When I think of THEN†NOW, I see it as a type of David [not the king but the little boy] going up against a giant called Goliath [Hollywood]. This giant is a monster of a thing. It has all wanna-be's shook. It's ruthless in its dealings, merciless is its negotiations and has an ethos of its own that's penetrated only by a few. It has its own government and laws. It's so powerful that it can shift the direction of the culture in one opening weekend. How many creative people are in its zip code? Of those who will ever see the break they dream of? The disparity in numbers must be staggering. And then if your bright idea has any affiliation with the evangelion, the Good News, its over. You're finished. Meanwhile, if they only realized that every film that ever leaves a true mark on ones life is the one that captures the plight of every human being: the search for the kingdom with its foundation and architect...the "you know who".
Then there's little ole us ...being led by a boy. I know 26 is no longer a boy, but you still look like one. Anyone who is a size 13 shoe is still a boy. Anyone who can't sleep at night because of ideas flying around in their head is still a boy. Anyone who can't speak from a land line phone in a quiet place is a boy. Anyone who still has to wait for mommy to ship his coat from Chicago to NYC because its too cold is a still a boy. Any one who calls me 7 times a day to talk is still a boy.
Yet I can't help but think that you, like David, may be small in stature but a heart after God. David was totally uncomfortable with all the armor that they placed on him to fight the giant. It's not how he usually roles. He didn't need any of that stuff when he took out the bear and the lion. You too are not easily swayed by the armor, the gear, the technology. You're still convinced that vision is better than gear. You know that the power of story will always transcend the power of technology. You still carry around a HVX 100 with a busted audio channel. You have no NLE software, your life is all in a messenger bag, you still use an old MacBook black that can barely keep up with web 2.0 . You still roll with just a slingshot and a few small stones.
But what are your chances up against this giant that, at the very whiff of religious rhetoric, will eat you up and spit out the bones? This is where we in NYC have this indescribable confidence. We trust that as this comes together, your training, your experience, your convictions, your talent, your understanding, your passion, your vision, your storytelling, your crafting, your Spirit-led-ness (if you truly listen)...will make room for a film that whether Goliath likes it or not, will be authentic, honest, pure and above all, God-glorifying. If He be lifted up in this film, He will draw all men (and movie goers) unto Himself. We are used to selling CD's from the trunks of our car. So we have no problem doing the same with this DVD. But if it be His will that the audience be the world, then you too will be able to say "this is the Lord's battle and He has given you to us".
We're rootin' for you. We're prayin' for you. In the meantime, we'll still be over here doin' what do. Isn't that what the film's about?
