Normally, I don't post from a blog from another site, but I am sharing a post from Veritas Mission Films today because this especially applies to "authors, content creators and filmmakers". 

BEYOND THE GATES OF SPLENDOR was made in 2002 when we were working with Every Tribe Entertainment. This company was named after a song Ron Owen wrote which I named from the scripture, Every Tribe, Every Nation because it embraced the voices of the whole world. The song was anointed and I knew it was a 'calling'.  

In the family, director Jim Hanon began the narrative beautifully when Steve Saint read these words, "Every family has a story and our story began in the jungles of Ecuador". Its so true that our stories, our creations begin our journeys to share with the world. Authors, content creators and filmmakers have the challenge of transitioning from books where you can "dig deeper" to the abbreviated language of filmmaking, so that we might...change the world. 

What does it mean to want to “change the world” and be a catalyst for something greater?  Who are the kinds of people who not only ask these questions, but are willing to go beyond the normal axiom of thinking anyway?  These kinds of questions are almost Messianic as we remember the actor in the series “The Bible” which was created by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey engaging us with these interrogatives.
 
Christ was speaking to Peter in the boat when they were fishing and challenged him with his question and I have been thinking a lot as I transition into the latter parts of my life, what is left to be done and why?
 
James Barnett the CEO of Dayspring Greeting Cards is an awesome friend of ours. He and his wife Marilyn mean the world and their son Jordan is one of my adopted godsons. Jordan lived with his when he was going to graduate school at Lipscomb University for film and is one of the most talented young men I know.
 
Last year James was attending a CEO conference where Andy Stanley spoke. He was challenging the group with two key questions for life.  Andy said, “The first question relates to your job and what you do and here it is.  If you could change one thing in your profession that would literally change everything, what would it be?”
 
When I first heard about this it made me really stop and think about films, about product creation and about the delivery methods by which we receive information.  The more I pondered these thoughts, the more I realized the power of what he was asking.
 
Andy went on, “So last question is about your passion.  When you answer this question, it will define what you do the rest of your life.  What breaks your heart?”  The room was silent as each executive stopped to consider what was the very “core” that would break your heart, would be the catalyst where you would face your destiny.
 
Tommy Sims is a world-class songwriter, musician and artist who has recently become a endeared friend through Javier Solis, an amazing sought after drummer here in Music City.  Tommy wrote the Grammy Award winning “Song of the Year” for Eric Clapton entitled, “Change the World”.  However, not many people know that this song began in Tommy’s childhood when he penned the song at 17 in the streets of Chicago.
 
Isn’t it interesting that you don’t have to be wealthy, older or have resources except the talents you have been given to “Change the World”.  You just have to be willing to listen, to be obedient and heart the sound of distant drums calling you.  This means having the ears to hear and the eyes to see when sometimes, other people just don’t. 
 
So here is the question of the day, “Do you have the desire to think differently and pave the way to make life better? Are you willing to “change your world” and what is around you by placing your passion ahead of your personal pursuits?”
 
When you begin to do more for others, reach out to helping people who are under served, you will find everything in your life will be different.  Lets all try to find our passion and follow the journey where we think differently.  We are not like the animals, the bird and the fish, because we have been given dominion over our planet.  Let’s make it better, listen to those who don’t think like we do and learn.  Don’t paint yourself into a corner or live in a box style of thinking, but instead stretch your mind, embrace innovation and see your value.
 
God made you for a purpose. He has a plan and a destiny for your life because you matter. Ask Him for insights, pray and listen, wait for answers and then, step out in faith and be willing, to change the world in the way He has equipped you for in this journey of life.
 
I love you all,
 
Coach KMAC

Recently we did a MOVIE SCREEN SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION with an author who had one of the most amazing stories and I wanted to write about the experience.  This was a woman who had gone through a horrible tragedy in her life and survived an international bombing incident in Kenya.  She literally was found under a pancake of rubble barely alive and completely blind.

One minute, she was an innocent bystander and the next moment in the flash of an eye, there was no sight.  Can you imagine the trauma of laying under concrete after being blown up with dead people all around you, and living to tell the story?

Her inspirational story may never be made into a feature movie you would see in box office, but she had the makings of an amazing "from tragedy to triumph" story where a feature length documentary might be a future option.  This made me think of so many people who have been ordinary people, upon whom have lived through the most extra ordinary circumstances and become champions through it all.

We are currently reviewing her book for a Cinematic Book Review and looking so very carefully at the entire story for adjudication.  However, even in the middle of this process, her story impacts my heart even today.  She shared with us she just wanted to leave a legacy with her life and maybe her story would help others.

The greatest honor I have is being a part of an organization where we might be helping birth these kinds of stories to be illuminated into film.  There are times in life, when it is just not about the money, it's not about the fame, but it is about something so much greater than ourselves.

Whatever your story, you may have gone through some amazing experiences which need to be written in a book, created into a screenplay, drafted into a documentary or more. Don't give up and keep following that dream.  You have something to say and God can use you, if you are willing.

Going into film is expensive, so don't go into movies or into the cinematic world if you don't have some sources of support.  However, you can write a book and it doesn't cost that much to publish or self publish.  Is it worth it?  Not always, but if you didn't try and just gave up, you would never know.

The next story we review may be yours and we are praying for you in this process.  Only do this if you believe you are supposed to go farther.  May the Lord richly bless you in your efforts.  Thank you authors for touching our lives and congratulations to the new authors who are now making movies!  It is worth the risk when you have this reward.

With Great Expectations,

​Coach Kmac