DreamWorks

When I was a teenager, I wanted to run off to Los Angeles and audition for TV shows and movies. Seriously. That was my dream. Not exactly something that seemed realistic or reasonable. So, I followed my love of writing and performing into the world of television news with new dreams of hosting a national morning program like the “Today” show. I ended up having a successful career as a reporter and anchor in small and medium market, local television with many amazing experiences.

Then, God forged a new path for me. Youth ministry work led to a career working with teenagers, teaching subjects I love: television, film, and broadcast journalism. It’s funny how God knows exactly where He can use us the most. Teaching high school has been an extremely challenging career, but I’ve been blessed to be able to see such success that I personally believe can only come from God’s involvement, especially when you consider I have had minimal official teacher training.



















In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to have a couple of those amazing moments as a teacher. A college group involving some of my former students, including Chris West, William Kilgo, and Alan Lazer (above), had their short film “The Protagonist” advance from the local level, to the regionals, to the finals of “Campus Movie Fest,” reportedly the world’s largest student film festival. Their film screened at the festival’s major event at Paramount Studios in LA and won “Best Cinematography.” I helped out with a small part in the film, as a radio announcer in one scene.

Watch the film at the following site:

http://www.campusmoviefest.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/IdeaFlow.woa/wa/showAMovie?movieID=4218















Last weekend, “Fletcher,” a short documentary created by two of my most recent students screened at the LA Film Festival, one of the largest in the country. Student filmmakers Daniel Lipson and James Perkins created this film as part of our after- school cinema program that I coordinate. I had the opportunity to attend one of the screenings with James and watch the film as part of the future filmmakers showcase.

Watch the film at the following site:

http://teachers.sduhsd.net/mraines/con_vidproj.html

As a student, elective classes were my favorite part of high school: drama, speech, yearbook, newspaper. Those classes fueled my passions and gave me so much hope and encouragement. It’s been an honor to help provide that type of an environment for a new generation of dreamers. God is so cool.

Jeremiah 29: 11-14: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."