drum reed

Two years ago, while waiting for a friend at a diner, I made a list.

I had just found out that “my services were no longer required” at my former employer, and had some time on my hands. And I thought to myself: this is a gift from God. Free time.

I fully expected to be employed again at some point, so I knew this was a precious commodity, this gift from God. So I made a list of things I could do. Honestly, I don’t remember the full list anymore (really cool, worthwhile things I’m sure) but number eight on the list was to write a screenplay.

I had written a few five-minute dramas for church that year and had been encouraged by Rob who said “you write well”. That was enough to set me off on developing a full-length major motion picture, titled Drum Reed.

When a brilliant student’s paper about abortion is published, it kicks off a wild chain of events that leaves him wondering how far he can push the envelope before the world he truly cares about is shattered.

I talked a few friends into reading the script, and they assured me it didn’t suck. So I was ready for the big time. I phoned my brother, who works for Universal Studies in California. “Enter a contest” was his reply. Thanks brother. But enter a contest I did.

Dance ten, looks three.

I didn’t win, but I did get some good feedback. I scored well on character development and dialogue (an 8 out of 10) but scored poorly on marketability (4 out of 10, because ‘no one wants to make a movie about abortion’). Oh well.

I had some other script ideas, but the fact remained – I wanted to tell stories that glorified God. Would Hollywood ever be interested in that?

Time to try a new game.

Then I heard about the Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays. Established by MovieGuide in 2005, the primary purpose of the prize is to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the film and entertainment industries.

Anyway, today they announced the 32 semifinalists for this year’s screenwriting contest, and if you scroll down the list you may see a familiar name.

Praise the Lord for He is amazing. He works in ways I will never fathom.