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

I have Jumped on the Zombie bandwagon!

While I attended Full Sail University, it seemed that everyone had to make a Zombie film.  I just didn't get it.  So last week I decided to watch the first season of "The Walking Dead" on demand, and I liked it and I am hooked.

"The Walking Dead", for me, is the first Zombie based anything that drew me into the story.  I am on the edge of my seat most of the show and I cannot wait till the new episode comes.  Last week dropped a new side to the supporting character Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal).  While Shane and Otis (played by Pruitt Taylor Vince), are running from the Zombies at a high school, Shane decided to save himself by shooting Otis in the leg so that he could get away from the attack safely.  If you have not seen "The Walking Dead" you should.  The show airs on AMC at 9pm Sunday Nights.

For more about AMC's "The Walking Dead" visit www.amctv.com.  Also read the story at http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673394/walking-dead-jon-bernthal-shane-murder.jhtml

I am looking forward to a new film coming soon from Power Forward Films, "No Tomorrow".  Power Forward Films is a small film company owned by Frank T. Ziede who is a very close and good friend of mine . To find out more about him and the film visit http://powerforwardfilms.com; or get updated regularly at http://www.facebook.com/NoTomorrowTheMovie.

It seems that everyone is jumping on the Zombie bandwagon. The new game  "Dead Island" is a M+17 RPG game from Deep Silver.  This game can be play on PC, Playstation and XBox. "A schlocky, gruesomely fun action role-playing game awaits you on Dead Island.  Bring three friends." says Gamespot.com.  For more about this new look at Zombies visit http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/dead-island/review.html

Well I have to go "The Walking Dead" is on right now, see you next time.

Starting over

Hello everyone, I'm Charles E Haney Jr. I love movies but I love the Lord more. Me and my family moved to Orlando Florida 2 years ago, so that I could follow my dream. And I did, I graduated from Full Sail University Aug 4, 2011 with a BS in Film. During the program I went ahead and started my own production company. Holy Ghost Productions is my company with one employee and thats me. Most recently I have freelanced on a few projects but my heart is in christian film.

The christian film market is looking good, but I want to bring the films up and beyond Hollywood standard and quality. I have made great connections this month. Meet actors and actresses and business people with good connections. Although I lost a dear friend and my right hand man Dimitri Crane, I know he would want me to push forward. So I have asked a fellow Full Sail grad to join me in making Family Friendly movies and TV show. So here soon be on the look out for Holy Ghost Productions to explode into Hollywoods market.

A little more about me is, I'm married have been for 15 years now. My wives name is Leesa (Lisa) and we have 3 lovely children Preston 14, Timothy 13, and Hannah is 12.

Please fell free to read my previous blogs and give you comments.

God Blees and have a nice day.

- Charles

Dimitri Alexander Crane "A filmmaker gone too soon"

Dimitri Alexander Crane, the 33-year-old driver of the Vue, was turning from Hidden Beach onto westbound Conroy, when motorcyclist Dean J. Burgess, 24, struck the side of his vehicle.

Witnesses told police that Burgess had been driving at a high speed eastbound on Conroy. Investigators said Burgess was ejected from the motorcycle, and wound up inside the Vue, which overturned.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Investigators said Burgess was not wearing a helmet.

Police closed Conroy Road to traffic between Turkey Lake and Kirkman roads, in the area south of MetroWest, near the entrance to the Montevista Apartments. "Orlando Sentinel News"


The following are post and memories share by family and friends. 


"To my precious son Dimitri

You were the East to my west, the north to my south, the right to my left, the up to my down, the happy to my sad, the rainbow to my storm, the loud to my soft, the daring to my safe.

You were exciting, fun, courageous, talented, adventurous- my firstborn son, my Dimitri...you were all the things I wish I could have been, but were afraid to be!

The best day in my life was the day you were born 34 years ago and the worst day was yesterday when you passed..,my heart has been tore out...
I do not know why God chose to take you home so soon...but I know that you have changed my life forever in so many ways and this journey will not be the same without you!

I love you Dimitri . my son, and will always cherish the many memories of you that I hold dear until we meet again.

(always I am) Mommy (from Tina Crane)"


"Charles Haney Jr - Lost a great friend and I don't have the words in my vocabulary to express the pain I'm feeling. I could give-in to my flesh and drink until I feel nothing, But Dimitri you are more to me the that. I love you dear FRIEND, BROTHER and more. You will forever be in my heart never forgotten."

"Serena Perrin  - Dimitri I love you so much and I can't believe your gone... My life will never be the same without you... I wish this was a bad joke"

"Stephanie Crane - For those of you that knew and loved my big brother, He died yesterday morning. He was in a car accident. He was larger than life literally! He is loved beyond words and will be missed."

"Emily Mink - shocked and saddened to hear that Dimitri Alexander Crane is no longer with us. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones, what a terrible loss of a unique and worthwhile human being who never failed to put a smile on my face."

"Gary Hancock - The world truly lost someone special, Dmitri Alexander Crane You will be greatly missed. You were an awesome, crazy, great person and my heart and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

"Chris Racioppi - Man this is unreal. Out of my Full Sail experince Dimitri Alexander Crane, you were the one person who stood out and I could listen to for hours. I'll miss you buddy, you're up in a better place now."

"Corban Young - I seriously can't believe this. Woke up to find out my good buddy Dimitri Alexander Crane passed on because of a car accident. One second he is here, overflowing with life and passion, the next second he isn't. Love you buddy, I'm gonna miss you, praying for everyone involved. Guys, life is so very fragile and can vanish in an instant, don't ever take it for granted. Love those you around you, and make sure your heart is in the right place."

"Lola Banks - i cant believe the world has lost such a great individual... one of the best workers I've met in this industry, a friend, a voice to this town.. R.I.P. Dimitri Alexander Crane, you will be greatly missed."

"Josh Rogers - RIP Alexander Crane, you were one of the greatest friends ever, and on more than one occasion you gave me great advice when I asked for some. I can't believe your gone man. Miss you buddy, and hope to see you again."

"Chad Clegg - Rest in peace my friend I could always count on you to bring joy and interesting things to say to any day I had... I can't believe you are gone... I am truly speechless... I will never forget you"  

"to my dad

well everything was good the weekend before your passing. and the at was my last memory of you and at lest I can say it was super fun. Love you very much.

love your son,
Domonic crane"

"Hannah Haney - r.i.p i love you so much you were the best uncle ever i miss you already :'(" 

"Kevin Reid - D, I know you can hear me my friend. I know from last Saturday we had a certain talk you and I and I have not forgotten what we discussed. I will not forget nor walk away from any of thing we talked about even though you might reach that great shore before I do. Do me favor tell them when you get there that there is still one left. And their not planning on backing down so easy. Although your advise might come in a different way now I know you will be there whispering on the wind. So God speed my friend and we will meet again when the time is right..." 

If you know "The D" share you memories of this great man on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thedcrane?ref=ts 

Remembering Cliff Robertson 9/9/1923 to 9/10/2011

Today as the world remembers what happened 10 years ago September 11, 2001. I wish to remember a film veteran who we lost only yesterday at the age of 88 Cliff Robertson.

Mr. Robertson to today’s generation would be known as Uncle Ben Parker from 2002’s Spider-Man movie.

Cliff Robertson was born September 9, 1923 in La Jolla, California and started acting in 1950 in a bit part in Mr. Roberts.

In 1957, Robertson married Jack Lemmon's ex-wife, Cynthia Stone, and they had a daughter, Stephanie, before splitting in 1960. In 1966, he married actress and Post Cereals heiress Dina Merrill, and they had a daughter, Heather, before divorcing in 1989. Heather, died from cancer in 2007 predeceasing both parents.

“The film, television, and theater veteran enjoyed a career that spanned more than five decades, making his big-screen debut in the 1955 romantic drama Picnic opposite William Holden and Kim Novak. He would appear in dozens of films, including The Girl Most Likely, Gidget, Sunday in New York, The Naked and The Dead, The Devil’s Brigade, Three Days of the Condor, and more recently, the Spider-Man movies as Uncle Ben Parker.” http://news-briefs.ew.com/2011/09/10/oscar-winning-actor-cliff-robertson-dies-at-age-88/ 

He made his directorial debut in 1972 with the rodeo drama “J.W. Coop,” in which he also starred, and played a memorable villain in “Three Days of the Condor” three years later, before top-lining Brian De Palma‘s “Vertigo” homage “Obsession” in 1976. Robertson won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Charly. His last film role was "Uncle Ben Parker" in the Spider-Man film series.

In 1977, Robertson discovered that his name had been forged on a $10,000 check, although it was not money that was due him. He also learned that the forgery had been carried out by Columbia studio head David Begelman, and on reporting it he inadvertently triggered one of the biggest Hollywood scandals of the 1970s. Robertson was subsequently blacklisted for several years before he finally returned to film in Brainstorm (1983). The story of the scandal is told in David McClintick's 1982 bestseller "Indecent Exposure." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Robertson

So we say good bye to a great actor Cliff Robertson who died of natural causes the day after he turned 88 September 10, 2011.

Find his resume at http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0731772/

This blog is to share God's will for my life and what's going on in the Christian Film Industry. I produced my first music video for a local Christian artist in August, and now I have offers for two more music videos. I look forward to doing God's will for my life. I volunteer at my church, in the sound department and look forward to producing a show for worship and teaching the word of God soon.

Here is the first music video I produced.  http://youtu.be/7QEPULjuO4o?hd=1 Hope you like it.

And here is the link to my personal web page. http://www.charleshaneyjr.com/

Thank you for stopping by, comeback often.

First I am a Christian, second I'm a Husband and Dad and then I'm a film and video Producer and this is my BLOG!