WHAT DO WE DO ON AN SFM? (PART 6)

By Ben MC

Video Production!

When I came to the SFM many years ago, the thing I was really excited about was making movie for Jesus. I wanted to help write and direct videos that would actually share the gospel, and give people an opportunity to learn about and encounter Jesus in a way they hadn't before.

And even though the school is about much more than that, this still remains in many ways the heartbeat of the school. How can we use video (as well as all the other media we learn about) to share the gospel with those who haven't heard? And how can we use it to encourage people to go to share the message with those who need to hear it the most?



It was on my outreach to Bangladesh that I got to really see this happen. And over the years, on many different SFM outreaches, I've been privileged to be part of it many times over: the production of evangelistic dramas and mobilization documentaries for unreached people groups that Jesus died for.

But having the heart is not enough. We also needed the skill. And that's why this topic was so important on our SFM lecture phase.



Really, 'Video Production' is series of different topics that are looked at over several of weeks of the school. These include camerawork, lighting, directing, editing, and other aspects of production. Over the course of the lecture phase, students learn from those who have gone before them and apply their learning to number of different video productions and exercises, both alone and in teams. It's been amazing to see the creativity that's come forward from many of our students.



In the end, elements of everything else that we teach go into making a successful production. Students come to the school with all levels of experience in video, but our goal is to help them move forward from where they are to greater ability to use video production and film making for the sake of the gospel. The experience they have on outreach making dramatic films, documentaries, music videos, and other projects helps to cement that learning.



Here are some testimonies from former SFM students about video production, both during the lecture phase and on outreach:

One of my favorite things in the school was the experience of making a short movie as a team. It's a very good opportunity to learn to rely on other people and trust them even when you would prefer to take the tools from their hand and do it yourself. It's a great school to learn to work in unity.
- Iska

[On outreach] I was asked many times to be the cameraman, which I really enjoyed. I felt that God taught me and gave me this skill to use for his glory.
- Mark M.

I felt somewhat inadequate going to film a documentary in a foreign land, where I do not speak the language or understand the culture…the SFM provided knowledgeable, experienced staff who created a flexible environment for me to learn use the equipment on the field. In being open and teachable with any task, God blessed me with many opportunities to film interesting shots and interact well cross-culturally.
- JoAnne