Laying the groundwork for my next project(s)

Over the past several months Hellbound? has kept me more than busy with screenings, DVD/VOD preparations (Available May 28!), delivery to broadcasters and an endless stream of other details you never fully anticipate when setting out to produce, market and distribute an independent film.

But when you lead the kind of life I do, you can never stay focused on a single project for long, because unless you hit the jackpot, eventually you have to go out and make another. So in the midst of all the busyness, here are a few irons I have in the fire:

• And God Said, “Billy!” – This is a yet-to-be-published novel by Frank Schaeffer that I have had the privilege of adapting into a feature film script. Hilarious, bawdy at times, but ultimately redemptive. I have a solid draft in hand and am working with Frank to concoct a strategy to get it made. If you’re a Frank Schaeffer fan and you have some disposable $, we’d love to hear from you!
• Violence & the Sacred – By far the most valuable discovery I made during the making of Hellbound? is the work of Rene Girard and mimetic theory. I’m currently developing a four-part documentary mini-series that will explore this topic. In the series, I’m seeking to answer four main questions: 1) Why are we violent? 2) Why are we religious? 3) What’s the relationship between violence and religion? and 4) Can we be religious without being violent? In the meantime, I’m seeking opportunities to test-drive the material with various audiences by way of a Powerpoint presentation. My first potential booking is at a church in Calgary this May. More news on that soon. If there are any other takers, please contact me. Of course, I’m currently seeking funding for this project as well. A concept trailer is available for serious potential investors.
• The Divine Comedy of Thomas Merton – I won’t say too much about this yet except that I’m collaborating on a feature-film script about Thomas Merton that focuses on the writing of Peace In the Post-Christian Era. We should have a solid draft in hand by April. Love Merton? Love movies? Want to see a Merton movie? You know who to call.

And that concludes today’s edition of “shameless self-promotion/solicitation of funds.”