Auditions for leading roles have been going on for the past three weeks. As is often the case, I’ve really enjoyed watching these characters suddenly become real when the right actor finally shows up to bring them to life. Of course we all know that without real, compelling, and detailed characters, a film is doomed to fail.  But that’s especially true in an ensemble drama like ours, where the characters literally are the story.

So, as we continue to ask for your name submissions in this weeks contest, I want to throw you the T-bone steak of inspiration.  In a snapshot, here’s a list and description of the lead characters, and the plot-driving dramatic question that each one represents: Read more…

Relational ties usually play a big part in ensemble dramas, and this new project from City on a Hill Productions is no exception. In our film, some lives are richly tied together, while some others only briefly intersect. Overall, we hope to play out a dramatic web of interpersonal connections that support the story and underscore God’s providence in the affairs of mankind.

But, with all those characters and all those plotlines, it can make the first read of the screenplay a bit confusing. So I put together a relationship flowchart for my team outlining the flow of connections, while also giving a picture of the kinds of people we might want to see in these roles. If you’re working on submissions for this week’s naming contest, this might stir a few more creative juices.

As always, if you have

questions or name submissions, be sure to leave them in the comments below!

While the team here at City on a Hill Productions is, for the most part, a bunch of creative and artsy-fartsy folks, we understand that sound theology has to be the bedrock foundation of everything we do. Articulating the scriptural message we’re trying to convey is always step #1 of every project.  Only then can we craft effective story content to support that truth. For our upcoming film, TV miniseries, and small-group study, we wanted to explore the problem of pain. Why do bad things happen to good people? If God Himself is so good, why does he allow such suffering in the world. Tough questions indeed.

To explore that issue, we’re forging a relationship with another well-known minister, Pastor Bob Russell. At twenty-two years of age, Bob became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church, a small congregation of 120 members. By the time he retired in 2006, it had become one of America’s largest churches, with 18,000 in attendance each weekend.  An accomplished author, Bob has written over a dozen books, and now focuses on mentoring pastors while teaching and speaking around the country. He’s excited to partner in his first project with City on a Hill Productions, offering insight and hope by sharing the story of Joseph – his favorite figure from the Old Testament. Bob believes that Joseph provides us the clearest Biblical example of how to persevere through all manner of suffering, and ultimately find God’s purpose in pain.

Just like past City on a Hill efforts, the broadcast miniseries and small-group video series for this project are a combination of dramatic content and straightforward teaching. To see how Bob Russell’s approach for helping us experience God’s support through suffering, and his purpose in pain, plays out episode-by-episode, keep reading after the break:

Read more…