03.05
Bill Ebel (center) on set of Fireproof (2008)
Making a film is like eating an elephant, one bite at a time. We’ve turned that into an artform on this movie. So much time is squeezed inbetween things like normal jobs everyone has, families, other business projects, school for some, etc. Don’t worry, we aren’t leaving all of you hanging. You’ve stuck with us this long, perhaps your willing to go even farther?
I’m happy to announce the edit it looking better and better. It seems that God is never done surprising us on this production. Last year before shooting began I had been in contact with Bill Ebel, on-site editor for Fireproof. He was a great guy, and was very busy with his current job. We talked about Sherwood, how much fun he had, and how we were prepping for our film. We joked “gee wouldn’t it be great if you could be on another set like that?” We laughed as we both knew he was busy and could never help us out, and on life went. I kept in contact with Bill on and off telling him about what was going on, sharing a clip or two of footage. Well wonders never cease, guess whos gonna be working on the edit for Standing Firm? Yep…Bill Ebel.
I laugh at how God works sometimes, almost a whole year later since that conversation online Bill has a hard drive in the mail on its way to him and he’ll be looking at what we have so far. I’m very honored to have him working on the film, and I know he’ll be a major benefit. Having to do so much on a film makes it rough keeping your stamina, confidence, etc. alive and kicking. I need to show the film to someone else and go “here, that’s what we got…” We’re confident that the film will be undoubtably better because of Bills participation. Pray that all goes well in the next few weeks as we dive into the edit farther.
We will also be getting ready to finish the last few bits (again) of the film. Like I said, eating the elephant. I gotta say, it’s nervewracking being the only one steering a story and not only that….over almost a year. You get very worried and with all the support you get it amplifies your worrying because you now have people to satisfy, not just yourself. I think God will Bless though, and the story will impact many. More than anything I’m just thrilled everyone has stuck to their guns to finish it, especially Shaun (gaffer), Rob (dave), Eric (steven), and Kevin (co writer/producer). It’s been a long road and we aren’t done yet.
Please pray that the rest of this month would see us getting a lot of work done, especially wrapping up shooting. We have 3 months to get this puppy completed, that is our goal. Not released to all of you (yet), but to have it in a presentable form to an interested distributor. Also please pray against attacks from the enemy, as we all normally get hit with something right as we rev back up again. Satan isn’t stupid, he’s had a couple thousand years of practice. We need protection.
We need you now more than ever.
OFFTOPIC: Also in case you didn’t know, we’ve also been working hard on two other projects. Not films (yet…more of that to come later), but websites. We want to make useful resources for the Christian Filmmaker and for the Christian Film consumer.
PraisePictures.com - Newly designed, this site has been exploding with content in the last 2 months since the 2009 SAICFF. We are adding articles, interviews, film and dvd reviews, and everything inbetween! We want our site to be a useful resource for filmmakers who have questions and to read articles on different filmmaking topics written by those who are in the industry doing it! Please check out our site, the blog, and let us know what you think. We also have a newsletter, be sure to get on that.
ChristianFilmTrailers.com - We hope to make this website the “Apple Trailers” of the Christian Film world by next year. There is so much potential for this site to explode. We are also tying in publicity opportunities for those who sign up to submit their films. We want this site to be not just a good resource for bigger films, but for the little guy and our prices are set accordingly. More and more will be added to this site as time goes on. If your a filmmaker, this site is for you…so take advantage of it!