Day 3 & 4 Universal Studio's Stage 25 & New York St.

Day 3 & 4 on Universal Studios' Soundstage 25 & New York St. Finnegan's Bar

Day 3 :
Today we filmed the most tear-jerking scenes of the production. All the cast did an amazing job portraying and delivering the emotions the scenes called for, especially little Bailee Madison (Tyler's best friend Samantha) who left the entire production team teary-eyed. - tissues were in full swing on set.

However, Maree Cheatham (Tyler's Granna Olivia) lightened the mood when she seemed to be pulling tissues out of nowhere and handing them to the cast. Tanner Maguire (Tyler) proceeded to ask Maree where she was getting all those tissues from - and Maree replied, "From my bosom! Those are my extra pockets!"

Crowded around the on-set edit suit for review of scene 13 at the Universal Studio's Stage 25.
From right to left: Patrick Tyler (Editor), Michael Bolten (Ben), Patrick Doughtie (Writer/Co-Director), Bailee Madison (Samantha), Ryan King (Assistant Editor).

Fully loaded RedCam on a Chapman Dolly

Day 4:
Today was our first split shift of the production. We kicked off the day at 4pm on Universal's Stage 25 working to complete all scenes held in Tyler's bedroom. We finished around 8pm, then broke down all equipment and moved over to Universal Studio's New York St. to film the bar scenes with Jeffrey Johnson (Brady) - we finished filming around 4am this morning (05/31/09).

Finnegan's Bar & Grill - Universal Studios New York St.

The film crew inside Finnigan's Bar, atmosphere made with a smoke machine

From left to right: Patrick Tyler (Editor), Ryan King (Assistant Editor),
Wendy Delouche (Script Supervisor), Chris Ranung (Key Craft Service)

B-Marker
Roll 16 | Scene 74A | Take 1

My friend, Doug Weiss, serving as production assistant on set

RedCamera (without the lens), Dolly Track, and Champman Camera Dolly

More photos and updates to come - Thank you so much for all your prayers support, the Lord is really blessing the production!

In Christ
-ryan

Letters to God - the movie

Before I go any further with the blog, I wanted to give those of you who are not familiar with the production some background

Letters to God is a film being shot here in Orlando by the producers of Facing the Giants and Fireproof. The production is fully investor funded!

The production has partnered with First Baptist of Orlando and First Baptist of Winter Garden as prayer partners for the film, but thank and encourage everyone to pray for us as much as possible. We will need it!

The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to serve as the on-set and in-studio Assistant Editor for the film. We started production May 27th on Universal Studio's Sound Stage 25, and will begin filming on location in Winter Garden the remainder of the production starting June 2nd.

The film is based on a True Story of a 9-year-old boy from Tennessee, Tyler Doherty.

"His days had been filled with climbing trees, soccer games, happy pranks on his friends and love from his family. Then one day, Tyler Doherty (Tanner Maguire) learned a new word—cancer.

Brady McDaniels’ (Jeffrey Johnson)life was spiraling out of control. The letter carrier had little reason to keep going, until one day he met young Tyler.

The result is LETTERS TO GOD, an inspiring film about what happens when a beleaguered postman must decide what to do with the prayer letters written by a boy stricken with cancer.
Brady’s first day of substituting for another postman on Laurel Lane pretty much sums up his pathetic life…a dog chases him through the sprinklers and he tears his trousers, a grumpy old man threatens him with a cane, and a sick boy throws up on his shoes. But when he discovers a letter destined for heaven, his life really gets complicated. Frustrated with the burden of what to do with the letter, he shoves it in his pocket, not wanting to think about what a little boy with cancer wants from God.

Trying to hang on to the only good thing in his life—his job—Brady continues to deliver the mail and becomes friends with Tyler and the wonderfully delightful and eccentric neighbors on Laurel Lane. In time, Brady opens his heart to Tyler’s family and the love of God that surrounds them. But an open heart is a vulnerable thing and when crisis comes, Brady takes a downward turn.

With all hope lost, Brady reads the letters he had carelessly stashed away and the miracle of Tyler’s handwritten talks with God give Brady fresh hope.
Letters to God is a film filled with laughter, love, hope and triumph—the kind that is found in a friendship with God."

Along with Tanner Maguire who plays Tyler and Jeffrey Johnson, Brady - we are blessed to be joined by Robyn Lively who plays Tyler's Mom (Maddy), Bailee Madison Tyler's best friend (Samantha), Michael Bolten, Tyler's older brother (Ben), Maree Cheatham Tyler's Granna (Olivia).

the purpose of this blog is to keep all of you in loop on some behind the scenes info and progress of the production as well as to encourage you to pray for the film.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support - the first 3 days of production is looking Amazing!

In Chirst,
Ryan

Day 1 - Universal Studio's Sound Stage 25

Hey everyone,
Since it's getting late here I thought I would go ahead and post a message from David Nixon to give you a run down of what we accomplished on Day 1. More to come - and thank you all for you support and continued prayers for the team and overall production, the Lord is really moving on this feature!

in Christ,
Ryan

"We had an amazing first day of shoot on Letters to God! We're on stage 25 at Universal Studios and started right out with prayer and a word from pastor Andre Dugger, little Tyler's pastor from Nashville. Then right into some of the most dramatic scenes in the movie in Brady's apartment. It was awesome!! We had our prayer warriors on set praying for us constantly, and I know you guys were praying for us all around the world. We could feel it! It was amazing how the crew jelled immediately and went to work. Usually, it takes a few days for the crew to get up to speed, but because of all the prayer and planning, we went immediately into high gear, didn't have one technical glitch all day, the actor, Jeffrey Johnson did an amazing job, and we shot everything we needed for the day.

Praise the Lord!!
Keep praying. It's only day 2, but God is doing a mighty work already, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for us over the next 5 weeks. Thanks so much for your support. We couldn't do it without you!!

In His Strong Grip,
Dave"