It’s a Wrap
The Sidecar is a legendary Barcelona nightclub in the center of the city that has a long tradition of giving space for aspiring artists and musicians to strut their stuff. Their slot for July 4th read, Alas Studio presents… At show time, the Sidecar was packed with a hundred-and-some young people. Jonas and I welcomed them in Spanish and English and cued our first short film. Five shorts later, the directors having shared the inspiration behind their films, I explained our desire as Christians to know and glorify God through the arts. That night at Sidecar embodied all that we hoped to accomplish through the studio: to create together as a community of Christians and to share our work with believers and non-believers in a way that was natural and compelling. Indeed, our summer film project, “Peli2003”, was the culmination of our goals as a studio: to give wings to young Christian artists, to give voice to the ministry of AgapeCampus in Spain, and to give new eyes to see and ears to hear.
On the third day of the project we had each student pitch an idea for a short film. All of their ideas were inspired, and I only wish we could have made them all. But the students picked their favorites and spent three days in a whirlwind of filmmaking. The result, four excellent shorts: “Goody Two Shoes”, “The Child”, “From Darkness to Light”, and “Musical Chairs”. Before launching into our main production, we took a week in the eye of the storm to plant ourselves in God’s story and to grow as protagonists in his drama.
Alas Studio was initiated to create a place, a time, and a community in which young Christian artists could grow in their faith and their craft. This summer sixteen very talented student-artists hailing from New York, Colorado, Washington and elsewhere joined our creative community. During our Spiritual Development Week we pursued a deeper understanding of our good God through the metaphors of story. We studied God’s unfolding drama and our role and quest as artists. We explored God’s ways of developing our character. We discussed how to craft compelling and winsome dialogue. We sought to be inspired by the Spirit as we seek to live a life that is a work of art, a life that speaks well of its Creator.
For the production of our feature, “Delivery”, we turned the reigns over to the students. Chad DeMiguel, Brendan Choisnet, and Adam Brown as Director, Producer, and Director of Photography did an excellent job of leading and motivating the students through a month of long, tiring days. For my part, I became a Production Assistant and the Production Designer. “Production Assistant” is filmspeak for “gopher”. One of the great, though trying, experiences for me during this time was being a servant to the students in all the undesirable details of filmmaking, of which there are many. On the other hand, stunt driving for a scene or two was a blast. I even got a cameo 
With my growing interest in film and filmmaking, the experience of being part of the whole process was endlessly educational. Making a film is no small thing, but I feel now that I really know what it takes, from script to screening. I plan to use this knowhow.
Off the set, I especially enjoyed giving “Film Autopsies” on the films I selected for our weekly film showings. Each Saturday night we screened a film for the students and any friends they had made in Barcelona. The following Thursday I led the students through an analysis of the film, exploring its philosophical and spiritual questions and ideas. The students corroborated my conviction that good films can be a tremendous stimulus to our spiritual growth. Each of the films we watched — Groundhog Day, Pleasantville, Magnolia, The Thin Red Line, and Baraka — continue to challenge and inspire me after countless viewings.
In the end, Peli03 was better than I could have hoped. It was drama, it was action/adventure, and at times, it was horror. There were days when I wanted to shriek as I thought about the improbability of it all working out for the best. But God was faithful again and again in seemingly impossible circumstances. A month before the project’s arrival we lost our studio space. I searched desperately for an alternative, looking into every dilapidated stray-cat refuge in the neighborhood. It looked hopeless. Our landlord extended our stay one week, and only then, at the eleventh hour, did we find a place, a place so much better than our highest hopes. When we were helpless, God provided in an unmistakable way. Each member of our team, from New York to Barcelona, brought crucial finances, skills, and resources that no one else could. We owe Peli2003 to God. To Him be the glory.
The only way to appreciate all that we did this summer is to take a look at the photos I’ve posted online. Take a look at: http://www.alastudio.com/peli/fotos
I am back in Colorado and drawing deep, long breaths of pine fresh air. For the first time in my life my immediate vocation is uncertain. I’ve had a taste of what I think I was created to do. The studio was a dream for me and it inspired even those who only heard rumors of its existence. And yet, for innumerable reasons, the studio became unbearable and impossible for me right now. I pray that one day something like the studio will be possible for me again and that I will become the kind of man that can do it well. In the meantime, whatever I do from nine to five, I’m trying to put first things first. Whatever one does, the only thing that can make one’s life beautiful is to walk in the way of Jesus. I look forward to what God has in store for me now.
Thank you all for the ways in which you made Alas Studio possible.
Beholden,
Nathan Jacobson
Tags: peli2003
