Burnett Family

With summer comes fun times with family, homemade ice cream, hot weather, travel, and…lots and lots of FRIENDS! This summer has been no exception, as we have gotten many chances to get together with old friends and meet new ones.

When we traveled to Indy, Joe and Jerica Henline met us at Skyline – a Cincinnati restaurant that serves a signature chili. We had a great time catching up with Joe and Jerica and talking about their newest project – a short film entitled, The Forgotten Martyr: Lady Jane Grey.

Note: This isn’t your typical chili…it contains chocolate and cinnamon! I made it a little more Oklahoma-ish by eating it over fries instead of spaghetti noodles. :)

Next – Abbie’s good friend, Laura, was in OK for a week, so we drove up to the City and went to Cimarron for chicken fried steak!

Laura and Abbie spent a lot of time together coordinating the CI’s this summer and became great friends…with the specialty of solving all the world’s problems late at night. ;)

A few weeks ago, all of us girls attended a 2-day youth conference called Ultimate Quest. UQ began in Australia and is touring the States for the first time this summer. We came away thoroughly blessed and challenged!! This team does an incredible job of presenting Truth in an interesting and impacting way. Just the fact that you get to sit and listen to an amazing Australian accent the whole time makes it easy and fun to listen to! :) Each leader has a passionate desire to help young people make wise choices and follow God’s ways…because His ways WORK. UQ is highly recommended by our family. :)

Maggie and Carinna’s team

Mine and Abbie’s team  – we didn’t get a picture of Charity’s team. :(

 
What would you think if a total stranger from Alaska (blog reader) contacted you about stopping for a visit on their way to Texas?? Well, after asking a few questions :), we were happy to host Barrie for a visit, admiring her bravery to STAY with total strangers! But actually, I don’t think there are any such things as “strangers” when you’re talking about brothers and sisters in Christ, even if you have never met each other before. We had a grand time learning about her family, beating her in Dutch Blitz playing lots of fun games =D, listening to her crazy adventures of missionary life overseas, and talking about the amazing way God leads us when we give all to Him.

Does anybody recall our gingerbread house competition with the Fortune family last Christmas? :) We’re still friends even after that (haha), and were soooo excited to see them on their singing tour here in Oklahoma!

Our grandparents’ church hosted them here in town for a Sunday night service. Once again, we were so blessed by their testimony and music. The Lord speaks through them in a powerful way!

Keeping up the tradition of fellowshipping at Braum’s. :) Lots of talking, pictures, teasing, sharing, and encouragement!

Fortune and Burnett girls – we outnumber the guys 2 to 1. :)

So, there’s a much-needed update on what’s been going on around here in the month of August! We have more things to tell you soon…so stay tuned. Until then, thank the Lord for the wonderful FRIEND that He is to you and the special friends He has put in your life. :)

Burns Family Studios has begun work on their next Christian feature film titled, Beyond the Mask! Check out this exciting Pre-Production trailer!

Synopsis

This story is an action-fused historic adventure, set in the international turmoil of the mid 1770′s. Running for his life, an East India Company assassin buried his past in a quiet English village, assuming the mantle of an Anglican priest. But this disguise won’t last for long when a woman he loves and a war he no longer wants force him to confront the question of who he really is. In the face of a looming global conflict, he discovers for himself the meaning and source of true justification and freedom.

CLICK HERE
to watch a promo video that includes concept art,
set locations, and more about the film!

Right now they need a little help raising some funds to build a major set for the project, and you can help by donating just $20!

About the Campaign

Right now, we are asking you to consider joining our team by voting for Beyond the Mask with a $20 donation. Through this Kickstarter campaign, we are planning to raise funding to purchase the materials we can’t scavenge for Beyond the Masks’ most important set – a full-scale, live-action 18th century cityscape. But, more importantly, through this campaign we are hoping to find a thousand voices to join with ours as we approach investors (the ‘men in hats’) about making a project like this come to life. By donating $20, you are voting for this project, saying, “Count me in. I’ll help spread the word; I want to see this become a reality.” This is the kind of thing the ‘men in hats’ need to see: there are over a thousand people who are excited about the project and are willing to lend a hand.

Learn More

BeyondTheMask.com

Beyond The Mask – Kickstarter Campaign

On May 22, John-Clay had the privilege of preaching his first sermon at church! With humility and passion, he shared the Word of God from his heart. We welcome you to listen to his message below or download it as an mp3 to listen to later.

Beware of the Choir – 73min
Knowing about God and knowing God are two very different things! Too many of us think that “following rules” and “normal Christianity” are all that God expects of us. Oftentimes it takes trials and difficulties in our life to show us that there is something deeper that we have been missing. Unfortunately along the way we seem to have decided that a select group of believers has the Christian life all figured out and therefore don’t need the teaching or conviction of God’s Truth in their life. If you are looking for a cute little sermon about a cozy soft way to live for Jesus, then you’re in for the unexpected!

Beware of the Choir

To Play: Click the little gray arrow next to the big blue words.
To Download: Right-click on the big blue words and choose, “Save Target As” – then pick the folder you want to save the file into – and click “save”

Several years ago, John-Clay produced a 5-minute movie about remembering the true meaning of Christmas. I had fun acting in my brother’s film, even though we stayed up until 3am one night, recording the narration! I hope you enjoy it.

Synopsis:
In an unexpected turn of events, a young boy learns the truth about Santa and sets out to honor the true King of Christmas! This heart-warming short film emphasizes Who our focus should be during the Christmas season!

You can view a short clip from the movie here.

Click Here to read more about the movie on the store site!

A while back, John-Clay also wrote up a couple Behind-the-Scenes articles about this project, which you can read here Christmas BTS Article 1 – Christmas BTS Article 2

For more information or to download the film, go to:

- ReelCast Productions Download Store -

The San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF) mission is: “To offer a joyful vision of victory and hope to the burgeoning movement among home educators and other Christian students, amateurs, and professionals committed to taking advantage of our current technological revolution, to advance the work of Jesus Christ on this earth through the medium of film. And also, to provide a platform for Christians to present their art, to network with others, and to encourage independent Christian filmmakers in their mission by offering appropriate recognition for excellence in Christian film production.”

I have been able to attend each Festival and Academy event since 2005 and have worked on a number of films that have been shown there. I’ve even been blessed to work on a few films that have won awards at the Festival, including the short documentary I entered in 2007 titled Joel’s Journey.

This year it was especially encouraging to see how the Christian Film industry is growing and improving!! You can see this year’s list of films and events at the SAICFF website here.

This year the Festival was divided between two locations.

Each feature film along with the special evening events were held in the large Municipal Auditorium.

All the other films were screened between several rooms at the usual Henry B. Gonzales Center. (Feature films were also shown here.)

SPECIAL EVENTS

THURSDAY NIGHT they had a couple of special things for opening night!

First, there was a thought-provoking lecture by Geoff Botkin, analyzing the “family-friendly” film, Finding Nemo.

Secondly, was the screening of the new short (50min) film Divided. This well-produced documentary effectively addresses the highly controversial issue of age-segregated Sunday School and youth groups. – Movie Website

FRIDAY NIGHT they screened a rough cut version of the highly anticipated feature film Ace Wonder! Needless to say, even in an incomplete stage, this film went over very well with the audience! – Movie Website

FILM AWARDS

After an exhilarating three days of scheduling/scribbling in the Festival book, watching films, talking to friends, re-scheduling…more scribbling, watching films, and staying up late..talking even more, the Closing Ceremonies FINALLY came!!

Best of Festival Jubilee Award — with its $101,000 cash prize — went to: Agenda: Grinding America Down, a documentary that traces the alive-and-well socialist agenda, from its roots established by Karl Marx and other radical revolutionaries to the present day, demonstrating how Communist ideals have largely captured America and uprooted the once-great foundation of our nation. Available on DVD.

“This documentary is practically a “MUST-SEE” for every American. This is not a movie about wacky people and their cooky conspiracy theories, this uses REAL facts and REAL documents to make a point that is needed, but not often heeded. HIGHLY recommended!”
~John-Clay

Best Feature Film Award went to”: The Penny, a drama/thriller directed and produced by Nathan Webster of Filmweavers. The 88-minute film follows a series of disconnected strangers whose lives unexpectedly collide in what proves to be more than just a “coincidence.” Available on BlueBehemoth and also DVD.

“If you like mind-bending, creative storytelling, this is a movie for you. Course I’m a bit biased because I helped shoot the movie :) – Regardless of that little fact, it should be noted that this film was an instant favorite at the festival (and with my family) for its high production value, intriguing storyline, and good acting. Highly recommended!!”
~John-Clay

Audience Choice Award went to: The Runner from Ravenshead, a delightful film from Little Crew Studios that features an all-child cast played by the Seege children, ages 3 to 11. Their father, Joel Seege wrote, directed, and produced the film. The Runner from Ravenshead also got the runner-up nod in two other award categories: ‘Best of Festival’ and ‘Best Feature’. Available on DVD.

“This was by far one of our favorite films from the festival, and it has quickly become a favorite with friends as well!! We describe it as “Little Rascals / Pilgrim’s Progress / Indiana Jones.” With a well crafted script full of comedy and drama, brilliant acting, incredibly cute kids, and a majestic musical score…this is one movie you DON’T WANT TO MISS!”
~Burnett Family

Best Documentary Award went to: George Washington Carver: An Uncommon Way. The film, narrated by Dr. Voddie Baucham, was directed and produced by Ken Carpenter of Franklin Springs Family Media. This marks Carpenter’s third ‘Best Documentary’ Jubilee Award. Available on DVD.

Best Dramatic Short Award went to: The Mitt, a ten-minute film produced and directed by 19-year-old Sam Siske of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. – Available on BlueBehemoth

Young Filmmaker’s’ Award went to: Small Talents, a humorous fourteen-minute film based on the Parable of the Talents and challenges viewers to decide for themselves how they will dedicate their talents to God. Available on BlueBehemoth.

- You can read the full “Festival Award Press Release” here -

Vision Forum also has a “Festival Winners DVD Set” available for purchase – here.