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Sunday, September 9, 2012

looking. . .Beyond the Mask.

. . .an action-fused historic adventure, set in the international turmoil of the mid 1770′s. Running for his life, an East India Company assassin buried his past in a quiet English village, assuming the mantle of an Anglican priest. But this disguise won’t last for long when a woman he loves and a war he no longer wants force him to confront the question of who he really is. In the face of a looming global conflict, he discovers for himself the meaning and source of true justification and freedom.

Fundamentally this is a story about where we find our identity. Each of us asks, why am I special, why is my work significant, who am I, and why should people respect me. The answers we find to these questions define how we live our lives. At Burns Family Studios, we believe that the greatest story ever told is the good-news of Jesus Christ – that the human condition to prove oneself over and over by performing to the critics doesn’t impress God, and He accepts us in His Son, in-spite of, not because of, our best efforts. With this unmerited acceptance comes the only sure foundation for life.

{see development trailer here}

This is REAL folks--as in, they are actually filming. . .the cast is being picked. . . .Paul McCusker is the scriptwriter. . .the movie is being filmed at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. . .and I am going to be an extra in the ball scene.

:faint:

It's hit me, just like that. Next month *I* will be on the film set of Beyond the Mask. Little old me. It's sooo extremely exciting to actually be a part--the teeniest fragment--but still a part--of making this movie happen. I may not be a professional seamstress, but I can dance. I told a friend on facebook, "yeah, look near the floor. Nope, don't see--oh wait, yes! That's the top of Michaela's head, waaayyyy down there." 

Even if I don't make it into any of the shots, I'll be there, helping and watching history take place--experiencing for myself the courage and perseverance of Christian film-making. I've caught the vision. Hard to imagine, especially for me--film making, honestly? But I went to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival in February. . .and I know dozens of people involved with movies. Kinda hard to ignore. Even harder to resist. Next film, I'd love to get an on-set job.

Of course my hyper-driving-the-family crazy excitement has nothing to do with Friday's announcement that Andrew Cheney is playing LEAD in Beyond the Mask. !!!!!!!!!!!! Do you realize how incredible that is?


Andrew is a fantastic actor. . .I know because he was in the SAICFF's Audience Choice winner, Seasons of Gray. Incredible, incredible movie. It made me cry (which isn't terribly hard to do. Don't repeat that to anyone. :P) Really, he was perfect. And he was a cowboy. And the movie brought the Biblical story of Joseph to a new, relate-able light. And. . .well, you can guess which movie **I** voted for. ;)

So. Very, very, very happy with the casting choice. Now I'm practically stalking the Beyond the Mask blog--it's gone from the GOOD of Paul McCusker as scriptwriter, (Focus on the Family Radio Theater, Adventures in Odyssey,) to the mind-blowing perfection of Andrew Cheney. (As far as Independent films go. ;) )


Just slightly exciting.

Now I just have to finish my Ballgown. It's a lovely mossy-green silk, covered in machine-embroidered teardrops. I love it. Not only is the fabric pretty, it was fairly easy to work with--not nearly as slippery as I feared. So far I've completed my {linen} shift, stays, (horror of horrors!) under-petticoat, over petticoat, (still needs hemming,) half of my bodice (the sleeves have major issues--this is where tips and seamstress friends are useful,) and I still need to attach the skirt. There wasn't enough time to make the pocket hoops, sooo hopefully my friends in costuming will remember to set one aside. ;)

Don't try imagining a tiny girl maneuvering a huge-hipped dress while trying not to trip and STILL look graceful. Just don't.


{Costume production in MI. I know most of these people! Makes me feel famous B) }

Alrighty--sisters are calling me off the computer. I am SO behind on posting, especially with my families annual homeschool event coming up next weekend. Busy to the core--but I had to stop and share the excitement with you. :) What are your thoughts on independent Christian films? Have you been to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival?--if so, would you go again? (I personally cannot wait for next year!) Are you involved in film making?. . .and what do you think of Beyond the Mask so far?? 

Watch out world, I'm a movie extra.

13 comments:

  1. Michaela,
    Congratulations on your part of beyond the mask! I just wanted to say I really enjoy your blog, it has been such an encouragement to me! Praying God's blessings on you!
    ~ madi :)

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  2. Yayy!!! I'm so happy for you!! :) You'll have to tell us faithful ol' blog readers alll about it. :)

    hugs,
    ~bree

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  3. Oh, wow, this just sounds SO UBER-EXCITING. You are living one of my dreams! Ballroom dancing IN a costume IN a historical film ABOUT one of my favorite time periods... sheesh, I'm getting capital-happy.

    Do we get to see pictures of the dress???

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    1. Awww, well I really hope you get to live your dream someday, Amy! :) There's still time to sign up as an extra, as far as I know. You'd have to check out the Beyond the Mask "get involved" page and fill in an application.

      And I know, the 18th century is the neatest ever, right!?

      . . .I'm planning on posting a sneak-peak of the dress. ;) We'll see if I'm nice enough to actually post pictures.

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  4. Wow! I didn't know the Burns Fam made another movie! That's super epic! Thanks for posting!

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    1. They haven't completed the movie just yet! ;) But--they HAVE started filming. It's super-duper epic and SO exciting. I may be biased, but so far Beyond the Mask is going to be one of the BEST Independent Christian films to date. B)

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  5. It's cool that you get to be an extra!

    I awarded you over at one of my blogs:
    http://totallymandie.blogspot.com/2012/09/awarded.html

    ~ Mandie of
    http://awholeheartedlife.blogspot.com
    http://totallymandie.blogspot.com

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  6. Wow! I know you have no idea who I am :) - but one of my very good friends is helping with the costumes for that movie and I found it interesting that I have been kind of randomly looking at your blog for about a year and I saw this post! She won't be back until November because there is a lot of to do still but I feel like I somehow know you through some lengthy connection now ... haha :)
    ~Abby

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    1. Really? Too neat! What is her name? Maybe I know her too? :) (nice to "meet" you, btw! ;) )

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    2. Her name is Haley Sisson :) That would be so neat if you did know her ... :) I love your posts about the movie and I enjoyed watching the behind the scenes costume video! I can't wait until the movie is done now! :)
      ~Abby

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    3. Ahhhh. . .just reread this--I worked with Haley for 9 days! what a sweetheart. :) Small world, huh?

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  7. I ran across your blog looking for some other BTM stuff - anyways, I am one of the quartet players that played for the masquerade ball scene a little over a week ago - I think I saw you during the shoot, (weren't you with Jesse B?) so I had to leave a comment (hopefully without sounding too creepy:)
    But yeah, BTM is totally awesome!!!

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    1. Hey Jon! :) haha, no, you don't sound creepy. I love getting comments!--funny, I actually remember you! (I thought the quartet was SO neat, btw. The whole setup on the steps {when the party-goers were arriving} was so real and beautiful!) You are thinking of my friend Hope though. . .she was with Jesse. I was wearing a greenish/silver gown that matched Josh Higginbothom's costume. We were standing on the steps greeting Charlotte and other guests. . .so we were just a bit down from the quartet "balcony". ;) SUCH an incredible scene! I just can't wait for the movie to be finished. Gotta say, I've met some incredible new friends because of Beyond the Mask. Amazing, amazing crew (my mom, sister, and I were privileged to work with MI costume team for 9 days.) Anywho--long comment. ;) Thanks for stopping in to say hi!

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