Tech Tips for Catholics

Every three months, our local Knights of Columbus council would sponsor a speaker for our Defending Our Faith night. This one particular night I was pretty excited, because one of my all-time favorite Catholic speakers was coming to our Parish. I arrived early, only to find a table of youth group kids eating pizza. Now even though I was in my mid-twenties, I had the appearance of a youth group kid and was invited to join the pizza-eating festivities. Don’t mind if I do : )

A man wearing a suit and a really cool mustache came and sat down at our table—as if I have the right to say that I was a part of this fine group of young people.  This man started to tell a story of Christ’s crucifixion in a way that I had never really heard described.  He then engaged us in an intriguing conversation that reminded me of  something C.S. Lewis might have said.  This man introduced himself as Dr. Ray and he proceeded to eat delicious pizza with us.

He looked different than what I had imagined his voice to be on the radio.  Dr. Ray Guarendi is one of the hosts of “The Doctor is In”, which I was an avid listener to on Living Bread Radio.  On the show, he takes calls relating to parenting, family relationships, homeschooling, adoption, and sometimes questions about our faith.

Over the year’s, Dr. Ray has appeared on national radio and television, including Oprah, Joan Rivers, Scott Ross Prime Time, 700 Club, Gordon Elliot, and CBS This Morning. He has also been a guest on regional radio and television shows in over 40 states and Canada.  Dr. Ray has authored several books, including “Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime”, “You’re a Better Parent Than You Think!”, “Back to the Family”, “Good Discipline, Great Teens”, and his newest book, “Adoption: Choosing It, Living It, Loving It”.

Dr. Ray Guarendi has a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and is the father of 10 adopted children.  I would say this makes him qualified!

Continue Reading »

Grassroots Films is touring their award-winning film, “The Human Experience” in Rome this week.  My wife, Shanon, and I had the privilege of screening this film last Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio.  It exceeded my expectations!  It is a movie that will make you feel somewhat uncomfortable at times, but also joyful other times.  This movie will make you laugh, cry, it will humble you, inspire you, and challenge you.  Hopefully, it will make you a better person.

After the movie, Jeffrey Azize and Michael Campo were there for a Q&A session, which I so wish I would have recorded!  There were some really good questions, and some even better answers.  Jeff and Michael were both very genuine and humble guys.  They mentioned that one of the questions often posed to them is, “Will there be a sequel?”  It is their prayer that each person who sees this film will be inspired to live out the sequel in our own lives.  I really hope that they put a sort of Best of Q&A on the DVD when it comes out.

If you get a chance to go see this movie, it is so worth the time and money.  I was surprised to see all the young people there as well.  I ran into a seminarian, who resided at our Parish all last summer.  And I was surprised to see our Parish Priest’s 2nd cousin, who is also a Priest in the Cleveland diocese there as well.  What a small world!

Oh Yeah!  You might also be interested to know that Grassroots Films are the ones who did these films as well:

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Review: The Human Experience
• R.E.C.: Catholic Filmmakers Showcase

Rebecca of Catholic in Film School is currently working on a series of blogposts that take a deeper look at how our Catholic priests are portrayed in movies.  In her recent post, “Priests on film series: An Introduction,” Rebecca highlights some of the different stereotypes often found in Hollywood films.

1. The Jolly Priest: is just a fun, one-dimensional character that gives one-liners and the occasional dopey, yet still fatherly advice.
2. The Old Creeper Priest: is usually found in thrillers like The X Files, and is placed to further exaggerate the general freaky deakyness of the film.
3. The Epic Priest: Despite the positive portrayal, the “Epic Priest” also tends to be one-dimensional.
4. The Secular Priest: The “Secular Priest” and what I would deem the “Non-Catholic” priest character presents a set of unique problems, because there is nothing discernibly ”Catholic” about either of these characters. (I’ll talk more about this later in the series.)
5. The Non-Catholic Priest aka “Fr. Morals & Values:”

I too often get agitated at how priests are portrayed in movies.  Nuns also seem to get painted with a broad brush in more recent films.  Stereotypes are often born of lack of knowledge or inexperience.

“Negative stereotypes are bad for everyone, but when films stereotype Catholic clergy they create division and disharmony not only between the Church and the secular world, but within the Church as well between the laity and the clergy,” Rebecca explains. “Imagine for a second, an agnostic teenager who has never had a conversation with a priest beyond a, “Good morning, Father” on Sundays after mass even though he’s been going to church his entire life. If that teenager sees the despicable film “Quills” for example, what is he supposed to think about the Church and the call to the priesthood? Not much, in my estimation.”

If you watch many of the prime-time TV shows, you would think every Catholic priest is a pedophile.  Rebecca says, “the church is in a post-apocalyptic/post-9/11 era due to the sex abuse scandal (that has not ceased in some parts of the world.)”  I would have to agree.

Rebecca will be breaking down each stereotype on her blog so be sure to bookmark Catholic in Filmschool or subscribe to her RSS Feed. Also, check out Rebecca’s contributions to Catholic Tech Tips.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Philip Hoffman vs. Mark Shea
• Quote: The Priesthood
• Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR)

JellyTelly, a new online children’s video channel from Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales launched last night!

Try out JellyTelly for free this first month and if you like it, then it is a monthly subscription at $2.99 a month there after.  Your subscription will get you access to the daily shows and fresh games.  JellyTelly wants to spend the money on good Christian programming and not have all the influential advertising that our children are exposed to on, say, Nickelodeon and those types of networks.

If your children beg you to watch SpongeBob SquarePants, JellyTelly would be a more wholesome alternative.  Each Sunday, JellyTelly will show a “Movie of the Week,” which will feature a family friendly movie from some more known Christian movie makers, as well as some of the up-and-comers.  So check it out and see what you think!

Feel free to post your comments or talk about specific episodes in our comments section of this post : )

“Five Tweezy” is posting a little challenge.  Now, I know that many of you were too young to remember the ’80s, but I’m sure you can figure it out : )

Here are the step-by-steps:

1. 80’s attire – Rock it out!  (you may have to make a run to your local thrift store)
2. Download the “Missing Pages” song samples and Mix and Mash them up!
3. Get that video recorder and go to town.  Sing it, dance it, rock it out!
4. Submit your video to streetteam [at] becrecordings [dot] com.

Only the Top 10 videos will be posted so be creative and have a great time!

Continue Reading »

I thought that I had not forgotten, but after watching this DVD on the seventh year anniversary of that tragic day, I realized that I had forgotten the feelings that I felt that day and the weeks following. This film is amazing, but at the same time paralyzing.

Originally this film was supposed to be a documentary about a probie/rookie firefighter named Tony, but it became so much more. This documentary is very real and at times hard to watch. Especially when you can hear bodies and debris falling to the ground. And then the sound of the floors letting go — collapsing one after the other. It’s a miracle that some of these guys made it out alive. However Fr. Mychal Judge (also known as “Chaplain”) did not make it.

Fr. Mychal was featured in a documentary entitled “Saint of 9/11“. His body was carried out by these firemen and laid in St. Peters Church upon the altar. In both films Father Mychal is seen in the lobby of the first tower praying continuously. You couldn’t hear him, but you could see him mouthing prayers as deep concern took over his facial expression. He was a man of great faith and he helped so many people. And God may not have answered all of his prayers that day, but every firefighter from Engine 7, Ladder 1 made it back to the station alive.

This film is a must see! This is not a movie for children. It is real. You are there. You will be overcome with emotions as if time were frozen on this day which took place just seven years ago. Jules and Gedeon Naudet, two brother filmmakers, have preserved this footage so that we may never forget this day. So that we may never forget how we felt that September morning. Both Jules and Gedeon survived which is a miracle in of itself. When you see the footage you will agree.

Each year, in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, I reflect back on and pray. I pray for their families. I pray for those who lost friends. I pray for those who have forgotten. And I pray for those who would do such a horrible act. God bless America. And God Bless our men and women serving our country. Amen †

Catholic Media House is a really cool place to get mini movies, motion backgrounds, still backgrounds, and other visual resources to help evangelize “culturally Catholics” and non-Christians alike.

Let me start by saying that these videos remind me of a lot of the stuff shown on Sunday mornings during non-Denominational Church services (which I attended all throughout my college years).  Though on their website, Catholic Media House states that some of the resources could enhance Mass,  I would highly discourage these resources being used during the Sacred Liturgy!  That said, they would be perfect for small groups, Bible studies, RCIA, youth groups and the such.  The following is a quote from their about us page.

Our products are primarily designed to be used in bible studies, retreats, camps, youth and children’s ministry, RCIA, faith formation, devotions, rallies, special events and other types of meetings outside of the Mass.  However, with careful selection, some items may be ideal in the Mass, particularly in certain seasons of the liturgical calendar.  Care, obviously needs to be taken so that the media enhances our worship and is not a distraction.

There are some really comical videos!  I especially like the really, really short cartoons by Steelehouse Productions.  Oh and “The Don’t Song” featuring the duo Johnny and Chachi is hilarious.

I would also encourage you to check out Nineveh’s Crossing’s video titled “Confession” which features Dr. Ray Guarendi.  It is very well done.

The critically acclaimed, pro-life film Bella was released on DVD several months ago. Netflix has made the movie available for instant viewing on their web site for all of its subscribers. Currently, the film is the eighth most watched out of thousands of films available for instant viewing. If you have Netflix, this is a great way to show the film to others.  That is if you can actually stand to sit in front of a computer monitor and watch an entire movie.

If you don’t have Netflix, I would encourage you to check out www.faithandfamilyflix.com.  As of right now they don’t have the instant viewing feature, however in most other ways they are very similar to Netflix.  Faith & Family Flix has a great selection of movies. Plus you don’t have to worry if a movie has questionable content!  They screen each movie so you don’t have to.  They have also just launched a sister site where you can purchase movies.

It took me a long time to arrive at the conclusion that I wanted to be a screenwriter. I started out wanting to be a doctor, then a marine biologist, then a journalist…well you know how kids are. Now that I am a full-fledged screenwriter, there are certain things I do to help myself along the way during a project. Here are ten tips I use that can possibly help you get started:

1. Write every day.

When I say “every day” I really do mean every day. Record your dreams, write a blog post, jot down a grocery list, it doesn’t matter. But you must write every day because it’s the only way you’ll ever become disciplined.

2. Read screenplays.

This may seem like a given, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t do this. There are plenty of websites that have copies of thousands of screenplays for FREE. (My particular favorite is Script-o-Rama.) By reading other screenplays you can learn about format, genre, and how to develop your own style. (And yes, each screenwriter has his or her own writing style just like any novelist.)

3. Watch a lot of movies.

Duh!

4. Watch a lot of movies with the sound off.

Seriously, try it. And then try to describe what’s going on. (It’s how I learned to write good action.)

5. Read lots of fiction.

Did you know that the modern day screenplay format was developed from Victorian novels? Yes indeed. Plus, there are many “adaptations,” or movies based on books or some other format made every year. Harry Potter anyone?

6. Go people-watching.

This isn’t an excuse to Facebook stalk, but I can’t tell you how many characters I’ve developed from watching some weirdo in West Hollywood. Movies are about life, go live it.

7. Watch the box office.

I don’t believe in spending months working on something that I can’t make any money off of. Maybe when I have a few million in the bank I will, but at this point in my career it’s just not an option. By watching what’s at the box office, you can see what’s making money, what isn’t, and what hasn’t been made in a while.

8. Create that circle of friends.

I have about two or three people in my life who I completely trust when it comes to my work. If I bounce an idea off of them and they look at me with a Scooby Doo face, I know I need to go “back into the lab” and work on that idea some more until it makes sense. It’s a great asset to have some friends who are just as obsessed with movies as you are.

9. Work on multiple projects at one time.

This is something that may not work for everyone, but I find that when I get bored or stuck with one screenplay, I can jump to another one to give my brain a rest. And I usually find that an idea for the first screenplay will come to me as I’m working on the second one.

10. Get your rest, work out, and eat healthy. (And pray, pray, pray!)

This tip may seem random, but the mind is an organ. If the mind is not healthy, how do you expect it to create anything? And keep your spirituality in order. If God and I are out of touch, I find that it’s near impossible to work.

Finally, relax and be patient. It takes a lot of hard work to write a screenplay. And once you finish one draft you’re going to have to write another. I had a professor who once had to rewrite a screenplay 12 times before the studio would buy it from him. 12 times? I call that dedication. I call that screenwriting!

Pax Christi, Rebecca.
(www.catholicinfilmschool.stblogs.com)

“Bella” is availible for order on Amazon.com! Order your copy now!

I loved “Bella”! It is truly a story about love. My sister and I went and saw this film in Cleveland, Ohio and couldn’t stop talking about the movie afterwards. It really is a film of beauty. We left the theater feeling warm and recommended the film to all as we were leaving the theater.

Warning: It is a sob-fest so ladies (and gentlemen) have your tissues near by.

You really should see this movie! It is well worth the buy.

Rotten Tomatoes: The Perseverance Podcast Film Review