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JOHN NEWTON, CLERK,

Once an Infidel and Libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa,

Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour

JESUS CHRIST,

Preserved, restored, pardoned,

And appointed to preach the Faith

he had long laboured to destroy.

- John Newton Epitaph

A Powerful BA Powerful BA Powerful BA Powerful But Untold Storyut Untold Storyut Untold Storyut Untold Story John Newton (1725-1807) was a

rebel, a troublemaker, and one-time

slave become slave ship captain. His

troubled life would be so trans-

formed by the love of God that he

would later become a minister of the

Gospel, author of one of the world’s

most beloved hymns, and a driving

force behind the movement to

abolish the slave trade.

His dramatic story of a life utterly

transformed by grace is not

commonly known, though nearly

everyone knows his most famous

hymn, Amazing Grace. For some

reason, the powerful story of this man’s faith journey has been sidelined and footnoted, but

never featured in a film. The well-financed 2006 biographical drama Amazing Grace,

directed by Michael Apted, was actually about William Wilberforce, and mentions Newton’s

story only as background.

COMENIUS FOUNDATION and the CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE have partnered with

award-winning director John Jackman to bring this astonishing story to DVD, Blu-Ray,

VOD, and television in a way that will find extensive educational use in churches of all

denominations. The script and production plan have been carefully crafted to produce a

dramatically effective project on a limited budget. Special arrangements to film on an

authentic tall ship will lend a depth of visual authenticity to the film far beyond its budget.

The funding of the film as a non-profit project through donations will allow the DVD to be

used in local churches without the payment of additional licensing fees.

Erik Nelson in the stage production of But Now I See

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How Can You Help?How Can You Help?How Can You Help?How Can You Help?

But Now I See will be funded through tax-deductible nonprofit donations. Your

generous donation for the project through Comenius Foundation will help make this

important project a reality; and your gift will be tax deductible to the fullest extent

allowed by IRS rules.

Comenius Foundation, established in 1999, received its final determination as a

recognized nonprofit foundation by the IRS in 2000. Organized to create projects

that promoted faith, learning, and love through the effective use of television and

film, Comenius Foundation has a track record of award-winning projects.

Giving Levels:

$100 – Donors receive advance special edition DVD when completed.

$500 – Special thanks in the credits, invitation to meet in private reception at

Movie Premiere; and advance special edition DVD when completed.

$1000 – Assistant Producer credit in end credits; invitation to meet actors in

private reception at Movie Premiere; and advance special edition DVD when

completed.

$5000 – Associate Producer credit; opportunity to visit the set during filming;

invitation to meet actors in private reception at Movie Premiere; and advance

special edition DVD when completed.

YOUR DONATION HELPS US FINISH!

The Christian History Institute and Vision Video have

pledged a total of $50,000 in donations and royalty

advances; private donations to date have totaled

$26,000. Filming began in May, 2013 and will be

completed in August. We must raise the remaining

$49,000 by mid-August to be able to complete the film!

Please send your tax-deductible donation to

Comenius Foundation, PO Box 22,

Lewisville, NC 27023. Comenius Foundation is an IRS certified independent

501(c)(3) which uses film and television to promote faith,

learning, and love.

sung around the world, including

Judgment, Day of Wonders!, and the belov

the parish of St Mary Woolnoth in London, he encouraged the abolitionist movement

and was spiritual advisor for

abolished the slave trade in England.

A kindly sailor gives John Newton a cup of water after he is conscripted

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The John Newton StoryThe John Newton StoryThe John Newton StoryThe John Newton StoryAs a young man, serving on slave ships, John

Newton was known even among sailors as a bad

influence – his shipmates called him the “Great

Blasphemer.” At one point he was sold into

slavery himself following an attempted mutiny. He

was redeemed out of slavery by his merchant

marine father, who then purchased him a

commission as a slave ship captain. Following a

profound spiritual experience during a storm at

sea, Newton resigned from the slave trade and

sought to become a minister of the Church of

England. Eventually obtaining ordination, he

served at the Parish of St. Peter and Paul in Olney,

where he wrote hundreds of hymns that are still

sung around the world, including Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

, and the beloved hymn Amazing Grace. Later called to

the parish of St Mary Woolnoth in London, he encouraged the abolitionist movement

and was spiritual advisor for William Wilberforce, who sponsored the act that finally

abolished the slave trade in England.

kindly sailor gives John Newton a cup of water after he is conscripted into the Navy

The John Newton StoryThe John Newton StoryThe John Newton StoryThe John Newton Story As a young man, serving on slave ships, John

Newton was known even among sailors as a bad

his shipmates called him the “Great

Blasphemer.” At one point he was sold into

slavery himself following an attempted mutiny. He

very by his merchant

purchased him a

commission as a slave ship captain. Following a

profound spiritual experience during a storm at

sea, Newton resigned from the slave trade and

sought to become a minister of the Church of

. Eventually obtaining ordination, he

served at the Parish of St. Peter and Paul in Olney,

where he wrote hundreds of hymns that are still

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, Day of

. Later called to

the parish of St Mary Woolnoth in London, he encouraged the abolitionist movement

William Wilberforce, who sponsored the act that finally

into the Navy.

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The DirectorThe DirectorThe DirectorThe Director The Rev. John P. Jackman, (Pastor, author, and

filmmaker) has been involved in video & television

production since the mid-seventies, and was one of the

early adopters of digital video and digital production

techniques. An award-winning director and producer,

he is the author of Lighting for Digital Video and

Television (2004, CMP Books), Bluescreen Compositing

for Television & Moviemaking (2007, Focal Press) and for

years was contributing editor to Digital Video Magazine.

His Compositing book has been translated into

Spanish, and his lighting book has been translated into

Chinese. The third expanded, full color edition of his lighting book was just

released at NAB. He is also working on a new book on the emerging church,

Deinstitutionalizing Jesus, and another, A Brief History of Hell.

Jackman has broadcast credits with ABC, The Hallmark Channel, The History

Channel, UCB-TV in the UK, and numerous public television stations. Some of his

production credits include:

• The Moravian Video Magazine (1989-1994) Producer, Director

• After the War: Rebuilding Nicaragua (1991 doc) Producer, Dir.

• Professor Gigabyte (1997, television pilot) Special Effects Dir.

• Lighting for Digital Video (2000, instructional) Director

• The Count Comes to Call (2000, drama) Director, Writer

• Zinzendorf (2001, documentary miniseries) Director, Writer

• Marvin the Mealtime Monster (2002, children's) Director

• Career Bounce-Back (2003, instructional series) Director

• Hymns of Praise (2003, drama) Director, Writer

• An Uncommon Union (2004, Drama) Producer, Director

• Windsor Knot (2005, Drama) Producer, Director

• Passing Moment (2006, Drama) Producer, Director

• Wesley (2009 Dramatic Feature) Producer, Director

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Jackman has been recognized at many film festivals and with numerous national

peer-judged awards, including:

• 1997 Telly Award (documentary)

• 1998 Telly Award (commercial)

• 2001 Aurora Award (documentary)

• 2001 Aegis Award (documentary)

• 2001 Aegis Award (children's)

• 2002 Communicator Award (children's)

• 2002 Crown Award (documentary) In'tl Christian Visual Media Assn.

• 2003 Communicator Award (instructional)

• 2004 Aegis Award (promotional)

• 2007 Aurora Award (short film)

• 2009 Gold Telly Classic Award (documentary series)

• 2010 Platinum FEXY Award (motion graphics/CGI special FX)

• 2011 AVA Platinum Award (Feature Film Trailer)

Jackman has taught professional workshops on digital production and lighting for

the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the American Film Institute (AFI),

DV Expo, as well as film schools, college, and university programs. He has been

consultant to the the Library of Congress. He serves on the Board of Directors of

the Piedmont Triad Film Commission. He most recently produced and directed a

feature film based on the life of John Wesley; principal photography was completed

in June and July of 2007, with release in November 2009. Wesley is now in regional

release in selected theatres. He has several other feature films in various stages of

development.

Jackman is an ordained minister in the

Moravian Church. He has served

churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey,

and North Carolina. He currently serves

as pastor of Trinity Moravian Church in

Winston-Salem NC and is Chair of the

Salem Congregation Board of Elders. He

and his wife Debbie and daughter Abigail

live in Lewisville with two lazy cats, eight

quacking ducks, no partridges in the pear

tree, and lots of creative storytelling.

Jackman consults the master script during filming on the

tall ship Hector in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

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The Tall ShipsThe Tall ShipsThe Tall ShipsThe Tall Ships Based on our experience producing Wesley, building

a realistic and effective set for a tall ship is

extraordinarily expensive; and renting most tall ships

that have been used in movies, such as the now-

sunken HMS Bounty, is also prohibitively expensive.

The HectorThe HectorThe HectorThe Hector

We have been fortunate to reach an agreement with

the non-profit Hector Quay Heritage Society in

Pictou, Nova Scotia, to permit filming on the tall ship

Hector for a very reasonable cost, fully in keeping

with the budget of the movie. This ship will serve,

with varying decorations, lighting, and camera angles, as a primary set for most of the “ship

deck” and “below decks” scenes in the movie. A small core crew and key actors will travel to

Nova Scotia in mid-May for three full days of filming

on the Hector before she is opened for the tourist

season. Local crew and extras will be hired from

Pictou and nearby Halifax.

The USS ConstellationThe USS ConstellationThe USS ConstellationThe USS Constellation

Essential scenes from the warship HMS Harwitch will

be shot in one day on the historic USS Constellation in

Baltimore through an affordable arrangement with

their special events manager.

Sony Pictures Stock FootageSony Pictures Stock FootageSony Pictures Stock FootageSony Pictures Stock Footage

We have negotiated a special license for worldwide limited theatrical & DVD use of footage

of tall ships at sea as well as very

specialized footage of a tall ship in

flames (for the “Ring Dream” sequence)

from Sony Pictures. This license is

also in keeping with our budget and

substantially less costly than the

prohibitive cost of taking a ship to sea

for filming or animating realistic

footage in 3D.

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The Ring DreamThe Ring DreamThe Ring DreamThe Ring Dream A little-known but powerful incident in Newton’s life was a dream that he had at age 18, a

dream of deep symbolism that came back to him again and again throughout his life. Here is

an edited excerpt from his memoirs:

The scene presented to my imagination was the harbour of Venice, where we had lately

been. I thought it was night, and my watch upon the deck; and that, as I was walking to

and fro by myself, a person came to me, I do not remember from whence, and brought me a

ring, with an express charge to keep it carefully: assuring me, that while I preserved the

ring I would be happy and successful: but if I lost or parted with it, I must expect nothing

but trouble and misery.

I accepted the present and the terms willingly, not in the least doubting my own care to

preserve it, and highly satisfied to have my happiness in my own keeping. I was engaged in

these thoughts, when a second person came to me, and observing the ring on my finger,

took occasion to ask me some questions concerning it. I readily told him all its virtues; and

his answer expressed a surprise at my weakness, in expecting such effects from a ring. I

think he reasoned with me for some time upon the impossibility of the thing; and at length

urged me, in direct terms, to throw it away.

At first I was shocked with the proposal; but his insinuations prevailed. I began to reason

and doubt myself, and at last plucked it off my finger, and dropped it over the ship’s side

into the water; which it no sooner touched, than I saw, at the same instant, a terrible fire

burst out from a range of mountains, on shore and on the ship itself.

I perceived, too late, my folly; and my tempter, with an air of insult, informed me, that all

the mercy of God in reserve for me was comprised in that ring, which I had wilfully thrown

away.

I understood that I must now go with him into the fire, and that all the flames I saw were

kindled on my account. I trembled, and was in great agony; so that it was surprising I did

not then awake: but my

dream continued; and when

I thought myself upon the

point of constrained

departure, and stood, self-

condemned, without plea or

hope, suddenly, either a

third person, or the same

who brought the ring at

first, came to me, (I am not

certain which), and

demanded the cause of my

grief. I told him the plain

case, confessing that I had ruined myself wilfully, and deserved no pity. He blamed my

rashness; and asked, if I should be wiser supposing I had my ring again. I could hardly

answer to this; for I thought it was gone beyond recall. I believe indeed, I had

answer, before I saw this unexpected friend go down under the water, just in the spot where

I had dropped it; and he soon returned, bringing the ring with him.

The moment he came on board, the flames in the mountain were extinguished, and my

seducer left me.

This amazingly symbolic imagery will stand alone as a sermon illustration, and we plan to

expend a good amount of effort in an artful and effective capture of this vision on film.

You are not able to keep it: but I will

preserve it for you, and, whenever it is

needful, will produce it in your behalf.’

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case, confessing that I had ruined myself wilfully, and deserved no pity. He blamed my

rashness; and asked, if I should be wiser supposing I had my ring again. I could hardly

answer to this; for I thought it was gone beyond recall. I believe indeed, I had

answer, before I saw this unexpected friend go down under the water, just in the spot where

I had dropped it; and he soon returned, bringing the ring with him.

The moment he came on board, the flames in the mountain were extinguished, and my

Then was “the prey taken from the hand of the mighty,

and the lawful captive delivered”. My fears were at an

end, and with joy and gratitude I approached my kind

deliverer to receive the ring again; but he refused to

return it and spoke to this effect: ‘If you should be

entrusted with this ring again, you would very soon bring

yourself into the same distress; you are not able to keep

it: but I will preserve it for you, and, whenever it is

needful, will produce it in your behalf.’

ingly symbolic imagery will stand alone as a sermon illustration, and we plan to

expend a good amount of effort in an artful and effective capture of this vision on film.

You are not able to keep it: but I will

preserve it for you, and, whenever it is

ful, will produce it in your behalf.’

case, confessing that I had ruined myself wilfully, and deserved no pity. He blamed my

rashness; and asked, if I should be wiser supposing I had my ring again. I could hardly

answer to this; for I thought it was gone beyond recall. I believe indeed, I had not time to

answer, before I saw this unexpected friend go down under the water, just in the spot where

The moment he came on board, the flames in the mountain were extinguished, and my

Then was “the prey taken from the hand of the mighty,

and the lawful captive delivered”. My fears were at an

end, and with joy and gratitude I approached my kind

deliverer to receive the ring again; but he refused to

this effect: ‘If you should be

ntrusted with this ring again, you would very soon bring

yourself into the same distress; you are not able to keep

it: but I will preserve it for you, and, whenever it is

ingly symbolic imagery will stand alone as a sermon illustration, and we plan to

expend a good amount of effort in an artful and effective capture of this vision on film.

You are not able to keep it: but I will

preserve it for you, and, whenever it is

ful, will produce it in your behalf.’