Outsider’s View

An outsider’s view is what I’m calling my blog. In some ways I find it appropriate. I have never worked in Hollywood, and I have never produced or directed a full-length motion picture. But for some reason, which I don’t fully understand, God has called me to be a media missionary to the entertainment industry. This calling is not to make films but to help you to realize “your” calling and to provide you with resources, education and information. Hopefully, this will lead you into the entertainment industry and, perhaps, one day to Hollywood as a media missionary.

For over 25 years, I have worked in the media and have done just about everything, including producing, writing, directing and editing. I have produced over 300 1-hour television programs and over 300 half-hour programs. That’s a lot of television. I have also worked in the industrial and commercial video business.
One of my television programs, The Zone, started in Cincinnati on one television station. I was successful in negotiating distribution deals that put The Zone on over 200 stations in the United States and Canada, as well as 15 national and international television networks. I have worked with low budgets, little resources, and have had to learn how to raise funds.

My life experiences have been unique and certainly unconventional. Perhaps that makes me a good candidate to offer help to you. I have started media ministries from the ground floor up, made my share of mistakes, and I know God has taught me a thing or two along the way. If God has called you to be a media missionary, no matter how ridiculous that may sound, don’t let anybody talk you out of it.

God’s wisdom and calling, often doesn’t make sense to us. That’s because we are trying to apply our understanding and our human knowledge. One thing that is crystal clear to me is that there is a profound difference between our wisdom, knowledge and understanding compared to God’s.

When we study the Bible, God calls the most unlikely people to ministry. He uses whom he pleases, which often confounds the wisdom of man. We shake our heads and say, “Huh”? That’s the way it works. Our human logic and reason can only take us so far.

A calling is supernatural. And maybe He is calling you. Here’s what I have been called to. In the last few years, I started an educational and film program to help students explore their passion for film and their passion for Christ. I’m convinced that the two can be connected. I’m not interested in just teaching you how to use a camera or write a story. I’m interested in raising up media missionaries who can have a positive impact on our culture. That’s why we are building Flannelgraph Ministries and mediamissionaryschool.com to help you explore your purpose and calling and to discover your giftings.

Our mission will be to provide classes and workshops here in the Cincinnati area. Through our website we are going to talk about the practical application of filmmaking and the practical spiritual applications. That includes resources on the role and purpose of a media missionary. I think you will find the website uniquely different and will offer a voice not often heard.

We will also emphasis low-budget and guerilla filmmaking. That could be your best and quickest opportunity into the industry. Low-budget doesn’t mean low quality. We can offer you advice and experience on how to make low-budget look high-quality.

From my viewpoint, that of an outsider, I believe I am perfectly positioned to see the ins and outs of this industry. I have no other agenda but to help you succeed. I am not working on a film project, nor do I have a script that I am trying to pitch. Your success is my priority, not just artistically but, more importantly, your spiritual journey as a media missionary, your calling and your unique voice as an artist. I am sure you have a lot of questions. That’s why we’re here at mediamissionaryschool.com. So let’s get started.