Filming Frantic in New York City; Journaling Behind the Scenes

We just finished shooting in New York!!! It was snowy and magical in Manhattan. It reminded me of the most beautiful backdrop ever seen in Central Park…. And then it melted. Apparently, God cares about film continuity too…:0)

‘The Farmer and The Belle’Behind the Scenes Journal No. 4Filming Frantic in New York City

Jenn Gotzon Chandler, ProducerOur editor, Christopher Ridder made a list of Christmas iconic shots needed in New York City. He was a kid in a candy store when he got off the plane, as he never visited the Big Apple before. What a fun gift. Our second unit director and camera owner Reuben Evans flew in late night Saturday after the snow. Our skeleton crew of volunteers Christopher, Reuben, Jim and myself piled camp style in our humble abode for a winter night’s sleep. We filmed four days of pickup shots including Belle’s Manager Conrad (Rich Swingle) getting kicked out of the cab, hilarious moments of The Farmer (Jim’s character) getting lost in NYC, plates for green screen during cab ride scenes and a needed shot to complete last year’s chase scene.Did you see our first Facebook LIVE of the mounting mayhem (below)?For driving sequences in the film, we used a cloud mount suction-cupped to the hood of our car with Reuben as the technician and me, Jenn, as the driver…. Eeeek! No pedestrians or animals were hurt in the making of this movie. Yes. It was I who was behind the helm of the wheel with feet barely able to touch the pedals. With one eye closed… to pray… God literally moved and arranged the traffic that day. 5th Avenue traffic lights would turn green and the proper amount of taxi cabs would pull in front, filling the camera frame for a glorious image. One time we needed Belle’s Cab, the exact style Belle and her manager (Rich Swingle) get into in the beginning the movie... As soon as we prayed, “Jesus, this is your movie, please provide what is needed for this scene,” the cab appeared out of nowhere. This was one example of the many miracles of answered prayers from filming in Manhattan that week. Including having Rich, a local native help with production in Rockefeller Center, The Plaza Hotel, Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge.

Blessed by volunteers

Many of our production team have believed so much in the story of “The Farmer and The Belle,” they have worked for backend pay or volunteered, like Ginger Beggs, writing the exclusive journals for TogetherLA.net. Christopher Ridder created our pitch trailer, which God used to bring success at AFM American Film Market, ie. potential talks with Hallmark. Our writing team, James M. De Vince, Reuben Evans and Billy Falcon, spent months crafting “The Farmer and The Belle” script, professionals are deeming it an “A” studio worthy script. Our costume designers Lisa Murphy from England making the Matching Adult, Kid and Animal Real Love Pink Onesies, Caroline Lauvetz from Savannah, GA making Belle’s Green Supermodel Coat and KC, jeweler from NYC making our movie’s hero Mojo Bracelet, a scripture inscribed charm bracelet sold with the DVD for girls to know what their worth is based on.Would you like to give a Christmas Gift to help compensate our production team? Jim and Jenn explain how in this video. We are praying for fishes and loaves to raise $35,000 to pay for development, trusting God to bring in the $500,000 for our production.

• Impact culture with a Hilarious Christmas Movie with Biblical values about finding Real Love (Jesus).
• Autographed Limited Edition Photograph from THE FARMER AND THE BELLE with Biblical Message.
• Your Family Name in the Credit Scroll of the Movie.
• CHRISTMAS GIFT via PayPal

Christmas Sketch Video

The actors and creators of The Farmer and The Belle, newlyweds Jim E. Chandler (Stranger Things) and Jenn Gotzon Chandler (God’s Country) wish you and your family the merriest Christmas. They created this silly Christmas video exclusively for Together LA to share with you:Silly Christmas Sketch Videohttps://youtu.be/5RTAqQ7RELwOur movie is about helping girls know their value does not come from their beauty, fame or social following, but by treating and loving one another with grace, forgiveness, respect, honor and love exemplified through God's present to us through the Nativity, Jesus, the Real Love of Christmas.Pray for Jim, me and our team to be used by God making this Family, Christmas Comedy Movie THE FARMER AND THE BELLE into a classic wholesome Christmas tradition for families to enjoy for generations to come. We have filmed 15% of the movie (view trailer) including Christmas in NYC and our wedding. The remaining needs to be filmed at Jim's family's farm in GA. We are praying to premiere on Hallmark for Thanksgiving / Christmas 2018.[gallery type="slideshow" link="none" size="large" ids="3663,3664,3665" orderby="rand"]

PRESS RELEASE: All I Want For Christmas

Together LA Exclusive Journal: Making a Movie

Behind the Scenes: Journal Entry No. 1

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Behind the Scenes: Synergy of a Script [Journal No 3]

There are times during the process of scriptwriting when an unparalleled melting pot of creativity happens. A special synergy of creativity within a huge writing team for the family, Christmas comedy movie, “The Farmer and The Belle,” produced just such times and a truly inspired script.

The Farmer and The BelleBehind the Scenes: Synergy of a Script [Journal Entry No. 3]

Ginger Beggs, EditorThere were more than a dozen voices that spoke life into the final script of this movie. There were two scripts already written, one by Leo Partible and one by Billy Falcon. The challenge came in not only combining the scripts and filling in or adding what was needed, but for the head writer to take in the many voices and merge it into one.Reuben Evans is the head writer for The Farmer and The Belle, and he took a very creative approach to the script. Reuben took not only the two existing scripts to merge into one, but invited over a dozen other people to give their ideas.Reuben is the ideal head writer for this film’s writing team. He is the Executive Producer of Faithlife TV and Faithlife Films. He's an experienced commercial director and documentary filmmaker. His resume includes projects like “Reunion,” “Archaeology + Jesus,” “Aliens & Demons,” and “Fragments of Truth.” Reuben continues to work in film including the role of Script Development Supervisor for this movie. He resides in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife SaraAnn and three children.One of the magical elements of being able to efficiently and freely share ideas within the creative team is Reuben’s software platform, “Faithlife.” Writers can access the software on their computer, phone or other device, and see what other writers were submitting as well as share comments and ideas of their own. This made for a real-time information stream for all the writers, and most crucially, for Reuben. Check out www.Faithlife.com for a social media platform that is Holy Spirit-breathed to connect, collaborate, pray and live life together.From producers Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon Chandler to co-writer James M. DeVince, to multiple backgrounds of writers, came the concepts and ideas that Reuben would bring together for the screenplay. The FaithLife platform contributed to the unexplainable spirit of excitement and camaraderie between everyone.As the script was reviewed and ideas shared, everyone communicated with the kind of togetherness normally only known from an in-person story table. It was the biblical “iron sharpening iron” that was so beautiful to experience.The organization of so many ideas from so many people into one cohesive script was not an easy task for Reuben, but by using his platform it was easier to see an idea along with a thread of comments and additions to that particular idea.

READ: The Making of a Family, Christmas Comedy Movie [Journal Entry No. 1]

The making of this film is special for many reasons. The amazing merging of ideas and talent truly helped build the foundation for the film’s message. Each character was given more depth, each scene was expanded in description and every word of dialogue was enriched to help bring the characters to life in a special way. Most of all, the Spirit led all those involved in becoming one for the purpose of setting the scene literally for this hilarious but meaningful family Christmas comedy movie.

READ: Behind the Scenes - Sculpting the Script For ‘The Farmer and The Belle’ [Journal Entry No. 2]

In the next journal we will further explore how the script was decorated to come to life on the big screen, but as a special treat, here’s a message from co-writer and architect behind The Farmer and The Belle script, Reuben Evans:

Christmas Comedy Movie Producers Share Film’s Progress in Exclusive Journal

In the coming weeks, we’ll share with you the in-depth filming and production of Jim and Jenn's real wedding as part of the film and much more. From equipment crew to how to cast the colorful characters that help bring the joy to this holiday film!The producers wish to give you an early Christmas gift!Go to www.tinyurl.com/ChristmasComedyMovie, and they will send you a promo code when the movie releases!Follow the family Christmas comedy movie “The Farmer and The Belle” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFarmerandTheBelle.ChristmasComedyMovie and get updates on the website at www.ChristmasComedyMovie.com.Be sure to share the ongoing journal posts and hashtag: #TheFarmerandTheBelle #ChristmasComedyMovie #RealLove.Content and editing by Ginger Beggs.

The Making of a Family, Christmas Comedy Movie [Journal No 1]

Oscar Wilde once said that, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” There are the rare instances, however, that art does it’s fair share of imitating life. Before the concept and script for the family, Christmas comedy movie The Farmer and The Belle came into fruition, the stories of two people on separate journeys were unfolding. This journey has the makings of a true fairytale story, but eventually also a moving piece of art with a beautiful message for the big screen.

'The Farmer and The Belle'Behind the Scenes Journal No. 1From Fairytale to Film

Ginger Beggs, EditorMost of us have dreamed of a Hollywood film ending or a fairytale romance. For Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon Chandler, they definitely got the best of both worlds. Like book and movie fairytale stories, Jim and Jenn would also face obstacles and pain on their journey. The redeeming message of restoration, hope, love and laughter is what makes this so much more than fables. This is a “fairytale to film” story, but it truly began in film.

READ: Behind the Scenes - Sculpting the Script For ‘The Farmer and The Belle’ [Journal No 2]

In June of 2014, Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon Chandler met on the set of “Sinking Sand”, as fellow actors. They became friends, not knowing what God had in store for them. They both have very uplifting and comical personalities, which eventually would spark a love for a lifetime. Often, Hollywood couples come together during the making of a film. For Jim and Jenn, it wasn’t until after their film that a plan by God was revealed.Jim and Jenn filmed together as love interests in Sinking Sand (coming soon by Sony), The Colors of Emily (releases Nov 28), Saving Faith (coming soon by Lionsgate) and The Farmer and The Belle (Thanksgiving 2018). They’ve been involved in two television pilots and four more movies coming soon. One is the novel-based movie, “The Crickets Dance”. These experiences not only helped shaped them as actors, but it deepened the friendship and love that was blooming. Like the story of “The Farmer and The Belle”, they began to bring their diverse backgrounds together to broaden their worlds and open their eyes even more to the wonder of the mate God chose for them.Your typical fairytale requires a damsel in distress and a prince to rescue her. In this “fairytale-like” love story though, two people ran towards God and collided in the most exquisite manner. Jim and Jenn were living for God, and despite pain in the past, were open to what God would have in His plan. They sought out to have the eternal flame of love through God, that would last beyond the last page of the book or the last frame of film.Jim and Jenn, like so many of us, came from broken pasts. They pursued the healing that only Jesus could provide. They deepened their relationship with Christ, and renewed their minds daily with scripture. After they met, Jim’s pastor (who also married them), advised Jim to court Jenn like they did “in the good ‘ole days.” Jim focused on friendship and pointing Jenn’s heart to Jesus. Jim would write handwritten letters with encouraging words and scriptures. He would tell Jenn daily, “Jenn, you’re beautiful.” That helped Jenn obtain the much needed healing in her heart concerning her true identity. Jim told Jenn she was beautiful because she was made in God’s image. Jim continued pursuing Jenn’s heart in friendship and they became the best of friends, getting to know everything they could about each other. They began to talk about forever and lifelong commitment.

READ: Behind the Scenes - Synergy of a Script [Journal No 3]

So how did this love story become the backdrop of the family Christmas comedy movie, “The Farmer and The Belle”? It began approximately a year ago during a 40-day fast, after Jim proposed to Jenn. Mid-way through this fast, God dropped the vision of this story and the rest is “to-be” film history.Jim and Jenn worked on the story together in New York City at Jenn’s apartment and at a local coffee shop in the Upper West Side. In a backstory worthy of film, it would also be this location where the actual ending of the movie, “The Farmer and The Belle”, would be filmed. Whenever Jenn would visit Jim’s home in Georgia, his dad took her to feed the pigs. She soon realized she knew nothing about farm life and felt like a fish out of water. She would often think on and compare the situation, to the nursery rhyme “Farmer in the Dell.” From there, Josh Carpenter (farmer) and Belle Winters were formed as the main characters. Now you have the “farmer” and the “Belle” for this holiday romance and comedy.This is just the first of many journal articles for this exciting family comedy Christmas movie, “The Farmer and The Belle.” We will be letting the audience in on the behind-the-scenes action as the film goes from script to screen. We will not only reveal funny outtakes and special commentary from writers, but you’ll join our journey of other challenges like the locations that span from Georgia to New York! It’s so much more than a movie and we want you to step by step be there right along with us as a Together LA reader.

Christmas Comedy Movie Producers Share Film’s Progress in Exclusive Journal

In the coming weeks, we’ll share with you how writers were chosen, the in-depth filming and production of their real wedding as part of the film and much more. The teams from equipment crew to how to cast the colorful characters that help bring the joy to this holiday film!

The producers wish to give you an early Christmas gift!Go to www.tinyurl.com/ChristmasComedyMovie, and they will send you a promo code when the movie releases!

Follow the family Christmas comedy movie “The Farmer and The Belle” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFarmerandTheBelle.ChristmasComedyMovie and get updates on the website at www.ChristmasComedyMovie.com.

Be sure to share the ongoing journal posts and hashtag: #TheFarmerandTheBelle #ChristmasComedyMovie #RealLove.

Content and editing by Ginger Beggs.

Journal Entry #2 - Behind the Scenes: Sculpting the Script For ‘The Farmer and The Belle’

Christmas Comedy Movie Producers Share Film's Progress in Exclusive Journal

Producing and acting in a Christmas comedy movie simply has to be Jenn (Gotzon) Chandler's sweet spot.Jenn has quite an extensive resume of films that reflect her passion to share redemptive stories filled with hope — and in God’s perfect timing, the love found in a relationship with Jesus.Together LA has been invited to track with Jenn and the producers (which include her husband, Jim) of the family, Christmas comedy movie "The Farmer and The Belle" as they make the film to be released next year.The TLA exclusive journal will feature stories from the behind-the-scenes making of the movie from concept to the theater screen.“There is so much that goes into the making of a movie,” producers said. “Our goal as a collective team is to have as many members in the production share their experience, along with some honest, fun videos from behind the scenes of making The Farmer and The Belle, our family, Christmas comedy movie based on Christian values.”Filmmakers ask that TLA readers join them in prayer for all those involved in the ministry of making this movie.“Our prayer is to make The Farmer and The Belle into a Christmas perennial classic (like 'Elf' or 'Home Alone') with Christian values. The film is created to bring families together as a holiday tradition for generations to come,” producers explain. “It’s a funny and heart warming movie to watch around Thanksgiving to usher in the presence of Christmas and the real love of Jesus.”

A Real Life Fairytale: Actor/Producers Jim and Jenn (Gotzon) Chandler Tell Their Story

In addition to reading the movie’s journal at TLA, audiences can follow The Farmer and The Belle on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and get updates on the website at www.ChristmasComedyMovie.com.

FREE Promo Code for The Farmer and The Belle

Producers remind readers to be sure to share the ongoing journal posts and hashtag: #TheFarmerandTheBelle #ChristmasComedyMovie #RealLove.