History
John Schimke, the Director of 36 Parables films, spent 2 years pitching the project to anyone who would listen to him. He kept hearing from people they loved the project but they didn’t have the funds to support the idea. Initially discouraged, John shelved the project and moved on to his graduate studies at the American Film Institute.Things changed for John and his parable idea in the spring of 2004. Stewart was getting married in Kansas City on May 1st, 2004 when John finally found some one to support his idea. John had tapped Stewart to DP his senior undergraduate film, “The Courier”, a year earlier and they had become fast friends.
John was half way across the country at Stewart’s wedding when support for what would one day become 36 Parables finally arrived. Stewart was happily married to his wife and best friend Rebecca and John was almost equally thrilled knowing his parable project would become a reality. Over cake and punch he met the largest single investors in 36 Parables.
A few short months later John needed to prove the idea would work before he could access any funds. John tapped Stewart to be Director of Photography for “Found”, the first 36 Parables film, in Lodi, CA. They had no money, a two-page script, and a borrowed camera.
On May 1st 2005 Stewart and Rebecca were celebrating their 1st year wedding anniversary and “Found” was ready to test market. The film couldn’t have been received any better. Thanks to the fortunate meeting John had on Stewart’s wedding day over a year before their partnership was begun and 36 Parables was officially launched.
3 years later, after shooting our most recent installments for Zondervan on the Varicam, getting our sound work done at Universal Studios and our color work done at Kodak's LaserPacific we remember shooting our first film, "Found", three years ago with no budget. Even so, many people maintain that it's our best film. We are reminded God seeks each one of us like the character in Found seeks his lost treasure and that God has divine purpose for all of us.
Have you seen these?
The Music Box
Synopsis: A collector tries to persuade a reluctant antique shop owner to sell him a familiar old music box.
Runtime: 5 minutes
Based on: The Parable of the Treasure Buried in a Field
Scripture: Matthew 13: 44
Directed by: John Schimke
Director of Photography: Stewart H. Redwine
Produced by: Stewart H. Redwine and John Schimke
Available: September 2008
Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties
Technical Specs: HD, Varicam, P+S Technik Mini35 Adapter, Zeiss Standard Speed Primes, Angenieux Zoom (25-250mm)
Pray Watch Read Discuss Repeat
Use these five simple steps to get the most out of 36 Parables with your group.
Pray - ask the Lord to speak to during your time together
Watch - watch one of the short films
Read - give your group time to read the parable the short film is based on
Discuss - find points of connection between the short film and the original parable
Repeat - following your group’s initial discussion watch the short film again and see if there was anything you missed the first time around
Tractor Safety Tips
Synopsis: Moderate domestic disaster ensues when a man fails to understand the warning label on his cough medicine and decides to take his new riding lawn mower out for a joy ride.
Runtime: 5 minutes
Based on: The Parable of the Leafing Fig Tree
Scripture: Matthew 24: 30-33
Directed by: John Schimke
Director of Photography: Stewart H. Redwine
Produced by: Stewart H. Redwine and John Schimke
Available: May 2009
Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties
Technical Specs: HD, Varicam, P+S Technik Mini35 Adapter, Zeiss Super Speed Primes, Angenieux Zoom (25-250mm)
Found
Synopsis: A vagabond searches for his most prized possession.
Runtime: 5 minutes
Based on: The Parable of the Lost Coin
Scripture: Luke 15: 8-10
Directed by: John Schimke
Director of Photography: Stewart H. Redwine
Produced by: Stewart H. Redwine and John Schimke
Available: September 2008
Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties
Technical Specs: MiniDV, DVX100A
Spilt Milk
Synopsis: A young boy discovers the practicality of sour milk.
Runtime: 3 minutes
Based on: The Parable of the New Wine in Old Wine Skins
Scripture: Mark 2: 22
Directed by: John Schimke
Director of Photography: Stewart H. Redwine
Produced by: Stewart H. Redwine and John Schimke
Available: January 2009
Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties
Technical Specs: MiniDV, DVX100A, P+S Technik Mini35 Adapter, Zeiss Super Speed Primes