Franklin Springs Family Media

Upstate Autumn

Monday, October 3, 2011

Headed out of the South Carolina Upstate after several days of meetings on the Hannah movie project, we discovered Strawberry Hill, in full Autumn swing…

Directly across the street…

It’s hard to beat this time of year…

‘Bama

Monday, August 8, 2011

Pre-wedding groomsman duties had a Franklin Springs production assistant busy on Saturday morning in Birmingham, but a few of his family members had time to lace up and find a nearby 5K race.

The Internet told them that the nearest race was in neighboring Mt. Laurel.

The experience was one of those discoveries that bring adventure to traveling.

The village of Mt. Laurel made for a memorable run…

A stroll through the farmers market was the perfect wind-down after the race…

Off to the wedding…

Discovery

Monday, June 27, 2011

One of the best parts of production travel is the discoveries we make as we traverse the country.

We were headed back from Huntsville, AL last weekend when we wound through Fayetteville, TN on our way back to Franklin.

We looked for a local place to eat on the town square, and just as we were about to head to the next town, we rounded the corner and discovered the Elk River Coffee Company, which was immediately distinguishable by it’s aesthetics, atmosphere, kindness of the employees, and ultimately by panini and wrap sandwiches that were top drawer.

Thanks to the nice folks at Elk River who brightened our day with an unexpected surprise…

Budget That

Monday, May 30, 2011

Our host in Zambia took us to lunch on day one.  We heard the total (in local currency) and had to get a picture.  Yes, grateful to not have to do a production budget in Zambian kwacha.  Although the 10,000 kwacha bill (worth $2.15) made for great souvenirs…

Dr. Livingstone, I Presume?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Being in Zambia last week brought a renewed appreciation for the marvelous, adventurous life led by Dr. David Livingstone.  As we visited villages in the Ndola area with blood:water mission, it was easy to imagine Livingstone on his treks through Africa 150 years ago.

While Livingstone was on his final African expedition, Henry Morgan Stanley, on assignment from The New York Herald, traveled deep into the interior of the continent in search of Livingstone, who hadn’t been heard from since September, 1869.  There was worldwide speculation and intrigue surrounding the highly revered Livingstone:  he was rumored to have been savagely killed, some thought he was in need of rescue, others were certain he was still on his quest to find the source of the Nile River.  When Stanley finally located Livingstone in Ujiji (in present day Tanzania) on November 10, 1871, Stanley offered the understated words that are now emblazoned in history:  “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”.

There was widespread celebration at the news that Livingstone had been found alive.  But rather than enjoy a heroic return to England, Livingstone chose to continue his work in Africa, where he remained until his death - in Zambia - on May 1, 1873.  Livingstone’s longstanding assistants carried his body back to the eastern coast of Africa, where it was then ferried from Zanzibar back to London, where there was a national outpouring of appreciation for the renowned missionary explorer. 

Fifteen months ago, on our last trip through London, we went back to Westminster Abbey, and were taken again with the burial site of David Livingstone.  In a place where so many notable historical figures have been laid to rest, the expansive space allotted to Livingstone’s gravesite is testimony to his far reaching influence.

The inscription goes on to read “For 30 years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evangelize the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, to abolish the desolating slave trade of Central Africa, where with his last words he wrote ‘All I can add in my solitude is, may Heaven’s rich blessing come down on every one, American, English, or Turk who will help to heal this open sore of the world.’”

Oh for the time to make all the films we’d like to…

Into the Bush

Monday, January 17, 2011

We took a break from visiting villages to see the work of blood:water mission in Zambia, and went to see another side of Africa.

Steady, Mark…

Into Africa

Friday, January 14, 2011

We landed in Zambia today…

And went right to work chronicling the efforts of blood:water mission.

The director and videographer flank Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay, who founded blood:water in 2004.  The days ahead will take us to villages that are now benefiting from clean water thanks to the efforts of blood:water and their local partnerships.

Off to Africa

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Jars of Clay brought in Franklin Films (our sister company that produces projects for clients) to do a video several years ago when they launched blood:water mission to “empower communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS & water crises in Africa”.  A big focus of the work is to see wells installed in African villages.  They’ve just recently completed their 1,000th water project in Africa.

Today, along with Jars’ Dan Haseltine, we’re headed to Johannesburg, South Africa, then on to Zambia as part of a follow up video that will update the blood:water story.  We’re grateful for the opportunity to once again be able to contribute to such a worthwhile effort.

Back in The Upstate

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

While part of the team is in Franklin working on finishing our upcoming Family Heritage of Hunting, Family Works - Volume II, and Family Worship films, a few of us are back in South Carolina for a few days, continuing development/pre-production work.  Learn more at www.facebook.com/hannahsmovie.  Be sure to read the comments about this profoundly inspiring story.

An Easy Stop

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

All outings with children should be this easy. 

A recent Franklin Springs repair stop at The Apple Store turned into a somewhat extended excursion.  Having children along for the ride proved to be no problem whatsoever.

Their parents marveled at the children’s adeptness with the Apple product line.  From phones to desktops, they moved effortlessly through the store, finding great enjoyment at every stop.

The parents were happy to see the future filmmakers’ growing proclivity for the technological realm. 

And upon their return home, the children were promptly sent out to climb a tree…