Write His Answer

When You Think
You’re Not the One to Go

Guest Post
Dianne E. Butts

Have you ever had a moment when you witnessed something, knew God was doing something amazing and important, but had no idea it would affect your life let alone how?

I will never forget that evening in the Ruesch Auditorium at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I believe it was the year 2000, when Marlene gave the podium to Barbara Nicolosi. When Barbara took the mic, she asked the audience two questions. Here’s how I remember them:

How many of you have seen something objectionable come out of Hollywood recently?”

I think a majority, if not all, the people in the audience of maybe 200 raised a hand and nodded and murmured agreement.

Then Barbara asked:

How many of you have prayed for Hollywood recently?”

The room went dead. Still. Not a single hand moved that I could detect. Including mine.

Barbara went on to tell us about the school she and some others had started, called Act One: Writing for Hollywood, to train Christian writers to write for Hollywood and thereby transform Hollywood from the inside out. And that is why she had come to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference to speak to us Christian writers.

At the time and for many reasons it was not possible for me to go to Act One, although I longed to. I didn’t think I’d ever be the one to go. But ten years later, through several amazing circumstances, the Lord made it clear He wanted me to apply. And go. And in more amazing ways He provided what was needed so I could. So in the summer of 2010, I attended the Act One: Writing for Hollywood classes for two weeks in Hollywood. This launched me into an area of writing I had never envisioned when I started out to write fiction books for the Christian market.

Since then I have written feature-length screenplays which are currently being considered by some production company executives (which I was able to meet through Act One sponsored events), I have also swerved into not only writing short films but producing them! I never saw that coming. Turns out the short documentary film I was producing at the time of last year’s CCWC won two awards at a film festival last August: Best Documentary and the Evangelista Award for the clearest presentation of the gospel of all the films in the festival.

Over the years I have prayed God would do Ephesians 3:20 things with my writing: “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus…” To my amazement, He is doing just that as He uses me in film.

Now, that you know my story, I have a question for you: Have you considered applying to and attending the Act One program? Yes, I mean you.

Right now Act One is preparing their summer Writing Program, and not only that but Act One also offers a Producing & Entertainment Program and a new Directing Workshop. Find all the details at these links:

• Act One Hollywood Writing Program: New: Offering two tracks! Film Track and TV Track, or both. 10 days each track. Feature Films: July 9-19. Television: July 20-22 + July 23-Aug 2. Application* Deadlines: Early Bird Deadline is April 30, 2018 ($100 off price). Regular Deadline: June 15, 2018. Questions: james@actoneprogram.com

• Act One’s Producing & Entertainment Executive Program: 14 weeks, May 12 – August 11, 2018. Application* Deadlines: Early Bird Deadline is (PASSED) March 1, 2018 ($200 off price.) Regular Deadline: April 15, 2018. Questions: Lara@actoneprogram.com

• Act One’s Directing Workshop: 13 days, July 23 – August 4, 2018. Application* Deadlines: Early Bird Deadline is April 1, 2018 ($100 off price). Regular Deadline: May 15, 2018. Questions: james@actoneprogram.com

*$50 application fee

If you decide to apply for an Act One program, please tell them Dianne Butts sent you. And please let us know what adventure God is taking you on. We’d all like to know, to pray for you, and cheer you on.

And if you are interested in writing for the screen, whether feature films or TV, you won’t want to miss the amazing opportunity at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference this year! For the first time Executive Producer Brian Bird (The Case for Christ, When Calls the Heart, Touched by an Angel, more) will be teaching a continuing session — that’s six hours over three days — on screenwriting! Come meet Brian Bird (he’s really, really nice and not scary at all) and learn from him how to launch your career in screenwriting. To learn more about Brian and his six-hour continuing session click here and scroll down the page. To register for the CCWC conference click here.

Just one more thing: If you’re coming to the conference, Marlene is planning to show my award-winning short film, The Door, on Friday evening. I hope to see you there!