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SPRING 2020
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CM NETWORK ROKU LAUNCH TARGETS THE END OF MAY
In observance of the Coronavirus Pandemic the roll-out of the Creative Motion Network Roku TV channel has been rescheduled to take place the end of May 2020. Currently, individuals who signed on to be content providers for the station, have personal challenges to address, and CMN can wait. The loss of employment, income, and families with children home from school, not to mention those who may have contracted the virus, has compelled us all to pray and seek God for understanding and comfort. We will continue to design and build the Roku channel moving forward and look to restoration soon for everyone and everything that glorifies Christ. - Kevin Collier
FROM COMMUNISM TO U.S.A. PULPITFinding Jesus, a new Creative Motion Network series, featuring Rev. Marin Cerchez, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, in Jenison, MI, has premiered. In Message One: Discovering Jesus, Rev. Cerchez talks about coming to the LORD and his mission in America to spread the truth of Jesus Christ. The former medical doctor grew up as an atheist in the Communist country of Moldova. An extremely educated apologist, Rev. Marin studied the History of Christianity at the University of Oxford, Medieval Studies at Central European University, the Middle Ages at The Catholic University of America, Religious Studies and History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, in Fort Wayne, IN. Along with being on the CMN Roku channel, Finding Jesus will be the cornerstone program for a Roku channel CMN is developing for Pastor Marin. Visit series page.
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Reverend Marin Cerchez of St. John Lutheran Church of Jenison, Michigan.
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'GILDA' & 'IMMERSE' IN SERIES DEBUTThe first episode of CMN's Christian Cinema Showcase, to be released the first week of April, is gearing up to establish a forum to highlight creative and cutting-edge short and feature-length faith-based and family films. The program will present film trailer introduced by a project representative. CMN announces the very first film to be in the spotlight in the series debut will be the sci-fi short Gilda, produced by Sovereign Place Films LLC's Eric Douglas. The film features Kerry McCormick in the lead role of Abree, Tim Martinez as the intruder, Eliza Duran as Gilda, and Brittany Tate as Trish. Douglas told CMN a few months back, "Being a first time writer and director, I am learning by baptism in fire. I have had tremendous support from crew and cast, especially director Cortney Sargent who has been guiding me through the process.” The film will be one of many featured, including Brandon Blackburn and Jason Watkins' Immerse, starring Branden Lewis.
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At left, Eric Douglas, founder and CEO of Sovereign Place Films, LLLC, producer of "Gilda." At right, poster for Brandon Blackburn and Jason Watkins' "Immerse."
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STUDENT AUSTIN IN SHOW PREMIERELittle Austin (Christmas Coupon), will be the first guest on the new Christ Clubhouse Kidz series, featuring children professing their love for Christ. Austin is an inspiration for us all. He wouldn’t shut up in his public classroom when the teacher told him to stop saying how much he loves Jesus in class." This pint-sized warrior will address that issue. Christ Clubhouse Kidz was originally created for Kevin and Kristen Collier's Christ Clubhouse Channel Roku station in 2013, which endured one year and had 30,000 subscribers. The channel was suspended because it wasn't God's timing. Now the time has arrived, and the show returns with an all-new format on the upcoming Creative Motion Network Roku channel launching the end of March. We are #TeamAustin and #TeamJesus, all the way! Those of us in the creative Body of Christ are working hard to help make 2020 the year Christian entertainment becomes the “new mainstream.”
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Austin headlines the first episode of the upcoming new series featuring children for Christ, "Christ Clubhouse Kidz." This boy was cited in class for professing his love for Jesus.
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SERIES FOCUS oN TALENTED TEENSCMN will be unveiling a new series this spring that will focus on teen talent in the faith-based film and media industry. The program, titled Young Warriors, is seeking submissions from individuals ages 12-19. Youths in the series will have the opportunity to demonstrate their talent, share their Christian beliefs and promote films or projects they are currently involved in. The aim is also to provide a platform and forum for young leaders to provide advice for others in their age group concerning acting and performing. Individual spots can run up to five minutes, with each Young Warriors program running 30 minutes in length. Talents can range from acting, to music, to sports and community outreach activities. The ultimate goal is to show the next generation of Christians on the horizon and create awareness for these youths to open doors of opportunities for their career or mission.
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New series to focus on faith, talent and teens.
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TALENT TRIO IN BIBLE SERIES DEBUTActors Garry Nation and Doug Stroup, along with "The Bible Memory Man" Professor Tom Meyer, will headline the premiere of the new CMN series Show Me Your Bible on February 22nd. The new series will routinely feature a variety of talented Christians displaying their bibles and sharing a story behind them. Garry Nation, who will show his Bible collection, has appeared in such projects as Lone Star Justice, DJ Perry's MBF: Man's Best Friend, and the upcoming The Interview, by Michael Goldermann. Doug Stroup, who has enjoyed numerous key roles in both TV and motion pictures, will reveal a traumatic injury and his road to recovery through scripture. Professor Tom Meyer has gained international recognition for his book, The Memorization Study Bible, and classes geared toward memorization techniques used throughout Jewish and Christian history as you unleash the true power of the spoken Word. Meyer provides tips on how to better recall scripture.
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Left to right: Actor Garry Nation, actor Doug Stroup and "The Bible Memory Man" Professor Tom Meyer.
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NEW SERIES TO PROVIDE 'KICKSTART'CMN announces a new series Project of Interest, which will provide a platform for producers to introduce their proposed projects to potential investors, players and distributors. Each 30-minute episode of Project of Interest will present 3 projects from 3 different producers. Each producer has up to 10 minutes to create a video to submit for inclusion in Project of Interest. A video can be a slick, edited production with all the bells and whistles, or just a producer talking to a camera. Project of Interest is a multi-media platform. Your "project to pitch" can be a film, TV series, music or audio production, comic book or graphic novel, game or app. Does your project have to be "Christian"? Not necessarily. It can be a secular project from a producer who is a Christian and who has released both faith-based works and mainstream. For more details on Project of Interest click here to program page.
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New series "Project of Interest" seeks to match creators with investors and distributors.
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NEXT 'FOCUs' ADDRESSES TRAILERSThe next episode of CMN's Faith Filmmaking in Focus will ask the question, "What are some techniques or elements that go into making a great (film) trailer?" Producers providing answers to this topic include Cameron Arnett, Shawn Justice, Dray Hill, Laura Ann Heaton Gray and John Wayne Bosley. Arnett, an award-winning actor and founder of Camy Arnett Production Studios, has achieved critical acclaim for his Mattie film trilogy. Justice is a writer and producer, known for A Murder of Innocence (2018), Justice (2017) and the upcoming The Narrow Road. Hill, the founder of Churchouse Productions, is creator of the innovative series, The Rapture Chronicles and Welcome to Faith-Town Real Love , 2019 Best Feature Film at the Glory Reelz Festival. Producer Bosley is known for Amnesia (2015), The House That Jack Broke (2013) and The Heart of a Dancer (2016). Gray worked as screenwriter on the series Stay among other projects.
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Left to right: Cameron Arnett, Shawn Justice, Dray Hill, Laura Ann Heaton Gray and John Wayne Bosley.
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GUTIERREZ HOSTS COMICS WEBINARJosé Carlos Gutiérrez, host of the CMN series Christian Comics Connection, is presenting a webinar about illustrating comics for magazines on March 10, 9:00-10am. Are you interested in creating a comic strip? Do you want to know how visual storytelling can be regularly featured in your magazine? Discover how to dive into the process of creating short comics for magazines. In this free online workshop, José Carlos Gutiérrez, president of Comix35 Next Gen, will discuss the basics of visual storytelling, comics genres, creating appealing characters, sequential art techniques, making the most of combining images and texts, choosing the right style and tone for your readers, and more. Sign up for webinar here. The latest episode of Christian Comics Connection, released on February 3rd, features Luke Stone (Hybrids: Sons of Gods) and Al Nickerson (The Sword of Eden.)
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José Carlos Gutiérrez, host of "Christian Comics Connection."
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INTEREST SPIKES FOR SERIES DEBUTThe CMN series Acting on Faith makes its first episode series premiere on Saturday, February 8th. Three talented actors appear in the first 30-minutes show, April Patterson, Dean Phillippi and Meggie Jenny. April speaks about how, while opportunities to work in faith-based movies have eluded her, God has blessed her mainstream career by opening doors to projects where she can witness to others, leaving an impression and example of what being Christ-centered encompasses. Dean speaks about the importance of Christian entertainment for our youth, and shares his many roles in films and television, playing ministers and even God! Meggie shares how following God's path leads to unexpected, beneficial surprises, to grow in Christ and touch others in doing so. She tells how even when things appear impossible, when you are walking in His ways, your Father will always meet your needs and provide. The program has received amazing response prior to this premiere. Amen!
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The first guest on "Acting on Faith," April Patterson, Dean Phillippi and Meggie Jenny.
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STARS COME OUT FOR 'ACTING ON FAITH'The upcoming CMN series Acting on Faith has been blessed with a surge of talented actors stepping into the program to share their personal testimonies of faith. On board for upcoming episodes will be Meggie Jenny, Anita Cordell, Michael J. Patterson, Candace Kirkpatrick, Doug Stroup, Gary Nation, Keith Rushing, Violetta Anna Licari, Robert Thomason and Brian Shoop. More information about these artists can be discovered on the series program page. Kevin and Kristen Collier, program producers, express special thanks to Treasure Coast Talent Agency's Jean Wenger, who has been an incredible blessing reaching out to bring guest to the series. Many other talented actors have connected expressing interest in being in the series, which focuses on how being a Christian has impacted, influenced and guided their career. The majority of the confirmed guests will be shooting their video contributions by mid-February. Enough content is already on file to jump start the series earlier than planned, possibly bring forth February 8th premiere.
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Top row: Gary Nation, Candace Kirkpatrick, Michael J. Patterson, Keith Rushing and Doug Stroup. Bottom row: Robert Thomason, Violetta Anna Licari, Meggie Jenny, Anita Cordell and Brian Shoop.
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APRIL LEWIS PATTERSON SHARES FAITHMulti-talented actress April Lewis Patterson will be featured in the CMN series premiere of Acting on Faith. April discusses how God has blessed her by opening doors in mainstream entertainment and how affords a Christian the special opportunity to witness to others outside of the preaching-to-the-choir crowd. She recently Aunt Bridge in Russell Reed's gripping dramatic short picture Baby Nick, and previously in the short films Alex and Battling Bullies. She is a graduate of the fine arts program at the University of North Texas and has trained at the Conservatory program at the Carol Hickey Acting Studio. In addition, she was featured in stage productions such as Check Please 1 and 2, a few roles in the stage reading of Domesticated, and Doubt with the City Theatre Austin. April Lewis Patterson trains as a martial arts stunt actress for television and film as a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
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Actress April Lewis Patterson appears in the short film drama "Baby Nick."
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'FIRST LADY' IN KEEPING UP SHOUTOUTIt's off to The White House in the upcoming Keeping Up with the Christians companion series Shoutout, premiering Saturday, February 8. Not the real White House, mind you. The focus of this program is on the upcoming movie First Lady, a classic romantic comedy with the backdrop of Presidential Politics and Royal Charm. V.I.P. guests featured in Shoutout include producer/writer/director Nina May, actress Nancy Stafford, actor Benjamin Dane and actress Kimberly Gail Williams. Nina and Nancy sit side by side for an interview that is both inspirational and amusing. Dane talks about playing the President. The film is about a woman, not married to the President, who runs for First Lady, but she winds up getting a better proposal than she ever expected. The movie also features the talented actors Corbin Bernsen, Stacey Dash, Melissa Temme, Jenn Gotzon, Burgess Jenkins and others.
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"First Lady" poster. Pictured, left to right, Nina May, Benjamin Dane and Nancy Stafford.
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CAMERON ARNETT ON 'MATTIE' TRILOGYActor/producer Cameron Arnett discussed the Mattie trilogy in CMN's new episode of Keeping Up with the Christians. Arnett, the founder of Camy Arnett Production Studios, stated that the second installment in the series enters pre-production later this year. Teen actress Brianna Hope Beaton is reprising her leading role as a young woman who discovers the supernatural realm. Mattie: The Discovery, written by Terri L. Bea Sopher, also features Cynthia D. Perry, Jarvious Johnson, Genesis Thomas, with B.J. Arnett and Marty Jean-Louis (co-producers). James Burgess (of Pathlight Entertainment) was part of the editing team. The film earned "Best First Time Producer," "Best Feature Film" and "Best Teen Actress" awards, among others. In his KUWTC interview, Arnett also addressed how Satan uses media and mainstream entertainment to create a divisive culture that does not reflect the true Body of Christ.
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Cameron Arnett, founder and CEO of Camy Arnett Production Studios.
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NINA MAY EXPLAINS THE DRAMEDY MIXYou can make a dramatic film without comedy, but how does drama play a key role in comedy? Award-winning producer Nina May, will be one of five filmmakers addressing that topic in the March episode of CMN's Faith Filmmaking in Focus. Renaissance Women Productions founder Nina May (Daily Bread, Life Fine Tuned) whose highly anticipated feature film First Lady premieres on Valentine’s Day, is a big comedy fan infusing humorous elements into her projects. Benjamin Dane, who was recently on Keeping Up With the Christians and who plays President Taylor Brooks in First Lady opposite Nancy Stafford and Corbin Bernsen, told Creative Motion magazine in 2019 the film “is a dramatically different comedy from writer/director Nina May. In today’s often intense political climate, it will be refreshing to experience a lighter side of the White House. We need a story like this!”
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"First Lady" producer Nina May.
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SHAW GETS SERIOUS ABOUT COMEDYFew Christian filmmakers are more experienced at making people laugh than Christopher Shawn Shaw (Wireless). "One of the key elements to a good screenplay is conflict," he told CMN. Shaw will be part of the March episode of CMN's Faith Filmmaking in Focus, wherein filmmakers address adding dramatic elements to comedy. "[C]onflict tends to heighten the emotional/dramatic stakes of the characters," Shaw added, "therefore impacting the audience emotionally/dramatically, as well. Just think of your favorite comedies, and I'd suggest there are dramatic elements in there somewhere - typically romance/love, or underdog stories." Shaw has worked with some of the best, especially on the cooking show Something Smells Funny created by “Mr. Punchline” himself, Scott Wood with Sleeper Agent’s Mark Christopher Lawrence and SNL alum Victoria Jackson, who just wrapped the feature film, Lost Heart.
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Producer/director Christopher Shawn Shaw.
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SHEEBA JACOB JOINS 'ACTING ON FAITH'Actress and producer, Sheeba Jacob, will be featured in the CMN series premiere of Acting on Faith. “GOD is working behind the scenes in defining my purpose,” Jacob told CMN. Considering that Jacob is also a casting director, location manager, mentor and speaker, that is a large purpose. Jacob is currently in post-production for Faith Under Fire (Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo), and Faith at Gunpoint, with Through Raging Storms producer/writer/actress, Annette Eberly. Jacob was responsible for casting the multi-talented actor, Skeeta Jenkins (Vindication), for the film, and is also location manager. Through Raging Storms, currently filming, also features Evan George Vourazeris (Sleepy Hollow, I, Tonya) among others. Jacob is also in 2017 film The Perfect Wife, which features Omar Gooding, Cuba Gooding’s youngest son, and Donny Boaz (Alternate Realities, NCIS: New Orleans.)
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Producer and actress Sheeba Jacob will appear in "Through Raging Storms."
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VENUS MONIQUE TALKS 'VINDICATION' S2Actress Venus Monique appeared in CMN's new Keeping Up with the Christians companion short-series Shoutout, sharing her excitement at the news of a second season for Jarod O'Flaherty's hit faith-based crime/drama series Vindication. Monique stated that Season 2 will go into production in April, and likely will see the release of new episodes in 2021. The highly popular series also stars actors Todd Terry, Peggy Schott, Emma Elle Roberts, Steve Mokate and others. Monique also stated she hopes her character, Detective Kris Tanner, will reveal a side of her faith not depicted in Season 1, and expressed that a romantic story line, involving a strong relationship based on respect, would be welcomed. Besides speaking about her own faith, Monique talked about her business, Personal Powerhouse, a resource teaching life skills to young adults fostering confidence-building, with tangible results.
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Actress, Venus Monique, wearing her law enforcement badge for "Vindication."
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DEAN PHILLIPPI FIRST NEW SERIES GUESTVeteran Christian actor Dean Phillippi Sr. will be the first guest on CMN's new series Acting on Faith. Phillippi will share his faith on the show and convey how it has affected and guided his stellar career. The actor journeyed to Orlando, FL, the last week of January to appear in the upcoming film Amrak - Stop Bullying, in which he plays God. "This is my third film playing God, which is such a hard role to do, how on earth can anyone play his role?" he told CMN. "I can only present God in the best way I know, and play the role as I would think that God would do, so yes, this is the hardest role of all that I do, since it must be authentic, true to life, and my speaking is serious!" Phillippi, no newbie to playing authority figures, has also played high-ranking military figures, detectives, government agents, law enforcement figures and doctors. Phillippi has stated that his heart has drawn him to only work in Christian films.
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Multi-talented Christian actor, Dean Phillippi, Sr., in a scene from "Don't Say My Name."
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DRAY HILL CHANNEL CONTENT PROVIDERDray Hill and his company, Churchouse Productions, has been named the first outside source content provider for the upcoming Creative Motion Network on Roku. Hill's wildly popular and innovative series, The Rapture Chronicles, will make its debut on CMN TV with the channel's launch in March. Churchouse Productions has also been extended an invitation to provide other content. Last November, Hill's first feature length film, Welcome to Faith-Town Real Love, won 2019 Best Feature Film at the Glory Reelz Christian Film Festival. To date, Churchouse Productions has released three episodes of The Rapture Chronicles series, which features the talents of Carmen Greer, Tamika Willis, Cara Cooke, Emily J. Buckner, Cornelius Sims, Jala Buckley, Billie Rae Bates and others. The fourth in the series is currently in production. Hill will also appear in the upcoming third episode of CMN's Faith Filmmaking in Focus.
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Churchhouse Productions founder and filmmaker, Dray Hill.
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Check Out Creative Motion Network's Original Content on our CMN TV Originals Page
WRIGHT'S 'THE LOVE TRAIN' IS ON TRACKThe Love Train will soon pull into the depot on CMN's Keeping Up with the Christians, with premiere Christian music ministry talent Kelly Wright. The former Fox News anchor and founder of America's Hope News TV is an accomplished, inspirational singer and performer. Wright has headlined at the legendary Cotton Club at the Apollo Theater, performed on programs featuring Shirley Caesar, Cissy Houston, the late James Brown, Jonathan Butler, Bobby Caldwell, Take 6, Vicki Winans, Mississippi Mass Choir and Ron Kenoly. He has appeared on TBN and is frequently seen performing on the Mike Huckabee Show. On his new CD, Goodness and Mercy, Kelly sings songs concerning the role of faith in a world increasingly cynical. CMN producers Kevin and Kristen Collier had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Wright recently, and pray with him, as well. His KUWTC appearance date TBD.
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Christian singer, performer and news anchor, Kelly Wright.
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TRAILERS EXHIBITED IN NEW 'SHOWCASE'Currently in production is a new CMN program series, Christian Cinema Showcase, that will be a platform for filmmakers to present their movie (or short film) trailers in their entirety and even provide a 5-minute video introducing it, telling viewers about the production, players, and more. The aim of the show is to provide a showcase for followers of faith-based films to see what is currently released, or upcoming. No charge, free platform, details for submissions found here. Movie trailers are typically something people stumble upon and if they click to watch, enjoy only a short snapshot of one film. Christian Cinema Showcase operates on the power of many, and variety, and certainly will be a "go-to" place where just one click becomes a faith-based entertainment journey. Submissions accepted for "family" mainstream works, as well. Any questions beyond submission details, email kevincollier427@gmail.com.
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Christian Cinema Showcase logo.
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CHANDLERS TO APPEAR ON 'IN FOCUS' 3Jim and Jenn (Gotzon) Chandler will be guests on the third episode of CMN's Faith Filmmaking in Focus, addressing the question, “What are some techniques or elements that go into making a great movie trailer?” The Chandlers are part of the upcoming First Lady movie, featuring Nancy Stafford and Corbin Bernsen. Jenn is also in the upcoming drama The Message, with Mariette Hartley and The Talking Tree, with Gigi Orsillo (Sleeper Agent). Among others, Jim is in post-production for Inheritance, with Josh Murray (The Reliant) and Jenn for September Skies with Anita Cordell (The King’s Messengers), as well as their first gig as producers, The Farmer and The Belle: Saving Santaland, which also features Corbin Bernsen and John Schneider. They are also in post with Bernsen for Past Shadows, a drama "that bridges the past and present to connect faith lost and faith regained."
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Faith-based entertainment power team, Jim and Jenn (Gotzon) Chandler.
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NICKERSON SHOWS NEW GRAPHIC NOVELAward-winning comics creator, and founder/CEO of Messianic Comics, Al Nickerson, displays pages of original art from The Sword of Eden, his new 220-page graphic novel, and reveals parts of the adventure in the upcoming second episode of CMN's Christian Comics Connection. The graphic novel introduces character Rebecca Stern, whom we see at the beginning of her career as a superhero. But what will unfold when the young heroine joins forces with Nemish-Man, Kid-Cockroach, and Professor Jack, in retrieving the Sword of Eden? Nickerson also shares his career pathway as a professional comics artist working for Archie and DC Comics companies. Nickerson told Creative Motion, “I wanted to create comics for Christians where the readers wouldn’t feel insulted, nor compromise their Christian values. That’s what got me started me in the creation of The Sword of Eden graphic novel.”
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Messianic Comics publisher, Al Nickerson, holding up a page from "The Sword of Eden."
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FILM TIPs SHOW BECOMES AUDIENCE HITWhile initial response to the premiere of CMN's Faith Filmmaking in Focus was slow out of the gate, with the recent release of the second episode the series has become wildly popular on Facebook. The second episode features filmmakers Daniel Knudsen (Crystal Creek Media), Koula Sossiadis Kazista and Katina Sossiadis (Epiphany), Nathan Blair (Kingdom Sight Studios) and John Wayne Bosley (Angels Among Us). The program recently became the most watched CMN show. Meanwhile, excitement surrounds Nathan Blair with the impending release of the film Sleeper Agent, starring Leland Klassen and Gigi Orsillo. John Wayne Bosley's project, Angels Among Us, is also on the move, attracting increased interest and nabbing Orsillo for the cast, and Epiphany's Caitlin Carmichael won "Best Actress" (in a feature film) at the 2019 International Christian Film and Music Festival.
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Nathan Blair, CEO of Kingdom Sight Studios, one of five commentators in Episode 2.
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