A Filmmaker’s Journal
Ten years ago, my life changed. I’d been trying “forever” to make movies, believing it was something God had called me to do. But I simply didn’t have the funds. So I got a bunch of talented volunteers together to shoot a commercial for Doritos’ million dollar prize-paying “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, knowing a win would help finance my movie projects–the footage looked great! And then I got a call about a role in a feature film.
So, on this date I took a break from editing my Doritos ad and auditioned for the lead in a movie appropriately titled Promises to Keep, a story about a middle-aged man’s second chance in life, but was cast in a small supporting role, instead. Still, I noted in my journal, God was up to something.
By the following month, our little Doritos ad had shot to first place and was being watched by thousands of people every day. And Promises to Keep had suddenly been re-cast–with me in the lead role! Astounded at all that was happening, I posted this on Facebook:
“My Amazing Month: After many disappointments, I’m suddenly having this amazing month. But that’s not what I’m thankful for. My Doritos ad might fall into the abyss of Could-Have-Been, and my feature film might languish in indie purgatory, and then what would I have? Answer: Two wonderful experiences and many new friendships. Plus a wife and children who loved me before My Amazing Month, who will love me when it’s over and The Bad Months return, as bad months do. And a God who loved me from the moment He thought me up, and who always will. So, come to think of it, long before My Amazing Month, my life was full of amazing things and amazing people. And that is what I’m truly thankful for!”
We didn’t win the million dollars, and Promises to Keep didn’t set the world on fire, although it has found an appreciative audience in streaming. But memorizing all those lines inspired me to begin memorizing Scripture, and that has changed my life. It also led to a spirited conversation with P2K’s producer, who, as a result, hired me to write and direct two feature films, Healing River and Notzilla.
Both were released in 2020 after winning dozens of festival awards, and became break-out indie hits! A graphic novel based on Notzilla is due in January, and my novel Healing River is due later in the year. In addition, I now do speaking dates on Healing River’s central theme of life-altering forgiveness, as well as other topics.
So, yes, God was “up to something!” What’s next? I don’t know. But I do know this:
God is faithful.
Congrats on all your achievements and for always pointing the glory to God!
Thank you, Sheryl!
A lovely story….thank you
My privilege, Janet.
AWESOME! We never know what God has in store for us until He reveals his plans.
Exactly, Jeanne.
🙂 🙂 🙂
God is always at work; thanks for sharing how He’s been doing it in your life.
My pleasure, DK.
Goosebumps!
I’m sure looking forward to your novel, “Healing River.” I’ll save a blog post for it!
Aw, thanks, Joy!
Simply a great post! I absolutely loved reading about your variety of adventures. Fantastic, Mitch. The best of luck to you!
Thank you, Daniel!
Did you know your film Promises to Keep is on youtube now, free ? I’m watching now, and really like it !
Delighted to hear that! (Afraid I don’t know your name.)
I’m Kate
Aha. I wondered if the “kt” part of ktz2 might be short for Kate or Katee. Your last name isn’t Zeetoo by any chance, is it, Kate? ;>)
haha no but Zee sounded better to me than Q (Quinn)
Two reasons to congratulate you, Mitch: 1) You realize who is in charge and that no matter what, He is going to see you through; and 2) You’ve worked hard to achieve success. Way to go!
Aw, thanks, Kellye.
Wonderful testimony of God’s hand in your life. Thank you, Mitch.
My privilege, Bob.
Congratulations for doggedly using every scrap of the gifts God gave to you and for being humbly grateful for them. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy.
Amen!
Yes, He is! Like the “bug in the rug,” we see only the seemingly random colors of the stitches around us, but once we sprout wings and get a panoramic view of the whole pattern, it will make perfect sense – and it will be beautiful!
” … memorizing all those lines inspired me to begin memorizing Scripture, and that has changed my life.” Same here! Having majored in theater, I realized what I was lacking in talent, I made up for in my ability to memorize. So, when I became annoyed with people’s quoting verses of Scripture out of context, I began to memorize larger sections – chapters, like Isaiah 53, Romans 8, a bunch of Psalms, then the Sermon on the Mount, and finally, whole books of the New Testament. (If I’m ever called to a country where the Bible isn’t allowed, I won’t need to try to sneak a Bible in. All I’ll need is a translator. 😉 )
Wow, shades of ‘Farenheit 451,’ Annie — you can be our Bible if and when it’s banished! You’ve memorized far more than I have.
I would be honored. <3
What an awesome testimony! And that we have the privilege to share in your blessings is a wonderful thing. 🙂
I look forward to seeing what else God has in store for you, Mitch!
Thank you, and likewise, Scott!
What a wonderful story, Mitch. God is good!
He is indeed, Vera.
Looking forward to seeing what our Lord has planned! Yes, He is faithful!!
Yes…He is faithful all the time. He has never let me down.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us and for giving God the credit. This reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Luke 19: “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’”
Well…yeah dreams and consistent hardwork together they make anything possible you inspire me thank you story of my life hallelujah
Well…on my post about bloggers communicating I was writing about this…this is incredible now who thought we are blogging with a movie star man I’ll give you an address and I ask you to send me a shirt with your signature on so I can brag about it this has made my day
;>)
I appreciate your faith
Thank you, Howard.
🙂
Such an encourager you are. Thanks for this.
My privilege, Deborah.
I love this story. There is so much to hope for, and once we understand there is a reason behind what happens (thank you, God), we see life in the best way.
Amen, Jennie.
🙂
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