Two-Handed Warriors

The magic of flying isn’t the laws of aerodynamics any more than the magic of cinema is the principles of film structure. But those laws and those principles make the magic possible, enabling mere mortals to harness the power of flight.

On April 7, author, and playwright-turned-pastor Dave Schmelzer interviewed me for a podcast posted 4/19 on his website: Not The Religious Type, on the Blue Ocean platform. It was a great experience, and I really want you to listen to it. However, first I’d like you to know a few things about Dave and his [...]

Extending the Kingdom of God Among Urban Secularists and Beyond To be delivered this morning at the Society of Vineyard Scholars meeting in Minneapolis, MN (PREPUBLICATION DRAFT) By Gary David Stratton, PhD, Bethel University/Basileia Hollywood (See also, Blue Ocean Conversation with Dave Schmelzer, & 2011 Blue Ocean Summit Report, by Dave Schmelzer) The great New England divine [...]

Classic wisdom from a classy TV Writer and Man of God by Ron Austin This article is a revised version of a speech given at a conference concerning the role of Christians in the entertainment industry, sponsored by the Act One screenwriting program held at the Mears Center of Hollywood Presbyterian Church nearly a decade ago. [...]

One of today’s most articulate voices for faithful engagement in culture, Dean Batali, is best known for his work on That ‘70s Show, where he served as a writer for seven years and as an executive producer for the show’s final season.

Answering God’s faith-building call By Patrick Wood Called to Hollywood? It wasn’t that I had a difficult time believing Dr. Stratton had, in fact, received such a command from the Lord. His ability to hear from God—an area I hoped to grow in myself as a young grad student—is what drew me to pursue a mentoring [...]

It’s not that he’s just not that into you; it’s that the church is just not that into being human. By Christy Krumm “I’ve only gone out with a couple of girls at church, and I won’t do it anymore,” says Luke*, a 40-year-old Christian man living in Southern California. “At this point, I’m happily resigned to [...]

Seek sources of inspiration and solace from divine technology by Jane R. Johnson Technology makes our lives much easier in a variety of ways. Today our phones help us shop, locate the best deals, budget our finances, and stay on top of the latest news. However, technology can help on a much deeper level as [...]

J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, delivers her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association. (via harvardmagazine.com). . J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Good art tests boundaries. It always has. We artists just need to check our motives (and egos) before we endeavor to create it. A Conversation with Randy Elrod’s: Why Christians Are Creating More “Edgy” Art, and C.J. Darlington’s, “Writing edgy… for all the wrong reasons. by Jeff Goins | 18 Comments | Twitter |  Facebook | Google+ Sometimes in our quest to usher art in to [...]

The premier training program for filmmakers of faith pursuing careers in mainstream Hollywood   “Act One’s Producing Program understands that apprenticeship is vital in Hollywood. Students are exposed to working producers and executives not only in the classroom, but through hands-on internships as well. If you’re looking for an immersive learning experience, go through the Producing [...]

How shalom, common good and prosperity can come from an unlikely place. by Jon and Mindy Hirst Today we share an interview with Dr. Gary David Stratton, PhD, Chairman of the Christian Ministries Department at Bethel University, Senior Editor at TwoHandedWarriors.com, a Catalyst at Basileia Hollywood, and Director of the Hollywood Bezalel Initiative. You can follow Gary on Twitter@GaryDStratton. [...]

Are Millennials more influenced by advertising than previous generations, or less influenced? Depends on the data we love the most. by David Kinnaman Millennials (or Gen Y, or Mosaics) have caused a lot of new study and discussion. I was reading this morning about their media use and response to advertising. One analyst claims in AdAge that [...]

Understanding your own underlying connection strategies can make or break survival in a dysfunctional working environment by Todd W. Hall, PhD Recently, I met with a manager I’ve been working with who is working in a very dysfunctional system. Two executives are in a political battle for the area in which she works and she [...]