Publishing Launched by Performing "Future Seed"

The cover for the new ebook version of a
heartwarming short story.

     With the performance of our two-person reader's theater piece, "Future Seed", we announce the beginning of our e-publishing venture.

     You can now get your own copy of "Future Seed" the short story at http://bit.ly/futureseed . 

     See Mark's profile page

at http://bit.ly/markrtbooks 

where the list of publications is growing.
Adaptation Process Starts

      Now that publishing and world wide distribution costs next to nothing on the Internet, ebook purchases are growing faster than traditional print books.  Mark is systematically adapting his key plays, screenplays, poetry and instructional material to make them available as ebooks. 

Scripts to Books

      Plays and screenplays will be taking the form of short stories and novellas. If there is interest in the script versions, either production arrangements will be made, or they could be made available for e-reading. 

Poetry

     Volumes of poetry could appear under various themes such as aspects of nature, inspirations from scripture, or comments on society. Mark may even include visual arts in a poetry volume. 

Non-Fiction

     How-to ebooks could include texts on our "Word Show" methodology and the plan for the Film Gallery Café. 

Pick Your Favorite

     If you remember a favorite script, story, or seminar we have presented in the past and would like to read it, e-mail your request to bump it up in priority for epublishing. e-mail mark (at) horizongate.org

Next Short Art Film In Production

Frame #1

Frame #2

Frame #3
The sky and flowered landscape around a Minnesota lake peel back in a transition to deep space in the film "A Prayer for Beauty" by Mark Turner.

     The third in our collection of short art films, entitled "A Prayer for Beauty", is in production with a release date at the first of February, 2012.  

5 Year Hibernation

     This film started as an illustrated poem printed in 2006. The photographic illustrations were then used as a slide show in art exhibits and this motivated Mark to begin animating elements of the illustrations. The motion graphics project was set aside and re-activated five years later to provide a third film in our next demonstration of the Film Gallery Café concept.

New Techniques

     Mark sees a growth in his skills and ideas since first working on the film. For instance, he had been stumped as to what kind of sound track would be appropriate, but now has a rich sound design based on knowledge he has gained in music, spoken word and recording technique. New visual techniques are also enhancing the film.

Christmas Is Real

     Many are upset by some calling the Christmas story "myth" or even "fairy tale", but our faith is not based on material possibilities.  

     Truth is not limited to the scientific method. Is it possible that God moves heaven and earth to save humanity? Oh, yes. Does God overcome murderous opposition in the process? Oh, yes. Can we understand all this?

     God has given us wondrous signs in the natural world and our ability to tell about them, to pass on the witness that God is, indeed, saving us. It is taking a long time by our reckoning, but in God's Love it is all accomplished.  

     Praise God for the privilege of walking through the drama with our fellow players, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the magi, people not so different from us in previous episodes. God is still walking us through even as we celebrate what He did back then; new circumstances, the same incomprehensible Truth.

     It's our turn to hear God in dreams, accept hard missions like bearing children, registering for taxation, or fleeing from genocide; our turn to seek the new king, to give our wealth and allegiance to the kingdom of heaven.

     Future episodes may refer to us too as fairy tales.

Art Capsulizes Truth Like Seeds

     Art is the capsulizing of multileveled Truth like seeds we hope will open in good soil, grow and bear more seeds.   

     In Matthew 13 Jesus talks about seeds: good and bad; of soils: prepared and unprepared. Why does he speak in parables covering up "the facts" with metaphor? Because so many close their eyes and hearts to guard against intrusion, fearing that God (or someone) might enter and do damage rather than heal.

     The artist can not open unwilling eyes and hearts. Even God will not force revelation onto a person. So, we make seeds to be buried and await the conditions when the soil of the heart is conducive to the epiphany compressed within the seed.

     To those whose hearts turn toward God are given the treasures locked inthe mysteries, parables, art and the myriad of other vehicles carrying the revelation of God. When we risk turning to God our eyes are opened, ears unstopped, seeds sprout to multiply further revelation of God in our lives.

     In Psalm 40 the psalmist pictures himself in an impossible pit with walls of miry clay which can not be scaled. There he seeks God Who hears his cry, lifts him out and sets his feet on a firm rock where he can stand and make progress in all his potential. Artists need to believe that God will lift them out of the impossible place. When they experience that they capsulize it in art forms like seeds which will be carried in the soil of their audience's hearts until the time when it helps them to salvation.

Let us bear the fruit and scatter the seed generously.

"Future Seed" Two-Person Show Performing Near You

Donna & Mark Turner perform reader's theater on national tour, 2007.

      Mark and Donna are reviving their performance of "Future Seed" which was part of their national tour in 2007. It has received enthusiastic reception wherever it has been presented and now you can book it for your group.

A STORY FROM OUR ROOTS 

     The Turners tell this story in the vein of Garrison Keillor's "Lake Wobegon Days". It is all about a mid-western farming family transformed by the opportunity to act in risky faith and charity like their pioneer ancestors, by the gift of a trip to the Old World they are given and by the hostility it all generates from their neighbors.  

     Mark wrote the story speculating on characters like his own roots in Nebraska and Europe.

FOR ALL SEASONS

     The storytelling lasts about 40 minutes and sparks conversations which can also be part of the program. As the story deals with both spring planting and harvest it makes an excellent centerpiece for both seasons. There is even a version which brings out Christmas references.

     Available starting the end of November, the first booking is set for the December sixth Christmas dinner of the El Cajon Presbyterian women's group. Contact the Turners by e-mail, mark (at) horizongate.org to inquire about bookings.

Mobile Exhibit Inspires Creativity In Your Group

Illustration of the art, film screen and conversations coming to your group.

     The Film Gallery Cafe is now taking bookings for the mobile exhibit. We bring to your group the art films and art. You provide the place, beverages and cafe atmosphere. 

THE BENEFITS

     Just organizing a time and place to contemplate art and film in a conversational atmosphere with refreshments is reason enough to book the Film Gallery Cafe.
     The conversations sparked by the films and art can take off in any direction your group wants and those who attend will be inspired on their individual spiritual journeys.
     Artists and filmmakers in your group will be inspired in their own art production, or discover a way to collaborate with us. Would it not be wonderful for your own artists and filmmakers to eventually create enough to have their own Film Gallery Cafe? We can show them how.
     These results are indeed worth bringing our exhibition to your venue. 

YOUR OPTIONS MULTIPLY

     Even as we go on the road with our current collection more films are being produced. The third film is in production with a finish date of February and will be a fitting way to start the event as it is "A Prayer for Beauty".
     You can choose to follow that up with the more confrontational film "To the Diggers" and finish with the more contemplative "Comforting Hovers", or vice versa. Any order that you think is best for your group and event is your prerogative.
     As other films become available more combinations are possible for return engagements. 

HELPS TO BROADEN THE EXPERIENCE

     At the tables we provide helps to encourage conversations such as cards with visuals and text from the films. Simple art materials are set out for doodling. Prints of artwork and DVD sales extend the experience beyond the event.

Donna Invited to Provide Program

     After our last demonstration of the Film Gallery Cafe, Donna was approached by a psychotherapist to collaborate on a lecture about self-compassion. The lecture will include references to the Prodigal Son story.

     Donna is growing as a curator by gathering paintings and drawings of our artists for the slide show illustrating the talk. She has also been given the entire program for the meeting of the same group in February for which she will demonstrate the viewing/discussion concept of the Film Gallery Cafe.