Spotlight :: Global Short Film Network

VSN members Doug Weiss and Scott Santee give leadership to GSFN. They have developed a fresh approach to reach the world’s skeptical media-savvy individual. By presenting universal themes in a short film format, the questions raised in the films engage the viewer on a profound level. In addition to providing training, GSFN finds and develops quality short films. Check out more on Doug's or Scott's page.

Spotlight :: Whitestone

Whitestone Media is led by VSN member Mike Joens. While they do a variety of work, they have a passion to produce quality 2D/3D cartoons for the kingdom. They are producing a series of webisodes about a professor ("Theo") to teach children to know and live scripture. "Theo’s Good News" is the first one out of the block. Check it out on Mike’s page. Great work Mike!

Walking in faith in 2009

As I take extra time at the beginning of each New Year to seek God's face, I'm drawn constantly to the necessity of faith. When I look back to see where I've been, it is obvious how much the Lord desires my trust in Him. As I plan and pray, I'm reminded to go where the greatest faith is required, because that is where I'll experience the greatest blessing. May you walk in faith and expectancy in 2009.

Merry Christmas

May you enjoy the Reason for the season! God's grace to you. May His joy by your joy as you contemplate the most amazing of gifts.
Clyde

Spotlight :: City on a Hill

VSN Member Shane Sooter leads City on a Hill Productions. They have been making high quality visual stories that address faith and the heart since 2003 (H20, Storm). Their six episode series "Easter Experience" will release in 2009. It is visually stunning...take a look at some of the clips under the video page (Visual / Videos). Great work City on a Hill!

Spotlight :: Media Village

VSN member Graham Vermooten directs Media Village Productions. MVP has become a key player in providing a voice for the body of Christ. Traveling the globe, media teams are becoming God's scribes in the 21st century. Stories of transformation and Gospel proclamation regularly leave the editing suites of Media Village Productions are quickly dispatched to the most distant places around the globe. Many productions are translated into languages representing the major linguistic groups of the world. Media Village is currently based in Cape Town, South Africa

Spotlight: Freedom Films

Freedom Films Productions was founded by Tom Silkwood (VSN member) in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 1989. Tom had served as a missionary in Thailand since 1980. During the first nine years of ministry in Thailand, after becoming familiar with the culture and language, he recognized the need for cultural sensitive, media materials after seeing how multimedia materials impacted the peoples of Asia.

Beginning on a small scale producing simple filmstrips and slides, Tom moved into producing promotional videos for fellow missionaries. This led to developing teaching videos and documentaries for other missionaries in NBCM who had need for this type of material. As word spread that he had the equipment and was capable of producing this type of material, other missionaries became interested in having material produced. Duplication of these materials opened the door to broader service and the Christian community began to ask for various materials to be produced.

This progressed into an interest from different ethnic groups who, in the past, had only been the recipients of whatever multi-media teaching material was available for general use, or whatever missionaries could afford to have produced for them. They began coming to FFP with ideas of their own, asking for materials for their specific ethnic group. These Christian leaders became co-laborers in developing culturally accurate material. All this was accomplished from a garage-sized office up until 2001.

NBCM began construction of a 4-story building in 1998 called the Christian Resource Center. The entire second floor of this facility was designated for Freedom Films Productions who designed the area specifically for media production. The building opened in 2001 and Freedom Films Productions moved in. Tom hired more staff and FFP became a leading service center for multi-media productions in the region. The most dramatic change made in the ministry was to add a video studio and editing department. The first programs produced in the FFP studio were video CD’s sent into a nearby closed country. Eight million copies were made of these programs. Being one of the largest studios in Northern Thailand, FFP is also assisting other Christian organizations in producing TV broadcasts and non-broadcast materials. These weekly TV broadcasts have been reaching millions of people per month in Thailand and surrounding regions with the message of Christ.

In the year 2000, Freedom Films Productions became an official Regional Center for Good News Productions, International. The purpose of each Regional Center is to produce media materials for that particular region. Currently, FFP is in a growth stage of ministry. More equipment is needed to facilitate the work. The studio is in use a majority of the time by either our own staff or other Christian groups who are given appointed time slots. The editing department is at work editing and duplicating productions.

Due to growth and expansion, FFP is seeking Christian partners with the same vision for reaching Asia through media. The potential for this ministry is far-reaching. We at Freedom Films Productions have the vision and the heart.

Spiritual Guide to Filmmaking

Filmmaker Les Butchart has written a helpful article on a spiritual perspective on filmmaking. To download the article, go to the Resources tab under Community.

Door Post Film Project

These guys have a fascinating new thing going. We partnered with them recently and saw some of their short films. Extraordinary. There are events coming up in LA, Nashville and New York promoting the 2008 festival. See the events page here and check out www.thedoorpost.com

Your Help: Visual Story Resource list

We want to provide excellent resources to the global community of visual story tellers. We have begun a wiki and would like your help in expanding the list of trusted networks, schools, producers, etc. Thank you for taking a moment to look at the list and adding to it. Copy and past this link into a new browser window. www.visualstorynetwork.wikispaces.com

800 turn out for Night of Film

Compelling films dealing with choices ("Alius Promoris"), valuing life ("Volition") and overcoming adversity ("Unthinkable") were screened before an audience of 800 Saturday, October 25 at Coast Hills Church. The night was hosted by the Grove Center and co-sponsored by the Visual Story Network, The Door Post, 168 Film Project, and the Veracity Project. See the photo album under the photo tab.

A Night of Film

The Visual Story Network is partnering with the Grove Center for the Arts, 168 Film Festival and the Veracity Project to host a Night of Film. Look under Events to get more info.

100th Online Community Member

We started the online VSN community only two months ago and we just had our 100th member sign on. For his exceptionally good timing, Isaac Anderson (isaacstanbul) received a signed copy of the book "Innovation in Mission" (Reapsom / Hirst). The books co-author, Jon Hirst, is a part of the VSN community.

VSN Forum in Dallas a success !!

Wow! I'm amazed by the way God brought an amazing group of leaders together in order to expand our vision, showcase effective visual story, sharpen our skills and lay the groundwork for a movement.

See my video link under the video section below for my take immediately after the Forum in Dallas.

"Fireproof" to release September 26

VSN Community members David Nixon, Larry Frenzel, and Chris Bueno are involved on the upcoming film Fireproof. Set to release September 26, Fireproof comes from the team that brought us Flywheel and Facing the Giants. This group has shown the potential impact of a church made film. For a glimpse of what is to come, view the trailer posted under the video section below.

The new delivery platform...

There is an overwhelming trend towards a device that much of the world will soon possess. Read this article for the trends in Asia alone.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=330661

You're Invited!! VSN Forum, Sept 2008

We are less than three weeks away from the Visual Story Network Forum in Dallas. Check out this 2 minute invitation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mv1Po9xdgA

"VSN Forum" Registration Site Online

We are excited about bringing together strategic “visual story practitioners” including producers, church and mission leaders, innovative thinkers and filmmakers.

In partnership with the International Orality Network, the Visual Story Network Forum will be held September 16-18, 2008 at the Dallas Solano Marriot.

To secure a place at the forum, register at www.visualstory.org/forum08.

A Unique Collector of Stories

Jonathon Harris is an artist and computer scientist. He uniquely captures and retells stories in our modern world. Listen to his talk on TED (20 minutes). It will be worth your time.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jonathan_harris_collects_stories.html?utm_source=SubscriberMail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=This%20week%3A%20Stories%20of%20our%20shared%20humanity&utm_term=&utm_content=ff78afcdc00f479d8e0ef53c33025f7a

Search Engine Optimization

We have powerful content that can touch lives. The folks at www.AllAboutGod.com have made available a powerpoint that highlights the power of search engine optimization. They had 22 million user sessions last year through their work with optimization. Here is the link to a free download.
http://www.allaboutgod.com/go/gregoutlaw-nrb-2008.zip