Lea Ann Garfias, of the Whatever State I Am blog, has been running a series of posts called, “Ask the Grad.” In each post of the series she features a homeschool grad, including an article written by them about their homeschooling experience. I’ve really enjoyed reading the posts by and about other homeschool grads and appreciate Lea Ann graciously featuring me this week. You can read my latest article, Homeschooling for Life on her blog. Here’s a brief excerpt:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Those enduring words penned by Charles Dickens in the middle of the 19th century encapsulate perfectly how I feel about my homeschool experience. My best memories are replete with mischievous escapades with my five younger siblings, middle-of-the-year family vacations, freedom to pursue areas of interest, volunteering in the community, outings with other homeschool families, attending the annual convention, and family discussions around the dinner table. My worst memories bring to mind frustrations over difficult math assignments, squabbling with my sisters over who had to take the first piano lesson, my Dad’s imposed physical fitness regimen, and feeling weird in circles of public-schooled peers. But you know what? This is the stuff of life… >>read more

Kevin was a very gracious and comfortable host, making the interview a lot of fun! In addition, he’s written a kind endorsement for my book, Pajama School:

Pajama School is a warm-hearted, exuberant, and thoughtful story of nurtured life in a homeschooling family, and a little more life after homeschooling!

~Kevin Swanson

You can click here to access the interview and either download the audio or watch the video. We discuss the contrast between home education and public education, post-high school options, the counter-cultural socialization of homeschoolers, characteristics of my mother, and the philosophy of wearing pajamas to school.

Where did the idea for the storyline come from?

After starting with two others and eventually scrapping them, Joel said that they settled on a simple concept – an escape and pursuit theme. They built the story around the Old Testament Cities of Refuge that were a foreshadowing of what was to come with Christ.

How did you acquire the skills to produce the film?

When I asked this question, Joel interjected with a slight rewording, “You mean, ‘How are we acquiring the skills…?’” Their family saw this project very much as a learning experience, often stopping filming along the way to learn new skills that were needed in order to continue. What one might realistically expect to accomplish in six months took them two years because of this approach.

Amelia told how one of the drawbacks of the long time frame was that by the end of the filming they had almost outgrown their costumes! The kids took it all in stride, though, and obviously enjoyed the process very much. And in spite of their young ages, each one is becoming well-acquainted with the film industry and is learning skills that will serve them well the rest of their lives. Brendan was especially excited to share about his oversight of the mic, a very essential component in good filming!

The off-set time devoted to learning skills consisted of building a library of books dealing with every aspect of producing a film and studying them intently, participating in on-line classes, and getting insight from others in the field. One thing they realized and accepted is that they couldn’t do everything in one film. It was important for them to retain focus and do what they could do well. For example, in The Runner from Ravenshead,  a static camera is used almost exclusively due to the equipment limitations the Steege’s faced. They acknowledged this limitation and then worked with it to their full advantage.

How did the children prepare for their roles?

The Steege’s started out by giving their children a copy of the script, reading it together, and then working with them to memorize the lines. According to them, “It didn’t take.” Recording the lines in an audio format so that the kids could listen on their own and at night in bed proved to be a much more effective learning strategy. Most of the rehearsing was parent-directed, but even when they were playing sometimes they would be rehearsing lines or scenes with each other.

Lisa also mentioned that when she and her sister were growing up they memorized Scripture passages and put hand motions to them, then recited them in front of large groups of people. She carried on this practice with her own children so that they would get accustomed to memorizing and being able to recite things in front of an audience.

All of this training has proved very effective, because each of the young cast members did a fabulous job interacting during the interview and contributing valuable bits of information. And their presence in front of the camera is superb as well!

How long did it take to produce the film?

The filming was sporadic, as it was 100% dependent on the weather. Consistent lighting was a major consideration that affected filming hours as well. During the actual filming, 70% of the recorded audio had background noises – most notably due to the flight path right over the filming location. For this reason, the Steege’s opted to record all of the audio separately. As you might expect, it was a challenge to balance working too much on the film (which would burn everyone out) and taking breaks that were too long (which would result in loss of focus and memory).

What are some of the major deficiencies in the Christian film industry today? How did you seek to avoid those with The Runner from Ravenshead?

There’s still a pervasive feeling of poor quality because most Christian films have a small operating budget. Without the funding, you’re not going to have as many professionals working on the project. In The Runner from Ravenshead, the Steege’s wanted the name of Jesus to be prevalent, but not over-the-top. Although Joel asserted that there is a place for all types of Christian films, they aim to make theirs engaging and meaningful without resorting to a preachy feel. People go to watch a movie for fun, not to hear a sermon. As a filmmaker, though, you want them to leave not only entertained, but also with a sense of hope and the idea of something bigger.

For some time now, I’ve felt like one of the hindrances to quality acting in independent Christian films is that acting is still not perceived by many Christians to be a legitimate career choice. While great strides have been made in many of the technical aspects of filmmaking, I’ve observed very little emphasis on acting. When I posited this to the Steege’s, Joel readily agreed. In fact, he said that at a recent film festival, one of the producers who spoke said that if he had a $50,000 budget, he would spend $40,000 of it to get one good actor!

What was the hardest part about the production?

Undoubtedly trying to do the project while simultaneously having to learn so much of the “nuts and bolts” of the field itself. Particularly with some of the technical aspects of filmmaking, there is a steep learning curve, making it hard to move forward until you’ve developed a better working knowledge. Harrison is one of the ones responsible for rendering and said that he felt like editing and piecing everything together was the most challenging part of the production.

What are some of the key things that you learned along the way?

Amelia expressed that she had learned a great deal about acting. Lisa added that all the kids learned a lot about how to be relaxed in front of the camera. There’s a lot of tension on the “hot seat” and it’s amazing how every one of the other kids can be reciting the lines effortlessly while the one in front of the camera flounders. Apparently this same phenomenon plagues even the most experienced actors and actresses! Clint Eastwood avoids using the term “action” altogether when the cameras start rolling because of the negative reaction it generates from those on set.

Brendan pointed out that he especially enjoyed learning how to do the mic. And Lisa said that endurance was a major emphasis, too, as they sometimes spent long hours working and re-working scenes to get them just right. Obviously there are frustrations and irritations along the way, but by-and-large working on this film project has been a wonderful adventure for the whole family. Addison concludes with, “We’ve got a long ways to learn!”

What advice do you have for other aspiring filmmakers?

Without hesitating, Joel exclaimed, “Go make a movie!” There’s nothing that beats hands-on learning. If you have the opportunity to work with a mentor, that would be great. A lot of learning the craft, though, involves trial and error. You have to know when to use the “tried-and-true” formulas and when to break them.

You also have to realize going into the project that it’s big. Good quality productions are hard without good quality people. Don’t expect to produce your best movie first. It takes time. After all, you’re trying to learn and replicate the quality that you see in films where people have devoted their entire lives to honing their skill in a particular area. So keep a learner’s attitude and be patient.

The Steege’s dream is to continue doing this long-term as a family. And if their productions keep getting better from here on out, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

Here’s a peek at the 20 homeschool grads that contributed to Thank You!:

Kevin Swanson – Generations with Vision
Amy Puetz – AmyPuetz.com
Rachel Starr Thomson – RachelStarrThomson.com
Candace Allgood – Sonbeams
John Notgrass – JohnNotgrass.com
Lea Ann Garfias – Whatever State
Jana Kornfeld – A Time 2 Write
Jonathan Lewis – Homeschool Enrichment
Katherine Loop – Christian Perspective
Rachel Ramey – Titus 2 Homemaker
Daniel Mills – Salem Ridge Press
Mary Evelyn McCurdy – Christian Musical Theatre
Matthew Lewis – Homeschool Enrichment
Abby Kelly
Natalie Wickham – Pajama School
Eleonore Kappenman – Kap and Pen
Samantha Jarrett – Sammer’s Stuff
Emily Topp – Homeschool CPA
Amanda Read – AmandaRead.com
Eric Novak - Cross-Eyed Blog

The e-book is priced at $7, but is available until the end of June as a free download, so grab it now while you can! After June, 2010, you can purchase it at AmyPuetz.com.

It is with a great deal of excitement that I announce the launch of a new project that has been in the works for many months. My friend, Grace Williamson, has entertained a vision for some time of starting an organization that would feature the work of homeschool graduates. Her desire is to encourage young people to impact our generation for Christ. Thus was borne: Generation Impact.

With the artistic skills of Molly Williamson, and the web design prowess of Haley Williamson, the Generation Impact website is constructed as an on-line magazine that includes “an interview with a homeschool student or graduate who is using his or her life to impact our generation for Christ; a movie, music, or book review; polls; and thought-provoking articles by various authors.”

In this inaugural issue of Generation Impact, you’ll find an inspiring article about the life of Daniel and its application to our lives, a review of the movie Homeschool Dropouts, a poll about whether you would homeschool your children, and an interview with yours truly (Grace did a marvelous job of sifting through my ramblings from our in-person interview to put this together. There’s a reason I prefer writing over speaking! ).

I hope you’ll visit the website, grab a banner for your website or blog, and check out the Generation Impact Facebook Page to support Grace in this exciting new endeavor that is sure to be a blessing to many young people and their families!

What aspects of homeschooling did you like the best?
One of the aspects I liked best about homeschooling was the flexibility it allowed us. In the fall/winter, my Dad is less busy with landscape work, so we’ve combined business trips with family vacations and have visited many places in the United States. Although living a flexible lifestyle isn’t always easy, I couldn’t describe how much I’ve enjoyed the benefits of homeschooling and self-employed life. After all, what better way to learn about history than to visit the actual place where it occurred!

When and how did you decide to launch your own design business?
After graduating from Wichita State University in 2008 with a Communication major and Graphic Design minor, I launched my own graphic design/marketing business, called TJ Design. However, I’ve wanted to own my own business for many years. My parents encouraged me to major in communication partly because it was a degree that would give me practical skills that I could use in a number of career areas.

While at WSU, I learned more about career options for communication majors – public relations, marketing, journalism, and more. I still desired to own my own business, but hoped I could work for an organization for several years first. After graduation, I interviewed for an entry-level marketing position for a non-profit. Although it seemed like the perfect job, God had something else for me. That summer, I prayed for direction and God led me to buy a new Mac computer and launch my business. I have already had many blessings from this decision!

What things have you learned from working with your Dad’s business that have been helpful in starting your own?
Flexibility is a key aspect of owning your own business. I’m continuing to develop this in my life, even after working for GKI Groundskeepers for many years!

Relationships are also a key aspect to an effective business. As a business owner, the trust relationship you have with your client is so important. Your job is to nurture that relationship – not in a false, demanding way, but in a genuine, caring way. My parents have modeled this in their client relationships for GKI Groundskeepers.

You are one of the most creative people I know! Do you have any secrets for developing creativity?
Always be a learner. To me, that’s both an important life skill and a vital key for developing creativity. By exposing yourself to new ideas/information, you can follow trends, develop new skills, and so much more. It takes a certain amount of vulnerability to develop creativity, because you must accept the fact that you’ll never be done growing. But isn’t that what our lives as Christians should be here on earth as well?

What are some ways to learn something new?

• Take a class – at a local college, county extension office, art museum, etc
• Visit your library or bookstore frequently
• Google
• Take a field trip to a local business
• Try a new restaurant
• Invite friends over and exchange ideas
• Get a notepad and invent your own company, product, and marketing plan
• Start a morgue file – a collection of your favorite ideas
• Research, research, research

Learning shouldn’t just stop at exposure, though. It should influence you and how you act or think – even if what you learn is how not to do something. I think that one of the things that most hinders creativity is fear of failure. It’s also something I can struggle with at times. But without trying – and learning – from your positive and negative experiences, you won’t learn anything new. Thomas Alva Edison once stated about his efforts on the light bulb, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward…”

What are your favorite kinds of projects to work on?
One of the things I enjoyed learning most about at WSU was the psychology of marketing. In other words, what is involved in a consumer’s purchase decision? What is it about the copy and/or design of a product/advertisement that makes people buy the product?

This has been a perfect segue to owning my own business. As a designer, I listen to a client’s needs and then work to find a design solution that meets those needs. In my job, I must not only have the design sensibility to solve the client’s need, but also to have the technical computer skills necessary to execute that solution. As I come up with design ideas, I’m constantly learning how to make that idea happen – how to make the final product (print or web) look the way I want it to. Brainstorming for ideas is probably my favorite part of any project. Finding the technical solution is something that’s exciting and challenging all at the same time…but that’s what keeps my job interesting!

Graphic design is a field that a lot of students seem interested in. What advice would you offer those who want to hone their skills in this area?
The most important thing you can do is to seek the Lord and His direction for your life. After all, He is the Creator of the universe – the original Designer. Exodus 35:30-33 has special meaning for me as a graphic designer. Moses is talking to the Israelites about the tabernacle and says, “…‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship…’ ” (NIV). Clearly, God was the one who gave this man the design skills he needed to help complete the tabernacle. And He can do the same for us today. Pray that God would give you His wisdom, knowledge and skill to use your talents and abilities for His kingdom. He will!!

Can you give us a synopsis of the documentary you’ve put together: Forbidden History – Dinosaurs and the Bible?
Forbidden History: Dinosaurs and the Bible covers written history, archeology, and eyewitness accounts that prove dinosaurs and man have always existed together. It explains what happened that caused the recent extinction of most dinosaurs only a few thousand years ago and what happened to the surviving dinosaurs. Also, there is brief discussion of the accuracy and trustworthiness of the Bible followed by a look at the over thirty references to dinosaurs mentioned in this historical record. At the end, the viewer is presented with the fact that God is going to come again and judge the world. The law that leads to judgment is discussed and then salvation in Jesus Christ is presented as the only way to be saved from the judgment to come.

When did you first become interested in dinosaurs?
I think that most everyone has a bit of a fascination with dinosaurs, but I first became interested in how they fit in with human history when I listened to a lecture by creation scientist and educator, Dr. Kent Hovind. From a young age, I was taught that the dinosaurs died out millions of years ago, and I just assumed that this was really what happened.

What prompted you to investigate their connection to the Bible?
I really started looking into their connection with the Bible because of supposed “mythological” creatures mentioned in the King James Version, which is one of the oldest (1611) and most used versions of the Bible. The supposed “mythological” creatures mentioned are: Dragon, Behemoth, Leviathan, Cockatrice, and Fiery Flying Serpent. When I found out that the word “dinosaur” did not come into existence until 1841, I thought that it stood to reason that these words which all have to do with different types of ferocious reptile creatures could be references to now extinct creatures that we call dinosaurs.

You have documented some incredible findings in your DVD! In the course of your research, was there anything you learned that especially surprised you?
The thing that surprised me the most was the hundreds, if not thousands, of similar dragon stories, myths, and legends from around the entire globe that are routinely dismissed as primitive imagination. All of the cross-cultural stories carry the same thread – huge vicious reptile creatures that were usually considered a menace to man. My work of discovering more of these stories is far from over. The Forbidden History website will be an ongoing life work to chronicle each and every reasonable dragon story in history. The site is just beginning and is a work in progress.

Why do you think this is an important issue for people to understand?
Today, children in most schools are taught as plain fact that the earth is millions of years old and that the dinosaurs died off millions of years ago. They are taught this because it supports the theory of evolution, which is the predominantly held scientific view. They are not shown all of the evidence and therefore cannot make an unbiased decision about what they believe. Many of these children may never consider the Bible because they hear something like…”the Bible talks about dragons and cockatrices…see the Bible is just a book of myths and stories.”  The Bible is the most important book that has ever been written; Satan knows this, and he wants to discredit the Bible.

What implications does it have?
The implications are very serious. First, everyone should be permitted to make unbiased, open-minded decisions about what they believe. If you don’t have all of the facts in front of you, this is not possible. I believe that when presented with all of the evidence (on both sides) one can easily come to the conclusion that the earth is only 6,000 years old, dinosaurs have always existed with man, there was a global world-wide flood that wiped out nearly all life, Darwinian evolution is absolutely impossible, and God created everything just as the Bible says.  Ultimately, the scientific and educational system of the world hold onto evolution and deep time theories because the only other alternative is special (supernatural) creation as spoken of in the Bible.

How long have you and your wife been homeschooling your children? Was this DVD a family project?
We have been homeschooling our children from the very beginning, so that’s about 17 years. The DVD was not really a family project, however, my family offered me a lot of support in many ways. They watched many clips and edits throughout the process of producing the video. They helped me with editing and spell checking toward the end of the project, and they encouraged me greatly throughout the entire project.

How long did it take you to complete the project?
A total of 18 months. 7 months research, 3 months script writing, and 8 months video and audio editing.

What tips would you offer to other filmmakers who are interested in producing documentaries?
Lay out a step-by-step plan and then follow the plan. There are a lot of good tools (even free tools) out there for making simple video documentaries. Microsoft PhotoStory 3 is a great free beginner program for using still photos to develop a video. Audacity is a free open source audio recorder which is what I used for my documentary.

Start simple with a short 5-10 minute video and publish it on YouTube. Then try another with more content. After you have some experience, a program like Sony Vegas Movie Studio, which costs around $100, would be great tool.

The best tip that I can offer is: Don’t waste your life. We only have so much time here. Use it to the fullest for the Lord. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” Colossians 3:17.

How can interested families order a copy of the DVD?
At this time there are two ways that you can get the DVD. The first is to visit our website at: http://www.forbidden-history.com/dinosaur-movie.html. You can watch the film for free at this link. The second is to contact me directly. You can contact me by e-mail. If you send me an e-mail with your address, requesting a DVD, I will send you one free of charge. If you want multiple copies to give away, just let me know. Also, feel free to reproduce the DVD yourself. It is copyrighted, but permission is granted to make unedited duplicate copies to be given away without charge. In the near future, there will be an order page on the website as well.

Any additional comments?
A friend and I have a ministry for evangelizing the lost. We regularly give away a lot of our DVDs, gospel tracts, and booklets. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. Any donations go directly to the purchase of gospel tracts, booklets, and DVDs for free distribution.

I would encourage everyone to get the following text book:  In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood. This book is a hardback science textbook which is one of the best resources available if you would like to have a deeper understanding of the evidence for creation.

Can you tell us about your family and why your parents chose to homeschool?
Certainly! I am 21 years old and the oldest of five children; Alyssa is 19; Nicholas,18; Matthew, 13 and Tiffany is 10. Before 5th grade, I attended both public and private schools and had been homeschooled for a year. When I started private school in 4th grade, my parents knew our lives were too busy with school and extra-curricular activities. So when we moved to Kansas half way through my 4th grade year, we began to home school. There are many, many other reasons my siblings and I have been homeschooled since then. My mom always says she may only have her children for 18 years (or in my case, a little longer)! She wants to be able to enjoy her children and influence them for God in the relatively short time we have at home.

What are some of your favorite subjects and activities?
I like to say I am a very eclectic person; there are so many things I enjoy doing! Among them are history, politics, piano, reading, photography, and organizing.

History is definitely my favorite subject to study. I love reading any good book about historical events and figures and some of my favorite authors are David McCullough and Bodie & Brock Thoene. I also indulged this love by focusing on history while pursuing my Bachelor degree.

Politics is another thing that keeps me busy, though it’s often a love-hate relationship! I deplore the corruption that is so often present in the political arena, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a Godly man or woman elected to public office. Understanding the great privilege we have to choose our leaders and shape our culture is why I continue to stay involved in politics.

There are so many other activities and hobbies that I enjoy pursuing and improving in… I won’t bore you by listing them all!

How and when did you first become interested in civic involvement?
Originally, I wasn’t even remotely interested in, much less passionate about, politics! But God used my involvement with a Christian youth organization called Generation Joshua to convince me it is not only my right, but my duty to be informed and active in choosing the men and women who lead our country. Throughout high school, I worked with Generation Joshua and dozens of campaigns to see God’s will accomplished in the political arena. I have realized that my love is not politics, but the chance to see Godly men and women placed in positions where they can direct the course of our nation.

When I first started my political journey in 1999, my family and I volunteered to help candidates any way we could. That included door-to-door campaigning, registering voters, stuffing envelopes, sign waving and more. Nothing is too small when it comes to helping a campaign. The experience I had in the little things eventually led to bigger roles, such as organizing volunteers, data organization, graphic design, public relations and finally candidate training and advisement–something I hope to continue in the future.

What are some specific ways that homeschool students can be involved in civics?
I highly recommend joining Generation Joshua as a way to learn more about civics, connect with other Christian students, and get involved in politics in fun, rewarding ways. Generation Joshua’s mission is to raise up a new generation of Godly leaders and citizens to be a force for good in our nation. They sponsor local clubs and Student Action Teams, which allow students to work with Godly candidates and leaders to help restore our culture to its Christian foundation.

Another obvious way to get involved is to find local candidates you would be willing to support. One way is to contact a local party office and ask if there are people who need help. (I guarantee the answer will be yes!) Then get to know the candidate and question them about issues important to you. Once you know it’s someone you can throw your entire support behind, just be available to do whatever they need you to do!

What did you do to further your education after you graduated from high school?
Upon graduating in 2006, I took a year off from school to serve my family and listen for God’s direction. In the fall of 2007, He paved the way to for me to attend Patrick Henry College, a Christian school in Virginia. The opportunity to be a part of a close, Christian community, meet amazing friends, and learn from the rigorous classes and professors was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had.

As the school year drew to a close in early 2008, I made the decision to return home and again be with my family. Soon after returning home, I learned about CollegePlus!, a Christian program that allows students to pursue a degree from home via CLEP and DANTES tests and online courses. After a few months of consideration, I signed up with my best friend and brother and started a grand adventure! I finished all the coursework for my degree in Social Sciences from Thomas Edison State College in July of 2009, only ten months and seven days after taking my first CLEP test! I am excited to be officially graduating this December.

Is an accelerated distance learning program an approach to earning a degree something that you would recommend for all high school graduates?
“All” is a broad term, but for the most part I would say yes. While there may be some students who require face-to-face interaction with professors and other students, I believe a distance learning approach can be adapted to just about any student or learning style. Organizations like CollegePlus! offer accountability for those who need it. Testing out of courses is a wonderful option for students who like to move ahead quickly. Online courses may be best for those who like to build on what they learn and learn more in depth. In addition to the options available, there are so many benefits to be gained with distance learning.

The greatest benefit I experienced was not having to forfeit what I call “life” opportunities for the sake of my education. I was able to gain experience running our family business, coordinating a Bible Bee Competition, helping advise political campaigns, traveling, and serving my family, all while completing a college degree in record time.

Are you working on any projects right now?
I just finished volunteering at the National Bible Bee in Washington D.C. after working as the Logistics Coordinator for a local Bible Bee contest in Wichita. I currently work for CollegePlus!, coaching 20 students through their degrees. I am also directing my attention to a few new projects, including writing a campaigning eBook and pursuing a Masters degree. Both are brand-new endeavors, so I am still in the learning and researching phase, but in God’s time I hope to accomplish these new goals. I also plan to stay involved in local political races and am applying to volunteer with Operation Christmas Child. I look forward to any other opportunities God brings into my path.

What factors would you say have most contributed to your success in life thus far?
My mother was without a doubt the most important part of my life. She encouraged me in everything I wanted to do and some things I didn’t want to do! Her ability to see my strengths and encourage me with Godly wisdom in those directions has definitely influenced who I am today.

Another major factor in my life has been Generation Joshua. That organization and the Godly men and women involved have helped me learn about politics, enjoy working with young people, improve my organization and communication skills, and grow spiritually. Those abilities have led me to contemplate writing a book, pursuing International studies, working with young people and so much more.

Any closing thoughts you’d like to share with other homeschool families?
One of my favorite quotes is by John Adams; “Duty is ours; results are God’s.” Whether you are a homeschooling parent, a homeschool student, or a homeschool graduate, I believe that should be true of all of us. No matter where you are or what you are pursuing, follow God wholeheartedly and passionately pursue the duty He has for you. The results will always be amazing!

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.

Looking back, what are some of the specific ways that you think homeschooling helped prepare you for life after graduation?
There are a myriad of ways homeschooling prepared me! One example is that homeschooling gave me the confidence to do things differently and to stand alone for righteousness. In the world, I have to know exactly what I believe and why I believe it or I will not stand strong. If I am too concerned about what others think, then I will fail as a Christian. Homeschooling taught me that it was just fine to be different!

Another way homeschooling prepared me is by giving me life skills of responsibility, initiative, and diligence. Everything high school graduates do requires those skills, and I know that homeschooling equipped me with those better than traditional schooling could have. My thorough education is a blessing in so many ways as I see public school graduates who are handicapped by a deficient education.

You are quite an accomplished musician! What have you done to pursue your musical interests and develop your talents in that field?
Thank you, Natalie! I began violin when I was six years old and started piano five years later. I have consistently taken private lessons since then and continue to do so. My mom wonders when I will stop, but I am not ready because I know I still have so much to learn! When I was about fourteen, I joined a local youth symphony that gave me wonderful incentive to work harder, and I really enjoyed that. Two years later, I joined the Southwest Washington Symphony, a community symphony filled with many excellent musicians in our area. I also began teaching around the same time. I flew to Indianapolis last year to take a three-week Christian music course that covered everything from theory to history to copyright law to Biblical standards on music! Last year I was also able to go to Utah for Suzuki training in teaching the violin, and I continue to enjoy both violin and piano, with a little viola thrown in for good measure! I love to play chamber music with my family—it is a wonderful activity to draw us closer together!

When did you graduate and what have you been doing since graduation?
I graduated in June of 2008 and immediately began pursuing a degree in Music Ministry through an online college program. I am thoroughly enjoying this education and am learning so much! The degree combines Bible classes with music classes, and many of the things I do at home (taking lessons, playing with the symphony, etc.) count for credit. I hope to be done with that next December. I manage to be quite successful at staying very busy by spending time with my family, being very involved in my church, and having many music commitments!

Did you experience any disadvantages as a result of homeschooling?
To paraphrase Dr. Voddie Baucham: “Yes, there was one thing I missed out on by not going to public school. I never learned to stand in lines.” In all seriousness, after wracking my brain, I can only think of a situation where there was a music competition which I was not allowed to enter because I was not public schooled. I highly value my homeschool education and wouldn’t trade it for anything!

What encouragement would you offer to other homeschool students?
Stick with it. Don’t think in terms of two years, think in terms of twenty years and you will see the merit of the education you are receiving! Appreciate your parents’ immense love for you and support them in their efforts. Be bold in being different from your peers!

Do you anticipate homeschooling your own children someday? Is there anything you would do differently?
There is no question in my mind as to whether or not I will homeschool my own children someday, should the Lord bless me with them. In fact, I would never even marry someone who had doubts about homeschooling—it is mandatory for me because I see the huge advantage of homeschooling versus traditional education! As for my list of things I would do differently, these things aren’t so much different from my parents as much as they are things that I feel strongly need to be key elements of my children’s education. I would try to establish a feasible, consistent way to grade so that I could monitor my children’s progress. However, I also desire to emphasize discipleship even more than academics so that my children will be spiritually and academically sound. Although programs like BJU’s Homesat worked well for our family, at this point I cannot see myself using it for my own children. I do, however, see the value of spending an allotted amount of time each day with each child, even the older ones who may work independently.