Top Posts

Interesting to see that the most controversial posts are always the most read.  Seems that we are driven to activity by controversy.  Why else would the news even run stories like the kook pastor of fifty in Florida?  Controversy is chum in the water of us sharks.  Even just a small piece can instigate large fights.

With Blogger, you can install different modules.  I can't find one that lists the top posts-- maybe someone knows where one is.  Over time, I've taken note which of these posts are the most read and here are some links:

From Year One:
Anything with Kerry Livgren gets well read (undermining the controversial theory above).  This was when we posted his testimonial which has gotten very watched on YouTube.  Click Here.

First post on "Chicken Love" was the most read for the first half of 2009.  Click Here.

On the technical side, got a lot of feedback on this post about two camera shooting.  Click Here.

The most read from 2009 where the Confessions from the Audition Room.  Part 1 is here, but you can read the rest in June 2009. 

Cheesy Christian Movies has gotten a lot of reads.  Here's the first post about this.  The more recent one two weeks ago has gotten more hits.

From Year Two:
The post for the first six months that got the most hits is the one about phariseeism.  Called "The Two R's."

And then last post about Tolerance generated quite a bit of activity.  Bottom line on Tolerance-- if you "tolerate" sin in fellow Christians, it's because you want your own sin "tolerated."

Tolerance

In light of the Terry Jones stunt (not the Monty Python but the pastor in Florida), it's time, fellow Disciples, to talk about tolerance.  BTW, I don't condone Terry Jones-- Jesus doesn't need a publicity stunt.  Having said that, I just read this on a Christian recording star's website regarding the out of balance Jones:

Jesus was all about tolerance and respect of fellow human beings

 I'm sorry-- what Bible is she reading???  Sure, I can easily go to the Old Testament and point to a God who was all about intolerance when it came to sin. How He caused the ground to swallow them up.  How He brought plagues, war and famine on them.  But, you say, that's "old testament."

God didn't order Joshua to burn their books.  He only ordered Joshua to kill them all-- including the children, kittens, puppies, and the sheep and goats.  Kill them all.  Oh yeah, still old testament.  And you say that God has changed.

Okay, let's go New Testament on you.  Where was Jesus's tolerance for the rich young ruler?  Why didn't He let the dude just come along?  Why did He require clearly too much from the poor rich young ruler?

How tolerant was God on Ananias and Sapphira for simply lying?  Yeah, they dropped dead.  Where's the love?  Where's the tolerance?  Where's the respect?  Oh but Jesus "was all about respect..."  So that's why he called the gentile woman a "dog?"  He didn't respect the pharisees.  Paul talks in I Cor 5 about throwing out people from the church.  Where's the respect?  The love?  The tolerance?

There's a new religion that's been founded.  It's the Religion of Tolerance.  It's hip.  It's cool.  But it ain't God or Jesus.

So the question here, Ms. Recording Star, is why you so quickly discount the character of God?  Why espouse such inaccuracies?  Is it because you want and desire tolerance in your own life for your sins?  You don't want to be held accountable for your selfish, narcissistic choices that have left a path of destruction in your life?  I would add that it harms and damages the one's you love... but for the Narcissist, there's only one you love.   I know, because I've seen you at the Narcissists Anonymous meetings.  But you didn't stay for your pin.

You give a pass to others because really you're giving a pass to yourself?  I know I do.

Ahh, no wonder you're the new poster child for "Tolerance."

Actor Demo Reels Part 2

Director of Photography Ron Gonzalez and
Director Daniel Millican setup for an
actor demo reel shoot.

I was talking with a local talent agent.  She was saying that many of the local actors just don't have quality moments for their demo reels.  And in this age of technology, more and more casting people and directors are using demos to decide whether to audition someone.  We also discussed how hard it is sometimes to get scenes from production companies.  An actor does a movie and forever can't get a copy to put pieces into a reel.

So we talked some more and I realized what she was saying was very accurate-- as a director, I'm looking at demos.  And if in the one minute of the demo, it's mostly background/extra type scenes, it doesn't really do the actor any good-- if anything, it hurts.

This led to a discussion about providing a service to actors-- shooting short little "moments" that can be easily placed into a demo reel.  At first I thought about pulling from scripts I've already written, then I decided it'd be better to write something specific for each actor.

The next trick was figuring out how to price it.  It is extremely important that these look rich and high in production value.  I'm going to need to pay a crew.  So I figured a budget for the shoot and divided it out, coming to a figure of $350 per actor, with four actors minimum to make it work.  This is less than some headshots.  What the actor walks away with is a high def, cinematic quality quicktime for web and a higher resolution quicktime for the editor making the reel.

The response has been pretty good.  I've done two sessions and about to do a third (had several that couldn't make it to the last one).  We're shooting on Tuesday, Sept 14.  I still have room for one or two more as of the writing of this blog.  Registration/Info/Samples at http://www.s-films.com/pov .

I need to know pretty quick because I write original material for each actor and you also need to have time to prepare and memorize your lines.

Tips for Actor Demo Reels:

• No longer than 1 minute
• Have 4 or 5 different clips
• Keep it mostly on you, not other actors in the scene
• Better to show big fish/small pond, than little fish/big pond.  In other words, I would rather want to see a juicy scene from a micro budget movie than you as a featured extra in a Hollywood film.
• Negotiate getting a copy of the movie when you sign up for the role

Album Review

I've been a Newsboys fan since the early-mid nineties, when I cut together a video for our church and the youth pastor wanted to use Shine in the background.  Since then, I've listened to everything.  And when you hear their late eighties stuff, you can be very thankful for the influence of Steve Taylor on producing.

I think the last album, In the Hands of God got overshadowed by the sudden departure of Peter Furler.  Hands was one of the better Newsboy's offerings in awhile.  I have three 5-star songs in my iTunes library as well as a couple 4-stars.  I can whole-heartily recommend buying the entire album at that point.  Which was no problem because Amazon offered it for $5 to jumpstart their mp3 service.  Plus, it featured two songs by Taylor, who hadn't produced for some time.

So a few days ago, I get a new email offer from Amazon. This time I can buy the new album with Michael Tait for $5.  Count me in.  Over the Labor Day weekend, I turned on the iPod and took a listen.  And you need to know I like Michael and it's never easy to step in like this to a band that has a very distinctive sound.

The lead singer probably has the most influence on a band's sound in my opinion.  Because of that, I couldn't decide if I was listening to new dcTalk stuff or some different band altogether.  There are some catchy tunes and I certainly love the familiar vocalizations of Tait.  There's not a single song written by Furler.  I thought maybe the founder might hang out in the background, but his creative touch is missing with the exception of Build Us Back). 

On Your Knees is a nice power ballad.  And I loved the cover of Mighty To Save.  But I'm sucker for rock renditions of any of these worship songs.   The cover of Jesus Freak sounds very similar to the original.  Would have loved to hear something more distinctive. Still, it's too soon.  Let's see if this band can find a new identity.  I'll certainly be listening.

Just Say No

Contrary to popular perception, Hollywood actually doesn't like to say the word "no."  New York has no problem with it, but out in La-La Land, "no" is to be avoided at all costs.

Too many horror stories have been told about the guy who said "no" to Rocky.  Or said no to Dead Poets Society.  Or said no to the next big thing.  Or actor.  You don't want to be that guy who said "no."

So when young filmmakers rush up excited that this or that Hollywood company is willing to consider their project, I try not to step on their enthusiasm.  I've talked to a big Hollywood distributor (one of the majors) about 72 recently.  They didn't tell me no.  They gave me a definite maybe.  They'd like to see it when it's done.  This is par for the course-- it's what I was expecting.  Sure I hoped they swoop in, dropping tons of money. 

So when do they say no?  When you're all done, they will graciously "pass."  They still don't say no, they just say they're "passing."  Passing is the new no.

One of the problems with not saying "no" (there's a double negative finally), is that you don't take a stand.  Right or wrong, I'm going to own this choice.  There's no ownership in LA.  If you own it and it turns out to be a wrong choice, you're out of a job or a career.  And the number one rule is to look out for number one.  (See the post the other day on Lions versus Servants.)

So, don't expect a "no" from Hollywood.  And don't expect a yes either.

Cheesy Christian Movies-- A Different Look

Yes, Christian movies have a reputation for being cheesy.  On another blog, we've had an interesting debate that started with the premise that maybe they're cheesy because they lack budget.  (For the definition of "cheesy", read this.)

Let's work from a substitution model.  Take another art form-- canvas oil painting.  Let's say a Christian enjoys the museum and looks at the paintings done by all these incredible artists over the centuries.  They go home and say "Well heck (remember, the Christian doesn't say 'hell'), I can do that!"  And so he grabs a crayon, or some tempura, spreads out the butcher paper, and without as much as watching one instructional YouTube video, he makes his masterpiece.

He gathers his friends from the church group to gaze at this beautiful thing... and like the emperor's clothes, they all nod and pat him on the back and say something religious like "well, God's certainly given you a passion brother!"

Now stop right there, I know what you're going to say next.  "Well Dan, don't you believe in the power of God.  I mean, He put the Master in 'Masterpiece.'  Don't you think He gives gifts to His children?"  Yes I do.  Sometimes He chooses to zap someone.  But more often than not, He's MUCH more concerned about the artist than the art.  He wants to take the artist through a process.  Yet the artist places WAAAAAY too much emphasis on the art.

Have I lost you?  Goes back to us Christian Filmmakers who love to say "My movie is going to reach the lost!  Praise His name!"  My friend, if you think your art is that important, you've lost some grip on reality.  He can make a sunset that can touch man's heart more than your movie.  The movie is nothing more than a tool.  He didn't gives us that Great Commission to "reach the lost."  He gave the Great Commission to "make disciples."  And quite frankly, a movie is a poor substitute for discipling.  I can see Paul now-- "Hey Tim, no need to hang with me-- just watch my movie!"

Or to put it in a better way (my composer friend Ben Reynolds came up with this one)... it's like the three year old baking in his mother's kitchen (you're the three year old in this allegory, God's the mother) on his Easy-Bake Oven.  He makes this attrocious brownie-like substance and when it goes "ding" pulls it out.  Mom tastes it and smiles to the little tike.  "Great job!"  But here, the tike thinks the cake is going to fetch a bazillion dollars at the upcoming church bake sale.

I know several of these Christian Filmmakers.  They have drifted away from Truth-- which means they're operating in some degree of delusion.  And you wonder why their movies are "cheesy?"  It has nothing to do with budget.  Give our artist above oil paints instead of tempura... nice, stretched canvas instead of butcher paper, and I can tell you what the result will be.  Short of Zappage from God.

My filmmaking friends that say they're disciples of Jesus-- please listen.  Storytelling is an ART.  It takes training.  Education.  Apprenticeship.  Skill.  Gifting.  Inspiration.  And of course passion.  You might have one of these.  Or two.  So what are you waiting for?  Go start getting the rest.  Or you'd better fast and pray for some major Zappage.  Otherwise, you're just adding to the plethora of cheese.  (I sooo wanted to use that word today.  Not cheese.  Plethora).

I don't' believe you can do this and embrace the Christian Nazi Film Festival.  (The CNFF).  And if you think I'm making it up-- I'm not.  Of course they don't call themselves this.  I have a filmmaking friend who did a modern prodigal son and showed five or so blurry seconds of a table with beer bottles on it and him sitting behind with some other people.  They wanted him to take it out.  They wanted him to forsake Truth.  Of course, the Pharisees wanted Jesus to forsake Truth.

Beware of Lions

Gene Roddenberry had it wrong.  In his vision for the future, man inherently were good.  Sure there were the odd few "evil" people out there, but in the end, the basic goodness of mankind would win the day.  As a philosophy or religion, it's called "humanism."

Man is inherently evil.  That's why Roddenberry fails.  That's why the democratic party fails.  They assume mankind's basic goodness.  Time and time again, it's been proven the rule-- not the exception... that mankind, at his basic core, is selfish and self serving.  He's a lion, looking to feed himself.  Sure there are nice lions, but int he end, a lion will be a lion.

At the core of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached about is a servant mentality-- being a servant to God, not mankind.  The killing of that internal lion.  The Apostle Paul writes that that lion has to be killed everyday.  For those who call themselves Christians, if you disagree with the above premise that man is inherently evil, I offer Romans 7:19.  Paul writes "I practice the evil I do not want to do."  That's present tense.  And it's coming late int he life of the guy who wrote a lot of the New Testament.

So it's a Lion versus Servant smackdown.  At least for the Disciple.  Those who don't follow and serve Jesus, really don't have that internal conflict.  The fight to kill the lion.  Everyday.

It's a daily choice.  Sometimes minute by minute.  Live for lion.  Or live for the servant.