Photo, The Red Tail crew on the job in Hong Kong, August

It's October and since our last update we have been around the world. Literally! What an exciting year for Emergence Pictures and there's more on the horizon!

In June we were back on the road for Community Reinvestment Fund, visiting both Salt Lake City and New York City for a second time, as well as a trip to Seattle. On July 1 we were called to Atlanta, Georgia covering the story of The Rev. Bradley Schmeling, a story that made international news. You can read more about that amazing project below. Then in August we were in Chicago, shooting for Free Speech TV at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Churchwide Assembly, where they made a momentous decision regarding the future of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender clergy (learn more about that here). And finally, from August 15-September 1 we were in Hong Kong shooting a segment for our film The Red Tail!

It feels great to be back in Minnesota! So many projects to tell you about . . .

Stay tuned!

Dawn Mikkelson
President
Emergence Pictures

Photo of The Rev. Darin Easler and The Rev. Bradley Schmeling at the World Premiere of "In a Time of Trial" in Atlanta, July 2007.

In a Time of Trial: The Story of Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta Georgia

"In August of 2006, Bishop Warren of the Southeastern Synod filed formal charges with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) against Pastor Schmeling because of his committed relationship with Rev. Darin Easler. The Discipline Hearing Committee concluded that they felt the current policy was "at least bad policy" and that under the ELCA's constitutional standards, they "would find almost unanimously that Pastor Schmeling is not engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the ministerial office." Still, the current policy tied their hands; in July 2007, Pr. Schmeling was officially removed from the clergy roster. In this illuminating and moving documentary, hear first-hand from Pastor Bradley, members of St. John's, and participants in the trial, including former ELCA Presiding Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom and Professor David Fredrickson."

In July of 2007 Emergence Pictures joined St. John's Lutheran Church of Atlanta and Community Reveille to produce the one-hour "In a Time of Trial". Originally arriving in Atlanta on July 1 to assist with the post-production of the film, the production took on a life of its own as the announcement to remove Pastor Brad was made early that week and we shifted from post-production to full production, shooting 14 additional hours of interviews, intimate congregational meetings, and a deeply moving Sunday service, the film was then brought back to Minnesota where Emergence Pictures turned the final film around in less than a week! It premiered the following week in Atlanta and was mailed to thousands of Lutheran deligates.

Now you too can experience the joy, the pain, and the hope that Pastor Brad, his partner Darin, and members of St. Johns Lutheran bravely share in "In a Time of Trial". We are deeply honored to have been a part of this production.

Everyone watch KSTP!!!!

Please?

That's where you can see our new commercial!

This summer, Emergence Pictures teamed with EDesign (formerly ED Advertising) and their client Eischen Cabinets to create a commercial that is what the movie Momento would be if it was a comedic cabinet commercial . . .

Playing off of Eischen's tagline, "A Great Finish from the Start", this commercial highlights Eischen's attention to detail in reverse time! The creative boys at EDesign came up with this concept and brought Emergence on board to make it happen! What a fun change of pace for us!

This year, Emergence Pictures had the privilege of working with DCI (Dakota Communities Incorporated) on their 30th Anniversery Celebration Video. Dakota Communities partners with people with disabilities to realize their potential in their lives and communities.

For Dawn Mikkelson, Emergence Pictures' founder, this is the fourth year that she's collaborated with DCI on a video for their yearly gala fundraiser. Given this history, it was an extra treat to go through DCI's video and photo archives to find the best of the past, while integrating it with dreams for the future for DCI and the people they serve.

"I can't tell you how many people asked who did our video. It was exceptional. I watched faces as it was showing and there were tears and an attention that I hadn't seen before. We have shown it at all our program meetings and for new employee orientation and got the same response. Thank you so much." - Jacque Rooney, Director of Development and Communications, DCI.