The trailer for my friend Scott Derrickson’s new movie, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is on-line here Be warned though, it’s really scary! Scott, as it happens, has authored one of the most original and provocative chapters in our November release Act One book Behind the Screen. He is a thoughtful and committed Christian, who, IMHO, is just a few short Chesterton books away from Crossing the Tiber. (Heh heh, I know you’re there, Scott!) The film will premiere at... Read more

I was recently asked to give notes on a screenplay that is being produced by a group of earnest Christians. None of the folks controlling the creative decisions have ever been involved a feature film before. All are from outside of Los Angeles and the money (think, millions of dollars…) is coming from a rich Christian somewhere out there in fly-over country. I generally avoid reading this kind of project – especially because no one ever wants to pay me... Read more

(Okay, it’s a gorgeous Southern Cal summer day…so here’s my favorite Dickinson poem…) #214 I taste a liquor never brewed – From Tankards scooped in Pearl – Not all the Frankfort BerriesYield such an Alcohol! Inebriate of air – am I – And Debauchee of Dew – Reeling – thro’ endless summer days – From inns of molten Blue – When “Landlords” turn the drunken BeeOut of the Foxglove’s door – When Butterflies – renounce their “drams” – I shall... Read more

You scored as Anselm. Anselm is the outstanding theologian of the medieval period.He sees man’s primary problem as having failed to render unto God what we owe him, so God becomes man in Christ and gives God what he is due. You should read ‘Cur Deus Homo?’ Anselm 100% Charles Finney 67% Paul Tillich 60% John Calvin 60% Karl Barth 60% Augustine 53% Friedrich Schleiermacher 40% Martin Luther 33% Jonathan Edwards 33% Jürgen Moltmann 33% Which theologian are you?created with... Read more

Here are some shots of our new Executive Program opening retreat. The retreat hppened at the gorgeous Serra Retreat in Malibu….needless to say, there were no muddy redneck cars anywhere around… Read more

From the very beginning, my practice with secular journalists has been to give them near total access. The practice was framed by the ideological pillars that a) It would always be better to speak for ourselves than to be interpreted from outside; and b) the Truth has nothing to fear from discussion. It has been something I have fought for. One of the original founders of Act One dropped out in the first few months because I agreed to be... Read more

create your own personalized map of the USA …That would be the white states. I KNOW this, because they are the states I haven’t visited yet doing my schtick. I find this white state-red state polarization deeply troubling. I can’t see that it can end in a good place if we don’t do something to remedy this ominous breach. Somebody, quick! Invite me to a high plains state! (I swiped this from Karen Hall, who is supposed to be re-writing... Read more

Act One alumnus and Advisory Board member Sean Gaffney and I will be co-teaching a two-day starter course in screenwriting this July 25-26 in Westchester County. The event is being hosted by an area college, but they are letting us open it up to any other writers or educators – or people who want to be smarter about movies – in the area who would like to attend. So here follows the info. Go here to register for the event.... Read more

“When God intervenes in human history, he usually gets two things: the wrong person and a really bad idea.” Writer, Donna Partow Read more

#579 I had been hungry, all the Years —My Noon had Come — to dine —I trembling drew the Table near —And touched the Curious Wine — ‘Twas this on Tables I had seen —When turning, hungry, HomeI looked in Windows, for the WealthI could not hope — for Mine — I did not know the ample Bread —‘Twas so unlike the CrumbThe Birds and I, had often sharedIn Nature’s — Dining Room — The Plenty hurt me — ’twas... Read more