Richard Ramsey's Blog

Ramsey Bros. Pictures In The News

2012-01-04T16:43:00.001-05:00

CBS News: "Some truly amazing ideas can end up being so simple. Take this series of videos created by two brothers where they play old home videos of themselves and add in commentary. Genius!"

Read the full article. here.

Huffington Post: "So if you've ever sat back with an "American Beauty" DVD and thought, "Thank goodness for this featurette about the significance of lines in the opening scenes," you're gonna love what the Ramseys have to say about noogies and Air Jordans."

Read the full article here.

And, of course, click here to watch the "Home Video Commentaries" series.

Home Video Commentaries: Not What You Saw

2011-12-29T20:59:00.003-05:00

After a year-long hiatus, Ramsey Bros Pictures is pleased to finally release work twenty plus years in the making. Enjoy.

From "The Song" Playlist: Joe Pug - "Nation of Heat"

2011-11-18T11:49:00.000-05:00

Another video via LaundroMatinee. Love this guy's voice. The question of "Who does he remind me of?" is quickly answered. In fact, you probably won't have time to even ask it. Lyrics like, "If I didn't own boots, I wouldn't need feet?" Harmonica holder? As they say, "Bad artists copy. Great artists steal." And, if you're going to steal, steal from the best.

Another great thing: It's hard steal from a guy as generous as Joe Pug. He's apparently found quite a bit of success can be had in giving music away for free. Devoted fans spread the word and go to shows. So, if you think he's great...google is your friend.

From "The Song" Playlist: Nicole Atkins - "My Baby Don't Lie"

2011-11-17T13:09:00.001-05:00

I'm hoping to consistently feature artists that I've come to really enjoy while doing music and style research for "The Song." This video via LaundroMatinee features Nicole Atkins doing a stripped down version of "My Baby Don't Lie" from her classic/psychedelic rock-inspired album "Mondo Amore."

"The Song" - Screenwriter's iPod Playlist

2011-11-17T11:21:00.001-05:00

I like to listen to music as I write. Not that that's rare or anything. But, for a music driven project like "The Song," it's particularly helpful. Through the writing process, I've developed a fluctuating iPod playlist. Some songs come and go as the story changes or as their novelty wears off and they no longer inspire the emotions and sensations that inspire. You know when you listen to a song so many times that you can't hear it anymore? Some songs have been on the list since I started.

Anyway, below are snapshots of the playlist as it currently stands. Recommendations?

Open Casting Call For Feature Film, "The Song."

2011-11-15T11:44:00.001-05:00

The man, the music, the meaninglessness. Have what it takes to play a modern day Solomon?
To audition, visit www.thesongofsongs.com

The Life Project - Three Casts, One Story

2011-11-11T15:15:00.001-05:00

As I've stated before, in order to reach as many people as possible, we decided to film the central piece of "The Life Project" with three different casts: African-American, Hispanic speaking Spanish, and Caucasian.

In the above video, the entire story plays out while featuring segments from all three casts.

To learn how you can help get "The Life Project" into thousands of crisis pregnancy centers, visit givethelifeproject.org

The Life Project

2011-11-09T15:23:00.001-05:00

Last year, I had the privilege of directing and writing what will hopefully be the first of many episodes in "The Life Project." From Shane Sooter's blog:

I’m thrilled to premiere these films, each designed to quickly reach the hearts of women facing a crisis pregnancy. Responding to advice of our pregnancy center partners, we crafted three versions of the same story – one with a Caucasian cast, one with an African American cast, and one with a Hispanic cast speaking Spanish. On a creative level, its fascinating to see the many subtle variations created by the different casts. But I hope that nuances like that are lost on you as you watch the first time. I hope that you are drawn into the story, that you are moved, and that you are eager to share this tool with others. Enjoy.

"The Song" On Pinterest

2011-11-02T18:22:00.000-04:00

A couple of months ago, my wife introduced me to pinterest.com. It's basically a virtual cork board. You create different boards, and if you like a photo on the internet, you can "pin" it to your collection. At this point, my pinterest account is entirely dedicated to "The Song."

So far, I have set up boards for all the characters, and one of the major locations. When working in collaboration, it's important to be able to get images out of your head so that others can understand and add to them, and make composites of them. That way, over time, all the creatives for the film begin to see the same characters...and, thus, the same film.

Jed:

The story takes us from Jed’s early twenties, when he’s a gifted, charismatic, optimistic, and wise-beyond-his-years aspiring singer-songwriter, to his early thirties, when he’s famous, burnt out, and world-weary. Basically, imagine someone who could write the contemporary equivalent of Song of Solomon at age 23 and the write Ecclesiastes at 33.

As I stated earlier, "The Avett Brothers" accounted for a substantial chunk of my iPod playlist while I was writing "The Song." To me, Scott Avett (above) is very Jed. His music has incredible depth...and, on stage, he's a hurricane of barely, but brilliantly controlled chaos.

Rose:

Jed’s sweetheart and later wife. She’s the radiant, lovely, intelligent, and innocent girl next door (if you lived on a picturesque farm) that your mom and the Bible told you should marry.

Finding pictures for this character has been tough. In fact, I'm not even thrilled with the one I posted above. Seeing as Rose is not a musician, there's not a famous person who comes to mind when I try to picture her. So, I don't really know what or who to "Google" when searching for a picture that captures her essence.

Shelby:

This character on the other hand...well....I've found that my "villains" are often the most quick to mentally materialize for me. Makes me want to do a film where the villain is the main character.

Shelby's the girl you wouldn’t take anywhere near your mom. One of Jed’s fellow musicians, she’s beautiful, brazen, and sultry. While the real Solomon was brought down by 700 wives and 300 concubines…well…Jed has Shelby.

I'm not in any way saying that Nicole Atkins (pictured above and whom I have never met) is personally like Shelby -just that she has a great look and style (fashion and music). And, the audience response to her singing (at the 1:36 mark) in the below video is a striking testimony to her ability to captivate and enchant an audience...

Avett Awesomeness

2011-10-25T17:01:00.001-04:00

Usually when writing scripts, I compile a fat iPod playlist for the sake of mood. This was especially necessary for "The Song." These guys accounted for about 70% of my list. Mostly because they. are. AWESOME.

You doubt? Then watch the video. Especially, the hoe-down at 4:25.

And...I'm going to see their show in Lexington Thursday Night.

"Story" Recap

2011-10-25T12:20:00.001-04:00

This past week, I had the privilege of attending Robert McKee's "Story seminar." I think the above video gives you the best sample and explanation. I spent most of my weekend somewhere between the extremes of the "Adaptation" clip and the actual calm interview. Sorry if the langage offends, but it really does provide the best window into my weekend. For anyone interested in screenwriting, or filmmaking in general, I highly recommend his book, "Story." It was a tremendous help in writing "The Song," and is a good summary of his seminar.

We are Solomon

2011-10-21T21:03:00.004-04:00

"Without Him, who can eat and find enjoyment?" - Ecclesiastes 2:25

Shane and I just finished the second day of the Robert McKee Story Seminar. It's been very informative and helpful, and I look forward to going back and reading "The Song" after what I've learned here.

McKee is very brazen in his opinions on a wide variety of issues. Today he semi-lamented that good stories in cinema seem to be more and more rare. He says when he was a kid it was a couple a week, now it's a couple a year. He basically attributed this to Western decedance (though, I'm sure some would dismiss his diagnosis as nostalgia).

He basically said Western life is too easy to produce good stories en masse. Westerners don't work anymore...well, not real work. He said studies show that only about two hours of actual work get done in an eight hour work day. Technology, education, and affluence have given us a lot of leisure time, which has given us opportunities to reflect, which makes us realize how terribly unhappy we are. And, a lot of our stories reflect that personal and pervasive unhappiness.

He went on to say that the spectre of death should be a sufficient motivator for us to get out of the chair and get something done...writing a good story, specifically and that writers know that life is really meaningless.

Wow. It was almost...almost...like listening to a New York paraphrase of Ecclesiastes.

As I've told people that "The Song" leans very heavily on Ecclesiastes as source material, I've lost count of how many people have indicated that that is one of their favorite books, if not their very favorite book, in the Bible. Despite the books timelessness, I suppose one could dismiss this as a trend, but enough people have said it to make me wonder if there's just "something in the air" in this age in which we live that makes that book really resonate.

I think part of it is that it provides a sobering and yet comforting alternative to the "too blessed to be stressed" facade that often permeates American Evangelicalism. But, listening to McKee, it hit me...

The West, at many class levels, is full of Solomons -comparatively affluent, educated, leisure-lovers, who have easy access to comforts and experiences that the ancient king could not have foreseen, and who have time to sit and reflect and realize that they are utterly miserable and wonder why all their possessions, achievements, relationships (actual or digital), and experiences simply have not satisfied the deepest longings of their heart.

Story

2011-10-21T11:36:00.000-04:00

Shane Sooter and I are attending Robert McKee's "Story" Seminar in New York. I plan on blogging some reflections on it later, but Shane's got a head start. Click here to read his thoughts.

Madison Ave

2011-10-20T16:47:00.001-04:00

How "Evangelistic" Films Hinder Evangelism

2011-10-18T13:42:00.002-04:00

I snapped this in (the formerly communist) Romania in 2008. Originally meant to be functional rather than beautiful, it is now neither. Christian artists, take note.

A friend and co-worker, Amy Whikehart, sent me a fantastic article on the conspicuous lack of meritorious literature from Evangelicals. Here's a couple of dead-on insights:

"But if evangelism must be the primary purpose of everything we write, then a lot of God’s character will remain unreflected—which will, ironically, not help the cause of evangelism."

"So it is not surprising that, with no such emphasis coming from its leaders, the popular Evangelical subculture seems even more addicted to pragmatism in its approach, as a brief trip through the 'Christian bookstore' will show. Fiction can only be justified if it has an overt evangelistic purpose; works of visual art must have a Scripture verse tacked under them.

"Perhaps when our theologians become concerned with the good of the thing made, some of our people will, too."

Amen.

Click here to read the full article.

C.S. Lewis was an atheist and a highly trained literary critic. In his autobiography, he said that one of the things that began to turn his heart toward God was the fact that many of his favorite authors (such as George MacDonald) were Christians. They didn't reach him by speaking Christian-ese, but by speaking his language in his accent.

Peter Hitchens, atheist-turned-Christian, and brother of current famous atheist, Christopher Hitchens, believes that art will be a more effective means of reaching educated and hard-hearted cynics and skeptics than reasoned argument. He says this based on his own experience. His atheism began to erode after being unexpectedly confronted by a piece of renaissance art.

Roger Ebert is currently an atheist. It's too difficult to imagine his heart being transformed by the current environment of Christian films.

Crafting "The Song"

2011-10-17T13:20:00.000-04:00

The script for the feature portion of "The Song" is done. But, several months ago, the story was a series of scattered scribbles on whiteboards and notecards. Here's a glimpse of where were were in February. Looking back, it's interesting to see how the process changes things and which ideas make it in and which ones don't. And, which ideas couldn't have been anticipated and simply materialize during the actual writing process.

Announcing City On A Hill's First Feature Film!

2011-10-14T14:33:00.002-04:00

Inspired by the life and works of King Solomon, The Song tells the story of a young, aspiring singer-songwriter whose marriage and life suffer when the song he writes for his wife propels him to stardom.

From director, Shane Sooter:

"Already more than a year in the making, I’m thrilled to go public with this monster of a project about one of the Bible’s most perplexing figures. Like our previous five projects, this will take the shape of a television miniseries, a small-group curriculum, and a church campaign resource. But on top of that, this project will stand as City on a Hill Productions' first feature film.

As this will be the subject of many blog posts to come, I’ll resist the temptation to discuss the incredible opportunities and challenges that come with doing a giant, multifaceted, music-driven project like this. For now, I’ll leave you with this teaser: in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing the details on our first nationwide casting search. Ready to audition? Can you sing, play an instrument, and act? Know someone who can? Get in on the action early…give me the scoop in the comments."

"Dig Down Deep" By Vandaveer

2011-10-14T10:15:00.000-04:00

Here's a band I came across while engaging in the music research that the next City on a Hill project requires. My wife and I are going to go see these guys (or rather this guy and this girl) tonight. Very excited.

Little Mary

2011-10-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

My daughter as Little Mary in City on a Hill Productions' "The Christmas Experience." Click on images for larger view.

The Life Project - Animated Promo

2011-10-12T12:42:00.000-04:00

This video, animated by City on a Hill's Justin Gustavison, simply and effectively breaks down our strategy for distributing "The Life Project."

William Lane Craig On Whether We Can Have Meaning Without God

2011-10-11T17:31:00.001-04:00

In Ecclesiastes, the Teacher calls it "striving after wind." Craig calls it "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." They're both right on.Oh, and here's the highest rated skeptical take from the comments section:

I don't think you theists look at "meaning" the right way when you judge atheism for having no meaning. We are here. We are part of this whole thing. We have just as much meaning as the biggest star or black hole. Craig's grim description of the eventual fate of the universe as we know it is just the way it is. Running to theism because you don't like it proves nothing except your "subjective" need for a god.

So, according to ptango101, even if there is no God, we have as much meanings as the biggest star or black hole...both of which also have no meaning. Sleep tight.

Video comes via thepoachedegg.net via thegospelcoailtion.org via reasonablefaith.org

Childplace

2011-10-11T17:17:00.000-04:00

Childplace from City on a Hill Productions.

Here's the latest ministry support film from City on a Hill Productions. Childplace is a residential treatment center for children right across the Ohio River in Jeffesonville, Indiana.

Can I just say, after living the vast majority of my life in Texas, how strange it is to be able to get to another State in fifteen minutes?

When In Rome...

2011-10-10T14:57:00.000-04:00

The Christmas Experience - The Decree from City on a Hill Productions.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world..." - Luke 2:1

Friday morning, City on a Hill Productions wrapped production on our next series, "The Christmas Experience." My involvement seemed rather minimal. I played a shepherd, which only required four nights of filming, and I did quite a bit of onset editing. Other than that, the whole process seemed to be a storm that was happening all around me. The above clip is a scene I edited in the production trailer.

By the way...how terrible would enduring a Roman Census be?"All right. Everyone stand still! We're going to count you! I! I-I! I-I-I! I-V! V! V-I! V-I-...! All right, I lost count! This will be much easier if you all get in groups of X!"

Shout out to Luke Staley.

Check Out Our Awesome Hamster Wheel

2011-10-10T11:25:00.000-04:00

"What do people gain from all their labors
   at which they toil under the sun?
Generations come and generations go,
   but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises and the sun sets,
   and hurries back to where it rises.
The wind blows to the south
   and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
   ever returning on its course.
All streams flow into the sea,
   yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
   there they return again.
All things are wearisome,
   more than one can say."
-Ecclesiastes 1:3-8

I hate routine. I guess Solomon did, too.

Before working at City on a Hill, I was a high school teacher, and there were so many times when I would get ready for work, or for bed, asking myself, "Didn't I just do this?" "Wasn't I just here?" It was like I was on a hamster wheel. Wake up, get dressed, drive to school, check email, first period, second period, third...drive home, eat...read my daughter a bed time story (usually the same one for weeks).

Nature reflects this monotony and contributes to it. We're on this cycle because Earth is too. It rotates every twenty four hours, so most people punch in and punch out accordingly. Under the sun, that is apart from a practical faith in God, this is often dull, meaningless drudgery.

NASA has constructed a satellite to orbit Mercury. Due to Mercury's close proximity to the sun, one side of the planet is always day, the other always night. As a result, the satellite has to routinely withstand a one thousand degree temperature swing. What a life-enabling blessing it is to have a planet that turns every twenty four hours! What conspicuous luck that our planet's tilt and orbit give us four seasons within 365 days. How fortunate that we have water...that evaporates into the air to form clouds...to dump the water back down...so that the water can run into the rivers...that run into the sea...that is never full...so that this life-giving cycle may repeat and repeat. How fortunate we are to have wind that blows, which aids our oceans currents, which churns marine nutrients, which facilitates the growth of algae, which produces most of our oxygen. And, how fortunate we are to have eyes and ears to see and hear it all!

Earth's routine is not a grind. It's a gift.

Something Has Me

2011-09-21T14:36:00.000-04:00

"The more I have, the more I thinkI'm almost where I need to be....if only I could get a little more."

-The Avett Brothers
"Ill With Want"

"All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing."

- Ecclesiastes 1:8

It's A Meaningless Life

2011-09-20T13:30:00.000-04:00

"Where be your gibes now? Yourgambols? Your songs? Your flashes of merriment?...Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, lether paint an inch thick, to this favour she mustcome; make her laugh at that."

-Hamlet to Yorick's skull
Act V, scene i

"The words of the Teacher, a son of David, king in Jerusalem: “'Meaningless! Meaningless!' says the Teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'”

-Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

The teacher here gets straight to the point: existence "under the sun," that is life from a purely secular perspective and apart from a practical faith in God, has absolutely no meaning or purpose. Many with no practical faith in God don't deny this. Because...well, they really can't.

The atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell once wrote wrote:

"That man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the grave; that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins -- all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul's salvation henceforth be safely built."

So, everything we attempt, no matter how lofty and well intentioned, or devious and sadistic, is indeed "striving after wind." There will come a time when Adolph Hitler will be of no more significance than Martin Luther King; when no one will remember them because there will be no one and nothing capable of remembering anything; when both men may as well have never existed.

If there's no god, nothing really matters. That's the inescapable conclusion.

Conspicuously, it seems few atheists have the...I guess, courage...to consistently live like this is true. If the universe is meaningless and without purpose, then there's no meaning or purpose in convincing people this is the case. So, why bother trolling the virtual world's various comments sections, guys?

I've heard atheists say that while atheism denies cosmic meaning, it affirms personal meaning. Well...as Hamlet so famously said: "I could be bound in a nutshell and call myself a king of infinite space." Any meaning that only has jurisdiction in the space between your ears and behind your eyeballs isn't really meaning. It's escapism.

I refuse to live in unyielding despair. I've decided to stake my soul's salvation on the well-founded hope and self-evident truth that the hand that painted the above picture, and the mind that conceived the story it depicts are not the "outcome of accidental collocations of atoms." That man is indeed "a piece of work," "the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals," "a little lower than the angels," "fearfully and wonderfully made."

Eternity In My Heart

2011-09-19T13:07:00.001-04:00

From an Avett Brothers poster designed by Brian Reed

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
- Ecclesiastes 3:11

City on a Hill Productions is soon to announce what, God-willing, will be our first feature film. So, I decided I'd risk jinxing it and write a cryptic blog post about it. Suffice it to say that, for the past few months, I have been immersing myself in Americana music and the book of "Ecclesiastes." I love both.

As you can easily see, I haven't blogged in quite some time. There's a particular reason, and it has been pretty painful. It will take me some time to figure out how to blog about it without sounding like someone who's boasting over fasting. It needs to be a matter of boasting in my weakness...and I was so weak...mentally, emotionally, and spiritually...for a long time. And, there are still ocasional aftershocks.

I suspect, but will reserve final judgment, that a professional incentive to live in "Ecclesiastes" during this time in my life was a God-given gift. It is so comforting to see Biblical writers asking the same questions that literally kept me awake so many nights. I mean, I literally asked myself "Ecclesiastes 3:21" before I read it. When we ask these questions, we are not necessarily treading the slippery slope into nihilistic darkness. We are walking on a trail blazed by those who, like Jacob, committed to struggle, strive, and wrestle with God until He finally agreed to bless them.

The Life Project - Trailer

2011-01-20T16:09:00.007-05:00

Here is a promo from my latest project with City on a Hill Productions. The video features footage from the film series and an interview, in which I explain why am so passionate about this project.

Free "not a fan." Episode Now Online

2010-12-02T11:21:00.003-05:00

A full free episode of City on a Hill Productions' latest series, "not a fan," is available for viewing online. You can watch episode 5 (of 6) above, or click here to watch a larger version.

not a fan. trailer (on youtube)

2010-11-19T14:41:00.001-05:00

new "not a fan." trailer

2010-11-18T14:44:00.001-05:00

not a fan. trailer from City on a Hill Productions.

Ramsey Bros. Rapid Script to Screen Process

2010-11-04T16:03:00.014-04:00

So, here's a quick run down on how Ramsey Bros. Pictures' latest short, "Baby Attack Ad," went from script to [Youtube] screen in a matter of 5 days...

Thursday, Oct 28th, John emails:

I don't suppose you have time to put together a political attack ad against babies if I wrote one up this weekend?

Friday, Oct 29th, I respond:

"Possibly. I'm at saicff until Sunday, which is ________'s bday as you know. Maybe I could do it Monday and release it Tuesday."

Saturday, Oct 30th, John emails:

"Here is a draft. I didn't spend a lot of time on the stage directions, but i am kind of thinking you will do whatever you can think of on those. in other words, i'm hoping you will take over on that. i put some stuff just for kicks, but that's all you unless you need me to think about it more. the bottom line is -- you know what an attack ad looks like and that's what's supposed to look like.

the very, very last part might be over the top. overall, i think this is doable and funny. i hope it's not confusing to read. i'd be curious to know if you can do it."

The attached script (click to enlarge):

I respond:

This is good and I think I can do it. I think it needs at least two more jokes... One really specific to babies and one ridiculously hyperbolic attack on a political issue...they want tax cuts for the rich, cut Medicaid...something.

He adds:

"K. will add tomorrow, which will probably tonight while you are sleeping. I thought it was about 30 seconds so I stopped.

Potential inclusions so far:

'Open your eyes, BABIES'
'They think toddlers should be tried as adults.'
'The only soft spot they have is in their skull.'
'Their isolationist view would have us cut ties with our allies and weaken our economic diplomacy with rogue nations.'

But your thoughts welcome."

Monday, Nov 1st: Driving in my car, I nearly pick up the phone to tell John I'm too busy to do the ad.

5 minutes later: I begin saying the lines to myself in my attack ad voice...and laughing. Yes, I'm that dorky. Then I think, "If I don't do it now, I'll never do it. So, I'll do it."

90 minutes later: I record my voice in the City on a Hill Productions sound room. Using a Final Cut Pro audio filter, I pitch down my vocals for the sinister "attack ad voice" and pitch my vocals up for the "Paid for by..." line. I edit it down to thirty seconds...requiring me to cut the jokes I had suggested...and, as you can see, some jokes that were in the original script.

That afternoon (while the sun is up): I film on a Sony EX3 and take still photos like this one with a Nikon:

The above photo, eventually becomes this segment (after color correction, and blurred vignette):

I also send John a link to just the audio. His response:

"Pretty awesome. This is going to be so, so weird. I would only say that I think we should call it 'Baby Attack Ad for 'Attack Ad Against Babies' [instead of "Bath Watergate"] for intrigue, searchability and relevance to what's going on. Description something to the effect of: 'You can make anything sound bad with an attack ad.'

Also given this audio, I think the PP thing is pretty crucial to the joke. Because all of a sudden, it's like they are really trying to get babies out of Washington, not that we are using babies as a substitute for a political candidate (although, clearly that is going on, too).

I'm headed to bed"

FYI: John is in Kenya, which is seven hours ahead of me.

That evening (while watching the Houston Texans lose) and early into the next morning, I edit.

John and I confer over exactly how to handle the "Paid for by..." tag at the end, and reach an agreement.

Nov. 2nd, 9:55pm ET: "Baby Attack Ad" is released.

Ramsey Bros. Pictures Latest: Baby Attack Ad

2010-11-02T14:20:00.001-04:00

You can make anything sound bad with an attack ad. Click here to watch.

The Life Project - Triple Casting Part 3

2010-10-22T12:07:00.007-04:00

Click images to enlarge.

Palmer Home

2010-10-15T15:31:00.006-04:00

Palmer Home from City on a Hill Productions.

"Palmer Home for Children is a ministry to children in need; children who are growing up as social orphans without the nurture and support of a loving family; children who need a place to be and to become."

While the "New Atheists" are out loudly peddling the metanarrative that Christianity is bad for the world, I get to film the people who are quietly proving them wrong. Back in mid-May, City on a Hill Productions had the pleasure of filming this incredible residential children's home in Hernando and Columbus, MS. Palmer Home has a 115 year legacy and was featured in Christianity Today's article, "100 Things the Church is Doing Right."

Global Outreach - Haiti

2010-10-14T16:33:00.004-04:00

Global Outreach - Haiti from City on a Hill on Vimeo.

Back in May, some City on a Hill staff members and I travelled to Haiti to produce a film for two separate ministries. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. I hope you are encouraged and inspired by the work missionaries David and Judy Heady are doing, and have been doing since 1983, to bring healing and hope to the Haitian people.

"The Global Outreach Haiti Mission is a multifaceted ministry meeting the needs of the total man with a commitment to feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and providing potable water to the thirsty. The ultimate objective of all these ministries is to point people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

To learn more or find out how you can help:
freewebs.com/gohaitimission/

This film was shot on the Canon 5D and Sony EX3.

Directorial Multi-tasking

2010-10-13T14:00:00.003-04:00

Sissy Jupe & The Crummles

2010-10-08T16:36:00.008-04:00

"Well I ain't got no money, not much of a home
I own my own land, but my land's not my own
But, if I had ten million, somewheres thereabout
Well, I'd buy Perry county and drive them all out!

Sad scenes of destruction on every hand
Black waters, black waters, run down through my land"

-Jean Ritchie
"Black Waters"

"not a fan" launched

2010-09-15T17:54:00.001-04:00

...and is featured in "Collide Magazine."

The Life Project - Triple Casting Part 2

2010-09-10T11:55:00.005-04:00

Here's some more stills featuring our three leading casts for "The Life Project." (Shot on Canon 5D.)

The Life Project - Triple Casting

2010-09-09T10:42:00.007-04:00

In order to maximize the effectiveness and usefulness of "The Life Project," we were advised by various women's resource centers to triple cast our story. So, last week we filmed essentially the same story with three different principal casts: white, African-American, and Latino/Spanish-speaking.

While I was excited by the prospect of working with three different casts, I must admit that, at first, I faintly wondered, in the back of my mind, if filming the same scenes three times would be monotonous drudgery. It was not at all! It was an incredible experience to watch these wonderful actors bring their own gifts and insights into the scenes.

We wrapped on the Spanish-speaking episode. Filming will commence for the other two casts in a month.

The Life Project - First Scene

2010-09-07T13:56:00.005-04:00

A week ago tonight, we started production on "The Life Project" a film series created to persuade women with unplanned pregnancies to carry their babies to term. We are shooting on the Canon 5D. Here are some still from the film's first two scenes (which happen to be the first two scenes we filmed)...

Our heroine discovers her pregnancy.

A tyrannical "Soccer Mom," played by my lovely wife Kristina :), then makes life even more bleak.

A cameo by my youngest daughter provides a clear visual of what's at stake.

"Double Negative" Deconstructed

2010-08-06T15:48:00.006-04:00

Wow! Someone posted "Double Negative" on metafilter.com, giving us quite a view boost and a very impressive script breakdown (by someone named "empath"). I'll add a few notes in red since empath did most of the work (and since I now finally get the joke):

"There ain't a person in the world worth waiting for besides you."

"Don't say it that way buck" (objecting to "ain't")

"It ain't gonna change what I mean"

"Where'd you learn to speak like that" (ungrammatically)

"At the end of the day, I'm just a man with a drink who can't win"

"You make it sound like you're putting down the drink, you're just a man who can't win and that's all there is to it" (clarifying the previous sentence)

Also, the words "putting down" can be taken to mean "literally setting the drink down" or "insulting the drink" by saying that the drink (rather than Buck) can't win.

"I know what you're inferring,"
"I know what you're implying" (Correcting him -- one infers from listening, one implies by speaking).

"Say you got a light"

"I have a light" (complying and correcting "got" with "have")

"Can I bum it?"

"You may." The old Can I?/May I? thing.

"Say, you put these in your pocket after we swum the channel"

"After we, no that doesn't sound right" (Swam not swum)

"I wanna say everything is gonna turn out good, can I just tell you that?"

"No, you can't" ('well' not 'good')

"Well then I'll ask you, are you and me gonna turn out good?"

"You and I, Buck" (Subjective case!)

"Who else is there in the world besides you and I?"

"You and me, Buck" (Objective case, Buck!)

"There's no one else kid."

"You can say that you and I are going to turn out well." (If you wanted to have proper grammar).

"Is that right?"

"Yes, I'm sure of it." (grammatically)

"Good, because it's hard to walk you when you have me head of heels and the world turned upside down and sometimes I don't know if I can take this any farther."

"What are you saying, Buck?" (could you have mixed any more metaphors?)

"I'm wondering if we have any future."

"Well then it should be, oh how should I say this -- "I don't think we should take this any further." (If you're talking about time rather than distance, then you should use further instead of farther).

"Oh so now I'm just done?"

"Finished, Buck" (I think this is actually a non-error, but a lot of people say that people were finished and food was done) "Oh can't you see I'm trying to teach you a lesson" (an English Lesson?)

"How many whiskey's have I drank?"

"Drunk" (I have drunk, I drank)

"Seems like something's come in and caused trouble between me, you and the world."

"Leave the world out of it. If there's something divided between people, it's between just two people" (among/between)

"Love me."

"What kind of a statement is that?"

"It's Imperative"

"That's right." (You're learning!)

"It's like I've got two outstretched arms waiting for you to fall into them."

"I can't fall in your arms, it's impossible. Here, let me make this easy. This gun is in my hands. If I shoot it, the bullet in the gun will go into your heart, you will collapse in pain, into a pile on the floor - you see?" (I don't actually get where she's getting at here, can someone explain?)

Someone else in the thread correctly explains that she using the gun as an object lesson to teach in/into distinction.

"Do that, and you'll be in jail in no time."

"That's the idea." (you got whatever point that I was trying to make)

"You and I should run away together."

"You and I?"

"It just sounds right, doesn't it?"

"Yes, Yes, Buck, it sounds perfect." (Finally!)

"I've never been loved by no one like this before."

"That's what they call a double negative." (Literally)

Thanks, empath! You saved me a lot of work!

John Ramsey - I Believe In Unicorns

2010-07-20T14:32:00.007-04:00

My brother, John, is on the front page of digg.com again with what I think is a slightly allegorical joke. Digg it, if you can.

Last Gas Comedy Interviews John About Ramsey Bros. Pictures

2010-07-16T20:36:00.005-04:00

"Quality over quantity," is a favorite axiom parroted amongst "creative types," but for John Ramsey, there doesn't seem to be a choice. With a steady string of comedy awards and accolades that include an appearance on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, HBO's Aspen Comedy Festival and the titles of Funniest Person in Austin 2005, Funniest Filmmaker in Austin 2007 and, most recently, the Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival's Gold Brick Award for comedy filmmaking excellence, John Ramsey's rapidly growing body of work is an enviable portfolio of both quality and quantity.

Click here for the full article.

Ramsey Bros. Pictures Awarded "The Golden Brick"

2010-07-09T11:11:00.004-04:00

Ramsey Bros. Pictures has been awarded "The Golden Brick;" given by Rooftop Comedy staff "to the most hilarious rising comedic filmmaker!" We're very excited to receive this honor!

John Ramsey - Taco Bell Meat Hose

2010-07-08T10:45:00.005-04:00

My brother has a new video that's blowing up on YouTube.

Haiti - Part 1

2010-07-07T16:58:00.005-04:00

These kids were awesome. Sometimes the Haitians were apprehensive about being filmed. So, we decided let them participate in the filming. Luckily, our technical director, Kevin Bryan, was using a Canon 5D. Because it appears to be only a still camera, the kids left him alone. I was able to distract them, so he could get some filming done.

The kids in pink attend the school overseen by Global Outreach Haiti. To send a K - 5 child to school for one year costs $200.00. The children are sponsored through patrons. The child at the bottom is not sponsored, and thus does not attend school. There were a number of unschooled children gathered at the fence, looking in.

.naf a ton

2010-06-30T13:30:00.004-04:00

Not a Fan Update from City on a Hill Productions on Vimeo.

As we were filming this, it looked like it was going to stream backwards or flipped where left was right and right was left. Turns out, Apple iPhone 4 is better than that. Go figure. Anyway, here is the latest "not a fan" update.

not a fan scoring

2010-06-16T13:22:00.006-04:00

Director Shane Sooter and Composer Vince Emmett working on the "not a fan" score.

Location:Middletown Ind Blvd,Louisville/Jefferson County,United States

not a fan - the characters part 2

2010-06-11T15:54:00.006-04:00

not a fan - the characters part 2 from CHP.
BTS Webisode 06. In this webisode featuring actual clips from the NOT A FAN series, actors Ryan King, Edward Johnson, Jana Sooter, and Tiffany Montgomery, provide a glimpse into the hearts, minds, and stories of their characters.

NOT A FAN is an upcoming 6-part DVD series that challenges people to become sincere "followers" of Jesus Christ, rather than simply "enthusiastic admirers" or "fans."

Leaving for Haiti...

2010-05-20T22:57:00.002-04:00

I'm leaving for Haiti in the morning. I'll post pics if possible.

Color Correcting "not a fan"

2010-05-19T16:41:00.001-04:00

Color Correcting Not a Fan from City on a Hill Productions.

Articles About My Brother, John...

2010-05-19T13:11:00.004-04:00

The first interview is from Austin 360. The second interview, in which I am discussed rather extensively :), is from the trophygeneration.com.

If you're in the Austin area, you can catch my brother May 19th - 22nd at Cap City Comedy Club. If you are not in the Austin area, you can check out my brother's stand-up on his Rooftop Comedy page or our comedy short films.

Appalachia Anniversary

2010-04-29T15:37:00.006-04:00

Backpack Mission Ministries from City on a Hill Productions.

Megan's Hope from City on a Hill Productions.
It's been a year since we visited the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky to film the above videos. Since the release of this video last August, the amount of children fed by Backpack Mission Ministries has more than doubled.

Moved

2010-04-27T18:44:00.006-04:00

Many thanks to the wonderful staff and families of City on a Hill Productions.

Called

2010-04-21T22:14:00.008-04:00

"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there."

- Acts 17:16-17

"Then I heard of a great meeting to be at Leicester, for a dispute, wherein Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists and Common-prayer-men[37] were said to be all concerned. The meeting was in a steeple-house; and thither I was moved by the Lord God to go, and be amongst them. I heard their discourse and reasonings, some being in pews, and the priest in the pulpit; abundance of people being gathered together.

At last one woman asked a question out of Peter, What that birth was, viz., a being born again of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God, that liveth and abideth for ever? And the priest said to her, "I permit not a woman to speak in the church"; though he had before given liberty for any to speak. Whereupon I was wrapped up, as in a rapture, in the Lord's power; and I stepped up and asked the priest, "Dost thou call this (the steeple-house) a church? Or dost thou call this mixed multitude a church?" For the woman asking a question, he ought to have answered it, having given liberty for any to speak.

But, instead of answering me, he asked me what a church was? I told him the church was the pillar and ground of truth, made up of living stones, living members, a spiritual household, which Christ was the head of; but he was not the head of a mixed multitude, or of an old house made up of lime, stones and wood.

This set them all on fire."

-From The Journal of George Fox

Near Prophetic Words About The Beatles

2010-04-20T18:02:00.005-04:00

In 1964, The Beatles' press agent, Derek Taylor, wrote these near prophetic words in the liner notes of my daughter's favorite album, Beatles For Sale:

"There's priceless history between these covers. When, in a generation or so, a radioactive, cigar-smoking child, picnicking on Saturn, asks you what The Beatle affair was all about, don't try to explain all about the long hair and the screams! Just play them a few tracks from this album and he'll probably understand. The kids of AD2000 will draw from the music much the same sense of well being and warmth as we do today."

not a fan: trailer

2010-04-16T20:38:00.005-04:00

NOT A FAN trailer from City on a Hill on Vimeo.

not a fan scene (featuring Kristina)

2010-04-16T20:13:00.010-04:00

Here's a scene from Episode 5 of City on a Hill Productions' upcoming series, not a fan. In this scene, Eric and his sister, Kim (Ryan King and my lovely wife, Kristina), are pushed to the brink by their pharisaical father, Bill.

Years ago, some friends of our family experienced a horrible tragedy that resulted in the death of a child. At the time, these friends were involved in a legalistic religious sect. Fellow members of this sect asked our friends to search their hearts and actions to see if the tragedy was the result of sin in their lives.

Sadly, I hear stories where Christians - I suppose looking for easy answers - ascribe nearly all personal misfortunes and/or global calamities to divine retribution. It makes me angry so I decided to write a scene inspired by such stories.

Also on my mind while writing this scene was John 9, in which Jesus encounters and heals the man born blind:

As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

- John 9:1-5

The Through-Line Of Life

2010-03-15T14:42:00.005-04:00

"And when all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could tell what to do, then, oh, then, I heard a voice which said, 'There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition'; and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy."
-George Fox

Rod Todd On Vimeo!

2010-03-13T19:17:00.005-05:00

You can see Rod Todd in his high quality glory on Ramsey Bros. Pictures' vimeo channel.

not a fan - Director's Journal 5

2010-03-12T10:01:00.002-05:00

We're well into the post production process for not a fan. For all my Friendswood peeps, I can be spotted in this video representin'.

Hot Rod: Rod Todd's Greatest Hits!

2010-03-11T16:12:00.007-05:00

Click to watch "It Means Something Different," the hit single from his second album, "Hot Rod: Rod Todd's Greatest Hits."

Also, be sure to check out the new Ramsey Bros. Youtube Channel!

Ramsey Bros. Pictures Release: Rod Todd is Back!

2010-03-09T09:18:00.008-05:00

How can someone describe the greatness that is Rod Todd? Click to watch "It Means Something Different," the hit single from his second album, "Hot Rod: Rod Todd's Greatest Hits."

My First Music Video: Tammy Arant - Life Goes On

2010-03-01T13:39:00.006-05:00

A few months ago, BJ Davis, who composed the music for the Backpack Mission Ministries videos, produced an album for singer Tammy Arant. He approached me about directing a music video for her. So, on a chilly October weekend we shot the above video.

I was initially very nervous because I had never done a music video before. But, it took some of the edge off to find out that Tammy had never done one before either and was quite nervous herself.

I think she did a fantastic job, and I hope her new album is a success!

John Ramsey In The Final Four!

2010-02-22T19:28:00.004-05:00

My brother, John, made it into the final four for "CMT's Next Big Comic Contest." He's been flown to Minneapolis to record material for the final three weeks of voting. Thanks to all who voted!

Smike

2010-02-16T15:24:00.005-05:00

"Nothing of tragedy can be written, can be spoken, can be conceived, that equals the frightful reality of scenes daily and hourly acting on our shores, beneath the shadow of American law, and the shadow of the cross of Christ."
-Harriet Beecher Stowe
Uncle Tom's Cabin

"The Life Project" In Development

2010-02-12T11:52:00.008-05:00

The Life Project from City on a Hill Productions.
I'm currently in the process of writing "The Life Project"-a video series aimed at inspiring those involved in crisis pregnancies to choose life. For various reasons, this has proved to be a daunting project from a writer's standpoint, and I would truly appreciate your prayers as I continue.

This project is very dear to my heart. I am the son of a crisis pregnancy. My parents (still together) chose life. They've never regretted that decision, and I'm confident no one ever does.

I hope you will take the time to watch this video to learn about this very important upcoming film series and that you will consider donating to this project. If you'd like to do so, click here.

@ The Fil-A 2

2010-02-11T20:13:00.001-05:00

- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Louisville,United States

"not a fan" On YouTube

2010-02-10T14:16:00.005-05:00

Be sure to check out, and subscribe to, the "not a fan" youtube channel.

Big Snow Day - Video

2010-02-10T13:58:00.002-05:00

CMT's Next Big Comic Contest

2010-02-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

CMT (as in "Country Music Television") has chosen 12 comics to feature on their website and eventually their TV station (four finalists). My brother, John Ramsey, is one of them as is his co-star from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Murder," Andy Ritchie.

Here's the link where you can vote...as many times as you want...every day...without even watching the videos apparently. Do with that information what you will.

Big Snow Day - Part 2

2010-02-09T15:22:00.003-05:00

Big Snow Day - Part 1

2010-02-09T14:13:00.004-05:00

Back From Bowling Green

2010-02-08T16:39:00.002-05:00

"Be Specific"

2010-02-04T21:38:00.003-05:00

The title quote is from Ringo Starr, or at least the actor who voiced him, in Yellow Submarine. Anyway, he's recently made news with the declaration that God is his life. I'm sincerely curious to know which one.

Big Sister

2010-02-03T23:28:00.002-05:00

- Posted from my iPhone

A Vicarious Grief Observed

2010-02-01T16:36:00.005-05:00

The conclusion is not, "So there is no God after all," but rather, "So this is what God is really like."
-C.S. Lewis
A Grief Observed

I know You bore our sorrows,
And I know You feel our pain,
And I know it would hurt any less
Even if it could be explained.
-Rich Mullins
"Hard to Get"

Then [Job's friends] sat on the ground with [Job] for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
-Job 2:13

I've believed a lie for a long time-or at least a half truth. I'm not sure how to put the lie into words, but it essentially pertains to what it means to trust in God.

On January 2nd, a friend ours in Houston, TX lovingly put her six month-old son down for a nap. He never woke up. I cannot stop thinking about my friends and their terrible loss, and it has rattled me to the core of my being and faith.

This morning, my friend, Ross, unexpectedly lost his mother to an aneurysm. Barely two months ago, he lost his youngest brother (39, I believe) to a heart attack. A number of years ago, Ross lost his son.

This very afternoon, my boss, Shane, and his wife, Jana, abruptly left the office after hearing that their friend had just been crushed by a fallen tree trunk.

Then, there's Haiti; thousands upon thousands dead and wounded in a matter of mere minutes.

The odd thing is that while in some calamities God seems absent, in others, He is so painfully, conspicuous.

I met with Ross on Friday. We had spent a great deal of time talking about the problem of pain, with which I am really allowing myself to wrestle with for the first time.

This morning, in our company devotional, Shane spoke of his recently acquired desire to reconnect with friends from High School and his hopes to share Christ with them. I'm not yet sure if the man who died was one of those friends, but it seems like an odd thing to talk about a couple of hours before this terrible accident.

Our friends who lost their dear little baby, have close friends who also lost a baby, in the same way, a few months before. Neither family will grieve alone, and I believe that will be a source of comfort to both. But the question remains: why must either family grieve in the first place?

Months ago, my friend, Bowin, and his family sold all their possessions to become Missionaries/Water Purifiers in the Dominican Republic...which shares a border with Haiti. They suffered many discomforts and hardships, including his contracting Dengue Fever. Since the earthquake, Bowin has been serving in Haiti creating thousands of gallons of purified water every day. God clearly called and prepared Bowin "for such a time as this."

But the question remains: why is there "such a time as this" in the first place?

And yes, I know the academic, theological responses. But, I am rattled, and I am angry. I must have thought trusting in God meant something different from what it actually means. I must have been living with a lie.

If you asked me if I trust my wife, I would say yes. However, if my wife had the power to prevent any of the above tragedies from occurring, but stood by and allowed them to happen anyway, and then you asked me if I trust my wife, I would say, very emphatically, I absolutely do not.

I would no longer say things like, "I trust my wife with my life." "I trust her with my future." "I trust her with my finances." And all pious platitudes we say about God.

I'm starting to believe that I cannot trust God for anything other than what He has actually and unequivocally promised: saving me and making me more like Jesus Christ-and often imploring painful methods to do so. The quality of the promises is great, but not the quantity.

I've recently had the shock of realizing that there is no evil or calamity, of which the human mind can conceive, to which God says, on general principal, "No, that is too horrible, and I simply will not allow that to happen."

God, of course, does protect individuals specifically from specific calamities, but they are for His unknown reasons. But, I've suddenly woken up and realized that every horrible thing I hope and pray doesn't happen to me or my loved ones has happened to someone...and there is no promise that it won't happen to me or my loved ones.

How does one live after such a realization?

Snow Day

2010-02-01T16:18:00.002-05:00

In Concert

2010-01-24T20:06:00.003-05:00

- Posted from my iPhone

This Is What Writer's Block Looks Like

2010-01-22T17:25:00.003-05:00

Note the literal and metaphoric dense fog in the background.

Um, Are You Listening To Yourself There, Richard?

2010-01-21T20:44:00.005-05:00

From USAToday:

"The champion of unbelief Richard Dawkins, Britain's star atheist scientist, has announced he'll personally cover the PayPal fees (up to $10,000) for donations to two non-religious relief groups -- Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross -- through a newly established site called Non-Believers Giving Aid."

This, from the Non-Believers Giving Aid site:

"When donating via Non-Believers Giving Aid, you are helping to counter the scandalous myth that only the religious care about their fellow-humans."

Yes, and you are also helping to counter the scandalous myth that only the religious donate to charity out of ulterior motives.

Wow. Oh, well. At least he's doing something.

@ The Fil-A

2010-01-21T20:38:00.001-05:00

Mixing Message and Story - Learning from the Classics

2010-01-20T13:37:00.004-05:00

Something I’m chewing on as I begin writing my next project and will keep in mind on all future projects…

I started reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I bought this book for my mother a couple of Christmases ago and when she began reading it, she was telling me not only about the book itself, but the reaction to it at the time, and I found both fascinating. So, I decided to read it for myself.

The book’s preface talks about Harriet Beecher Stowe’s legendary encounter with Lincoln (after the unprecedented success of her book), in which he is alleged to have remarked “So, you’re the little lady who started this great big war.” She was a guest of honor at numerous events, including a dinner in London, where she sat across from Charles Dickens. That got me thinking about his wonderful works as well.

Those two authors (and others from the era) were masters at blending message and story in a way that did not exclude artistic, critical, and commercial success. Nor did it exclude positive controversy-the kind that not only gets people debating the issues, but drives people, out of curiosity, to see what all the fuss is about.

I don’t know much about Dickens’ personal worldview, but the message of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was obviously motivated by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Christian convictions about slavery.

Many speak as if message, in and of itself, were the Achilles’ heel of all creative [Christian] endeavors; that message cannot help but impede story, which in turn impedes audience reception, which in turn impedes commercial success. I disagree. However, I do think the wrong message is an Achilles heel of all Christian creative endeavors. And I think a lot of Christian creative endeavors send a…I couldn’t say wrong, but rather…an incomplete message.

Modern American Evangelicalism is fixated on personal and relational well-being. It permeates everything we hear, teach, and sell. The concept always seems to be that if you embrace and implement such-and-such theological truth or Christian concept, the result will be a dramatic enhancement of your personal and relational well-being. The concept in question can be anything from “Biblical masculinity” to substitutionary atonenment.

But, Dickens and Stowe shed light on the underbelly of society to expose social injustices. In Stowe’s case (and possibly Dickens’ as well), this was motivated by Christian conviction. Furthermore, the authors seem to assume that

The reader likely is a Christian (because Christianity is the predominant religion of the author’s culture)
2. The reader has absorbed Christian convictions via his/her culture (because Christianity is the predominant religion of the author’s culture)
3. The vast majority of people will not be able to help but agree with some Christian precepts and convictions (because Christianity is actually true -John 1:9 & Romans 2:14-15)

With these assumptions, Stowe and Dickens never take a combative “you disagree because you’re lost and/or ignorant and/or evil” approach. They seem to be saying, “You know what’s right and you know what’s good. It’s self-evident. Stop repressing it and ignoring it.” (Romans 1:18)

To top it all, it seems Christian characters in these stories struggle both with and against the social ills. And in so doing, we get a active demonstration of what it means to be a Christian (not just in word, but in deed and in truth). It isn’t simply taking the fire insurance and improving your personal well-being. It’s actively combating real, tangible, oppressive evil in the world!

Largely as a result of their works, social ills were brought to light and eventually eradicated.

Why don’t more Christian films do this???

Storytime

2010-01-19T11:44:00.006-05:00

Listening to "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis.

- Posted w BlogPress from my iPhone

An Apple A Day

2010-01-18T18:23:00.004-05:00

- Posted w/ BlogPress from my iPhone

"Love Your Enemies"

2010-01-18T10:45:00.004-05:00

"Now let me hasten to say that Jesus was very serious when he gave this command; he wasn't playing. He realized that it's hard to love your enemies. He realized that it's difficult to love those persons who seek to defeat you, those persons who say evil things about you. He realized that it was painfully hard, pressingly hard. But he wasn't playing. And we cannot dismiss this passage as just another example of Oriental hyperbole, just a sort of exaggeration to get over the point. This is a basic philosophy of all that we hear coming from the lips of our Master. Because Jesus wasn't playing; because he was serious. We have the Christian and moral responsibility to seek to discover the meaning of these words, and to discover how we can live out this command, and why we should live by this command."
-Martin Luther King
Sermon: "Loving Your Enemies"
Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
Montgomery, Alabama, 17 November 1957

To read Martin Luther King's sermon in its entirety, click here. What an inspiring testament to the fact that Jesus' meant what He said, and that what He said actually works.

@ The Park Too

2010-01-16T17:26:00.005-05:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location: Pee Wee Reese Rd,Louisville,United States

@ The Park

2010-01-16T17:20:00.002-05:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location: Pee Wee Reese Rd,Louisville,United States

Standup Hitchhiking

2010-01-15T17:36:00.005-05:00

Here's John's original stand-up routine that led to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Murder."

NOT A FAN BTS Webisode 05

2010-01-11T12:17:00.006-05:00

This weeks’ “behind the scenes” features (for the first time!) footage from the actual NOT A FAN series as actors Ryan King, Tom Luce, and William McNulty, provide their insights on the story and its characters.

Also, we now have a Youtube Channel, and we’d love to have you join us on facebook!

"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!"

2010-01-05T22:53:00.003-05:00

Christian Filmmakers.org Holiday Contest Winners

2009-12-31T21:22:00.004-05:00

ChristianFilmmakers.org recently had a 24-hour film contest, and I had the privilege of being one of the judges. Above is a playlist featuring this year's entries. The first eight are the ranked winners (starting with 1st place). All videos are one minute or less.

If you are a Christian and interested in filmmaking, I heartily recommend joining ChristianFilmmakers.org. It's a great place to meet like minded Christian artists.

100,000 Views!

2009-12-30T22:34:00.004-05:00

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Murder hit 100k views today! Check out the video and visit the Ramsey Bros. Pictures Youtube Channel.

IPhone Test

2009-12-29T23:32:00.001-05:00

So, Kristina and I ordered refurbished iPhones yesterday and received them today. Refurbished is the way to go. It's much less expensive, and I can't tell it isn't new. Anyway, I got a blog app and wanted to try it out.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Signs of the Times

2009-12-26T12:40:00.002-05:00

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to Murder" has been featured in the New York Times Laugh Lines Blog.

Our Latest Sketch...

2009-12-23T22:13:00.003-05:00

..."The Hitchhiker's Guide to Murder," is featured on Youtube's Comedy Page.

Are You Watching Right Now?

2009-12-23T14:29:00.004-05:00

Our most recent comedy short, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Murder," is nearing 40k hits.

Digg It!

2009-12-21T19:12:00.002-05:00

Our' latest comedy short has been posted on the front page of Digg. Please help it say there by "Digging" it. http://digg.com/