What wonders God can show us when we say “Yes” to His invitation to participate in the reality that He is unfolding.
In July 2020, after four months of obedience to a call to sit quietly at His feet, in contemplative prayer…to listen…I finally started to feel God’s presence in a new way.
Nine months earlier, I had befriended a writer on FB and was struck by his giftedness, authenticity, honesty and expression of faith. Brock Heasley got my attention and trust. I watched a sci-fi short film he had made years earlier, called “The Shift.” I felt a calling to invest into the funding needed for Brock to create The Shift feature film, based on the short. I had been hesitant to get involved previously, because of my time investment and continued financial support of The Chosen TV series, also a God calling. But God was very clear in this new calling.
In addition, He put it on my heart to promote and find investors for The Shift. It felt too big. I prayed for two days and nothing changed. I wanted to listen to God. And here He was, “speaking.” I said “Yes.” I asked him to show me how.
Looking back, this was an exercise of God teaching me to listen, and putting me on a path of trust and discovery in each step of this new journey. I started with what I knew to do, and I watched small miracles as one by one, people saw the beauty of The Shift, things even I couldn’t see. When I quickly got to the end of my initial posts, I asked God to show me who to personally reach out to, people who would invest into this project and share with others. I knew I couldn’t do this on my own.
Each day, I would pray and God would give me a name. He was training me to listen and reach out so personally, which took time. I would get the reward of an investment, as well as friendship and partnership of beautiful souls coming alongside this film. Over time, I began to run out of familiar names. And I wondered if this dance was over. It wasn’t. It just became an advanced class.
One day I had no name. I continued to pray and wait. As I prayed, my phone beeped. The first beep was a message from Megamorphosis Magazine, founder, Jenene Stafford. Then came a friend request from her as I sat wondering. Those two beeps were all I got. So I asked, “You really want me to message this random person about ‘The Shift?’” I hoped for “no.” I didn’t get it. In fact, I felt quite sure those beeps were the answer.
So I reached out to Jenene, who was simply responding to a general inquiry about an issue of the magazine featuring The Chosen. I really didn’t know anything about this magazine. I told the truth. I wrote that I was praying about who to reach out to about a film I feel called to support and share. And I shared my story.
Jenene responded with “Thank you for listening.” Such a relief! Why was I surprised? Then she said she would watch the short film and pray. If she felt called, she would get back to me. Two weeks later she came back to say she would feature The Shift in her magazine. Megamorphosis always kept this project in their prayers. Jenene said that God showed her that The Shift Film would be made and she believed it would “go big.” I was stunned and so grateful. I sometimes wonder why I continue to be surprised by all the ways God gets involved. It is magical and mysterious. So beautiful and perfectly in line with Who I believe He is. But this was a rich lesson that continues to impact my life.
In the beginning of this journey, God showed me His presence every day. I was in awe. Over the next year God was ever present as we continued to promote and gain investors, but His presence was slightly less palpable. We built a fan club and Brock held livestreams. We all learned more of Brock’s journey that led to the writing of this tale. It was a beautiful period of growth, but we also faced struggle.
The Shift is a grounded Sci-Fi film with a faith element. It is meant to be a crossover film, with a far reach. It is a riveting, yet relatable love story. A story of great loss. A journey of hope. But many people could not imagine the pairing of faith and sci-fi. Many could not accept a film with a faith element that didn’t shy away from darkness.
During this process, Neal Harmon, CEO of Angel Studios, the film’s distributor, shared a quote he had just heard with Brock, “The Struggle is Superb.”
That message so succinctly defined the struggle portrayed in the film and in our process of marketing and fundraising. It became such a beautiful and timely message of hope. I used it often while in conversations about holding on to faith in pain, loss and struggle, right alongside sharing the film. It also helped me. While God continued to be present and give peace and victories in the work, we also continued to struggle to grow funding with our small base. All the while, God was working through Brock as he kept upping his game, bringing more clarity to people as we engaged more deeply about how God meets us in our struggle.
One personal example was that I began helping to answer the very negative comments in response to the ads we were running. Our world was getting more and more divisive, especially in faith communities online. It was rather horrifying. But as I prayed for forbearance and help to shine His light as I answered these harsh comments, God showed me how well received my questions and explanations were. I was stunned. And I spent many hours in communications like this. God showed me through this new role, that the applications I was steeped in around promoting The Shift Film were skills that could be applied to any type of division. A respectful, grace filled way of honoring the other, affirming their right to think differently, and then explaining, with grace, what they didn’t understand about this film. It was a beautiful time of engagement. I was surprised that with God, it became joy to work on these negative comments on the ads and I felt so held in the process and the peacemaking.
As time went on, Brock began to work very closely with Angel Studios and they entered into a brilliant partnership. I was not a part of that strategy. They are the masters. They are also listeners. I continued in support of sharing this vision and we watched the funding, the marketing and the investor base grow enormously.
The struggle never left the room. But what a glorious vision as I watched, from afar, Brock and Angel Studios, redefine and elevate their strategy to draw the financial support The Shift Film needed. Brock also began to establish his dream production team and department heads that would ensure a stunning success in the creation of The Shift film.
The period of feeling God’s movement every day came to an end. But I learned like never before that He is always present and moving even when I can’t feel it. My faith has grown to not depend on a feeling. I depend on God, the person, the Spirit. I have continued to support The Shift in any way I can. I have had a front row seat as I watched God throughout this process do something extraordinary. All because I listened and said “Yes.”
The Chosen, which I was so connected to as an original investor, and still am, was another surprising gift. God nudged me to ask Brock about composers and I was able to be a connection to The Chosen Composers, Matthew S. Nelson and Dan Haseltine. That happened early. They will be scoring The Shift film and that’s such a gift to me. But God continued to connect the two projects that were so close to my heart. Dallas Jenkins became an Executive Producer. Justen Overlander came on as Co-Producer and Liz Tabish, Paras Patel and Jordan Walker Ross were the first cast announcements on The Shift.
Through this experience, I learned to say “yes” to hard things, along the path of The Shift Film. I wish I could say what I have been called into is easy, but it’s not. It’s hard and beautiful, yet fulfilling and it’s filled with struggle, but in it I find God.
Brock reached his funding goal, enough to make a truly significant and excellently crafted feature film.
Even with absolute trust in God’s provision, I was still not prepared for what I have witnessed on the set of The Shift Film that just wrapped 5 weeks of production, on March 4. Like the story of Job, of which this story draws its inspiration, Brock suffered a lot of loss in his life. In addition, the journey of The Shift was so difficult, and at times may have felt out of reach. But God, in His perfect timing, gave back more than anyone could have imagined.
Brock got a production team beyond measure. His Producer Ken Carpenter, has deep connections and filled his cast and crew with people at the very top of their game. As I was on set, I heard stories about how God moved hearts most often in a state of brokenness to accept a call to The Shift film. One of those hearts was the owner of the Extras Casting Birmingham. He was extraordinary in his work ethic and the way he cared for the hundreds of extras and investors who were drawn to set. So many experienced a loving and healing community but also Holy Spirit presence. They all said they have never been on a set like this. People put their phones down and lovingly engaged for hours. Real friendships were made. One of the extras who, like many of the locals, didn’t even know much about the story of The Shift, said this, “A new short film could almost be made from all the stories I’ve heard from different extras, seems like we all were drawn to this project during a major shift in our own lives.”
The cast and crew also shared stories about the culture of kindness on the set. So many said they were exhausted from the weeks of long hours. But they didn’t want to leave this group of co-workers and co-creators.
The beauty of the film is like nothing I have imagined. The cinematography and the acting I witnessed was absolutely stunning.
The Shift will be marketed for the general population. It is truly a film for everyone. It is not agenda laden. It is a deeply thoughtful, authentic and wondrous tale of hope in the struggle. Of finding the light in darkness. Of listening for God, even when circumstances don’t seem to change and we can’t feel His presence. This is my story. Our story. It is about what happens when your world is “shifted” by circumstances outside your control. Our response is all we have control over. To listen. To hold on to hope. To find the light. To say “Yes” to the journey He invites us into.
How Did I Go From a $500 Short Film to This?
By Brock Heasley
They flew in from India. And Costa Rica. And London. And who knows where else.
Some drove from Arizona, over 1700 miles away. Imagine that. In a car, 1700 miles, just to go and stand on a hot street, sweat in baggy clothing, and run screaming from faceless dudes in black riot gear who can’t see straight.
That’s what the extras in The Shift Film did. Hundreds of them. A thousand total over the course of the shoot. And surrounding them were a hundred crew and actors—truly great actors—I’ve admired for years. And the entire time I’m thinking, “How?”
“How did I go from a $500 short film to this?”
That’s what the thing that kicked this all off cost. The caveat to that is, of course, that the reason it cost so little is because a lot of talented people lent their time and talents. The second caveat, which I’ve only become more comfortable talking about recently, is that the $500 was food stamp money to feed the crew. Because that was all I had to give—all my family had to give.
I remember when, after years of having a swamp cooler, my in-laws bought us a $7,000 air conditioning unit when it became clear our middle daughter’s medical conditions didn’t allow her to regulate her body temperature properly. In an area of the country where 110 degree summer temperatures are not unusual, this was a big deal. I didn’t want to accept the gift because of pride, but I swallowed it for her sake. And I got over myself very quickly when that thing kicked on for the first time. I still say a little prayer of gratitude at the beginning of every summer. I will never take the blessing of air conditioning for granted. Never.
I feel the same way about every single person who worked on and supports The Shift, and about the entire experience. What does it feel like to make this film after fighting for so long? After everything that’s worked against it? To see so many people excited about it as if it’s their own and for it to mean so much to them that they’ll actually risk passing out (or actually pass out—that happened, too) to be a part of it?
A smarter person would say it feels like Sisyphus finally, actually making it up that hill. I’ll just say it feels like air conditioning after all I’ve known is sweat and soggy clothes.
A Special Film for His Milestone—100th Film as A.D.
Joth Riggs’ still captures, featured here, are painting the picture for us of the beautiful, broken world of Angel Original, “The Shift” Film. But Joth’s primary role on the project is so much more than that. He is the film’s First Assistant Director. And The Shift is his 100th film project as an A.D.!
Joth wanted a special film for this milestone, and therefore turned down several projects before reading the script for “The Shift.” Once he did, he knew this was the one.
The role of the 1st A.D. is an important one. Joth is ultimately responsible for managing the logistics and scheduling all 200+ scenes as efficiently as possible to maximize the amount of time available to get every scene completed in the allotted time. Joth is also in charge of managing the set on a daily basis and overseeing the production to maintain an efficient and safe working environment, coordinating with all departments and ultimately facilitating a smooth running shoot for the director and the team. As the Director, Brock Heasley says, “Joth Riggs is a force on set.”
Like everyone else on the set of The Shift film, Joth could not be more humble and kind. He brings his all, including his calmness and goodness, as he keeps this train moving on schedule, which makes the entire production run smoothly and efficiently, allowing for a less stressful environment for the cast and crew to work in.
As the filming wrapped, Joth said he was going to stay in touch, and keep tabs on the posts in The Shift Fan Club. He said, “I usually move on from a project at this stage to set my sights on the next one, but The Shift is special, I’m excited to see it all the way through.”
About Michael Wyrosdick, Owner of Extras Casting Birmingham
On the set of Angel Original, “The Shift” Film, Michael Wyrosdick, owner of Extras Casting Birmingham, was a bright light. His deep goodness was apparent to everyone. His work ethic and care for every human in his path, come from his beautiful servant heart.
It seems like struggle and darkness are themes that constantly come up in our everyday lives. The Shift film tackles that darkness. I believe that conversation is so needed in this world. And it felt like Michael was chosen to be a part of this film, maybe for that very reason.
I met Michael on Day 2&3 of filming. We stayed in touch over the next weeks. I heard about the incredible task before him. In addition to lining up hundreds of extras, he had a new role of having investors and also fans join the show as extras. These three groups have very different levels of care and needs. I have a new understanding of the depth and breadth of this casting role. It is extremely difficult and important work. Michael had Holy Spirit help to not only manage such a difficult task, with the three groups, but he also saw the mission field that was developing. He poured himself into it. He was so open and giving and trusting. And I heard beautiful stories.
Then I went back in Week 5, and got to experience some of the same. Whenever I was around extras, especially the local extras, I was struck by the conversations. It seemed like everyone was drawn to be a part of this film without knowing much about it. Most stayed off their phones and talked. A very rare occurrence, as attested to by the regular extras. Most of the conversation was about life struggles. Many had fallen away from the church but wanted to reconnect with God. And they were so surprised to find out that The Shift film is a story about finding the Light in the life of a man whose whole world had been shifted. The conversations went deep, and there was such a beautiful energy and joy that is hard to explain. People were seen and heard, and real friendships made. I heard more stories from Michael, as well. Sometimes we would get texts at the same time from different people about the similar experiences they had. And we would just hold up our phones to each other in awe. No words needed.
Michael was inundated with messages from extras thanking him for this experience and their testimonies of being on set, how it was so much more than a job. Many expressed the feeling that they were called to be there, and now can’t wait to see the film. Michael also experienced people just showing up, driving many miles or flying, just to be there. He had never experienced anything like that on another film set.
Then one night, I heard Michael’s story. It is a story about the luminous darkness that remains. It is so hard and beautiful. Michael was care-giving for his mom, who had cancer. In her last days, terrible weather circumstances prevented hospice from coming to help. And he lost his mom during that traumatic time.
The horrific experiences and feeling alone in the pain and loss, sent him into depression. And like so many of us, and like Kevin in The Shift story, he felt abandoned by God. He sold his house. Then Michael left the country for a 6-month sojourn, to get away from everything and everyone. After 3 months, he was in Israel. As he was still trying to process his grief and trauma, God gave him the most beautiful, personal, expression of His love and presence.
After that healing experience, Michael got a text from Kristi Kacille Averette, a friend he had hired to help in his business, saying that they were being offered The Shift Film. He didn’t really feel ready to get back to work, but she sent him the script and he read it.
Michael felt called to this film, just as many of the cast and crew did. They saw something very different, exceptionally written, and needed. I can only guess that it felt very applicable to Michael’s life. His life had been shifted in the most shocking way, just as Kevin’s had in the film.
Michael cut his trip short by 3 months and returned to a new world—the world of The Shift Film. I don’t think he slept for the 5 weeks of filming, but he poured out all the love that God had poured into him. He is still healing. And I think his pain and suffering and time of contemplation helped him become an even more empathetic soul, that was so needed on this set. There were others who experienced healing on this set. Very personal stories shared through messages and in person. Michael was used in mighty ways, and he said the whole experience was healing for him, as well.
Just as those of us who were called to be a part of The Chosen have been amazed to watch the powerful ways God has used the series to impact lives on the set and through the screen, it was exciting to see evidence of God working in the culture of The Shift set. To experience the joy of everyone present, to participate in organic conversation that felt more like a mission trip than a sci-fi movie set. Sometimes God shows up in such mysterious and powerful ways. And when we get to experience that, especially in community, it’s something we never forget.
I will never forget Michael. To me, he is an example of the kind of light we can be in this world. Authentic light. No platitudes here. Real transforming love, in the process, giving us the power to use our pain to be Jesus’ hands and feet, love poured out to others who need it. God seems to be partnering beautiful souls like Michael with artists like Brock Heasley and Dallas Jenkins, who write such poignant and vulnerable stories to shine the light on how God is so often found in the luminous darkness.