Transition Years…

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

He donned his office attire, joined his father for a day of work at Franklin Springs, and even accompanied him for afternoon coffee (decaf, of course)…

But within minutes of returning home, Bennett came around the corner, having stepped fully back into the adventurous world of a nine year old boy…

Throw in a few chores around the farm, family worship, and play time with his siblings, and hopefully young master Bennett experienced one more good day of preparation for the years ahead…

Posted on 7/2 at 9:41 AM • Permalink

Homestead Blessings - Again…

Monday, June 16, 2008

You’ve seen them in A Journey Home.  You’ve seen them in Inherit the Land.  And now Franklin Springs is pleased to be working on another new DVD featuring the West ladies.  Stay tuned for more updates from their glorious farm on Russell Creek…

Posted on 6/16 at 8:49 AM • Permalink

On It’s Way…

Friday, June 6, 2008

It’s being duplicated at the plant now, and we’re taking pre-orders (at a discounted price) for our newest DVD, A Full House of Blessing, hosted by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Watch the trailer here: Full House of Blessing Trailer . (Quicktime required)

Order today!

Posted on 6/6 at 3:44 PM • Permalink

Coming in Late June…

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Posted on 5/27 at 2:49 PM • Film • Permalink

PRAY FOR THE CHAPMANS

Thursday, May 22, 2008

I landed at the airport last night, and was greeted with a phone call letting me know that Steven Curtis Chapman’s five year old daughter, Maria, had been killed in an accident at their family home in Franklin. Tragically, the Chapman’s teenage son struck Maria while pulling his vehicle out of their driveway.

I post this note today in hope that you and your family will pray for Steven, his wife Mary Beth, and their children in the days to come.

I first met Steven back in 1994, shortly after moving to Franklin.  Within a few years, we worked together on a longform video entitled “The Walk”, which looked at his then ten years as a Christian singer/songwriter.  We traveled to London to shoot at Abbey Road Studios, to his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky, and numerous other places around the country.

We’ve done several other projects together over the years, most recently for his adoption foundation, Shaohannah’s Hope (http://www.shaohannahshope.org).

In my time with him, I’ve come to know that much greater than having won more Dove Awards than any other artist in the history of Christian music, his foremost priority is to be a fiercely dedicated husband and father seeking to shepherd his family in a way that honors the Lord.

Maria was the Chapmans’ sixth child, their third adopted daughter.  One doesn’t need to be in the Chapman home long before seeing clearly that Steven and Mary Beth’s hearts are tenderly turned to their children.  I ran into them in downtown Franklin recently; before long, the conversation turned to their interest in potentially homeschooling their younger children.  Whether it’s Christian education (like that received by their older children) or homeschooling, I know that Steven and Mary Beth are seeking God’s very best for their family.

Our hearts are heavy as we consider the Chapman household today.  And so I ask again that you lift up this precious family before the Throne of Grace.  May God comfort them, may He unify them, may He strengthen them, and may He begin even now the healing process in the Chapman family.

Posted by: Ken Carpenter

Posted on 5/22 at 7:28 PM • Reflection • Permalink

PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

This week’s shoot with the Gideons was typical in many regards.  On a sound stage in Nashville, the storyboards were placed in “video village"…

The talent found their marks…

The stylist made adjustments…

The dolly track was readied…

Camera settings were checked…

But here’s where things varied from what is typically done.  The camera was mounted on a tripod, not the dolly…

And a light was mounted on the dolly track…

For this shoot about the Gideons greeting card program (where each purchased card results in a testament being given), we circled the talent with the moving light, creating a dramatic transition element between actors…

Though the project has been delayed due to other productions, we look forward to making available our young filmmakers DVD soon, in which we’ll share many production techniques that will benefit emerging filmmakers.

Posted on 5/20 at 1:17 PM • Permalink

Observing God’s Vast Creation

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Recently we had the privilege of observing God’s creation—light-years away from Earth. On a beautiful spring evening in middle Tennessee, friends of Franklin Springs gathered for an evening of fellowship, ice cream, and star gazing. Thanks to high-powered telescope technology, a large screen projector, and the wonderful creation message provided by David Rives Ministries, attendees were able to witness God’s planetary creation in a most wonderful way…


Children, young and old, patiently wait to see the stars (and for ice-cream)


The young ladies graciously demonstrate hospitality by serving everyone at the event. Stay tuned to our website in the coming months as we prepare to share more about a new DVD series we are producing for young ladies that will highlight the importance of hospitality.


So many choices!


Setting up the impressive telescope


“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” —Psalms 8:3 - 5

Posted by: Mark S.

Posted on 5/15 at 4:24 PM • Events • Permalink

The Stand In

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Work continues on the “Joni and Friends” television show.  The initial order of 13 episodes are nearly complete, with editing being completed now on a special two part episode about Terri Schiavo and the circumstances surrounding her death by starvation and dehydration after the court ordered removal of her feeding tube.

Below, Cole stands in at the mark for Joni Eareckson Tada’s end point for one of her host segments for the show.  The gaffer (lighting director) uses a stand in to check the light levels at various points in a camera move.

Cole has had the benefit of learning both on the technical side of producing a television show, as well as the business side.  Below, he evidences having learned how to dress like the show’s executive producer…

Posted on 4/30 at 2:41 PM • Permalink

The Impact of Film

Friday, April 25, 2008

Well, we’re not really certain that we can attribute it to the film.  But after months of shuttling between edit rooms in Los Angeles and Nashville to edit Still Standing:  The Stonewall Jackson Story, and not too long after having masterfully cut together sequences that include scenes detailing Jackson’s fierce love for his family, Joel took for the East coast to take his own bride.

Below, Joel stands proudly next to Martha, his ‘esposita’ (Jackson’s moniker for his beloved Anna), surrounded by the children of the film’s director.  Next to Joel is his brother Graham, who has contributed his vast creative talents to A Journey Home and several other Franklin Springs projects.  These two home educated brothers are shining examples of young men flourishing in their giftings, having been afforded the freedom to develop career expertise at an early age.

The older children of the film’s director were eager to brave the New York chill of an April evening to savor Niagara Falls after the wedding reception…

The younger children of the film’s director were eager to brave the chill of Lake Ontario on their way home through Canada the following day…

The director of the film (and his wife) arrived home thankful for their family’s friendship with Joel and his family and his new bride.  May the Lord richly bless their new home!

Posted on 4/25 at 1:24 PM • Travel • Permalink

New Life at Vaughnshire

Monday, April 21, 2008

Many of you met Paul and Bethany Vaughn through our Inherit the Land DVD.  Their transition to farm life at Vaughshire has been an inspiration to many.  A return visit this weekend reveals that life is refreshingly dynamic, changing, and new at Vaughnshire…

New lambs:

New lessons:

New life:

Posted on 4/21 at 11:49 AM • Travel • Permalink
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