AMERICAN FILM MARKET - Nov. 2012
This year we were there in back to back international meetings on projects and are now doing the follow up n these.
Over 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars,
red carpet premieres, networking and parties with participants from over 70 countries including acquisition and development executives,
agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers and the world’s press.
AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed and subsequently released, making it the largest gateway
to release culture andvalues in the world. .
Nov. 2009 / 10
Several leaders and prayer warriers from around the world coordinated for a week of intercession
and outreach during the AFM where the business of independent motion picture production and distribution reaches its peak.
With 8,000 attendees, 900 screenings, and seminars programmed by leading industry organizations, the
American Film Market is a pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.
In addition to attendg parts of it for project funding, I taught a morning orientation training for leaders, pastors and prayer
warriers orienting them to the market and thw world of Hollywood.
VISUAL STORY NETWORK
In May 2008, I was invited to attend a network of mission, media and church leaders in Ft Lauderdale, FL,
for a summit (think-tank) on networking for Visual Story artists globally. The idea was to work together in
coming up with ways to more effectively communicate the Gospel worldwide through the visual story
medium as communication methods in the world have rapidly shifted. We also wanted to find ways to share resources and encourage one another.
I was excited to see the work that was being done and how many people from around the world were on the same page.
We worked in teams to develop a mission statement and ongoing meetings are happening as this group continues to develop.
To hear a 5 minute audio report on the event from one of the attendees. Click here on Visual Story Network Summit
MEDIA PRAYER BREAKFAST -- Nov. 16th, 2007.
(This past year (2008) the prayer breakfast was postponed)
For the third year, I joined in working with Hollywood Prayer Network and Master Media on their 3rd annual media prayer breakfast.
VIEW TRANSCRIPT OF ABC NEWS CLIP This is a Christian sponsored event where select individuals give an
overview about their sector (music,studio films, etc.). 700 industry professionals come together to pray for key individuals, projects and studios that
are shaping culture and impacting the world. Many of those who are invited do not yet know the Lord and it is always
exciting to watch the responses as believers pray in love for their co-workers. For the third year I hosted the Rabbi who led the prayers for the meal.
He had two friends with him including the Rabbi I hosted the first year and the newly appointed Ambassador for the state of Israel.
Again, I was able to share my 'story' with our guest Rabbi. I have become quite friendly with the Orthodox Rabbi I hosted last year, as well as his family
. I have been to their house close to a dozen times and we always have engaging dialogue about messianic Jews and the messiahship of Jesus.
(Read the stories under Rabbi stories).
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
(This past year, 2008 - we met at a local church due to the pending writer's strike) It went so well, that again this year in 2009,
we expanded and met at a church again.
In May hundreds gathered together for the National Day of Prayer on the former Seinfeld set at CBS Studios.
We prayed together for God's hand to move in Hollywood and in the media, arts and entertainment. I was privileged to lead a section
on prayer for the Jewish people in Hollywood. We prayed for the Jewish community in Hollywood, for the idea of Jewish people
who believed in Jesus as messiah to become more prevalent in film and TV, for the new community of intermarrieds who are
seeking answers and for the Peace of Jerusalem - especially that the prince of peace would reign in the hearts of God's chosen people.
168 HOUR FILM PROJECT
This festival is one where hundreds of people come together and form teams. Their goal is to make a short film in one week
based on a random Bible verse that is selected. I have made one of these in the past, but this year I decided to facilitate
one of the teams and help create a core of Christians working with many of the non-believers. Art, a Jewish non-believing editor
I have worked with over the years, decided that he wanted to produce and direct one of these films. I scrambled to put on his team
a strong Christian co-producer and came on board as a consulting producer and theological advisor. The team was a mix of non-believers
from prime-time sitcom television and strong Christians who were praying and ministering on the set. God was glorified.
wrote a letter to the crew letting them know that he was re-examining faith in God. READ LETTER.
BIOLA MEDIA CONFERENCE
This is an annual event that I have spoken at in the past. (details) This year it was in at CBS studios and I went as an attendee.
It was a time of fellowship, interaction and learning in the workshops. Many believers in Jesus came together to learn, share and interact.
The resonant theme this year was that the face of media has changed since Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".
As a result of its surprising success, now, several of the major film studios have 'faith-based' divisions to reach this 'market'.
Frequently, those involved in the decision-making n these projects are not people who have had an encounter with Jesus.
But they are trying. Pray that the projects that get launched will glorify God and that His people will continue to move into these key positions.
ANNUAL ONE-DAY SEMINAR • July 2008
-UNDERSTANDING & ENGAGING IN FAITH-BASED DIALOGUE WITH YOUR JEWISH FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES.
This one day seminar was taught to a group of approximately 65 entertainment industry professionals.
Topics included: • Biblical foundations & the Jewish people • Different branches of Judaism • Christian misconceptions of
Jewish People and their faith • How Jews perceive Christians • Cultural and religious influences shaping Hollywood today
• Breaking down cultural barriers to the Gospel
We had such a huge response we had to turn away close to 20 people who I hope will be attending this year.
All who attended were equipped, enlightened and edified. Already several have put into practice the principle’s they have learned and we are seeing fruit. This year, I unexpectedly had a few non-believers in attendance and was able to weave the Gospel throughout the instruction.
Lively conversation ensued afterwards. Contact Info@PRISMHollywood.com to be notified on the next seminar.
NEXT SEMINAR SATURDAY, MARCH 14th, 2009
PAST EVENTS:
AMERICAN MESSIANIC ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
July 16th, 2006. At this California gathering of Messianic congregational leaders from across the country, the DVD Joined Together was screened,
with a Q & A following on ministering to Interfaith couples. Several of the leaders took back DVD's and information packets with them for outreach to their communities. Discussions are now underway to cooperatively produce a 30 second commercial with the gospel from a Jewish contextual point of view.
Watch for this in the coming year.
AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, SITCOM CLASS.
I just completed teaching a sitcom pilot production class for Azusa Pacific University. It was a rather ambitious project, as I
helped put together a program in conjunction with 3 other faculty, enabling the students to work on a sitcom pilot from
inception to completion. I brought in many guest speakers from shows like Melanie Griffiths' Twins and The War at Home. Part of the fun for me was not only training and inspiring the Christian students in my classes, but also bringing these non-believer guest speakers to lecture at a Christian University.
This raised many questions with my professional relationships that have now opened up doors for dialogue about the Lord.
• A LOOK AT MEL GIBSON: What Do You Think?
Sunday, August 27th • 1pm - 2pm
Recent events are causing more and more people to discuss their views of anti-Semitism, sin and forgiveness. Nikki H. will lead a discussion on Hollywood's response.
LOCATION:
Evans Chapel - Beacon Fellowship
($5 lunch at 12:15PM)
Bel Air Presbyterian Church
16221 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Open to those in the entertainment & arts community
