Stories of Grace
Crossing Continents
Three documentary visions.
Visual Reference
Documentary Style Reference
Stephanie, here are 2 documentary trailers that are along the lines of the pacing and visual style I am more inclined to go with (budget aside), over the style of 'She Walks a Line'.
There were some interesting takeaways from the cameraman/director/editor of 'She Walks a Line' — namely that in his 1 hour and 18 minute documentary he had to cut one of the 4 stories he wanted to tell, as he only had time for 3. (Stories take time to tell properly.)
Three Pitches
These are the 3 approaches to how to tell this story that I'm considering. Each one is taking a western audience into consideration and with the goal of calling people to action and partnership.
Individual African Story Focus
This version focuses on 3 or 4 African individuals and their own story with Favor in the background and Carole either completely out of the picture, or featured in a small way.
- 3–4 personal transformation stories
- Child soldier survivor testimonial
- Stunning African landscape cinematography
- Contrast: beauty & atrocity
- Favor International as background force
One continent.
A thousand miracles."
One Woman's Mission
This version focuses on Carole's story mainly, with Favor as the backdrop.
- Carole Ward as central subject
- Multiple life-threatening incidents (2003–present)
- Origin story: Oklahoma to Uganda
- Growth: 1 house → 14 nations
- Archival footage & present-day interviews
To give
everything."
Favor International
This version would be a hybrid of the first 2 plus the addition of the US staff and international involvement of the ministry as a whole.
- Individual stories of transformation
- Carole Ward's founding journey
- US staff — the behind-the-scenes ministry
- Donor stewardship perspective
- Multi-continent scope
- Believer & non-believer appeal
The faces.
The force behind it all."
For Discussion
Some Considerations
- You may have noticed that both the documentary trailers I listed above have narrators — someone to help tell the story and keep engagement.
- With that in mind I'm still leaning towards having a narrator/host for this documentary (as I always have been from the beginning). Since Favor is so big with so many ministries in different places, having someone lead the narrative could be an important part to telling the story in a way that can be followed and understood better.
- Both Jared and Ethan will be in Africa this summer. Both of them are potential candidates in my mind. Ethan is very good on video — his mom showed me some of them.
- David Morton is another face that I feel would be good and authoritative as a missionary himself and a conviction — he's good looking and has a good presence on camera.
- In the event we go with no host (but only a narrator's voice to tie things together), I would use these African Favor members who stood out to me the most when we visited:
Get Involved
Be Part of the Transformation
Whether you are young or old, a donor, a prayer partner, or simply someone who believes the world can change — Favor International has a place for you!