Providence Project Update.

Well, here I am, nearly 3 months after my last blog post for Providence, wondering what to say. How do I explain the absence? Here’s a prime example of how I feel right now. For those of you that have a twitter, it’s like following that actor you really like, who constantly posts things like “New project coming soon! I’m so excited about it!” or “Hanging out at the set of my new movie, wish I could post pics!”. You get the picture. They lead you on and lead you on, and you keep hoping and waiting for the day when they can reveal what they are working on. It does amp up the excitement and anticipation, doesn’t it? So yes, that is how I feel. I’m that guy. But, let me be very clear, there are so many things going on, so many miracles, that Providence is now more alive and robust than it has ever been before! We are moving forward at full speed! For those of you that are still following us on Facebook and Twitter, still checking in and calling the guys, asking them what’s going on, the news for you is very good. We can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that there will be a light at the end of this tunnel; a light that gets brighter and more magnificent by the day. There will be that tweet from your favorite actor that finally states the specifics of their new movie; so for that, be encouraged! I myself am only privy to so much information, but I do know this, we have more funding than we could have ever dreamed of. We now have highly qualified and experienced film and television directors and producers (Again, one day soon, you’ll know who they are), who are truly willing and interested to see this project grow and become the most beautiful end-product it can be. God has provided, in His perfect time, everything we’ve needed thus far; and I am personally sure that he will continue to do so until this project has reached fruition.

So again, for those of you, the faithful (and also the new!), we want to thank you for putting up with us thus far, and for continuing to show your support to us. Know that your prayers are coveted, and your words of encouragement never go unheard nor unappreciated. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, guys; and its coming fast! Be ready.

-KB

Introduction to the Creative Team: Part 5, Kristen Galle.

Hey guys! I met with the full team earlier this week for the first time this month, and Jeff (Creator) gave us the scoop on all the crazy things that God is doing through the project right now. I am weary that I might overuse the words "awesome" and "amazing" over the next few weeks, but it seems like that is the direction we are headed in. (I may have to pull out a dictionary for alternatives, well see!)
But regardless, im not at liberty to expound on much, but it looks like the project is getting way bigger than we had at first thought it would be. I hope that that news can tide you over until I am at liberty to divulge everything that has happened!


Anyways, this week im going to continue to introduce our crew so far, and this week I have the pleasure of introducing Kristen Galle (Jeffs wife), our Craft Services hero. I figured a departure from the norm was necessary for today! So here is what she had to say about what shes doing for the project and why shes excited about it!


KB: What experience have you had in catering/food?

KG: I started to work at a catering company when I was 16, and since then have developed a love of cooking and food. I earned by B.S. in nutrition to become a dietitian, and my favorite experience so far has been teaching healthy cooking classes to kids!


KB: What drew you to nutrition/food, and the area you currently working in?

KG: My Mom is a dietitian, so I guess she is the first person that introduced me to food and nutrition. Working on a movie set is something new for me, but feeding a big crowd is not--and I'm really looking forward to it!

KB: What would you say is your biggest talent?

KG: Staying organized.

KB: Favorite cooking show?

KG: Barefoot Contessa--although my husband wishes otherwise :)

KB: What is your career and life goal? (They can be the same)

KG: To love Jesus and be a great wife and mom.

KB: What made you want to be a part of the of the providence project?

KG: I feel very strongly that God has a plan for Providence, and I've seen His hand throughout the process. That's what makes me, and I think others, attracted to this project.

KB: How does faith play in to your career?

KG: Faith and God play a huge role to me in my love of cooking and preparing meals for others. It's an act of love for me, and a way to show my family and friends that I care for them. Food has the ability to bring people together and creates a bond of familiarity and comfort. A meal is a time of fellowship and sharing: the last thing Christ did before he died was share a meal with friends. And how did Jesus' disciples recognize him after his resurrection? Through the breaking of the bread.


I think that thought is a great way to end this weeks blog. Thank you Kristen for all your hard work! (Maybe I will be able to attend next time you cook for the team. HOW DID I MISS THE CAKE?!?!)

And to the reader, thank you for your continued support!

-KB

New Surprises and New Opportunities.

Whats up friends! Thanks for stopping by again.

This week I wanted to take a short break from our routine of interviews over the past few weeks, and this week focus on some of the new developments in the production, as well as some of the things that I have been able to be a part of recently.

So far in the production we have managed to cast most all of the minor roles, as well as many of the major ones. Last week I was able to read as a stand in for the main character to give our main female lead a chance to practice. It was one of the best experiences I've had thus far in working with Providence, (as small a thing as it was).

Over the past two weeks we have also been working and rehearsing on location in both downtown Mobile and at Cottage Hill. Its been quite a fun experience seeing everything in real life unfold; looking over screenshots, angles, photographs, mental blocking, all those time-consuming (and completely needed) parts of pre-production. Even though I could see many of the team seeing these things as tedious, thats not the vibe I get from them day in and day out. I usually find that they really do enjoy movie-making, and all the little nitty-gritty details that have to be done and dealt with in order to make a true work-of-art.

We've also got some VERY exciting news coming down the lines of who will be signing on in the next few days as... (Que any John Williams soundtrack) ... Director! As soon as I am at liberty to release that info, I will!

To use an old cliche, "Excitement is in the air!"


And again, thank you for your support guys. I hear new stories every day of the crazy amount of interest and excitement the project is fostering from you all.


-KB

Introduction to the Creative Team: Part 4, Peter Lake.

Well, it’s been a week or so, and the scenery has changed here on the team. Many of our group are out touring Germany on an Acting/Drama workshop (I believe that to be the technical term), while the rest of us still in Mobile are working on as much as we can while they are gone. I got a chance, before he left for Germany, to quiz Peter Lake (Assistant Art Director) on why he’s here and the passion that drives him in his work…

KB: What experience have you had in film/theater?

PL: I have been in a lot of musicals, operas, and straight plays. Such as: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Lend me a Tenor. I have done some commercial work and was an extra on the One Warrior.

KB: What drew you to film, and the area you currently working in?

PL: Film first drew me to acting and performing. I wanted to act because I loved movies, and even though I have had more experience with stage I still want to do more in film. I also draw and love to work creatively and thematically, and so my role in the art team and sketching set conceptions has been really fun.

KB: What would you say is your biggest talent?

PL: A passion for all the arts I suppose. I like to do almost everything in the artistic world and process.

KB: Favorite actor/actress?

PL: Actor: Sir Patrick Stewart. Actress: Dame Judi Dench

KB: Movie?

PL: Top 5 Movies: Star Wars, and if you are wondering prequels or original trilogy you've clearly never watched Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, Unbreakable, Waking Ned Devine, and Kill Bill.

KB: What is your career and life goal? (They can be the same)

PL: I want to be a professional performer, and that includes music and drama. I honestly don't want to think about excluding one or the other. I am a writer and also would like to be published someday, God willing.

KB: What made you want to be a part of the of the providence project?

PL: As I said, I love film and have always hoped and prayed that I could take part in some. I was able to talk to the producers and creative team and discovered that we agreed on a lot of ideas on why to make a movie and what kind of movie should be made. I wanted to be involved in any way I could.

KB: How does faith play in to your career?

PL: I'm an artist saved by God. My faith plays a huge role into anything creative that I do. I feel that all art, music, literature, acting, art, or dance, points to God. Whether the artist intends it or not God's truth is visible in almost all things we create. Although sometimes they only point to God because they are pointing directly away from Him, but I believe that is almost more obvious than the rest. I believe you can be a Christian and make art that is not necessarily flavored Christian. Truth is beautiful, piercing, and ugly. I don't always like the way a lot of Christian culture waters down their artistic output in the name of safety and not offending anybody. There is a temperance to all of it, and it's a dangerous balancing act, but it is being done successfully today. Finally, to quote Larry Norman, "Why should the devil have all the good music." Too long have we, the warriors of the faith, let the secular mainstream rule the media. The media is the strongest influence over our children, ourselves, and our culture today. I believe it is the time to redeem the artistic world. That doesn't mean muscle out any non Christians, because after all, all my favorite films were directed by non Christians. But, it's time that I stopped being unhappy with the depiction of Christ's Truth in the media and did something about it.

We wish Peter the best while he's in Germany!

And just as a reminder, if you haven't already, please check out and like/follow our Facebook and Twitter Pages for the Film. We will be posting some really cool stuff on there. You can like our Facebook and Follow our Twitter pages right here from my blog, and it only takes a second! (You have no excuse)

Thanks again guys!

Introduction to the Creative Team: Part 3, Stephanie Barnes.

It has been another crazy week for our crew (I was on vacation!), and we are about to launch a ton of new things on the web. So that’s exciting! Be on the lookout on your facebook and twitter pages, well be coming your way soon! As to our next interview; this week I had a chance to question Stephanie Barnes, our resident Art Director, and get a cool look into the life and mind of another one of our team members.

KB: What experience have you had in film/theater?

SB: Most of my experience has come from Costume Design, House Management, and some other tech projects for the Upper Room Theatre and Opera Workshop at the University of Mobile. I started out helping backstage and with small projects while I was a student, majoring in Education, and I was able to progress to different artistic areas after graduation.

KB: What drew you to film, and the area you currently working in?

SB: Film is not something I actually ever thought I would do. I have been involved in the art of stage theatre for several years, but never saw my talents transferring into the film industry. It is definitely God who brought me into this project.

KB: What would you say is your biggest talent?

SB: It sounds kind of funny, but I think my biggest talent may be manipulating fabrics :) If you put a pencil or paintbrush in my hands, and you're likely to get a project along the lines of a 4th grader's abilities, but I love fabrics. I enjoy combining textures, colors, and patterns to make new creations. I love that the tone or quality of a fabric or a costume piece can change a character or even a whole scene.

KB: Favorite actor/actress?

SB: My favorite modern actors and actresses are probably Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, and Kristin Chenoweth. However, I'll stop about anywhere to watch or listen to Lucille Ball or Bing Crosby any day :)

KB: Movie?

SB: Hmm...there are a whole lot that I like but the good old favorites that I go back to time and time again are Beauty and the Beast (and many other Disney Classics), Singing in the Rain, Holiday Inn, and the Harry Potter Series

KB: What is your career and life goal? (They can be the same)

SB: I know that I want to stay involved with ministry and performing arts. I would like to complete a Master's Degree, probably in costume design. Beyond that I am seeking where God would lead me in the future.

KB: What made you want to be a part of the of the providence project?

SB: When the Assistant Director approached me about helping out with some wardrobe on a film, I thought it might be something interesting to do in some free time this summer. It was only after my first production meeting that I realized what a wonderful opportunity God had guided me to become a part of. With every meeting and every time of prayer that we share as a team, I become more excited and more invested in this project. Even through this pre-production process, God continues to amaze me with the way he places things in our laps and removes barriers if we just step back and let him.

KB: How does faith play in to your career?

SB: I currently serve as the Children's Minister for the People of Mars Hill in Mobile, and I love my job! The biggest challenges that I face when I am looking to become involved in arts projects are finding something that won't require me to compromise the convictions that God has laid on my heart and finding projects that I know I can recommend to the children and families that I minister to as a wholesome entertainment opportunity. I know that this is definitely one of those projects. We have the opportunity, through this project, to not only touch lives with the story, but redeem the arts that God has given us. Art doesn't have to be smut, and it's time for the church as a whole to step up and create quality art projects that draw attention to the ultimate Creator instead of ourselves.

Introduction to the Creative Team: Part 2, Keone Fuqua.

Another week has flown by, and the team has solidified into a rather large group. I walked in to our last team meeting and finally realized, “Wow, this is a lot of people.” And not only that, it’s a group of professionals and creative minds that should be amazing to work with. This week I want to introduce another one of those “creative minds” behind the providence project; Keone Fuqua, Assistant Director. I had a chance to catch up with Keone and ask him a few questions this week, and here is what he had to say…

KB: How long have you been working in theater? Did you go to school for it?

KF: Been working in theatre for 8 years, and in film/TV for 12 years. I went to school for both theatre and film, but got my MFA in the theatre from Southern Miss, with an emphasis in both acting and directing.

KB: What's your career goal?

KF: I've reached most of my goals...working as director, actor and jack-of-all trades in both industries, as well as teaching my passion. I would like to have a strong major acting role in a feature film, and direct film again in the future. I would also like to direct some opera.

KB: What made you want to be a part of the Providence Project? Are you excited about it?

KF: I was lead to the Providence Project by Tom Stout, who introduced me to Jeff Galle (Creator, Executive Producer). From there we discovered that we've actually heard a lot about one another, and Jeff and I kept moving forward. We shared discussions about our faith and passions, which lead to more team building and belief in developing a film guided by that faith and passion. Yes, I am very excited about it. Jeff calls Providence "God's little movie." We are taking on a giant. Producing and making a movie is no easy task, but it is being done by this team. We are not even little fish in a big pond...we are a speck of dust in a vast universe, but we can be carried by the wind and momentum. We move forward to be guided by God's glory, and hopefully make an inspiring impact in Mobile. And where it goes further than that, we give to Him. What's not exciting about that?

KB: And lastly, who is your favorite actor/actress, and your favorite movie?

KF: Sorry...there are too many actors and actresses and movies that I respect and appreciate for me to name an absolute favorite.

Still thankful,

Kyle