THE BEGINNING...

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As an evangelist, Brad Kidwell, has organized outreaches in Los Angeles, Honolulu, England, Tampa Bay, and more. 

During one such outreach in the Greenwood area of Clearwater, Florida, Brad listened to a member of his church share an amazing testimony. He had the large crowd of inner-city children, as well as adults, on the edge of their seats. Another member of the team voiced an inspiration to bring a large movie screen and projector to the busy drug-dealing corner at night and show “The Passion” movie. Upon realizing that few people would stand on a street corner to watch a two-hour movie, it would be conceivable they would watch a short action-packed story. Thus, the inspiration for our concept of a witnessing tract brought-to-life in the form of a “Mini-Movie.”

As a college film major, Brad learned the fundamentals of making a movie. With continued studies at U.C.L.A. Extension along with other producing and directing courses in L.A., in addition to directing dozens of large-scale theatrical productions, TV, commercials, and industrials, the stage was set. Knowing the importance of a multitude of counselors, Brad called on friends and professionals in the movie business to help along the way.

Over lunch in L.A. with Mike Leahy, founding member and producer with NEO Art and Logic, that has produced films starring Russell Crowe, Christopher Walken, Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, and Ben Affleck, Brad shared the story concept for “Gettin’ Out”. Mike suggested we “up-the-stakes” with our story, but what could be more gripping than having a rifle in your face and pulling the trigger? Since the movie was based on a true story, you couldn’t just make something up. After thinking for a minute, Brad got on the phone to Ludwig Singleton, whose life the story is about. There was only one way to make the climax of this story more impacting – who was the person holding the gun? Just as Brad had hoped, it turns out, it was a friend. Bingo! We just made the story even better.

Mark Fincannon, Casting Director for legendary directors such as George Lucas, Taylor Hackford, and David Lynch gave surprising insight to Brad on how great the Florida actors were. His company has been responsible for casting over 125 feature films, 100 television “movie of the weeks”, 5 television mini-series and hundreds of television series. Some of his casting contracts include: "One Tree Hill", “Meet the Spartans”, "K-Ville", “Evan Almighty”, “Death Sentence”, “End of the Spear”, “Ray”, “Cold Mountain“, “A Walk to Remember”, “The Patriot”, “Rules of Engagement”, "Dawson's Creek", "From the Earth to the Moon", and "Matlock" just to name a few.

While in L.A., Brad had a meeting with Ted Baehr, Consultant to Hollywood Studio Executives. His Christian influence has proven family-friendly entertainment has a much better box office than the alternative. He gave tremendous advice on distribution and the business of filmmaking.

Brad was told that one of the best directors of photography had a studio in St. Petersburg and had recently acquired one of the newest motion picture cameras in Hollywood, the Red One. Curtis Graham is a Mary Pickford Scholarship recipient at The American Film Institute in Los Angeles who’s work has achieved many awards including an Emmy, Focus, Clio, Telly, Norma, National ADDY, New York Art Directors Club Award, and Most Awarded Short Film of 1990, "The Blue Men." He has produced campaigns for: Outback, The Devil Rays, Tradewinds Resorts, The Gardens, and Tampa General Hospital, just to list a few. Curtis has been filming more feature films over the past year and was very interested in working of the project.

One day in a church prayer meeting, producer, Diane Foti, was introduced to Brad by her friend, art director, Marlene Forand. She and Brad immediately struck a friendship and Diane became instrumental as a producer on the project. Diane began producing for TV and film in New York. She was the Production Manager for the pilot of the popular show, “Law and Order,” while producing “The Equalizer” for Universal Television. A member of the Directors Guild of America, she has been a producer on "Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift" (Paramount), "Kojak The Investigation" (Universal Television), "Invasion USA" (Cannon Films), "Man in 5A", "Strange Invaders", and more. Diane has been involved with production on: “Cagney & Lacey”, “Sea Quest”, “The New ‘Captain Kangaroo”, “Maid in America”, "Huggabug Club", and numerous movies of the week.

The F/X Productions Group was founded to raise-up professional filmmakers to share the gospel to the world. From inspiration to post-production, the faithful members of this group have helped write the story, cast the actors, work on the set, and distribute the final results.

THE MISSION...

As the keynote speaker for the 2010 N.A.A.C.P. Leadership Breakfast on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Clearwater, Florida, Brad shared a scripture that best describes his mission. In Acts 3, there was a forty-year old man leaping for joy in the temple and praising God.

What was his story? We discover that he had been born lame. He had never known what it was like to be normal. His handicap lead him to a life of begging on the street corner. On a day that might have seemed like any other, Peter and John were making their way to the temple to worship. The beggar held out his hand for a few coins. After all, that seemed to be his “lot in life.” It so happened that the two disciples had no money at the time, but they offered something better. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” they commanded him to rise up and walk. Reaching a hand out to him, they helped him up, then God took over! The Lord had a better future for that man than begging. His legacy would not be that of a “beggar,” but a testimony of God’s grace and power.

The lesson we learn is:  All of us are born with something to overcome, but God, through the obedience of His people, can reach out a hand to rescue one another from defeat and lift us up to victory.

God has a bigger plan for our lives than what it might seem.

 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."     Jer. 1:5

What is YOUR Story?

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