2009 Wrap-Up
By Act One Executive Director Gary David Stratton, PhD
December 27, 2009
“It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. We build ourselves out of that story. That story makes you what you are.”
-Patrick Rothfus, The Name of the Wind
It is hard to believe that my first year at Act One is coming to an end. What a year it has been. Despite a severe recession and a 50% drop in our Foundation giving, Act One finished the year in the black due to our greatest year ever in personal donations. Your gift helped keep Act One on the front lines of advancing the kingdom of God in Hollywood.
I recently reread Patrick Rothfus’ marvelous book, The Name of the Wind, and was reminded again of the power of story. Stories form the worldviews that literally chart the behavior of individuals and societies. Act One remains founded in the belief that whoever tells the most compelling stories shapes the world.
All over the industry–on network television shows, studio lots, independent films, and web series–Act One alumni are helping shape the stories that shape our lives. There simply isn’t enough space to mention more than a handful of the remarkable accomplishments of our alumni this year, but here are a few highlights.
Television was one venue where Act One alumni shone.
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2009 saw at least six alumni writing for current TV shows: Melissa Glenn & Jessica Reider on Leverage (TNT), Ben Lobato, The Unit (CBS) and Justified (FX), Kara Lee Burk, Romantically Challenged (ABC), Chris Easterly, Unnatural History (CN), and Kevin Chesley, The Hard Times of RJ Berger (MTV).
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Kurt Schemper won our first Emmy award for his work as a producer on Intervention (A&E). Emmy magazine did a beautiful piece on Act One due to Kurt’s success.
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Melissa d’Arabian became our first “celebrity” as host of Ten Minute Dinners on the Food Network. It was exciting to pick up the November issue of First For Women magazine and see her bright countenance on the cover.
Feature film also saw some wonderful breakthroughs as well.
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The Blind Side, produced by Alcon Entertainment, where several alumni play key roles, was the surprise hit of 2009, grossing $165M and counting.
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Least of These, written and directed by Nate Scoggins was released on Starz.
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The Stoning of Soraya M, produced by Mpower Pictures under the leadership of many numerous Act One alumni and faculty, won the Audience Award at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, as well as the Critics Choice Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association.
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That Evening Sun, written and directed by Scott Teems and produced by Terence Berry won the prestigious SXSW Film Festival and has already garnered two Indy Spirit nominations.
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To Save a Life, co-produced by alum Christina Lee Storm, was picked up by Samuel Goldwyn for national theatrical release in January.
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The Ultimate Gift, written by Cheryl McKay (2007), was released in theaters in 2007, but its television premier in early December (Hallmark) produced a surge in sales (30,000 copies per week). The Ultimate Gift II is now in development.
Much more important than any visible accomplishments, the faithful witness and professional excellence demonstrated by Act One alumni across the entertainment industry shapes not only the content, but the very lives of their fellow artists. Many must keep a low profile, especially Executive Program alumni called into network, production company or studio leadership. These faithful saints are fighting the good fight every day as they slowly work their way forward in a challenging industry.
Your gifts and prayers make all this possible. You are helping to write the story of Act One that is helping shape the world. I could never thank you enough.
Have a very Happy New Year!!!!
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