'Because of Grácia' True To Teen Life; Moriah Peters Shines Light
/It's been a long time since I've been a teenager.However, while watching an advanced screening of Because of Grácia (film released this weekend) I was transported back to my high school days rather seamlessly in this engaging movie that challenges the commonly accepted focus of teens and offers up the truth in the form of one student in particular who is living out their faith in God.In its promotion, Because of Grácia may try too hard to avoid being tagged a Christian film. I root for efforts like these often, but mostly pray for a good film irregardless of its label.Chase Morgan would love to live up to his own name and pursue something great. It's his senior year and he’s still as insecure as ever but Eastglenn High's newest student is about to turn that around. Grácia is a girl with charisma, intelligence and conviction but she’s not as “put together” as Chase and his best friend OB might think. A dark past gives her a unique connection with Bobbi, a misunderstood classmate with a pushy boyfriend and disconnected father. As Bobbi struggles with a life-and-death decision and Chase risks rejection, Grácia challenges her friends, teachers and even herself to step outside the status quo. Because of Grácia’s inspiring strength, those around her are finding it easier to speak up and fall in love.In the end, it's not about how the film is packaged, but the fact that it is well made, funny, real, and carries an important message about life.Writer/director/producer Tom Sines, who teaches film in Canada, said he originally wrote the story as a stage play. When interviewed by the 700 Club, Sines said, "There is a demographic that I don't see in films that I see in my classroom every day and that's Christian young people trying to live out their faith. So, I started writing out a story about a kid named Chase Morgan and all I started with was the premise was that he was in his bedroom trying to get up the courage to call a girl and ask her out."Because of Grácia stars former American Idol contestant, Moriah Peters, who says her appearance on the show mirrors the experience of her character in the film.The Hollywood Reporter stated that Peters, then 16, tried out for American Idol and told judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Avril Lavigne that she was a Christian who was saving her first kiss for marriage.Peters said the celebrity judges praised her looks and her singing, but belittled her chaste lifestyle. One judge told her, "You're trying to be too perfect," while another told her, "Go out, kiss a guy, come back," she says.
Peters' character is similarly saving herself for marriage. She also sings and is called “perfect” in the movie, just like on American Idol seven years ago."I honestly thought the director built Gracia’s character around my high school experiences," she said. “I was allowed to simply be myself, and it wasn’t difficult to dive into the controversial and tense circumstances."There is more than one hot button topic brought to the surface in Because of Grácia and that makes the film very gratifying to after-movie discussion lovers. Go see and discuss amongst yourselves.
“Too often we say Hollywood is against Christians or Hollywood is against that,” said Franklin during a session at Proclaim 17, the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) International Christian Media Convention in Orlando earlier this year. “Let me tell you something, if you believe that, that’s what’s going to be the reality. I don’t believe that. I believe that if God has already gone before me he’s going to make a way.”Franklin, who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, said his desire to work in entertainment came early in his life, but words of discouragement from others, including friends and relatives were common.“You can’t go into Hollywood. Are you crazy? This is the devil’s playground,” he said, referring to what he was told. “It’s Sodom and Gomorrah. In fact, get the anointing oil, we are going to pass the demon out of this boy."In his message at NRB (below), he said, “What I really want people to understand is that if God is for us who can be against us, and we have to begin to shift our mentality and know that if God gave us this ambition and this dream that we have to live it out in the authenticity in which he gave it to us as an honor to him because he is the one who gave us the desire and the gift to begin with.”
In a world filled with lies and temptations about love, you could imagine my surprise when I found out that a movie is being made going completely against every fairytale ever made. You see the difference between this movie’s love story and others is, it’s real. The movie is based on a real life love story where the main characters learn that worldly love isn’t what you want; what you want is an everlasting love. A love that makes you laugh louder, cry harder, and will overwhelm you in every way possible.The Farmer and The Belle not only shows us how to obtain the same romance and love found in made up fairytales, but also shows us how it is not possible without putting The Lord first. It’s honestly a breath of fresh air. The Farmer and The Belle, to be released in fall of 2018, it is jammed pack with comedy, romance, inspiration, and REAL FOOTAGE, this film is like none seen before.Yes, you heard me right, the movie holds real footage from the couples’ actual wedding — meaning you will see the real kiss from the wedding day!Finally, there is a love story we can all look up to, a real life fairytale.I had the chance to talk to Jim and Jenn (Gotzon) Chandler, whose love story is what inspired this film, all about their walk with Jesus and what it is like to film your wedding for a movie.Q: How did y’all two meet?We met on a movie set where we were cast as love interest.Q: So, why do you guys want to share your story?Jim: I want to share our story because I want to entertain people while, at the same time, show our viewers how to form a healthy relationship.Jenn: I want to help others realize what real love is and how to find it. I want people to know not to settle for just anyone.
Q: How would you describe yourself before you found God? And how would you describe yourself now, after you found him?Jim: Before God, I was lost trying to do things my own way, only concerned with myself. I always knew God was still there because I grew up in a Christian household, but I abandoned him.Returning to him was shifting the focus off of myself, pouring into others and into my work, allowing God to be the thing that moved me forward in my career and in my relationships. If I am in control, then I experience misery, destruction, isolation and defeat. With him I can conquer all.Jenn: I grew up in a Christian household going to Catholic Church. I accepted Jesus at the age of 17 at a summer retreat in Stubenville, OH at St. Franciscan Center. This changed my life look and allowed me a childlike faith where I pursued my dream as an actor. My walk with Jesus became real and is my friend, provider, savior.Q: How long has this spiritual journey been for you? And what do you do now?The spiritual journey with God doesn't ever end, doesn't have a time stamp. We are committed to each other and our calling as actors to be lights in the entertainment industry to impact and inspire audiences.Q: Okay, one last question before you go. What is it like to have your wedding filmed? Did it add any extra stress? Did you have to film anything twice?Jim: We didn't have any added stress because we didn't want the focus of the filming to take away from the focus of our wedding. We were in agreement that whatever we shot and captured is what we got, no reshoots.Jenn: It was lots more stress (for me). There was one hour before the ‘I do’s that I turned into Bridezilla… because we were behind schedule for the magazine photo shoot I added during the wedding photography, in addition to the wedding and movie we were filming. We commissioned makeup artists (Celebrity makeup artist Brother Zhen from China, Cosmetic line owner Vicki Odeneal and her daughter Leah who we worked on “Saving Faith”) and designers. Everyone was excited to be part of the movie, magazine and wedding. Jeanette from The Bride’s Tailor custom made fairytale bell dress for the ceremony and Dalia MacPhee provided the reception dress. (yes, I wore 2 gowns). LaRae Mychel custom made the yellow bridesmaid dresses and my maid-of-honor (my sissy Shelly) wore a coordinating Dalia MacPhee in green, along with my sister-in-law Amiee. My sister in-law Shannon custom made the sunflower girls dresses and my mother-in-law Jennie did all the alterations. Leah Marie Photography and Stationery captured all the family festive fun, including Jim and my baptism the day before after our rehearsal. God is good! We were married by our friend and pastor David Burris from Freedom Counseling.
We had 7 cameras set up for the wedding: JD brought GoPros that were hidden in hail bales, small consumer video cameras on tripods, a drone operated by Rich Goodwyn, my sneaky bridesmaid, Lisa Miosi Martin (filmmaker for Billy Graham Ministries) used her iPhone hidden in her dress jacket pocket (sneaky) and our Director of Photography (DP) Kacper Skowron had a steady cam rig that circled us for our actual wedding kiss. Sheila Munger producer of “The Princess Cut” managed the film production on site. It was a team effort by everyone. Our wedding coordinator was Jim’s mom Jennie. We were married on her century owned historical farm property Camp New Dawn with sunflowers and romantic haywagon pull, it was a day to remember!!! And all the funny moments will roll during our end credits.The newlyweds are offering a promotional code for the DVD release of their 
Film critic 
McQueen, who starred in more than two dozen films from 1953-1980, died in 1980 at the age of 50 from mesothelioma.“In a significant turn toward the end of his life, ironically, just before he found out that he had cancer and while still the top movie star on earth, Steve did something that showed me that he really was ‘the coolest of them all.’ He put his faith in God and became a believer in Jesus Christ,” said Laurie.“He was simultaneously the most unlikely and then again maybe the most likely person to come to faith in God,” Laurie said.
The 168 Film Project competition includes opportunities in all areas of filmmaking, from producing, directing, writing, cinematography, acting, and even craft/food service. 168 can often match interested individuals with local filmmaking teams, and beginners can potentially connect with a team and learn about filmmaking.Globally since 2003, over 1,000 films have been made by an estimated 17,000 artists in 14 years through the annual 168 Film Project filmmaking and writing competitions. 168 provides a proving ground for artists, and has helped to launch careers in filmmaking, writing, directing, and acting. The 168 Film Project is a worldwide, faith-friendly filmmaking incubator.Sponsors of the 168 Film Competition include Roush Media, Advent Media and Arri.More information is available at 
Good has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and music videos since she started her career in 1985 at the age of four. Earlier this year, Good published her first book, The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love, which she co-wrote with her husband, DeVon Franklin. She also guest-starred on CBS’ medical drama Code Black, in which her character had a 3-episode arc. She will star next in the Lifetime movie “The 10th Date” and in the American crime drama “Deuces,” which are both slated for release in 2017.The conference attracts more than 700 industry professionals. Past speakers have included blockbuster producer Ralph Winter, actor Sean Astin, screenwriter Stan Williams, and Franklin.For more information or to register online, visit 
When volunteers from around the world flew into West Africa in 2014 to help battle the Ebola epidemic, they knew there was a risk that they, too, could get sick and die. They went anyway 
Arthur Rasco: We wanted to put together a documentary film that would basically be a testimony to God of the things that He did in the lives of Dr. Brantly and Nancy — to give glory to Him for a miraculous set of circumstances that really unfolded to save their lives. It’s kind of like a modern-day epic mission story of seeing God work through circumstances, God work through people.Foust: Describe your emotions, and even those around you, when you learned that, first, Dr. Brantly had Ebola and then Nancy did, as well.Rasco: I can remember the evening that I got the notice that Dr. Brantly had tested positive for Ebola. It was rough. Of course, I knew that Samaritan’s Purse was doing what it could to fight Ebola. Doctors Without Borders and others had turned to us to say, “Hey, will you help care for Ebola patients there in Liberia?” Doctors Without Borders had their hands full with care in the Sierra Leone and Guinea, and Samaritan’s Purse had a longstanding relationship and a strong foundation in Liberia. So we had connections with doctors and nurses and hospitals. Samaritan’s Purse stepped forward. I knew that it was going to be a challenge for us. To hear that our doctor had come down with the virus, and then another person had come down with it, it was devastating.Foust: And you likely were thinking in your head: 90 percent mortality rate.Rasco: Yes. All of us were really scared, and none of us knew what would happen. We had to do what we could to get them the best care possible. We could do that here in the states, but then how do we get them here? That became a challenge. And who would step up to take care of them? That, too, was a challenge. And is there any treatment at all that we can give them? Different people stepped up to help, and that is one of the fascinating subplots of the story – just seeing so many people come together to save the lives of Dr. Brantly and Nancy.Foust: Has the story amazed you as much as it did other people – that there are volunteers who will go to a country knowing that if they catch Ebola, they very well could die?Rasco: We wanted to tell a story of stepping out – what it means to step out in bold faith. And as Dr. Brantly talked about, letting compassion almost fuel a courage which would then be greater than any fear. That is, not seeing Ebola patients as Ebola patients, but – as he talks about in the film – this could be my mom, my father, my sister, my brother. He urges people to see Ebola patients as real people that need love and care and then – no matter what happens – ‘I’ve got to do my best to take care of these people, even if that means I’ve got to put on a suit and enter an area where this deadly virus exists’ – they were willing to do what they could.On the Web: 
Producers recently released an online 
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