Producer Spotlight
Stewart Redwine (36parables.com)

This month WorshipHouse Media interviews Stewart Redwine of 36 Parables.  Stewart is the cinematographer for the project, while his partners John Schimke and David Gaw handle the directing and producing respectively.  Together Stewart, John, and David have set out to release 12 DVDs that each contains 3 short films – each film is a modern day retelling of one of Christ’s parables. 

WHM: Tell us a little bit about the different roles of you and your partners in creating and carrying out the 36 Parables project.

Stewart: The three of us (Stewart, John, and David) are managing a company that manufactures DVDs with short film content. Between the three of us, we have to spend a lot of time in both hemispheres of our brains. If you total that up it equal six hemispheres, three right-brains and three left-brains. Needless to say, it gets a little daunting.

WHM: What inspired you to get involved with film and cinematography?

Stewart: Necessity, the mother of invention, and my mother, the mother of me. My mother consistently let me sketch and take pictures since I was very young. She would listen to my stories and encourage me to be as creative as possible. The reason I mentioned necessity is that I first DP'ed something because I was asked to. Ever since, I have continued to be asked to shoot...I don't go out looking for it, it finds me, and I rise to the occasion every time. Thanks to my mother teaching me to keep on being creative I have learned to live with my mistakes and know that "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly until I have learned to do it better. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing". Roy H. Williams said that, he is one of my heroes. You can learn all about him at http://wizardacademy.org.

WHM: With this project you have an excellent opportunity to integrate your faith with your passion for film, where do you find inspiration when working on 36 Parables material? 

Stewart: I keep in mind one of my favorite stories of an artist in the Bible, the story of Bezalel.  When God ordered the tabernacle to be built He gave all sorts of specific instructions. However, in regards to a bronze basin that needed to be built for ritual cleansing, He gave only general instructions. Yet, he gave two people very special skills to build the tabernacle:

Exodus 31:1-7
Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent"

God filled these men with what they needed to accomplish. This is some heavy stuff, if you let your mind go to the place of "what ifs". Such as, "What if God didn't fill me with the skill I need to do what I am doing?" I think those questions can be answered if we ask Him, however they are also very self-centric. Instead, I think the bigger issue is whether or not we have the courage to use the skill he has given us. I choose to look at what is before me, a given script, idea, or scene and do the very best with the skill, ability, and knowledge God has given me. You can read more about this at the blog I maintain for 36 Parables by going here.

WHM: What is your approach to conceptualizing the story and visuals for retelling an individual parable? 

Stewart: I base my work completely on what John, the Director, wants for each film. I see my job as one of a servant. He brings his vision to each project and I get to help make it a reality by implementing the visual language he wants.

WHM: How do you think the videos from 36 Parables are best used?

Stewart: The videos from 36 are best used to teach with. Anyone who has a need to relate Jesus parables now have a modern short format video they can use to jump start discussion or help get everyone in the right headspace to understand what Jesus is saying to them.

WHM: Have you given any thought to what kind of project you would like to take on once 36 Parables is completed?

Stewart: As you can tell from the name of our company, the end has always been in site. We know there are only 36 short films on our plate and when they are done we will all be moving on to something new. There are two projects on the horizon for me. There is a paucity of Christian visual media specifically tailored and I want to provide content for our brothers and sisters who don't fit in the 65% Caucasian population of the United States of America. The other project I am putting together is a look at mental disorders in the Church, how Christians handle ADD, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and other very real mental maladies. The bottom line is, I see visual media as a tool I can be a part of using to help people see, learn, and discuss the most important issues in life. Putting that in practice is what I plan to do for now, with all the skill, ability, and knowledge God has given me.