Just 12 days after our last shoot at wheat harvest, the aCross Creation film crew packed up and headed to Crested Butte, Colorado. This time we were pleased to add four persons to the crew, Mark and Susanne Smith and Kendall and Sherry Mikesell. Personally I wasn't sure how an eight person crew would keep busy during filming but the extra hands proved to be invaluable and made the work smooth and efficient.
Two new pieces of "equipment" were added to our process for this trip. First Greg Sullivan made two "QUIET" signs that could be held up to let the crew and approaching strangers know we were filming. Janet Sullivan also created a system for the cue cards that keeps them organized and makes them easier to hold. We have come along way in the 10 months since we started filming.
The weather in Crested Butte was perfect (no surprise). On Thursday morning we headed to Mirror Lake, near Tincup, CO, to film our first episode. Though it was fully daylight outside, when we arrived at the lake around 7:30 a.m. the sun had not yet risen over the surrounding mountains. The lake was full of wind ripples and looked nothing like a mirror. Considering I had based the whole meditation on a lake that looked glassy and reflective, this was a bit of a problem.
Nature provided, however, and once the sun started shining on the water it smoothed out and turned into a beautiful...you guessed it...mirror! it was amazing the detail you could see reflected in the water. After a few hours we finished filming and drove back thorough Taylor Canyon where we picnicked on the Taylor River. The break didn't last long, however, as we were determined to get a second episode filmed that day and afternoon thunderstorms are a constant possibility in Colorado.
We traveled next to a small informal chapel much closer to Crested Butte. It is a beautiful wooded location where someone has set up an altar and benches. Named the "Chapel in the Spruce" it was the perfect location to talk about the main idea of aCross Creation, that for "Meeting God: no steeple required." We are inspired to this whole project in part because we know that worship is about our relationships, with God and one another, not about a church building or wearing fancy clothes. We can worship God everywhere, especially in a beautiful place like the Chapel in the Spruce.
One small issue with filming amid spruce and aspen trees that are located next to a stream: mosquitoes. Though Anita Martz was vigilant about applying bug spray, the mosquitoes were relentless. Most frustrating to me was the fact they seemed to hover right next to my mouth exactly when I was making my most important point and Greg had the shot as close up as possible. We had to re-take one scene five or six times. Even with all those attempts, I expect the mosquitoes will make an appearance in the episode. That's what it means to go aCross Creation, I suppose.
A few sprinkles encouraged us to wrap up the shoot very quickly but the rain mostly held off until we were back safely in the cars. It was early enough in the afternoon (this is what happens when you start work at 6 a.m.) to browse through downtown Crested Butte before dinner. Or at least that's what the film crew did. After more than 9 hours of preaching/filming/traveling. I choose a nap.
A few sprinkles encouraged us to wrap up the shoot very quickly but the rain mostly held off until we were back safely in the cars. It was early enough in the afternoon (this is what happens when you start work at 6 a.m.) to browse through downtown Crested Butte before dinner. Or at least that's what the film crew did. After more than 9 hours of preaching/filming/traveling. I choose a nap.
I'll save the story of day two for the next post.
Feel free to pass this blog address to anyone you think might be interested in aCross Creation.
Currently the project is funded solely by private donations. Contributions can be made c/o Woodland United Methodist Church in Wichita, email me for the details. (look under my profile at the right.)
Peace to you.
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