(Stephen is currently directing and producing the film version of Conversations with God. www.cwgthemovie.com
. His column is being written by Lisa Schneiderman, publicist for the film, as a diary of the progress of the film. Stephen’s regular column will resume in early 2006.)
The first day of shooting Conversations with God was filled with the high spirits of the cast and crew, along with typical Oregon winter weather. Cold and wet. It was the introduction of the crew’s long 14-hour days (a typical day of shooting usually starts at 6am), regardless of the weather. Nearing our halfway point of production, it has been a good reminder of Neale Donald Walsch’s life story as he himself lived through those cold nights, doing whatever he could to survive and simply stay warm. It has been as if this cast and crew has had a small taste and can only imagine what it’s like to be homeless in the bitter winter chill.
Weather aside, production is running on course and as planned. Everyone is very pleased, especially our director and producer, Stephen Simon. “There is a magic that takes place in virtually every scene, ” says Simon. “Casting happened by God and weather by Goddess!!”
The scenes that depicted the homeless camp were shot at a beautiful place called Emigrant Lake, about 10 minutes from downtown Ashland. The lake was glistening. It was absolutely gorgeous. Freezing, but breathtaking. Surrounded by hundreds of barren trees, Production Designer Renee Prince, Set Decorator Travis Zariwny and crew knocked themselves out to create a scene that looked exactly like a homeless camp. It was an emotional day when Neale himself came to help tear down part of the set. He picked up a wooden spoon used by “Chef”, played by Abdul Salaam El Razzac for many of the cooking scenes. As he held this spoon in his hand, he described how it took him right back in time to a place that reminded him of waiting for that warm meal while at the camp he once lived.
The day after Thanksgiving was a particularly special day because it was a scene that Simon had merely moments to capture. The entire city of Ashland, Oregon was in this shot. Imagine a small town, much like Bedford Falls in It’s a Wonderful Life. “This scene had a message and a vision of who we can be when we operate at our very best”, exclaimed Simon.
There are many poignant scenes as one can imagine depicting the life of a homeless man who turned his life around after his conversation with God. Several scenes touch upon the fear we can all relate to in life. Facing one’s biggest fear about survival, doubt and worry.
An excerpt from my first article in November, 2005 still holds true. The story being told here is one of courage, and also of setting a resonance that it’s time to believe in ourselves. That it’s time to finally touch upon our inner resources, that still small or loud voice inside, instead of so much of the world which is driven by fear, resistance, conditioning and programming that is no longer valid.
There are several messages and themes in this movie. After interviewing several cast members, Ingrid Boulting had this to say about one message that she derived from her role as “Sunny”, “I think a very powerful message of this film is for us all now to step up into our true selves, where women aren’t looking for men to fulfill them anymore and men aren’t looking for women to fulfill them. That’s where unhappiness lies in relationships. This film touches upon healing that dynamic.”
Creative Consultant Viki King continues, “There’s a line in the movie, ‘heal that and you’ll be free’. When audiences see this, they will heal that which is wounding them and they will be free.”
On to the weather again. Last night, it snowed. Big beautiful chunks of a little piece of heaven showering down on us. We were outside, of course and it was just what the writer and director ordered for that particular scene. “The universe was winking down at us tonight,” claimed Simon. “We got the gift of snow,” said Jesse Nye, 1st Assistant Director.
The theme of this film continues to make its way on set, daily. Tony Scardino, another extra said it all, “I’ve been an actor for 25 years and it’s time for my grandchildren to see me in films that are sending out a good message. I love Spiritual Cinema and that’s why I’m here.”
When I asked Neale Donald Walsch again, (once we started shooting the film) what the core message was, he stated, “”I think the point about the message of this movie is that everyone can have a conversation with God and that it can happen to anyone.”
Along that same vein, I do hope that the audience who view this incredible film in October of 2006 will be inspired in their own lives and be reminded that everyone can have their own link to guide them to the divine, to whatever one wants to call their special connection that helps shepherd them in the journey we call life.
See you at the premiere!!
(Lisa Schneiderman is the publicist who, in 2002, launched Stephen Simon’s book The Force is With You: Mystical Movie Messages That Inspire Our Lives and helped Stephen establish Spiritual Cinema as a genre. She is the unit publicist for the upcoming film, Conversations with God, and can be reached at schneidspr@aol.com. Stephen Simon produced such films as Somewhere in Time and What Dreams May Come. He also co-founded The Spiritual Cinema Circle www.spiritualcinemacircle.com
. Stephen welcomes your comments by email: Stephen@spiritualcinemacircle.com
.)
Hi to every , for the reason that I am truly eager of
reading this blog’s post to be updated regularly.
It contains fastidious stuff.
We absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Does one offer guest writers to write content available for you?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects
you write in relation to here. Again, awesome weblog!
This design is incredible! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how
you presented it. Too cool!
For the reason that the admin of this website is working,
no uncertainty very shortly it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.
Great article.
You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve read something like this before.
So great to find someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a little originality!
Quality articles is the key to be a focus for the users to pay a quick visit the web page, that’s
what this web page is providing.
Hi there I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found
you by error, while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like
to say cheers for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the
theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the
moment but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I
will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up
the excellent jo.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers!
Exactly where are your contact details though?
Awesome article.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually feel this website needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read
more, thanks for the advice!
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide
credit and sources back to your weblog? My website is in the exact same area of interest as yours
and my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this alright with you.
Appreciate it!
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be
a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back someday.
I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about how to get help in windows 10.
Regards
Hi there to all, since I am really eager of reading this web site’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
It carries nice information. natalielise plenty of fish
This design is wicked! You certainly know
how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos,
I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog.
I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future
as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now 😉
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s
new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Terrific article! That is the type of info that are meant to be shared around the internet.
Disgrace on the search engines for not positioning this put up upper!
Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =)
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about
this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you
could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but
instead of that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read.
I will certainly be back.
Hello there, I found your web site by the use of Google whilst searching for a similar topic, your site came up, it
looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply became alert to your weblog via Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful in case you proceed this in future.
Lots of other people will probably be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Howdy, I think your web site might be having web browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues.
I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that,
excellent blog!
Thanks , I have just been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best
I’ve discovered till now. But, what in regards to the bottom line?
Are you sure about the source?
Thanks to my father who informed me on the topic of this webpage, this webpage is actually amazing.
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Cheers
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating
it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve
got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
First off I want to say terrific blog! I had a quick question which
I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to
find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before
writing. I have had a tough time clearing my mind
in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do take pleasure in writing
but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend
to be wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips?
Thank you!
Hi there, I read your new stuff on a regular basis.
Your story-telling style is awesome, keep up the good work!
Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article.
I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
Many thanks for sharing!