If you go
A benefit featuring Mac Powell and his daughter, Scout, who will play the role of Jim Turner’s daughter in Six Strings is 7 p.m. March 25 at the Red Clay Theater, Duluth.
Tickets: www.refugeroad.com.
Information: www.sixstringsthemovie.com.
Most faith-based entertainment leaves something to be desired. You may walk away with the message clearly stamped, but perhaps not feel inspired by the creative effort.
Josh Leonard of Refuge Road Productions believes faith-based films need to take a few lessons from the Christian music industry.
While contemporary Christian music has exploded in recent years, many of the artists have crossed over from air time exclusively on faith-based stations to main-stream radio. Artists like U2 may not be labeled as faith-based, but front man Bono has been vocal about the influence his Christianity has on his music and charitable efforts.
Gwinnett-based Refuge Road wants their films to crossover as well. They plan to make movies that communicate conflict and redemption in a more realistic manner.
Their efforts have been generating interest. Six Strings, Refuge Road’s first project, has already garnered Georgia-based Triple Horse Studios to handle the movie’s production. Third Day’s Mac Powell has agreed to score the soundtrack and record at least one song for use in the film. In addition, Refuge Road Productions has been nominated for one of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Awards to be announced in April.
Six Strings tells the story of musician Jim Turner who seems to have it all until tragedy strikes. Unable to cope, he makes choices that lead him down a disastrous road and ultimately to prison. Jim will journey the path to redemption to regain what he has lost.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Refuge Road has big plans for the proceeds from Six Strings. A portion will help fund future inspirational movies with some of the earnings going back into the community for prison ministries. Future films will maintain connections with organizations related to those films.
“We want our films to advocate for the good of people through faith … advocate for people’s potential as opposed to the negative. Our narrative will be about why people are good, not why they are bad,” said Leonard.
All support is tax-deductible.
“If 300,000 people contribute just $5 each, we can get this movie made,” said Leonard.
My college age daughter tells me her peers have a very high BS meter. You won’t reach them by watering down reality or choosing battles over insignificant issues. I tend to agree with her and will add that it’s just too easy to preach to the choir. Faith-based films that approach life’s issues creatively, and honestly, have a much better chance of reaching people and perhaps changing lives.
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