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| 10 Days Left to Get Involved and Be a PART of the Familiar Spirits Production Crew! Visit http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits! |
What’s Christopher
Shawn Shaw been up to?
It looks like he’s been collaborating with screenwriter/Producer/Actress,
Susan Shearer.
Let’s check it out!
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| Writer/Director/Producer Shaw |
Well BT Deb followers…If you remember my blog post back in May
2013 you remember writer, Director and short film maker, Christopher Shawn
Shaw. But wait! He’s got more up his sleeve than just short, Christian comedies
(like One Nightstand, discussed in our former
interview).
Since May, he has done what?
That’s right…
Produced - A short (and very serious) documentary about a
family dealing with the loss of their 11 year old boy who had a special gift
for motorcycling. Godspeed
Still has Youth Group the Movie in the percolator – BUT
GUESS WHAT!! YEP! He got a signed Letter of Intent from THE Stephen Baldwin to act and assist in the production of the
film!!!
Let’s discuss these things and more- below in better detail!
But First – THIS isn’t only an interview with Director
Christopher Shawn Shaw! I have also invited screenwriter/producer of Familiar
Spirits, Susan Shearer along…to shed some light on her latest film that sounds
very suspenseful, gripping, and possibly controversial.
Susan – let’s start off with your take on Familiar Spirits.
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| Screenwriter and Actress Susan Shearer |
A –Thank you so much for asking!
Christopher and I have put as much time into the fundraising as the actual film
production. It’s quite a daunting task and we are so grateful to everyone who
supports us through your prayers, and your donation of funds and then helping
us spread the word by sharing it with your friends and family and extended
circles of influence.
We were approached by a new crowdfunding organization called FaithLauncher. They loved our project and asked if they could partner with us to make our campaign a success. You can find our campaign at http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits
We were approached by a new crowdfunding organization called FaithLauncher. They loved our project and asked if they could partner with us to make our campaign a success. You can find our campaign at http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits
It truly does take a village to
create a film and that’s where your listening/reading audience comes in. Every
little bit helps! In light of that, we created perks all the way from the Two Buck Tuesday perk, where you get a
joke from Mr. Punchline himself, all the way up to Executive Producer perk with all sort of fun things Exec Producers
should be pampered with. There’s also a Walk
On Role perk for aspiring actors and opportunities to be a part of the
crew.
Check it out; I think you will
find some fun things for Christmas gifts for the special people on your list.
.jpg) |
| Get Rewards for Supporting the Film! Click http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits |
Christopher and I are very accessible
to the public, so if there is something on your heart, please don’t hesitate to
contact us at the links Deb provided at the end of this blog.
Q- Also. Before audience members give, they may be a bit
hesitant, since the topic, is after all- about ghosts. Do you have a few words
to diminish their freight about this topic, not typically covered, in Christian
fiction?
A- If you believe in God, you
believe in the supernatural. The Bible is an amazing book about the spiritual
realm and one that should not be taken lightly. There are spiritual battles
going on all around us and in our own lives.
Our story deals with a widow who
has lost her only child and finds herself caught up in a huge spiritual battle.
She is forced to make a tough decision… will she dare to ask the question that
might take her daughter from her forever?
Christopher and I have been very
faithful about staying true to what the Bible says about ghosts. We have sought
out the advice of pastors, and Biblical scholars, to insure we are on track.
Early on, a dear Christian friend who has been on this earth a bit longer than
me said, “It’s a subject that the church ignores and it needs to be addressed.”
That was the encouragement I needed to know we had something here.
Ookay. Before we hear Director Shaw’s input on this…let’s
get some feedback from him on the short documentary, GodSpeed, which premiered
at the 168 International Film Festival (http://www.168film.com)
August 9th, 2013, and was voted Audience Favorite for that night’s
screenings, as well as Runner Up Best Documentary at the overall festival.
Q – Christopher, tell us about how you and Thor Ramsey had a
part in that project, which is, in some ways, out of your ‘typical’ genre of
film making…or…is it?
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| Comedian Thor Ramsey and Christopher Shawn Shaw |
A- Thor is a teaching pastor at
Canyon Lake Community Church in Canyon Lake, CA, and the Downey family
interviewed in GODSPEED is a family he personally knows, who are part of the
Church fellowship he pastors. We had previously discussed and pitched a feature
film version of GODSPEED to a faith-based production company, and after being
inspired by fellow veteran 168 Film Project filmmaker Theo Love (http://www.TheoLove.com), who did a documentary called LITTLE HOPE WAS ARSON (http://www.littlehopewasarson.com), Thor decided to do a documentary version of GODSPEED,
which he produced, directed, and edited. I helped produce, and shot some of the
footage with our stellar Cinematographer, Colton Davie (https://vimeo.com/coltondavie).
Although I tend to gravitate toward
quirky comedic material, I’m well versed with multiple genres of filmmaking,
and thoroughly enjoy well-executed films of varying genres.
Before we go on, I would like to interject at how
well-designed that film was and how it respectfully handled the Downey’s loss,
yet clearly portrayed their real hope, doubt, and final resolve to dealing with
how to handle the death of such a young loved one (they lost their son, Brett
Downey, 11-year-old nationally known motocross racer) and each had to face how
to pick up the pieces, and whether to turn from, or turn to God.
Interested readers can donate to the foundation the family
started at: http://www.MXSafety38.org
Q- It really sounds like you’ve been trying to follow which
doors God opens and not set any limits on yourself as a Director. This brings
us back to your take on Familiar Spirits. What were your thoughts when you were
first invited to help create a film like this (In the Suspense/Thriller genre)
for “Faith-based” Fiction? Did it seem a little…contradictory?
A – Well, Susan was interested in
producing something with me, so we had a brainstorm phone conversation, and I
pitched the premise of what later became FAMILIAR SPIRITS (Thor Ramsey is one
of our Script Consultants, and he suggested that title). Although Susan was
really looking to do a feature film project next, she liked the idea of
revealing the reality of a controversially popular aspect of the spiritual
realm through a Biblical lens, and the premise I pitched her was pretty much
always a short film in my mind.
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| Table Read Cast for Familiar Spirits - Help Fund it! @FSMovie http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits |
Upon further encouragement from outside
suggestions and further conversation with Susan about it, we are open to the
possibility of developing FAMILIAR SPIRITS into a feature film, pending
audience interest and Development Phase funds to do so. The short film could be
a stand-alone project as well as be a “calling card” of sorts to help get the
feature film funded. Either way, we plan to do the short film first, pending
funding, because that was my initial intent, and the story works really well as
a 25-minute or so short film.
So, please contribute to our campaign so we can
make FAMILIAR SPIRITS: http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits. (EVERY amount – no matter how large or small – counts!)
Please also share that link with your
spheres of influence via regular E-mail and
all your Social Media outlets! Thank you so much!
Well guys and gals… we’ve come to the “Facebook DJ Five” and
as you know from my former interview with Director and filmmaker Shaw, he already
answered those questions. Hence, my new guest, and Screenwriter/Producer/Actress, Susan
Shearer, gets the lucky task of The Facebook DJ Five… Give it a go, Susan…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now… to the BlogTraveler FIVE… The
Five ultimate questions asked to everyone I interview….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q –
In 5 words or less, who/what is your target audience?
A –Those curious about Supernatural Realm
Q- What is the mission of your
movies?
A -In addition to entertaining our audience, it’s designed to plant seeds
and create dialogue. My mission field is audience hearts.
Q- What result would you want to see
happen by the viewers of your movies? (5 yrs, 10 yrs, tomorrow?)
A-I want to provoke the mainstream audience to think about spiritual
matters and ask themselves what they believe. For them to challenge their own
thoughts and beliefs.
I hope they leave the
theater scratching their head and discussing with the person(s) they came with
about, “What did you think?” Then later, maybe a week, maybe a month or two,
perhaps even a year later, a light bulb will go on and they will have an “Ah
Ha!” moment.
What a blessing that would be if someone coming to Christ as their Lord and Savior was a direct result of our movie. I’d be dancing on clouds before I get to heaven!
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| Susan Shearer (right) as an Actress |
What a blessing that would be if someone coming to Christ as their Lord and Savior was a direct result of our movie. I’d be dancing on clouds before I get to heaven!
Q- What’s your life Bible scripture
right now?
A -I have so many as God has been taking me
through a huge time of growth. The entire book of Philippians was a great
source of comfort and strength to me recently. I highly
recommend it to anyone going through trials and struggles.
A good verse that just came to mind for our time of fundraising is: Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
A good verse that just came to mind for our time of fundraising is: Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
~ Ephesians 3:20 God is so cool. He already knows what we need.
And also, [in the context of using entertainment as a platform for sharing God's love and His story],
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Q- Who is Jesus to you?
A-Oh my. He is my
everything. My Lord, my Savior, my Master, my King, my Bridegroom, my
Comforter, the list goes on forever. He truly is Everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next. Christopher, let’s remind the viewers a little bit
about Youth Group The Movie. Here is the tentative trailer that caught a
well-known actor’s eye. Youth
Group Trailer
Okay – so, I hope you readers, just clicked that. You
didn’t? …Go watch it. We’ll wait…
Q - Christopher. Tell us about what point you are in the
production of this film, is it full-length, what are your plans for gaining
funding, and what was it like to get a call/contact (letter of intent) from Mr. Stephen Baldwin?
A- We are in the fundraising phase
for YOUTH GROUP as well. Stephen Baldwin and his producing partner, John
McGalliard, have been pitching YOUTH GROUP in order to secure the $1M
production budget, as well as a $500K marketing and advertising budget. I
actually connected with Stephen Baldwin via Social Media, asking if he’d share
the link to the YOUTH GROUP Trailer to envision support...and he loved it
enough to contact me. We soon after had a conference call, then a sit-down
dinner meeting, and he expressed his desire to help us by coming alongside Thor
and me as a Producer (primarily in regards to finding the budget), as well as
an Actor in a supporting role in the film.
It was very exciting, and it’s good to know he and John believe in the
project enough to continue to pitch it to their various connections. Please
pray.
Q - What else in on your mind, Director Shaw, or yours,
Screenwriter Shearer? What links have we missed, or can we provide to get the
readers, listener and viewers involved in becoming a part of Familiar Spirits,
Youth Group The Movie or anything else that might be coming around the bend for
the either of you?
What's New For Christopher Shawn Shaw
A – Regarding YOUTH GROUP, please
continue sharing the link to the trailer to envision support: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF5zaIkqw2U
Regarding FAMILIAR SPIRITS, please
financially support (even if it’s just ten bucks) as well as share Susan’s and
my FaithLauncher campaign link: http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits (Thank you SO much!)
There are numerous projects on the
horizon, not only with Thor, but also with Comedian/Impersonator Scott Wood (www.MrPunchline.com), both short films and feature films. Also currently
developing a quirky comedy short with Comedian/Ventriloquist David Pendleton (http://anythingcantalk.com/) with the help of veteran Comedians John Branyan (http://johnbranyan.com/) and Robert G. Lee (http://robertglee.com/).
In addition, I’m convinced I’ve discovered an ongoing,
cyclical way to generate production budget funds for short films and features
while also raising funds for Church fellowships at the same time...it needs
Church fellowships to host it and people to join in on the fun...Check out this
promo video for Night Of Comedy &
Short Films FUNdraiser events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hr4MZGlMRw
What's New For Susan Shearer:
A— We invite you to check out
our crowdfunding campaign on FaithLauncher http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits
And join in the fun by Following our Twitter page @FSMovie, and LIKEing our Facebook page www.facebook.com/FamiliarSpiritsMovie
And join in the fun by Following our Twitter page @FSMovie, and LIKEing our Facebook page www.facebook.com/FamiliarSpiritsMovie
Again. We are very accessible.
So if you would like to help or donate, please feel free to contact us. Thank
you.
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| Susan Shearer as a Director |
And as always, thanks to Director/Film maker/writer/producer
Christopher Shawn Shaw and Screenwriter/Producer/Actress/Director Susan Shearer for the pleasure
and honor to meet with you through this interview and support your ministries
of Jesus’ love through the entertainment sector.
~ ~ ~
Ladies and gentlemen, don’t forget to check out Susan
Shearer on Twitter@susanshearer, Facebook, www.FamiliarSpiritsFilm.com
And watch the Pitch Video for Familiar Spirits on FaithLauncher and see what level of rewards YOU want! :) http://bit.ly/FamiliarSpirits
Also don't forget to...
Follow Christopher Shawn Shaw at his Twitter,(@directorCSS), Facebook, imdb profile and YouTube at www.YouTube.com/CSS301 as well!
Photos and pending movie poster/cover art courtesy of Susan Shearer and Christopher Shawn Shaw.
And this has been The Scoop with BlogTraveler Deb and
Director Christopher Shawn Shaw and Screenwriter Susan Shearer!
Maybe sometime down the line (after the Familiar Spirits Campaign) we can discuss in more detail all the hats that Susan wears! It has been a pleasure to keep in touch with you, Christopher! Thanks again to you both!
(Fans! Keep an Eye out for an Audio Link added to this post! Pending scheduling!!!)
Happy to have
every reader, listener and viewer along, and tune in next time for more fun and
enlightening entertainment news on this same blog page!
It will be something
very awesome, I’m sure!
Chatta Latta!
BlogTraveler Deb
Deborah Ruth Dickson. Hence, the "dr" in @drdickson1 is on Twitter! "BlogTraveler Deb" has done interviews with independent Christian artists, authors
and screen writers for her blog. She also spends her free time perfecting her
unpublished Christian-genre lifestyle books, novels & screenplays. www.deborahruthdicksonwrites.blogspot.com
Artists include:Angela Bertone, Ann Gabhart, Bryan Duncan, Mali Korsten, Dan Macaulay, Christopher ShawnShaw, John Tibbs, Fourfold, Jerry T-Wack and more in the works!
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