At the beginning of this year, I put myself on a spending freeze because I am saving to buy a new piano – hopefully this summer. And basically, a spending freeze for me means not buying any new books or tech-gear. But I have to confess that I finally caved when I saw this deal from Vision Forum that was too good to pass up.

Seven authors will be conducting live webinars discussing one of their books. The line-up of authors and books looks fabulous! The webinar series is $55 per family, but you can get a package deal with the webinar series and all seven books for just $116! This definitely necessitates a brief exception to the afore-mentioned spending freeze, don’t you think? Our whole family is eagerly looking forward to joining in on these sessions beginning on April 15. (Guess that means I’ll have to get my taxes done a day early this year…)

If you happen to catch this post before midnight, you can even enter a drawing to win a free family registration for the Great Authors Webinar Series over at the Coughlan family’s Life In A Shoe blog!

Jeremiah Warren, producer of Video #2!

You all have seen his excellent work; now you get a chance to “meet” him! Jeremiah joins me today on the Pajama School Blog for a brief interview:

When did you first become interested in video production? What contributed to that interest?
I was around 13 years old when I saw a short film, created by a family that I know, and they submitted it to the 2004 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. I had no idea that there was so much available to “normal” people in the area of equipment and software to create media of such high quality. That’s what led me into creating short films with a friend of mine. We started with fun little skits – nothing very professional, and most were rather silly. I eventually segued into what I am doing now.

Do you have a homeschooling background? How did that contribute to what you are doing now?
I’ve been homeschooled since day one. I’ve never been in an environment with people who said I wasn’t good enough, or could not do this or that, unlike what is often experienced in a public or private school environment. Due to that fact, I do not have a lack of self worth or feel like I can’t accomplish a task.

If it wasn’t for being homeschooled and raised the way I was by my parents, I would not be where I am today. I’m so grateful to my parents for the sacrifices they made and the hardships they went through in raising me to be the way I am today.

What are some steps you’ve taken to develop the art of video production?
I would check out 4 or 5 books at a time at our local library on filmmaking, or on the software and tools I owned. I’ve also watched and read many tutorials online, which have really helped me learn one of the main programs I am currently using. I also spoke with many people who knew more than me, always asking them questions about what I wanted to know.

What other video projects have you worked on?
I filmed all the behind the scenes video on The Widow’s Might, produced by HeuMoore Productions. I also had a small role in the movie as the guy who mumbles and stumbles over his lines while auditioning for the role of the cowboy.  I have been privileged to work with two business owners and one ministry in putting together promotional commercials.  There are some other feature films that I hope to work on, but nothing official right now.

What are some of your other interests besides filmmaking?
I’ve always loved reading, mostly historical books. I have an interest in computers, and even considered going into IT work, but gave that up after I was in an IT department during one summer. I’m very interested in social networking and marketing, along with promotion and advertising.

Are you open to producing book trailers for other authors? How should they contact you for more information?
In short, yes, but it depends on my schedule, what other projects I am working on, and what the book is about. They can contact me through my website at www.JeremiahJW.com. More of my work they can be viewed on my YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/JeremiahJW. I update it regularly with new videos.

Any words of advice for aspiring filmmakers?
You don’t need a $5,000 camcorder to make something good. Start where you are now, and learn by using what you have. It’s not about using the highest quality or most expensive gear, but how well you can use it.

Video 1:

Video 2:

Video 3:

VOTE NOW! (Only one vote per person.)

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Patrick Henry College has announced “A Call to Pens” – a short story contest for for students ages 12-18. A Call to Pens is designed to “give young writers an opportunity to create original works of fiction that thoughtfully reflected a Christian worldview.” Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, and honorable mention. However, their announcement also states, “A Call to Pens is a contest with a broader mission than winning prizes. If we wish to shape the culture, we must first engage it – in all aspects of life. Quality Christian literature engages the culture in a less direct manner than other vocations, but it is no less important.”

Go here to read all the rules and additional entry information.

Time is quickly ticking away – the deadline for submissions is Friday, October 30 – but the field is obviously wide open for competition! There’s still a fabulous free family pass to the 2010 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival up for grabs! Just visit the contest page for all the guidelines.

…Presenting…

…the Pajama School Promo Contest!

Win a free family pass to the 2010 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival OR admission to their Filmmakers Bootcamp! Check out the Official Contest Page for all the details and guidelines on how to enter this exciting contest!

Here’s some more exciting news – even if you don’t participate in producing a film, you can be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway package by helping spread the word about the contest! The giveaway package will include a copy of Pajama School, a DVD of Come What May, the soundtrack for Come What May, and a $25 gift card for the store of your choice! You can enter the drawing multiple times – once for each of the following things (just leave a separate comment indicating each thing that you do since I will be using a random number generator to determine the winner):

1. Post about the contest on your blog/website. Link to the Contest Page. (Feel free to use “Win A Family Pass to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival!” as your post title.)

2. Twitter about the contest with a link to the Contest Page. Include hashmark #pajamaschool in your tweet. (Here’s a tweet ready to go for you: Win A Family Pass to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival! – http://bit.ly/13CBfy #pajamaschool)

3. Update your Facebook status with “Win A Family Pass to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival!” and a link to the Contest Page.

4. Include a contest announcement in your print or e-newsletter or in a special e-mail to your mailing list. (Add me to your mailing list and then leave a comment indicating that you sent the newsletter/e-mail.)

5. Grab the code for one of the Pajama School banners and add it to the sidebar of your blog/website.

I’m looking forward to having a ton of fun with this contest, and I hope everyone else has a great time as well! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Let the filming begin!