Come What MayMovie Production Handbook

Advent Film GroupMaking Films and Filmmakers for Christ and the World

Distributed by Provident-Integrity (a unit of Sony)

Movie Trailer Appears on FIREPROOF’s Special Edition DVD

Top 20 Bestselling DVD - Christian Booksellers Association

Official Selection - Gideon Media Arts Film Festival

Winner: “Redemptive Storyteller Award”

Among the first feature films completed and inspired bySan Antonio Independent

Christian Film Festival

Endorsed by:The American Family

Association, Patrick Henry College, Homeschooling Today,

Guys For Life, Iron Sharpens Iron, Valley Family Forum

Made by 40 homeschooled students, mentored by a handful

of professionals

Moviemaker’s Goal: Real Life Imitating ArtHomeschoolers, production company depict challenge to Roe v. Wade

World Net Daily ArticleOctober 11, 2008

Debate teams representing the 300 students at Patrick Henry College have won the Moot Court national debate crown twice in the school's eight-year existence, and they've defeated debating bastion Oxford twice, including once in England using UK laws, but now they're reaching higher.

They are hoping that real life will imitate their art.

Combining with Advent Film Group, the Virginia evangelical school's debaters are featured in a new film presenting arguments that one day could be used to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that found a right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution.

 "Come What May," which already has been shown to packed houses in Grants Pass, Ore., and Harrisonburg, Va., is expected to be available for screening online later this month.

In the movie, Caleb, a Christian student attending Patrick Henry, is caught in a moral tug-of-war as he challenges

Roe v. Wade at the National Moot Court Championship. At the same time, the character's mother, a feminist attorney, argues the case at the U.S. Supreme Court, but on the opposing side.

The microbudget project – essentially created with a volunteer team of students advised by a handful of movie professionals – already has had half a dozen offers for distribution, according to George Escobar of Advent Film Group.

He told WND the plans are for the movie to be streamed online on GodTube later this month, but exact details still are being worked out.

"Our intention is that people see the compelling arguments for overturning Roe v. Wade if there are the right Supreme Court justices on the bench," he said.

In the Roe v. Wade opinion, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun hinted the decision

eventually could be overturned, leaving abortion laws up to individual states.

He concluded that if the "personhood" of the preborn could be established, "the case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to life is then guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment."

The advances in scientific and medical knowledge over the past four decades have created huge conflicts over the issue of the

beginning of life. Voters in Colorado will decide Nov. 4 on a ballot initiative that would recognize the unborn as a person – given the same constitutional protections as anyone else – from the moment of conception.Harrisonburg Valley Family Forum director

Dean Welty believes the time for the issue to be given to American citizens is now.

"This movie tells how Roe v. Wade can be reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court," he said.

"Moviegoers [at a screening] were excited or agitated on both sides, because the movie shows in dramatic fashion just how flimsy the legal footing stands for Roe.

"New Justice appointees who believe in constitutional original intent will likely overturn Roe," he said.

Since the next president is expected to appoint at least a few new justices during the coming term, the tipping point for many of the previous 5-4 decisions that have upheld abortions could be approaching.

Welty noted it's possible a handful of voters in each precinct across the nation could make the choice between GOP candidate Sen. John McCain, who has a long record of largely pro-life votes, and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, who has advocated for abortions beyond even the demands of the National Abortion Rights Action League.

"If this new movie gets widely known, and it could break out because it's very controversial, then watch out," Welty said.

Escobar has worked in the American Film Institute and in Hollywood as a freelance story analyst. He was assistant to the

director on several television shows and vice president of product technologies for Tele-TV, which then was headed by Howard Stringer, now CEO of Sony.

The founder of Advent Film Group in 2007, he confirmed distributors already are bidding for the rights to distribute the movie.

"We know that Christians love 'Come What May,'" said Escobar. "What surprised us were the secular, pro-choice audiences, some of whom have told us that 'Come What May' is causing them to reconsider their position."

He cited the huge impact of recent low-budget movies, "Facing the Giants," and "Fireproof," as a sea change in the movie industry.

"Giants," on a budget of $100,000, earned $10 million in box office sales and – so far – has sold more than a million DVDs. “Fireproof,” budgeted at $500K, has earned $23 million in box office after 5 weeks.

"Our mission is to change culture for Christ through media," said Escobar. "We are drawing from the outstanding talent and strength of the homeschooling community.

"If homeschoolers can turn the public education monopoly upside down, they can do the same for cinema," he said.

Statistics indicate homeschooling is growing at a rate many times the rate of growth for schools nationwide, and there now are estimates of more than 2 million students who are homeschooled.

Endorsing the project were Michael Farris, founder and chancellor of Patrick Henry College, the nation's only Christian liberal arts college established to serve homeschooled students; Graham Walker, president of the college; and Michael Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association.

The project, in which students also received on-the-job training in the film industry, already has been honored. It was given a Redemptive Storyteller Award for 2008 from the Redemptive Film Festival.

Kurt Ramspott, founder of the pro-life group Guys-For-Life, said the film "could be a tipping point in this dramatic battle of Good vs. Evil in our lifetime."

"It is a 'must see' that will spur you onto action," he said.

Austin Kearneyas Caleb Hogan

Austin Kearney is a 19 year old aspiring entertainer. Raised in Portland Oregon he grew an eclectic taste for many types of activities. Participating in forensics he holds a national rank as a speaker and debater. He enjoys philosophy, literature, good conversation, music, theater, physical exercise and chewing gum. Currently he plays guitar in two bands and is involved with film making.

Victoria Emmonsas Rachel Morton

Victoria Emmons was five years old when her older sister Christina encouraged her to audition for a lead role in a church musical. Victoria auditioned and landed the part. Thirteen years later, Christina was once again encouraging Victoria to audition, this time for Advent Film Group's "Come What May." From a very early age, Victoria has loved entertaining people. She and her three sisters have a gospel bluegrass band, The Emmons

Karen and Kenny Jezekas Judith and Don Hogan

Kenny is probably best known for his regular role as Lars Englund in NBC’s “Days of Our Lives”. He has guest starred in “Hill Street Blues”, “St. Elsewhere” and “FAME”. Prior to his transition into acting, Kenny was one of the top working dancers in the country, often touring teaching master jazz and tap classes in the US, Europe and Canada. Some of his dancing credits include the Los Angeles (National Touring) companies of two Tony award winning Broadway musicals; “Cats” and “42nd Street”, a regular series dancer in FAME, and a featured dancer in the movies “Pretty In Pink” and “Fast Forward” the latter produced by Academy award winning actor, Sydney Poitier.

Kenny has worked with some of the most recognizable names in entertainment in capacities that include, dancing, choreographing, directing and staging. Some of them include; Chita Rivera, John Travolta, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Helen Hunt, Sydney Poitier, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dinah Shore, Paula

Sisters, and they are also members of The Ivy Street Band. The Emmons Sisters have performed on over 95 episodes for two world wide television shows. During high school, Victoria competed in two different speech leagues, going to Nationals twice and placing 4th in the nation with her pro-life speech. Victoria lives in Oregon with her parents, three sisters, four goats, and a pet chicken named Susanne. She hopes to use her passion for performing and love for God to touch and affect people's lives.

Abdul, Olivia Newton-John, Gordon MacRae, His professional, civic light opera and community theatre credits include roles in “Paint Your Wagon”, “Anything Goes”, “Kiss Me Kate”, “Good News”, “In Command Of The Children”, “Durante”, “Oliver” and “Stone Soup”. Original productions, “Johnny Bugle”, “Rocky’s Place” and “Mystery At Windemere Mansion”. He has numerous national and local commercial, music video, industrial credits as well.

In addition to his performance and production credits Kenny also holds black belts and Full Instructor certifications in several martial arts disciplines, is the founder of Christian Freestyle Karate and for 17 years successfully owned and operated his own martial arts school.

Karen has acted in two soap operas, playing the role of Brenda Clegg in CBS’ “Capitol” and Noel Gallager in “Rituals”, the latter of which she was nominated for “Best Ingenue” in the Soap Opera Digest Awards. A former Miss LaHabra and expert in Polynesian Dance, Karen has had the privilege of working with entertainment greats such as; Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Marj Dusay, Tammy Wynette, Estelle Getty, Pat Morita, Gary Collins, Lanie Kazan, and Kin Shriner. Her theatre credits include “Stone Soup” and “Betty Bear Saves Christmas”.

After leaving Hollywood in 1988, Kenny and Karen (who met at a Hollywood party in 1986 while they were on their soap operas), were married in 1989 and became heavily involved in the theatrical arts ministry of a large local church acting, directing and choreographing skits and musical productions, including roles in original musical productions of “Rocky’s Place” “Johnny Bugle” and “Mystery At Windemere Mansion”. They’ve also had the privilege of starring in three independent Christian films - “Forevermore-The Karla Faye Tucker Story” Karen playing the title role of Karla Faye Tucker, “A Father’s Heart” and now “Come What May” with Advent Film Group. Through these films they have been able to use their gifts not just in acting but also in mentoring and helping other members of the casts to develop their acting and performing gifts.

CAST

George Escobar - Director/Producer

George Escobar, Producer, is founder of Advent Film Group and has over 20 years experience in film, television and interactive media. He co-produced/directed/and scripted COME WHAT MAY. George has worked for top executives in the industry including Howard Stringer - Sony CEO, Sandy Grushow and David Grant, both from Fox Network, Kit Laybourne, TELE-TV SVP, and Kim Friedman, veteran TV director. Most recently Escobar was VP of Product Development for Discovery, Executive Director for AOL/Time Warner, and is a former Producing Fellow from the American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies. He holds seven U.S. patents in technology and user-interface design. He and his wife homeschool three sons in Northern Virginia.

Manny Edwards - Director/Producer

Manny co-wrote/produced/directed COME WHAT MAY under his own banner, Brightline Pictures. Manny is a lawyer licensed to practice in Tennessee and Michigan. He was an editor for the

Pruitt Allen - Director of Photography

Pruitt Allen, "Come What May"'s Director of Photography, began his professional life in missions work, managing homeless shelters and after-school care programs. He then began selling computer networking equipment, eventually ending up in a top-tier sales position in New York City. After being encouraged by the attacks of September 11, 2001 to make a career change, Pruitt moved into filmmaking, and the independent film community in New York provided an ideal training ground. Eventually Pruitt found work as a lighting grip, gaffer and lighting designer for clients like CBS/Viacom, Fox, ABC, PBS and a variety of corporate and non-profit entities. He soon began working as a cameraman and then Director of Photography, with occasional forays into directing and producing work. He has served as DP on independent features, several documentaries, many short films, corporate and non-profit videos and music videos.

University of Toledo Law Review, clerked for the Honorable L. Clure Morton, a Tennessee federal judge, and then joined his father in a successful federal trial and appellate practice. He is the writer, producer, and director of MYSTERIOUS WAYS, executive producer of INVICTUS and several other short films, and co-director of the 2006 Georgia Christian Film Festival. Manny is a dual citizen of the United States and Switzerland. He lives near Nashville with his wife and four children.

PRO CREW

David Gilchrist

David came to the Lord at the young age of 6. Although aware of his fondness for music at the young age of 7, he didn't take up any instruments until he was 10 when he began to play the trombone. It wasn't until he was 17, when he picked up the guitar, that he realized he could and liked to compose songs. He began to play the piano at 19 and then gradually developed into helping the church worship team.

When David was around 28, that is when he began to attempt composing more intricate and more orchestral sounding pieces. David had always loved film and wanted to be a part of it. So at 35, David decided to plot his course and see how the Lord would determine his steps. After some "asking, seeking, and knocking", David was given the opportunity to score for a short narrative and documentary. It was during the showing of the documentary that David met George Escobar and, in time, was given the opportunity to score for Come What May.

David Gilchrist lives in the Pacific Northwest with his lovely and beautiful wife Leanne and their six absolutely wonderful children. David is a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service by day and one of many composers out there trying to give John Williams, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, Ennio Morricone and others a good "run for their money" (I don't gamble by the way) by night.

John William Doryk - Sound Design( www.johndoryk.com )

John is an award winning television/film composer, who has been creating original music and sound design for over 20 years. He has had his music performed on The Discovery Channel, PBS, FOX Network, Focus on the Family, Answers in Genesis Creation Museum, Coral Ridge Media, and many independent feature films. He currently resides in Colorado Springs with his wife Susan and two children, Stephen and Emily.

Daniel Noa - 1st Assistant Director and 2nd Unit Director

Daniel Noa is a Patrick Henry College Graduate who is responding to God's call on his life to enter the film industry. After starting the PHC film group, Streaming Media Network, Daniel continued to produce short films in California in conjunction with his friend, Brandon Rice. As Noa/Rice Digital, they produced the award winning short A Price Too High, as well as the recently completed Smuggler's Ransom, which was released in June

Ben Adams - Story Artist / Co-Producer / Location Manager / PHC Liaison / Casting Coordinator

Ben Adams was one of the earliest members of the production team for Come What May, spending many hours working out plot details with George Escobar and ultimately taking on the role of co-producer beside his friend and former roommate Mike Holcomb. The literature majors also had a co-cameo as the sleazy junior lawyer duo.

Ben's interest in film began in high school thanks to Chris White's teen film camps-a model he later appropriated with the help of Jeremy Clayton, enlisting about 10 local kids each year. For the camps, he wrote, directed, edited and produced two 1-hour feature films, Split Second (2004) and Where Grace Falls (2005). Much of his dramatic and creative training was received through the Patrick Henry College Eden Troupe. Ben played a total of nine consecutive roles while at PHC, and co-directed Christina Calvit's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Lisa Bode in the spring of 2006. He has also produced the video versions of most of these plays.

2008 by Cloud Ten Pictures and Koch Entertainment.*

Daniel believes that the new generation of Christian filmmakers will be able to attain positions of influence in the industry so long as they hold their work to the rigorous standards of quality that the mainstream audience expects of their movies.

PRO CREW

STUDENTS

Peter Forbes - Unit Production Manager and 2nd Assistant Director

Peter Edward Forbes has spent most of his life being home-schooled near the little town of Dinosaur, Colorado. Working as an assistant director in a local school’s musical drew him to the performing arts. Since then, he has tried his hand at directing, writing, and starring in several plays and amateur films.

Peter is currently a literature major at Patrick Henry College and began his Senior year in August 2008. He’s the Chief Executive Officer of PHC’s film club, Streaming Media Network, which has been graciously given no-fee access to Advent Film Group’s professional equipment. He also initiated Patrick Henry College’s first national short story competition in Fall 2008.

Ultimately, he wants to do what he loves professionally—tell stories in film and fiction, as far as it is in Christ’s will and love. A verse of special importance to Peter is Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Or, in movie speak, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Ben now resides in Fairfax, Virginia, with his new wife Lisa Adams. At present (aside from the minor task of establishing a new household), he is drafting the script for AFG's summer '09 production, working full-time with the Christian ministry Truth For Muslims, running a part-time videography

More than a Movie, it’s a MovementThe Christian community is failing to raise “superbly qualified” Christian filmmakers to direct big-budget movies, according to George Escobar, Ex-Discovery executive and American Film Institute producing fellow. Two recent major studio Christian-themed movies, “Amazing Grace” and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” were both directed by secular directors.

Escobar, who is a born-again Christian and homeschooling dad, launched Advent Film Group (AFG), an investor funded film production and distribution company, to help change culture and filmmaking in Hollywood by training a new generation Christian directors who will one day produce big-budget films with moral integrity.

“Our mission is to change culture for Christ through media,” said Escobar. “We are drawing from the outstanding talent and strength of the homeschooling community.”

AFG is working with dozens of homeschoolers from across the country to accomplish this mission. Advent has been endorsed by several high profile homeschooling advocates, including Dr. Michael Farris, founder and chancellor of Patrick Henry College, the nation's only Christian liberal arts college established to serve homeschooled students; Dr. Graham Walker, president of Patrick Henry College; and Michael Smith, president of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

The timing is right as new digital technologies and internet marketing are giving Christian filmmakers the resources to challenge an industry dominated by multimillion-dollar budgets. The most successful examples are “Facing the Giants (FTG),” a film about a high school football team, was made by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. The film earned $10 million in box office sales and sold over 1.5 million DVDs, all with just a $100,000 filming budget. “Fireproof,” made for $500,000 was released on September 26th, 2008. It has earned over $33 million at the box office and sold over 2 million DVDs. (FTG took 17 weeks to earn $10 million.)

“AFG’s movie budgets are similarly ‘right-sized’ to our self-distribution campaign and network,” according to Escobar. “With a cast/crew of over 40 homeschooled students mentored by a handful of film professionals, Advent’s first movie, “Come What May” completed post-production in Colorado and Tennessee, following principal photography last summer in Purcellville, Virginia.

AFG’s network of supporters, now several hundred homeschooling families strong (and growing), are helping promote the film across the country. Recently, a packed audience of 2,000 filled Rolling Hills Community Church in Portland, Oregon, while 800 filled the Grants Pass Oregon Performing Art Center. On the east coast, two nearly sold-out screenings were held at Harrisonburg, Virginia’s Court Square Theater. Dozens of church screenings are now underway through Outreach Films.

The movie also received ten distribution offers, ending up with Provident Films (a unit of Sony) who also distributed “Facing The Giants” and “Fireproof”. To put this in perspective, out of the 4,000 independent movies made each year, only 5% receive any kind of distribution offer. CWM has certainly beaten the odds.

“Come What May” has garnered wide attention because it features Patrick Henry College (PHC), a national powerhouse in debate and moot court competition. The movie centers on two PHC students who battle to overturn Roe v. Wade at the National Moot Court Championship. The movie features Mike Farris as the real-life PHC debate coach.

Homeschooled students and their parents, interested in rebuilding culture for Christ in cinema, have sought out AFG as an alternative to film school. “This fulfills part of AFG’s mission,” says Escobar, “to train student not just to make movies, but to tell stories with fidelity to a biblical worldview.”

Unlike film schools where students pay large tuitions to practice making unmarketable short or student films, AFG productions are feature-length for commercial release from the start, giving the completed film immediate

market value. AFG actually pay college students a small stipend even as they are trained, earn professional credits, and receive profit-participation points.

Escobar gives details, “We’re doing this because film schools really don’t work for Christian filmmakers. Secular film programs often lead Christians toward compromise, while Christian film students are often relegated to televangelistic or fuzzy faith-based projects.”

According to AFG’s model, homeschoolers should save their “film school money” and use it to make their own feature films after they learn storytelling from schools like PHC. Advent believes that students who master classic literature, history, English, art history, all from biblical worldview will become the best filmmakers. “We can teach students all the mechanics of filmmaking in about 2-3 months. That’s the easy part. Story is hard. And entertaining stories told from a Christian worldview are the hardest.” Escobar clarifies.

Even as AFG works with distributors for a wide release of

the movie, AFG is also building a movie distribution system from within the homeschooling, and pro-life/pro-family communities. Rather than sharing film revenues strictly with traditional distributors, AFG seeks to channel revenue into Christian and family-based organizations.

Escobar remarks. “Homeschoolers have already successfully turned the public education monopoly upside down, we will now do the same in cinema production and distribution.”

COME WHAT MAY Wins a “Redemptive Storyteller Award”

The movie has won a Redemptive Storyteller Award from the Redemptive Film Festival held at Regent University. It was also an Official Selection at the Gideon Media Arts Film Festival.

"I have seen COME WHAT MAY with my bride and I am greatly overwhelmed," exclaims Kurt Ramspott, Guys-For-Life founder. "Not by the pageantry

and prose of such a great film, rather, by the strength, determination and courage of America's finest Christian youth to stand up and deliver such a compelling message in the wake of Roe vs. Wade being taken for granted in America, never to be overturned. This film could be a tipping point in this dramatic battle of Good vs. Evil in our lifetime."

"I am convinced that this new movie is the 'right stuff' and the type of film that will truly motivate God's people into understanding a new reality," adds Ramspott. "Simply put, Roe vs. Wade's days are numbered! Rejoice!"