I performed the role of a driver and got to serve as the acting coach in One Day, a short film written and directed by Gwendelynn Martindale, who was a student at the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp, where I taught and coached each summer from 2013 to 2021, when it ended.
After we were done, we sat around a table and passed around a sheet of paper to record all of the miracles we'd witnessed in the creation of the film. Here's what we came up with:
Here is a list of just a few miracles and ways God provided for this film:
• The schedules of such a great and talented company came into alignment.• Stacey Bradshaw was healed in time for her scenes.• A Glorious sunset when we needed it.• We finished the scenes Saturday a half hour early!• We had a tight schedule and finished on time!• We had two roads blocked, all of what we hoped for and more!• Gwendelynn had sustained energy and heath, despite fighting a wisdom tooth surgery infection and a heat rash• Safe travels for everyone! No deer hit.• Storm disappearing.• Provision for multiple aspects of the film• God’s blessing and guidance• Unity of spirit and JOY• Getting to work on this short film.• Speeding and did not get caught. (not sure who wrote this line)• Benjamin survived falling from the top of the playground at the park• God’s abundant energy that came from everywhere.• A sweet spirit of unity and encouragement among the cast and crew• Tears for the scenes lasting longer than possible.• Traveling safety• The patience and love on set was amazing!• Fixing the crane• Rain stopped for crane shot on Friday when it was supposed to rain all day! We watched the storm move around us on Doppler weather radar.
I know there were many more than these but let’s praise God for his mercy and provision for this film.
It was a joy to work with Gwendelynn as a student and now as writer/director/producer of her own film, and I have a lot of friends I got to work with again: It was my sixth collaboration with both Tim Kaiser and Stacey Bradshaw, and my tenth with Rebekah Cook.
Rick Holets is doing the score. We share two credits ( Princess Cut and Firefly), but he's worked on several films made by friends.
The fact that Nathan Ashton is doing the sound on this project is actually an answer to our prayer that (if all goes well) we'll be in another film screened at the Christian Worldview Film Festival. We haven't missed a year!
It's impolite to ask a woman her age, but I don't think Gwendelynn is in her twenties yet. For her to pull together this heavy-hitting team is miraculous in and of itself! Then again, we're serving the Miracle Maker!
I thought of this film after seeing a film I just reviewed: Living, because of the similar theme. Gwendelynn has the kind of purpose both films present as more satisfying than anything that could possibly catch our attention. I don't think she spent a dime on any of the vehicles used in "One Day." With great purpose she went after them and got them!
I want to thank our dear friend who recommended Living. Immediately after watching it we ordered her The Purpose Driven Life. Then I sent her the link to this page. I also texted her the following quote I'd seen on a tea tag a few hours before watching Living:
The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live with purpose.--Michel de Montaigne
You were made for purpose! Live like it!
