June 2002

Hollywood professionals work with local church to produce pilot TV project.

As part of a summer Christian media institute, veteran media people will be working with Christian Life Assembly in Poway to produce a Pilot for television.

The story is a take-off on the popular movie “Sky Kids”. The series will be known as “Spirit Kids” and will feature professional actors along with students attending Ezekiel 12’s summer movie camp.

Ezekiel 12 is a ministry designed to bring Christians and the media together through an innovative program that teaches people how to use the arts and media to promote the message of Christ.

During July and August, three different programs – Movie Camp, Summer Media institute and Summer Drama Institute – will provide seminars and “on location” training for aspiring actors, directors, photographers and would-be film producers.

Some of the guest speakers and trainers for the media and movie camp include Richard Hannah, Stanton Rutledge and Mike Leahy.

Richard Hannah has served as a director of photography and camera operator on such projects as Star Trek, Charlie’s Angels, Coach, and 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Stanton Rutledge has filled various producing roles in the areas of production supervision and visual effects on Pleasantville, The Trip, Lonestar, and Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone.

Mike Leahy is founding member and producer with NEO Art and Logic, that has produced films starring Russel Crowe, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, and Ben Affleck. His company, NEO, has developed a state-of-the-art Digital Effects division that was recently recognized by VPA as a leader in high quality, budget-conscious effects for the independent film community.

In addition, local multimedia and graphics specialist David Minton, who has worked on a 3-D animator on such films as Deep Blue Sea, Anna and the King, and the Omega Code, will be a guest speaker on topics relating to visual effects for film.