Chasing a Dream
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, I have a conversation with filmmaker and content creator Chris Bowden from Refocus Creative. His desire is to create high quality, authentic stories. His goal is not to push people away, but to draw them to Jesus through what they see. Polished caricatures don’t move us to transform, but seeing the truth demonstrated in characters we relate to.
About Chris
Christopher Bowden is a national award-winning Videographer & Editor and the Owner and Creative Director of Refocus Creative, LLC. Chris has also written, directed and produced several short films, some of which have been accepted into various film festivals. His next project Shema, a biblical-fiction short film inspired by The Chosen, is his most ambitious project yet. Filming begins this March at Capernam Studios in Texas, followed by a few production days in Massachusetts this June. You can follow the Kickstarter to get notified on launch. You can also follow Refocus Creative on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their upcoming projects.
The Quotes
Creating something-whether it’s a board game, movie, whatever-tells the story of my experience with Jesus.
We owe it to ourselves to create with the highest standard.
Themes
Telling authentic stories is important.
Do they draw you to Jesus?
The Bible is full of rough, unpolished stories. Religion tries to sanitize Jesus.
Resources
Shema Kickstarter
Shema trailer
The Bench, Chris’ debut short film
Answers before questions do damage to the soul. - Henri Nouwen
“As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” - Mark 10: 17-22 (NLT)
“Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.” - John 21:25 (NLT)
Questions
What’s your favorite board game?
How do you share about your experience with Jesus?
What questions do you find yourself asking Jesus?
When have you gotten answers you didn’t want to hear that changed you?
How has religion sanitized or polished Jesus, the stories in the Bible?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
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