I’ve
recently been perplexed as to how to move forward on a writing related matter.
When
we become confused, sometimes, we just have to head for the hills.
And
that’s what I did this week as I spent some time at the Gideon Film Festival--reconnected
with old friends and made some wonderful new ones while there.
I
arrived just in time to view the screening of the recently released October Baby Tuesday night, which was followed by a Q and A with Director/Writer Jon
Erwin and Producer Cecil Stokes.
If you haven’t seen this powerful film, be
sure and have tissues when you do, because it’s the story of a college woman
who discovers her birth resulted from a failed abortion. Her search for answers
moved me deeply.
Also
enjoyed hearing from Jason Burkey during the Q and A who stars in October Baby
and has just wrapped up his role in A Matter of Time, a film of my friend Christina Denton’s script now in post production.
Christina,
I’m going to be in the front row when your movie comes out.
The
next day I enjoyed a class with author, Jenny L. Cote and later sat in for a
film shoot of one of her creating writing workshops. Loved it all, and learned
a lot.
 |
| From left to right, Carla Williams, Spiritual Mom author and writer, Jenny Cote, me and Maria Lennon |
As
I took time out for a meal, longtime film studies professor Dr. Diane Howard
sat down beside me. I’d never met her, and enjoyed our talk immensely, but
later realized that God had used her words to bring clarity to the matter over
which I’d been confused.
As
always, I enjoyed catching up with Erica Lane, who’s in the midst of recording
a patriotic album. Listen to her touching song, "Believe in America" here. Her husband, producer Kyle Saylors has filmed a series of sports
biographies under the name, The Gamebreaker, which debut on Fox Sports this fall.
One
of my roommates at the Gideon, Maria Lennon, has become a master of script
adaptations, and was once more an award winner at the Gideon this year. My
other roomie, LeAnn Morris shot an exquisite short film entitled, Treasures, nominated
for best cinematography.
Chatted with prolific author Doug Peterson and actor Vanessa Hunter. Enjoyed her inspiring film, My Name is Paul.
I
was thrilled to learn my friend, Michelle Cox, and her collaborator Rene
Guttridge have just received a contract from Tyndale House for a novelization
of a script Michelle wrote with Torry Martin and Marsall Younger. Their script,
Eighteen Summers, and mine, Brave Girl were semi-finalists for the Kairos Prize
in screenwriting this year, as well Allah's Fire, a script by Gideon presenter, Rusty Whitener.
Before
I left, I had the opportunity to see again the much beloved actor at our house,
Muse Watson (well known for his role as Mike Franks in NCIS).
On
the way home, I realized that God had used the time I spent at the Gideon to dissolve my confusion, and I knew exactly what my next step needed to be.
Many
thanks to Gideon directors, Rodney and Lori Marett. Rodney’s job took him to
Iraq this year during the Gideon, and though we missed him much, Lori carried
on in an amazing way. All of us at the Gideon owe them both a debt of gratitude
for their sacrifices and hard work on our behalf.
Yes,
sometimes we just need to head for the hills. Especially if those hills boast
one of the finest Christian Media Arts Conferences and Film Festivals in the
country. So grateful I went.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.