The Film of My Life: Part 1

Delivered at the ceremony for my high school graduation, Saturday May 24th.

The plot

I have to warn you that the plot of my movie is quite unlike that of Mission Impossible, The Rock or Armagedden. While I'm all for saving the innocent civilians and doing the impossible for the good of the universe, my role as the lead actress in my movie is less about M-16s and gum that explodes, and more about my mission at home as a young lady. The overall and life-long mission is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. In the near future, the plot (which is always subject to change according to the screenwriter's plan) is to further my knowledge of God and His creation while serving my family and friends, as I hope you have seen evidence of in part one of my film.

Meet the director

First of all, I would like you to meet my director. I really couldn't have asked for a better father. Even when my act isn't all together, and things start to come out looking more like a comedy than an inspirational drama, he's gracious with me and always has time to go over the script together, page by page. Unfortunately, in our day and age, the audience is clamoring for productions of young ladies who are totally independent of any director. However, having stumbled through my lines and confused the script of God's word over and over, I am living proof that young ladies need a firm and constant director by their side to encourage, correct, and counsel.

There's another special person who stands behind the director, but is no less important, and that's the producer. Basically, without the producer, the director would be totally confused and the show would never quite hit the box office. She's a very special person; someone I want to be like when my solo role becomes a duet.

The stunt men

There are some other special cast members that you really ought to hear about. You don't usually hear a lot about the stunt men (and woman) but I have 6 and they all helped to make certain that the film didn't turn out to be a yawner! They kept things interesting and always provided ample bloopers for after the show. They are my critics, and my supporters who kept the show on the road when I was tired.

The theater

A sad and damaging aspect in modern film-making of culture today is the idea that once an actor or actress turns 18 it's time to hit the stage, lights on, cameras rolling! We're told that we've had the amount of training we're going to get, so go perform and don't mess up! Young people are cut off from directors and producers, assuming they are mature, strong, and tough enough to battle the demands of the audience.

And the majority of actors and actresses fall into the thinking that there's only one way to hit the screen and become a star; and that everyone around them has to do it the same way. Those who choose to perform in other ways, or to train backstage longer with the director and producer, are looked upon as failures who can't make their own way in the real world ; the world of Hollywood.
I can't promise the audience that I'll take the well trodden path to college, but I can promise them that there is a sequel to part one of my act, and it doesn't involve a halfhearted role backstage.

The screenwriter

So yeah; my whole plot really clashes with that of Hollywood's. In fact, my whole film is declared to become a failure when it hits theaters near you. My make up and costuming is more reserved than the audience likes to see, my backdrop more simple. Some people see it as a documentary; a boring film that doesn't spark any interest. Others are missing the plot because they see it as a wide screen; missing half of the story because their didn't comprehend the script.

I'll admit; it's pretty hard to ignore the critical and clamoring audience of the world. A clean, religious, or simply different style of movie can stand out almost like a sore thumb, and it's a constant temptation to try and change the script I was given in order to fit in and escape the rebuke of those around me. But my script says that if I have friendship with the World, I have enmity with my screenwriter, and there's only one who can get me through my film. It's hard to stay true to the script and ignore the status quo, but by the grace of God I can present a film that's a failure according to Hollywood, but a successful hit according to my screenwriter.

Until now I haven't really mentioned much about the screenwriter, but His fingerprints are all over my director, producer, and my film. He gave us the whole script, complete with the backdrop of our home and adequate training supplies and cast. When we were tired of always editing and rehearsing He got us back on track. The best part of it was, we didn't even have to set up a time to ask questions and go over the script; He was constantly there with a ready ear.
This is not a film about me. I want every act, audition; even the deleted scenes to be about my Screenwriter! When the red carpet is pulled out, it is my prayer that you would see Him in me and that I would give my Lord all the glory and credit for my performance here on earth.

-Jennifer