Observations From the Fast Lane

by Brian Blackmore

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168 Hour Film Project

The 168 Hour Film Project is a competition where producers have 168 hours (one week) to film and edit a 11-minute movie based on a theme and a Bible verse.  All films are created during production week to premiere at the 168 Film Festival.

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View 168 Hour Project Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXtkLnTV590

Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church recently said "...it is not the number of people that affect culture, but the "number of culture makers upstream that affects culture." John Ware is one of those who is working upstream of American culture to affect change for the kingdom of God.

John Ware is the founder of the 168 Hour Film Project (www.168project.com), a Christian speed filmmaking contest based in Burbank, California. I first met founder, John Ware last year the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas. He stopped by our booth, and we wound up sharing a cab to the airport, and then dinner before our flights. He's a visionary with a mission who is making an impact.

John has assembled the 168 Hour Film contest to provide a platform for Christian's involved in filmmaking to share their talents with others, to gain exposure, and further their careers. But many of those who participate simply want to show Hollywood that they don't have a lock on filmmaking creativity --- that Biblically based film content can and is being produced in world-class quality. Non-believers do participate, and John has many stories of lives being changed, people being saved and baptized while participating in the competition.

I can't image the stress. We publish magazines each month, and I know the frantic nature of getting them out the door. But that's after weeks, if not months of work writing articles and gathering photos. Being handed a theme for the film, and a Bible verse knowing that the final product must be conceived, created, shot, edited and delivered in exactly 168 hours. Geesh! But that's the premise.

168 Hour Film Project receives entries from all over the world. Entries are previewed and judged by a panel of professional Hollywood talent. The winners of this year's contest will be revealed at April 3 and 4 at a gala event held in Glendale, California. For more info, and to view trailers and promos of previous winners, visit www.168project.com.

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