Growing up I never thought that I would make a name for myself in the film industry, or see my name go scrolling by in the credits of a film that I helped make. That wasn’t my dream, I had no ambition to do so…. but it happened! Last Saturday, Jen and I walked into a theater, watched a movie and my name went by in the credits.
It all started years ago, I was still a teen, at youth group. The book, Blue Like Jazz was being passed around and talked about by everyone! Eventually, I got a copy of the book and was reading it for myself. I quickly became immersed in the creative writing, the beauty of the descriptions and the funny humour that accompanied them.
It was an honest portrayal of a man’s journey to find Christ. He grew up in church, but longed for more, and went off in search of that, to discover a personal relationship with Jesus. Nary a story like it had been told! (Bonus points for being able to use the word nary in a sentence!)
Years passed, and I got wind of the movie being in the works, which created much excitement among the Christian community, but after not too long the movie was cancelled because investors had pulled their funds. This isn’t your typical Christian movie, so your typical Christian investors deemed it too much a risk to support.
That’s when two guys decided to save the film! They created a plan, met with the directors and started a fund on the website Kickstarter. They had 30 days to raise $125,000 on a site where a movie had never raised more than $50,000. Well, They raised their goal in 10 days and by the 30 days had over $345,000. The movie was saved!
I, like many, invested in the film and helped to save it, and for the amount I invested I received Associate Producer status, my name in the credits, a t-shirt, signed poster, and a phone call from the director personally thanking me.
Fast forward to last Thursday, I spy a tweet on Twitter mentioning that the DVD version of the film hits stores on Tuesday (Aug 7th). I was excited to finally be able to see the movie, so I went to the website to verify the news, it was true!
Later that evening, I received a phone call, it was a long distance number. It was the director Steve Taylor, inviting me to the Toronto screening of the film, where he would be there to introduce it and have a Q&A session afterwards, as well as take everyone out for coffee and donuts afterwards.
After the call, once the initial shock wore off, I told Jen all about it, and I knew we had to go! How could I miss this! So we headed to Toronto found the little theatre and settled in for the film.
Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion in Part 2!
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Your dad and I have always been so proud of you….even in times when you were driving us crazy. You have become a man of purpose, love, respect, maturity, and potential. The list could go on and on. You can succeed in everything you set your mind too when you do it with God’s direction and will working in your life.
Thanks Mom!
That’s awesome. I can’t say I have read the book… but maybe I should and then see the movie. Thanks for being so passionate about it.
Absolutely!! Read the book and then watch the movie! Then share it with all of your friends!!
So glad you got to see it in the theater. Thank you for believing in it and helping get it made. It is a great movie and wull help bridge a gap with people who are searching.
It was great! It was crazy how everything happened! Glad to be a part of such a great film!