http://www.ted.com/talks/sheena_iyengar_choosing_what_to_choose.html

Sheena Iyengar: How to make choosing easier

Make chooses is the hardest this for a center brain person, and low and behold I am a center brain person. So I choose to check and see if TED.com had any help for a rising film producer who is shopping for scripts to produce. And I found “Sheena Lyengar: How to make choosing easier.”

This video lesson was very in-lighting for me, on how as a business owner to help my customers to make easier decisions. It also helped me to understand how I can make choosing easier for my self. Sheena talked about how to layout the choices for people and that helped me to understand how to look at my choices, so that I can make them easier for myself. 

In the video she stated that Aldi has better sales because of the few choices they give us. I would have to disagree with that, Aldi has better sales and is 9^th in the country because of the current economic state of the US. They are 30% cheaper then other grocers’, that’s way they have better sales.

Some things in our society do better with more choices. Like cable and sat TV. I know that Sheena says less is better, but does anyone really have air TV any more. The more channels they offer the more channels we get.

But as for video productions I feel it’s true the fellow options I give my customers the better business will be. So Holy Ghost Production will offer digital media only to start. This will give customers two choices 720 or 1080 HD. After this our next step is to offer 4K video then we will move to film 16mm and 35mm but that will only be for feature films. Commercials, PSA, music videos and Promo reels will all be done digital.  Hope I haven’t give people to many choices wouldn’t want to make things hard for anyone.

Way too many opinions on Christian Films

In my research into the Christian film world, in my endeavor to make Christian movies better. I find the good and the smelly opinions of others. Christians and non-Christiians a like. Most recently I can across this comment. "If evangelical Christians want to see their life and faith and values reflected on-screen, I guess that's understandable. But movies are not mirrors, and the mass audiences that went to see "The King's Speech" or "Black Swan" or "The Social Network" didn't necessarily identify with the characters or their lifestyles. Although the prehistory of Christian cinema goes back several decades -- the Campus Crusade for Christ film "Jesus" played mainstream theaters in 1979 -- with the solitary exception of Gibson's gruesome and visionary "Passion of the Christ" the genre hasn't evolved past the most tedious stage of message-delivery and representational politics. (Insert joke here about Christians and evolution.) At the risk of offending many people in many different directions, Christian cinema reminds me of gay cinema. If, that is, gay cinema were permanently stuck in 1986, with a self-ghettoizing mandate to present positive role models for youth and tell an anodyne but uplifting story that sends a message of hope."

Click for more: http://www.flickfilosopher.com/blog/2011/04/question_of_the_day_why_are_ch.html#ixzz1qL0H9rpS 


This of course isn't the whole picture of what this blog writer had to say, but it struck me. That people opinions of movie about real life doesn't seem to be very appealing. Now it might surprise you that it doesn't offend me at all the comparison to "Gay cinema". I decided to get back in to film after getting saved because I think most 80% of films released my Christians suck. The acting is bad, the camera work sucks, the audio is subpar, and the over all post quality is still in the 70's. 


I choose to get back into film to make a change, I pray that I can. I pray that I can bring God's spirit of excellence to the Christian film industry. For to many years Christian film has lacked. Stand with me on Gods word. 


Deuteronomy 28:13 AMP ¹³And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you this day and are watchful to do them.


Let's make movies. 


Help us raise the funds need to make this film Excellent! 
http://igg.me/p/80629?a=110580

What is a Veteran?

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a vet just by looking.

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines/Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies
unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the
freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag."

By:
Father Denis Edward O'Brien/USMC

Were can you find the news on Christian Films?

As a Christian filmmaker I try my best to know who's doing what in the Christian film industry. For a while there was a organization HOSFU that was doing a lot, but they ran into the same thing most people run into, "SIN". So where can one go to keep track of who's doing what? Is there one place for Christian films like IMDB. No there isn't, CFDb (Christian Movie Database) does exists but it's nothing like IMDB/IMDBpro.

For gathering info on Christian films and what is going on in the Christian film market. I have a few sites that help keep me informed, starting with on the largest Christian film production companies around Cloud Ten Pictures . Cloud Ten Picture keep up to date post of what they are doing film and television wise. If you just want to know what is out or may be coming out then CFDb, or ChristianCinema.com, Christianfilms.com, or Christian Film News even though Christian Film News has not had a recent up date.

Soon and we are hoping before the end of the month that Holy Ghost Productions website will be up and running. The domain is set and will be www.HolyGhostProductions.com . We are working with a web design company to put together a site that will be a cross between http://www.mnightshyamalan.com/ and my own creation. Not only will be keep you up to date on out productions but we plan to share with everyone what God is doing in the film industry from LA to New York and international too. Make sure to just us, we will keep you updated on the sites status.

But for right now please check out the latest movies coming out on DVD/Blu-Ray or in theaters at CFDb. Like: Courageous, A Cross to Bear, Beyond Acceptance, Breaking Man or Three Hearts. All these films and more are available on DVD or Blu-Ray now get you copy and support the Christian film industry.

ICVM connecting for people like ME

I have been working on networking via the social networks, but now it's time to grow my network face to face. I've joined ICVM (International Christian Visual Media) who will be having their yearly conference here in Orlando Fl. The Catalyst Conference will be here July 2012. Membership is $99 for individuals and $199 for organizations.

“ "ICVM's Annual Catalyst Conference "is a place where those committed to ministry in video and film can meet others with the same goal for mutual encouragement, learning, and fellowship."

- The late Ken Curtis, Former President - Vision Video, Worcester, PA

"In my many years of involvement with ICVM, I've found the organization to be committed to two things: terrific filmmaking and communicating Christian ideals."

- David Balsiger - Balsiger Enterprises/Grizzly Adams Productions

"ICVM has "a well established annual conference. If you are looking for international talent, crew, distribution, or just to make contacts on an international level, this conference is for you."

-       Eric Highland, Albuquerque, NM ”

-       From www.icvm.com

Eric Highland is already part of my network and it will be nice to meet him face to face. And I am very excited about the speakers who will be coming to the conference. One of those people is Phil Vischer, the creator of the Veggie Tales. My kids, well at least my daughter, still love to watch them, Also Anna Graham Lotz, daughter of Reverend Billy Graham.

Despite the cost of the conference, I totally believe it to be worth it. You can’t get anywhere in life without investing in your future. Members pay $395 for early registration and $495 after May 31, Non-members $495 early and $595 after May 31, and College Students are $275 early and $345 after May 31. I guess I lucked out because I’m still in school working on my Masters.

The ICVM follows right along with what my company, Holy Ghost Productions, stands for "Communicating Christ To The World Through Visual Media". Mine is through film, but maybe it should be visual media, I’ll think about it. I also agree with the mission statement.

“ "To be a supportive Christian community for those involved in the production and distribution of visual media; encouraging and networking to communicate Christ to the world."

ICVM is an organization that started with the advent of the Christian film industry.  Churches used to rent 16mm film prints of the latest evangelistic movies and have big 'outreach' movie nights for the community.  Many companies formed to meet the demand of more and better quality dramatic movies with a spiritual emphasis.  As the eighties became the nineties, there was a shift in the market as fewer churches turned to this form of outreach in favor of small group Bible studies and more teaching oriented programming.  Children's videos started to proliferate as more and more parents became frustrated with what was coming out of Hollywood.

Today ICVM is a consortium of producers and distributors trying to make a difference in the world through visual media.  The group includes organizations as large as World Wide Pictures, (Billy Graham film division) to tiny missions oriented video producers, independent writers, directors, actors and even individuals who are simply interested in Christian films.

Whatever your niche, we encourage you to prayerfully consider joining this group who will encourage you to fulfill God's call for your life. ” From www.icvm.com

I look forward to July 10, 2012 and day one of the conference, building my network in the Christian film industry can only help. I have a lot of projects coming in, and having a larger network to pull from will be such a blessing. 

Christian Men it's time to Stand Up!

The reason I started with a movie trailer is that Sherwood Pictures is doing what I've been called by God to do. No I didn't have the same film idea, far from it. But I do feel the same call to tell Men of God to stand up and teach their children God's Ways. "Courageous" hit the theaters with mix review from film critics. What Christian film doesn't? But from the movie audience it received a A+ CinemaScore rating. I for one can't wait until its DVD release January 17, 2012. 

I chose this video just in case you didn't get to see the film yet; I wanted you to understand what it was about. As a Christian and a father, I really relate to the film. As you know if you read the 'about me' part of my blog I was in the Army. The time I spent away from my family changed me and not for the better. I have spent the last four years working on becoming the man I use to be. The father, the husband and the son that went to Iraq. Based on the trailers I have seen Courageous is just the story I need to see and I pray that it helps others. But don't take my word for it see what some others had to say on Fandango, http://www.fandango.com/courageous_143368/moviereviews .

Now for those of you who think,” How can you make money in Christian films?", aren't you all non-profit?  While most Christian film companies are non-profit, (the actors, writers, production crew aren't), Courageous had a $2mil budget, it made $9.1 mil in it's opening weekend and $33,036,124 (USA). This shows a nice profit. (4 December 2011) www.imdb.com .

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Christian first and a film making falls in line, but it's nice to know I didn't pay $100K for attending film school and obtaining my BS just to end up working for free for the rest of my life.

Well I pray you get the chance to see Courageous it's out on DVD & Blu-ray Jan 17, 2012. Watch it!

What's Going on in the Christian Film Market?

As a aspiring Christian film maker, I watch what other film makers are doing. I pray that someday I will be looked at as the Jerry Bruckheimer of the Christian Film Industry. Not only does Jerry Bruckheimer make films but he also has produced television and video games.

What is going on today in the Christian Film industry? I try to look at all the players. One of the biggest is Cloud Ten Pictures. They are making feature films that speak to the soul of man. Cloud Ten Pictures is a film company based in St. Catharines, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York that is passionate about producing inspirational Christian movies. Through over a decade of both critical and popular success, Cloud Ten Pictures has become a known and trusted documentary and filmmaking brand name. They currently have two productions in development, Camp Eden and End of the Beginning.

Some films I believe are really worth watching are No Greater Love, House, The Encounter, Saving God, Courageous , and then there is any thing that starts with “The VeggieTales”.

I pray daily that I continue to learn what make a great film. I watch everything I can that will not push over my moral values because I believe that Christian want entertainment. Show me the love of Christ with out preaching to me. That’s what I go to church for not what I take my family to the movies for. I want to produce Christian Horror films, such as House, and The Visitation. I wan to make family films like Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie, and What If. I want to make Christian film that entertain in every genre. It’s time that we are able to go to the theater and be scared with out nudity or strong language. Watch a film a laugh so hard we hurt with out every other word starting with a F.

So if you are reading my blog and you feel the same way help me we can change Hollywood for the better.

If you what to know more about Christian films, what’s new, what is coming out or where you can get you start in the Christian film industry I hope you will keep reading my Blog, but if not here are some other resources. 

http://www.christianfilms.com/ "The direction for this website is driven by my philosophy of Christian films. If someone is going to call a movie a Christian film, it needs to have a sincere message for Jesus Christ. That is the bottom line for me and makes it quite simple when it comes to selecting which films to offer. I'm looking for message first. I want to make sure every movie we offer has the person or presence of Christ in it." Dave Christiano

http://www.mychristianfilms.org/ This is a local central Florida company making Films and TV Show for all of us.

Follow my Company on FB http://www.facebook.com/HolyGhostProductions

And other Christian pages about film on FB

http://www.facebook.com/groups/55537278906/

http://www.facebook.com/groups/358409300452/

http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistswholoveGod/

And for the most part these groups are local to Central Florida.

If you would like to rent a few and can’t find them on Netflix check out Christian Cinema.com