Teens In The News (Part 3): Young Filmmakers
This morning’s cover story from the Montgomery Advertiser’s Lifestyle Section features none other than Colton Davie, a 17-year-old rebelutionary and one of Alex and my newest and best Alabama friends. Colton collaborated with Alex and me last Saturday to create our Save The Wheel short, “Reinvented: The Dinner Table.” Now, the young Mr. Davie is garnering media attention for a greater accomplishment: snaring the Best Young Filmmaker Award at the Second Annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.
Enjoy the following feature article that honors 17-year-old Colton Davie and 16-year-old Tyler Litton for doing hard things, at a young age, and for the glory of God:
Let there be light, camera, action
Christian films on the riseBy Darryn Simmons
Montgomery Advertiser
November 18, 2005In today’s movies, the comedy, horror and action flicks tend to dominate the marquees and lead at the box office.
But a new genre of films is starting to gain a foothold in the market, and some of the upcoming movies in that genre just may come from Montgomery and other spots in Alabama.
With the success of films like “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Gospel” and the “Left Behind” series, Christian films are starting to show they can do as well as the biggest summer blockbusters.
The success of those films has inspired young filmmakers to try their hand at making them, with the hope of making the next big Christian film.
Christian film festivals have continued to build momentum. The second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival drew 1,200 participants from all over the world, from New York to Romania. At this event, held earlier this month, the state of Alabama was well-represented.
Seventeen-year-old Colton Davie from Matthews was awarded the Best Young Filmmaker prize for his 55-minute film, “Bluestate: Tolerance for All,” and Ed Litton, pastor of First Baptist Church in North Mobile, and his 16-year-old son Tyler were awarded Best Political Film for a film they wrote, produced and directed called “Intent.”
“Alabama is taking over,” said Doug Phillips, the founder of the festival and one of the competition’s judges.
Phillips said more than 130 film submissions at this year’s festival show there are those who want to make good Christian films that give glory to God.
The rise in the independent Christian film market can be attributed to a number of factors, Phillips said. The biggest may be that filmmakers no longer have to go through Hollywood to get a film produced or distributed, thanks to the digital technology and innovative distribution methods now available. The “Left Behind” series, for example, was marketed largely through churches.
He also said people are looking for more positive material in their movies and wholesome messages that differ from the usual Hollywood fare.
Davie said he was inspired when he attended last year’s festival. He went to some of the seminars there, and they motivated him to want to do a film for this year’s festival.
He started the script for “Bluestate” in December of last year and finished the film in August.
The movie tells the story of one family’s sacrifice in a world where tolerance has been mandated by law.
“People think it’s a political movie, but we weren’t doing that,” Davie said. “I just wanted to challenge ideas and show people what happens when you do things like take public prayer out of schools and what could happen if you continue to do things like that.”
Phillips called the movie a “major film which demonstrates incredible promise.”
“There was an overwhelming sense (among the judges) that ‘Bluestate’ should win,” Phillips said. “It is an excellent example of what is possible for a young man to do.”
Davie said it was exciting to win the award and that the festival itself was a great experience.
Ed Litton’s half-hour film, “The Wall,” was runner-up for Best Political Film last year, the inaugural year of the festival. The film focused on educating Christians on the meaning of the First Amendment.
“Intent” is an 18-minute film that explores the current crisis in the federal judiciary.
“Our hope is that ‘Intent’ will help break down barriers between Americans and their courts,” Ed Litton said. “The average citizen is key to keeping the courts in line and preserving government by the consent of the governed.”
Davie said he hopes to continue to make Christian films. While there are no current plans to have an exhibition of the films here in central Alabama, he said the success of recent movies shows there’s a desire for them on the part of moviegoers.
There is a special kind of film Davie wants to make.
“I want to make movies with good stories that people will enjoy, but I especially want to do it for the glory of God and to do films that glorify him,” he said.
There are many reasons why Alex and I are thrilled at the recognition our friend Colton is receiving. First, he just one more example of how young people that “Do Hard Things” will be honored. Our readers must understand that a very favorable article about Christian films from a reputably liberal newspaper is rare. But Colton’s age demanded attention. And not only his age, but the enormous task he undertook and completed.
But even more than that, we are thrilled at the attention Colton is receiving because he used it to glorify God and to address important issues. He earned a stage and used it to speak the truth. Now that is rebelutionary.
To view original article: Click here.
November 18th, 2005 at 6:52 pm
Well done, Colton. You’re a credit to the one true faith, to your family, and to the great state of Alabama. I can’t wait to see what your next project will be. Please keep us informed. SDG.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:13 pm
Wow!
Congratulations Colton, that’s quite the accomplishment! Winning at the festival was one thing, but also scoring points in the secular crowd is truly a blessing.
Reading that article made me want to move to Alabama!
Also, Alabama has a great family owned restaraunt. I don’t remember the name, but their okra is fantastic. The catfish was good too!
Haha, back to the topic though, it’s wonderful yet again to see Christian youth getting recognition as being diligent, faithful, and mature. That’s a wonderful leap in progress!
God Bless all of you, and Congratulations again Colton!
~ In Christ, John.
November 18th, 2005 at 9:11 pm
That is awesome! It is definitely exciting to see people our age making an impact. Is this film online anywhere, or is there a way to obtain a copy of it? I’d be very interested to check it out!
His,
November 19th, 2005 at 2:51 am
You have the hearty congratulations of both me and my family as well! Your story is an encouragment and a challenge. God bless!
November 19th, 2005 at 8:44 pm
Thanks Brett, Alex, and everyone else for the encouraging words. It really is amazing what God can do. To God be the glory!
November 21st, 2005 at 3:44 am
IS… is that a haircut I see?
Fantastic!
Congrats on both counts, Colton!
July 10th, 2006 at 5:05 am
My friend played as the sister in that movie “BlueState”. It was really good!
September 14th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
Hey guys,
Tonight was the first night to have visited your blog. It is great!!! High five to starting a really awsome blog. But i was wondering if any of you have heard of a Christian Filmaker named Brian Godawa. (I think that is how you spell his last name.) Anyways he is the one that helped make the movie “To End All Wars”. If any of you have heard of him and have any opinions as to his idea for making Christion movies than let me know.
In Christ,
The Kelp
June 5th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I know of another group of young Christian men who are also making some great films. You can check them out http://www.phcsctreamingmedia.net and http://www.smugglersransom.com. They have a lot of talent and a vision to further God’s kingdom.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I know this is off subject, but, I have a question that has to do with this area. I am an actress. I simply love acting, and have always been acting in some way or another since I was very little. Being someone else is very fun, and in some sense, you can have a neat relationship with the character you are pretending to be, whether the character is real, or imaginative. So, maybe it was a year or so ago, I felt a deep calling to go to Hollywood. I want to act, I want to make a living, but most of all, I want to be a witness to the LORD. God is my Lord and Savior, and I want to do everything to serve Him, please Him, and spread His word. I’ve always thought of doing missionary work, but, I couldn’t find a field in which I could work in. Then, something clicked. I could be a missionary to and from Hollywood. I would be able to plant seeds of truth in the darkness of Hollywood, and who knows, maybe a famous actor, or maybe a lowly behind-the-scenes person would accept Christ as their personal LORD and Savior. Hollywood, I am VERY aware of, is very dark, and full of Satan’s demons lurking around to devour a weak individual. Many so called “Christians” have tried to be a part of Hollywood and be a light in there. But, their light was very dim to begin with, and when temptation came to them, they failed, and their light was snuffed out. For now, my light bright, but through God it can be brighter still as I get older and grow more mature in my faith. I am stubborn…for God, and I will defend Him and His holy name with my life. Also, I can be a light to the world outside of Hollywood. If I become popular with my acting, then I can use that popularity for a good thing and use the media to help me share God’s word. Then the world will see that I am a follower of Christ. This next generations need a light to look too. They need someone to look up too. All the examples for this generation are nothing but “Bad Girls/Boys” who do everything bad possible to get that “attention”, as if they don’t have enough! They say curse, go out with the “hottest” actor/tress, go nude in movies (*SICK!!*)….I mean, the line just goes on and on!!! The “Good Girl Image” has been long lost. What do the little girls of today have to look up to for an example? But, perhapes, if it is God’s will, the little girls of tomorrow will have a Christian example to follow.
I have a passion for Christ, I have a passion for acting, I have a passion to spread God’s word, I have a passion to be DIFFERENT, I have a passion to be a light in the dark. Tempations will follow me wherever I go. I may have chances to get the media’s attention, or to become more famous, but it would only be to my shame though, by doing something against God. With God’s help, I SHALL NOT give in! I WILL stay strong for him! GOD is KING, and He shall reign! Satan has been destroyed, therefore, I do not need to fear him. Man may abuse me, give me a bad name, and they may persecute me. Some, may even kill me. But with God, I do not need to fear. My soul I have given to Him. My name is in The Book of Life, and carved into God’s hand.
My parents fear for me though, and are trying to discourage me. They fear that I will fail, and fall…that I will not be able to withstand the Devil’s tempations. Other’s though, encourage me. I am confused with what to do. Yet, who should I obey? I want to honor and obey my parents, but I also want to spread God’s word. After all, Jesus DID say to spread the gospel to every nation.
So, here are my random thoughts. Help me if you want. What do you think? Am I right in my thinking? Am I the only one to see Hollywood not only as a place where I can make a living by doing what I love best, but as a MISSION FIELD. A mission field….
Hollywood is in desperate need of God. Should we deny them that?
I am not afraid. With God, I can do anything. I want to act. I want to serve God. I want to spread His word though everything I do. Whenever I act, I do it to God’s glory. It is my way of glorifying, praising, and worshiping Him.
So, there are my randomly spread thoughts. I hope I bored no one.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Amanda: I wanted to encourage you that God doesn’t give us competing obligations. He has called us to spread the gospel and honor our parents. It doesn’t seem that your parents are counseling you against Hollywood because they don’t want to see souls saved—I think they just love you very much.
It’s funny that you would comment today since Alex and I just did a radio interview in which we talked about what to do when your parents don’t share your same vision. You’d probably appreciate hearing what we have to say. You can listen to it here. The part about parents is towards the end, but you can listen to the whole thing if you want. =)
Your Brother In Christ,
Brett Harris
P.S. For what it’s worth, it just occurred to me that the hardest thing for you to do wouldn’t be to get into Hollywood—it would be to trust God enough to honor your parents and not go.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Brett,
I know that they love me, and don’t want to see me reject my faith, and other reasons of their own of course. You will never know how much your website has helped and blessed me.
Almost a year has gone by, and your note to me has helped and haunted me. Thank you for what you said. When I first read it, I rejected it in my pride, selfishness, and sin. I did not want to sink so low as to sacrifice what I wanted for what was better. You, through Christ, have helped me see my wrong, and I thank you for that. I have grown up so much in a years time, and I see life in a whole new way. I can only laugh, and cringe at my writings of last year, although in some sense, I still feel a burden to reach out to Hollywood’s lost souls. However, respecting your parents is the best thing to do, because they have lived longer than you, have much more wisedom, and foresight, and they know what is best for you. We only receive one set of parents, right?
Praising God for Jesus,
Amanda
May 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I am verry abisus about making chrisatin fims for the glory of god. can anyone hook me up with colton or any other young fimakers around the age of 16-17?
November 6th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Hello out there, well since this is an old post I doubt many people will read this. First of all kudos for Colton, Bama kids rule by the way, I should know I am one.
Amanda when I read your posts just now , first of all I was encouaged to that there are other kids out there with vision for their future similar to mine.
I thought it was so weird to feel a calling in that direction, I mean when you get a calling isn’t it usually to go tell loin cloth wearing natives in Borneo about Christ ? You know to be a missionary or pastor.
Thank you for the encouagement and I hope that you are encouaged by the fact that you are not the only one out there.
God bless.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Hi, there! I really envy the privileges you teens in America have, especially in how you serve God! With an Asian culture (Philippine, to be exact), I couldn’t exactly be a rebelutionary in the ways you guys out there are, but your examples have inspired me to strive hard to bring glory to God’s name.
May 17th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
That is so awesome. I always wondered how Christian teens would do in filmmaking. If the individual stays faithful to God and their faith, I guess this is the result. I have been interested in animation films (Pixar, for example), but have never had the courage and the patience to make my own. Great job Colton!
By the way, to anyone who still reads this blog, what is Bluestate about?