"A Matter of Life" on YouTube

D

David W. Richardson

Chapelgrove Films
Some years ago (2002) I did a short (30 min) Christian pro-life film called "A Matter of Life" -- wrote, produced and edited it for the local Crisis Pregnancy Center here. It's been very popular, and they still use it today.

It's now on YouTube for your dining and dancing pleasure. It's in 3 parts -- links are below.

This was only the 2nd film I'd ever done at that time, so be kind. And be forewarned -- this is an overtly Christian film. And one I'm proud of.

Discussions of the Christian or pro-life aspects of the film won't be allowed here, but I'd love any other comments.

Here are the links...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY9s5uzI3po

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ5IkdQyM1c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PbBPk3wwDI

Enjoy!
 
I liked the movie, David. I can't believe this was your second movie. I could go on and critique it for a number of technical reasons, but they are irrelevant.

You made a professional movie for an organization that I'm sure loved it. You shot it for them from the script that was provided, and there is nothing more you could have done creatively to make it significantly better.

The best performance in the movie is Tiffany's. In fact, she carried the movie.

If you could do another version of it -- say, as a calling card type project or just a web version for youtube; I'd drop the ending with the organization and the adoption procedure.

What she says about her relationship with Jesus is fantastic. I loved it. She was really good at that point. That narration is so touching and well delivered that you could end with it, and it will be a really strong movie.

If what I'm suggesting is an option, I'd go ahead and replace the music entirely. Find some good songs and really make the soundtrack dynamic. Also trim down a bit of the movie. See if you can get it to 22 and a 1/2 minutes.

Congratulations, Dave, and thanks for sharing.
 
Thanks filmman!

Why can't you believe it was my second movie??? Lord, you should see the first! :)

Actually, I wrote the script. Only my second script. Luckily my writing has improved over the years.

Tiffany was great! In fact, we're planning a sequel to this short -- a feature-length movie called "The Shadow of Death". Tiffany will reprise her role as Meredith Wilson, who we come back to 10 years after the events in "A Matter of Life".

We shot this in just 3 days, on a budget of only $1,000. Everyone donated their time and talents. Angel MacDonald (now Angelique Mechel) drove 4 hours from Atlanta to do just 2 lines of dialogue as the abortion room nurse. Our director and DP both also came from Atlanta.

I edited the film -- my first time editing anything.

The music was done by Michael Richard Plowman -- donated for free. I love the score! Michael's music has gotten better over the years, and he's scoring a LOT of movies and TV shows now. Check him out at www.michaelplowman.com. (He's interested in scoring "The Shadow of Death".)

I really wouldn't want to do another version of it, mainly because I don't want to undercut the usefulness of this version for the CPC.

I know what you mean. There are places in Tiffany's performance that still put a lump in my throat even today.

Oh.....and the local Crisis Pregnancy Center is executive producing "The Shadow of Death", which will be more of a mainstream story. We're hoping for widespread distribution on DVD, and maybe even a short theatrical run. Stay tuned!

Thanks again man!
 
So you're going for mainstream entertainment this time? The CPC message should be a lot more subtle then.

What's the budget look like for the new one?
 
The CPC connection will be much more subtle, but the main character will still be a strong Christian. The meat of the story involves her crisis of faith as a result of events that occur.

Still working on the script, so I don't know the budget. Low, I'm sure. :)
 
It sounds like a difficult challenge. Whenever an organization is behind a movie like this there are obstacles for the movie to make it as pure entertainment or retain artistic integrity; but it can be done. Of course, that's what the script process is about.

I'm guessing this will be a SAG Ultra Low Budget movie? So your budget will have to be around $200,000.

Wishing you the best of success with the movie. It's definitely a worthwhile project. I think you're going to make a significant movie.
 
Well, I think about the Catholic Church which sponsored "Spitfire Grill".

To be honest, though, I'm not looking to make a movie that will be just "pure entertainment". I want it to reach people with a number of very important messages, some of which are Christian and some aren't. I want it to educate and change people's lives -- even keep them alive.

This will most likely be a non-union project. I doubt we can pull together $200,000 -- unless you want to donate. :D

Thanks so much for your insight, support and encouragement!
 
Hi David,

I urge you to go and make this into a feature-length film. After watching all 3 parts, the last part had the most emotional, connection, and philosophical matter to all pro-life situations.

There were certain scenes that didn't flow together, but overall 90% it's solid.

"Get it taken care of. Just get rid of it." What a slap!

I like how you presented her folks reaction when she admitted she's pregnant. Supportive and understanding rather than mad and screaming off their lungs. Sh*t happens and you can't turn back, but to move on.

Very inspirational David.
Has the same message as the tagline at my site. "Life is beautiful, you are beautiful"

Alan
 
Thanks Alan! I truly appreciate that.

It would have made a good feature-length story. But now we're doing the sequel, which will be feature-length. The sequel doesn't focus on Meredith's pregnancy -- that's 10 years in the past. It deals with the other repercussions from that same relationship that caused the pregnancy -- namely, disease. Cancer caused by HPV, which she got from having relations with Wade. Only it's not Meredith who gets cancer -- it's the husband she loves more than anything in the world.

When we get "The Shadow of Death" finished, we're thinking about including "A Matter of Life" on the DVD as a special feature.

Thanks again Alan!
 
I don't understand the moral lesson of the sequel. Why would the same organization that recommends adoption push for this moral lesson?
 
Their mission with this film is to educate people about the other consequences of unprotected sex, not just pregnancy. And I shouldn't even say 'unprotected' sex, since HPV -- which causes cancer in both women and men -- can be passed even when protection is being used.

Anyway, I don't want to delve too far into that for fear of having the thread shut down. But I hope that answers your question, filmman.
 
Well, I don't blame you for following their lead, because they are producing this movie and you get another one under your belt; but it's not really the sequel to A MATTER OF LIFE -- imho:-)

What does unprotected sex have to do with whether or not to have an abortion when the "impregnator" is a jerk?
 
Of course it's a sequel to AMOL. It follows the main character from AMOL as she continues to deal with the repercussions of events that occurred in AMOL. How on earth is that NOT a sequel???
 
Yeah, but a true sequel should follow the premise of the first movie.

In other words if Clark Kent gets aids and dies in a new movie -- that's not a sequel to Superman. It doesn't matter if he still wears the Superman outfit and flies through the air.

What I mean is that the makers of Superman (the Superman franchise, so to speak), they aren't likely going to do it.

What makes your second movie a success is that you told the story of a girl caught up in a universal tragedy. Personally, I think the organization's solution weakens the movie. Suddenly at that point it becomes an infomercial. That's why I suggested you chop it off and end with her deciding to have the baby and the Christian message behind it.

Anyway, I only discuss this from a filmmaker's perspective, not a moral POV or a business POV. So, with all due respect....
 
But that's exactly what it was -- an infomercial for the CPC. I just chose to deliver it as a narrative, rather than a traditional commercial/educational film. I felt like more people would watch and get emotionally involved this way.

The feature will be far less of an infomercial, far more of a narrative drama. It too will deal with the girl caught up in a universal tragedy -- a different tragedy to be sure, but one which springs from the same root.

Recently PBS ran a BBC series called "Cranford". When that series concluded, they ran another series -- "Return to Cranford". The second series was the continuing story of some of the main characters from the first. Their situations changed, as did their fortunes. I consider that to be a sequel.
 
This is what Merriam-Webster defines "sequel" as -- "a literary, cinematic, or televised work continuing the course of a story begun in a preceding one." That's exactly what "The Shadow of Death" is doing.

Some sequels, like the "Die Hard" series, keep putting the same character in the same situation over and over. Some, like the "Speed" series, put different characters in one very similar situation. And some, like the "Cranford" sagas, follow the same characters through another phase of their lives, using backstories constructed in the earlier stories.

That's my take on it, anyway.
 
filmman said:
What does unprotected sex have to do with whether or not to have an abortion when the "impregnator" is a jerk?
Click to expand...

It wasn't about having an abortion because the father was a jerk. It was about taking the 'easy' way out so as to save face in front of family and friends, and not be inconvenienced.

The whole issue of unprotected sex is that it can lead to both pregnancy and life-threatening diseases.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top