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Christian film being made in Valley
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Sharing a Christian message motivates a group of Valley filmmakers.
Work on “Amish Outsider” began late this week. The story was written by Joe Colon, a member of Spanish Evangelical Church, 369 Keystone Ave.
Others involved in the movie are Robert Clark, director; David Walker, producer and co-director; Terry Escaro, location manager; the Rev. Rolando Rojas, church pastor, and his son, Rolando Rojas Jr., who works at a local TV station. Fred D’Amico is assisting with production and Joe Thomas, who has directed plays at Victory Christian Center in Coitsville, with casting.
Colon wrote the story, which he said “played out in my mind.” He researched the Amish community for the project. Colon said the story revolves around what happens to a young Amish man who is supposed to wed someone from his community through an arranged marriage, but who falls in love with an English (non-Amish) woman. The Amish man is shunned and ousted by his community, ending up at a homeless shelter, where he also helps out. The Amish man’s mother “takes on” the Amish bishop to defend her son.
“The theme of the story is forgiveness,” Colon said, adding that forgiveness is taught in the Bible. Though that quality is taught in Scripture, the Amish man’s father does not want to forgive the son who defied him.
“I want the film to carry the message that everyone deserves forgiveness,” Colon said. “If we have a relationship with Christ, forgiveness is part of it.”
Clark, who is originally from the Valley but who has lived in various states, also took on the scripwriting duty. He studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Rochester (N.Y.) School of Arts, where he participated in a stage play. He acted in “Black Dog” with Patrick Swayze and Charles Dutton, but “ended up on the cutting room floor.” But, he said, the experience was worthwhile. When he returned to the Youngstown area, Clark got involved in independent filmmaking.
A Christian, Clark said he is influenced by teachings in the Bible. “My experiences as a Christian are something I draw on,” he said.
Walker, also a Christian, brings a broad experience to the film project. He creates original comic strips, and has used the story- board concept from that endeavor and transferred it to films. He has been involved in films screened at Encore Cinema in Niles — “Running” on domestic violence, “Angry Tears” about a Youngstown woman who grew up in group homes and “Ugly Jessica,” based on a children’s book that promotes nonjudgmental behavior.
Walker has various ongoing projects. He recently was hired to direct a movie being filmed in Cleveland on a person with Alzheimer’s disease. He also has preached for seven years at Harvest Time Temple in Hartville.
“Having faith is about being humble and not being judgmental,” he said. “I believe Christian films can present a message and change lives.” He continued that “messages don’t have to come from the pulpit but movies can present a different perspective.”
Clark and Walker said technology makes independent, community filmmaking a reality. They plan to use a Panasonic HMC 150 camera and computer for editing.
Terry Escaro has worked in community theater in Youngstown and Niles.
“Amish Outsider” has a cast of about 10 main characters along with extras. All are volunteers. Cast members include Ronny Santiago, Kathy Hodgkinson, Ed Lesho, Manny Morales, Lynette Arroyo, Ann Larson, Josh Prentice, Adam Young, Rick Repas and Ignacio Iglesia.
The film will be a fundraiser to build a pole barn on Spanish Evangelical Church property to house equipment. Pastor Rojas said he was surprised when Colon approached him about the project. But he got involved by suggesting church members who might want to be involved.
Pastor Rojas said the film will premiere at a screening at the church then be shown at venues in Youngstown and Niles. Those dates will be determined later.
Clark and Walker said there is no definite time frame when filming will conclude. Participants are volunteers and have job and family responsibilities, so the schedule is flexible.
For more information on the project, call the church at 330-743-2836.