A Filmmaker’s Journal

Posted on April 6, 2017 by mitchteemley

Which of these ad lines for my upcoming feature film Over-the-Rhine    works best? Click on Leave a Comment below and write 1, 2, or 3 (additional comments welcome).

PLEASE VOTE!

Your responses will determine which tagline is used!

OTR Poster1

OTR Poster2a

OTR Poster2b

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
This entry was posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Movies, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Quips and Quotes and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

69 Responses to A Filmmaker’s Journal

  1. Pam Dollard says:
    April 6, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    I think the third option is most compelling.

    Reply
  2. Relax... says:
    April 6, 2017 at 2:37 pm

    I like the middle one best. The top one made me wonder if the statement was about God. The bottom one gives away too much (which might be something that is misinterpreted). The question as is exists for perhaps all of us: “How do you forgive the unforgivable?”

    Reply
  3. jerseydreaming says:
    April 6, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    I’d say two.

    Reply
  4. Paul Friskney says:
    April 6, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    I like “What if forgiveness isn’t enough?” I am very excited to see the final product!

    All the best, Paul

    Paul Friskney Dean, Foster School of Biblical Studies, Arts & Sciences Department Chair, Arts & Sciences Professor of English & Communication Arts Cincinnati Christian University Ph: 513-244-8128 paul.friskney@ccuniversity.edu http://www.CCUniversity.edu

    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.

    >

    Reply
  5. smarttoughmom says:
    April 6, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    He killed her only son. How do you forgive the unforgivable? is the best. He killed her only son is the powerful and painful story. It is difficult to forgive the killer.

    Reply
  6. Trudy Teemley says:
    April 6, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    You have “How do you forgive the unforgiveable” twice

    Trudy E Teemley
    Northminster Presbyterian Church
    703 Compton Road
    Cincinnati, OH 45231
    513-931-0243
    tteemley@nmpchurch.org

    Reply
  7. atimetoshare.me says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    I like the middle one.

    Reply
  8. Quirky Girl says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    I like the suspense of the second one. The tag line piques interest and intrigues without giving away too much. 🙂

    Reply
  9. gerrymackrell says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    Number two… How do you forgive the unforgivable. Omit any ref. to son.
    Number one suggests lack of real commitment.

    Reply
  10. First Night Design says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    Definitely option one.

    Reply
  11. georgetownrose says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:13 pm

    option #1…

    Reply
  12. Gene Hughson says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    I like the third one.

    Reply
  13. Barbara Runck says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    “How do you forgive the unforgivable?” This title gets my vote

    Reply
  14. C. J. Hartwell says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    I like the third one. It’s not just a perfect teaser, the top line balances the picture nicely.

    Reply
  15. lexcience says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    I am very partial to #1, with #2 being my second choice. I think they are both compelling/immediately capture the attention.

    Best of luck!

    – Lex

    Reply
  16. soulfood101blog says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    #3. It gives enough to make you want a little more.

    Reply
  17. hfsw says:
    April 6, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    I like number one the best.

    Reply
  18. Robert Lambert Jones III says:
    April 6, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    I would combine the last two: “How do you forgive the man who killed your only son?” The second might attract a secular audience.

    The third is one that the Christians will get.
    Why not split the margin and widen the net?

    Sorry. I feel better now.

    Reply
  19. ekurie says:
    April 6, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    3. For me there needs to be some hope of redemption. In college it was all I could do to get through D H Lawrence, Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. But having a son killed must be the bleakest time for any mother. I doubt forgiveness seems remotely possible.

    Reply
  20. Squid says:
    April 6, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Third is my pick! Gives you context and the starting plot line. A great hook. 👍

    Reply
  21. Stan says:
    April 6, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Third.

    Reply
  22. yakpro2015 says:
    April 6, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    # 1 is the best. It doesn’t give the story away and sets up an interesting and intriguing question. Joseph Yakovetic YAKOVETIC DESIGNS http://www.yakovetic.com 16221 Flallon Avenue Norwalk, CA 90650

    mobile: 909.241.6088

    SDG Soli Deo Gloria “To God Alone the Glory”

    From: Mitch Teemley To: yak_pro@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, April 6, 2017 7:29 AM Subject: [New post] A Filmmaker’s Journal #yiv6283835449 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv6283835449 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv6283835449 a.yiv6283835449primaryactionlink:link, #yiv6283835449 a.yiv6283835449primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv6283835449 a.yiv6283835449primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv6283835449 a.yiv6283835449primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv6283835449 WordPress.com | mitchteemley posted: “Which of these ad lines for my upcoming feature film Over-the-Rhine works best?PLEASE VOTE!Your responses will determine which one ends up being used!” | |

    Reply
  23. ponderosapapa says:
    April 6, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    I think the middle one doesn’t allow the reader to pass it off to judging someone else. The question becomes personal and adds intrigue.

    Reply
  24. Ken Jones says:
    April 6, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Second one if appealing to secular audience.

    Reply
  25. songsfromtheriver says:
    April 6, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    Third. It gives a bit of the story line and makes me want to know more.

    Reply
  26. Copiousmorsels says:
    April 6, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    I would go with the third option.

    Reply
  27. nancyehead says:
    April 6, 2017 at 6:34 pm

    Third one, most powerful. God bless!

    Reply
  28. daodeqi says:
    April 6, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    I love your work, but I’m not exactly thrilled about any of those lines. Do you have any others in contention?

    Reply
  29. helbergfarmstories says:
    April 6, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    I like the first one – Having lost a number of loved ones (recently a 4-yr old grandson), sometimes I’m not sure if I can forgive the wrong-doer, I also wonder if giving my forgiveness is enough for them? They destroyed one of the most precious things in my life! I don’t know if I could accept forgiveness if I hurt someone else like that (never have thank God!)? With the other two – if it is “in-forgivable then why even discuss it? In my minds “God’s eye” – either it is something you can (or can learn to) forgive, or its not. My daughter (who lost the son) still, after 3+ years cannot forgive or forget. She has another son (I have custody) but still cannot get herself back together after the loss.

    Reply
  31. Nancy Ruegg says:
    April 6, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    My first inclination was to choose #3. “He killed her only son” lets people know just how much forgiveness is being called for. But as I read other commenters above, I’m now leaning toward #2, which piques interest without revealing too much of the story. I, too, am so excited about the film festival coming up. Could you please email me the date? I wrote down other info and forgot that important part! I’ll let my Orlando-area friends know about the film showing.

    Reply
  32. VocareMentor says:
    April 6, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    #2 works for me as well. I agree with what ‘Relax’ said above.

    Reply
  33. Brad James www.bradszootales.com says:
    April 6, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Mitch
    For me 2 is best.
    I had about same reaction as your reader Relax.
    The first one rightly or not seemed more like a religious statement or movie
    and the third seemed to give too much and what I did not want or need to know away!
    Brad, fellow blogger, writer and now thanks to you critic of posters

    Reply
  34. Mario A. Pita says:
    April 6, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    Only God can say that something is unforgivable, right? I remember a priest told me once “we don’t know what happened to Judas.” For all we know, he repented and was forgiven. That makes the second two theologically untenable for me. The first one though leaves one asking of all else there must be besides forgiveness. Not quite as dramatic as the other tagline, but still…. It reminds me of this story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14900930

    Reply
  35. @vapor_sage says:
    April 6, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    I vote for the first one. Forgiving liberates the heart of the aggrieved, What if it is not enough or is not possible?

    Reply
  36. Roger Ziegler says:
    April 7, 2017 at 12:37 am

    I feel the most impact with #3. It paints a more thorough picture.

    Reply
  37. Imelda says:
    April 7, 2017 at 2:23 am

    One….

    Forgiveness affects both the offender and the offended. Will forgiveness (as generally believed and is mostly true) set both free; or, will guilt or anger, as the case may be, linger? What happens then?

    Reply
  38. Lorien says:
    April 7, 2017 at 2:26 am

    #2 Very powerful, not too much revealed…

    Reply
  40. BelleUnruh says:
    April 7, 2017 at 5:58 am

    #2 is my favorite. I love the artwork.

    Reply
  41. Pastor Randy says:
    April 7, 2017 at 10:47 am

    OK, here’s this left-handed perspective: have the line: “He killed her only son” on the first, “When Forgiveness Isn’t Enough”. I know, I know, that wasn’t one of the choices….just a suggestion!

    Reply
  42. laceduplutheran says:
    April 7, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    #3, it gives a little more of a clue as to what the story is about, without giving away what will happen.

    Reply
  43. Lisa says:
    April 7, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    I like #1. It leaves you with the thought that she is going to be pulled, perhaps unwillingly, into forgiveness plus relationship with someone who wronged her. I find that intriguing.

    Reply
  44. godschildshari says:
    April 7, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    I choose #2. It may lead those who have a different experience than the subject of the movie, to watch it and learn something that may help them in their own issue of unforgiveness.

    Reply
  45. Terri, Reclaiming Hope says:
    April 7, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    #3
    It’s probably just me, but #1 seems to explore a completely different question than numbers 2 and 3. Numbers 2 & 3 both ask HOW you forgive, but number 1 seems to suggest that she’s already forgiven, but is now asking whether that’s enough…..

    Number 3 definitely makes me want to see the film! ~Terri

    Reply
  46. storytellingandmore says:
    April 7, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    Number 3 – for sure! The other 2 sounded good but somewhat…ordinary. Like a movie you would like to see but won`t miss anything if you don`t. The third one will draw people in…I think. It`s quite strong and scary – you cannot remain neutral when you hear about someone`s son being killed. At least that`s the effect it had on me. George

    Reply
  47. mitchteemley says:
    April 7, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    Thank you ALL!!

    Reply
  48. In My Cluttered Attic says:
    April 7, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    I like the third one, Mitch. It gives the reason. ‘O)

    Reply
  49. carhicks says:
    April 7, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    I like the first one, it keeps you thinking.

    Reply
  50. Jennie says:
    April 9, 2017 at 1:11 am

    Definitely #2.

    Reply
  51. brilliantviewpoint says:
    April 9, 2017 at 5:46 am

    #1… do I win?

    Reply
  52. Paula says:
    April 9, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    I like #2 the best. I believe the question posed is the one more often asked than the first. Christians as well as the un-churched can relate to it. This could be a draw for a wider audience.

    While #3 has the same question and could help people relate to why the question is being asked because we know the circumstances, the declaration at the top gives a little too much away (IMO). My family experienced the tragedy of a 10-year-old child (my niece) being murdered. If I wasn’t so devoted to God and sure of His character, I may have been asking “How do you forgive the unforgivable?” a million times and still not been able to have peace.
    I also believe the statement about her son takes up space. I lean toward “clean” in movie posters and book covers. They should be like billboards. Get your message in with 13 words or fewer.

    Thanks for asking, Mitch. Hope this is a “killer” winner for you. God bless you over and over again.

    Reply
  53. Eileen says:
    April 10, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    #1

    Reply
  54. Kat @ More Than I've Been says:
    April 12, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    #1 is my favorite, since it’s a slightly different look at the question of forgiveness, one we don’t think about a lot. It caught my attention immediately, while the other catchphrases I sort of slid right over since you see it fairly often.
    #3 is my second favorite, since it’s like it’s asking “how can you forgive someone who’s taken so much from you?” It’s dramatic, heart-wrenching, and attention-grabbing. It does run the risk of spoiling too much for some people though. 😉
    Hope this helps! I’m honored to be consulted! 😃

    Reply
  55. gpavants says:
    April 13, 2017 at 1:17 am

    #3 Sets up the conflict.

    Reply
  56. Laura Jinkins says:
    April 17, 2017 at 11:57 pm

    #2 — I’m in agreement with some of the other commenters — you don’t want to reveal too much, while still catching potential viewers’ attention. I look forward to seeing this someday!

    Reply
  57. Yu/stan/kema says:
    April 20, 2017 at 1:45 am

    I like #2.

    Reply

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