intersections

When What is True is Not Pure

This is the video of the talk I gave at this year's Adventist Forum Conference. My title was "When What is True is Not Pure.

Meet me in Atlanta

I leave for Atlanta on Sunday, June 20 for the Innovative Impact conference and then the Adventist General Conference Session. Here's where I'll be. I'd love to meet you if I haven't have that chance yet.

June 20 - 22
Innovative Impact - on Monday evening there will be a screening of Stained Glass: Hollywood Blvd, after which I'll be speaking and fielding questions about the film and our church. Hope you can make it!

June 23 - 29
Find me at the "Big Tent Adventism" booth where I'll be helping out with Spectrum/Association of Adventist Forums and also promoting New Name Pictures. Come by and get a DVD of our latest work and learn more about New Name Pictures.

See you in Atlanta!

I'm a social justice Christian

Below is a Public Service Announcement that I've been working on for the past two weeks, produced by the film production venture I co-founded, called New Name Pictures. It's entitled "I'm a social justice Christian.

Please watch it here and spread the word! Also, to see other resources associate with them campaign and to keep participating as new PSAs are created, go to our website - www.socialjusticechristian.com.

Moby: Pale Horses

One of my favorite artists releases a new music video! Enjoy!
Pale Horses, by Moby

apocalypse: the revealing of GOD

Join us this Summer for a journey into popular culture as we search for glimpses of God's kingdom. Click here for more info. Download poster here.

"The Perfect Day" - a Cinema Divina production

The Perfect Day from Cinema Divina on Vimeo.

UPDATE: Now on YouTube as well, here! Spread the word!

The Perfect Day is a result of a 48-hour filmathon by the crew of Cinema Divina. The entire film was written, shot, edited, and had music scored for it within the 48 hour period.

The film, a comedy, follows one month in the life of Dennis, our hapless hero, as he attempts to live just one day perfectly.

For more information about cast and crew or to support Cinema Divina, please visit our website at www.cinema-divina.com

Stained Glass: Hollywood Blvd. (Episode 1)

I just realized that the first episode of the four-part documentary that the North America Division is doing about the Hollywood Adventist Church is now online at the Vervent website.

I'd love for you to have a look at it and tell me what you think. This was written and directed by one of our members, Melody George. (As an aside, you will be hearing a LOT more about Melody in the coming months...just sayin').

There are three churches that are a part of this project and each church will have four episodes. Stay tuned for the rest of these in the very near future.

Now, have a look at Episode one...click here and look under Featured Resources for "Stained Glass: Hollywood Blvd - Episode 1."

48-hour Film-A-Thon

This weekend my congregation is doing something incredible. It's called a 48-hour film-a-thon. Perhaps some of you have heard of this type of thing before, but it was totally new to me. The idea is simple: write, cast, shoot and produce a short film in the space of 48 hours.

We will begin on Saturday night, around 7:30 pm, with the writing process. By 7:30 pm on Monday, we will have a short film in the can. At least that's the plan, and given the creative and talented friends I have in the church, I believe that it is possible. My main role will be some kind of second or third assistant producer (I think) which basically means I do what I'm told (running errands, moving stuff around, helping people with whatever needs help). I'll all be a part of the writing team. I'm pretty excited about this.

Cinema Divina
We're not just doing this film-a-thon because it sounds like a fun project or even just for the end product. Like a walk-a-thon or a bike-a-thon, it is a fundraiser. So, participants are getting sponsors (either a per hour sponsorship or a flat donation). All the proceeds are going to a new production company called Cinema Divina that our congregation is in the process of starting. These funds that are raised this weekend will go toward our first short film that is slated to be made this summer.

So, I could really use your support. Please help me support these uber-talented  filmmakers in our congregation and the other Christian filmmakers in our community by making a pledge toward our film-a-thon.

If you want to pledge, please email me - rjbell  (AT)  hollywoodsda  (DOT) com.

SONscreen Film Festival is coming

I know I'm biased, but I think if you can make it to the SONscreen Film Festival this year, starting April 13 16 at in Simi Valley, you definitely should. All the information about how to register is here.

In addition to the Official Festival Selections there are some other very important screenings that are happening that are very dear to my heart. They include:

• “Stained Glass” Documentary series with Filmmakers Q&A
  
• “Marbles with Thoreau” -- short subject drama (16:00)
• “Jesus People: the movie” -- a feature film comedy (87:00)

The reason this is so exciting for me personally is that these three special features above are done by members of the Hollywood Adventist Church.

"Stained Glass" is a documentary film project commissioned by the North American Division, taking an up-close look at three congregations. One of those three congregations is our church in Hollywood and the film is by Melody George.

"Marbles with Thoreau" is also by Melody George. This is Melody's personal project that has been close to her heart for a very long time. Several others in our congregation have been instrumental in creating this film. This project was four years in the making and I am so excited to see this film.

"Jesus People: the Movie" is a hilarious comedy by my friend and fellow church members, Rajeev Sigamoney. I've seen this film already and I'm just dying to see it again.

Finally, I will be a panelist in a panel discussion on Sabbath afternoon entitled, "Reel Community: Rediscovering the Church's role in a place like Hollywood." You can read more about the panel and the panelists at the website here.

Jesus People: The Movie

Last night I attended the Cast & Crew Premiere of Jesus People: The Movie at the American Film Institute, which just happens to be walking distance from the Hollywood Adventist Church.

Aside from the fact that the film itself is amazing (more on that later) this was especially wonderful event for me because it is intimately connected to the Purple Church. The co-writer, Rajeev Sigamoney, is a friend and member of our faith community. The trailer (above) was edited by Julia Alty, another dear friend and Hollywood Church member. There are at least a dozen church members who are extras, including my daughter, Zoe, and The Purple Church gets a “Special Thanks” in the credits. So, to celebrate this premier with Rajeev and the entire cast and crew was a rare privilege. This 90-minute comedy is a surprising combination of compelling characters and superb acting, hilarious and provocative writing and visionary directing. I can’t say enough good things about this film. Please visit the website – www.jesuspeoplefilm.com - where you can not only view the trailer but you can learn about the cast and crew and keep abreast of future screenings coming to your community. Word is that this film will be screened at the 2009 SONscreen Film Festival in Simi Valley, CA (April 16-18).