THE PATHWAY TO DISCOVER GOD'S BIGGER PLAN FOCUS OF 'CROSS PURPOSES'
Official graphic for “Cross Purposes.” Insets: Writer/Director/Producer David Alford, at left, on top from left to right, Joseph Stam, Randa Blackley, Ryan Henderson and Luke Sage.
▶ BY KEVIN SCOTT COLLIER
David Alford, along with a group of independent filmmakers and theatrical artists in southwest Virginia, has announced the release of their upcoming short film Cross Purposes. The movie’s premiere will be held Saturday, November 16th, at the Abingdon Cinemall, in Abingdon, Virginia. Then it will be introduced into the Christian film festival circuit. Alford, who wrote the screenplay for the project, also financed it. The story is about a young man’s search for a place in God’s bigger plan.
“Jamie, a teenage boy, is struggling to figure out his purpose in God's design,” Alford told CM. “His life is being cut short by cancer and he feels the pressure of limited time.”
Jamie (played by actor Joseph Stam) befriends a fellow student named Andrew (played by Ryan Henderson), a hot-shot medical school candidate. His life’s purpose is locked down in a successful medical career as a top-tier surgeon.
“As their lives become intertwined, so do their goals,” Alford explained. “Through a warm friendship full of pranks and misadventures, they both find what they are looking for, in unexpected places.”
Actor Joseph Stam conveyed that his participation in Cross Purposes was an amazing learning experience. He, like other cast members, had limited experience going into the project.
“I had only done acting on stage, so it was a learning process for film acting, while also learning a lot from [my character] Jamie, too,” Stam told CM. “I didn’t know some of the cast and crew beforehand, but everyone connected, worked together, and became very good friends, so quickly.”
Stam found it easy to identify with his character, after enduring personal setbacks, due to injuries.
“While playing this character I had gotten a pretty severe concussion, after already having two, and had been missing out on a lot, much like Jamie had,” Stam said. “He taught me, specifically, in that aspect.”
In addition to Stam and Ryan Henderson, the Cross Purposes cast features the talents of Randa Blackley, Luke Sage and Hannah Alford.
“I had no idea what to expect on set,” Randa Blackley told CM. “I was blown away by the professionalism of the crew, first of all. Very organized and well thought-out!”
Blackley echoed Stam, explaining that she also shared much in common with her character, Yarborough.
“Playing the role of Yarborough was wonderful, because it was as if I was playing me,” Blackley said. “I don’t take to show-off’s very well, so Yarborough’s response to this ‘know-it-all’ was exactly how I would have responded.”'
The Cross Purposes supporting team includes music composition by Benjamin Dawson, cinematography by Sam Reynolds, gaffer Zoë Dominique, B-camera operator Bob McManus, and film editor Timothy Stam.
Principal photography wrapped up the first week of August. Alford noted the intense conclusion in an August 7th post on Facebook:
“The last day of shooting was extremely intense, with challenging tech issues and emotional acting sequences. But our cast and crew weathered all storms like seasoned sailors,” Alford posted. “Our round-the-clock prayer warriors were praying over us and it made all the difference in the world. I’ve never been in a situation where every time a problem came up that would impede us going forward, a tough decision would be made, and that decision would lead to something better than what we originally were trying to do. It was unbelievable.”
Alford conveyed the cast “all came in thoroughly prepared and handled themselves like they had been doing this forever,” which allowed the crew to “up their bar and reach for the more challenging shots” that were captured for the project..
“The story is an amazing one, and written and directed very well,” Joseph Stam shared. “Everyone worked so hard on and off camera, and it was a true blessing to be a part of it. It was just incredible.”
“The entire week was filled with a kind of holy intensity, if you will,” Randa Blackley relayed. “Everyone knew this movie had a message and we went above and beyond to bring it to life. It was a beautiful week!”
The short film, currently in the final editing phase, is expected to be approximately 40 minutes in length and eventually, “We will stream it on Amazon Prime Video,” Alford added.
“After our work is done, it’s time to leave it up to God’s purpose in how he wants to use it,” Stam said. “I am so thankful to Him, that He put this talented group together.”
David Alford, along with a group of independent filmmakers and theatrical artists in southwest Virginia, has announced the release of their upcoming short film Cross Purposes. The movie’s premiere will be held Saturday, November 16th, at the Abingdon Cinemall, in Abingdon, Virginia. Then it will be introduced into the Christian film festival circuit. Alford, who wrote the screenplay for the project, also financed it. The story is about a young man’s search for a place in God’s bigger plan.
“Jamie, a teenage boy, is struggling to figure out his purpose in God's design,” Alford told CM. “His life is being cut short by cancer and he feels the pressure of limited time.”
Jamie (played by actor Joseph Stam) befriends a fellow student named Andrew (played by Ryan Henderson), a hot-shot medical school candidate. His life’s purpose is locked down in a successful medical career as a top-tier surgeon.
“As their lives become intertwined, so do their goals,” Alford explained. “Through a warm friendship full of pranks and misadventures, they both find what they are looking for, in unexpected places.”
Actor Joseph Stam conveyed that his participation in Cross Purposes was an amazing learning experience. He, like other cast members, had limited experience going into the project.
“I had only done acting on stage, so it was a learning process for film acting, while also learning a lot from [my character] Jamie, too,” Stam told CM. “I didn’t know some of the cast and crew beforehand, but everyone connected, worked together, and became very good friends, so quickly.”
Stam found it easy to identify with his character, after enduring personal setbacks, due to injuries.
“While playing this character I had gotten a pretty severe concussion, after already having two, and had been missing out on a lot, much like Jamie had,” Stam said. “He taught me, specifically, in that aspect.”
In addition to Stam and Ryan Henderson, the Cross Purposes cast features the talents of Randa Blackley, Luke Sage and Hannah Alford.
“I had no idea what to expect on set,” Randa Blackley told CM. “I was blown away by the professionalism of the crew, first of all. Very organized and well thought-out!”
Blackley echoed Stam, explaining that she also shared much in common with her character, Yarborough.
“Playing the role of Yarborough was wonderful, because it was as if I was playing me,” Blackley said. “I don’t take to show-off’s very well, so Yarborough’s response to this ‘know-it-all’ was exactly how I would have responded.”'
The Cross Purposes supporting team includes music composition by Benjamin Dawson, cinematography by Sam Reynolds, gaffer Zoë Dominique, B-camera operator Bob McManus, and film editor Timothy Stam.
Principal photography wrapped up the first week of August. Alford noted the intense conclusion in an August 7th post on Facebook:
“The last day of shooting was extremely intense, with challenging tech issues and emotional acting sequences. But our cast and crew weathered all storms like seasoned sailors,” Alford posted. “Our round-the-clock prayer warriors were praying over us and it made all the difference in the world. I’ve never been in a situation where every time a problem came up that would impede us going forward, a tough decision would be made, and that decision would lead to something better than what we originally were trying to do. It was unbelievable.”
Alford conveyed the cast “all came in thoroughly prepared and handled themselves like they had been doing this forever,” which allowed the crew to “up their bar and reach for the more challenging shots” that were captured for the project..
“The story is an amazing one, and written and directed very well,” Joseph Stam shared. “Everyone worked so hard on and off camera, and it was a true blessing to be a part of it. It was just incredible.”
“The entire week was filled with a kind of holy intensity, if you will,” Randa Blackley relayed. “Everyone knew this movie had a message and we went above and beyond to bring it to life. It was a beautiful week!”
The short film, currently in the final editing phase, is expected to be approximately 40 minutes in length and eventually, “We will stream it on Amazon Prime Video,” Alford added.
“After our work is done, it’s time to leave it up to God’s purpose in how he wants to use it,” Stam said. “I am so thankful to Him, that He put this talented group together.”
