Jason Johnson Story

I thought ya'll did a great job on the video.....Its crazy there are so many close minded people out there that think they can play God....since when is it their place to decide which sin is worse than another? and also to say that being a nomosexual is sin? I for one am with Jason....how can being gay be a sin when people are born that way? I say GO JASON and keep spreadin the word and educating people!!!!!

I absolutely loved this. Very powerful and though provoking. Love the widescreen, love the black and white. Music reminds me of America Beauty. Very professional film. Jason did a great job of expressing his views, and makes it clear what a ridiculous issue this is in the first place. It is outrageous that Jason was asked to leave, but as you've shown he is an intelligent, well spoken individual that will do just fine without that closeminded, "Christian" (don't even know what that word means anymore) institution that calls itself a school. Greenlight all the way, I'm sure this will make it to air. Nice work.

Great job! It is very well done and interesting.
Of course I don't agree with "Christian" principals of the school and it makes me wonder why Jason went to this university in the first place. And when he decided to go there hasn't he agreed with those obscure principals? It is not like he had no choice...

though subtle, i know you really wanted us all to catch the "black and white" idea with jason's comment at the end . . . props for sure. great topic. in reference to Olyalyu . . . point well taken, however what wasn't said in the video, that you can see from other news aritcles on the issue, is that the student handbook was different when he entered the university. how could this pod not go final???

Great job. This world needs more films like this one. To wake up.
Can't believe humans are still so narrow minded though.
Imagine the world from "Imagine" by Lennon.

I must say you have some of the most cinematic and gorgeous footage on CTV. What's your day job and where were you when I was producing television commercials? I'm also curious what you upload? Mine looks like crap, do you do something special like Sorrenson on it? Really quality stuff, keep 'em coming. Current is truly Democracy in action! Great message beautifully told.

high quality material - excellent work! GL

well done. what about the golden rule? The bible does contradict itself in places as well..It is unfortunate that some Christians pull out particular phrases in order to condemn that which they don't understand or don't like.

You did a great job by presenting the story without presenting a judgement. Let the truth speak for itself. Ultimately each person has to decide what they believe is right and wrong. If you had done this by leaning more either way it would not have been as powerful. Let's get this ON AIR!!!!!!

Beautiful imagery.

Beautiful presentation of information. Great text visuals.

I liked "Life isn't black and white", the film is shot in BW. Use of irony is very effective in this film. From my perspective, this irony hinted at the contradiction of the University's viewpoint. Maybe thats stretching it, but at least you gave the viewer the opportunity of formulating an opinion. This pod communicates the idealogy of Current.

You are exceptionally talented. I'm a fan.

What a fantastic story. I love your style of shooting and the black and white really reinforces the concept of the story line.

BrandonSoud,

I like your POD however, I think the story should focus more on the kid not the bible. More light needs to be shed to explain how really difficult it is for the kid getting his coomunity to see his point of view. I hope you understand what I'm trying to tell you, and that I am not bashing you. I will greenlight it because overall I liked it.

V/R MudDuck

"They use love to hate me"

Mr. Johnson is eloquent in describing the situation. And your voicover reporting is factual and thought-provoking. I adore pieces that let someone else tell the story. I have a high respect for this piece.

The music during your voice overs was a little loud. I wanted to hear what you were saying, but the music was distracting because it was louder that your voice at times.

The quotes from the Dean, the student handbook, and the bible were a nice touch, but as MudDuck pointed out the pod really didn't present just how much Mr. Johnson struggled. But, so many pieces everywhere use that approach, to make you feel sorry for the gay being targeted, but you used a more philosophical approach. I didn't feel pity for Mr. Johnson, and I didn't feel hate for the University dean. Instead, it made me think deeper in general about inequality. I like your approach much better. Your conclusion couldn't have been more perfect, by the way.

Warmly,
Kateri

Thanks for all the comments, you all have been very encouraging. Just curious, after watching this and maybe some other stuff, what would be a good "Next Project" for me to try?

Thanks,

Brandon

Hi, is it possible you could tell me your settings when you upload? I use stupid iMovies, I shoot 24P and it looks great but when I export from iMovies it just sucks, your stuff always looks so gorgeous. Thanks getreel

I don't do anything special, I just export from iMovie to like the "CD Rom" size? If larger sometimes the "Web Stream" size...

Thanks, so you don't do 'expert settings?" or anything fancy in there? it's driving me crazy cause I know how my stuff should look, your pods have such a rich cinematic feel, the letterbox helps to that effect but anyway,congrats on continuing success climbing top 10. I'm curious, do you have ANY idea how many pods at any time are on Current?

Getreel, one of the reasons some of the pods look better than others is compression and the way things are shot. For compression to work in the best way subjects have to be as inanimate as possible, thats why camera shots that are steady look much better than those that move, or pan or sweep, also pictures look great and animations would look great. Your pod on the interview on Daniel Elsberg had a much harder time to compress because your "Cinema verite" style which makes, quicktime that produces the compression, work harder to catch up with all the elements that move at one time or another. For those cases you would need a greater compression rate (which in reality is less compression) but your file grows in size.
So as a tip (and please continue using the verite style I love it) if u are to publish movies on the web try to keep your subjects as still as possible, avoid strong colours as reds or orange, avoid quick pans and sweeps and editing can not be as fast as you would on regular NTSC. So experiment,Try less compression on your Quicktime so you can reach a compromise on size/quality. Also black and white always compress real good, I hope it helps! Off I go to watch the world cup.

Ohh BTW you should use Final Cut Pro which works much better with the DVX 100 when shooting 24P (Careful NOT 24PA) Good luck and keep on cranking those interesting interviews.

Nice work. Would have loved to hear the other side of the story, someone representing the university. Is this story about tolerance or religion? You always come back to God in your pods - I respect your beliefs, but religious interpretations are not black and white - a university's tolerance for homosexuality, in this case, obviously black and white. I would have explored that.

Good topic, strong production value.

Greenbible.

BS

Although I admit I do not feel your other projects were greenlight-worthy. I really liked this one and definitely feel it should be greenlighted. I love stories on controversial christian issues. More topics like this.

Suggestions for the project:
-Instead of panning across documents and ending the shot with the statement underlined. Just leave the underlined statement on the screen the whole time. I wasn't able to read a lot of the documents because I didnt see it till the last few seconds.
-Maybe discuss how christians view homosexuality as 'the worst sin of all sins'. And clarifying how all sins are equal. Or do you not believe homosexuality is even a sin? Just curious.
-Also, is the voice over of the college president/director actually his voice? It made it seem so.

GL here. Do you have to get releases for public figures whos photos you use? From the photographer or from the person? (I'm talking about James Taylor)

My understanding is that if it is public information that it is free to use. The pictures I downloaded from the University website and it didn't have any protection on it. I guess if it goes it to production we will find out about that.

I find myself aking questons about what this situation, but not necissarily this film, bring to my ideas of faith and love. This is not a place to grandstand my ideas, so I won't. I just wanted to say thanks for never backing off of a very difficult subject.

Greenlight all the way.

Check out your spot at my lounge link

PodFather

Wow, this pod has a lot of potential. I have some observations; please realize I’m only trying to help you improve your pod:

1. The voiceover could be more stimulating: it sounds dull and is competing with the music. Try a more energetic delivery and lower the level on the music (maybe even try a different piece of music) I also think that it could be written a little less like a Dragnet episode. Stating the date and time when he was expelled seemed a little clichéd.

2. The graphics are not working; maybe you can shorten the amount of travel so we see the sentence you are reading as you read it. Don’t give us a page full of text so we can scan it frantically only to see the sentence you are reading at the last minute just before you fade to black.

3. Maybe I’m crazy, but I would have started the pod with his last bite… Yes I’m nuts! But then, I always like to tell the story with the bites only and minimum voiceover if possible. I know… it isn’t always possible.

4. Focus, focus, focus. I realize that this is a Christian university and the Bible is the ultimate tenet of this archaic religion, but why do you have “out of context” passages from the Bible? Is this about homosexual references in the Bible or about Jason being expelled from his university? The issue isn’t about whether the "God of Abraham" loves homosexuals; it is about whether it is fair for the university to expel Jason because he is gay. Or is it?

Did I tell you the shots are great? Great shots, wonderful composition...

I think this is a great pod and should be aired. Green light.

I think a lot of the other comments were right on. Production wise, you all did a wonderful job but the glaring error , I feel, is that we do not hear the other side of the story. Even if it wasn't President James Taylor it could have been a different opinion. You allow Jason's friends to speak, we should have had him (pres Taylor) commenting on this particular "problem." When we here his opinion he is speaking in generalities. It just seems to easy? And maybe a card at the end to let us know what Mr. Johnson is up to. Did he take the advice of the President and go to San Francisco or NYC? Good People give the GL.

Praise the Lord!

I think the beauty of this piece is that it is not about Jason Johnson getting kicked out of the University,nor is it about the Bible's stance on homosexuality. It is about people being called to love those who struggle in life, which is...well, all of us. Beautiful.

this is good but the narrator is annoying. unfortunately.

A story that needs to be told. Good work.

On a lighter note, check out our latest, "Flying Baby."

You have my greenlight.

SL, GO Pictures

It's a shame that these fuckers are so small-brained as to admit or acknowledge that they are canning you because they don't agree with the same things you agree with. Here's my question to you... Why put yourself through such an idiotic trial by writing down or officiating your gayness, knowing that these idiots probably will make a stink about it??? You should have graduated with honors and then made your situation public. (In my opinion)

Great demonstration of how to take an abstract concept and bring it into reality. Tremendous empathy, and wonderful technique.

This is a story that needs to told. It has the green light from me.

Brandon?????
I believe that being saved means that you live your life for Christ and God. That means being repentant of your sins and not finding excuses to keep committing them. I will pray that Jason seeks repentance and changes his lifestyle to one that is more pleasing to GOD. Sorry but no green light this time.
-scotty b

it was good editing, although the voice over was a little slow.. and some effects were nice but not necessary... i like some of the angles used, except the one where the camera is below, it gave a different feel to it.
And to be gay is a choice, I just have to say what i think.

A very rational, careful production that avoids the emotion and hysteria that surrounds this issue. Bravo.
On a personal note, of COURSE it is not a sin to be gay any more than it is a sin to be female, or right-brained or any of the simple things we ARE. It is beyond my ken that there are people whose desire to keep the world 'simple' complicates simple issues. Where are the real ideas Christianity is supposed to stand for? This is one more reason I, for one, can not find meaning in this mixed-up belief system. There is no solace there.

You know the sad thing? The fact that all of your major pods are about God made me think you were probably one of those homophobic conservative types. I really have a newfound respect for you, considering there aren't many people these days who really are striving to have a strong relationshp with Christ AND are accepting of gay people. Well done.

Unbelieveable story, well edited great content

I loved the B/W, sped-up footage of Jason in the pew, fade, then the close-up, "life is hard." Great character-driven piece! Check out my pod on "Gay Marriage in the U.S."

I loved the B/W, sped-up footage of Jason in the pew, fade, then the close-up, "life is hard." Great character-driven piece! Check out my pod on "Gay Marriage in the U.S."