals join the military so they could “go over there and die.” This came from a woman I respect immensely and had no idea at the time I had been caught in homosexual sin.
3)We must promote justice. While this is a very emotional issue we must guard against letting that cloud the law of the land. Some people are calling for truly intense punishment for those responsible for bullying and harassment because of their motivation. Instead we must remember that motivation should play little, if any, role in punishment. The one that stands out the most is the roommate of Tyler Clementi who film him engaged in homosexual acts and broadcast it online. While this jerk must be punished severely in accordance with the law he broke we cannot call for great punishment than if he had pulled a similar stupid stunt with a straight roommate. We serve a God of justice and must remember that.
4)We must stand against those who would call truth, intolerance. On almost every forum I visited people were bashing Christians for being intolerant of homosexuality. We cannot let their intolerance of biblical truth hold the narrative. While there are many people going around claiming the name of Christ and with the same tongue tearing down homosexual persons that is not the intent of the true Christian's heart. We speak out against homosexuality because Scripture does. We do so because we care about every homosexual person and want them to know Christ. We must speak this truth with such love that it will be clear that their hatred is of the truth of the gospel and not just the attitude of an individual.
5)And most importantly above all else we must preach the gospel. To every child, teen, adult, and elderly person; to every homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and straight person; to Budhist, Baptist, and Baha'i person; no matter the gender, race, religion, or sexual identity, there is only one message every person on this planet needs to hear and that is the good news of Jesus Christ. They need to know Him, love Him, adore him, and worship Him alone. They need to see themselves as they are broken and sinful. They must hear the call to repent and trust in Christ. None of the rest matters without the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Christ, our Hope
Jason Vaughn
Friday, October 1, 2010
Responding to Rutgers
A great tragedy occurred this week at Rutger University, but I believe an even great tragedy may have played out in the responses to the tragedy.
For those that are not aware, a freshman at Rutgers was secretly filmed by his roommate having a homosexual encounter and posted the video online. The young man that was filmed was so distraught that he committed suicide and the roommate and a female accomplice have been arrested.
It truly is a tragedy all around and on so many levels. It is also a tragedy that hits close to home. Both as a Christian who has been in the homosexual lifestyle and as someone who has contemplated suicide on numerous occasions I, in some way, can relate to what the young man went through. I have also been reminded this week how close another friend of mine who was outed in college could have come to a similar end.
So many emotions went through me when I read about what had happened. I was saddened by the suicide, by the roommate and accomplices betrayal, and that our culture is such that we find entertainment in the outing of anyone in this country. I was also angered for all the same reasons. I even felt a little bit of anger towards the victim for taking such a way out.
My emotional horror was compounded all the more when I began to read the comments concerning the story. Most were of sympathy and those comments I understand, but there was a large amount of other comments as well. Some of the comments were about how sad it is that people are ashamed of their sexual and how they should just be okay with being gay. Many of these comments included helplines for LGBT teens. The other side of the comments were ignorant jackasses who tried to use the Bible and the name of Christ to boast in the young man's death. Nothing makes me madder than people using to name of God to hate their neighbor.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a conservative Bible believing Christian to the core and I do indeed believe that homosexual practice is wrong, but I take no joy in anyone's death for my desire is repentance and faith for all who will.
That is really where the fork comes into play. The message the Christian should be sharing in tragedies such as this is not either of the above options.
First, we must hold true that all have sinned and that we all deserve eternal punishment. What we need is not a self-help program so that we can see ourselves in a better light and love ourselves for that would be a lie. We should understand that we truly are filthy and wretched before a holy God because of our sin whether that sin be homosexual practice, theft, lying, or hatred of our brother. We are all worms deserving of God's fury and wrath.
Second, we must proclaim that God in His infinite love for His people sent His son, Jesus Christ, to take our punishment for those sins through His death on the cross. He died on that cross, but rose again three days later to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Third, we must shout that this God is so kind and loving that not only will He forgive your sins, past, present, and future, but that He will also deliver you from you shame. He died that you might be His.
People in sin considering cutting, or drugs, or suicide, or anything else don't need another inspiring pep talk. They need the Christ , the living God.
The challenge we will face when we tell people that truth is that we can seem opportunistic and taking advantage of a tragedy, but what else can we offer hurting people besides the only HOPE, Jesus Christ.
How great is our God that He not only takes away my sin, but my shame over that sin as well. He is truly worthy, deserving of all our praise.
So I beg of you to point people to that Christ. If you don't know for sure that you know Christ then run to Him with open ares he is waiting for you.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at any one the ways below.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jason Vaughn,
http://Twitter.com/JasonVaughn
http://Facebook.com/RepentAndBelieve
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