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Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Stories and Backgrounds as Diverse as Their Scripts for Kairos Prize Winners
Screenwriting Merely a Hobby, but Future is an Open Book
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melany Ethridge (214) 912-8934
melany@alarryross.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, Mar. 7 – R. Wyatt Scott, Daniel S. Elliott and Stan Himes recently split the $50,000 award given in the annual John Templeton Foundation Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays, presented by MOVIEGUIDE®: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment. All three men also share a passion for entertaining audiences with films that both uplift and delight.
“There is something far more grand in producing something that edifies, motivates and changes peoples’ lives,” First Runner Up Dan Elliott summarized, in comparison to writing a film or script that merely entertains. “Most contests are not really looking for that gripping moral story, but Kairos clearly is.” Elliott’s BY MIGHT & POWER is an adventure story chronicling Captain Robert Scott’s ill-fated 1911 expedition to the South Pole. While not inherently “Christian,” the script deals with the issues of purpose and meaning in life, and is very inspirational to others as Captain Scott comes to realize the true legacy he must leave for his son.
The Second Runner Up, SARAH’S GIFT, is a comedy – a genre that seems an unlikely winner for a faith-based competition. However, writer Stan Himes captures well the struggle of a teen trying to fit in, in a light and humorous way, as the only non-musical member of her family. Sarah learns about the power of prayer, as hers are answered with the gift of singing – but only in church. She then becomes prideful of her new gift, but comes to understand the importance of humility, family commitment and sense of community as she is faced with the loss of more than just her singing talent. “It’s more than a faith-based film; it’s a fun, family movie,” Himes said. He appreciated the fact that the Kairos Prize competition was seeking “good movies with spiritual values rather than creating preachy movies that people don’t want to see.”
The Grand Prize winner, CHEERS & LAUGHTER by R. Wyatt Scott, is a drama focusing on a professional athlete whose career is cut short by injury – again, a story line that appeals across the board, and, while not being “preachy,” shows the value of redemption and grace in bringing hope out of tragedy and despair. “Movies are a great medium for reaching people in need of this kind of comfort and encouragement,” Scott said. He believes God seeks to share His message of love and forgiveness with the world and he recognizes the cultural influence and importance film has in reaching the masses. Scott is grateful that his script might be used to help share these important messages through such a broad platform.
From communities as diverse as Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn., and West Des Moines, Iowa, and with careers as far removed from the entertainment field as a surgeon and an ad copy writer, these winners represent the broad-based outcry from across the nation, for films that both entertain and uplift, and that whole families can enjoy together.
Stan Himes, for example, said he set out to write a script for a film that would appeal to his twelve-year-old daughter all the way up to his 85-year-old grandmother. This award shows that he’s done just that. Dan Elliott hoped to communicate that simple everyday kindness, forgiveness and friendship are what gives life value, more than personal glory and honor – a lesson with which everyone could agree and identify. And Wyatt Scott hopes to share the love of God in a culturally relevant way in a story with which the masses can relate.
While none of these winners plans to “quit his day job,” they are each open to what the future might hold. As part of winning the competition, their scripts are being reviewed by top Hollywood producers and studio executives, and any one of these films could be optioned and made into a real Hollywood blockbuster. Two of last year’s Kairos Prize winners, David Anthony and Heather Hughes, have both had offers made for their scripts, JOHN, THE REVELATOR, and COINCIDENTAL MIRACLES, less than a year after winning the contest – an unheard of speed for having a brand new script put into production in today’s film industry.
Stan Himes, especially, is hopeful for the future – not for him alone but for the industry as a whole. “I think there’s a growing spiritual energy in the country that can best be seen through the popularity of Christian music (one of the themes of his film),” he said. “Every city now has a blatantly Christian rock station or stations that refer to their playlist as inspirational or positive.” He believes his script is an example of what most people are looking for in a movie – a positive energy that taps into many emotions, with an eyes-watering, feel-good ending. The Kairos competition organizers obviously agreed.
All three winners plan to continue with their writing, whether it ever becomes more than a hobby or not. They see their wins in this competition as validation of their skill and creativity, and will continue to write new stories as they are inspired with new ideas.
And that’s just what Hollywood needs more of. A recent Zogby survey found that 45% of American moviegoers had decreased their attendance over the last five years, with the highest percentage of that decrease in the 18- to 24-year-old demographic; at the same time, 21% of respondents said they never went to the movies. One of the main reasons listed for this trend was the quality of the films. (The other was rising ticket prices.)
Stan Himes, Dan Elliott and Wyatt Scott are doing their part to reverse that trend, with a little help from MOVIEGUIDE®, the John Templeton Foundation and its Kairos Prize competition. They and the contest organizers are all hopeful for the future, and would agree that’s what entertainment should be about anyway – inspiring hope and joy in the lives of partakers. If films succeeded in that endeavor, the increased ticket costs would be well worth the investment.
More information is available at www.kairosprize.com.
- 30 -
Note to Editors: Each of the Kairos Prize winners is available for interviews. For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Melany Ethridge at (214) 912-8934 or melany@alarryross.com.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melany Ethridge (214) 912-8934
melany@alarryross.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, Mar. 7 – R. Wyatt Scott, Daniel S. Elliott and Stan Himes recently split the $50,000 award given in the annual John Templeton Foundation Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays, presented by MOVIEGUIDE®: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment. All three men also share a passion for entertaining audiences with films that both uplift and delight.
“There is something far more grand in producing something that edifies, motivates and changes peoples’ lives,” First Runner Up Dan Elliott summarized, in comparison to writing a film or script that merely entertains. “Most contests are not really looking for that gripping moral story, but Kairos clearly is.” Elliott’s BY MIGHT & POWER is an adventure story chronicling Captain Robert Scott’s ill-fated 1911 expedition to the South Pole. While not inherently “Christian,” the script deals with the issues of purpose and meaning in life, and is very inspirational to others as Captain Scott comes to realize the true legacy he must leave for his son.
The Second Runner Up, SARAH’S GIFT, is a comedy – a genre that seems an unlikely winner for a faith-based competition. However, writer Stan Himes captures well the struggle of a teen trying to fit in, in a light and humorous way, as the only non-musical member of her family. Sarah learns about the power of prayer, as hers are answered with the gift of singing – but only in church. She then becomes prideful of her new gift, but comes to understand the importance of humility, family commitment and sense of community as she is faced with the loss of more than just her singing talent. “It’s more than a faith-based film; it’s a fun, family movie,” Himes said. He appreciated the fact that the Kairos Prize competition was seeking “good movies with spiritual values rather than creating preachy movies that people don’t want to see.”
The Grand Prize winner, CHEERS & LAUGHTER by R. Wyatt Scott, is a drama focusing on a professional athlete whose career is cut short by injury – again, a story line that appeals across the board, and, while not being “preachy,” shows the value of redemption and grace in bringing hope out of tragedy and despair. “Movies are a great medium for reaching people in need of this kind of comfort and encouragement,” Scott said. He believes God seeks to share His message of love and forgiveness with the world and he recognizes the cultural influence and importance film has in reaching the masses. Scott is grateful that his script might be used to help share these important messages through such a broad platform.
From communities as diverse as Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn., and West Des Moines, Iowa, and with careers as far removed from the entertainment field as a surgeon and an ad copy writer, these winners represent the broad-based outcry from across the nation, for films that both entertain and uplift, and that whole families can enjoy together.
Stan Himes, for example, said he set out to write a script for a film that would appeal to his twelve-year-old daughter all the way up to his 85-year-old grandmother. This award shows that he’s done just that. Dan Elliott hoped to communicate that simple everyday kindness, forgiveness and friendship are what gives life value, more than personal glory and honor – a lesson with which everyone could agree and identify. And Wyatt Scott hopes to share the love of God in a culturally relevant way in a story with which the masses can relate.
While none of these winners plans to “quit his day job,” they are each open to what the future might hold. As part of winning the competition, their scripts are being reviewed by top Hollywood producers and studio executives, and any one of these films could be optioned and made into a real Hollywood blockbuster. Two of last year’s Kairos Prize winners, David Anthony and Heather Hughes, have both had offers made for their scripts, JOHN, THE REVELATOR, and COINCIDENTAL MIRACLES, less than a year after winning the contest – an unheard of speed for having a brand new script put into production in today’s film industry.
Stan Himes, especially, is hopeful for the future – not for him alone but for the industry as a whole. “I think there’s a growing spiritual energy in the country that can best be seen through the popularity of Christian music (one of the themes of his film),” he said. “Every city now has a blatantly Christian rock station or stations that refer to their playlist as inspirational or positive.” He believes his script is an example of what most people are looking for in a movie – a positive energy that taps into many emotions, with an eyes-watering, feel-good ending. The Kairos competition organizers obviously agreed.
All three winners plan to continue with their writing, whether it ever becomes more than a hobby or not. They see their wins in this competition as validation of their skill and creativity, and will continue to write new stories as they are inspired with new ideas.
And that’s just what Hollywood needs more of. A recent Zogby survey found that 45% of American moviegoers had decreased their attendance over the last five years, with the highest percentage of that decrease in the 18- to 24-year-old demographic; at the same time, 21% of respondents said they never went to the movies. One of the main reasons listed for this trend was the quality of the films. (The other was rising ticket prices.)
Stan Himes, Dan Elliott and Wyatt Scott are doing their part to reverse that trend, with a little help from MOVIEGUIDE®, the John Templeton Foundation and its Kairos Prize competition. They and the contest organizers are all hopeful for the future, and would agree that’s what entertainment should be about anyway – inspiring hope and joy in the lives of partakers. If films succeeded in that endeavor, the increased ticket costs would be well worth the investment.
More information is available at www.kairosprize.com.
- 30 -
Note to Editors: Each of the Kairos Prize winners is available for interviews. For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Melany Ethridge at (214) 912-8934 or melany@alarryross.com.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
