Production Log 3

Hey guys,

Here’s the latest from the set!

We are hard at work, about to wrap up our first full week of shooting. It really as a huge accomplishment! I wish we had a way to count how many man-hours went into this project before we ever even got to this week!  But I digress.

Today was a very interesting day for me. Some of the people that have been with us from the beginning were on-set today to witness the making of a movie that would not have been possible without their leadership. It was amazing to have them here.

I observed as three of them stood around our writer and Exec while he told the story of Yellow Day in the best descriptive speech that he could. I looked on as they watched him intently, different emotions coming and going on their faces as Jeff goes through the highs and the lows of the script. (The script really can be an emotional roller-coaster). Jeff described to them the metaphors and symbolism that he had written into the script – the symbolism of the Banana Spider eating all the mosquitoes and cleaning out whatever area they are in, the mosquito’s representing sin and the Banana Spider representing Jesus - and you could just tell by the look on their faces that once it clicked, it really clicked. Most of them already knew what our script was about, but this further showed them just what their time and effort was going to, it was and is going to reach people with a beautiful movie and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Another common topic of discussion among the camp recently has been this, “How is this happening?”

How are we really making THIS movie, with THIS budget, with THESE people, here in Mobile? How did this happen?

The most common answer has been, “God”.

That might sound like a dead-pan answer when read through text, but it portrays what most of us are thinking!

I imagine that in time we will be able to understand it more, and look back on all of this – and that question – and say, “Yep. THAT is why it happened.” God must’ve had his hand on us.

Until then, I just know it’s exciting to be a part of!

-KB

Production Log 2

Hey guys,

Just a few quick updates!

Today we were shooting in a new area, so we had to move a ton of stuff across hundreds of acres of land, and then more acres of unpaved land. So, needless to say, once we got it all there, it was truly a feat to behold.

Our actors continue to dazzle us. And we don’t say that just because its “proper”, but we truly mean it. The actors and actresses that we’ve gotten were truly a God send. We truly believe that God has supplied us with the right people.

Speaking of which, today is the first day on set for two of our characters, Whit and Taylor, and from what we’ve seen they have played their roles perfectly. We are really excited to continue the shoot with them.

As well, today is the first day we have had a substantial amount of extras on sight. The great thing is the fact that all of these people are so different, and from so many different churches and denominations. Talking to them truly gives credence to the fact that this really is a ecumenical project.

Now, for what I think is the most amazing thing about today:
We shot on location at the camp, behind the cross. And I think the image of that scenery might escape some people, but I think for many of us, that imagery is very revealing. This is why we are here. The actors and actresses and light technicians and cameramen and producers and directors etc… all trying to use the gifts and talents that God has given them, and use them well. Not only this, they are doing it with the image of the cross hovering over them. Now just picture that for a minute I don’t want to just stir up sentimentality, but this couldn’t be a more perfect picture of what Yellow Day is and why we are here. 

Just wanted to describe that for you. 

Well that's it for now. Thanks for reading!

-KB

Production Log 1

First, I would like to explain what this blog was, what it is, and where its going. For about 2 years (give or take a few months) I have been writing on this blog periodically to update you guys on what was happening with the (then) project Providence. The fact that this blog is still in existence, just under a new name, is a testament to how much God has blessed us. I thought about creating an entirely new blog for this movie (which would essentially leave the old one to posterity), but I feel that it's important that I just reformat this one to fit our new context. Its important because it shows that, yes, this is what we were, and this is what God has grown us to be. This blog can now give a full picture of what God has done for us, almost like a digital timeline. The people and workers that I have blogged about before, all of them are still working with us (we all just have new roles)! I hope you will be encouraged as much as I am by the changes that have happened to this project, and will continue to support us going forward!

Now, let me explain what "Providence" has become. Through what can only be described as divine guidance and support, we have grown from a very small local film to a project that has more professional talent, industry leaders, and support than we could have ever dreamed of (Jeff Galle will attest to this). So I hope in the next year to chronicle this new adventure and new direction that God has us going in. I just want to say that I am so blessed and extremely excited to be a part of this.

Yesterday, we started filming! This day (to me) was 2 years in the making. For others, like Jeff Galle, it has been a decade in the making. I often wondered if the day would come where we would finally be on set, it all just seems surreal. I often wondered if anyone would take me serious when I told them I was working on a movie, but guess what? Now they truly can!

For me, this is such an amazing and career building opportunity. Chances to work on this kind of project (and it happening in your own relatively small city) almost never happen. And for me, a guy who wants to have a career in the film industry (id like to be a screenwriter), I am still getting over the magnitude of my blessing. I don't mean to be redundant, but its true! And the great thing is, this project is not only allowing me to get my foot in the door of the industry, and giving me a ton of valuable experience, but its doing that same thing for many other people! Their stories will become part of this blog as the weeks go by.

Yesterday we shot a good amount of footage, and its like we have an army, all working in unison, all calling "CUT!" or "ROLL IT!" or "ROLLING ROLLING!" and everyone in unison responds to those calls. There's something very exciting about it!

Our actors so far have completely blown us away. They have taken this script in directions that only real actors can do. Its been really exciting to watch. Ive also been able to watch some behind the camera work, and the fact we have TWO of the best cameras in the business still blows my mind (and one amazing camera crew!!!). I know this movie is going to look fabulous.

I believe in the next few weeks I will be able to start writing about the crew and the actors. Until I do write about them all, just know that we have more professional industry people than any other Indie Film like ours.

Until then, so long for now!

I plan on having a picture blog up by the end of the day!

-KB

"Thrusters on Full"

Hello all!

It has been 4 months (about) since my last update for you guys. Sorry for all the delays! In a few more months, all of the delays will make sense. We have had to keep most of the REALLY interesting things about our production under wraps, but soon we will be ready to start releasing all of those awesome details! For now, ill just try to expound upon what I can, and hopefully encourage you that our production is going amazingly well!

Jeff (the writer) has been working tirelessly with our director and producers trying to get the script exactly right. And (upon my last reading) he has succeeded at doing that! Believe me, we are all in for a really great story.

We opened our production office a few weeks ago and the crew have been flying in and out of town, hard at work getting all the logistics taken care of, schedules organized, and accounting work finished. Believe me, when I walked in to that office for the first time, it finally hit me that this really is happening. We weren't just daydreaming! But I digress...

Ive been helping out our producers with editing, marketing, social media, office work, etc... and even got to participate in a few table reads of the script. (In one of them, I got to read the main male lead, and that was really fun!)

Ive met so many amazing people thus far in the production (one day soon, you'll know who they are). People that have been working in the television and film industries for a very long time. If I ever play 6 degrees of separation to Kevin Bacon with you, I will now most certainly win. These guys seem to know everyone, and to have done everything - at least to me; so for that, you can know that God has truly blessed me personally, and the production in general. There's no way that kind of stuff just happens.

I would also like to make a quick announcement: we need Extras! If you would be interested, go to...

http://cottagehill.org/movie/

...to sign up. If you qualify and are available, we would love to have you on set with us!

Well that's all the time I have for today. We are gonna make sure to keep you guys updated as we approach our shooting dates - which are coming very soon! Lots of exciting things happening. Please pray that we continue to move forward with confidence and charisma.

Thanks guys!

-KB