5 Books every filmmaker should own
Over the past 10 years I have collected a wide range of books as I've built a business and learn how to make movies. Over time the these books seem to continue to rise to the top as people ask for references. Enjoy 1. Producing with Passion; Making movies that change the world. This is a new arrival that I found on Amazon. It's probably the best book I have found yet. The core of this book is documentary but it is just as applicable to feature films indi style. If you want to build a movement this is a great tool. ...
Man Church The Movie, In Development
Gratis 7 is now in development of it's next feature film, the narrative comedy, Man Church. After 8 months of writing the script for Man Church is almost complete! Here's the pitch: Story Line Kirk Taylor and Bobby Summers are your average mid 30’s church goers, best friends and bench warmers at Faithful Redeemer Community Church. This all changes when retiring Pastor Kirkwood leaves Kirk and Bobby in charge of the men’s ministry at Faithful Redeemer. With a rekindled perspective of brotherhood they find leadership from interim Pastor Duke Carson and Elder Wilber Waters. With each challenge, Kirk and Bobby learn to lead from ...
Austin Filmmakers Leave for Central Asia
Four University of Texas filmmakers will be leaving for Kyrgyzstan next week. Tim Chew came up with the idea of going to central Asia just 2 months ago. He asked a few friends if they wanted to go and next thing they knew they were buying tickets. With a bold ask Tim then approached Austin filmmaker Jeremy Rogers a seasoned DP and filmmaker to join the team as their mentor and DP. Needless to say it on! The team will be working on two projects, researching Tim's thesis film that will shoot spring of 2011 as well as a Deidox film ...
Seth Godin “Tribes”
Gratis 7 started with 2 simple ideas, support filmmakers and make movies. We’ve been doing just that. Over the past few months I’ve found myself explaining to people that we are not really a network but more like a family or a tribe. Gratis 7 is a community of people who are living out a philosophy of life together and helping each other along the way. Recently, I was given this video of Seth Godin the author of the book “Tribes”. Seth is very entertaining and brings the point home, we are better together and when we find a few likes ...
W. Ashley Maddox
A few months ago Gratis 7 Media Group found out about W. Ashley Maddox. We were blow away. This guy has raised the bar on redemptive story telling and technical creativity. If you are a leader looking to create or use media. Check him out. When you see his stuff you’ll understand what were talking about. Not only is he learning but he shares it with others. If you are looking to learn you have to check out his stuff at wampictures.com. There is also a button called tech blog (wamtech.blogspot.com) which he shares "all things useful to the techies of camera ...
Deidox Releases New Film
Gratis 7 Media Group has know the founders of Deidox for several years. Dave and Brent have been traveling the world telling the stories of changed lives and deeply believe in pastors. They are committed to providing tools for the church, designed for the church and about the body of Christ. Gratis 7 Media Group would like to encourage all pastors to consider watching these films. They are amazing stories told with excellence and with a format designed for weekly church services. To connect with Deidox go to deidox.com
Steven Bush
Last week T.C. Johnstone spent what was suppose to be an hour with photographer, musician and story teller Steven Bush. The conversation soon founds it's way into two and a half. For good reason. Steven is a Texas but you would never know it. His long furry face and angelic laugh keep the conversation fun and exciting. He is not only a photographer but a well known musician for his work with the Aaron Ivey Band. aaronivey.com But the real story lies behind the photos. Photos of transformed lives. Steven has been working on a incredible project called Story Frames. He has ...
A story of hope, “The Guest Room”
Several month ago Gratis 7 Media Group began working with One Spark Films on "The Guest Room." Greg Kwedar and his partner at One Spark Films Jake Hamilton were selected as finalist for an online film competition called The Doorpost Film Festival. After being chosen from 400 films their task was to create a short film on hope. The Doorpost is an amazing community of filmmakers from around the world that desire to see film and media used for life change. Working with Greg and Jack has been a wonderful experience. We have been very impressed with there desire to use there ...
New York City, film & Entrepreneurship
If you are in New York any time soon check out: http://www.faithandwork.org/filmmakersmain For those entrepreneurs. This is amazing. http://www.faithandwork.org/ei
HELP
Gratis 7 Media Group recently had a conversation with a new friend Coury Deeb of Nadus films. They are located in Louisville, KY and are working on a film in Sudan. Nadus has a huge heart and desire to be a voice for the voiceless. There film will be out this fall so watch for details. You can contact them at: www.nadusfilms.com During our conversation we embarked on a simple question. How can we help one another? This can be a life changing question we often forget to ask others. Coury thanks for reaching out to us today. It's amazing what ...
Gregg Helvey Wins Student Acadamy Award!
About 5 years ago my friend Jason Johnson and I started a small group bible study in Santa Monica, California. Seven guys showed up and we began our journey together. As we shared our stories, Gregg Helvey began to tell us how be met Christ in high school. We soon realized that Greg and I had not only gone to the same high school but we met Christ through the same Young Life leader Sam Branham years before in Loudoun, Virginia. Gregg was going to grad. School at USC film school at the time and over the past 4 years has ...
Filmmakers
W. Ashley Maddox
A few months ago Gratis 7 Media Group found out about W. Ashley Maddox. We were...
Steven Bush
Last week T.C. Johnstone spent what was suppose to be an hour with photographer,...
“Lord Save Us From Your Followers”,Theatrical release
The controversial film, “Lord Save Us From Your Followers” was released...
New York City, film & Entrepreneurship
If you are in New York any time soon check out: http://www.faithandwork.org/filmmakersmain For...
HELP
Gratis 7 Media Group recently had a conversation with a new friend Coury Deeb of...
Read More Posts From This CategoryTechniques and Tools
5 Books every filmmaker should ownOver the past 10 years I have collected a wide range of books as I’ve built...
Seth Godin “Tribes”
Gratis 7 started with 2 simple ideas, support filmmakers and make movies. We’ve...
LITE Panels Review
Last week a few folks in the Gratis 7 Media Group Network shot a John Deere / Chevron...
Marketing Movies For Change
This is a great article on the power of film and Hollywood. Micki has some great...
Read More Posts From This CategoryProjects
Man Church The Movie, In Development
Gratis 7 is now in development of it’s next feature film, the narrative comedy, Man Church. After 8 months of writing the script for Man Church is almost complete! Here’s the pitch: Story Line Kirk Taylor and Bobby Summers are your average mid 30’s church goers, best friends and bench warmers at Faithful Redeemer Community Church. This... [Read more of this review]
Austin Filmmakers Leave for Central Asia
Four University of Texas filmmakers will be leaving for Kyrgyzstan next week. Tim Chew came up with the idea of going to central Asia just 2 months ago. He asked a few friends if they wanted to go and next thing they knew they were buying tickets. With a bold ask Tim then approached Austin filmmaker Jeremy Rogers a seasoned DP and filmmaker to join... [Read more of this review]
Deidox Releases New Film
Gratis 7 Media Group has know the founders of Deidox for several years. Dave and Brent have been traveling the world telling the stories of changed lives and deeply believe in pastors. They are committed to providing tools for the church, designed for the church and about the body of Christ. Gratis 7 Media Group would like to encourage all pastors to... [Read more of this review]
A story of hope, “The Guest Room”
Several month ago Gratis 7 Media Group began working with One Spark Films on “The Guest Room.” Greg Kwedar and his partner at One Spark Films Jake Hamilton were selected as finalist for an online film competition called The Doorpost Film Festival. After being chosen from 400 films their task was to create a short film on hope. The Doorpost... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This Category