After lunch we split up the AFG Support team into 6 smaller groups, and for the next hour-and-a-half, I took each group to the Red Hill building where a room was converted into Caleb and Dave’s “dorm room” set. Only half the room was dressed, Dave’s side, since that would be the side seen on camera.

On the way to the set from Founders Hall I described how capturing sound on location was done, why it’s critical to the success of any film. When we reached the set, the SOUND CART was ready for demonstration. It was located several feet away outside the small dorm room. Manned by professional sound mixer/designer, John Doryk, from Colorado Springs, the SOUND CART looked formidable.

The cart held: 1) Portable 4-channel field sound mixer; 2) TASCAM digital sound recorder; 3) Two wireless receivers; 4) Backup 4-channel Peavy audio mixer; 5) Assorted accessories: plugs, gaffer tape, XLR cables, batteries, “stingers” (power-supply cords); 6) Boom pole; 7) a small ladder.

A professional sound cart, by itself, without any of the previously listed equipment would cost about $1,500. A janitor’s ladder cart (looking remarkably like a pro sound cart without the fancy label) sells for only $250. AFG uses the janitor’s ladder cart.

While one group was on the set observing and learning about recording sound for movies, the rest of the group stayed at the Dining Hall. AFG’s cast members, not needed for the dorm room scene, mingled with the supporters, taking pictures, signing autographs, talking about their experience in making COME WHAT MAY.

At 3:00 PM, we gathered at Town Hall to visit with Dr. Graham Walker, President of Patrick Henry College. Dr. Walker described the special mission of the college, and how its unique student body and alumni, who were mostly homeschooled, are now making significant contributions in the public square. As testament to the growth of the college, the new Barbara Hodel Student Life Center was under construction. Dr. Walker informed the AFG Support team that a major donor has guaranteed the completion of the Hodel Center. The pledge ensures that the 106,000 square-foot, approximately $32 million student life center will be completed by the start of the fall 2009 semester.

The guarantee, Dr. Walker explained, comes in the form of a “challenge grant” meant to enlarge the College’s base of existing donors. Over the coming year, PHC will work toward growing the existing base of financial donors from 1,500 to 5,000. AFG is an enthusiastic supporter of the college in this campaign. We believe that the strength of AFG comes from a strong PHC. Without the help of PHC’s administration, faculty, and student body, AFG would not exist.

After Dr. Walker’s presentation, I spoke briefly about the distinctives of an AFG filmmaker, that we seek to become cultural craftsmen rather than iconoclast artists. We ended the day by providing the support team with movie posters, postcards, and AFG Demo DVDs, and thanking them for their participation.

We invited our supporters to partner with AFG to promote the movie release in late Spring 2008.

We extend that invitation to all who visit our website. Contact us at staff@adventfilmgroup.com