Happy Birthday, Timothy John Barry!

The character of Timothy John Barry, played by Josey Wilson in our upcoming film project He Leadeth Me, was born January 19, 1922 . In 1932, during the Great Depression, Timothy Barry would have turned  10 years old on January 19th. Because the 2011 calendar matches the 1932 calendar exactly, he would have celebrated his birthday yesterday!

- Character profile: Timothy Barry, born and raised in Rock Valley, IA, has never known anything but the small-town atmosphere of the humble farming community. As the Great Depression rages around him, he occupies himself with his own version of reality which consists of only innocent childish play, pranks, and prayers. His only real fear is never having enough food to eat, but his mother and father continuously encourage him to trust that the Lord will provide and, in the meantime, eat everything on his plate. His only one true temptation: finding ways to drive his younger sister Angela absolutely crazy.

Josey Wilson, "Timothy John Barry" (courtesy Dawn Schlienz)

Happy Birthday, Judge Ethan Evan Carter!

The character of Judge Ethan Carter, played by Nick Mundis in our upcoming film project He Leadeth Me, was born January 12th, 1890. In 1932, during the Great Depression, Judge Carter would have turned 42 years old on January 12th. Because the 2011 calendar matches the 1932 calendar exactly, he would have celebrated his birthday this week!
- Character profile: Ethan, son of a United States army officer and a Norwegian immigrant, married Laura Brenow in 1914 and was appointed judge in the railroad town of Rock Valley, Iowa one year later at the age of 24. Soon, Ethan and his small family became the most affluent individuals in town. His integrity as justice has gained overwhelming approval and he’s been encouraged more than once to run for mayor. He politely refuses the offer. Laura and a second child, a boy, died during childbirth in 1921. In the midst of his grieving, Ethan hired help to care for his home and his only daughter. This has allowed him to continue his financial and professional affairs in Rock Valley, though his paycheck has slowly dwindled to nothing since the market crashed in 1929. Ethan has one younger brother living in Boston, also a judge.

Nick Mundis, "Judge Ethan Evan Carter" (courtesy Nick Mundis)

Locations Secured

Here is a glimpse of a few of our filming locations for next summer! I apologize that a number of them are sideways. Blogger is never the most cooperative program...

Mayor Douglas home in Mount Sterling, IL - Kitchen 1

Mayor Douglas home in Mount Sterling, IL - Kitchen 2

Judge Carter home in Rock Valley, IA - Dining Room

Judge Carter home in Rock Valley, IA - Study

Rock Valley, IA Court House

Mayor Douglas home in Mount Sterling, IL - Private Sitting Room

[location: Bonanzaville USA, Fargo ND]

And there is so much more to look forward to!

Highlighting Amanda Carter

It's been awhile since I've been able to post any character descriptions. It isn't because I don't have them. It is, in fact, because they are located on my external hard drive which is currently out of commission. Sadly, it fell off the table and I can't open it. So...while we wait for it to be fixed...you'll have to be satisfied with the character descriptions I've posted, and perhaps a little rambling on my part about a handful of the people that make up the story of He Leadeth Me.

As I continue to work on the script, I continue to develop an even greater love for the characters in the story. One of my favorite, and perhaps arguably one of the most important characters, is Amanda Carter, the daughter of Judge Ethan Carter. If you were to compare the story of He Leadeth Me with the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, you'd understand Amanda to be the parallel character to the Prodigal's brother. She's the one who is faithful and never leaves her father. She's the one who is obediant and trustworthy. She's the one who loves him....

Isn't she?

Amanda Carter, daughter to the wealthiest and most beloved men in town, is an only child...and is not a fan of Shawn Carter, a lone young man who has been orphaned. Amanda's father has offered to adopt Shawn and to give him a permanant home. But, Amanda despises the idea and maybe, in retrospect, is more afraid of losing her father than she is of gaining a stranger for a brother. Throughout the entire plot, Amanda is determined to hate Shawn Carter and Judge Carter is determined to love him...determined to show Amanda that she, too, is in danger of becoming a prodigal herself.

What about us? Where do we fit into this story? Maybe we've thought these things...

"I can't believe he's in church.

I can't believe she's taking communion.

I can't believe he's saying that my God is his God when he doesn't even understand what it means.

I can't believe, after all of the work I've done for the church, that she's getting as much if not more recognition than I ever have.

He's my God. Not theirs..."

Ouch. And yet, don't we fall into the temptation of setting ourselves apart from others because we have a personal in with the judge himself? Just like Amanda, we often experience a number of difficult situations. We are asked to make a number of challenging decisions. We are expected, by a loving God, to love others just as we have been loved.

So, no...this isn't just Shawn's journey. This journey belongs to Amanda too.

And to us.

*For more information concerning Christ Family Film Productions, He Leadeth Me, or auditions, please email redeemerssongministries@gmail.com .

Auditions, Here We Come!

Here are some fabulous head shots recently taken! You might consider poses like these, or you may not! You may decide to take a picture with your cat in the backyard! Whatever you decide, consider auditioning (no matter how young or old you are) for the He Leadeth Me film project produced by Redeemer's Song Christ Family Film Productions! Filming begins next summer, 2011, and the film will premiere Father's Day 2012 and be submitted to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival! For more information, email redeemerssongministries@gmail.com!

Sign-Up Now Available @ A Center for the Arts

A sign-up list is now available at A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls. Call or stop in today to sign up for your audition time August 19, or Sept 22, 23.

TIME SLOTS LIMITED.

Reminder: you must have a completed audition form and a formal or informal headshot at your audition. Email redeemerssongministries@gmail.com for an audition form.

The Prodigal Son

Jesus told the best stories. Not just because he could relate his stories to those around him by using their everyday experiences. Not just because there was something about him that was more attractive than others. But because his stories revealed a Truth that brought peace and hope. Jesus' parables are some of the most well-known stories in the Bible. One of the most popular, if you can call any one of his stories more popular than others, is the story of the Prodigal Son. For those of us who are familiar with it, we understand what it means when someone labels another individual a "prodigal." But do you know what the word prodigal actually means? Prodigal means wasteful! Not quite what you'd expect.

In the year 1932, being wasteful was a sin in the eyes of those who worked very hard to survive. After the stock market crashed in the United States in 1929, prices skyrocketed while income plummeted. The average national income was $1,652.00 a year. People were desperately trying to stay afloat, not only financially but emotionally and spiritually. Google "Great Depression stories" and you'll be surprised at the things you'll find. The generation now that is quickly passing away (the group of people some refer to as "The Greatest Generation") is made up of those who were children during the Great Depression. You've probably heard your grandmother exclaim, "Don't throw that away! We can use it for something!" No one in 1932 dared throw anything away.

1932 and the Great Depression is one of the best settings for the story of the Prodigal Son. Any setting, really, fits this story! But, Redeemer's Song Ministries and Christ Family Film Productions sets Jesus' original story in this setting because of it's unique historical value and the relevance the "waste not, want not" mentality has when it comes to the idea of someone becoming a prodigal.

Take the time tonight to read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke, chapter 15. Enjoy Jesus' story as we prepare to tell it again through film when we premiere He Leadeth Me, written and directed by Sarah R. Larson and produced by Christ Family Film Productions, Father's Day 2012.