After
a few days on the set of A Season of Miracles, as a screenwriter, I have a new appreciation for
the work it takes to make a movie. I knew it involved long days, and repeated
takes. But additionally, this cast spends grueling hours in the hot sun
shooting baseball scenes and also in cramped indoor circumstances, often without
air conditioning. The day starts around six-thirty in the morning and doesn't end for another twelve hours.
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| Filming a Baseball Scene |
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| Producer Dave Moody watching scenes |
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| Screenwriter and Actor, Rusty Whitener observing a scene |
Despite
this, the amazing Season of Miracles cast continues to capture the beauty of
Rusty Whitener’s wonderful script. And they do it with smiles, laughter, and
joy. I believe Producer Dave Moody establishes the tone of the set through his
encouragement and positive reinforcement, which keeps everyone moving forward.
Before each day's work begins, he gathers the cast and crew for prayer.
I
learned a lot about filmmaking from my days on the set. At one point Rusty asked
me if I was bored, because the process involves a lot of hurry up and wait. My response to him is that I was too ignorant to be bored. I carried away a
long list of insights, which will help me in my own work.
Some
of you may remember a post here called A Real Swamp Adventure. Well, I had
another one of those, only not. This one involved having a flat tire during
Nashville’s rush hour traffic. And my traveling companion?
Lovely
actor Nancy Stafford (St. Elsewhere, Matlock, and so many guest appearances
across the years, most recently in The Mentalist).
Mercy!
All I can say is I’m glad I’d renewed my membership in a roadside assistance
company two days before, and I’m glad I’d known Nancy for several years prior
to our unfortunate flat. Always gracious, she was a real trooper and we spent
the forty-five minutes waiting for tire repair by picking up on a prior conversation about common interests.
We
both shared our belief that God’s providence is over all, even the flat tire, and
that God would use it in some way. Let me add here, the tire that went
flat was brand new--just put on a few weeks back.
On
the long trip home from Nashville last night, I scrolled across the radio dial and
caught a message by Dr. David Cooper of the Mt. Paran Church in Atlanta. We
knew David when he first started ministry, and I hadn’t heard him speak in many
years.
His
message?
It
was about how trouble is no respecter of persons, how God doesn’t waste any of
our trials. As embarrassed as I was over the incident with the tire, I
believe God was reinforcing the truth He was in it.
“…but
we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
A
Season of Miracles will continue production through early June. Please remember
the cast and crew in your prayers as they create this awe-inspiring story of
God’s grace.
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Dave and Josh Moody discuss a scene |
This adorable dog plays Sawdust in the movie.
Baseball team gathers around Rafer, played by Grayson Russell (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), and Andrew Wilson Williams (We are Marshall) who plays Zack.
With sweet Nancy Stafford.