Faith Base

By Collin Dever

ORLANDO, Fla.--In the recent years, Hollywood has begun catering to Christian audiences based on the success of such blockbuster hits as "Passion of the Christ" which made 610 million dollars. Creating a new market for faith based movies.

David Nixon an Orlando based filmmaker is one such person Hollywood turned to, to create faith based films and his movie "Letters to God" will be in theaters this spring.

"We wanted to create something that would give people hope." Said Nixon. "The movie is just a catalyst to get people to dialogue."

The movie, which is based on a true story, centers around a young boy afflicted with cancer who begins writing letters to God in order to help those people around him who are struggling.

Nixon's movies are far from the Hollywood standard. "We started everyday in prayer," said Nixon. Always present on the set during the movie were prayer warriors whose job was to pray from the moment the director said action until he said cut.

When it came to marketing "We used Mel Gibson's model." said Nixon "He took the movie to the church and gave it away." Because the movie deals with faith and cancer Nixon has implemented marketing strategies to reach out to those audiences.

To reach the cancer market the production team is marketing to the top 30 cancer organizations. Nixon has offered all of the organizations a free screening of the movie as a fundraiser, and in return having them spread to the word to the millions of people on their email lists.

Nixon built a name for himself doing faith based films when he volunteered with a church in Georgia to help make the movie "Facing the Giants" and "Fireproof" as a assistant director and co-producer.

Nixon is already beginning work on his next movie which he hopes to shoot over the summer. When Nixon raised the funds for "Letters to God" he raised ten million dollars enough to make three movies, and he has pledge to help the church from Georgia whenever they are ready to make another movie.

"Letters to God" will open in theaters April 9 the weekend after Easter Sunday.

Tragic action calls for bold leadership

By Collin Dever

ORLANDO, Fla.--After dissatisfied worker Jason Rodriguez shot six of his co-workers downtown, the city was shutdown, and Mayor Buddy Dyer was on the scene, at 1000 Legion Place, to address the media on Nov 6.

"It was about lunch time and all the sudden there were Orlando Police Department cars screaming by, and the chief called me to let me know that we had the event going on," said Dyer as a helicopter circled above.

Rodriguez was taken into custody at 2:13 p.m. and was being questioned at the OPD Headquarters downtown on the charge of first degree murder.

"I don't know that anybody had any indication that this individual to take this type of action," said Dyer.

Dyer expressed praise for the work of all the departments that helped to bring the manhunt to an end quickly and without incident.

"In terms of response I couldn't be more proud of the OPD, the Orlando Fire Department the supporting law enforcement agencies," said Dyer. "Got to give them an 'A plus' in terms of the operations of OPD and OFD."

Rodriguez remains in police custody awaiting trial.

Meditate on This

By Collin Dever

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Outside, the buzz of the city drones on and on, but inside the Infinity Wellness Center a group of strangers sit chanting and focusing on settling their mind. Konchog Shenphen, a Tibetan Buddhist, led a meditation and teaching on Monday.

Taking the attendees through sets of Buddhist prayers, in English, Shenphen touched on the founding principles on Buddhism such as Karma, Nirvana, and the Bodhisattva, which was followed by a meditation session.

Different from the main western religions, Shenphen encourages all people to find their own path. "Don't listen to me," said Shenphen. "Look inside yourself; if it makes sense okay. If it doesn't, you'll find something."

Sitting on a pillow on the floor, dressed in a suit with his phone clipped to his side, John Vega calmly recited the mantra of Chenrezi. "I believe that meditation is like the health food of the soul," said Vega.

Shenphen has been a monk for the past six years learning the ways of the Buddha. "My mom got me started," stated Shenphen. "She took me to the temple. I didn't leave the temple, and became a monk."

Originally ordaining in the Theravada tradition, mainly practiced in Thailand, Shenphen switched to the Tibetan practice.

Jairo Moreno, a friend of Shenphen, rose slowly when the meditation had finished, and went out to the hall to collect his shoes. Moreno said he felt, "more alert, more energetic, and just happy to be alive."

It is unclear how long the sense of euphoria lasts once the practitioners step back out into the bustling metropolis, but anytime they need to settle their minds they must only think back on Shenphen's words and utter the mantra "Om Mani Peme Hung."

Music For the Little Ones

By Collin Dever

Jessica Velazquez and her year-old daughter along with dozens of other parents and children filled the children's corner of the Barnes and Nobles at the Waterford Lakes Town Center, for a story time event today.

They came to hear Richard Peeples, who goes by the stage name Mr. Richard, a children's entertainer who started his career as a storyteller working with the Orange County Florida Library for five years.

"I steer away from the educational type themes because I think they learn anyway... I just strictly do silly stuff." said Peeples.

With songs about monkeys in purple socks, dog kisses, and a snake named Sammy, the story time was all about having a fun time for the kids and parents.

"We have been watching Mr. Richard for over four years, and we like that you can participate in the songs, clap, dance, sing along with him, it's good music." Said Carrie Reed.

For Velazquez it's all about watching her daughter "just seeing her dance and her face light when she would hear the music," and parents appreciate getting to spend time with their children during Peeples' Shows.

Peeples has been doing his own shows for five years. He has released three albums of children songs, and performs hundreds of shows a year.

The story time also provides a great socializing opportunity for the kids to meet new playmates and friends, and for the parents to meet other parents as well.

For Peeples he's confident that his music will never go out of style, because there's new children coming to his shows all the time.

"I stumbled onto a good niche here because the audience renews itself." Said Peeples.

As the children get older and move away from the music more children develop an appreciation.

"I could do the same set for twenty years and never change the songs."