saintsbeyond-blog-blog

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See if you can find the quote! There's something significant about it that brings some underlying themes of my film to the surface.

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If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature but by our institutions, great is our sin.

Charles Darwin-

After a preliminary screening of my film just last week with a few professors of my college, an interesting comment was made about this quote which is placed before the film begins. One of the professors asked if I had placed this quote in intentionally which  I did since I felt that it spoke to the issue at hand which was the people of the Occupy movement feeling oppressed by big corporations and  institutions.

I came across this quote while filming at the Occupy Philly movement. It was written on a sign held by a protester.

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New Film Title Needed!!

The original working title of the film is "Saints Beyond The Sanctuary". When I came up with the premise for this film, I had no idea that it would transform into what it has become. Originally, I planned to look at the current status of the black church as it regards to being politically involved in the Occupy movement that was happening in the fall of 2011. When I began filming, going from church to church interviewing different pastors, I realized that the film was beginning to take on something bigger. The larger implication of the film was taking form into addressing the the varying views of whether the church should even be involved in politics.

The original film title implies a premise of looking at what is going on beyond the walls of the church and how Pastors and their congregations are reaching out into the community on a large scale politically and socially. I found out that most of these churches were doing so but it became less and less the main focus. After watching the first rough cut of my film I realize that it is addressing the fact that the church must use it's power to impact society politically by coming together as a unified and sanctified body.

So this calls for a new title! If you have any ideas feel free to message me your ideas! 

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POST PRODUCTION!!! My favorite part.

So, it's been a while but I am glad to say that the documentary has been coming along very well. I am currently in the midst of editing, my favorite part of the film process. Yesterday I had a preliminary screening of the most recent edit of the film which sparked lots of conversation in the room about where the film started and what it has transformed into!! Great progress being made and I would like to again thank all of the participants who have helped me put this piece together!

Next up, I will be working on sound followed by color correction and such; It's not the funnest thing to do but I look forward to seeing it continue to transform! 

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LAST SHOOT!!

This weekend will there will be a final shoot as the semester has come to end! We are hoping shoot either at another church in Philadelphia or in West Chester so we shall see!! Over the winter recess, there wont be much shooting happening but we will continue in the new year with smaller shoots!!

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Does modern American really look so different from itself 40 years ago? You tell me. 

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Just recently, the Occupy Philly protester who had been camping out at City Hall for over a month, have been removed fromt he premises of the vicinity. What I want to know is, did they go home feeling triumphant? Or hopeless that nothing will ever change in this nation? Have their efforts to make a point go in vain? Or were they just an overlooked sideshow compared to the rest of the nation's issues?

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DOWN TO THE WIRE!

There are only two weeks left of filming before the end of the semester and things are looking great! Next week We may possibly be filming at two churches on the same sunday, something I havent done yet so which me luck! Looking towards taking a production break to enjoy the holidays then return in the spring to begin Post-Production!

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Production Highlights

As of today, there are only but a short few weeks left for filming! Currently I am still researching and looking to film at an additional 2 churches in the tri-state area. It would be even greater if we can find churches in New York, Virginia, and/or North Carolina. Let's hope for the best in the last weeks of production as we prepare to go into Post production in 2012!! 

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FILM PROGRESS! Dir. Deanna Clark

I've been making a lot of progress in the production of the documentary, filming each weekend at various churches in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Jersey. It has been great each week getting the inside scoop on what black churches in the tri-state area are doing for their communities and hearing what their pastoral leaders have to say about the state of the black church in politics in modern society. While I miss attending services at my home church, Empowerment Temple AME, I have enjoyed my experiences filming at other churches. 

If you think you would like to have your church be a part of the film in some way contact me ASAP via email! 

deannaclark38@yahoo.com

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Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 16:20 NIV Bible

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WHY I OCCUPY!

Philly Occupants are holding on strong but will they make a difference without any substantial leadership? Just as in the civil rights movement, it is clear that we need strong leaders to really make change. But where are those leaders? In the eyes of the opposition, they're just a group of frustrated people camping out in front of a building. Don't get me wrong, they all have legitimate reasons and issues to fight for, but its the power of the punch that really knocks out the adversary!

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While filming last weekend over at City Hall in Philadelphia, we saw that the once fired up Occupy Philly movement seemed to look more like a ghost town of protesters and homeless people. Tents are set up everywhere housing the protesters who have been there for over a month now. Looks like all the hype is dying down slowly but surely. But where are their leaders? Perhaps the success of the Occupy Philly movement would be more effective if they had a clear goal and effective planning. Have I seen any clergy a part of this movement thus far? No.

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Last weekend, we traveled to Baltimore, to film at St. John's Baptist church located on Dupont Ave, where I was warmly greeted by its members and Pastor Lee Pearson Sr.  The service was filled with lots of singing an rejoicing unto the Lord! There I also sat and talked with Pastor Pearson about his ministry mission and political standpoint. 

Special thanks to Brandon Royal who helped in setting up this shoot!

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About the Filmmaker... Deanna Clark

Young emerging filmmaker, photographer and University of the Arts soon to be graduate Deanna Clark is working on the film that will encapsulate my four years spent studying narrative and documentary production, screenwriting and photography. 

I have always had questions about the church and it's involvement in the community. I've fellowshipped with many churches since I was a child, and at times I wondered were they serving the kingdom of God or serving themselves? Not only that, but what are they doing besides selling chicken dinners after service? Through this film, I plan to explore my questions, which I hope will be add to my own personal spiritual journey.

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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 King James Bible

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Is The Gospel Being Taken Into Politics?

This documentary explores the political activity of the black church and takes a look at how it is conducting itself as a sacred body. What is going on beyond the walls of the santuary? What is the black church doing to challenge political issues in society like unemployment, corporate greed, and healthcare? Are black clergy participating in political movements like they once did during the civil rights era? What is to become of these leaderless protesters on Wall Street and cities of America?

Surely the black church is more than a place to get a 'feel good message' and a chicken dinner. But what has happened to the voice of the black church? Has it diminished from fear of scrutiny from society? This asks and explores the answers to these questions and hopefully we will find where the future of the black church is headed.