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The Other Son Trailer

The Other Son Trailer from Leclerc Brothers Motion Pictures on Vimeo.

"Perhaps the greatest biblical parable of all time is that of the Prodigal Son. This gripping story has all the components of a suspense-filled novel. Mystery, drama, and forgiveness give this parable the elements of a great film. Its powerful message and rich attention to detail have been quoted by some of the world’s greatest writers including Shakespeare and Dickens. However, within the prodigal son’s redemptive message is another equally captivating, sinister, and compelling story. The film, The Other Son brings to life this powerful message, making this historic parable more powerful than ever."

 

Pendragon Bios

The Burns have some snazzy Cast and Crew Bios up on their website. If you haven't read them, click here, I found them fun, informative and complete with cool pictures.

 

Another Christian film now on DVD!

 

The Widow's Might

I came across this site where can see a lot of still frames here. You can also listen to an interview with John Moore here.

 

The Penny

After 6 weeks, I'm finally back home...after my flight was delayed 3 hours, then sitting in the plane for 3 hours (before take off) and then car trouble on the way home, three more hours.

It was a good shoot to be a part of and I learned a lot! Unfortunately I can't give out much info about the project itself :) Stay tuned to their website.

This is the DP (Ethan Ledden) and the 1st AC (yours truly) working and hanging out on The Penny.

 

SAICFF 2009 Semi-Finalists

The list is out!

 

Pendragon WEBSITE!

Check out the new website!

 

Film Updates

The Penny
Check out a few still shots from the movie on the Filmweaver's website. You can also read one of the actor's blogs here.

Pendragon
Another movie clip is up on their site along with another blog post. Apparently the DVD will be for sale online tomorrow!

Fireproof
You can now pre-buy the DVD here. January 27th is the official DVD release date. "FIREPROOF topped $30 million, becoming one of only six movies made with a budget of $500,000 or less to top that figure. Among the others: Benji and Napoleon Dynamite."

JellyTelly
It's now LIVE! Haven't had time to check it out myself, just thought I would pass along the info :)

Crown Financial short films
At least 3 of the short films are premiering at SAICFF this year!!

 

NEW Ranch Commercial

Ranch Commercial 2 is out!

My brother and I made this one while we were camping back in October. We ended up spending about two and a half hours filming...due to the unruly wind continually blowing the boat back towards the shore.

A few ideas have been tossed around for several more, maybe I'll get time to do them :)

Leave a comment, I'd really like to hear your critique!

 

Pendragon DVD!!!

Unfinished Cover Art

"We spent an extra week making the sound on Pendragon absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately this means that we won’t be able to ship DVDs on Nov 20.

Nothing in the world can make up for the disappointment of not getting your Pendragon DVD immediately. To take the sting off, we are going to have a main actor autograph all disks (upon request) that are sold between November 20^th and the date we receive the DVDs from the replicators. So if you want a signed copy, hurry up and order before we take deliveries in the first days of December!"

Read full blog post here.

 

SAICFF signup

250 Submissions to the January 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

"We have some big announcements coming down the pike over the next two weeks. There have been a number of very exciting developments for both the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. With 250 submissions to this year’s SAICFF, including 50 feature-length films, our judges have been working around the clock to select our crop of semi-finalists and feature finalists. Stay tuned for more breaking news, and don’t forget to sign up early for a spot at the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the SAICFF for what will unquestionably be the most exciting and best family-friendly festival experience in the five-year history of this Christian culture-advancing event." ~ Doug's Blog

 

Pendragon News!

There is a new clip (Way of Life) from the movie available for viewing and also a new blog post!

 

The Penny

Well, I finished with Pendragon, had several days at home with my family and now I'm up in Wisconsin working on Filmweavers next feature film, The Penny. I'll be helping as Assistant Camera on the project and anything else they need me for. :)

Updates may be sparse so feel free to sign up in the sidebar and an email will be sent to you whenever there is a blog update. You can keep up with The Penny through the Filmweavers website.

 

Film updates

Dialtone has updated their website with photos!

The Penny is gearing up for principle photography in a couple of weeks.

The Measure of a Man had their premiere showing! There will be another showing November 29 in TX. Details here.

Pendragon has a clip from the movie up on the website!!

 

Pendragon: MAILED

The DVDs were mailed off to the SAICFF last Saturday - read the full blog post here.

 

Pendragon Music

"The Morris twins, Caleb and Daniel, have been orchestrating some fantastic battle music for Pendragon. Last night I drove to their house (a 2 hour jaunt from Tulsa) to pick up several finished cues."

Click here to read the full post.

 

NEW Pendragon Homepage

They have a new homepage up (still working on the other pages) with a new little clip! Eventually more clips will be added as the DVD release date draws closer.

CHECK IT OUT!

 

Pendragon Pickup Shot

"On Wednesday night we shot the second to last pickup of the movie. An insert on the hand of a dead Saxon was needed and our neighbor obligingly came over to play the role."

Read the full post here!

 

Pendragon - Oct 21

NEW! Pendragon blog post!

 

Come What May - FREE

"The 1st segment of “Come What May” movie will stream for FREE on American Family Association’s website (afa.net)starting Wednesday, Oct. 22. Next week, starting Oct. 27 it will stream over three days on Godtube.com/comewhatmay."

View it here.

 

SAICFF Trailer

The SAICFF trailer rules: "A 30-second to 2-minute promotional piece advertising the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Submissions can be animated shorts, live-action, spoofs, or any other appropriate approach."

You can VIEW THE TRAILER from my website. Please don't forget to come back...I would REALLY like to hear your feedback and comments/critiques about the trailer. You can also see the trailer on Doug's Blog.

I do want to give special thanks to...
- the Morris brothers for composing the music (and putting up with my requests for little changes)
- MusicBeyond for a good deal on sound FX
- the many people who gave me their critique
- Vision Forum for permission to use their promo video
- and the filmmakers who gave me permission to feature their films!!

 

Mac Commercials

Mac commercials are so great and they have a few new ones out! If you haven't checked the line up recently you can see the latest ones here!

 

GodHonoringMovies.com

I was made aware of a new website that is dedicated to "Movie news, videos, behind the scenes, interviews, and more" for Christian films! It looks pretty good. They are currently following "Pendragon" and "The Widow's Might."

Go check it out!

 

Pendragon - AUDIO

"We are estimating that when completed, the Foley/Walla/EFX will have involved more than 500 hours of studio work. Studio time that could have cost us well over 20K has been graciously donated by a local university in exchange for involving students in the project – what a deal huh? Praise the Lord for his provision."

Read the full post here!

 

DIALTONE update

Another film crosses the finish line!

'Click here' to read their latest blog update.

 

Behemoth is ALIVE!!

Go check it out!

 

Pendragon Continues

The countdown to the release of Pendragon continues and the crew is hard at work. I'm currently back up in IL working on color correction for the movie and it's coming along nicely.

I'll try to update my blog as time permits. Please keep praying for all the team members who are working on the post production for the movie!

 

SAICFF updates

There is now a place on the SAICFF homepage to sign up for email updates and announcements!

 

Fireproof IN THEATRES!

$6.5 Million opening weekend!

ALSO...

Fireproof Producer to Address Christian Filmmakers Academy Students
“We are pleased to have Stephen Kendrick join us once again for our Christian Filmmakers Academy,” stated Doug Phillips, founder of San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival and the Christian Filmmakers Academy.

“The success that the Kendrick brothers have achieved through their films Facing and Giants and Fireproof offers clear testimony to the impact that outside-the-box Christian filmmakers can have on our culture,” Phillips remarked. “Their example offers many lessons that we believe other up-and-coming Christian filmmakers who will be joining us next January can learn from.”

Read the full article here

 

The Love Dare

The Love Dare, the book that began as a plot device for the upcoming faith-based movie “Fireproof” could become the top-selling Christian book of 2008 based on sales figures prior to its release next week.

(Photo: Sherwood Pictures)

Weeks before The Love Dare hits bookstores to coincide with the theatrical premiere of “Fireproof,” over 300,000 copies of the pro-marriage book have already been sold and a third round of printing is already underway.

“This is the fastest-selling book we’ve ever handled,” reported John Thompson, vice president of marketing for the book’s publisher, B&H Publishing Group, in an announcement.

“In America, the average book sells about 5,000 copies,” he noted.

- Read the rest of the article here!

 

Ranch Commercial FEATURED!

The Digital Juice homepage.

A better look.

Look which video is featured in the DJ Showcase Spotlight today!

A couple of days ago I uploaded the ranch commercial I made to the Digital Juice showcase. There has been quite a variety of comments given about the video, I guess you really like it or you don't :)

NOTE: the video garnered 254 views while "in the spotlight!"

 

Fireproof Sept. 26

Just four more days until the opening of FIREPROOF in more than 800 theaters across the nation!

 

Wars of Humanity

You may remember the Lego movie series, "Wars of Humanity" that have been at SAICFF in the past. Episode Three is now on the horizon and it looks promising. I'm looking forward to this one!

 

Christian Composer

Benjamin Botkin now has a website that features his music! He has everything from battle preparatons, desert warfare, city lights and nature. I really enjoy listening to his music - check it out here.

 

Red Giant Software

Red Giant is offering 30% off of all their products through Sept. 17th.

Trapcode, Magic Bullet, Knoll Light Factory, Primatte Keyer.....

 

Fireproof

NEW Website!
With the release of Fireproof right around the corner, their website has been updated/redesigned. Check it out.

Dove Review
"Kirk Cameron has done his best acting yet as Capt. Caleb Holt, a firefighter who believes that his stressful life allows him to ignore his wife. Erin Bethea gives a stirring performance as Catherine Holt, Caleb's wife and a career-oriented PR director at the local hospital. ..." - Read the full Dove review here. (Note: the review may contain spoilers)

Behind the Scenes of the Train-Wreck !
There's an exciting scene filmed on train tracks that has been an edge-of-your-seat favorite of pre-release screening audiences. FireprooftheMovie.com has just added a behind-the-train-wreck-scenes clip from FIREPROOF ... so get ready for some excitement! (Warning: This video DOES contain spoilers)

 

From the Director

Chad has posted an official update on the Pendragon project.

Want to know when its coming to DVD? Read it here.

 

Pendragon Video Lock!

During the Pendragon movie Ethan Ledden has been DP, 1st Camera operator, editor, post production visual FX supervisor and about a hundred other things! He has posted a Pendragon update on the Filmweavers blog! Click here

"Well gang, after much pain, sorrow, and suffering, editing on pendragon has wrapped. The film now sits in it's entirety, time coded and ready to go into the last stage of it's production. Music, Sound Design, and Visual effects."

"It's unlike anything we've ever seen in the Christian film genre. Basically we've done as much as humanly possible with popsicle sticks, scotch tape, lighting kits consisting of fluorescent curly Q clipons and baking paper diffusion. It's up to the Lord what happens to it next."

 

iUpdates

Visit Apple to learn more!

 

iTunes, iPod and iPhone updates!

Picture from Engadget live blog.

Picture from Engadget live blog.

Video updates have been sparse for the last few weeks but it seems the techy world has been hard at work.

Today Apple announced the new iTunes 8, new iPod Nano, new iPod Touch and updates to the iPod classic and the iPhone.

Read the live blog from the event here. The Apple store has also been updated!

 

Google Satellite

Here is another bit of interesting google info.

"Google has signed a deal under which GeoEye will supply the search giant with imagery from a satellite due to launch in coming days, the companies said."

 

Dallas 24 hour contest

News alert to all you filmmakers in Dallas!! All the info is at this link - 24 hour video contest

 

Google Chrome

You may or may not have heard that Google has developed a web browser that is proposed to be one of the best out there.

"Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier." ~Google Team

What you may not have thought about however is Google's mission. Here are a few sections from the article.

"...despite the company’s motto, and childlike logo and homepage, this is the real driving force behind the company. And the long-term goal of this applied technology? Google has already said it: to manage all of the world’s information."

"...Only a few people have noticed yet that in the Terms of Service for signing up for Chrome, Google demands “perpetual, irrevocable, world-wide, royalty free and non-exclusive” license to any materials users create with the browser [Under public pressure, Google retracted the Chrome Terms of Service last night – ed.]

And that’s only part of the story: an earlier reviewer of Chrome, Andrew Cheung of TGDaily, has noted that the browser almost seems to work “too well.” For example, Cheung found that with a few keystrokes, Chrome will go into an on-line banking site and find account numbers, balances and transaction activity. Cheung suggests that it is a security flaw in the product. I’m not so sure.

Microsoft only wanted all of our money. Increasingly, it seems that Google wants all of our data. In running away from the Evil Empire, have we now instead rushed into the arms of Big Brother?"

Thoughts...comments?

 

10 Filmmaking Tips

"Phil Cooke recently posted some advice for filmmakers that everyone wanting to make movies should read. Here’s an overview of his list of 10 Really Bad Ideas About Making Movies. Warning: some of these statements may turn your preconceived perceptions upside-down."

Click here to read more.

 

Wall-E, sound design

For anyone who is interested in sound design for films, head over and check out this article of inside info on how they created the sound FX for the Pixar film Wall-E.

"Ben Burtt has been a Hollywood sound designer for more than 30 years and has produced sound files for some of Hollywood's film legends: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., and now Pixar's "Wall-E." Where others might watch fims and be interested in the set design or costumes or actors, he listens to hear new sounds he can capture for future use. In a recent interview, he talked about the large number of sound files required for "Wall-E" and some of his more unusual E-Bay purchases."

 

Digital Juice Poll

Digital Juice has started running their polls again BUT if you create an account with them (its free) and then vote in the poll and leave a comment you could win some of their products!

Check out this recent winner :)

 

Pendragon Project

They have finally updated their blog! click here

 

SAICFF updates

Two important updates have been made to the film competition entry rules. First, the 5-minute minimum length requirement for the Promotional Media category has been removed. Promotional Media submissions may be up to twenty-four minutes in length (Rule #25).

Second, a new rule has been added: In order for a semi-finalist to be considered for a Jubilee Award, at least one of the following people must be in attendance at the SAICFF Jubilee Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 10, 2009 to receive any potential awards: The film's Producer, Director or Lead Actor. Films not represented at the festival may still be screened but will not be considered for a Jubilee Award. This rule applies to all Jubilee Award categories. (Note: Special consideration may be given upon request for international film submissions.) The attendance rule also applies to semi-finalists who are eligible for the Best Young Filmmaker Award. (Rule #18)

Be sure to visit the Film Competition Entry Rules page for more information.

Also, the SAICFF website now has a dedicated section where filmmakers can keep up-to-date on the latest news, announcements and updates about the festival and the Christian Filmmakers Academy. Simply click on the Latest News header at the bottom left of the home page to view the most recent posts.

 

Old Paths Media

Here is another place selling Joel's Journey! They also sell lots of Vision Forum materials. click here

 

Bringing Up Bobby

The official website is now up! Click here and take a look around. It looks like this film will be...um...shall we say "interesting!" I'm interested to see more info as it comes along :)

 

Dad the Hero - Screening!

Those of you in Texas might be interested to know that there will be a screening of Dad the Hero: In the Wild Wild West held in Greenville.

WHEN
Thursday, August 28, 2008 beginning at 7:00 P.M. The film is one hour long, followed by a 30-minute presentation from the Sampley family.

WHERE
Bethel Barnhouse, 683 CR 2178, Greenville, Texas.

Donations will be gratefully received. Popcorn will also be served, but you are invited to bring any other snacks that you would like to share.

Please reply - email: robert (at) bethelbarnhouse (dot) com - or call: (903) 883-2353 if you may be able to attend so that we can make sure that we have enough seating for everyone who might attend.

I've had the opportunity to see this film when I was working on Pendragon and I highly encourage you to take the opportunity to see it! We really enjoyed it and were quite impressed!