Deb's first blog- technically second...but who cares?: May 2013

Facebook DJ Deb goes Behind the Scenes with Christopher Shawn Shaw – And his new film short; One Nightstand...

One Nightstand is a Christian comedy short essentially handling the topic of adultery…in a comedic way…Let’s show you the descriptions of the film available on Youtube and Twitter.

Youtube Logline -- A Businessman invites a Call Girl to his hotel room, but before she arrives, two hilarious Hotel Employees introduce him to the Bible inside his Nightstand. By the time she arrives, he's changed his mind...but she hasn't. Based on Titus 2:11-12

And

Twitter Logline -- A ministry short starring @thorramsey as an adulterous businessman whose plans are thwarted by the sobering contents of a hotel nightstand. @directorCSS

About Christopher Shawn Shaw

First off – Kudos on that title, man! What a brilliant play on words to get across a Christian message behind an old secular phrase. And the use of something that is in most all hotels across America (a Bible) melded with something else that can be found in most all hotels across America (people committing adultery) …I’ve got to say…I wish I had come up with this interesting turn on events to use it for God’s glory. That’s cool. Okay…so let’s get down to the questions…

Q –So, one of the most recent movie productions you worked on was One Nightstand, correct?

A – Well, let me address the title first. I cannot take credit for that one. Lead Producer and Writer Gary Emrick titled the script. As a matter of fact, there was a lot of concern from at least one of our cast members and at least one of our crew that the title would be perceived automatically as the extreme negative connotation, thus hindering our chances of screening the film in multiple churches and also communicating a risqué project for one of our crew members who solely works on faith-based film projects now. After a number of discussions and debate, weighing the pros and cons, and prayer, Gary decided he is not changing the title. Some people love it; some don’t.

To answer your question, as far as the most recent project I directed and helped produce that is closest to being released on Blu-Ray and DVD, yes, ONE NIGHTSTAND is the most recent at this writing. I do, however, have a number of projects in various stages of Development, including a faith-based supernatural drama short entitled FAMILIAR SPIRITS (@FSMovie) and an over-the-top comedy short called YA BIG BABY (@YaBigBaby), both of which have scripts and are close to fundraising stage for production. The star of ONE NIGHTSTAND, Thor Ramsey, and I also have a feature-length Romantic Comedy we hope to shoot soon entitled YOUTH GROUP (@YOUTHGROUPMovie).

Q – I see that the trailer can be found at Youtube here. And the movie has a Twitter page here. It’s inspired by Titus 2:11-12. How long is the Short?

A- Including credits (and a surprise, short scene after the credits), I think the Running Time is around 19 minutes. I’m very pleased that the short moves along very smoothly and does not drag. Feels like a 10-minute short, plus end credits. Brilliant cast, including a scene with former child actor (and good friend), Rick Segall, who played “Little Ricky” for a season on THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY television show.

Titus 2:11-12 in New American Standard translation says:

Susan Silvestri, Christopher Shawn Shaw (CSS), Rick Segal

“[…]¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹²instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, […]” (copied from BibleGateway.com)

Q – Other than this direct scripture, What inspired this film to be handled with comedy?

A – Writer/Producer Gary Emrick was about to embark on his very first 168 Film Project (www.168Project.com), which is a faith-based, worldwide, speed-filmmaking competition where teams have a theme and a Scripture verse, about ten days to write and pre-produce, and then – immediately following that - 168 hours (7 days) to shoot, edit, and turn in a finished short film. Gary wanted a practice-run at the writing part of it, which turned out to be ONE NIGHTSTAND. We first met at a producer workshop, also in preparation for that year’s 168 Film Project, and not too long after our respective short films were in the can, Gary told me about his ONE NIGHTSTAND practice story. He sent me the script and we decided to work on getting it produced together, with me directing.

Q - A cool tidbit is that this film has already won an award. Tell us about that.

A- It won THIRD PLACE in the short film category of the International Christian Film Festival (ICFF) online competition out of Orlando, FL! Very exciting!

Q – Do you direct only comedies? Or, do you do other Christian genres?

A – I tend to gravitate toward comedies, however I direct and produce other genres as well. For example, I also met Producer/Actress Susan Shearer through the 168 Film Project, and she and I wrote and are producing the faith-based supernatural drama FAMILIAR SPIRITS (@FSMovie), which I’m planning to direct as well.

Q- Do you direct only shorts? Or, have you done full-length productions?

A – I’m hoping to direct my first feature film, YOUTH GROUP (@YOUTHGROUPMovie), this year, producing alongside Thor Ramsey, who also wrote the script and plans to star. Earlier this year, we met with a “name” actor and his producing partner/manager who are both very excited about the project and want to help us produce YOUTH GROUP, including finding the funding even.

Q - I see your demo reel can be found at IMDB.com (here). Where can your movies be found/purchased?


Writer/Producer Gary Emrick, Maria Casas, Lori George, CSS

A – Currently, all the short films in my demo reel can be seen via YouTube, with the exception of ONE NIGHSTAND. We hope to release that on Blu-Ray and DVD very soon, as well as screen it in church fellowships and other venues. Unfortunately, our post-production team had numerous unforeseen delays and obstacles in getting it completed as soon as we had originally hoped and communicated. Our profuse, sincere apologies for that! Please forgive us! Our post-production team has been working towards finalization, and it is my understanding it is nearly ready to release. If you would like to bring it to your church fellowship or other desired venue, please contact us via GRATSPro@gmail.com for more details. Our first public premiere screening is this month (May) at a church fellowship in Southern California.

Q – Actor/comedian Thor Ramsey can sometimes come across as irreverent in his comedy sketches. What is your response to viewers with this opinion? And or, what is your view of him after working with him on a few projects?

Thor Ramsey and Christopher Shawn Shaw

A – That could depend on which sketches they are referring to. Honestly, some people – including myself – have been way too uptight at times and have taken things way too seriously than needed. Sometimes they (I) may be right. Sometimes not. So, again, it could depend on the sketch and/or the attitude or motivation behind it. I don’t agree with every Christian Comedian and I don’t agree with every single one of my favorite Christian Comedians’ jokes. One thing that may surprise some people, though, is that Thor Ramsey is a full-time teaching pastor at Canyon Lake Community Church in CA, and preaching the Gospel is his main passion. Prior to his current teaching pastor position, he helped with a church-plant that is a sister church to the one in which he teaches at now. And I know that his views on entertainment, including entertainment in the Church, have shifted in recent years, per conversations we’ve had in which he’s expressed that fact to me. Another thing that may surprise some: Thor is a brilliant and hilarious comedy writer (books and screenplays), and he is an incredible dramatic screenwriter as well. One of the reasons I love working with Thor is because I overall trust him to write an excellent script...and “bring it” on location when shooting. A lot of times there are on-set changes, and God has gifted him with a brilliant mind that helps punch up the changes that need to be made. He was also instrumental in punching up the ONE NIGHTSTAND script, making it even better than it already was!

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Now… to the Facebook DJ FIVE… The Five ultimate questions asked to everyone I interview….

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Q – In 5 words or less, who/what is your target audience?

A – Whoever God wants to reach

Q- What is the mission of your movies?

A - High-quality productions that are pleasing to the LORD (whether they are overtly faith-based or not) and that don’t result in the audience requesting wine with the “cheese” they are watching.

Q- What result would you want to see happen by the viewers of your movies? (5 yrs, 10 yrs, tomorrow?)

A- I would want them to really enjoy them for the right reasons and be moved to respond accordingly, whether it’s just “moved” to experience the Scripture that equates laughter to medicine for the soul, or it’s to move them to move in a certain direction/path.

Q- What’s your life Bible scripture right now?

A - Off the top of my head, John 3:16-17

“’For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.’”

Q- Who is Jesus to you?

A- Wow. What a short and yet LOADED question! Here goes...The King of Kings and Lord of Lords; The Alpha and The Omega; The Name above ALL names; The only One who shed His blood and died and rose again for me (and the entire world). My Savior. My Loving, Everlasting Father. I love that poster that starts “AND HE SHALL BE CALLED...” and is followed by all the recorded names in Scripture that refer to Jesus Christ...ending with the name “JESUS CHRIST.”

Thanks to Christopher Shawn Shaw for the interview. Here's what he would like to share with the fans in closing...

Director CSS, Producer/Actor Tom Costello, Thor Ramsey

A - If God has placed you in the entertainment industry, don’t wait around for somebody to discover you or just hand you the money for your film. Get out there and do it. If you haven’t started, a great place to start is to assemble or join a 168 Film Project team. By the time you read this, it’ll be past this year’s sign up, however prepare for 2014 now! Sign up! Sign up! Sign up! HUGE experiential AND HUGE networking opportunities. Surround yourself with like-minded, competent people to help you in whatever capacity you need help. My best work has been in the midst of a TEAM of people, a collaboration, with people who specialize in aspects of filmmaking that I don’t. The 2010 168 Film Project I directed and produced (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yykxqz46rY) with a team of STELLAR people, followed by the networking at the 168 Film Festival that same year...and subsequent years, God has dramatically used to propel me forward. Get out there and do it with the resources you and your like-minded compadres already have...and do it excellently to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!

~ Also ~
Director Shaw is currently doing a Kickstarter campaign for his and Thor Ramsey’s NEXT 168 Film Project 2013. TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO support. Get your name in the credits for donating ONLY $10!

...Soo... Follow the links here or above to find him on Twitter, the One Nightstand short film on Twitter, his demo reel at imdb, and his imdb profile!

Q – Aaand… do you have any other social media or email connections??
A – (see urls below)

CSS On Linked In
CSS On Facebook

Director Christopher Shawn Shaw (CSS)

Deb's first blog- technically second...but who cares?

Monday, May 13, 2013

The Scoop! - with Facebook DJ Deb

Facebook DJ Deb goes Behind the Scenes with Christopher Shawn Shaw – And his new film short; One Nightstand...

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Q – In 5 words or less, who/what is your target audience?

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