To be continued...

The Road to Production story continues at https://highwaterentertainment.blogspot.com/

Perfect Swing the Movie - "One Sheet"

Genre: Family/Faith/Sports-Golf

Logline: After recently losing her swing, a young greenskeeper must defend her family’s home course against clear-cutting land developers and discover the power hidden within her swing in a high stakes game of golf.

When Sage’s father stepped to the tee he always prayed for the presence of God to fall upon him.  He described the experience like gentle fire flowing from his head all the way down to his feet.  When he swung God’s Fire blazed around him, impacting him and everyone around him.

After his sudden death, Sage buries all her hopes and dreams including her father’s last gift to her, a custom made driver.  But when giants of industry boastfully invade her family’s course and make plans of their own, she drives them away by hitting golf balls at their heads. To avoid a lawsuit, a winner-take-all exhibition match is set up between young Sage Green and a PGA Masters Champion, who is unaware that his victory will rob the Green family of their home.  

When there seems like no possible way for Sage to win, a familiar guide helps her remember that this course was designed especially for her and teaches her that you can’t win an inheritance, you receive one just by being a daughter.  As Sage Green receives her perfect swing from Jesus, she is filled with red laser, electric power and watches heaven open, changing her and everyone around her, forever!

Producer: Chad Gundersen

chad@gundersenentertainment.com

817-247-7116

Homecoming - Louisiana in Review

Our Urban Adventure is coming to a close.  We've been living in our downtown Shreveport, LA apartment for almost two years pursuing our dream to make Movies with Life.  Doors have closed for our funding and our location at the Shreveport Country Club.  So we feel released to finally return home to Portland, OR after 14 years away.  It's always been our dream to establish our company, Highwater Entertainment in our hometown and now is the time.

Our time in Shreveport was not wasted even though our original goal was to make Perfect Swing.  April and I served as volunteer youth pastors at the Shreveport Community Church Plant, Highland Community Church.  The Lord grew our Friday night outreach from 3 kids to 50 this year!  April and I both were involved in several discipleship groups where we've been encouraged and have been able to encourage others from students to adults.  I've seen April step into her own with a voice to minister boldly to others.  She spoke at a Women's Conference, taught Sunday School, preached at our youth outreach Ballin', ministered weekly at a teenage rehab center and is preparing to write her first book.  We've had the privilege to minister to the Homeless Community in downtown.  I watched Adalie my 14 year old daughter make her own card presenting the gospel and bravely walked the streets until the Holy Spirit revealed to her who to give it to.   Zoie age 10 preached twice at church and Kylia led worship and was baptized at Shreveport Community Church.  It's amazing to see the growth in all of my girls.  They arrived as girls and are leaving as mighty women of God!

We've also treasured the time with April's sister's family the Erickson's.  Before our time in Shreveport we were lucky to see them annually.  We've all become very close during this season in Louisiana.  

Denise has been our biggest success story!  When we met her she was homeless and living in a shelter.  April was serving at the shelter and became her mentor.  Denise has become a part of our family and we have watched the Lord deliver her and set her free!  She is now a licensed minister of the gospel and a Luis Palau Member Evangelist.  She is married and living in a house and has a full time job ministering at a teenage rehab center.  Go God!

I've been able to crew on three major productions on this road trip.  New Life and Hillary's America now on DVD and National Bible Bee Gameshow playing now on Facebook Live.  Check them out!

We would have never accomplished so much without the grace of God and your prayers, love, and support.  Thank you for our miracle apartment, our cell phones, consistently sending money every other week and the unexpected windfall after windfall that has kept us going.  You know who you are.  Thank you!

We hit the road June 23rd to begin a new chapter on this road to production.  This is not the end of Perfect Swing it's just the beginning of our third Act.  How will our story resolve?  Only God knows and He's a great story teller!  If you would like to help us with moving expenses you can send money to my paypal or any other way that's convenient for you just reach out!  The Best is Yet to Come! 

First Festival Awards - Perfect Swing Screenplay

We won our first awards for Perfect Swing on March 25, 2017 at the Christian Film Festival, Best Screenplay and Best Writer.  Thanks for your support!

Perfect Swing Nominated for Best Script

After our recent delay in our funding I dusted myself off and tried to remind myself daily of God's promises for Perfect Swing.  I've shared recent promises from Shreveport but here's another from Bethel in August 2014, "Perfect Swing will be successful in business and in ministry!"  In an effort to attract new opportunities for Perfect Swing I entered the script in a couple Christian Film Festivals and Perfect Swing was selected by both and nominated for Best Script at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, FL May 4-6th as well as the Christian Film Festival in Newport News, VA March 25th.

I don't know if this will open new doors for Perfect Swing even if I win, but every time I think it's over for this project, and time to move on, God breathes new life into the project.  Thank you for all the encouragement I have received after our last setback.  God continues to provide for our family and gives us encouragement each day to hold onto His promises.  Thank you for your prayers!  I will let you know how the script fares at the first festival, March 25th.

The Walk Away

I am discovering it seems to be a right of passage for the independent filmmaker for their investor to walk away suddenly at the last moment before closing.  I've seen it happen to my friends.  And now I am apart of the club.  

Here's how I am processing this disappointment.  First off, forgive.  My wife and I forgive and bless our now ex-investors daily.  Everyday I feel lighter and more peace.  They didn't intentionally hurt us. It's going to take an investor with a passion for Jesus, Christian Filmmaking and our Family to help us create, Perfect Swing Movie.  Secondly, I am strengthening myself in the Lord by reminding myself of His promises for Perfect Swing.  My wife and I were trying to remember specific promises that we knew had to be from God and not our own fantasies.  We've heard plenty of encouraging words ourselves and from friends and family who love us and want to see us succeed and we need and receive those encouragements but in a time like this we needed to remember the promises that came supernaturally through perfect strangers.  We remembered two.  The first one we received in August 2015 from the manager of the golf club in Shreveport while visiting family on our way to Dallas.  He heard from the Lord a couple days before we even met and before he let me introduce myself he told me that God said, "A golf movie will be shot here and Bubba Watson is coming."  Right now I still hold the gate key to the now closed country club and have free reign to film on the entire location without any members, staff or events to schedule around.  It's a perfect studio backlot for our movie and it's available now, for a limited time.  Because of that promise we decided not to look any further for golf courses in Dallas and decided to make the movie in Shreveport.  Our second promise we remembered from perfect strangers and now dear friends is when our investment was delayed last October 2015 and we didn't know where we should live after just receiving our golf course location.  We met them for the first time at church in the morning and by that evening they offered us a fully-furnished 1800 sq ft Loft Apartment in Downtown Shreveport right next to them.  They were trying to lease it but after meeting us they said that, "Jesus wanted us to have this place for as long as we need it."  They are the most amazing generous people I have ever met and our children play so well together.  Those two promises are why we are in Shreveport.  We didn't stay here because of a promise from our investor.  We stayed here and I have planned out every detail of the movie on this specific location because God spoke and said, "Film here."  Live here."  God hasn't changed His mind even though our investor did.

It's a daily battle for me to hold onto these promises.  December was full of disappointment.  I am reminded how disappointed Peter must have been after his Lord died on the cross after expecting Jesus to reign as King and overthrow the Romans.  Peter couldn't grasp the marvel of what Jesus had planned for him and the whole world.  But I can understand why Peter went fishing.  He didn't know what else to do after such a shock.  He caught nothing that night.  This week that's how I feel as I reach out to every person I know asking for help to keep this project alive.  I am waiting for Jesus to walk along the shore and say, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”  Bill Johnson from Bethel Redding says, "Love and faith are the greatest absolutes in the Bible. No one can live without them. When we do not get an immediate breakthrough, it is because a delayed answer has a higher purpose. When you receive a word of promise and the answer delays, it is only because your answer is gaining interest so that your promise will have a greater, lasting impact."  Don't cry for us.  God's plan for the Himes family is greater then we can even imagine.  He loved on us by giving us a puppy for Christmas and a $10k gift so we can continue on.  Keep praying.  It's Act 3. Resurrection power time when the hero overcomes all!

It's Flood Season - The Close

When I wrote "Road May Flood" in my last blog I didn't expect it to actually be the worst flood in Louisiana in 500 years!  I was also referring to a spiritual flood of God's glory and power.  However the physical flood happened in Louisiana, where I am currently living and prepping to film Perfect Swing, while we were in 21 days of prayer with our church family at Shreveport Community Church, as we were battling for breakthrough it rained hard!

The storm matched my struggle to hold on to my God given promises that Perfect Swing will be made.  On day 21 we heard the news to expect our financing before the end of the year!  During this final season of "The Close" a lot can still go wrong, actually a year ago we were in this closing boat and it sank, but this feels different.  I believe the battle has already been won!  It's a done deal.  Perfect Swing will be made and will empower artists and impact audiences all over the world by the power of the Holy Spirit!  So count down the days with us and look for our "Fully Funded" announcement!  If you want to partner with us in prayer subscribe to our prayer team emails.  Now watch Zoie and I escape the flood waters on our location for Perfect Swing!

Road May Flood - Power of Expectancy

This summer our family drove over 7,000 miles for vacation.  We were able to drive home to Oregon and spend July with our parents, siblings and friends.  We relaxed and had a perfect NW summer enjoying the mountains, flowing rivers and ocean beaches.  As we began the trek back to Louisiana we were very expectant for breakthrough for our movie, Perfect Swing.  Our first stop was in Redding, CA at Bethel.  This is where our journey began.  This is where our dream was resurrected.  We were expectant for God to do something new, to finish the work he began two years ago this same month.  We were encouraged by the believers there and continued south.  We enjoyed our last day by the pool at my younger brother's home with his family near Pasadena, CA.  Then we arose at 4 AM and headed east for two days across the desert.  Several times I saw the warning sign, "Road May Flood".  It was summer and dry and didn't worry me, but it did describe the expectancy I was feeling for my motion picture company, Highwater Entertainment.  The flood I am expecting is a new encounter with God.  A lyric from Bethel's, Spirit Move, says, "Let your power rush in like a flood."  That's what it's going to take to impact an audience with our film, power.  Not my power.  I literally have no way to finish this film.  I am no big shot producer.  I am completely dependent on God to finish this work.  We have been obedient to write the screenplay, complete the business plan, and build the team.  He has provided for us by bringing me other production work, giving us our golf course location and speak to perfect strangers to provide a beautifully furnished home for us as we wait.  Wait for what?  Power.  

And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” - Luke 24:49

Just like the yellow warning sign says, it may or may not flood down the road ahead.  But when the rain season is upon us we will be ready and I see the clouds billowing up into the heavens ahead and I can hear the thunder roll in downtown Shreveport as I write. Expect with us.

Our Year in Review - The Production Road to Perfect Swing

On May 31, 2015 we moved out of our house in Lacey, WA.  This is a reflection of the last 12 months away from home.  When I wrote Perfect Swing in 2012 I had no idea the cost of resurrecting a dream to direct feature films with Jesus.  While pursuing this dream it has costs us everything, but our family.  Our house, my videography equipment, our car, all our money and most of our possessions.  When we hit the road May 31st we had two moving trucks, one for donations and the other for a small storage facility in Sherwood, OR.

Only what fit in our Tahoe came with us when we decided to fully embrace the adventure of independent feature filmmaking with Jesus.

We were traveling light and here's some highlights of our year...

In-N-Out in Redding, CA to visit friends...

Bethel Church, Redding, CA

Disneyland with family

Grand Canyon -  Leilani

Grandma and Grandpa Bunfill in Mt Sterling, IL

Our first new home of our own since our move in Winona Lake, IN right on the canal for the next 6 weeks. - June 2015

Working on the movie New Life - Nouvelle Vie as a family!

Here's the Behind the Scenes I created! Coming to theaters October 2016!

Time to hit the trail again!  Heading south to Texas!

Stopping to see more family including Grandma Jump along the way.

Last stop in Shreveport, LA before Texas to visit the Erickson cousins...or is it? - August 2015

We were invited to scout our first golf course in Shreveport, LA for Perfect Swing and God told us to look no further.  "We have arrived!" - Favor - Handed the keys to this golf course to make our movie. - August 2015

Finally made it to Dallas, TX to work on another production as the Animatic Editor for Hillary's America
The girls enjoyed the Dallas Zoo while I worked at the production office.  During this production our financing for Perfect Swing got delayed.  "God where do you want us to live now?  Dallas, Shreveport or back home in Oregon?" - October 2015

Within 24 hrs of that prayer, perfect strangers, and now dear friends, heard from the Lord and told us Jesus wanted us to live here until our movie was complete.  The Erickson family helped us move in after living with them for 7 weeks! Downtown Shreveport - Beautiful, Furnished, Rent Free! - October 2015

This is the storefront "Thrive" right next to our new home!

Thanksgiving with the Bunfill family!

Christmas Eve with cousins.

April's folks celebrated Christmas with us!

My parents brought in the New Year!

Mardi Gras Parade right outside our front door!

Spring at the Asian Gardens across the street.  During this time I am editing 14 television episodes for The National Bible Bee Game Show.

Celebrating Easter with new friends in our home.

Playing the land as a family that God promised to us to make Perfect Swing!

Updating the screenplay, playing and praying over our golf course and letting God do the rest. - May 2016

We have decided to commit another year in Shreveport!  We are hitting the road for summer vacation at the end of June, getting refueled and refreshed back home in Oregon and we are praying and expecting financial breakthrough for Perfect Swing on the way back to Shreveport in August.  Will pre-production begin when we return?  Stay tuned!  God's got this!

Fighting to Win

On Saturday I played a solo round on our location for Perfect Swing in Shreveport, LA.  I played and prayed on the land that Jesus gave us.  Before we arrived in August, God told the manager we were coming and opened up the doors before us.  When our financing was delayed Jesus gave us a fully furnished home less then 10 minutes from the course.  I have been working on other projects as a video editor to provide for my family as we wait for production to begin.  Our family became members of the local church we have been attending as well as joining the country club.  My girls are learning to play golf.  I take them to the driving range 3 times a week to hit a bucket of balls.  My wife and I are playing golf for the first time as a couple.  As we possess this land, our inheritance, we feel the spiritual attack increase;  discouragement, doubt, feelings of being insignificant, feelings of being a fool while we wait for the funds to be released.  I continue to do the work set before me to provide for my family, play the course in faith to prepare me as a director, teach my children, love my wife, meet with young men to encourage them and let wiser men speak into my life.  We are trying to partner with a prophetic word spoken to me during church from the stage in February, "The season of delay is over and stability beyond what you can imagine is coming from the Lord, continue to worship Him."  This week I've experienced more delay in my video editing work, hence the time to blog and reflect today.  Will you declare with us this season of delay over?!  The stability of joyful expectation to rule in our home.  Let all the resources we need to make this movie be attracted to us.  The enemy knows we are here to destroy the works of the devil and lift up Jesus and reveal the truths of who Father God really is.  The enemy may now know our intentions but how much more do I need to be reminded that my God is with me fighting for me, preparing the way.  This is what I am learning and is also the main theme of Perfect Swing.  

Deuteronomy 20The Message (MSG)

20 1-4 When you go to war against your enemy and see horses and chariots and soldiers far outnumbering you, do not recoil in fear of them; God, your God, who brought you up out of Egypt is with you. When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops. He’ll say, “Attention, Israel. In a few minutes you’re going to do battle with your enemies. Don’t waver in resolve. Don’t fear. Don’t hesitate. Don’t panic. God, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win.”

Winner Takes All or How to Win...

I am stuffed.  I've been feasting for the last month with family in town.  This is actually my first week back to normal since the holidays.  It was even supposed to begin yesterday but a Mardi Gras parade went past my front door yesterday, so we celebrated another day!  I am not complaining, I am just filled up and ready to go!  Filled up with ideas and vision for Perfect Swing and my company, Highwater and filled with expectation of what God is going to do in 2016.
What do y'all think of my vision poster above?  It's not the movie poster it's the vision poster.  Movie posters are created after the film is complete.  This vision poster is for me.  I printed it out professionally and it hangs next to my desk and is the first thing I see when I walk in the door and come downstairs, it's my vision poster, "Winner Takes All"!  So what is a win for me this year?  I bet you can guess.  Perfect Swing in production!  I want to return to the Great NW with big metal hard drives hanging over my shoulder like a trophy kill, containing beautiful footage and performances to tell this inspirational story.  With that hard drive full, I can start editing the movie together, create teasers and trailers, behind the scenes webisodes, making of documentary and even the real finished movie poster!  Which I am sure I will need some help on.  Filmmaking is collaborative.  It takes many people to make a great film, many winners.  I can't direct this film without having a winning attitude.  The story is about an underdog family winning everything with everything on the line.  I am living it and each day becomes less daunting and more exciting.  I am learning how to hear God's voice and make the brave decisions each day to be faith filled and expectant verses fearful.  So how are we going to win and take all the spoils home and be even more exhausted from feasting and even more filled with vision to make this world a better place?  I am going to trust that Jesus is with me everyday and guiding each and every step.  He knows the way to my destiny because He's the one who designed it for me.

What else can we do to receive our breakthrough?

Production work has slowed this month.  I am not making any money.  Fortunately we did pretty well this summer.  I have been working with actors and another screenplay writer on our script.  I love collaboration and can see how God is already attracting amazing people to this project to make it even greater than I can imagine.  I am trying not to put a timeline on production.  We thought we would be shooting in the spring at this time last year.  I wrestle with the thought, "Is there something more I need to do to receive breakthrough?"  Do I not have because, I don't ask?  Or ask with wrong intentions?  Is there something new I need to learn?  Do I need to read another book on launching a business, writing a screenplay, managing my time?  Maybe there is another sermon I need to hear or a seminar I need to attend.  I hunger for wisdom and I know I don't know it all.  I am always looking for ways to grow but is what I don't know hindering this particular breakthrough?  It took me "Writing" Perfect Swing, "Forming" the LLC with my partners, "Going" to a business conference to connect with our investor, "Moving" from our home, and "Working" on other movie productions this summer, to get to where I am today.  Now that we have arrived in our filming location for Perfect Swing, Shreveport, LA, is there something more I need to do?

Remember how God told the golf manager the day before we met that our movie was going to be filmed here.  And the Lord used an amazing family we just met to provide a home for us.  So maybe since the Lord has told us to "Be Still" this month, perhaps that's exactly what he wants us to do.
When the Israelites left Egypt and Pharos' army pursued, Moses said:

"The Lord will fight for you, and you will not need to lift a finger!"  Exodus 14:14 (TLB)

With a pillar of fire and a strong wind to split the sea the Lord did it all!  We have great memories living in Olympia, WA for 12 years.  We made some lifelong friends and our children lacked nothing.  But we were mostly broke and in debt the whole time.  It was our Egypt/Wilderness experience.  But praise the Lord we are on the move on our conquest exploring new land!  The Lord is fighting for us and honoring us as his son and daughters.  I am learning how to "Be Still" in this new season by being thankful for all that I have and all that Jesus has already done.  How can I honor my family and friends this Christmas season?  How can I just be still and enjoy the presence of my children and my lovely wife.  Perhaps I need to finish this year and receive my breakthrough for Perfect Swing by not even lifting a finger...

Living in a Glass House - Expecting Breakthrough!

We lived with the Ericksons for 7 weeks in Shreveport, LA from the end of August through September.  We found our location for Perfect Swing at the Shreveport Country Club.  Then I began commuting and working in Dallas on the new Dinesh D'Souza Documentary, Stealing America, as the Animatic Editor.

Can you spot my red Titleist hat?  

While in Dallas, my film investor told me there is further delay in releasing the funding and the timeline is unknown.  My worst fear... I did nothing, told no one until my peace returned.  3 days later on Sunday morning I prayed a simple prayer on the way to church.  "Jesus, I will continue to wait for Perfect Swing to launch as long as you want me to just tell me where you want me and my family to live as we wait, Shreveport, Dallas or back home in the NW, Portland.  By that evening a couple that we just met that morning in our Sunday School class called us and told us that they have a beautiful, furnished, 1800 sq ft, two story loft apartment in downtown Shreveport for us for as long as we need it, rent free.  They said, "Jesus, wanted us to have it."  Wow, what an answer to prayer!  We moved in at the beginning of October and are truly blessed.  The front of our home is made of Glass Bricks.  I call it my Glass Castle in my city of refuge.  Remember we are on a conquest, we have crossed the Jordan and we are conquering land so we can possess our promised land.  We are just using Capitalism, not Swords.  =)  

Deuteronomy 6:10-12The Message (MSG)

10-12 When God, your God, ushers you into the land he promised through your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you, you’re going to walk into large, bustling cities you didn’t build, well-furnished houses you didn’t buy, come upon wells you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive orchards you didn’t plant. When you take it all in and settle down, pleased and content, make sure you don’t forget how you got there—God brought you out of slavery in Egypt.

We are expecting breakthrough at any moment.  Could God be any more clear?  Perfect Swing will be shot in Shreveport.  Currently I am moving forward in faith by creating an Animatic for Perfect Swing just like I did for Stealing America.  Just hearing the actors read the lines is breathing life into this project.  Keep praying and keep expecting with us!  The walls delaying funding are coming down!

21 Days of Prayer...

When we arrived in Shreveport we found our locations in the first week.  By the second week the local news interviewed me for a story on the film industry in Shreveport.  You can check it out here:  Billions used to roll through Shreveport Bossier leaving Millions

By the third week the Lord has called us to pray for the next 21 days.  Before we can begin pre-production some things beyond my control need to wrap up first.  April and I have chosen to join our Pastor at Shreveport Community Church in 21 days of prayer.  Today is day 7 and we will conclude September 22.  This is a great time to join our Perfect Swing Prayer Team.  You can sign up for weekly email updates here:  I am also posting daily prayers on www.facebook.com/HighwaterMovies

On Saturday, I was on a date with my wife at Starbucks.  We were enjoying a familiar setting that made us feel at home in the NW with the smells and sounds of coffee, when suddenly a large man with a white beard came up to our table and asked if I worked out.  I laughed and said no I am just a big guy.  He said that he used to play professional football and would like to arm wrestle me for $100.  I said I didn't have $100 cash on me to bet.  He pulled out his $100 and put it on the table.  This made April nervous.  She thought he was trying to hustle us or something.  He said he's left handed and would wrestle me right handed and he just went in to give blood so he was feeling weak and assured us that I would win and politely asked April to scoot on over so we could wrestle.  I laughed again and said why not, let's do this!  We arm wrestled and I won but he didn't even try.  He walked away without saying a word and left the $100 on the table.

We were a little stunned at what just happened.  I asked April to remind me what we were talking about right before he came.  I remembered I just confessed a fear of what if our breakthrough for our movie never comes.  That is actually a fear that's in our movie and one that most people I have found struggle with, the fear of being abandoned by God.  We have such short memories that is why it is important to remind ourselves of His promises daily through His Word and fellowship with Him and other believers.  I have shared this story several times and a lot of people think it was an angel sent to bless us and encourage us.  Here is one of my prayer partner's impression.

 "Wow!! I had the Holy Spirit shoot through my body as I read the story about your date. I also believe that was an angel! The number 100 is God's election of grace. Children of promise. Full reward. Abraham was 100 when his son Isaac was born. Just like Perfect Swing is a promise from God. You are birthing something new and God will give you your full reward. Blessings to the Himes family. Continual prayers going up daily for you all!"

Amen.