Film Gallery Colxn

3 Film Packages, 1 DVD

2012-03-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

One DVD offers three film packages each including materials for weeks of group discussions.

The three prototypes of the short art films used in the Film Gallery Cafe are now available together on one DVD.

This is not just a DVD with some films on it. Each film is a complete package useful for both personal contemplation and group discussions which could extend for a series of weeks. The inspiration and creativity that will result could be monumental.
Each film plays in widescreen and offers bonus materials unique to each including stills of the art used in the film, the text of the poetry, and conversation frames with which to explore the meaning of the film.

Special Offer On Our Newsletter

The DVD may be purchased on the products page of our web site for $32, shipping included. For a limited time you may purchase it for $25 and free shipping, by joining our e-newsletter. Put your e-mail address in the box in the right hand column and we will send you the March issue where you can find the PayPal button for the special price. Besides that, you will then be in touch with all the great developments of Horizon Gate.

Each film can be purchased individually on the products page of our web site for $15 apiece plus shipping.

Your purchase helps keep us creating more art and films to stimulate significant conversations drawing people to God.

Call for Community of Variety

2012-03-03T13:51:00.001-08:00

Please join us on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, to see our films and talk about the next steps in developing the Film Gallery Cafe.

True community is made of a variety of people, each possessing capabilities needed by the others, who desire to be part of a phenomenon larger than any one of them.

The grand vision of the Film Gallery Cafe is taking another step in forming such a community on St. Patrick's Day, the green color of life day, Saturday, March 17th. On that day we will tell you exciting developments in the vision, show the prototype films and discuss the next steps.

The Upward Bound Community

We are imagining a community where each of us has a personal hold on the common vision and receives fellowship and spiritual growth through creating together. This community will make and exhibit tangible vehicles of art and film which elevate the makers and their audience toward the highest, intangible values of God.

At our St. Patrick's Day gathering we will be looking for varieties of people who are ready to

lead (boards of directors and advisors),

create content (filmmakers, visual artists, writers, musician/composers, performing artists),

exhibit (curators, presenters, crew),

do business (marketing, bookings, accounting, legal),

develop (funding campaigns, grant writing),
and

care for the teams (coordinate, recruit, train, celebrate).

All who are interested are invited to attend regardless of how involved they can be. If you are unable to travel to San Diego, we will try to connect you with the meeting via Skype.

Please RSVP so we can let you know time and place. Mark's e-mail markarturner (at) gmail.com.

Film: "A Prayer for Beauty" Gives First Preview

2012-03-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

Donna Turner presents the film "A Prayer for Beauty" to the St. Paul's Women Together group.

The third film in our Film Gallery collection was previewed for the first time February 2nd at the Women Together program of St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego.
Entitled "A Prayer for Beauty", Mark began production in 2005 based on his poem"Beautify Oh". He had produced a limited edition book of digital illustrations which he began animating with motion graphics.
This was the first attempt in the genre which combines visual arts, motion graphics, spoken word, music and sound effects. It is the only film, so far, in which he weaves the text of the poem into the visuals.

Mark Turner modeled his film score after masters such as Maurice Ravel and Bela Bartok.

A Rich and Complex Sound Track

The sound track also became the most complex of all three films. Mark scored the music based on models of masters Maurice Ravel, Bela Bartok, Samuel Barber and Gustav Holst. Donna joined her voice with his in both choral singing and verse choir. Even a nightingale, a flycatcher and a blue jay sang along with the wind and waterfall.

Project Resurrected

In 2005 other projects forced this to the back burner until last September Donna was invited to present our ministry to the Women Together and we needed a third film sooner than one started from scratch. Production recommenced full time for five months leading up to the first DVD burn the day before the event.

Well Received

Audience reception was very enthusiastic as Donna led a full demonstration of the Film Gallery Cafe including the films, tangible art used to make them and table conversations after each film. Participants commented that they could have spent the whole evening discussing just the one new film. One person said full discussion would require a book to be written. The room was buzzing with intense conversations after each film.

Composition 12 from the film "A Prayer for Beauty"

Next Stage in Development

Work is commencing immediately on the DVD of the film complete with menus of the poem text, stills of the artwork, and conversation cards. The next preview of the new film will be at our Artist Support Group meeting, February 19th. Artists and arts supporters are invited to join us.

Next Short Art Film In Production

2011-12-02T12:59:00.001-08:00

Frame #1

Frame #2

Frame #3
A flowered field around a Minnesota Lake peels back to deep space for a transition in the film "A Prayer for Beauty" by Mark Turner.

The third in our collection of short art films, entitled "A Prayer for Beauty", is in production with a release date at the first of February, 2012.

5 Year Hibernation

This film started as an illustrated poem printed in 2006. The photographic illustrations were then used as a slide show in art exhibits and this motivated Mark to begin animating elements of the illustrations. The motion graphics project was set aside and re-activated five years later to provide a third film in our next demonstration of the Film Gallery Café concept.

New Techniques

Mark sees a growth in his skills and ideas since first working on the film. For instance, he had been stumped as to what kind of sound track would be appropriate, but now has a rich sound design based on knowledge he has gained in music, spoken word and recording technique. New visual techniques are also enhancing the film.

Mobile Exhibit Inspires Creativity In Your Group

2011-11-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Illustration of the film screen, art and conversation you could have at your place.

The Film Gallery Cafe is now taking bookings for the mobile exhibit. We bring to your group the art films and art. You provide the place, beverages and cafe atmosphere.

THE BENEFITS

Just organizing a time and place to contemplate art and film in a conversational atmosphere with refreshments is reason enough to book the Film Gallery Cafe.
The conversations sparked by the films and art can take off in any direction your group wants and those who attend will be inspired on their individual spiritual journeys.
Artists and filmmakers in your group will be inspired in their own art production, or discover a way to collaborate with us. Would it not be wonderful for your own artists and filmmakers to eventually create enough to have their own Film Gallery Cafe? We can show them how.
These results are indeed worth bringing our exhibition to your venue.

YOUR OPTIONS MULTIPLY

Even as we go on the road with our current collection more films are being produced. The third film is in production with a finish date of February and will be a fitting way to start the event as it is "A Prayer for Beauty".
You can choose to follow that up with the more confrontational film "To the Diggers" and finish with the more contemplative "Comforting Hovers", or vice versa. Any order that you think is best for your group and event is your prerogative.
As other films become available more combinations are possible for return engagements.

HELPS TO BROADEN THE EXPERIENCE

At the tables we provide helps to encourage conversations such as cards with visuals and text from the films. Simple art materials are set out for doodling. Prints of artwork and DVD sales extend the experience beyond the event.

Pre-Order the New DVD!

2011-09-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Pre-Order the New DVD!

Be among the first to own your copy and help us get them made!

To Order e-mail mark (at) horizongate.org requesting the DVD you want and we will reply with a PayPal button and instructions for alternative methods of payment.

"Comforting Hovers" DVD -- $15

"To the Diggers" DVD -- $15

Both films on One DVD with all bonus materials -- $25

Films Get Born Again AGAIN as DVD's

2011-09-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

This sub-menu in the "Comforting Hovers" DVD will take you to 5 different conversation topics derived from the film.

Mark is giving birth to two films the third time by authoring DVD's for them.

The films made it through the inspiration (1st birth) and execution (2nd birth) and now have the difficult birth of exhibition. (See the article below "Giving Birth to One Baby Three Times".)
Unlike birthing a human baby, we can pause our labor right here to ask for help. Exactly like birthing babies, the "mother" must be fed and kept healthy, the lights kept on, the supplies flowing.

Will you help this birthing?

We need $1,000 dollars immediately to catch up on staff salary, utilities and supplies to print and package the DVD's.

Please click here to go to the "Donate" button on our homepage and contribute online, or click the "Donate" button on the right panel of this blog. (You do not need to have a PayPal account to make it work.)
or
send a check to Horizon Gate Productions, 4060 Louisiana St., San Diego, CA 92104.
We are a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
You can pre-order the DVD's in the post above.

Films are not complete works of art until people watch them. We are working on getting our short art films out as stimulants for life changing conversations.
"Comforting Hovers", the advent themed film, is ready to copy, print and package.
"To the Diggers", the film which just premiered in July, is in the process of being integrated into a DVD program.

The Main Menu for the DVD of "To the Diggers".

Bonus Materials

Both DVD's feature menus of helps for conversation, the text of the sound track poem and menus of artwork used in the films. Each film will be available as a single DVD and a DVD is being created to carry both films with all their bonus materials.

These DVD's will also be helpful tools in growing support for the Film-Gallery-Cafe concept. We hope to produce a video soon to accompany these DVD's explaining the gallery concept .For a review of the Film-Gallery-Cafe concept see the last post about it.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Okay, may I continue to give birth now, please?.

Simulation of Film Gallery Cafe for Your Group

2011-08-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

Artwork used in the "Diggers" film was matted for display and used on flash cards to aid conversation.

     The first demonstration of the Film Gallery Café took place at St. Paul's Cathedral, Sunday, July 31st .
     The invitation to demonstrate the concept was a confirmation to us that this idea is indeed unique and timely.
     Approximately 35 people who attended the demonstration were very positive that the concept should be developed. About half of the participants wrote their comments on response forms and requested to be on our communications list.

One of the conversation cards

     Completing the film "To the Diggers" the week before was the first requirement for the demonstration. Next we needed to prepare display samples of the physical art which appeared in the film. Conversation cards were created bearing an image from the film and a thought provoking statement, or question.
     Participants sat around cafe style tables and talked about the films and art with the help of the cards and sketching materials.
     Fellow artists assisted in executing the event and expressed the desire to be involved as the concept develops into a full fledged ministry. Video excerpts of the event will soon appear on the St. Paul's Cathedral web page, click this link: http://stpaulcathedral.org/9am-forum .
     We are looking for more opportunities to demonstrate the beginnings of this community building outreach. The films and conversation will provide your group an intriguing event and they will be helping to develop this excellent concept. So, contact us if you have a group which may be interested.

"To the Diggers" Premieres with Calls for More

2011-08-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

     "To the Diggers" had its first public showing July 23rd at the annual Art-Jazz-Poetry event of St. Paul's Cathedral sponsored by their Center for the Performing and Visual Arts.
     The audience of approximately 90 applauded enthusiastically and called for a second showing. Comments afterward urged us to enter the film into festivals.
     At two minutes and 40 seconds, the film belies the two years it took to produce. It is a multidisciplinary work of art incorporating poetry, the spoken word, music, sound production, visual arts and filmmaking all created by Mark Turner.
     It is one of a prototype collection being built for use in our Film Gallery Café and to act as a catalyst for more productions in the genre. The film was part of a program of five poets, nine visual artists and a koto/violin duet.

Film Premieres with Music & Desserts July 23

2011-07-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

     The first public showing of Mark Turner's film "To the Diggers" is scheduled as part of the annual Music-Poetry-Art event, Saturday, July 23, 7 pm in The Great Hall of St. Paul's Cathedral, 5^th and Nutmeg, San Diego.
     The art and sound track of the film are nearing completion but Mark will be working long hours to finish just by the deadline. Part of the presentation is intended to include some of the physical art used to make the film. This will happen if the time and expense of matting and framing the art can be squeezed into the schedule.
     The film has been in production for about two years woven through all the delays and turmoil of disengaging from our mountain home base in Julian.
     Music for the evening will feature Reiko Obata on the Japanese Koto. She will be accompanied by violinist Annelle Gregory, recently featured at Carnegie Hall. Well known local poets and artists will also present their works and luscious deserts will be served.
     Tickets for the event (suggested donation of $10) can be reserved by e-mailing Rev. Richard Lief liefr@stpaulcathedral.org .

First Demo of Film Gallery Cafe July 31

2011-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

    Our concept of the Film Gallery Café will be demonstrated at the St. Paul's Cathedral Forum in The Guild Room on Sunday, July 31, 9 to 10am.
     Cathedral Dean, the Very Reverend Scott Richardson suggested that people need to see what we are describing in order to support it and he extended the Forum to do so.
     This will be the first time we attempt to simulate what we are envisioning and we are hoping artists, filmmakers and arts supporters will connect with us there.
     The first showing of Mark's film, "To the Diggers", a week before (see above article) will have been the next step in the on-going vision of our ministry to present a collection of short art films along with the art used to make them. We want to present the collection in a place where it will stimulate significant conversations which draw people to God.
     The Forum will offer a short introduction and the showing of two films each followed by conversation and art viewing. Forms will be available to retrieve people's responses, suggestions and offers of involvement.

Film Visuals Expand Sound Track

2011-05-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Mark's drawing of the space
shuttle launch culminates a
film sequence depicting
humanity striving to top themselves.

It has become apparent that the brevity of the sound track for "To the Diggers"

is cramping the style of the images Mark is creating for it. The images simply need more time to grow, move and be appreciated. To deprive the images of their proper timing would be to force the dance to take a short cut and become trivial.
So, the sound track is being expanded, giving opportunity to improve it with more expressive detail. This means more work, requiring more time in order to be ready for the July premiere deadline right at the time of our major move.
Please read the article "Move to Be Done by June 30th" to see ways you can help minimize the interruption of the move so we can get this film done in time.

New Details Emerge for Film Gallery Cafe

2011-05-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

     The vision of the Film Gallery Café is taking on more concrete form. Our brochure-in-the-making describes the "peaceful, open and friendly place where you meet for good conversation" around short, thought provoking films and the tangible art used to make them. It describes the multi-layered experience of film, art and conversation which encourages spiritual growth.
Helps for Conversation
     Some new details of the vision are to provide the audience with art materials to help facilitate responses to the films and art through notes, sketches and doodles. These will be offered the opportunity to be posted at the venue and online. They may even be the basis for contests and new films.
Three Phases
     It is becoming clearer that the growth of the vision into a mission is happening in three phases:
1.) Creating the Prototype Collection of films and art (now)
2.) Touring the Mobile Exhibit as a service to existing galleries, coffee houses, community centers and houses of faith (perhaps by next summer)
3.) A Permanent Home in a resident gallery as homebase for the touring exhibit (when we have sufficient following and support base).
The Team
     Other details are coming into focus such as positions on the working team of Content Creators, Exhibitors, Business People, and Finance.

Work In Progress About Work In Progress

2011-04-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

Mark's drawing of a construction worker guiding the placement of a steel beam is superimposed over another drawing in progress of a skyscraper under construction. When the drawing is complete there will be two skyscrapers. The drawings are part of a sequence to be culminated by the launch of the Space Shuttle. This is the second-to-last visual sequence in the film aiming for a release date in July.

"Diggers" Production Explores Drawing Techniques

2011-03-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Mark's colored pencil drawing of toddlers watching their world being washed away by a flood illustrates references in the poem to natural disasters.

Our current short art film production, "To the Diggers", is a hybrid of poetic spoken word, music, sound effects, visual arts and motion graphics.

We have commenced production of the visuals for the fourth of five stanzas in the poem. In this stanza Mark is creating visuals depicting humanity's age-old efforts to re-shape the universe for its own purposes: giant earth movers, skyscraper construction, space vehicle launches.

Mark drew this road grader digitally using a computer mouse and Photoshop techniques. It will be integrated into the section of the film referring to earth moving.
As in most of Mark's projects, he is stretching himself to learn new techniques. This project is expanding his knowledge of combining traditional drawing on paper with digital drawing on the computer screen. He is pushing himself to complete as much of the film as possible before we move to new quarters which could be as soon as in two months.

This colored pencil drawing by Mark is in the section of the film referring to leaders avoiding responsibility for people's needs.

"To the Diggers" Film Revives Production

2011-02-25T21:44:00.000-08:00

Above is one of Mark Turner's drawings for the combat section of the film "To the Diggers".

     "To the Diggers" went into hiatus during the stage production of "The Little Prince" in which we collaborated, but now resumes its slow evolution.
     The art work of the film has progressed through the poetic sound track depicting massive crowds, political campaigns, war, historic dictators and the news media. It now enters a sequence of human casualties in the wake of disasters.
     Mark researches and draws all the pictures sometimes taking a whole day to complete one. He then scans the drawing and inserts it into the film using motion graphics to pan, zoom and apply special effects to it. Every visual is timed second-by-second to the spoken word, sound effects and music of the sound track.

A drawing by Mark Turner depicting rescuers aiding a victim of a natural disaster for the film "To the Diggers".

Completion of the film is projected within about two more months and then Mark begins the next short art film. Our goal is to produce a prototype collection of art films to demonstrate the Film Gallery Café where guests will view and discuss the films and framed art used in them. At the heart of our mission is the faith that our viewers will meet God both in our art and in the conversations it stimulates.

Film Report #6: Two Sound Tracks - Vote for One

2010-10-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Following are two versions of the sound track for our art film "To the Diggers". Help choose one by listening to both versions. Then, in your comments, vote for the version you prefer and convince us to use that one. Until December 1 e-mail your vote and comments to mark (at) horizongate.org with permission to add you to our mailing list and we will give you free, signed artwork from the film.

Guess What This Is And Win

2010-10-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing of part of something shown in the film "To the Diggers". The first person who guesses what it is by January 1 (12am) will win a signed copy of the film. Listen to the sound track above in this blog for clues. Give as many guesses as you want in the comment box below, or by e-mail to mark (at) horizongate.org. Mark might respond with a clue for further guesses if you beg!

Film Report #5: Art Reveals the Unseen

2010-09-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

Drawings for the film "To the Diggers" -- Here is a sequence of drawings by Mark Turner studying a TV studio camera and camera operator. A TV studio is usually a mass of technology that we don't want to look at. Everything is focused on the illusion created by the gleaming set. But, these drawings show very intriguing shapes, lines and colors behind the scene which will entertain our viewers' eyes. Part of the mission of our film of drawings is to reveal more than the viewer normally thinks about. As a film the drawings will move through the field of vision and show a relationship to each other. In the gallery the drawings will stand alone as still images. In both ways the art will illuminate the mind and heart of the beholder.

Art Film Report #4: Getting Into the News Industry

2010-08-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

Drawings of political campaigns havegiven way to drawings of news anchors and pundits. These drawingswill be part of a montage corresponding to this part of the poem:

“We, transfixed by images,

Chew on shiny, tasty, sexy fear, . ..”

The poem speaks of the transitorynature of statements blown out of proportion by the media today.

I spend many hours searching for models from which to create the drawings. Then I try to let the physical medium, mostly colored pencil on paper, show its character. The mass of drawings moving through the motion graphics montage along with the rich sound track will prove very engaging.

Art Film Report #3: Political Campaign Drawings

2010-07-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Earlyin the “To the Diggers” film we will see flashes of politicalcampaigns. So, I have been collecting and studying photos ofpoliticians pressing flesh in the crowds and waving from motorcades.

The poetic words underlying this section are as follows:

“We regard as wisdom
Bright reflections, pixels,
Bites of sound repeated;
Arranging body and face
Choreographed in a timely place,
Makes powerful and great.”

The drawings I've made from these studies will form a fast cutting montage.The images you see here are details from the larger,

colored pencil drawings which will enjoy a second life exhibited along side the completed film.

Other work on the film has included enlarging images to emphasize individual pixels. I have made 17 of these “swatches” and will use them as colorful flashes over other images.

The next set of drawings will be from studies of TV News Pundits, news sets and TV equipment.

Thanks for Helping Our Funding Campaign

2010-07-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who funded us and all who followed our campaign which was centered on IndieGoGo.com.
Total combined online and offline giving was $1,870 in 30 days. Total views of the site has been 2,779.
We were able to make a payment on our home and studio. The film continues in production.
You can still go to http://www.indiegogo.com/To-the-Diggers, view our presentation and plan how you will participate in the next phase of this great endeavor. Stand by for announcements of on-going building. Subscribe to this blog for film production progress reports.

Film Report #2: Fueling Up & Making Maps

2010-06-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Two things have kept me from drawingthe mass of images planned for our short art film “To the Diggers”. One task is tremendously creative, almost primordial: inventing afund raising campaign so more people can have the fun of making thisfilm.

People Powered

That's like collecting the fuel beforegoing on a cross country drive. In this case it will be powered bypeople, (but in a better way than in “The Mattrix”). You canget plugged in (oops, bad metaphor) athttp://www.indiegogo.com/To-the-Diggers where we have dreamed up a whole bunch of great rewards for yourhelp in funding this thing.
Here is a frame from the video of me explaining things.

Click here to watch the video http://www.indiegogo.com/To-the-Diggers .

Believe me, you enjoy a film way morewhen you know a part of you is up there on the screen. YOU COULD BEUP THERE! But, hey, share the glory and get lots of others to pitchin.

Time's a-Wasting

We only have until this July 10th to raise $7,000! But, lots of other projects on IndieGoGo.com have raised way morethan they expected to because so many people jumped into the fun.

Let's Exceed Our Goal!

We could do that . . . and start collecting the money for the next film.

Because, you know, “To the Diggers”is the second of four films we are producing as the core of acollection we hope will include similar art films from you and yourfriends. (Go see the first film athttp://www.horizongate.org/products/comfortinghovers.asp) We want to get these first four films and the art used to make themall done by next Spring so we can test a new way to show them: afilm-gallery-café.

WeGotta SHOW the Films Too

Thatwill be a place where you and your friends can sit, watch art films,enjoy the tangible artwork used to make them and have wonderfulconversations.

So,that's the fund raising campaign. The other creative task that hadto get done is mapping out the trip.

TheMap

Thisfilm will be pretty complex even though it will be short. I had toput down the art materials and type out a script to make myself thinkthrough all the visuals and timing. Spinning off of a completedsound track (it was part of a podcast) is a big help because thevisuals can extend the poetic images and sound effects.

Putthe Picture with the Sound

Thisis like an animation in that I have to know the split seconds foreach visual, well, at least for the sequences. Like, what are yougonna put on the screen at 1:26.163? You know?

Anyway,I feel a lot more confident having thought it all out and I won'thardly have to pause to think up a visual the whole trip, just drawand draw and draw . . .

Andfolks, you are gonna love all these drawings going by. Woah.

Here is a composite of a crowd photo and a drawing that I am working on.

Watch Us Produce this Film

2010-05-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Be Part of a Work of Art/Movie

Pleasejoin me on the journey of my current film production. Documentingthe process will help some on their own artistic journeys and bychecking in on me and making comments you will keep me walking on. So, wanna be part of a movie? Just comment on my process, artisticjudgment, ideas, goals, etc. Yeah, I'm letting you look over myshoulder, something that creeps me out in real life. Hey, you'reprobably not going to get what I'm doing until you watch the finalfilm. I guess that's my insecurity saying, “It's not done yet,okay?” But go ahead and comment and see how much I can take?

The Materials

Thiswork is about the interplay between the tangible

and the digital,both physical properties, digital being territory still in earlyexploration. I am combining spoken word, sound-scape, poetry, handdrawing (various materials), color, and motion in the film syntax. Iam using two-dimensional sources but will employ somethree-dimensional techniques. All this with aquasi-philosophical-theological-political theme. Would you say thisis “mixed media”?

WhereWe're Going with It

Theultimate goal is to display the film in a gallery along with thetangible pieces which were employed to make it. It will be great towatch the film in the presence of the actual cast all dressed up intheir mats and frames. The audio cast will be almost impossible toassemble into the gallery but they prefer to be unseen. You'll beimmersed on the screen, in sound and on the wall simultaneously. Gradually we'll build a collection of these films and tangible art.

TheSound-Scape

Speakingof the sound track, it is already mostly produced, but if I were toplay it for you, it would give away too much of the surprise. Comeback here through the next month or two and see if I play a fewclips.

Theprocess actually started February 6, 2006 when I composed the poem“We Regard As Wisdom”. It had a life as one of my e-mail“Stimulants” and then as an “Artstimulant” on Horizon Gate's “What Is It?” podcast with sound-scape. A few days ago Ire-recorded the spoken track to tone down the previous melodramaticrendition.

WhereI Am Now

Thefilm is more than any one of the parts, of course. So, the filmtitle is “To the Diggers”. I am now creating visualcompositions, mostly abstract and expressionistic, as I respond tothe poem visually. How will it become film?

Well, I'm getting tothat. Come back later.

Conversation Breathes Life Into Vision

2009-03-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

People Make Vision Materialize

How do great endeavors come about? Every large corporation, institution, organization and ministry began with an inspiration in the heart of a person, but at some point the idea caught the attention of someone else. A conversation began. Reading this opens the opportunity for you to observe or even be a part of a conversation like that.

Great endeavors begin to be seen when they become a conversation. We talk about the idea and interest grows as possibilities come to light. A group of us forms around the idea, each of us excited about our own view of it and how we could play a part in the larger possibility being born. What once was limited to one person's imagination now has the generative powers of many imaginations seeking to support the greater, multi-faceted endeavor. Then talking becomes action plans which become deeds making ideas tangible things.

The ideas of our vision include two main areas of work: 1.) film production that builds community and nurtures the artists involved, and 2.) exhibiting our films in a place combining aspects of a gallery, a café and a theater.

The Production Gathering

Our goal is to help people rise toward the full potential with which God endowed them. Our vision is to produce films with a community of people who are committed to more than the end product, who go beyond a given film and assist each other in their spiritual, professional and artistic growth. The community atmosphere we envision will include professionals and promising learners striving for excellence to make films which express the Community of God in a variety of forms.

A New Kind of Exhibition Space

This community will produce films that explore forms and lengths not usually seen in normal movie theaters. They will use artistic forms inviting the viewers to observe and discuss, to engage with one another and with God. But, what kind of space would accommodate this? A space conducive to audience interaction would be more like a café. The atmosphere of an art gallery would change the film from a spectacle to a conversation piece. Yet, some of the functions of the movie theater would be retained. We envision a combination of all these aspects in a new kind of film and discussion space, a “film gallery café”.

Art work created for the given films will also be presented in the space. Events in the space will feature live musicians, poets, readings, lectures by the artists and filmmakers, and other appropriate presentations which stimulate conversations that draw people to God.

Funding the Vision

The Horizon Gate vision is being built upon the involvement and support of a community of people who are coming together through conversations. When these conversations turn the ideas into action-plans and deeds they will require material resources. That support will be gained through the income vehicles and assets in the community. As the vision takes place in actual projects and facilities, participants in the conversation can become workers supported by the mission's funding. In turn, as each member of the community builds their personal income and assets, their charitable overflow will be placed where their vision is, thus benefiting our mission.

The resources of our mission rise with the personal income and assets of our community members. To increase the personal resources of our members, we encourage and facilitate new streams of income through home based businesses. The home based business increases “normal job” cash flow through over 100 available federal tax deductions. It also affords artists the flexible schedule and on-going residual income to take time to work in our projects. As the community develops teams of agents gaining more income in these businesses, the mission gains more contributing supporters.

Three of the top home based businesses are already in operation within our mission community. They include a completely unique debt and mortgage elimination product, a software suite of the latest small business tools, and the best line of all natural products for health and the environment.

The non-profit, tax exempt status of Horizon Gate Productions benefits the members of the community by tax deductions for their contributions. It also facilitates acquiring large grants. The sale of Horizon Gate products will be done on line, at events and at the “film gallery café”. The Horizon Gate community will unite to offer fund raising events to the public. The organization will receive periodic fees for services and receive tuition from students participating in the “Production Gatherings”.

Calling for Community

We all need to work with others to fulfill a vision larger than ourselves. It takes a community of comrades to make films which move people spiritually. It takes many kinds of talent to operate a vibrant, new kind of exhibition venue where such films and art can move people toward God. This is why we at Horizon Gate Productions continue to re-describe and present our vision. We hope to find people who will join minds, hearts and hands to accomplish wonderful things.

Call us, 760-765-3884, or send an e-mail, markanddonna@horizongate.org , and tell us you want to be part of the conversation which is turning ideas into accomplishments.