Shooting Video in New York City

The preproduction process for the VBS 2012 video shoot is getting into full swing now. We just received management approval for our story idea, so it’s time to get the ball rolling! We began brainstorming ideas way back in November, but it takes time to determine the best plan and consider what our budget will allow us to do.
Last year, we were able to shoot a couple of days in New York City. Our departure day was getting close, and I still didn’t have any kids who could be extras in the video. I had made some calls to the few people I knew in the area (all two of them), but nothing productive was happening. I was beginning to panic! Thankfully, I remembered that Becky Loyd (your former blog master on this site) has a sister in NYC. She, along with Andrew Mann (one of the featured missionaries in this year’s missions stories), provided just the help I needed! In no time, I had more kids than I needed! Everyone was able to show up at their appointed location, be there on time, and do a great job! All the kids (as well as their parents) were wonderful!

I wish I had pictures of all of them so you could actually see them. But, it’s a rare opportunity when I can put down my script and pick up my own camera to take a few photos in the midst of production! You’ll just have to look for them in the Worship Rally DVD daily videos. They’re the kids on the bicycles, in the rowboat, playing “freeze tag” in Central Park, and so on.

I’m always amazed when I see how God is at work in our themes (though I shouldn’t be). He never, ever fails. Isn’t it humbling to recognize how He truly “shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6)? As I should expect, God already is at work with Big Apple Adventure^®. This year is the 10^thanniversary of 9/11. Though we’re not focusing on that in our curriculum, it’s exciting to know that thousands of churches and millions of people all over the world will be praying for New York City during this special year, due in part to Lifeway’s VBS. I hope you’ll commit yourself to join others in this opportunity.
Moving on with 2012. . . . I can’t tell you where we’re hoping to shoot the video. But, even if I did, it wouldn’t give you ANY clue regarding the theme! Now, isn’t that interesting?