Mel Trotter Ministries Partners with JC Films for Movie to be Filmed in Grand Rapids
Mel Trotter Ministries in downtown Grand Rapids is partnering with a faith-based production company to create a film tentatively titled "One Life at a Time." The movie's focus is to give God glory and tamp down the misconceptions of homelessness in West Michigan.The movie will be produced by JC Films and filmed entirely in Grand Rapids. It will star Dean Cain, best known for playing Clark Kent/Superman in the TV series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."
Casting call coming up
Jason Campbell, owner of JC Films will film the feature-length movie in June, with an October release. A nationally acclaimed writer and producer, Campbell and Mel Trotter Ministries signed a film production contract last December.
To help make the movie possible, a casting call is scheduled April 25 at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville. An estimated 100 extras will be hired, with 20 to 30 speaking parts.
Movie's theme
Mel Trotter Ministries opened its doors in 1900.The storyline will take viewers on a human journey where the lives of people from different upbringings and socioeconomic status careen in the most unlikely of places. The script includes an historical nod to Melvin E. Trotter, founder of Mel Trotter Ministries, in light of Mel Trotter's 120-year anniversary. Mel Trotter Ministries opened its doors in 1900."We are doing this film in this order," says Beth Fisher, vice president of advancement for Mel Trotter. "To bring honor and glory to God ... debunking stereotypes and to help people think differently and to experience God differently for those who haven't experienced God."
Painting a different picture
Lodged in too many people's thinking is the mistaken impression that homeless people are lazy, unsaved people, of which, most of them men. Fisher says "One Life at a Time" will paint a different picture.
"The numbers and the data are pretty indicative of who is homeless," says Fisher. "They're mostly unaccompanied youth who have aged out of the foster care system, and families who have lost jobs, (lost) their spouses. They're mentally ill, and single women of domestic violence. In fact 92 percent of women in shelters come from that path: They're fleeing domestic violence situations. Every night we have 40 to 70 elderly disabled men and women in wheelchairs."
Too often, people become homeless because an eddy, according to Fisher, rocked their relationships.
Storytelling demonstrates how we're all connected, says Dennis Van Kampen, president and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries.
"We are all wired to connect our lives with others through stories," says Van Kampen. "Jesus told stories all the time to help people understand what God is like and what life is about. Our hope is that through this film, viewers would connect deeply with that same fundamental truth."
Painting a different picture
Lodged in too many people's thinking is the mistaken impression that homeless people are lazy, unsaved people, of which, most of them men. Fisher says "One Life at a Time" will paint a different picture.
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Too often, people become homeless because an eddy, according to Fisher, rocked their relationships.
Storytelling demonstrates how we're all connected, says Dennis Van Kampen, president and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries.
"We are all wired to connect our lives with others through stories," says Van Kampen. "Jesus told stories all the time to help people understand what God is like and what life is about. Our hope is that through this film, viewers would connect deeply with that same fundamental truth."
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